October is Conflict Resolution Month

10/07/21

The Summit County Board of Commissioners proclaimed October to be Conflict Resolution Month in Summit County. The board joins with individuals and organizations across Summit County and the State of Colorado committed to productive and nonviolent strategies for dealing with conflict, dispute and disagreement.

The Summit County Library is a partner of Summit County Conflict Resolution Coalition. To support awareness of their efforts, each library has a display of books on communication, listening, forgiveness and other skills essential to the process of resolving conflicts in a peaceful and productive manner.  Come check one out and do your part to make our county a place where problems are solved with mutual respect.

“Dealing with conflict in your personal or professional life can be stressful and difficult, but this year may be even harder than usual, given the strains of the pandemic,” former Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier said. “This October, our community is shining the spotlight on resources available to help people work through conflicts in ways that produce satisfying, long-lasting results for all parties.”

Conflict Resolution Month is a statewide initiative that builds awareness of practices such as arbitration, mediation, restorative justice and non-violent communication, helping Coloradans deal constructively with conflict. Locally, a diverse coalition of organizations has come together to advance conflict resolution.

The Conflict Resolution Coalition of Summit County was organized in September 2014 to expand awareness of conflict resolution programs and services in the area. The coalition has more than 40 members, including attorneys, juvenile diversion professionals, the Keystone Policy Center, Summit School District, law enforcement agencies, Summit County Library, the faith community, social services administrators and others.

The coalition has organized a number of events that will take place locally throughout the month:

October 13, 6pm: “We Can Work It Out” presented by The Lake Dillon Theatre Company. Join us for a theatrical presentation highlighting the difference between bullying and healthy conflict. A series of short plays will be performed by local Summit County students and will highlight healthy strategies to resolve conflict. The event will take place at the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center in the CVA Flex Theatre. Pizzas and non-alcoholic drinks follow. Co-sponsored by Summit Schools, no charge for this event.

October 19, 5:30-7pm: Poetry reading and discussion from the book Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo. The discussion will be led by Coalition members Sheila Brockmeier, Summit County Library System, and Anne Galluzzo, former District Attorney staffer. 5:30-6pm: Socialize and purchase beverages; 6-7pm: Poetry reading and discussion. Note: Indoor event – masks are recommended whether vaccinated or not.

Throughout the Month of October

* Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado has selected Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings, a book of poetry by Joy Harjo, as the book of the year. The book is available for purchase at the Next Page Bookstore in Frisco. There is also a Reader’s Guide created by conflict Resolution Month in Colorado.

* “Talking It Out” Dialogue Panels displayed at the Justice Center 501 North Park Ave., Breckenridge and the Silverthorne Recreation Center, 430 Rainbow Dr, Silverthorne. Digital versions of the Panels will be shown on the Summit Conflict Resolution Coalition Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/SummitConflictResolutionCoalition 

* Resources for conflict management will be featured at the North and South Branches of the Summit Library System.