1.  Free Exploratory Stage
	A.	Contact Dr. Newberger by phone to briefly discuss your situation for free.
		>	Details about the nature of his services and cost will be provided.
	B.	Schedule a free small group conference call / meeting.
		1.	A discussion with the organization's leadership and representatives of the different sides to the conflict will be scheduled. If a face-to-face meeting is not possible, then a telephone conference call will be take its place. The primary purpose of this discussion is (a) to consider the appropriateness of using this conflict resolution model in your current situation, and (b) to determine if there is a mutual desire to move forward with the process.
			>	To make our time together as productive as possible, Dr. Newberger will provide a set of wide-ranging questions for all participating parties to consider in advance of the meeting.  They relate to a general description of the organization and the nature of the particular issues currently facing it. All parties will be asked to participate with the understanding that there will be no debate regarding the merits, or lack thereof, of any issue or side.
		2.	If there is a desire to continue with the process, Dr. Newberger will sign an agreement for services with your organization and begin work.

2.  The Information Gathering Stage
	A.	All parties who have been identified as having a stake in the issues at hand but did not participate in the above discussion should be informed by their representatives of the nature and substance of the meeting. All parties should also be notified that they will be receiving a letter from Dr. Newberger.
	B.	To make Dr. Newberger work with you as effective as possible, he will seek to identify two or three assistants, acceptable to all parties, to help move the process forward.
	C.	Dr. Newberger will engage in a study of requested company documents.  Follow-up questions will occur as needed.
	E.	Those who are identified as primary or secondary stakeholders will receive correspondence from Dr. Newberger.
		>	One or more specially crafted questionnaire will be sent out and then returned to Dr. Newberger for his study and review.  Individual follow-up will occur as needed.
3.  Preliminary Private Meetings
	A.	Dr. Newberger will schedule separate meetings with each side. This will allow parties to elaborate and clarify their written responses. These meetings also provide Dr. Newberger an opportunity to more informally get to know and speak with everyone before the joint sessions begin.
		>	A set of ground rules will be distributed to be reviewed before the preliminary joint meeting is convened (see below).
	B.	Once all the preliminary inquiries are complete, a preliminary joint meeting is scheduled.
4.  Initial Joint Meeting
	All those who have been identified as primary disputants or as representatives of a group are invited to this meeting. The agenda of this gathering is as follows:
	A.	Personal Introductions.
	B.	Educational Component. This will cover information that will aid in providing an overall understanding of the nature of conflict and the opportunity for positive change that it can provide.
		>	Pertinent educational handouts will be distributed and discussed.
	C.	An Overview of the Process is Presented.
		>	An abbreviated outline presenting the major components of our time together will be distributed and discussed.
	D.	Ground Rules. The rules of conduct that will govern our dialogue and make them as healthy as possible will be discussed and agreed upon.
	F.	Schedule.  We will establish a schedule for the next session.
	G.	Participants will be asked to prepare for the first scheduled Problem Solving Session.
		>	The handout entitled, "In Preparation For Your First Mediation Session,” will be distributed to each participant.
5.  Problem-Solving Session(s)
	It is beyond the scope of this outline to explain all of the components of this stage. The approach is to go as large as necessary and as small as needed to facilitate a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. Suffice it to say, each party will be given the opportunity to tell his or her "story."  Differences of opinion will be aired. Underlying interests will be uncovered. From seemingly irreconcilable positions, Dr. Newberger will help the parties craft mutually acceptable agreements and an action plan for the future. Factors contributing to the problem, such as organizational structure, culture, communication patterns, and individual behavior will be addressed. Throughout these sessions, Dr. Newberger will guide the process. Participants decide the outcome.
6.  Additional Relationship Building Moves
	A.	If a particular situation warrants it, Dr. Newberger may seek to schedule a communication / feedback meeting with larger segments of the organization.  Generally speaking, the more inclusive the process is, the better the long-term result.
	B.	Strains in interpersonal relationships will also be examined with a view toward providing a non-coercive opportunity for reconciliation. Dr. Newberger will be available to conduct private mediation sessions between key individuals who are still in conflict.
7.  Mutual Agreement and Resolution
	The Memorandum of Agreement
	A.	The memorandum of agreement is the goal toward which we are working and the culmination of our sustained effort. It incorporates the joint decisions reached during the discussions.
	B.	After our sessions are over, if not already completed, the mediator will prepare an initial draft of the memorandum. It will then be reviewed by all the parties for accuracy and needed modifications. It will continue to be revised until it fully reflects everyone's sentiment and assent.
	C.	The final document will be signed by all the participants as a testimony to their collaborative work as well as a practical guide for the implementation of future actions that need to be carried out. . The signing should be celebratory! © Copyright 2008  Dr. Ken Newberger.  All Rights Reserved. Test Slides.htm