Connections

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WHO WE ARE W H AT W E B E L I E V E

Communications Group W H AT W E D O


Resolving conflict, forging connections and building community through the art and science of effective communication. Connections Communications Group is a multi-faceted communications firm rooted in the following fundamental principals: (1) that effective communication, not conflict suppression or conflict avoidance, is at the heart of conflict resolution and community building, (2) that effective communication is both an art and a critical 21st century skill; a skill that can be shared, taught and learned, particularly in youth settings; and (3) the role of a mediator is to facilitate of creative thinking and effective communication between parties in dispute and the purpose of mediation, or any other form of alternative dispute resolution, is to empower those involved in the process. We believe in a restorative approach to conflict resolution. The restorative approach is based on the belief that the people best placed to resolve a conflict or a problem are the people directly involved, and that imposed solutions are less effective, less educative and less likely to be honored over time. In order to engage in a restorative approach to conflict, participants need certain attitudes and skills. Skills-based training can develop both restorative skills and build a bridge to more meaningful communication. That is what we are here to do. To teach, to reach out and to encourage those in conflict to:

Take responsibility for our responses to conflict

Not depend on others to suppress conflict for us

Not seek to suppress others' conflicts for them

Lose our dependence on others to change but instead to look inward to reflect on and reconsider our own perspective and response to our difficulty.

Lose our sense of helplessness and victimhood; and

To find the power and creativity that mindful communication provides to enable us to respectfully connect with others.

All of these principles acknowledge that effective conflict resolution support is always about enabling others to resolve their own disputes, not about “fixing” the person or “solving” the problem or “changing” the behavior of others.


WHAT WE DO

Mediation

Conflict coaching

Restorative facilitation, mediation and conferencing for youth and schools

Communication, elocution and life skills training

WHO WE ARE Sam Blassingame is a Certified Conflict Resolution and Mediation Consultant and a member of the Oregon Mediation Association. Sam was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Sam attended Jefferson High School and graduated from University of Washington with a BA in Communications. After college, Sam enlisted and served a with distinction as a corpman in United States Naval Reserves. Sam has an extensive professional background in sales, e-marketing, education and information technology, communications and telecommunications. Michael E, Summers is an attorney, education technology and school reform advocate and a mediation, alternative dispute resolution and communications consultant. Michael was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but now resides Portland, Oregon. Michael attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. For 20 years, Michael served as general counsel to small to mid-sized Illinois based companies and has an extensive background in conflict resolution


Communications Group

do.something.good.


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