I have noticed similar challenges in other movements on and offline. Two approaches have proved helpful (contact me for refs fore the first):
(a) an ombudsman service (ombudsperson?) which can initially be tried out in one part of a movement. This can be accessed by those in official positions as well as users or people affected by an EA’s behaviour. The people involved don’t have to be older, but do tend to have a “calm, considered” nature. Such a service typically doesn’t go as far as offering a full mediation or arbitration service, as that is a major undertaking, but can recommend that the parties access such a service if that seems a good way forward with a finely balanced or potentially resolvable issue.
(b) www.RestorativeCircles.org developed in Rio by Dominic Barter and others. This is low cost compared to other ADR approaches and requires little training. It can even solve the problem of one party not being willing to participate, as (if appropriate) they can be advocated for by a 3rd party. I’m not clear to what extent it can be applied with online text interaction only, but I imagine it has more potential than other processes, especially with voice communication.
An important aside, I think voice communication can often resolve things far more quickly than text alone, especially asynchronous email/forums, as the voice contact carries so much more. Even if all that happens is that it feels clear that this person can’t engage one to one with your concerns, that’s useful to know, and opens up options of mediation, arbitration, ombudservice or pause, rather than endless unproductive text.
I have noticed similar challenges in other movements on and offline. Two approaches have proved helpful (contact me for refs fore the first):
(a) an ombudsman service (ombudsperson?) which can initially be tried out in one part of a movement. This can be accessed by those in official positions as well as users or people affected by an EA’s behaviour. The people involved don’t have to be older, but do tend to have a “calm, considered” nature. Such a service typically doesn’t go as far as offering a full mediation or arbitration service, as that is a major undertaking, but can recommend that the parties access such a service if that seems a good way forward with a finely balanced or potentially resolvable issue.
(b) www.RestorativeCircles.org developed in Rio by Dominic Barter and others. This is low cost compared to other ADR approaches and requires little training. It can even solve the problem of one party not being willing to participate, as (if appropriate) they can be advocated for by a 3rd party. I’m not clear to what extent it can be applied with online text interaction only, but I imagine it has more potential than other processes, especially with voice communication.
An important aside, I think voice communication can often resolve things far more quickly than text alone, especially asynchronous email/forums, as the voice contact carries so much more. Even if all that happens is that it feels clear that this person can’t engage one to one with your concerns, that’s useful to know, and opens up options of mediation, arbitration, ombudservice or pause, rather than endless unproductive text.