Punxsutawney Phil in Mediation

Black-tailed Prairie Marmot - Cynomys ludovicianus

The Associated Press reported this weekend that Ohio authorities have issued an indictment of Punxsutawney Phil, alleging that he “did purposely, and with prior calculation and design, cause the people to believe that spring would come early.”Additional sources have suggested that Phil is seeking to file suit regarding the slanderous social media war being waged against him. He believes that the vitriol could damage his ability to find work in the future. OvalOptions has begun contacting all parties involved hoping to pursue a successful resolution through public dialogues and mediation. Dragging the case though court would cost significantly more money and take much longer than the successful implementation of our dispute resolution services. We believe that our highly skilled mediation practitioners can help everyone reach a mutually satisfying result in private and outside of court. Additionally, we are confident that all issues can be resolved before spring arrives. We all know that pursuing this through court would cause the dispute to drag on beyond the actual arrival of spring and that once spring arrives, everyone will forget about Phil until next year anyway.

A discussion of gun violence:

A discussion of gun violence:

With the recent incidents of gun violence in Aurora, Clackamas, and Newtown social media forums have experienced an outpouring of discussion about gun violence, mental health, the NRA and the Second Amendment.  These discussions are emotional and informational. We see this as an opportunity to tackle the issues at hand, discuss the problems and collaborate to help find solutions.Please join us in a dialogue about gun violence in the USA. We believe that no one person has THE solution.  We also believe that all of us can provide a solution if we work together.OvalOptions invites you to join the dialogue on our Facebook page. There, you may voice your opinions, ideas, questions and concerns or share valuable resources.  This is an open discussion where everybody can reply and comment.OvalOptions will moderate the dialogue. The Ground Rules for participation are:

• Focus on the issue
• Have respect for others' opinions
• Remain open minded
• Refrain from making assumptions (about people, issues, opinions and ideas). Ask for clarification if needed
• Ask questions
• Avoid using sarcasm
• Any disrespectful comments will be deleted
• If you’re unsure how to comment in a productive way or don’t want your comment to be public, send us a private message
• For more tips on engaging in productive conversations, read our blog “Making the choice between your friend and your politician”

This is not a competition; it is collaboration to find a mutually acceptable, and sturdy solution. Upon completion, we will generate a public report summarizing the issues, resources and possible solutions.We see the situation residing in five main categories. These are not rigid and others can exist.

• Gun Laws (gun types, ammunition, availability, application of laws, etc)
• Constitutional (the 2nd Amendment, definition, modern applications, etc)
• Social (societal influences, societal obligations, social limitations, public safety, etc)
• Personal (family roles, personal responsibilities, etc)
• Mental Health (illness, awareness, assistance, etc)

Visit our Facebook page to join the dialogue.

About the Pub Dialogues

The Pub Dialogues is a somewhat-monthly public engagement series that brings people out of the chat rooms and into neighborhood pubs to discuss with one another various and important topics.  Presented by OvalOptions (www.ovaloptions.com), a conflict management firm based in Denver, CO.These sessions allow people with different, and possibly opposing viewpoints, to:

• Actually meet
• Engage in face-to-face discussion
• Disagree in civil fashion
• Better understand perspectives
• Learn more about topics at hand
• Collectively tackle issues in order to be better prepared to find solutions and progress

Experienced facilitators from OvalOptions will assist groups in discussing each topic. They will encourage participation, allow each participant to speak, and capture main points, issues, concerns and ideas.Why the pub?  In the spirit of “Cheers”, the popular sitcom of the 1980s, the pub is where ‘everybody knows your name’.  It is a place where people can gather in a relaxed and somewhat uninhibited atmosphere.  The pub is a local business, and in Denver these pubs serve exceptional craft beer–the social lubricant.  People from all backgrounds go to the pub; they have for centuries to discuss social, governmental, religious, cultural, scientific, philosophic, and personal issues. To share personal success, seek comfort from the Blues, tell stories of adventure and failure, and meet new friends.These events are FREE of charge to all ages (21 to drink).  Please drink responsibly! 

Pub Dialogue 1.5 at Dry Dock Brewing

The next Pub Dialogues session will be at Dry Dock Brewing Company, 15120 E. Hampden Ave in Aurora, CO 80014at 6:15pm on Monday, October 1stTopic-- Political Campaigns: Good, Bad and UglyHave a great Dry Dock craft beer and discuss the world of political campaigns. What purpose do they serve?  Do candidates actually represent your beliefs?  What's good, bad and ugly about political campaigns?  With the Presidential Debates 2 days later in Denver, this a good way to start the pre-election discussions.Dry Dock serves beer and popcorn only. Outside food is allowed in.For more information contact: Jason@OvalOptions.com 

Pub Dialogues session 1.4

Congress and You Our 5th session of the Pub Dialogues will be held at Pints Pub and Freehouse July 16th (Monday) from 5:30 - 8pm.  We will be upstairs at reserved seating.The topic for this session is Congress; how are they doing?  How do you relate to Congress, and vice versa?  Is Congress doing enough? Are you doing enough?  This is a good opportunity to rethink our connection with our representatives, with each other, and perhaps with ourselves.   Let the ideas flow!

Behind the Dialogues: Part 4

The GoalThe Pub Dialogues series is our vehicle to highlight that open, honest and civil conversations are possible during difficult circumstances.  We hope people will see how disagreeing with someone does not prohibit discussion, conversation and dialogue.   Honest Dialogue is not easy; it takes time, effort and even some pain. However, the benefits are fantastic for those involved and, indirectly, the world at large.The Pub Dialogues aim to:

• (Re-) Introduce interpersonal communication skills
• Help people address contentious topics and understand differing view-points
• Showcase how people with opposing view-points can engage in constructive conversation without reverting to debate and animosity
• Bring awareness to the importance of open discussion and its salience with social, political and cultural issues
• Entice people to have more conversations face-to-face in a civil and open manner (with local pubs and businesses in mind for the setting)
• Offer an opportunity for people to learn from each other

We want to change the world.  Delusions of grandeur to be sure. Still, we follow a common platitude, ‘if you want to change the world, start with yourself’.  The practitioners at OvalOptions have taken this rather difficult first step.  While we are far from perfect, we turned the focus of conflict resolution skills on ourselves first to view firsthand the changes, understanding and personal development they afford.  Our dedication to these skills is strong, and our passion to avail them to others is resilient.  The Pub Dialogues series is one way we can share our skills with others, for free, and open to all.Part 1Part 2Part 3

Pub Dialogue 1.2 - Green vs. Green

Please join OvalOptions for our 3rd Pub Dialogue on Sunday April 29th from 4 - 7pm at Vine Street Pub & Brewery. This collaboration between OvalOptions and Vine Street Pub & Brewery is intended to bring people out of the online chat rooms and into the Public House to discuss topics of concern. This month's topic is, "Green vs. Green." Join us to share your thoughts and hear other perspectives.Click here for more information. 

Behind the Dialogues, Part 3

The PubThroughout the centuries, people have met at the local pub to discuss topics of importance. The founding fathers of the U.S. met in pubs to discuss the fate of the colonies, allegiance with Britain, and the desire for independence.  These pubs usually brewed their own beer, as did the founding fathers. During Prohibition, these pubs closed, brewing became a lost art, and the communal conversation forgotten.Thankfully, brewpubs are back.  They combine the comfort of the old pubs and the beer styles of a new generation of adventurous brew-masters.  Most of these establishments are small businesses, locally owned, and part of the community.  They make a profit from their passion, and their passion is to make and serve great beer—the social lubricant of the ages.The pub offers a relaxed atmosphere. Some have leather chairs and fireplaces. Others have outside or rooftop patios.  Some offer delicious meals and snacks.  Pubs are a night out, a place to meet people, people watch, and to have conversations.  As the theme song for the 1980s-90s sitcom, “Cheers”, states:

You wanna be where you can see,

our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows

Your name.

The pub is a safe space where inhibitions are set loose, at least a bit.  And you just might learn something… Part 1Part 2Part 4

Behind the Dialogues...

Part 2: Peace Peace: Two definitions seem worlds apart:

• the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world. (dictionary.com)
• harmony in personal relations (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Conversation, and the skills it requires, is important to peace. The first definition is incomplete if it does not include the second.  Is “non-war” peace?  For example, it is difficult to believe Syria and Israel maintain a peaceful condition just because their armies are not warring.Communication between possible belligerent nations is vital before unleashing the destructive apparatuses of war and warfare.  The United Nations is a governmental forum where nations can communicate about pressing issues as an effort to eliminate, or at least curtail, war. What about the people?Following the practices of John Paul Lederach and Harold Saunders, we believe that communication is complicated, multi-layered, fragile, and essential for peace, and begins on the personal level. Daily conversations, what we say, how we say it, the words we choose, our tone, to whom we are speaking, and the issues discussed are important in the personal realm as well as the international scene.An antagonistic conversation with someone tends to influence our overall view of that person, and others who share that person’s views.  We may conclude that someone who disagrees with us is an idiot or worse.  The idiot label taints whatever else that person, and those like them, says and does.  It takes effort to have this label removed.  Consequently, we shut down, do not listen to what people are saying, or understand their reasons.  As such, we close off the real possibility of learning something, not to mention coming across as rude (we won’t make many friends that way), and no one will listen to us.  If we ignore learning opportunities, then we fail to communicate, which is the key to overcoming disputes, and thus vital to harmony in personal relations.In today’s world, personal relations extend beyond borders. They are powerful tools for seeing that country as a non-enemy. As like us--human.  As such, we listen to them more, try to understand their perspectives, and wish to maintain or strengthen a relationship.Going from individual relational harmony to international peace may seem a stretch, but harming people we know is more difficult than harming those we do not. This starts with communication, and the skills it demands.Read Part 1 here

The Pub Dialogues session 1.2

Our third session of the Pub Dialogues will be held at Vine Street Pub & Brewery on April 29th (Sunday) from 4pm-7pm. Topic to be decided very soon!

Behind the Dialogues...

Part 1: Out of the chat room, into the pub If you have ever witnessed an online conversation that quickly moves off topic and turns into name-calling animosity, then you will understand the primary motive for The Pub Dialogues. This type of online bickering is quite annoying, and when about important topics it gets us nowhere and impedes progress.  Chatter is destroying conversation.  Face-to-face conversation is vital for learning, dispute resolution, problem solving, and progress.Conversations about important and sensitive topics are not always easy, especially when involving opposing viewpoints.  Emotions can run high.  People tend to voice their concerns without listening to others, and engage in debate, where winning is the goal.  However, conversations are not zero-sum; there is no winner or loser.  Just because someone has a different opinion does not mean they (or we) are wrong….or right.During these difficult conversations, it is important to adhere to certain principles or rules. Easier said than done, but skilled facilitators can help. A facilitator is a neutral party who utilizes certain techniques, skills and methods to keep interlocutors on topic, respectful and engaged.  It is important that facilitators capture ideas that emerge (sometimes quite quickly), points of commonality, areas of disagreement, and clarify statements/questions that may be confusing.The Internet has no such facilitator. Online communication is raw, instant and commonly unchecked. This style of communication seeps into real-life situations, where offense, confusion and emotions can increase enmity, polarization and stagnation. Online behavior in real-world situations is ugly. It’s time to return to the social scene and talk. Read Part 2 here

Pub Dialogues: Session 1.1

The second session of The Pub Dialogues series was held at Vine Street Pub on March 20th, 2012 (the first day of Spring!), from 6-9pm, in the annex room (Harry's).For this session we selected the topic "The State of Education".  On the presidential campaign trail the phrase 'education reform' has been uttered quite a bit.  Not much, however, has been discussed to clarify the term, what sort of reform, or even why reform seems necessary. We thought about "education reform" for this session's topic, however we felt that this is too directive--to talk only about reform when, perhaps, some people may not agree with reform and have other thoughts concerning education.  To be sure, reform was certainly open to conversation in this session, we just wished not to force it.We had a great time at Vine Street. People discussed topics within education from testing/exam philosophies and approaches, to school funding, to differences between standardization and standardized .  At the end of the formal session attendees were open to mingle and socialize, making new friends and continuing the discussions from the smaller groups.On tap were many delicious beers and Mountain Sun's famous Hop Vivant Imperial IPA made an appearance.

The Pub Dialogues

Out of the Chat Room, Into the PubThe Pub Dialogues is a series of discussions--free and open to the public--as an effort to bring people out of the cyber-world and back into the real-world to talk together on subjects of importance to society.  In the early days, people met at the Public House to discuss various topics; now-a-days they "meet" in chat rooms, online forums and social media websites.  The human element has been nullified and as such discussion, debate and dialogue have turned venomous, hurtful, nasty and just plain ineffective.  We want to bring people together so that they may discuss important topics like civil human beings; so that they may understand viewpoints outside of theirs; so that progress can be achieved; and so that new friends can be made.  The pub is perfect place. Just like in the old days a pub is a place of comfort and camaraderie. It's a place where people go to "go out"; where everybody knows your name.The format for these discussions is rather simple.  They will begin with participants remaining in a large group and our lead facilitator will open the session.  An introduction will take about 10 min. We will outline the topic, the ground rules, and answer questions.  The large group will then be split into several smaller groups, as these are more intimate and personal than one large group. Each group will be assigned a facilitator.  After about 1hour we will reconvene to the large group to share experiences, ideas, etc.Our goals:

• To bring people out of cyber-space and meet their neighbors
• To address important (and therefore most likely contentious) topics to allow for the public an opportunity to discover solutions
• To help people understand the "other side" of a topic
• To display tools of effective communication that have been lost in the Information Age
• To encourage people to "get out" more and meet each other

The first session will be held in Mercantile Room at the Wynkoop brewpub in downtown Denver on Tuesday, Jan. 31st from 6:30-9pm. It's free, open to everybody of all ages.