Training and Development

Through the Needs-Based Training program, we provide specialized training courses around leadership development, environmental conflict resolution, public involvement and participatory decision making, and similar topics aimed toward agencies, boards and commissions, nonprofit organizations, firms, and interested citizens. The Natural Resources Leadership Institute also provides training for third-party neutrals and sponsors of collaborative, consensus-based processes around environmental policy issues. This training focuses on developing facilitation and mediation skills for Cooperative Extension faculty, in addition to state and local government agency staff. We plan to expand our training program to include training for volunteers and paid staff of nonprofit organizations, and mediators and facilitators operating in the private sector. Contact us for information about our training programs.

Following is a list of selected training programs conducted by the Natural Resources Leadership Institute in Leadership Development, Public Issue Dispute Resolution and Participatory Decision Making.

Smutko, L.S. and M.L. Addor. Negotiating Skills for Natural Resource Professionals. A Forestry Issues Series Teleconference presented by the Natural Resources Leadership Institute. Raleigh, NC, November 2002.

Smutko, L.S. and M.L. Addor. Strategic Public Sector Negotiations: Conflict Resolution and Participatory Decision Making. Participant Training Program for Bulgarian Delegation. In cooperation with US AID and World Learning, Raleigh, NC. June 2002.

Smutko, L.S. Handling Scientific and Technical Information in Contentious Public Issues. NC Cooperative Extension In-Service Training, Asheboro, NC. April 25, 2002.

Addor, M.L. Negotiating within Your Watershed. Session on skills to negotiate a watershed stakeholder process. Crains Creek Watershed, Carthage, NC. April 2002.

Addor, M.L. Environmental Conflict Resolution in North Carolina. Session on role of leadership training in conflict resolution and negotiation skills, and the role of the Natural Resources Leadership Institute in NC in environmental policy. Institute of Government's Program in Dispute Resolution. Chapel Hill, NC. Annually since 1998.

Addor, M.L. Collaborative Problem Solving Processes in Agricultural and Environmental Policy. Environmental Dispute Resolution instruction for ARE Agricultural and Policy class provided to undergraduate students at NC State University. Raleigh, NC. Nov. 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.

Addor, M.L. Community Summit. Facilitation training sessions to conduct Raleigh Community Summit. Raleigh, NC. February 2002.

Smutko, L.S. Working with Communities in Conflict. CaRDI-USDA Rural Community Development Training Institute, Community and Rural Development Institute, Cornell University. Training given in Orlando, FL. February 25, 2002.

Smutko, L.S. Participatory Decision Making. Southern Institute for Rural Development. Athens, GA. November 5-8, 2001.

Smutko, L.S. How About Somebody Else's Back Yard? Case Study - Mediating a Land Fill Siting Dispute. North Carolina Bar Association Continuing Legal Education. Cary, NC. November 1, 2001.

Addor, M.L. Promoting Community Development through Community Leadership Four training sessions on facultative leadership skills, including conflict resolution, communication, negotiation, and facilitation. Raleigh, NC. November 2001.

Addor, M.L. Canfield,C., Davis, V., & Matthews, H. Collaboration with the Media. Session on problem solving with the media in order to develop more effective stakeholder processes. Greenville, NC August 2001. Hickory, NC September 2001.

Smutko, L.S. Public Issues Education Facilitation Skills Workshop. Cornell Cooperative Extension. Batavia, NY. October 30-31, 2001.

Smutko, L.S. Dealing with Community Conflict. Southern Region Community Development Institute. New Braunfels, TX. May 5, 2001.

Smutko, L.S. and Addor, M.L. How to Stay Involved Without Getting Embroiled: Public Dispute Resolution and Participatory Decision Making. A 1-day in-service training workshop for the South Atlantic Sea Grant Region. Brunswick, GA. May 8, 2001.

Addor, M.L. Negotiating Multi-Party Environmental Disputes. Texas A& M University- Extension Specialists. San Antonio April 11, 2001.

Smutko, L.S. "Negotiation Skills for Collaborative Problem Solving" Appalachian Society of American Foresters Leadership Workshop. Brown Summit, NC. February 20, 2001.

Smutko, L.S. and Addor,M.L., "Handling the Hot Issues Without Getting Burned, Working Effectively in an Arena of Conflict." A 4-day in-service training workshop for Extension Educators, Greensboro, NC Sept, 12-13, 2000 & Oct. 10-11, 2000.

Addor, M.L. Negotiating within Your Watershed. Session on skills to negotiate a watershed stakeholder process. Goose Creek Watershed, October 2000.

Addor,M.L. & Carter, D.E. Collaborative Problem Solving Processes: A Path to the Future for Parks and Recreation. An instructional session (1.0 CEUs) provide at the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Society Annual Conference. Raleigh, NC. Nov. 7, 2000.

Addor, M.L. and Halley, D. Building the Bridge Retreat. A retreat designed for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in order to build better working relationships. Oct 3-4, 2000.