Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County

Learn more about the DRC's services and the transformative impact of our community-building efforts, and read a special message from new Executive Director Elizabeth Drake, in our 2024 Community Impact Report.

www.mediatethurston.org

You can help make powerful changes in our community - building constructive dialogue and bridging divides - as a volunteer mediator with the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County.

To learn more about training and steps to become a certified mediator, email [email protected] or call 360-956-1155.

Become a Volunteer Mediator - We Need People Like you! Create Meaningful change in your community and consider becoming a mediator! Learn more about volunteer and training opportunities in Thurston & south Mason ...

We are excited to announce that our Conflict Crash Course training will now be offered through Olympia Parks & Recreation 🎉🎉

Our goal is to make our trainings accessible to everyone within our community. Join us on November 2nd at 9:00AM - 1:00PM for this 4-hour in-person training to learn tips to help you handle conflict & get to a resolution.

Register Here:

ExperienceIt! Online

August 17th is National Nonprofit Day.

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County is proud to be part of our thriving South Sound non-profit community that collaboratively works to address many diverse needs in our area AND contributes to our local economy.

We're also grateful for the long-time partnership and support of the Thurston Economic Development Council in helping advance our efforts to build a more civil and peaceful community.

August 17 is National Nonprofit Day!

Did you know that our local nonprofits are a powerhouse for our community? With 712 jobs created and over $181 million in economic output, they’re not just making a difference—they’re driving our economy forward!

We're happy to be participating in the Thurston County Resource Hub Community Fair today, next door to the Courthouse. Stop by our table to say HI and learn about the resources the DRC offers to our community.

August is 'Make a Will Month'

Everyone should have a will or living trust, regardless of your wealth. Having a plan in place ensures that your wishes are known and saves your surviving loved ones from additional cost and stress.

Please also consider leaving a lasting legacy for your community by including charities and causes you care about in your estate plan.

Learn more about estate planning resources at Leave 10 South Sound > https://www.leave10.org/.../for.../individual-resources-ss/

Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Conflict-Resolution, Mediation, Training and Volunteering

Congratulations to Kacia Bernier and Marieke McGovern (pictured here with Executive Director Elizabeth Drake), who we honored last evening as the DRC's Outstanding Volunteers for 2024 at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.
THANK YOU to Kacia and Marieke - and to all of the DRC's 130+ volunteers - for all you do to help build a more peaceful and civil community. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the DRC.

You can help people navigate conflict as a volunteer mediator with the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County. To learn more about volunteer and training opportunities in Thurston and south Mason Counties, visit https://www.mediatethurston.org/get-involved.html , email [email protected] or call 360-956-1155.

Become a Volunteer Mediator - Learn Meaningful Skills that YOU can put into action! (40sec) Create Meaningful change in your community and consider becoming a mediator! Learn more about volunteer and training opportunities in Thurston & south Mason ...

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in your community?
You can play a key role in creating a more peaceful and civil community as a member of our Board of Directors.

Board Opportunities Come play a key role in creating a more peaceful and civil community as a member of our Board of Directors.

A timely reminder of the importance of estate planning, and thinking about the legacy you want to leave to those you love AND to your community and the causes you care about.

What is estate planning? Estate planning is the process of arranging who will receive your assets when you die.

This week our staff said farewell to Jody Suhrbier Leff, who's led the DRC as our Executive Director since 2016. She's passed the torch to Elizabeth Drake, who will lead our organization into the next chapter of our 33-year history. Thank you, Jody, for all you've done to advance the DRC's mission during your tenure, and best wishes to Elizabeth in continuing this important work in the years to come.

Long-time DRC volunteer mediator and trainer Michael Fraidenburg was recently interviewed on the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) Hear2Hear podcast.

Hear 2 Hear "Keeping It 100- Michael Fraidenburg Are you ready to "Keep it 100"? Tune in to NAFCM's podcast that will showcase interviews with various experts in a variety of fields, sharing thei...

Valuable financial literacy workshops offered by our community partner Family Education and Support Services

Registration is now open for a new, FREE program in coordination with TwinStar Credit Union. Workshops are held here at the FESS Office in Tumwater and upon and upon full completion, you will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card!

FINANCIAL FITNESS: A comprehensive course in personal finance

Thursday, July 11 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Welcome to Financial Literacy & Money Management

Thursday, July 18 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Understanding Credit & Debt Management

Thursday, July 25 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Auto Buying & Fraud/Identity Theft

Thursday, August 1 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Protecting your Assets & Completion Celebration

Register here: https://portals.compass-360.org/Compass360WebUserServices08/org=familyess.org/eventId=6AC1724E-E46F-46B4-8FFA-F523D0DCE4BE/request=standard

We recently had the opportunity to attend "A Community Conversation with Mónica Guzmán" at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts here in Olympia. Hosted by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, this event focused on ways we can foster curiosity and dialogue across differences in our communities.
TVW recorded the event, so we wanted to share that with friends of the DRC.

Community Conversation with Monica Guzman - TVW The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound hosts a Community Conversation with Monica Guzman, journalist and author of "I Never Thought of It That Way: How

Congratulations to our new Executive Director, Elizabeth Drake (front row, second from left in this photo), on completing the Leadership Thurston County program as a member of the Class of 2023-24.

🎓 Exciting News! Leadership Thurston County (LTC) and the Thurston Chamber Foundation will honor the LTC Class of 2024 at their graduation on June 12! 🎉

Over the past 10 months, class members connected with leaders, expanded networks, and delved into South Sound issues like economic development, education, and environmental concerns.

A huge thank you to the sponsors, local leaders, LTC Sustaining Trustees, Board of Regents, and the Chamber for their incredible work!

Learn more https://bit.ly/3x0U8ju

This Juneteenth celebration is one of several upcoming community events being put on by our friends at ASHHO CULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER

🌟 Come join us for "Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom" on Wednesday, June 19th from 4 pm to 7 pm at the ASHHO CULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER!

Let's come together to honor history, celebrate culture, and embrace the spirit of freedom. Don’t miss out on a day filled with music, food, and community! 🎉✨

A special thank you to True Self Yoga for sending their teachers to one of our trainings on conflict resolution and communication skills.

Learn more about DRC Training services:
https://www.mediatethurston.org/training.html

Join us in welcoming the DRC's new Executive Director, Elizabeth Drake. Succeeding Jody Suhrbier, who has led our organization for the past eight years, Elizabeth is the DRC's current Associate Director. She will begin her new role on June 1st.
Learn more about Elizabeth by clicking here >

Welcome our new Executive Director, Elizabeth Drake A special message from the DRC Board Welcome our new Executive Director, Elizabeth Drake A special message from the DRC Board of Directors Dear DRC Volunteers, Supporters and Community Partners, On be

Check out photos and highlights from our celebration:
https://www.mediatethurston.org/blog/a-celebration-of-peacemakers-2024

On Sunday, May 5th, we gathered at South Puget Sound Community College's Lacey Campus for A Celebration of Peacemakers. This event honored our volunteers, supporters, advocates, and community partners - all those whose efforts help create a more civil and peaceful community.

Highlights of the afternoon were a special tribute to Jody Suhrbier Leff, who is leaving the DRC after nearly eight years as its Executive Director, and presentation of the of the Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award to Rev. Corey Passons, Interfaith Relations Program Manager at Olympia's Interfaith Works.

Every day, the Dispute Resolution Center's services have a positive, transformative impact on individuals, families and organizations, and on our community as a whole.

Please make an investment in the civic health of our community. Your contribution will enable the DRC to continue to transform lives - empowering our neighbors to repair relationships, resolve disagreements, and communicate with respect and civility.

Learn more >

Make an Investment in Transformation! Your gift this spring will help the DRC continue to transform lives. Your gift this spring will help the DRC continue to transform lives. Dear Friends, At our recent Celebration of Peacemakers event,

A special thank you to these local businesses that supported our Celebration of Peacemakers event! Your contribution is highly appreciated by the community for your delightful décor, classy beverages, and delicious treats.

Gotti Sweets
Bittersweet Chocolates
Headless Mumby Brewing Company
The Crowded Kitchen Catering Co.
The Nocturnal Hound
The Popinjay
Jen Gilday Interiors

Thank you, Emily Clouse, Thurston County Commissioner District 5, for attending our event, and for your support for the work of the DRC.

Today's the day to GIVE BIG! On May 7th & 8th, people across Washington State are joining together to show their support for local non-profit organizations they care about.

Give a gift to your community today by supporting the vital conflict resolution and communication skills provided by the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County through the Give Big campaign. Learn more >

Support Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County on Washington Gives MissionOur Mission:The Dispute Resolution Center empowers people to resolve their disputes by providing conflict resolution services and training community members in those skills.Our Vision:We envision a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful...

Please join us in congratulating Rev. Corey Passons, recipient of the 2024 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award. We honored Corey on Sunday, May 5th at our Celebration of Peacemakers event.

An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Corey has served since 2020 as Interfaith Relations Program Manager at Interfaith Works (Thurston County, WA). In this role he seeks to deepen connection, understanding, and collaboration among the 30+ diverse congregations and affiliated organizations that make up Interfaith Works, to expand these efforts into the wider community.

Thank you, Corey, for your dedication to this important work.

It's almost time to GIVE BIG! On May 7th & 8th, people across Washington State will join together to show their support for local non-profit organizations they care about.

Your gift to the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County through Give Big will make it possible for more members of our community to experience and benefit from our training resources and, in-turn, share and model the communication and conflict resolution skills they learn in their families, workplaces and the wider community.

Learn more at > https://www.wagives.org/organization/DisputeResolutionCenterofThurstonCounty
Your support for the work of the DRC is an investment in a more civil and peaceful community. Thank you!

Support Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County on Washington Gives MissionOur Mission:The Dispute Resolution Center empowers people to resolve their disputes by providing conflict resolution services and training community members in those skills.Our Vision:We envision a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful...

The DRC's new Conflict Resolution Tools for Organizations training this week was well-attended by participants from a variety of businesses, state agencies and community organizations - and well-received, as this participant feedback attests:

"This was really helpful for ALL professional or personal relationships. It helped me to realize my own perspective, thoughts, and habits when in conflict and how to navigate those, as well as helping others to do the same!"

Watch for information on the next offering of this training, as well as other upcoming DRC trainings, or visit > https://www.mediatethurston.org/upcoming-trainings.html

There’s a good feeling we get when we show up for others, whether it’s a family member, a neighbor, or a local nonprofit we care about. Give Big, on May 7th & 8th, is a state-wide initiative to encourage support for local non-profit organizations, like the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County.

A special Early Giving period is happening now. Help us build momentum by making your gift today!

Your gift to the DRC through Give Big will make it possible for more members of our community to experience and benefit from our training resources and, in-turn, share and model the communication and conflict resolution skills they learn in their families, workplaces and the wider community.

Learn more at >

Support Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County on Washington Gives MissionOur Mission:The Dispute Resolution Center empowers people to resolve their disputes by providing conflict resolution services and training community members in those skills.Our Vision:We envision a South Sound community that has and uses healthy and respectful...

Long-time DRC volunteer mediators Terry Teale and Michael Fraidenburg, were recently featured on the podcasts "Crafting Solutions to Conflict" and "Co-Creating Peace", talking about their recently-published book "The Art of Mediation: Key Skills for New Mediators".
Listen to Terry's interview by clicking here > https://craftingsolutionstoconflict.com/podcast/episode-273-terry-teale-on-the-art-of-mediation
and to Mike's interview by clicking here > https://www.buzzsprout.com/1554039/14663002
To learn more about the book, visit > https://www.theartofmediation.org

Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County Conflict-Resolution, Mediation, Training and Volunteering

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County, is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director.
Reporting to the DRC's Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads a talented, dedicated team of staff and volunteers in the vital work of community-based conflict resolution.
Learn more about this position at

Job Opportunities The DRC Board of Directors is currently seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director ​

Congratulations to long-time DRC volunteers Michael Fraidenburg and Terry Teale on the publication of their new book, "The Art of Mediation - Key Skills for New Mediators". We were delighted to host their recent book launch party here at our offices.

To learn more about the book and order your copy, visit > https://a.co/d/8Wh0kFu