Laurel, I'm the director of a labor-management organization in Peoria, Illinois. We do a lot of conflict resolution training and facilitation. What works for us to start with basic conflict resolution training, ala, Roger FIsher and his "Getting To Yes" methods (our web site www.palmpeoria.org has more on this). Once people have an understand and some skills at identifying interests as opposed to positions, then using an open space format lends itself well to allowing people to have the "space" to figure things out for themselves. If you only have a two hour time frame to work in this will be tough, but not impossible. I would suggest a series of meetings so that you don't try to do everything in just one setting. Otherwise, you may stir things up with no time for convergence.
I'm not an expert by any means, but I hope this helps. Thanks, Dave Koehler Peoria Area Labor Management Council Peoria, Illinois USA
