Founded by the Rev. Charles N. Fulton, III, director of Congregational Development and president of the Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF), "Upward Bound" concludes inline with his retirement in the fall.

The final gathering will run May 5-8 at the Gallery One Fort Lauderdale, a Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

During the training, participants will:

• Learn how to examine a conflicted situation and their place in it;
• Explore their awareness of how they receive approval and support;
• Understand the different levels of needs and their implications for congregational behavior;
• Distinguish between problems that are theirs and others;
• Develop skills to stop participating in destructive games and negative cycles;
• Increase listening and feedback skills for clarity rather than inference or judgment; and
• Renegotiate relationships after conflict has erupted.

Fulton said Upward Bound will offer "practical skill development and discernment" to help the leader neither ignore nor become immersed in conflicts, "but to become a constructive presence in the midst of turmoil."

"We wanted to help leadership learn how to be a self-differentiated leader, standing separate from the conflict, able to view it, and understand what dynamics are at force," said Sally Dresser O'Brien, ECBF vice president.

Fulton and Mary May, president of May and Associates, will serve as the seminar presenters.

Fulton, coordinator of the national churches' response to the 20/20 resolution that aims to double the membership of the Episcopal Church by the year 2020, also co-chairs an ecumenical network of church growth leaders, and supervises the work of research, stewardship and ministry to new and small congregations.

May spent 22 years as a professor of English and linguistics at several major universities. Her interest in psycholinguistics and semiotics led her attention to cognitive theory and its application to all aspects of daily life. She authored "Metacognitive: Thinking About Thinking" and "The Cognitive Cycle: A New Model for Choice and Change." She continues to research and write about understanding the way in which people take in and process information when given the tools needed for personal and professional transformation.

The cost of the seminar is $695 which includes tuition, four nights lodging, and seven meals. The cost is $350 for commuters.

Space is limited to 36 registrants. To do so visit: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/upward.htm or call 800-334-7626, ext. 6003. Registration ends April 3.

"We hope that people who attend Upward Bound will walk away with a greater sense of calm about being in conflicted situations," O'Brien said. "They will know that as the leader they will be able to help read what is really going on, understand the different ways that different people might be emotionally involved in the conflicts, and what strategy might be helpful to reduce the conflict."