ADR Update

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ISKCON's ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Announcements and Update

 

*First Mediation Training Course-New York, June 10th to 15th.

 

Krishna Lila-devi dasi, a professional mediator and instructor, will offer

a 40 hour training course June 10-15 for up to 25 devotees. Participants

will receive a certificate of participation and will be eligible for

inclusion on our roster of mediators. Tuition: Donations accepted. Room and

board: participant covers (available at the NY temple).

 

For more info respond to: mediate (AT) pamho (DOT) net

 

*Educational Programs-General introduction to Mediation

 

Vrajalila-devi dasi will provide educational programs on mediation for those

temples so requesting.

 

For more info respond to: mediate (AT) pamho (DOT) net or Vrajalila717 (AT) aol (DOT) com

* European ADR Presentation

 

Arnold Zack will be making a presentation on bringing the ADR structure to

Western Europe during the first week of July at the ISKCON European

Convention in Radhadesh.

 

· India ADR

 

In early July, Zack will address devotees in Mumbai and help to establish

an ADR system for the Bhaktivedanta Hospital

 

* ADR in Other Regions

 

We are considering offering program development opportunities for other

regional meetings in the coming months. If you believe your region (or

Temple) is interested in having Zack come to describe the program, and to

investigate the prospects of developing a local mediation undertaking, let

us know. Priority will be given to those regions and temples which are able

to underwrite the cost of Zack's visit.

 

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ADR Update:

 

North American Leadership Meetings bring progress and reaffirmed support

for ADR

 

New Vrindavan, May 11th

 

Arnold gave a 1½ hour presentation on the benefits of establishing a system

of mediation and ombuds in ISKCON. Approximate 100 devotees attended; it was

well received. Points discussed included:

 

-How many of ISKCON's precent problems could have been possibly avoided if

this system had been in place earlier

-More transparency throughout our Society

-Solving difficulties at local levels before positions become entrenched

-Function of an ombuds-engaged by leadership to be a confidential advocate

and assistant to all devotees.

-Use of mediation in ISKCON: When the ombuds system isn't sufficient.It's

voluntary. Devotees need to be trained to be mediators, and from that pool

of mediators, disputants can choose the one they are most comfortable with

 

After the presentation, 36 devotees came forward to express interest in

serving as mediators, or undergoing mediation training.

 

Also present were several GBCs who reiterated their support for the ADR

project, and a desire to see it implemented soon.

 

Vrajalila-devi dasi, who has a long record of mediation training, then

offered to conduct introductory courses to introduce as many devotees as

possible to the principles and benefits of ombuds and mediation systems. We

also discussed the development of an introductory video.

 

Krishnalila-devi dasi, a professional mediator and instructor, offered to

hold a 40 hour (5 to 6 days) training course June 10-15 for up to 25

devotees. Participants will receive a certificate of participation and be

eligible for selection to our mediation roster . It will

be in New York, (and begin on June 10th) It was hoped that temples might

provide support for their devotees attending the training. A scholarship

fund was discussed to help those devotees who have been selected for the

training with transportation costs and room and board.

 

Though there is no cost for the course, we are actively seeking

contributions from participants and supporters to help with the expenses of

establishing such an ambitious program throughout our Society.

 

Though selection of participants at this first course will be liberal, we

request a brief bio listing experience in resolving disputes and why you

think you would be a good mediator along with your request to take the

training. We are specifically looking for devotees able and willing to

participate in ISKCON's ADR program., although the training will be helpful

for those seeking outside careers in mediation.

 

Yogeshvara Prabhu offered classroom facilities in his offices in New York

City for the course.

 

A tentative budget for the rest of 2002 was discussed. Hopefully

contributions to the Krishna Foundation will enable it to subsidize the

forthcoming undertakings.

 

* Comment by Braja Bihari das:

 

Is ADR just a material solution, and thus unnecessary?

 

While we are finding great support from devotees all over the world for

setting up a system for peaceful and early resolution of conflicts and

misunderstandings within ISKCON, we did receive one concern questioning

whether this system is important in Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement.

 

Those of us working on this project certainly don't see ADR as a panacea

for all of ISKCON woes, or that such arrangements are as important as the

need to purify ourselves by hearing, chanting, preaching, serving one

another, etc. Those are, and will always be, the primary means to improve

our individual lives and our ISKCON Society.

 

Still if ADR can help devotees get along with other devotees better... If it

can help ISKCON members feel a bit more secure in their participation in

ISKCON...and if it can ease situations so we can better concentrate on the

nine-fold process of devotional service...then it may be considered

favorable to bhakti, and in that case, it would be incomplete renunciation

to not use it in Krishna's service.

 

Our intentions are solely to serve the devotees, and we welcome comments,

suggestions, encouraging words, discouraging words, and offers to help.

Write us at: mediate (AT) pamho (DOT) net