Mediation group offers peaceful problem solving

What do you do when a neighbor builds a fence on your property, your landlord won’t fix your plumbing, or a bill for car repairs is twice what you were quoted?

Some people think of suing, calling the police — or even contemplate violence.

Central Oregon Mediation (COM) offers another choice. COM is a nonprofit organization that provides “peaceful problem solving.”

Executive Director and Sisters resident Kathy Oxborrow said COM is focusing on bringing in new board members since several people are transitioning off the board. Applicants should be able to attend one monthly meeting in Bend and “have an interest in alternative dispute resolution practices.”

COM Board member and Sisters resident Ardie Winters said it is “a worthwhile way to spend your time.” Winters encourages people who care about the community to join the board.

“We’re looking for more board members who have ties to the business community and are interested in fund-raising,” said Winters.

She adds that it’s gratifying to help people who have had long-term, intense disputes come to a solution that makes them both happy.

Winters adds that with only one full-time staff person, the organization can’t meet all the needs in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

While the organization has served residents since 1997, they now want to expand and add staff.

COM provides dispute resolution services for problems ranging from family business conflicts to land use disputes and workplace conflict. The mediator does not take sides or impose settlements. While court decisions end with a winner and loser, COM strives to help people reach an agreement that is mutuallyacceptable.

COM provides two other services: facilitation and training. They facilitate meetings to help avoid conflict. For example, COM is now working with the Edgington Road District to find solutions for road maintenance issues. The district board has been “very satisfied” with the role Oxborrow has played as facilitator in their recent meetings.

“She kept everything in a neutral tone,” said board secretary Dona Smith-Bell.

She added that Oxborrow keeps meetings on-track and upbeat.

COM is currently helping another group solve a heated situation. Oxborrow is facilitating meetings of La Pine homeowners in a new subdivision where the deeds don’t match the property lines. One property line shown on paper actually runs through one person’s home. Oxborrow said COM’s role is to help property owners “get consensus from all involved of the best possible options.”

The group agreed to explore what would be involved in getting property lines resurveyed to match what is built on the ground.

Also, COM provides training for groups who are likely to encounter conflicts such as customer service departments. The organization recently trained a public health department staff on how to respond to calls from concerned citizens.

Board member Winters said that before she retired she successfully used mediation in the workplace to solve conflict.

She said disputes “always involved miscommunication” and that “everyone felt wonderful” when the confusion was solved.

“People don’t take care of things when they first come up or they don’t have a lot of skill,” said Winters.

Mediation offers a confidential, neutral place to come to a resolution.

Winters cautions that mediation may start with one phone call but take several weeks to compete.

She added that using mediation for issues such as barking dogs can save law enforcement for issues that really require their time.

In additional to finding board members, COM wants to do public outreach so more people are aware of mediation as an option.

COM is funded through Deschutes County, the State, foundations and individual donations.

More information can be found at http://www.centraloregonmediation.org.