Olive Branch

An Olive Branch strengthens organizations by helping leaders understand the role of conflict in organizational health. We help spiritual communities proactively reduce the impact of destructive discord by providing training on ethics, policies, governance best practices, and conflict resolution. We also stand ready to help spiritual communities as they react to the suffering, chaos, and breakdown that results from ethical misconduct. We provide processes for healing and restoring harmony. An Olive Branch brings the calming influence of a neutral third party, inspired by the tradition of Buddhist teaching that stretches over 2500 years. An Olive Branch was formed in 2011 as a project of the Zen Center of Pittsburgh. Growing out of the need for greater understanding and reduction of ethical misconduct on the part of religious leaders, the work of the organization is centered on providing services to organizations in conflict. We help everyone recognize the trauma caused by unethical relationships between spiritual leaders and their followers; promote understanding and healing; and strengthen the organizations board, policies, and procedures to reduce the likelihood of future misconduct. We have expertise, knowledge of best practices, and standards of excellence for our services. Our consultants have complementary skills related to training, facilitation, governance, and intervention. We are a decentralized, virtual organization with consultants located in various cities. Clergy Sexual Misconduct and the Misuse of Power: In An Olive Branchs work with organizations where leaders are in crisis-control mode and facing allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of a trusted teacher, we have found that it can be helpful to step back from the immediate chaos and try to see it from a broader perspective. This paper provides that broader perspective.