Dialogue Across Difference in an Era of Polarization
During a period of intense political polarization, it’s easy to lose sight of our commonality. This session challenges the status quo and shares resources for a more collaborative future among families, friends, teammates, co-workers, colleagues, and politicians. We’ll do so by:
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Examining what causes conflict to persist in this environment
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Highlighting what’s possible when we speak bravely across difference
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Exploring the role mediators might play in compensated or pro-bono formats to help our communities have the critical conversations needed to restore our faith in each other and in the democratic process.
All who want to be part of the solution are welcome and encouraged to attend as we collectively seek an alternative path forward – whether at home, among friends, at work, or in other arenas impacted by the divisiveness of our time.
Thursday, October 21, 2021
12:00 - 1:30 PM by Zoom
1.5 CLE hours available
REGISTRATION for this event will close at 5 PM on Tuesday, October 19. at noon.
A Zoom invite will arrive via email by Wednesday, October 20th.
Please register for this event to be on the email list for the Zoom Link and if you will be seeking CLE credit. You will receive an email by 12 PM on October 20th with Zoom instructions.
Meet our Presenters:
Doug Teschner served six terms as a GOP state legislator in New Hampshire and was Peace Corps country diector in Ukraine and West Africa, where his team helped end the Ebola epidemic. A consultant and leadership tainer, he also speaks fluent French, Moroccan Arabic and some Russian. A lifelong skier and mountaineer, he has made numerous ascents in North Amercia, Europe, and Africa. Doug has been married to his wife Martha, a nurse, for 39 years and they have two children and three grandchildren. Since he was introduced to Braver Angels by musician Peter Yarrow, he has been very active and volunteers as New England Regional Leader. You can find put more about him at https://www.growingleadershipllc.com/.
Jay Wilgus is a lawyer, mediator, educator, consultant, and facilitator who serves as Principal of Klancy Street, LLC – a specialized law, consulting, and dispute resolution practice focused on helping parties find common ground. Prior to forming Klancy Street, he served as Director of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution at the University of Michigan and Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Utah. His written work has addressed, among other things, the utility of facilitated dialogue in addressing campus conflict, the application of restorative justice practices to student sexual misconduct cases, and the use of specialized risk assessment and treatment interventions for college students found responsible for sexual misconduct. He is now regularly called upon to assist postsecondary institutions, federal agencies, academics, and others seeking to improve institutional responses to student conduct, student conflict, and sexual misconduct. He holds an Honors B.S. from the University of Utah, a Master’s in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University, and a J.D. from the University of Utah where he served as a member of the Utah Law Review. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Utah.
Event to Be Moderated By
Lucy Wess, Esq
Lucy Wess, Esq is a mediator, facilitator, and educator and the owner of Mindful Mediation, LLC in Wilton, Maine, as well as a MAM Board Members. She was introduced to the world of dispute resolution while studying Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana and soon after became a member of the Pennsylvania Bar. Over the last decade, she has been involved in academics, athletics, and support services in domestic and international higher education settings. Since January 2019, Lucy has applied her varied skills and experiences as a CADRES Family Matters mediator, private mediator and facilitator in a variety of settings, and an Adjunct Instructor in the Undergraduate and Graduate Peace & Reconciliation Programs at the University of Maine. She also is interested in promoting peace, reconciliation, and restorative justice through cross-cultural mediation and facilitation. She serves as a volunteer facilitator with the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine (RJIM) and has a Master of Art of Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) in Peace and Reconciliation at UMaine.
