Links
COLLABORATION:
Queensland Government Community Door - Collaborative Practices
The Queensland Government's Strengthening Non-Government Organisations (SNGO) Strategy aims to foster closer collaboration between community and other non-government human service organisations and through collaboration, aims to help organisations become more sustainable and improve client services. This site provides tools and resources for non-government organisations.
The Ideal Collaborative Team AND A Conversation on the Collaborative Process: A New Survey Suggests that Attitude is More Important than Experience in Collaborative Work - Dave Pollard
A recent survey conducted jointly by Mitch Ditkoff and Tim Moore of Idea Champions, Carolyn Allen of Innovation Solution Center and Dave Pollard of Meeting of Minds reveals that most people would rather have inexperienced people with a positive attitude than highly experienced people who lack enthusiasm, candor or commitment, on a collaborative work team.
The Community Tool Box is the world's largest resource for free information on essential skills for building healthy communities. It offers more than 7,000 pages of practical guidance in creating change and improvement.
Community Portal - This website provides access to online services and information for Australian community organisations, communities and individuals with links to information and services provided by all levels of government and the non-government sector.
Community Builders - This NSW site offers practical resources (including discussion forum, events calendar and case studies) to help local communities enhance and strengthen their community.
Case Study: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research in New Zealand
Outlines the practical benefits resulting from collaboration between social scientists and nanotechnology researchers.
Literary Collaboration:
Frequently Asked Questions about Book Collaboration - by Sarah Wernick
Why work with a professional writer? How do I find a collaborator? How do collaborators write together? Find answers to these questions and others - for those interested in collaborating on a book.
Questions to Ask Before Collaborating - by Moira Allen
Book collaborations begin with the best intentions. If you have an idea or area of expertise that, paired with another's writing skills, could lead to success, this article will help you consider questions to ask before you collaborate on a book project.
The Art & the Deal of Collaboration & Ghostwriter Agreements - by Lloyd J Jassin
A good overview of the copyright ownership issues involved in collaboration in the publishing industry.
Sample Author Collaboration Agreement
If you are collaborating with another author, you need a collaboration agreement which spells out the arrangement between you and your co-author, keeps the book alive if something goes wrong between you and your co-author and the publisher will insist on a collaboration agreement.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
Organisations/Government
Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia - The Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia (IAMA) is the nation’s largest, independent and most experienced alternative dispute resolution (ADR) organisation. Founded in 1975, membership includes some of Australia’s eminent and experienced ADR professionals from a diverse range of sectors including commercial, legal, industry, education and government. With offices in all states and territories, it also plays a key role in industry and consumer schemes.
Benefits of Conflict Management & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - I.A.M.A.
National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC) - This independent body advises the Attorney-General on ways to resolve disputes.
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission - The ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, businesses and the community. It also regulates national infrastructure services. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that individuals and businesses comply with the Commonwealth competition, fair trading and consumer protection laws. There are a large number of helpful resources on this site for individuals and businesses including The Consumer and Business Directory (CBD) which allows consumers to search for the contact details of over 1600 private, community and government organisations that offer consumer and business complaint-handling services, including industry associations, businesses, government agencies and independent mediation services.
NSW Office of Fair Trading - Resolving issues. If you have a problem with a business or trader, these three steps may help you resolve it.
QLD Government Office of Fair Trading - Lodging a complaint - useful links, tips and forms.
VIC Department of Justice - Dispute information including alternative methods of resolving disputes, steps to take and information.
Department of Justice, Victoria - 'Think it Through' - A little bit of preparation can help you get the result you want. Practical steps on helping you consider the problem, do your homework, work out what you want and think of possible solutions.
Department of Justice, Victoria - 'Face-to-Face' - Talking face-to-face helps reinforce ongoing relationships (e.g, between neighbours, etc). It also helps the other person think of you as a 'person' rather than as a 'complainant'. Tips on how to go about it.
Department of Justice, Victoria - 'Phone' - A phone call is a good way to make contact if you can't talk face to face. Tips on what to say when making a phone call to get the best result.
Department of Justice, Victoria - 'A Letter' - A letter puts your concerns 'on record'; some organisations will only respond if you complain in writing. Practical advice and a number of sample letters.
Department of Justice, Victoria - 'Email' - Tips for communicating your complaint through email.
Department of Justice, Victoria - 'Through Another Person' - This is a good method to choose if you have language difficulties or don't feel comfortable approaching the other person by yourself.
Consumer Affairs Victoria provides information on consumer rights, education programs, business registration, dispute resolution and compliance with the law - includes links to a variety of common disputes.
ACT Office of Fair Trading - Department of Justice & Community Safety. What to do if you have a complaint against a business or trader.
SA Government Office of Fair Trading - Office of Consumer & Business Affairs
WA Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) - Works with the community to ensure high standards of safety and protection for workers and consumers. Information regarding resolving disputes and making complaints.
NT Government Department of Justice - Consumer Affairs
Tasmania Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading. Brochure on Building Disputes & Resolution (PDF)
Financial Ombudsman Service - A dispute resolution service dealing with disputes that individuals and small business have with their financial service providers. The Financial Ombudsman Service is a merger of the Banking and Financial Services Ombusman (BFSO), the Financial Industry Complaints Service and the Insurance Ombudsman Service. The Banking & Finance division of the Financial Ombudsman Service now provides the dispute resolution service previously conducted by the BFSO and offers useful consumer information and brochures.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office consider and investigate complaints about Australian Government departments and agencies.
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is a free and independent alternative dispute resolution scheme for small business and residential consumers in Australia who have a complaint about their telephone or Internet service.
WebLaw - Dispute Resolution An extensive list of Australian and international ADR organisations and publications.
Relationships Australia - One of Australia’s largest community-based, not-for-profit organisations providing relationship support. They are a national, values-based organisation that has no religious affiliation. They help strengthen and build relationships or resolve relationship breakdown issues. Relationships Australia provides a wide range of services including counselling, family dispute resolution, relationships education and parenting skills training, men and family relationships programs, specialised family violence programs, early intervention services, child-focussed programs and practices, and programs which specifically engage indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families, groups and communities.
Avoiding conflict with your neighbour about fences and trees (Queensland Department of Justice)
Mediate.com - Largest mediation site in the world. An excellent resource for information and a wide variety of articles.
Preparing For Your Mediation - Mediate.com article by Tom Sebok which outlines a number of topics including the goal of mediation and the mediator's role, what it is not, understanding the other party's point of view, common mistakes to avoid making and what alternatives there are.
Construction Mediation Really Works - Mediate.com article by Gary Morgerman - The use of mediation to resolve disputes between members of the construction community is finally taking hold in the industry as word of its effectiveness, efficiency and economy spreads. Outlines the story of a construction mediation and how in four hours the parties were able to reach settlement of a typical construction dispute.
13 Tools for Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, with Customers and in Life - Mediate.com article by Lee Jay Berman which provides some tools for avoiding and resolving disputes in the early stages, before they become full-blown conflicts.
Bullies At Work - Mediate.com article by Bill Eddy - What is bullying? Who does it? Is it increasing? What can you do to protect yourself? And what can employers do to promote a safe environment for employees? This short article attempts to answer some of these key questions.
Problem Solving Techniques - Robert A Harris, author of the book Creative Problem Solving: A Step-by-Step Approach' (2002) explains the importance of flexibility in problem solving. This comprehensive article provides a toolbox of techniques you can use regularly for each major problem you address. Others can be used selectively.
ADRWorld.com provides the latest news on all types of alternative dispute resolution.
FOR LAWYERS: The Benefits of Active Party Participation in Mediation - Mediate.com article by Adrienne L. Krikorian & Jeffrey A. Tidu Five Tips for Successful Mediations - Mediate.com article by Met Wilson outlines key factors for lawyers who want to improve their clients’ prospects for an efficient and economic resolution in mediation. Reviewing, thinking about and implementing these tips will help improve the chances of reaching a satisfactory resolution in mediation. The Ten Biggest Mistakes Lawyers Make in Mediation - Mediate.com article by Richard G. Spier Mediation in Commercial Disputes - Mediation is a useful alternative to the cost and effort of litigation. Is it right for your business case? These tips will help you decide - and help you use it to your client's advantage. Article by Stewart I. Edelstein Which Cases Are Most Suitable For Court Ordered Mediation - Mediate.com article by Richard Barron The 9 Principles of Very Successful Mediating Lawyers - Mediate.com article by Steven Schwartz - By training and habit lawyers bring adversarial techniques into the collaborative conflict resolution setting of mediation. This article informs and persuades the successful trial lawyer to develop the necessary skills to be a successful mediation lawyer. The Mediated Settlement: Is It Always Just About the Money? Rarely! - Mediate.com article by Steven Schwartz - This article explores both the litigation and mediation frameworks for resolving disputes. It highlights through several real stories, the importance of allowing the client to 'tell their story' to identify what their real needs and interests are during mediation so settlement can be achieved. GENERAL: Aussie Web - Click here for our full contact details, including a map to our location. Web Directory and Search Engine - Australian Web Directory and Search Engine. Submit your web site.
