The Conflict Resolution Toolbox or Nonprofit Boards That Work

The Conflict Resolution Toolbox: Models and Maps for Analyzing, Diagnosing, and Resolving Conflict

Author: Gary T Furlong

In real-life conflict resolution situations, one size does not fit all. Just as a mechanic does not fix every car with the same tool, the conflict resolution practitioner cannot hope to resolve every dispute using the same technique.

Practitioners need to be comfortable with a wide variety of tools to diagnose different problems, in vastly different circumstances, with different people, and resolve these conflicts effectively. The Conflict Resolution Toolbox gives you all the tools you need: eight different models for dealing with the many conflict situations you encounter in your practice.

This book bridges the gap between theory and practice and goes beyond just one single model to present a complete toolbox - a range of models that can be used to analyze, diagnose, and resolve conflict in any situation. It shows mediators, negotiators, managers, and anyone needing to resolve conflict how to simply and effectively understand and assess the situations of conflict they face. And it goes a step further, offering specific, practical guidance on how to intervene to resolve the conflict successfully.

Each model provides a different and potentially useful angle on the problem, and includes worksheets and a step-by-step process to guide the reader in applying the tools.

• Offers eight models to help you understand the root causes of any conflict.

• Explains each model's focus, what kind of situations it can be useful in and, most importantly, what interventions are likely to help.

• Provides you with clear direction on what specific actions to choose to resolve a particular type of conflicteffectively.

• Features a detailed case study throughout the book, to which each model is applied.

• Additional examples and case studies unique to each chapter give the reader a further chance to see the models in action.

• Includes practical tools and worksheets that you can use in working with these models in your practice.

The Conflict Resolution Toolbox equips any practitioner to resolve a wide range of conflicts. Mediators, negotiators, lawyers, managers and supervisors, insurance adjusters, social workers, human resource and labour relations specialists, and others will have all the tools they need for successful conflict resolution.

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Nonprofit Boards That Work: The End of One-Size-Fits-All Governance

Author: Maureen K Robinson

Praise for Nonprofit Boards That Work

"This book offers a refreshing and candid look at the challenges of nonprofit boards. It moves away from theoretical frameworks to take you inside the real world of nonprofit organizations. . . . A must for any executive director who needs reassurance that building effective boards is tough work, but well worth the effort."–Sherry Rockey, Executive Director, International Women’s Media Foundation

"Maureen Robinson is uniquely qualified to help us understand the issues related to boards that are effective, those that are not, and why. It is certain that board members, potential board members, and executive directors who read this book will better understand their roles and responsibilities, and will be better able to avoid common pitfalls. As a result, the impact of their efforts on those whom their organizations exist to serve will be enhanced."–Ron Burkard, Executive Director, World Neighbors

As more than 10 million people in the United States alone say yes to board service, they also expect to see their time and talents used effectively. This invaluable book presents a straightforward approach to understanding the role of the board, tailoring its work to meet the needs of specific organizations, and creating a culture of board productivity that makes participation rewarding for board members as well as the organizations they serve. Nonprofit Boards That Work:

• Distinguishes between theory and practice and encourages boards to explore how they genuinely add value to the work of the organization

• Goes beyond the hows and whys of nonprofit governance toprovide frank advice and real-world examples of what works, what doesn’t, what requires a miracle, and what can be achieved through diligent and deliberate effort

• Offers practical yet flexible strategies that can be tried by any nonprofit board, whatever its current effectiveness

. . and much more to guide nonprofit organizations and their boards toward accomplishing the goals they seek.

Booknews

Acknowledging that good governance is more than just a matter of following predetermined rules, Robinson (former director of education, National Center for Nonprofit Boards) offers advice and encouragement to nonprofit boards ready to improve the quality of their work. Taking into account both the diversity and the complexity of the nonprofit sector, she urges the development of boards that tailor their work to the needs of the particular organization. Role definition, responsibilities, working culture, structure, and leadership are all addressed. The relationship of the board to the executive director is emphasized. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)