A conflict moves to a Type Two if you have already tried or are unwilling/unable to try Type One resolutions. For a quick refresher, Type One strategies involve:

• Doing your self-work
• Attempting a restorative conversation
• Reaching out to trained housemates and/or the committee on cooperation

Our next step involves submitting a request for an outside mediator. BHC uses trained mediators from the City of Boulder. Please submit your request for mediation by clicking here. 

Once your request is received, the mediator will be in touch with you, and then with the other person, to see if they’d be willing to be in mediation with you. Mediation is voluntary. Both you and the other person will have a chance to meet with the mediator privately before and after the mediation.A mediator and co-mediator will help you two come up with written, signed agreements to address the conflict. You may choose to share these agreements with your house or the committee on cooperation, or you may choose to keep them confidential. There are no negative consequences to requesting, engaging in, or refusing mediation. 

Prerequisites for requesting mediation:

• Making your best effort at a Type One resolution
• Both parties are willing to accept some of responsibility to the conflict
• Both parties are willing to go through a mediation process
• Both parties have a desire to repair the connection
• Both parties have a desire to remain living in a BHC co-op

If any of these conditions are not met, a mediation request is not your next step. 

Instead you are encouraged to:

• Email Cooperation@BHCCoops.org to officially report the uncooperative behavior. Clearly date/document any attempted resolutions, the disruptive behavior, and the impact this is having. Helpful reports may include:
  • House meeting minutes discussing this conflict
  • Labor records
  • Email exchanges
• Bring the issue to your house. Discussing the conflict at a house meeting can help clear the air, invite multiple perspectives, stop you from being alone in the challenge, and publicly let the other person know that this behavior is impacting you.