Viking Magazine - April 2016 - 27

Conventioni
2016 International
TACOMA, WA x SONS OF NORWAY
Leading the Way
The Keys to Conflict Resolution
Learn the steps to resolving conflict and strengthening your lodge at this year's ILC!
hether or not you are an elected officer of Sons of
Norway, developing leadership skills can help you
make a positive impact on your professional life,
your lodge and the organization as a whole. By attending
this year's Innovative Leadership Conference you gain
the skills necessary to be a true leader and an important
element of Sons of Norway's future success.
For example, have you ever witnessed a misunderstanding
between lodge members that turned into conflict, which
distracted the lodge from achieving its goals? It's not
uncommon because lodges are made up of individuals, each
with their own preferences and opinions. It is, however,
preventable through conflict resolution-a topic that
everyone at this year's ILC will learn about.
Attendees will explore the central components of conflict
resolution, like creating a supportive communication
environment, best responses to anger, and building
collaborative relationships. The end result will be attendees
learning how to put these ideas into practice and become
peacemakers in their lodge, helping it be as harmonious and
efficient as possible.
" For example, during the session attendees will
participate in exercises that provide practice in skills
we need to demonstrate back at the lodge, " said ILC
speaker Kit Welchlin. " One of the exercises is to practice
differentiating between positions and interests. A common
perception is to assume that because the other person's
position is opposed to ours, his or her goals must also be
opposed. However, often behind opposed positions lie
shared and compatible goals. "
Then, once everyone has learned about addressing
perceptions, Kit will work with the group on the next
step of conflict resolution, which is building collaborative
W
relationships. " The key to this is to initiate the conversation
by stating your cooperative intentions, " said Welchlin.
" Demonstrate through your interactions, that you are
striving to think of solutions that give both you and the
other person the best chance to reach the goal and keep the
relationship positive. "
Above all, Welchlin says, " when it comes to conflict,
the key is to make sure you have a process; a simple
formula to follow. " Attendees to the 2016 seminar are
guaranteed to leave with a formula that includes perception,
intentions, brainstorming solutions, determining criteria
for measurement, and then implementing plans, roles, and
timeline.
You're definitely going to want to be at this year's ILC
because Welchlin is known as a " high-content " presenter
and the conference itself will be fast-paced and packed
with useful information. Each of the four sessions will be
sprinkled with discussion questions, exercises, and group
activities to ensure follow through when attendees return
home to their lodges. There will be checklists, action items,
and handouts to refer to long after the conference is over.
Registration is now open for the 2016 Innovative
Leadership Conference. The cost of attendance is $100,
which covers breaks, a lunch and all conference materials.
Innovative Leadership Conference
Attendees: Open to all Sons of Norway members
Where: Hotel Murano, Tacoma, Washington
When: Wednesday, August 24, 2016
To learn more about the ILC or to register, visit
www.sonsofnorway.com/convention
http://www.sonsofnorway.com/convention
Viking Magazine - April 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - April 2016
