Conflict Resolution for Adults, Non-Profit Style
by Andrew Metzger

My first-hand and ongoing experience in conflict resolution stems from my years of service as a member of the board of directors for a Pensacola-based performing arts organization. The non-profit arena shares much in common with the business world, but there are also some differences. The primary difference stems from the reality that a fairly large group of volunteer board members serves as a non-profit’s ultimate authority—a kind of multi-headed boss, as it were. Staff and other volunteers answer to and function according to the dictates of the board and all major decisions are made through collaborative agreements reached among board members, generally at monthly board meetings.

In my experience, there are two primary kinds of conflicts that arise within non-profit organizations, both of which are detailed in the STS course.

The first of these conflict areas is described as “goals and aspirations.” When creating an artistic product for public consumption, a non-profit’s goals and aspirations incorporate such elements as programming decisions, performance standards, hiring of guest artists, collaborations and venue considerations. These elements must weave their way into and somehow find a balance with fiscal goals and realities, as well as an organization’s long-term mission. I don’t think it takes much imagination to visualize conflicts arising over these issues when fifteen volunteers are required to make timely decisions at monthly board meetings. Let me tell you – arise they do!

The second of these conflicts is described in the STS course with the single word “personalities.” Ah, personalities! The board on which I serve consists of members who serve primarily because they take part in the performing arts events themselves and those who serve primarily because they are members of the local business community. It’s amazing how, in the course of discussions, so many people can be “right” and “wrong” in so many different ways at the same time! Things can get somewhat tense and emotional, especially when people feel they must defend their turf and/or stand their ground.

So, just how do we survive these moments of conflict that threaten to derail progress and could even jeopardize the future of the organization?

Enter the best darn board president with whom I’ve ever had the pleasure of working. This highly intelligent, confident woman is both a performer and a member of the local professional community. She exhibits that deft touch as a leader that enables her to both participate in board discussions and simultaneously serve in that all-important mediator’s role when conflicts arise that cannot otherwise be resolved. She has the ability to impress her calm demeanor on the room and pull everyone together in ways that bring about compromise, agreement and resolution. I’ve watched her do it over and over again. Sooner or later, every non-profit organization needs someone like this.

I suspect our board president has never read the STS Conflict Resolution for Adults course, but I’d swear sometimes she has!

Andrew Metzger
Guest blogger
School Training Solutions

Discounted Course: Conflict Resolution for Adults This course defines conflict and conflict resolution. It identifies conflict sources and their components. It discusses workplace conflicts and identifies problem-solving tools and techniques used to resolve them. Communication skills required in managing and resolving conflict are addressed.Regularly $15.00 / Now $10.00

At this joyous time of year, School Training Solutions would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year. It has been a pleasure helping you reach your training goals, and we look forward to contributing to your success in 2015. We wish you Happy Holidays and a prosperous, safe, and happy New Year!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Each year on average, more than 10,000 people die on our roadways due to drunk driving. Drunk driving is one of the deadliest and most often committed crimes, yet it is preventable. In a nationwide effort to end drunk driving and save lives, police will be aggressively targeting drunk drivers through New Year’s Day, as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

This campaign aims to increase public awareness and provide highly visible enforcement, in order to decrease the number of drunk drivers on the road. School Training Solutions (STS) urges you to spread the message, and take some simple steps to prevent a tragedy. Plan ahead and designate a sober driver.

For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at www.nhtsa.gov.

Stay Safe.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually on December 7th. This day commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and is a time to remember and honor those who died or were injured in the surprise attack that day. This tragic day in our nation’s history ignited American patriotism like never before, and our response to the attacks sent a message to the world that America will not go quietly. The attack on Pearl Harbor helped shape national defense policy and even today remains the subject of books, articles, documentaries, and movies.

BACKGROUND
On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Although the attack lasted less than 2 hours, there was great loss. More than 2,000 Americans were killed and over 1,000 were injured. Almost 20 warships were sunk or damaged, and Americans lost nearly 200 aircraft.

CONSEQUENCES
The attack was intended to prevent the U.S. from interfering with their military actions in the Pacific. However, instead, the event led to the escalation of WWII. The very next day the United States declared war on Japan and entered WWII. In his speech to Congress, President Franklin Roosevelt stated that the bombing of Pearl Harbor was “A date which will live in infamy.”

COMMEMORATION
On this day, the United States Flag should be flown at half mast in honor of those who died in the attack of Pearl Harbor. Many other activities and special services are held to commemorate this event. Wreath-hanging ceremonies, parades, luncheons, media stories, and speeches by survivors are just a few. Memorials have also been built to remember this day. The USS Arizona and USS Utah memorials are two of the best known, located on or near the ships’ sunken wreckage. Congress also established the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, awarded to those who participated in combat operations or who were killed or injured in the attacks.

INTERESTING FACTS

Florida’s Blended Learning Experience

The School Training Solutions (STS) Florida course, combined with a county’s behind-the-wheel training, exposes drivers to an ideal blended learning experience. The online course for bus drivers includes the 20 hours of training mandated by the State of Florida’s Department of Education (DOE), broken down into 13 lessons plus an end-of-course test. Students enrolled in the program are able to complete their required 20 hours of training within the total flexibility afforded by the STS online system.

The STS FL bus operator course includes the following online lessons:

• Operator Roles and Responsibilities (1 Hour)
• Becoming Familiar with a School Bus (2 Hours)
• School Bus Vehicle Inspections (1 Hour)
• School Bus Vehicle Operation (2.5 Hour)
• Traffic Control Devices (1 Hour)
• School Bus Critical Situations (2 Hours)
• Crash Procedures (1 Hour)
• Loading and Unloading Students (1.5 Hours)
• School Bus Passenger Management (2 Hours)
• First Aid (1 Hour)
• Students with Special Needs (2.5 Hour)
• Field and Activity Trips (1 Hour)
• Commercial Driver’s License Pre-trip Inspection (1.5 Hour)
• School Bus Operator Training End-of-Course Test (1 Hour)

Let us know if School Training Solutions (STS) can help you implement an online training program for your school bus drivers or other school employees.