The Modern Approach to Conflict Resolution with Community Host Partners

Community Host Partners are non-profit or governmental organizations in one of three program sectors that College Corps Fellows serve: K-12 Education, Climate Action, or Food Insecurity. They serve as companions and mentors for College Corps Fellows, supporting them through their 450 service hours commitment at their respective sites. At our respective sites, we felt uncomfortable, disrespected, depressed, and overworked, prompting us to reach out via a Google Form titled “Conflict with Community Host Partners Questionnaire.” It was sent to all of the fellows in our cohort with the intention of examining the frequency of disputes and reporting of disagreements. 60% reported enduring a disagreement with their Community Host Partner, but only 40% spoke up to a College Corps employee or a Peer Of Development and Support Leader (PODS Leads). After training week, the connection between PODS Leaders and their group of incoming and returning fellows diminished. This communication gap highlighted a need for more flexible and supportive reporting. We created a website for fellows to share their feelings- whether it is about dilemmas within their site or work-life balance. It will integrate Pacific’s newly curated PODS Leaders as accessible consultants overseeing questions and feelings fellows share anonymously to the site. Addressing these barriers through our website by fellows for fellows will enhance cohort satisfaction and improve host site partnerships. The results garnered enough attention from fellows and faculty alike that we will develop a training week workshop for first-year and returning fellows to practice conflict resolution, self-care, and professional communication skills.