Mediation Summary Handout
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This document summarizes a presentation on mediation, consensus building, and facilitation given at the 2011 Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors Conference. It discusses the importance of communication skills, sources of land use disputes for planners, key concepts in mediation and negotiation like interests, positions, and alternatives to agreements. It also addresses choosing appropriate processes, acknowledging personal biases, and maintaining neutrality as a planner. Contact information is provided for two presenters from the Consensus Building Institute and the Town of Westford planner.
Mediation Summary Handout
- 1. Mediation, Consensus Building and Facilitation Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors 2011 Conference New Bedford, MA June 9, 2011 Communication o Understand the importance of this “basic” skill Sources of Land Use Disputes o What issues underlie disputes for planners? Key Mediation and Negotiation Concepts o Interests and Positions • Where does getting out interests get you? • Can generate lots of options, trade and share interests, bigger pie, identity and core concerns (acknowledgement, autonomy, status, etc.) o BATNA Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (also BATMA, … Mediated Agreement) Importance in knowing yours and other parties’ Testing how realistic BATNA(s) are in a conversation Sets a basis for an agreement o Neutrality Should planners be neutral? Why or why not? When is it appropriate to be neutral? Challenges to maintaining neutrality? e.g.., AICP ethics – role is to focus on the public good Benefits to identifying the right person to help engage people (staff, community member, professional) o Personal Biases Acknowledge that there is a content/relationship tension Why does that matter in your work? • Your inclination influences the scope of the work/discussion with the public & others Choosing the Right Process o Range of different types of collaboration processes (see chart on back) o Common Objections to collaboration and how to respond Contact Information Ona Ferguson, Senior Associate, the Consensus Building Institute, 617‐844‐1127, oferguson@cbuilding.org Chris Kluchman, Town Planner, Town of Westford, 978‐692‐5524, ckluchman@westfordma.gov Shiona Sommerville, ssommerville@post.harvard.edu