Webinar Description
It's time to get down in the dirt! Bring us your real-life examples of conflicts that you're currently struggling with (or avoiding). Our three panelists will bring their perspectives on dealing with conflict to go deep and discuss ways to approach or handle your situations. This webinar will feature a deeper discussion of three to five conflicts, including addressing questions from the person who offered each particular conflict (unless they want to stay anonymous).
Building on the concepts and ideas from the first Power of Conflict webinar held on May 19, 2016, this time we'll move beyond the basic theory and concepts to see how to really deal with the tough situations that you are facing. We'll also model reflective listening, a tool you can put into practice immediately to build connection through engaging with your conflicts. Attendance at the previous webinar isn't necessary to participate in this one.
You will have a chance to submit a conflict topic for discussion. Ideally these relate to community sustainability efforts but we may consider other submissions. We do not anticipate being able to discuss all conflict topics offered, but will try to select a variety of situations to address a variety of common challenges.
Panelists
Ma’ikwe Ludwig is the Executive Director of the Center for Sustainable and Cooperative Culture at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, and the Sustainable Communities Director for Commonomics USA's Materialized Empathy project. She has done sustainability education work for over 25 years, and combines that experience with over 2 decades of intentional community living to create wholistic, practical education experiences.
Ma'ikwe also teaches cooperative group dynamics (including facilitation, leadership and consensus), and is a climate change activist. In 2007, she published her first book, Passion as Big as a Planet, which looks at the intersection between spiritual development and effective ecological activism. She is currently working on starting a new community in Laramie, Wyoming with her partner, Matt Stannard. Contact info: Ma'ikwe Ludwig, Sol Space Consulting, www.maikwe.net & maikwe.ludwig@gmail.com
Alyson Ewald has spent over twenty years leading environmental and educational programs both within the US and abroad. Alyson serves as facilitator of the social dimension of Gaia Education's online course in sustainable design, as a teacher of a cooperative homeschool, and as a consultant and trainer for communities working to build their facilitation, decision-making, and conflict engagement skills. She is an avid student of conflict and Restorative Circles. Alyson lived and worked overseas in Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, and Croatia for nine years. During that time she coordinated professional and student exchanges and taught language, leadership, and nonviolence programs. She is now an advisor to The Altai Project, a nonprofit supporting Siberian indigenous environmental groups. She has also served as a Board member for Dancing Rabbit and FIC. In 2005 she co-founded Red Earth Farms, a homesteading community in Missouri, USA, where she lives with her partner and young daughter. Contact info: acefacilitation@gmail.com
Jacob Corvidae is a Manager at Rocky Mountain Institute with a focus on transforming the residential energy upgrade market through the Residential Energy+ program and launching the Fort Collins pilot. He has worked in sustainable community development for 18 years with a focus on sustainability innovation, program design, community-based solutions, and collaboration building. Previously, Jacob was the Executive Director of EcoWorks, a nonprofit in Detroit, Michigan that leads efforts in energy and water solutions, as well as deconstruction and education. Jacob is also the Co-Founder and former President of the Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office an innovative collaboration of 26 local governments tackling energy improvements in their communities. Jacob was also a pioneer in the ecovillage movement, actually enjoys public speaking, was an adjunct professor teaching sustainable design at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture, and does work in facilitation and conflict resolution. Contact info: jacob@ic.org, Twitter: @jcorvidae, #powerofconflict