Working in groups requires good conflict prevention and resolutions skills. Usually conflict is caused because systems are out of balance and individuals are confused about their roles and responsibilities. Often a good Board Training will ward off conflict or straighten out roles. Talking face-to-face to the other person about your concerns and bringing in a mutually trusted person to assist with the conversation are both simple and effective conflict resolution methods. Cooperative Boards should be trained in dispute resolution between members. Suing each other is the least effective, most expensive method of conflict resolution often causing further, more permanent rifts. It should be a last resort, used only if true harm was caused.
Hawai‘i Agriculture Mediation Program (HI-AMP) This program assists farmers with mediating conflicts they have with USDA programs, other farmers, or creditors.
West Hawai‘i Mediation Center Seeking mediation for conflict resolution is a wise choice.
Appreciative Inquiry Appreciative Inquiry is a new method created by David Cooperrider, which stops solving problems and expands on what is already working. This method has been very helpful to Hawai‘i cooperatives moving beyond severe internal strife and whole agricultural industries with internal civil wars. The Fifth Discipline is his seminal work.
Waterline Model This model helps assess what systems and roles need adjustment for best group interaction.