Being Present for a Friend Navigating Conflict (Flamekeeper Series #2) [public]

​This is Session #2 of 4 in the Flamekeeper Series.

​Helping a friend navigate conflict can be a complex dance of roles and desires. We might face challenging questions:

• ​How might I offer genuine support without “taking sides”?

• ​How might I help expand someone’s perspective without being patronizing?

• ​How might I empower my friend’s own autonomy as they seek advice, and be clear about our own limits and involvement?

​To explore these questions, we glean wisdom from organizational ombuds and conflict resolution practices. Organizational ombuds serve as in-house third-party neutrals to help manage grievances and disputes within institutions. Conflict resolution practices can yield insights into interpersonal frictions we encounter in our daily life. We will learn how we can apply wisdom from these practices into our own lives and relationships.

​Amanda Dean is the Staff Ombuds at Austin Community College. Bio coming soon.

​Maya Pace is a facilitator and conflict/leadership trainer at Trust Labs. Bio coming soon.

​The session will be moderated by Seanan Fong, Founding Director of the SF Contemplarium.

​We will have a lively fireside chat in the first hour, followed by an interactive skill-building workshop in the second hour.

​​🕕 Agenda

• ​​2–2:10pm: Arrive & Check-in

• ​2:10pm: Fireside Chat begins

• ​​3pm: Q&A

• ​3:15: Interactive Workshop

​​📍 Finding 550 Laguna

​​We'll meet in 550 Laguna (the corner of Hayes & Laguna). Once you arrive, go down the stairs to the basement level to enter space, check in, and please take your shoes off at the door.

​​​We are grateful to partner with The Commons to host this event in their incredible space. The Commons is a modern-day town square for communal meaning-making, personal discovery, and self-expression in the heart of San Francisco. Learn more about The Commons here.

​​About the SF Contemplarium

​​​​Presented by the San Francisco Contemplarium, a neighborhood institution creating space for honoring our human journey.