Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center

09/03/2026

Leslie Ann Grove with the North West Mediation Center highlights an important principle from Fisher and Ury’s Getting to Yes in her Principled Negotiation presentation: “deal with the people as human beings and with the problem on its merits.”

In practice, this means recognizing that conflict can feel personal while making an intentional effort to separate the person from the issue. Productive conversations involve listening with empathy, recognizing emotions, avoiding assumptions, and focusing on solving the problem together rather than attacking one another.

Here are a few helpful communication tips from Leslie’s presentation. These strategies can help you approach tough conversations with a focus on solutions, rather than getting stuck in the emotion of the moment. We hope you’ll try one or more of these approaches the next time you find yourself navigating a difficult conversation.

09/01/2026

1 week left for early bird tickets!

Join us for the 2026 Peace Builder Awards as we celebrate the individuals, organizations, volunteers, and public servants who make Whatcom County a more peaceful place to live and work.

Every ticket purchased helps the WDRC continue providing mediation, conflict resolution education, and community programs that strengthen our community every day.

Early Bird Tickets start at $75 for a limited time, with additional ticket options that reflect the true cost of attendance and help make it possible for others to attend.
Learn more and reserve your seat today: whatcomdrc.org/peace-builder-awards

08/26/2026

Sometimes, the simplest answers are the most powerful.

These beautiful creations from young artists remind us that peace comes in many shapes and sizes, whether it's enjoying a peaceful landscape, showing kindness, experiencing friendship, or creating a community where everyone feels heard.

At the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, we believe that building peace starts with listening, understanding, and creating space for every voice to be heard.

Take a moment to reflect:

What does peace mean to you? We'd love to hear your answers in the comments.

08/24/2026

We need just 4 more monthly donors to become Partners for Peace. This is the final week of our Mid-Year Campaign, and we’re so close to reaching our goal!

Behind every family that finds healing through mediation, every neighbor who learns to navigate conflict constructively, and every young person who discovers peaceful problem-solving skills, there's a special group of community members making it possible.

Our Partners for Peace are monthly donors who provide the steady foundation that allows the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to be here when individuals and families need us most.

We invite you to become a Partner for Peace with a monthly gift of just $10. For many of us, that's about the cost of one or two coffees each month. For an individual or family in crisis, it helps provide a safe place to rebuild trust, improve communication, and find a path forward.

Learn more and sign up today at the link in our bio.

08/21/2026

The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center seeks applicants for the 2026-27 BEAM Fellowship cohort. BEAM is short for Broadening Equity and Access in Mediation and springs from the WDRC’s commitment to honoring our region’s rich tapestry of communities and supporting mediators who represent, connect, and resonate with clients of all backgrounds and identities.

Through this Fellowship, the WDRC aspires to increase the racial, ethnic, and language diversity of the mediator pool in Whatcom County. This Fellowship opportunity uniquely supports successful candidates over the full trajectory of becoming a certified mediator.

BEAM Fellows receive:
- Full Scholarship for our Professional Mediation Training (40-hours, $795 value)
- Full scholarship to our Practicum Program (18-24 months, $495 value)
- $1000 honoraria dispersed throughout the fellowship at key milestones

If the following guidelines feel like a fit for you, we invite you to fill out a BEAM Fellows application, or reach out to our staff for more information:
- Interested in becoming a certified community mediator in Whatcom County
- Available to attend Professional Mediation Training and complete the Mediation Practicum Program
- Identify as Black, Indigenous, among other communities of color, or are bilingual and bicultural
- Live in Whatcom County and plan to remain in the area

Learn more and apply at whatcomdrc.org/beam

08/20/2026

Accountability isn’t about blame, it’s about having the skills to take responsibility, navigate hurt, and build relationships that can withstand difficulty.

Join us for The Art of Accountability, a two-part training designed to help you strengthen your skills for taking accountability, receiving feedback, offering sincere apologies, and repairing trust.

Part 1: Sustaining Relationships Through Difficulty and Hurt.

📅 Thursday, September 3 | 3 - 6 PM
Explore centered accountability, practice receiving difficult feedback, and learn the “2% Rule” for taking responsibility.

Part 2: Apology and Repair Lab

📅 Thursday, September 10 | 3 - 6 PM

Discover the building blocks of trusting relationships, practice developing a sincere apology, and explore approaches for repairing trust.

Join us for one part or both! Whether you're navigating a challenging relationship or simply want to build stronger communication skills, this training offers practical tools you can put into practice right away.

Learn more and register at: whatcomdrc.org/art-of-accountability

This two-part training builds skills for taking accountability, a keystone of positive and enduring relationships. Join us for Part 1, Part 2, or both parts of the training!

08/18/2026

We’re excited to introduce the 2026 Peace Builder Award award recipients!

These remarkable individuals and organizations are helping build a more peaceful Whatcom County through connection, leadership, belonging, service, creativity, and care for our community.

Join us in recognizing this year’s recipients and the many ways they are putting the pieces together in our homes, schools, and community.

The Peace Builder Awards will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026, and tickets are available now at the link in our bio.

08/14/2026

Stories like this remind us why we do what we do.

This family’s experience through our Supervised Visitation program is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen when people have consistent support and someone walking alongside them.

When you become a Partner for Peace, you're helping ensure that every person who turns to us can find compassionate guidance, a safe space for difficult conversations, and hope for a more connected and peaceful future.

Thank you for believing that conflict can become an opportunity for healing, understanding, and lasting change.

Learn more and give today at the link in our bio.

08/11/2026

Behind every family that finds healing through mediation, every neighbor who learns to navigate conflict constructively, and every young person who discovers peaceful problem-solving skills, there's a special group of community members making it possible.

Our Partners for Peace are monthly donors who provide the steady foundation that allows the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center to be here when individuals and families need us most.

We invite you to become a Partner for Peace with a monthly gift of just $10. For many of us, that's about the cost of one or two coffees each month. For an individual or family in crisis, it helps provide a safe place to rebuild trust, improve communication, and find a path forward.

Learn more and sign up today at the link in our bio.

08/04/2026

Los conflictos son parte de la vida, pero no tienes que enfrentarlos solo/a/e.

Ya sea que estés lidiando con desafíos dentro de tu familia, tu trabajo o tu organización comunitaria, contar con un espacio neutral para conversar puede marcar toda la diferencia.

En el Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (Centro de Resolución de Disputas de Whatcom), ofrecemos servicios en español para ayudar a las personas a encontrar soluciones, mejorar la comunicación y construir acuerdos duraderos.

Conoce más sobre nuestros programas en whatcomdrc.org o contáctanos hoy al 360.676.0122 o a [email protected].