Mediators provide resolution in ‘09 Published Dec. 23, 2009 Alternate Dispute Resolution Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Tinker Alternate Dispute Resolution program experienced another successful year in 2009, promoting conflict resolution and avoidance throughout Tinker Air Force Base. In 2009 there was a 76.3 percent resolution rate where an attempt was made to resolve 216 complaints with 165 resulting in a settlement agreement or withdrawal of the complaint. One of the reasons for this rate of success is due to the addition of the collateral-duty mediators and the prep work accomplished by the ADR office intake officials. This year they began providing all parties with a negotiation planning worksheet during the intake process and explained how to utilize it. The worksheet enables parties to look at complaints from both points of view as well as the situation prior to the mediation. By using the worksheet, parties are able to come together better prepared and more willing to participate in the negotiation process that makes up mediation. The Conflict Avoidance and Resolution training effort is another area producing results for the program. The ADR Program Office has tailored this training to meet a variety of needs including New Employee Orientation, New Supervisors Training, Supervisor Leadership Development Program, Employee Enhancement Program and NCO/SNCO Professional Education Seminars. More than 1,500 employees in FY09 were provided tools to prepare for critical conversations thereby resolving potential conflicts at the lowest chain of command or by avoiding the conflict altogether. This training effort has directly contributed to significant reductions in the number of complaints being filed at Tinker Air Force Base over the past two years. The Tinker ADR Program Office is making a difference in helping to resolve and avoid conflict throughout the installation. In the mediation room, the collateral-duty mediators along with properly prepared complainants, representatives and respondents all come to work together in good faith to attempt to resolve complaints and create win-win situations. In the training room, the ADR staff provides employees and managers tools that are easy to understand and apply in order to resolve issues before they escalate into the complaint system. If you see an opportunity for the ADR staff to provide training in your organization or if you would like to learn more about conflict resolution training, call 736-2151.