CONTRIBUTE

CONTRIBUTIONS

Back to Top

HELP GET THE WORD OUT

2011 Conflict Resolution Month Questions and Answers

Below you will find a great deal of information, in conversational form, as this is formatted as a phone call you might make to invite others to join the campaign. 

Introduction

Hello, this is (your name) and I am a volunteer calling to tell you about Conflict Resolution Month which is being celebrated in October, through the entire month. 

This is the seventh year of the celebration in Colorado and was previously proclaimed as Conflict Resolution Day by our Governors each year.  This year Governor Ritter and the Colorado Senate and House of representatives have proclaimed Conflict Resolution Month!

It is an Annual International Celebration observed throughout the United States and in other countries, as well.  It was originally designated by the Association for Conflict Resolution.  www.acrnet.org/crday

Conflict Resolution Month gives us the opportunity to spread the word about
solving problems effectively and nonviolently!  Everyone can learn more about productive problem solving and we can educate ourselves about Conflict Resolution skills and resources.  We have extensive resources in Colorado for making this a great celebration.

Invitation

Events and activities are being planned by individuals and by organizations like you/yours.  Plans vary from classes and workshops to larger events. We hope there will be activities throughout the state.   A list of events from previous years can be found on our web site, www.conflictresolutionmonth.org

In fact, I am calling to invite your organization to participate by having an activity or event of your own.  Does this sound like something you might be interested in knowing more about?  (YES)

I would be happy to send you some information by email.  Would that work well for you?  Your email address is?

We have more information available on our web site www.conflictresolutionmonth.org and we want to invite you to join us at a synergizing and planning meeting.  At these meetings we talk about what we can do to encourage celebrations statewide and to promote specific projects.
For example, in 2010, we were inviting all Coloradans to read and discuss The Little Book of Conflict Transformation by John Paul Lederach.

Our Next Planning meeting will be on (day, date, time) at place and directions
(Details can be found at www.conflictresolutionmonth.org )

RSVP to Name of planner and contact information
(To help us plan refreshments and seating)

If you are not available for the meeting, how would you like us to get information to you or follow up with you and your group?

We hope you will consider a celebration of some sort this year.  Would you like to know more for this year?

Thank you

Thanks so much for your time and enthusiastic response.   We look forward to knowing what your group decides to do October.  Be sure to submit your event information to us on the website, so we can encourage others to attend.  Our goal is to reach as many people as possible with the message that problems can be solved effectively by working together using productive skills.

Please call me at: ________________________ if you have questions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. Tell me more about events others have done. 
Examples include;

• Award dinners
• Workshops on Conflict Management Resources in Colorado and on skills one can use to effective resolve conflicts
• Talks to service clubs like Rotary International and Kiwanis
• Art contests, on T-shirts for example
• Proclamations and endorsements from mayors, city councils, heads of schools, etc.
• National poetry contest - www.acrnet.org/CR_DAY_POETRY_CONTEST/
• Girl Scout Badges on Conflict Resolution
• Presentations by speakers on related topics
• Statewide Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference which was November 4, 2010
• Reading for Peace in elementary schools
• Discussions with members of a congregation
• Make a pledge to practice effective conflict management personally in my daily life.  (There are pledge formats at the website.)

On our web site www.conflictresolutionmonth.org, there are many, varied ideas about what someone can do.  We have a Colorado planning group available to support and promote Conflict Resolution Month celebrations. 

More information about past events can be found at our web site and at http://acrnet.org/crday  (national and international).

Everyone is encouraged to be creative – the sky is the limit!

2. If I have an event already happening in October that supports conflict resolution and similar goals.  Could it be included?

Tell me a little about it.    (If the event supports our goals in any way, the answer is….)
Definitely!  If you include mention of Conflict Resolution Month and our goals, we would be very happy to include and promote your activity. We would also link your web site to ours and ask that you do the same, so more people will know about Conflict Resolution Month and other possibilities.

3. How will this become a statewide celebration?

We are working on creating a statewide networking contact system through the Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations.  Do you have a statewide network?

4. What is on the web site?   www.conflictresolutionmonth.org

Background information about International Conflict Resolution Month
Announcement of meetings, events and activities statewide
Opportunity to submit your event information
Activity and event ideas
Lessons
Resources (books, videos, etc.)
Formats for endorsements and proclamations
CR Month personal behavior pledges
Links to sponsors and endorsers web sites
Opportunity to contribute

You can send us information about your event or activity by going to the web site and filling out the form there.

BACKGROUND

(It is a month in Colorado and a day elsewhere, so far as we know)
Conflict Resolution Day is designated by the Association of Conflict Resolution

In 2005, in order to increase public awareness about conflict resolution and its many benefits, ACR’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution designating October 20, 2005 as Conflict Resolution Day. ACR coordinated its efforts with other conflict resolution organizations and reached out to local, state and international groups to build interest in holding local celebrations in conjunction with Conflict Resolution Day. Events were held in Canada, Portugal, and 22 U.S. states. Also in the United States, a number of counties, cities and states adopted proclamations designating day- or week-long conflict resolution celebrations.

In March 2006, ACR’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution designating the third Thursday in October as Conflict Resolution Day. Going forward, Conflict Resolution Day will always be held on the third Thursday of October. To read the resolution, go to: www.acrnet.org/crday.

What will the Colorado Planning Committee do?

Our plan is to broadly publicize the events listed on our web site.  We can add more events and activities after that time, of course.

The Colorado Planning Committee will support the efforts of others in creating celebrations and observations in October 2011 including: publicizing events on the web site, statewide event coordination, encouraging collaboration, assistance with scheduling, suggestions about resources (speakers, trainers, materials, ideas), assisting with media contacts, and connecting with others through Facebook and MySpace.

2009 COMMITTEE LIST

Celebrants (planning an activity):

Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations, Daniel Horsey, Executive Director, http://www.coloradomediation.org/
Community College of Aurora, Robin Rossenfeld
Community Mediation Concepts  http://www.findsolutions.org/, Steve Charbonneau
The Conflict Center http://www.conflictcenter.org/, Vickie Samland and Nikki Schmidt
Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren http://www.princeofpeacecob.org/, Vickie Samland
The Rotary Club of Denver Sky High, http://www.skyhighrotary.org/, Holly Swank Cummings 
University of Colorado, Boulder, Ombuds Office, www.colorado.edu/ombuds, Tom Sebok 
University of Denver, University College,
Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, www.universitycollege.du.edu/grad/comm, Denise Pearson

Synergizers (supporting organizers):

Larry Cerrillo, Ingenuity Enterprises International, Inc. http://www.collabprobsolvg.com/
Alicia Jiron
Ruth Rinehart, Three Trusts, Inc. http://www.threetrusts.com/ 
Ronnie Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum Associates  http://www.ronnierosenbaum.com/
Mary Zinn, Zinn Mediation Associates http://www.zinnmediation.com/

2008 COMMITTEE LIST www.conflictresolutionmonth.org

Celebrants (planning an activity):

Community College of Aurora, Robin Rossenfeld
The Conflict Center www.conflictcenter.org, Vickie Samland
Congregation Beth Evergreen www.bethevergreen.org
Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren www.princeofpeacecob.org, Vickie Samland
The Rotary Club of Denver Sky High, www.skyhighrotary.org, Ronnie Weiss 
University of Colorado, Boulder, Ombuds Office, Tom Sebok
University of Denver, University College, Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, www.universitycollege.du.edu/grad/comm, Denise Pearson

Synergizers (supporting organizers):

Gina Abegg, The Compassionate Way
TJ Bowen, Institute on the Common Good, Regis University www.icgregis.org,
Larry Cerrillo, Ingenuity Enterprises International, Inc. www.collabprobsolvg.com
Maureen Coghlan, Colorado Council of Mediators and Mediation Organizations, www.coloradomediation.org and Colorado Management and Mediation Specialists
Alicia Jiron, Mile High United Way www.unitedwaydenver.org
Kevin Lockwood, Global Children's Peace Project www.cgpp.org
Sara Noel and Tabitha Reed, University of Denver,
Conflict Resolution Graduate Students Association
Ruth Rinehart, Three Trusts, Inc. www.threetrusts.com 
Ronnie Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum Associates  www.ronnierosenbaum.com
Mary Zinn, Zinn Mediation Associates www.zinnmediation.com and Community Mediation Concepts www.findsolutions.org

Do you have financial contributors?

Julie Miller, Fall City, WA
The Wilson Group at Merrill Lynch, Denver, CO
Zinn Mediation Associates, Evergreen, CO
Aul Pedajas, Wheat Ridge, CO

For more information:  www.conflictresolutionmonth.org and www.acrnet.org/crday

Or Mary Zinn 303-526-2202 or mzinn@zinnmediation.com

Back to Top

Meet Our Contributors

We are grateful to these contributors for supporting Conflict Resolution Month and problem solving education throughout Colorado.

2009 Contributors

Julie Miller, Fall City, WA
The Wilson Group at Merrill Lynch, Denver, CO
Zinn Mediation Associates, Evergreen, CO
Aul Pedajas, Wheat Ridge, CO
Robin R. Rossenfeld, Esq.
Attorney, Mediator, Facilitator
303.282.5035
r.rossenfeld@att.net

2008 Contributors

JOIN THE PLANNING SYNERGIZERS

Welcome …

You are invited join Planning Committee!! 

We have a great time plotting a course for citizens in our state to become aware of what is possible.  Meetings are held monthly, beginning in February.  Opportunities are as varied as our imaginations and energies will allow.

We are hoping you’ll find joining the committee an attractive offer! 
Contact Mary Zinn 303-526-2202 or mzinn@zinnmediation.com

Members of the 2009 Planning Committee are:

Back to Top

VOLUNTEER

You are a natural resource for resolving conflict.  Find a way to contribute your skills, time and talent.

• Check out our Resources page for programs in which you might like to volunteer
• A Restorative Justice program
• A Community Mediation program 
• The Conflict Center

• Add your organization’s name to the list, so volunteers can find you. Email to mzinn@zinnmediation.com
• Join the Colorado Conflict Resolution Month Planning Synergizers
• Start a planning committee in your community
• Offer to provide a program for an organization or group

Back to Top