Conflict Resolution Services provides a wide range of mediation services to the community as an opportunity for people to forge mutual agreements…because peace of mind matters to the individual and to the community.
Conflict Resolution Services provides a wide range of mediation services to the community as an opportunity for people to forge mutual agreements…because peace of mind matters to the individual and to the community.
CRS History
Conflict Resolution Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, began in 1990 when local Traverse City residents, Tom and Darylene Shea, trained the first group of volunteer mediators, many of whom still serve CRS today. The Shea’s mission was to promote peace and civility in our community through the use of mediator guided dialogue. In those early days, volunteers would meet in church basements and around kitchen tables to train, role play, and share experiences. They would go to the homes of people needing mediation, focusing their efforts on resolving family and neighborhood conflicts.
By the mid-1990’s, CRS had increased its rank of volunteer mediators and built a reputation for delivering positive results. The local courts began to notice, and with the foresight of Judge Philip Rodgers, a collaboration formed that continues today. As the courts began to rely more and more on the invaluable services CRS offers, more and more attorneys became advocates for mediation. Since 2001, a large portion of CRS training classes continue to be filled by attorneys seeking state certification.
In 2010, with the support of Rotary Charities, CRS moved from its 12 year home at Third Level Crisis Center to our current location complete with offices, meeting rooms, and a connected space available for training classes.
Today CRS continues to grow. In 2011, we served over 800 individuals in our community. Our volunteer mediators donated more than 500 hours of their time facilitating over 300 cases. We are one of 19 nonprofit mediation centers throughout the state of Michigan that work everyday to promote the Shea’s mission of bringing peace and civility to our communities.
Training and Education
What It Is: Skills training and education in the areas of dispute resolution and facilitation are critical to achieving results both personally and professionally.
Mediator, Arbitrator and Facilitator Training
CRS offers State-approved 40-hour General Civil Mediator training and 40-hour Domestic Mediator training courses for attorneys and non-attorneys. CRS also offers several Advanced Mediation training programs throughout the year which satisfy Continued Mediator Education (CME) credits.
Fees:
Vary depending on the individual course offered
See our Training Schedule for upcoming training classes, dates, and fees.
Organizational Training
CRS can come to your organization to train directors, managers, faculty, employees and students in a variety of programs including: Listening Skills; Peer Mediation; Conflict Resolution; and Facilitation. Customized training programs are also available based on your organization’s specific needs.
These tailored programs can include training in the following areas:
Communication and Listening Skills
Dealing with difficult situations and people
Team building
Effective negotiation
Workplace structures for handling conflict
