free Mediation Services with CMCS Calgary

Building peaceful COMMUNITIES

Everyone experiences situations differently and sometimes people act in ways that can be confusing for others to understand. Life in community involves coming face-to-face with these differences and sometimes it creates conflict. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re an individual in a personal conflict, an organization looking to participate in a workshop, or a community group looking for an impartial third party to provide communication resources, we have effective, accessible, and free services to help you. 


“A note to let you know that things are going well. The dog hasn’t stopped barking at passersby but in the last couple of days she has not barked at me as I go through the gate. She eyes me with suspicion but that will hopefully get better. Credit for this goes to my neighbour. He contacts us daily to come to the gate and we visit while his dog looks on. I have come to know and admire this young man for his views of the world and his dedication to this project.” – Post Mediation Comment: March 2016

  • “VERY HELPFUL HAVING AN IMPARTIAL VOICE PRESENT. THANK YOU.”

    – Post Mediation Comment (April 2018)

Mediation

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Dispute resolution between two or more parties

Our volunteer trained mediators assist individuals in a dispute to identify the issues to be resolved and create a safe space for the parties to discuss their perspectives and interests. After sharing, the mediator involves the parties in a brainstorming activity to help them develop positive and collaborative solutions for resolving their conflict.

Conflict Assistance Meetings (CAMS)

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Individual Skill Building for managing conflict

In community groups there are often a variety of opinions which need to be expressed and multiple options that need to be explored. Our trained volunteer mediators’ model and provide skills to assist groups in creating a collaborative meeting environment. We help groups manage public meetings, build understanding, and foster constructive communication. We are a valuable resource when you need an impartial third party to help facilitate respectful conversations.

Workshops

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teaching conflict resolution skills and understanding 

CMCS provides workshops which can be given in isolation or in a variety of combinations to meet your organization’s needs. Each workshop highlights one or more skill or concept used by our mediators and facilitators in their professional practice. Workshops are approximately 90 minutes and cost $100/workshop (based on 20 participants). We are actively developing our workshop can offer most workshops both online and in person.

Workshop Topics Include:

  • Difficult conversations

  • Conflict Habits

  • Becoming a better listening

  • Strategies for staying curious

  • How to approach conflict with empathy

  • external supports to help manage conflict

FACILITATION

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facilitating group meEtings and Board meetings

Within community groups there are often a variety of opinions that need to be expressed and multiple options to be explored. Our volunteer trained mediators model and provide skills to assist groups in creating a collaborative meeting environment. We help groups manage public meetings, build understanding, and foster constructive communication. We are a valuable resource when you need an impartial third party to help your group or sub-group to conduct respectful conversations.

  • “MEDIATORS DID A GREAT JOB. THE MEETING WAS PEACEFUL, ORDERLY AND WITH A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.”

    – Post Community Engagement Comment (May 2018)