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  MWI ROUNDTABLE SERIES

The MWI Roundtable is an open discussion group where practitioners can explore topics related to mediation, negotiation, and dispute resolution. The MWI Roundtable meets periodically and offers an opportunity for practitioners to explore the theoretical aspects of their practice and provides a social opportunity to meet and explore ideas together.  Those attending the roundtable are encouraged to suggest topics for discussion and help organize a MWI Roundtable.
 

REGISTRATION AND COST 

The MWI Roundtable is free for all MWI mediators and participants of MWI training programs.  All other participants are asked to make a tax-deductible contribution to Mediation Works Incorporated, a non-profit organization.  RSVP is required for all MWI Roundtables via email to <jhoch@mwi.org> or phone 617-973-9739 x23. 


2009-2010 MWI Roundtable Calendar (click a date below for more information)



LOCATION / TIMES

MWI Roundtables are held at: 

Mediation Works Incorporated
4 Faneuil Hall - Fourth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
driving directions

MWI Roundtables start with social meeting time for 30 minutes followed by a two hour program. For more information, please contact Josh Hoch at 617-973-9739 x23 or jhoch@mwi.org.

 


September 11, 2009
“Communication 2.0”

Social Time - 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Presentation - 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Presenter: Stephen Frenkel
Intended Audience: MWI Court and Divorce Panel Members

Whether it is email, blog, public forum, Friendster, twitter, text message or IM, these new communication tools are just that – tools that may or may not be appropriate depending on the circumstance, parties involved and the goals of the communicator. Yet too many of us default to one over the others, or even utilize some tools only to regret it later. Join Stephen Frenkel, MWI Director of Negotiation Programs, for a discussion about the dangers and risks, as well as the benefits, of communicating through technology. Stephen will discuss the need to be strategic in your choice of communication tools and will discuss methods to help you recognize the benefits and risks of each tool as well as how to maximize your efficiency, effectiveness and message clarity when communicating through technology.
 


October 20, 2009
"An Introduction to Non Violent Communication"

Social Time - 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Presentation - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Presenter: Scott Loring
Intended Audience: MWI Court and Divorce Panel Members

Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg and practiced world-wide, is a communication style that examines the unmet needs behind what we say or do. The process transforms relationships with others and with one’s self. Sometimes referred to as “compassionate communication”, NVC fosters respect, attentiveness and empathy, and engenders a mutual desire to give from the heart. The form is simple, yet powerfully transformative.

Using NVC in your mediation practice can help to make mediations less positional and more interest based. The NVC formula uses careful observations to eliminate judgments, providing an effective language of neutrality for mediating a wide range of disputes. Join us to learn more about NVC and for discussion lead by Scott Loring.
 


November 17, 2009
"Using Non Violent Communication in Mediation and in Life"

Social Time - 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Presentation - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Presenter: Scott Loring
Intended Audience: MWI Mediators who have participate in a previous NVC Roundtable

This roundtable will build on the concepts of NVC introduced in the "Introduction to NVC workshop". We will use this workshop to give you hands on practice to use NVC in role-plays and to work on real life dilemmas. Bring your workbook from the first workshop and your real life experience. We will examine the challenges of reframing of interests or giving empathy to those you don't agree with. We will be doing some interactive exercises that will let you experience what it feels like to receive and give genuine empathy.
 


February 5, 2010
"Examining Best Practices – Reviewing a Video of a Live Mediation"

Intended Audience: MWI Mediators
Social Time from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Presentation from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Presenter: Chuck Doran

Roundtable Description: In May 2009, MWI's Executive Director, Chuck Doran, presented at the Mediation Pedagogy Conference held at the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. Chuck was part of a panel that reviewed a live mediation that featured him as the mediator at Quincy District Court in April 2009. As outlined on the PON website, "the conference (brought) together academics and professional trainers of mediation to discuss teaching the skills and concepts of mediation to a variety of professional and disciplinary audiences. Our goal is to question pedagogical assumptions, share our experiences, and learn from each other." MWI's roundtable with Chuck Doran has the same goal - to examine a video of a live mediation in order to question our assumptions about best practices and develop our capacity to mediate more effectively.
 


March 12, 2010
"An Open Discussion about Mediating in Court"

Discussion: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Facilitator: Josh Hoch
Intended Audience: MWI Court Mediators

Roundtable Discussion: This roundtable is dedicated to mediators meeting other mediators followed by an open discussion about court mediation experiences and questions. Mediators should come ready to meet someone new and with stories to share or questions to ask. While no formal presentation will take place, Josh will be on hand to answer questions and facilitate discussion. Sandwiches, chips and drink will be provided.
 


April 7, 2010
“Dealing with Difficult Negotiators and Tactics”

Social Time - 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Presentation - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Presenter: Stephen Frenkel

Difficult negotiators and tactics tend to “knock negotiators off balance” and often cause us to abandon our attempts at “principled” or “interest-based” negotiations. Join Stephen Frenkel, MWI Director of Negotiation Programs, for an evening discussion about how to deal with the challenges difficult negotiators and tactics present. Drawing on negotiation theory as well as personal and professional experience, Stephen will lead a discussion about what makes certain negotiators and tactics difficult to deal with, what those challenges do to us in our attempts to be collaborative negotiators, as well as how we can address those challenges in a way that gets us what we need without sacrificing our commitment to collaboration or our relationships in general.
 


 

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