COMMUNITY
Let’s Talk This Out AAMS grants students an opportunity to resolve issues in a constructive environment.
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BY DARCIE ZUDELL | PHOTOS BY PEARL SPURLOCK | DESIGN BY ALYSSA SHEETS
ollege freshmen who live on campus have to face the challenge of balancing school and their social life while simultaneously maintaining good grades, successful relationships and managing mental health. That and the notably testing experience of living in a shoebox with someone they just met. Living with someone new can be incredibly tough, and when arguments arise, it can only exacerbate the discomfort that comes with sharing a space. One may think there is no productive way to resolve a problem when both parties are set in their ways. Athens Area Mediation Services (AAMS) disagrees. In this tricky game of conflict, AAMS can be a referee to assure everyone has a fair shot. By promoting active listening, understanding and collaboration, AAMS helps parties find common ground and reach agreements that are both fair and sustainable. For those that are tired of the shouting matches and are looking for a better way to approach conflict, AAMS is the perfect resource. AAMS helps individuals approach disagreements productively by promoting a new era of civility. “The Athens Area Mediation Service is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides the residents of Athens County with cooperative approaches to dispute resolution,” DeeDee Dransfield, the current interim director of the non-profit, says. “There are many aspects to understand about this unique organization,” Dransfield says. “We believe that our approach to mediation and training empowers individuals and community groups in two salient ways.” The first way is through the mediation process. When scheduling a mediation, two volunteers serving as mediators will facilitate an open conversation between parties.
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backdrop | Spring 2023
“During a mediation, the mediators serve as unbiased facilitators,” Dransfield says. “Our goal is to provide each party with the opportunity for their voice to be heard and listened to uninterrupted .” Cooperation is key in mediating sensitive disputes. If one party does not agree to mediation, it will not happen. Though a surprise mediation may sound amusing on paper, it would not be effective in reality. There needs to be a willingness for change to occur. “When we receive a request and the other party has not yet agreed to mediation, at the request of the person initiating the mediation, AAMS will contact the other party to explain mediation and determine their willingness to participate,” Dransfield says. If the person requesting mediation is hesitant to reach out to the other person involved in the conflict before the mediation session, a staff member is more than happy to do it for them. Gauging a reaction on the phone is one thing, putting it on paper is another. Dransfield says, “The purpose of having the parties sign the Agreement to Mediate is to confirm their willingness to engage in the process and confirm their understanding of the guidelines.” Once a form indicating consent to mediate is signed, both
The Athens Area Mediation Service is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people in the community resolve interpersonal conflicts.