Amethyst Retreat Center - Conflict Resolution
Agreements to reduce the potential for conflict:
1. Equality and Diversity are honored. We will continually work to develop our individual and
collective patience, a willingness to learn from each other and mutual respect.
2. Deeds done and words said should enhance the beauty of the world, increase harmony between
beings and promote the general wellness of the community. Actions, deeds and words opposed
to these principles should be avoided.
3. Love and Honesty are equal energies in our communication. We use our words and actions to
communicate clearly and with compassion to avoid misunderstandings.
4. We take responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and the actions we choose. Our perceptions
and feelings are important for our personal learning and healing. We share them with others as
our personal perspective, not theirs. We share our thoughts and feelings with the intent to
foster understanding and we avoid seeking to solely defend a position of right or wrong.
5. Different perspectives, objections or concerns are valuable input to the creative process. We
agree we will contribute our ideas and recommendations peacefully and with the intent of
working collaboratively with others.
6. We agree to communicate to resolve differences and conflicts in person or by phone if
necessary, but not by using text messages and social media posts.
Conflict Resolution Procedure:
Assumptions:
Anyone in our community that is directly or indirectly affected can identify the need for
conflict resolution and therefore request that conflict be resolved.
Community is defined as anyone included in the Facebook ARC Community Group, anyone
attending Amethyst events, anyone on the Amethyst Board of Directors or Community
Council.
This process can be used as a informational and support resource for people, communities, or
organizations other than Amethyst.
Many conflicts can be resolved between people through honest and compassionate
communication without needing to enter a formal conflict resolution process. As we evolve
individually and as a community, we anticipated this will be the norm.
Conflicts that are taken public, meaning beyond the individuals in conflict and that are
disruptive to the community atmosphere of learning living and healing must be resolved
through this conflict resolution process.
Individuals that are aggressive, violent (verbally or in action), or unable to maintain peaceful
communication will be asked to rest away from the Amethyst property until their emotions
calm down and clear communication between individuals is possible.
Individuals that commit acts of sexual assault or are physically violent will be removed from
the property and the community indefinitely.
Conflict resolution will be handled first at the Community level
Professional mediation is helpful when individuals have difficulty listening to each other.
Mediators do not judge right or wrong. Their role is to keep the dialogue moving toward
listening to each other; understanding each other; and then mutually agreed upon resolution.
Conflicts that can not be resolved at the Community level are escalated to the Amethyst
Board of Directors.
Conflicts requiring legal guidance or action should be brought to the attention of the
President, Board of Directors.
Conflicts may require mental health intervention. All members of the Board of Directors and
the Community Council will be trained in mental health first aid.
Resolving Conflict at the Community Level:
The Executive Director of the Community Council is notified of the need for conflict resolution.
The Executive Director of the Community Council will assign a member of the Community
Council to facilitate the conflict resolution process. A Council Member will be assigned that has no conflict of interest, i.e. spouse, close
friend, personal interest.
The Council member’s role is to obtain a general understanding of the conflict, to encourage
communication, to conduct research into aspects of the conflict when necessary, and to
monitor the process to insure individuals involved are taking steps to meet and resolve the
conflict.
Council members assuming this role will keep all information related to the conflict
confidential at all times.
The Council member is a silent witness having only the intent to be present and listen as
individuals share their perspective. The council member does not take sides or judge right or
wrong.
The Council member may deem it necessary to research aspects or facts related to the conflict
by interviewing other community members or through any means necessary to insure a good
understanding of the conflict.
Once the Council member has a good understanding of the conflict, the details are not
discussed with anyone involved in the conflict without all individuals involved being present.
The Executive Director, Community Council should be kept informed.
The Council member will escalate the situation to the Executive Director, Community Council
if individuals become aggressive or if they can not reach a resolution. Community Council members wanting to facilitate in this role must be trained in Non-
violent communication and Mental Health First Aid (both classes will be offered in the near future through Amethyst)
If individuals meet, talk to each other and can peacefully resolve the conflict, no further action is needed. The Council member will notify the Executive Director of the resolution.
If the conflict isn’t reaching resolution but individuals are willing to continue to try, the
Community Council member can recommend professional mediation support for the
individuals involved. If agreed to:
Neighborhood Dispute Settlement is called and they will handle all coordination for
the mediation process.
2. The Executive Director, Community Council is notified of the transfer to NDS
mediation.
3. The Council member continues to monitor the progress but does not get involved in
mediation.
If at any time the conflict becomes abusive, aggressive, violent or if the individuals involved
are not willing or able to resolve the conflict, the conflict is referred to the Amethyst
Foundation Board of Directors.
Resolving Conflict at the Amethyst Board of Directors Level:
Notify the President, Board of Directors
The President of the Board will assign a board member to facilitate the conflict resolution
process. Assignments will insure there is no conflict of interest. All board members will be
trained in nonviolent communication and Mental Health First Aid
Conflicts escalated to the Board of Directors will require professional mediation. Therefore
the role of the assigned Board member is to insure that all information related to the conflict
is gathered. If the assigned Board Member will meet with the assigned Community Council
member and if additional research or interviews are needed, they are performed and
documented prior to taking any further action.
The Board Member assigned supports the conflict resolution process as a silent witness whose
role is to listen, taking no sides and maintaining confidentiality with regard to all information
related to the conflict. However, the President, Board of Directors should be kept informed.
Individuals that are publicly escalating the conflict or acting aggressively (verbally or in their
action) will be asked to rest away from the Amethyst property and ARC social media groups
until the emotions calm down and real communication between individuals is possible. During
this time, the facilitating board member will monitor the situation to determine if individuals
are ready to resume the conflict resolution process.
If/When communication is possible, NDS will be called to begin the mediation process.
Conflicts that can not be resolved through mediation will be reviewed by the Amethyst Board
of Directors based on the information gathered throughout the process. A final Board of
Directors recommendation/resolution will be determined and subsequently communicated to
the individual(s) and council member(s) involved.