P. Diane Schneider was a Conciliation Specialist and Acting Regional Director of Region 10 of the Community Relations Service from 1987-2008.

All Conversations - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEO2g2TpLNzNA_-9tAPFhxweXVZEAsQF

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/rm7UrBODutM

Part 2 - https://youtu.be/ManK6ya-D_I

Part 3 - https://youtu.be/G-nCvVhdCw0

SUMMARY – PART 1

In this segment of the interviews for the Civil Rights Mediation Oral History Project Heidi Burgess from Beyond Intractability interviews P. Diane Schneider. The interview starts with P. Diane discussing her background before joining the Community Relations Service (CRS). P. Diane shares her experiences prior to CRS including traveling, working in various fields in Washington state, living in Greece, teaching English, and working in the Department of Corrections. P. Diane Schneider joined CRS after working for the Department of Corrections. She states that when she joined CRS in 1987-1988 and that at the time that she joined she knew very little about mediation. P. Diane was with CRS for 20 years and left at the end of 2008.

P. Diane Schneider discusses her experiences working with Bob Lamb and recalls a case involving a Cambodian elder's mistreatment by the police. The elder had been pulled over, mistreated, and misunderstood due to a language barrier. Schneider visited the police captain to discuss the community's concerns. The police captain was receptive, and they reached a formal agreement. The resolution included interpreters, a written document, and a ceremonial signing, promoting better communication between the police and the community.

P. Diane discusses table-oriented mediation and street-oriented mediation explaining that the typical cases addressed by CRS were not table mediations. She describes outreach efforts, reviewing news media, and negotiating protest marches to address community concerns. The interview touches on CRS's approach to addressing language-related issues and how the organization navigates matters of race, ethnicity, and religion. The conversation also touches on CRS's involvement in various community issues, including hate crimes and tensions following events like 9/11. The interview concludes with Schneider discussing community outreach and gaining entry into communities where there was a potential issue.  

SUMMARY – PART 2

In the second interview with P. Diane Schneider, P. Diane further discusses her experiences at CRS and various topics relating to the work of CRS. P. Diane discusses the difficulties that can arise when entering a community. She emphasizes the value of establishing relationships before issues arise to make it easier to gain entry. The conversation delves into the approach of conducting assessments in communities, Schneider explains the significance of listening to various perspectives, understanding underlying issues, and evaluating expectations and resources. 

P. Diane Schneider discusses the selection of conciliators based on their expertise and training. Different conciliators may be brought in depending on the specific issues at hand. She highlights the importance of training, especially for major demonstrations. She touches on the challenges of media and the necessity of being aware of potential difficulties in coordinating between authorities and protest planners. The discussion touches on roadblocks in working with parties, emphasizing the need for on-site presence. In the discussion, Schneider emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of conflicts in communities. Schneider highlights the need for assessments to identify the factors contributing to unrest, using the analogy of identifying smoldering issues before they escalate into flames. She mentions the significance of offering resources, information, and solutions tailored to the specific community's needs.

The conversation touches on changes in the civil rights movement and P. Diane highlights the importance of addressing community perceptions and collaborating with various. She discusses solutions and how solutions should address the specific concerns of each community. The discussion also touches on the evolution of CRS's focus, particularly regarding hate crimes and discrimination.

SUMMARY PART 3 -

In the third and final installment of the interviews with P. Diane Schneider, she and Heidi Burgess continue the discussion of Schneider’s work at CRS from 1987 to 2008. Schneider served in the Pacific Northwest region as a conciliator and acting director.

The interview starts with a discussion on changes in policing, specifically community-oriented policing. The conversation also explores whether there were any notable changes in the justice system, with P. Diane emphasizing that her focus was on adapting to policy changes rather than legal changes. P. Diane discusses the challenges of navigating political changes at the federal level and credits Bob Lamb for providing guidance on addressing such challenges. The conversation covers P. Diane’s experiences in dealing with federal administrations and the impact of different perspectives on CRS's role. P. Diane also mentions the confidentiality requirement of CRS and how CRS would have to occasionally remind those who seek information from CRS that they could not share information.

The conversation shifts to P. Diane sharing her experiences in collaborating with other agencies and providing training for community members, such as march marshals during demonstrations. P. Diane discusses the management of rumors, including the establishment of rumor control teams. P. Diane discusses the approach of addressing influential individuals spreading rumors and finding ways to provide different perspectives. They also touch on the limitations of social media during P. Diane's time at CRS and the challenges of dealing with misinformation. P. Diane discusses navigating the CRS bureaucracy. She suggests that individuals should communicate with former CRS employees who are no longer working for the agency.  She also highlights the importance of learning about the history of communities, as this knowledge can help current CRS staff understand how to approach and resolve conflicts effectively.