Shared living is great -- in cohousing or group houses or other forms of community, intergenerational and age-specific - but it can be a lot of work, forcing us to take time to understand each other, and learning new tools to help us find peaceful solutions. As we age, small differences can get blown up into big fights, and stony silences can take away the key benefits and opportunities of sharing lives.
Fortunately, the tools are out there to help us live well together, peacefully, while addressing key concerns and finding amicable solutions - in family-friendly communities as well as elder/senior cohousing and shared houses with aging populations.
We're partnering with professional mediator and Elder Mediation trainer Katharina Dress to host a potluck dinner and conversation about peaceful living - Aging In Harmony - this Monday evening.
We'll gather at the East Bay Cohousing (EBCOHO) clubhouse in downtown Berkeley (MLK at Center, please park onstreet, the lot out front is reserved), at 6 PM for an optional potluck, and then Katharina will lead us in a fun, participatory workshop from 7-8:30 PM:
How Can Mediation Bring Peace of Mind to you and your Family and Friends?
Tensions are a natural part of human interactions. As we age, all of us face difficult decisions that affect our loved ones and often bring up strong emotions. Mediation is a way to help people improve communication when dealing with such controversial issues. The mediator is a neutral person who facilitates the conversation, helps all parties to understand each other and feel heard, and encourages decisions that meet the needs of everyone involved.
Come learn:
- how the mediation process works
- who could benefit and should participate
- what issues can be addressed and resolved in mediation, especially concerning aging related challenges?
- How is mediation different from legal services or family counseling?
- How can you find a mediator that is right for you?
Please bring a dish to share (if you can say what you'll bring when you RSVP that will help others bring a diverse variety) and your own silverware/dishes if you're coming to the potluck; we have a microwave available for reheating if necessary. The workshop will begin promptly at 7.
Suggested donation $20 ($10 for current paid EBCOHO members)
Katharina W. Dress is a mediator, facilitator, and trainer specialized in working with older adults. She offers mediation services for individuals, families or organizations seeking to resolve tensions involving one or more older person(s), and facilitates meetings with family members struggling with elder care decisions for their loved ones.
Her extensive training includes special courses in Elder Mediation, Non-Violent Communication, and Forgiveness.
Ms. Dress has experience in Elder Mediation, Community Mediation, and court-based Guardianship and Civil Harassment Mediation. She serves on the Civil Court Mediation Panel of the Superior Court of Alameda County. In addition to her Elder Mediation Service AGING IN HARMONY, she also works pro bono for SEEDS Community Resolution Center, a non-profit Community Mediation agency serving Alameda County, and serves as a trainer and coach for mediation trainings.
“ I thought this was a valuable presentation. I especially appreciated the opportunity to actively try out mediation skills on another person, but feel the process would have benefited by a mini-mediation demo first, in which we could observe the EARS skills being applied. So maybe, a little less theory, and more practical hands-on action. ”
“ very well facilitated ”
Raines Cohen (+5 guests)
sula/Northern Silicon Valley Cohousing
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