Collaborative Edge - Summer 2007

A newsletter of the Center for Collaborative Policy Laura Kaplan, Editor

New Resources

This section lists resources we have added since the last edition of the Edge.

All resources featured in previous editions of the Edge are compiled in our Resources Archive.

Public Agencies and Government

Context Sensitive Solutions.org (CSS) - Techniques for Involving all Stakeholders This website gives information on what to consider when planning for public involvement. The site focuses on transportation-related collaborative processes. The section on “Designing a Public Engagement and Decision Making Program” offers perspectives about processes for soliciting public input and decision making for Context Sensitive Solutions projects, and creating a shared decision making structure. Also see the “Public Involvement Techniques” section to review techniques and publications describing them. The site has links to useful publications related to public involvement.
http://contextsensitivesolutions.org/content/topics/process/involving-stakeholders/

US Federal Interagency ADR Working Group Guides. The Interagency ADR Working Group, which assists federal agencies in the use of alternative dispute resolution, has finalized three guides relating to mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution:

Protecting the Confidentiality of Dispute Resolution Proceedings provides practical guidance on the application of the confidentiality provisions of the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996 to federal workplace dispute resolution programs.
A Guide for Federal Employee Mediators provides practical ethical guidance and builds on the September 2005 Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators.
A Guide for Federal Employee Ombuds builds on the Standards for the Establishment and Operation of Ombuds Offices issued by the ABA in February 2004.

While these guides are designed for use by federal employee mediators within the government, they can be models for states to use.
http://www.adr.gov/guidance.html

General Toolbox

Tools and Tutorials by the Conflict Resolution Network (CRN). CRN’s vision is to create conflict-resolving community in a culture of peace and social justice. Their website includes training kits, tutorials, and ready-made “Fighting Fair” poster. Most CRN material can be freely reproduced provided their copyright notice appears on each page.
http://www.crnhq.org/

Online Resources from Search for Common Ground (SFCG). SFCG is one of the world's largest non-government organizations dedicated to conflict resolution. Their website offers materials on training, evaluation, and conflict resolution theory and practice, as well as annotated bibliographies on where to find out more.
http://www.sfcg.org/resources/resources_home.html

Training for Change: “The No Magic Method”. "No Magic Method" guidelines give step-by-step advice for how to design and conduct a group meeting. It is available on the Training for Change website.
http://trainingforchange.org/content/view/71/58/

Open Learn. The Open University offers free non-credit online tutorials in subjects including teamwork, managing complex systems, and system modeling.
http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php

Wiki That! A blog about using wiki for collaboration - case studies, scenarios, advice, and resources for the non-technical user. It is not affiliated with any specific wiki technology.
http://www.wikithat.com/

Portable “Whiteboard” Sheets. Reusable thick, erasable static-cling sheets that can be placed on most walls, and rolled up for later processing.
http://www.lifehacker.com/software/productivity/instant-portable-whiteboards-038209.php

Collaborative Resource Library, Technical and Coaching Assistance.
http://www.westcanhelp.org/ The National Forest Foundation and the Sonoran Institute, working in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and others, offer the Western Collaboration Assistance Network (WestCAN). WestCAN promotes collaborative approaches to natural resource management conflicts by providing a range of expertise to help collaborative efforts get started, work through challenging issues, and demonstrate progress. Specifically, WestCAN provides technical assistance (help in developing agreements or contracts, nonprofit organizational development, for example); links to peer coaches (to provide suggestions and expertise on a short-term basis) and mentors (longer-term and more in-depth help in working through a collaborative process); and access to the WestCAN Resource Library providing ready access to field tested technical resources, best practices, and lessons learned about working collaboratively on natural resource issues.