ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY: 101

...MEDIATING DISPUTES...
When we were initially welcomed to register in UNR's Extended Studies 40 hour "Beginning Mediation & Conflict Resolution" module, we both agreed after the first two hours how very similar the 7 Steps of Mediation are to the Nguzo Saba, or the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa.

The Nguzo Saba teaches the values of UMOJA / Unity, KUJICHAGULIA / Self Determination, UJIMA / Collective Work & Responsibility, UJAMMA / Cooperative Economics, NIA / Purpose, KUUMBA / Creativity and IMANI / Faith.

Mediation's 7 Steps are one's which guide conflicting parties to AGREE, DETERMINING various reasons why Mediation is the best road to take, parties agree to LISTEN, they commit to IDENTIFY OPTIONS, to RESOLVE ISSUES by taking OWNERSHIP of the PROCESS and to work through each and every phase of the Mediation process IN GOOD FAITH!

The mediator's technique of directive questioning enables conflicting parties toward criteria which promote oneness. When unified thought can be actualized, then parties can be better equipped in framing the issue at hand. We agreed that the statement of individual wants can promote a cohesive plan which can ultimately result in good faith agreement.

We witnessed a qualitative process by which the spirit of community can be formulated through mediation. We recognized that conflict resolution is possible...though our's was a diverse group, we saw and felt the barriers of difference fade away...hour after hour. We attribute this fact to the professional and skillful example of our facilitators and speakers.

...RESOLVING CONFLICTS...
Some of us agreed that conflict can be defined as chaos, confusion, disrespect, miscommunication, an emotional hurdle, a problem in need of solving and even war. Most of us agreed to these various yet similar definitions.

Both Sher'on and I view the Mediation / Conflict Resolution continuing education experience as a very unifying and clarifying experience. We witnessed the building and bonding of true community during those forty hours we shared with strangers.

The entire process was centered in an unquestionable spirit of peace and solidarity. Much like the Nguzo Saba (The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa) promotes preparedness and peace, our mediation training experience reinforced in us the importance of respectful agreement, the signifance of individual self determination, the empowering relevance of responsible collect works, the value of cooperative economics, the power of staying focused on the purpose at hand, the elevating connectiveness of creativity and the unequivocal essentiality of faith...so does good faith mediation promote the much hoped for possibility of resolute peace.

UNDERSTANDING BEGINS WITH COMMUNICATION!

The majority of the participants of the class agreed to register for the second phase of mediation / conflict resolution training...the majority of us have kept in touch. All of us shared feelings of increase for having spent those forty hours learning and teaching and sharing and caring. We both feel blessed.

fran ISHA echols
Sher'on Jackson

KOMMUNITY * KWANZAA * KOTTILLION * 2006

WHO:...All Kwanzaans (those who believe in the power of community) within the Greater Reno * Tahoe area...and beyond!

WHAT:...KWANZAA IS AN Agri*CULTURAL*Arts Celebration of the 1st Fruits of the Harvest which offers nonreligious,INTERGENERATIONAL & nonpolitical opportunities to assess, plan, celebrate, evaluate & rededicate...
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1)WHEN:...27 December 06...2-4p
WHERE:...DownTown Library...301 South Center Street
WHAT:...Kwanzaa Krafts & Tales / Celebrating KUJICHAGULIA (Self Determination)

2)WHEN:...28 December 06...5:30-7:30p
WHERE:...NorthWest Reno Library...2325 Robb Drive...
WHAT:...Kwanzaa Krafts & Tales / Celebrating UJIMA (Collective Work & Responsibility)

3)WHEN:...31 December 1p - until...
WHERE:...Sierra Arts Gallery...17 Virginia Street...
WHAT:...Multi*Media INTERDISCIPLINARY Artistic Expose'/Celebrating THE NGUZO SABA (The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa / Unity * Self Determination * Collective Work & Responsibility * Cooperative Economics * Purpose * Creativity * Faith)

4)WHEN:...31 December 5 -7p...
WHERE:...2680 East Ninth Street
WHAT:...Reno / Sparks NAACP
KWANZAA KARAMU (Feast) / Celebrating KUUMBA (Creativity)



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WHY:...So as to better plan our collective work & work our unified plan...

HOW:...We will make manifest our hopes & dreams by...including...though NOT limiting them to...

*Kwanzaa Kweens...*Kwanzaa Kings...*Kwanzaa Kourts...*Ujamaa Boharis...*Kwanzaa Karamus...*Kuumba Arts...*Kwanzaa Kwests...

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HARAMBEE...Let's Pull Together!

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KWANZAA is...
a COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT * EDU * Agri*CULTURAL*Arts PREPAREDNESS CELEBRATION!
HARAMBEE...Let's PULL Together!

RSVP...775.284.9557
Asante Sana...Thank YOU Very Much!