Conf501presentation
- 1. REFLECTIONS ON A PAST CONFLICT Vivian Ramos CONF 501 Spring 2012
- 2. Background ~ Elected as Social Chair for the Latino Student Alliance (LSA) at James Madison University (JMU) ~ Latinos are the smallest minority group on campus --> motivation to get our voices heard ~ Celebración Latina
- 3. Source of the conflict ~ Presentation for SGA on money for Celebración Latina ~ Attitude and lack of knowledge on our organization ~ Publicity Chair's (PC) letter to editor of school newspaper
- 4. The conflict ~ Emergency executive meeting is called to discuss the letter ~ President and Vice President (VP) expressed their anger toward the possible publication of letter ~ PC attempts to express where she is coming from but is constantly interrupted by VP --> ESCALATION
- 5. The aftermath ~ Everyone is in foul mood after the meeting and tensions remain ~ No other meeting announced ~ Exec board becomes divided ~ NO RESOLUTION!
- 6. What I wish I had done ~ Conflict Style Inventory results ~ Collaboration between other members to resolve the matter ~ Realization of common goal, e.g. the Robbers Cave experiment ~ Another meeting
- 7. Other members' perspectives on conflict (based on their responses) ~ Secretary: VP was in the wrong and she should've been aware that she was ~ President: Spoke firmly but politely to PC but acknowledgment that conflict got out of control ~ Treasurer: Both PC and VP were in the wrong, but VP's approach was "unprofessional" ~ PC: Felt beneath SGA and President and VP, and felt attacked *Note: The VP did not wish to partake in survey.
- 8. Other members' perspectives on how conflict could've been resolved ~ Secretary: Another meeting should have been called --> opinions of other members shared ~ President: Same as Secretary ~ Treasurer: Same as Secretary and President ~ PC: Apology from SGA, President and VP *Note: The VP did not wish to partake in survey.
- 9. Final reflections ~ Secretary: Division extended to entire organization --> reflective of exec board and LSA ~ President: Tried to mediate between VP and PC but they both did not want to meet ---> therefore, not worth "solving" ~ Treasurer: Could have been a lesson learned on how to deal with differences within an organization ~ PC: Pulled away from group and wishes to return after VP leaves LSA ~ Me: We could have left that year as not only proud of our work but as great friends; division continues to exist