Volunteer mediators needed for 'Kitchen Table Council' at Atlanta 2003

Staff from Mennonite Central Committee (MCC U.S.) and Mennonite Church USA will be present at the booth to talk to anyone who needs to report a grievance or incident of abuse or harassment that has occurred at the convention. Appropriate responses may range from simply providing a listening ear, to arranging for mediation, to calling in a crisis response team in case of a more serious situation.

For situations that require mediation, MCC U.S. staff will notify the volunteers, who need to have some training or experience in mediation or conflict resolution. Volunteers may sign up for as many two-hour on-call shifts as they like.

Organizers also encourage youth with experience as peer mediators to volunteer. An orientation session will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. July 3 for all mediators.

Designed to evoke the warmth and safety of a cozy kitchen, the Kitchen Table Council booth will include a couch and table, along with a shelf of peace-related books to browse. A private room will be available for confidential conversations.

The project is co-sponsored by the Mennonite Church USA Peace Advocate program and MCC U.S. Peace and Justice Ministries. For more information or to volunteer contact Tina Hartman of MCC U.S., (717) 859-3889, . Or go to http://peace.mennolink.org and click the Kitchen Table Council link.

The Atlanta 2003 Mennonite Church USA convention -- the theme of which is "God's Table, Y'all Come!" -- will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., NW. The Kitchen Table Council will be located in A-Junction, next to the Menno Grounds.