Conflict Resolution Training for Charities

Charitable organizations run the gamut from clothing companies to emergency aid and relief. Regardless of the nature of the organization, charities around the world must deal with a wide variety of people on both sides of the equation. 

From volunteers to donors to executives, charities can see a lot of turnover and have people in diverse sets of situations. Invariably, conflict can arise in these scenarios, which is why conflict resolution skills are so valuable for the organization. 

What is Conflict Resolution Training for Charities?

While conflict resolution training is useful in many applications and industries, it’s best when it can be tailored to a specific audience. 

For charities, this training will likely involve a lot more than learning how to prevent or manage workplace conflict. Trainings may include additional resources, such as: 

Volunteer Conflict Training 

When an organization has a rotating group of volunteers and employees, conflicts are bound to happen. Since volunteers are not held to the same standard as employees, they may create more disputes, either intentionally or unintentionally. 

Community Conflict Mediation

Since charities can operate in community spaces and deal with the public, workers have to understand how to recognize and prevent conflicts from occurring. This training can discuss how to mitigate problems with public individuals and how they interact with volunteers and employees. 

Emergency Services

While conflict resolution training may not involve intense emergency training, it can still prepare workers on how to handle individuals during an emergency. For example, people may be stressed and worked up, making them angrier and more susceptible to conflict. 

De-escalation is imperative to ensure that workers and volunteers get the proper support as necessary. 

Client Conflict Resolution

Since clients and donors are the ones paying the nonprofit’s bills, it’s crucial to minimize any conflicts between them and employees. Comprehensive training can help workers recognize how to prevent conflict and deflect it whenever it may occur, helping the organization maintain its relationships. 

For the best results, you’ll want to customize your training session to meet your specific needs. 

Which Conflict Resolution Skills Are Most Valuable for Charities?

Although conflict resolution training for non-profit organizations may differ from other types of training, it will still cover essential skills. Here are the skills that can yield the most benefits: 

Active Listening

Being an active listener involves a lot more than just hearing what the other person is saying. It also includes body language and positive reinforcement to illustrate to that person that you’re listening and understanding their side of things. 

Active listening is also critical for conflict resolution because it can help de-escalate a situation before it gets out of control. Mediators can talk with the involved parties, gather additional information, and use various resolution tools to come to an amicable agreement. 

Mediation Services

Mediation is a critical part of conflict resolution because it helps participants in the situation feel seen and heard. A professional mediator can hear both sides and come up with an ideal solution based on everyone’s wants and dislikes. 

Mediation is also essential when conflicts arise between staff members and donors. Since these situations must be handled with care, a mediator can help the organization profit from high-value relationships without undermining their core message or ideology. 

Conflict Prevention

The best way to resolve conflicts is to not let them fester and grow on their own. Conflict prevention is when trained individuals learn to recognize and identify conflicts brewing. Then, they can step in and de-escalate the situation so nothing gets out of control. 

Benefits of Implementing Conflict Resolution Training for Nonprofit Organizations

Investing in conflict resolution is one of the smartest moves a charity can make. Some of the tangible benefits one can expect include: 

Reduced Turnover

Some charities have a revolving door for volunteers, meaning many people sign up once or twice and are then never seen again. Since part of this turnover can be a result of poor management or workplace interactions, training can step in and ensure that everyone is happy and healthy in their position. 

Better Communication Between Organizations and Donors

Since communication is a cornerstone of conflict resolution, it can help workers and fundraising advocates communicate with donors and community members. This training can help employees understand where donors are coming from and how to address their specific concerns. 

This type of fundraising can connect donations with emotional benefits, making it easier for individuals to feel good about giving to the organization. 

Help Resolve Workplace Disputes

Charities aren’t just found in local communities – they also have offices and workplaces where employees interact. Conflict resolution training can help minimize any issues that may arise in the workplace so individuals can stay focused and productive. 

Because a nonprofit organization depends on its staff more than a regular business, conflict resolution can keep the office running more smoothly and efficiently overall. 

Get the Best Conflict Resolution Training From Resolve Conflict Resolution

Resolve Conflict Resolution Services is committed to providing the best training for your nonprofit organization. We offer a wide variety of sessions and classes to suit your needs. We can also customize conflict assistance programs so you can get the best value possible.