On 29 April 2010, the members of the Commander Navy Region Southwest Alternative Dispute Resolution Mediators Cadre were recognized in a ceremony at Harbor Inn, Naval Base Point Loma. From various professions and Commands within the Navy community, these people serve on collateral assignments, mediating and facilitating in a variety of workplace conflict situations. The ceremony recognized 25 mediators and 12 high level managers who have given full support to the program over the years. Each of them was presented with an award by Rear Admiral William D. French, Commander Navy Region Southwest.
Under the direction of the Deputy Equal Employment Officer, Ms. Mahealani Tolbert, conflicts such as EEO complaints, grievances, and other types of workplace disputes may be “brought to the table” for resolution. Ms. Tolbert said, “The work done by our Navy mediators is noble work, indeed, and is directly tied to mission accomplishment in that disputes are resolved quickly, thus allowing the parties to a dispute to refocus their energies and to discharge their tasks with a renewed sense of commitment having repaired relationships and clarified expectations.”
The Region’s mediation program was established in 1999. It is predicated on SECNAV Directive 5800.13, which states “Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques shall be used as an alternative to litigation…to the maximum extent practicable….Every conflict and issue, regardless of the subject matter, is a potential candidate for ADR.” The success of the program since its inception is phenomenal in reducing workplace conflict by resolving them in an expeditious manner.
While the Navy ADR program has a national goal of a 70% resolution rate, the Southwest region is currently averaging a 78% resolution rate due to this talented group of people and their supporters. The question is, how do they do it? In mediation, a mediator helps the parties resolve their own dispute in a manner that is acceptable to both of them. The mediator’s role is to help parties focus on their individual interests and goals in order to seek an agreement that meets the needs of everyone. In the facilitative style used by Navy, the mediator concentrates on getting the parties to communicate with each other in order to come up with their own solutions in a collaborative manner. The mediators attend regular and frequent training to hone their skills and techniques.
The program is managed by Ms. Catherine Cheyssial, who has been serving in this role
since Aug. 2009. Ms. Cheyssial is no stranger to the ADR Program. She was a forerunner for the Navy’s ADR Program in San Diego. She has been mediating workplace and EEO disputes since 1994. She was instrumental in developing the Navy's ADR program including the Mediator Certification Program that is currently in use today. Ms. Cheyssial was also one of the first Navy Mediators and the first individual to win the Navy's ADR Award.
Ms. Cheyssial said, "After 10 years with another federal agency, I am so pleased to have returned to the Department of the Navy. The caliber of the mediators and the support of management has truly been impressive and I'm very pleased to be able to support them by showing the Commander Navy Region Southwest's appreciation of them."
