MLHR Conflict Resolution Policy
Introduction
MLHR is a volunteer led organisation with the express purpose of rescuing, rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming equines and a variety of other animals.
We are guided by values of compassion, integrity, kindness, transparency and accountability.
Within MLHR we encourage open and frank discussion by all those who work within the charity – whether they are volunteers, staff or Board members.
From time to time however disputes can arise within an organisation – between volunteers or staff or board members. This policy is about how we seek to resolve such disputes. We don’t believe that there is any value in ignoring disputes. So we always encourage the airing of disputes in the appropriate forum and the suitable resolution of them as described below.
Definitions
MLHR is a volunteer led organisation with the express purpose of rescuing, rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming equines and a variety of other animals.
We are guided by values of compassion, integrity, kindness, transparency and accountability.
Within MLHR we encourage open and frank discussion by all those who work within the charity – whether they are volunteers, staff or Board members.
From time to time however disputes can arise within an organisation – between volunteers or staff or board members. This policy is about how we seek to resolve such disputes. We don’t believe that there is any value in ignoring disputes. So we always encourage the airing of disputes in the appropriate forum and the suitable resolution of them as described below.
Definitions
- A dispute within MLHR is defined as something that is so severe that it could negatively impact upon the general working of the organisation and its proper governance.
- Appropriate forums in which to raise the issue would include:
- the various forums within individual teams (Rehoming, Admin, Welfare, Farms, Volunteering, Fundraising, Shops etc)
- with immediate line manager in the case of a staff dispute
- with the Board if the dispute is with the Board
- at a board meeting, if a dispute is between Board members
- An initial face to face meeting will take place between those who are involved in the dispute.
- If this fails to resolve the disagreement, then a trusted person within the organisation can be called in to assist the members to resolve their disagreement
- We encourage open listening and a non-judgemental attitude from the participants.
- We place no time limit on such meetings – our aim is resolution.
- If all of the above fails then we would implement mediation of the dispute – this would be facilitated using a mediator trained in mediation, a person acceptable to both parties to the dispute, from within or outside of MLHR.
