Training and resources for municipalities

A Process for Resolving Intermunicipal Issues – Provides collaborative process ideas for intermunicipal planning.

It's All About the Process (Video 2006, 24 minutes) – Provides an inside look at how a public meeting laden with controversy can be reframed into a productive encounter. Building on a municipal council’s desire to construct a new municipal building, it shows how a neutral facilitator uses interest-based techniques to guide and focus the discussion. The video illustrates how animosity can be reduced and how public acceptance for a decision-making process can be fostered.

University of North Carolina's YouTube channel – Features 3 videos on the topic of collaboration and strategic partnerships, originally created for Rick Morse’s ‘Saving Money by Doing Business Together’ workshop for elected officials.

What is Mediation (Video, 3 minutes) – Offers some reasons why mediation can be beneficial rather than referring the issue(s) to a higher authority.

How to Choose an ADR Specialist – Offers some tips for selecting a practitioner to assist with a conflict resolution process. Note that the Municipal Collaboration team at Municipal Affairs, in collaboration with an Advisory Committee, administers a list of mediators, arbitrators and med-arb practitioners who have relevant training and experience and who have experience with intermunicipal issues.

Learn more about municipal mediation by checking out the videos below.

Journey to Consensus – This video walks you through an interest-based negotiation using a multi-party, land use conflict scenario. The video identifies the skills and techniques that are used in interest-based negotiations and can be used to help participants and managers prepare for the conflict resolution process. It’s is also designed for use as a training tool for those who are teaching others about interest-based negotiation.

More Ice Time – The Power of Mediation – This video goes through a mediation issue concerning ice time at the local rink. The video demonstrates the benefits of a mediated process as being a voluntary measure that promotes fairness, fosters cooperation, and leads to mutually-beneficial solutions. The video can be a preparatory tool for mediation.

These videos (4 to 6 minutes) showcase 4 types of dispute resolution alternatives available to municipalities.

Mediation with Bill Diepeveen – Parties discuss and gain an understanding of each other’s interests in order to create a mutually-beneficial, non-binding agreement.

Arbitration with Jim McCartney – Parties present their case to an arbitrator who has the final decision-making power to resolve the issue through a binding decision.

Restorative Justice with Paula Drouin – The offender, the victim and other stakeholders to come together and ‘make things right’. The process focuses on healing rather than punishment and provides parties with an opportunity to discuss the offense and decide on appropriate redress.

Litigation with Lucille Birkett – Disputes are resolved through the formal court system where the judge has the final decision-making power.