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Serving Ohio’s Mediators and those in need of Mediation services

January / February 2009

By January 1, 2009Newsletter

MEDIATE OHIO
Ohio Mediation Association
www.mediateohio.org

A Bi-Monthly Publication
January/February 2009

President: Maara Fink (419) 530-4236 Maara.Fink@utoledo.edu
Immediate Past President: Jay Patterson (614) 403-3825 E-mail: jmpmediation@ameritech.net
Vice President:  Phil Dunfee (740) 366-3297 E-mail: pdunfee@alltel.net
Treasurer:  Sheri Center (614) 783-7281 E-mail: findingcommonground@yahoo.com
Secretary:

Mark your Calendars for our exciting 2009 meetings!! (First Friday of the even numbered months except our conference or April meeting since it is at a facility for conferences.)

February 6, 2009 Cincinnati—Blue Ash Library—see President’s Column!

May 8, 2009  Annual Meeting and Conference at the Riffe Center, Columbus, Ohio—details to

Follow. Presenter is Woody Mosten.

President’s Column
by Maara Fink

Happy New Year!!  OMA finished off 2008 with a bang.  We had a fabulous December meeting at the Supreme Court of Ohio with Chief Justice Moyer as our presenter.  Members in attendance enjoyed this special opportunity to hear from the Chief about emergent issues in the field of mediation.  Our thanks to the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court of Ohio, Dispute Resolution Section for hosting us at the Court!

We are looking forward to a fabulous 2009!  As promised, OMA is hitting the road!  Our first meeting of the year will be held on February 6, 2009 in Cincinnati at the Blue Ash Library (4911 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242).  The meeting will begin at 12:00pm and will end before 2:00pm.  We are excited to announce that our presenter will be Dr. Richard McGuigan, Chair of the Conflict Analysis and Management Department at Antioch University McGregor.  This meeting is open to ALL members and we hope to see you there!  Please watch your e-mail and www.mediateohio.org for more details!  NOTE:  There will be no meeting at the MCL Cafeteria in February or April.

Also, mark your calendars for the 2009 Ohio Mediation Association Conference featuring Forrest “Woody” Mosten (www.mostenmediation.com).  The Conference will be held on May 8, 2009.  Please watch your e-mail and www.mediateohio.org for more details!

May you all enjoy a happy and healthy 2009!

OMA MEETS WITH STATE OFFICE HOLDER, RICHARD CORDRAY!
By Immediate Past President
Jay M. Patterson

OMA takes seriously its mission to promote an understanding of the value of mediation as an effective method of resolving disputes in Ohio.  On behalf of the mediators of this state, OMA looks for every opportunity to inform people about OMA and the importance of quality, professional mediation as a means to improve quality of life for Ohioans.  OMA’s role in sharing information about and advocating for the field of mediation extends to all persons including important policy makers, decision makers, office holders and other persons important to the advancement of mediation.

Consistent with that mission, at a recent meeting sponsored by the State Treasurer’s Office regarding Ohio’s response to the foreclosure crisis, I had an opportunity to introduce myself on behalf of OMA to then State Treasurer, now Attorney General, Richard Cordray.   Mr. Cordray indicated he had heard of me as a representative of OMA and further asked me to meet with him to discuss mediation.

We met informally for a few minutes in the last days of his term as Treasurer and he expressed some interest in meeting again on potential mediation related topics.  I assured him OMA would welcome the opportunity to again meet with him as Attorney General and that OMA would be happy to be a resource in any way we can related to improving quality of life through quality mediation.

I’m pleased to say that I believe Mr. Cordray now has a better understanding of OMA and its role in advancing mediation in Ohio than might have been the case before our meeting.  Moreover, I’m proud that OMA was deemed important enough to Mr. Cordray for him to request a meeting.  I view this as merely one of the many signs of the progress OMA has made as an organization in the recent past.  Every mediator of this state should know that without the resources and support that come from individual mediators through their membership, there would be no statewide professional organization with which to meet with officials and from which to promote the empowerment and recognition of all Ohio mediators.  So, to every mediator that has done her/his part by supporting OMA, thank you.

Real People, Real Problems, Real Solutions
Submitted by Cathie Kuhl

I had the opportunity to meet some future mediators—and future OMA members—at the University of Cincinnati Law ADR Club meeting in November.  I took this opportunity to talk to one of the two leaders of this group, Siobhan Taylor, who is a second year law student at the University of Cincinnati School of Law.  Ms. Taylor told me that the UC Law ADR Club is ”all about giving future attorneys experience helping real people with real problems find real solutions”.   Ms. Taylor and her co-president, Sarah Keates, are leading the ADR club members in this quest.

The UC Law ADR club consists of 25 law students; Ms. Taylor is quick to point out that there are many first year students involved.  She said that there is strong interest at the law school in non-traditional dispute resolution practices, particularly mediation.   The ADR Club operates in collaboration with the Center for Practice at UC Law School; ADR Club officers serve on the Center’s Student Advisory Board.   Professor Marjorie Aaron directs the Center for Practice, which allows students to obtain applied practical experience outside the typical law school curriculum. According to Professor Aaron, “Many students are recognizing that strategies for resolving clients’ disputes are most important for their practice,” and she is pleased to be involved with the efforts of the ADR Club at the law school.

Ms. Taylor explains that traditional law school curriculum is mostly focused on passing the bar, not the day-to-day practice skills that attorneys need and future employers want.  She said that ADR club gives students practice-based experience, creating a well-rounded attorney who is prepared to enter the real world.  The UC Law ADR Club provides student opportunities to pursue work in ADR by helping to create hands-on experiences, and meeting with practicing professionals.

At the November meeting, two mediators, Bob Rack, 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Mediation and yours truly, Hamilton County’s Municipal Court Mediation, presented information about their work.  In addition to this type of forum, Ms. Taylor said that the club activities for the coming year include meet-and-greet activities, developing mentoring opportunities and working with Professor Aaron to host the ABA’s Negotiation Competition in the fall and Representation in Mediation competition in the spring.

The club meets monthly during the school year and Ms. Taylor said that if anyone is interested in contacting her about addressing the club members at a meeting or establishing a mentoring opportunity, she can be reached by e-mail at taylorsb@email.uc.edu .

Saw this quote and thought it fits mediators: JOHN WAYNE: Talk low, Talk Slow and Don’t Say Too Much.  Sharon Bell

A Coming Storm?
By Shirley A. Cochran, J.D.

Every so often the stars align just right and I show up somewhere I am supposed to be but not for the reason I believed.  That is what happened in September with the Administrative Law Committee meeting of the Ohio State Bar Association.  I thought I was there because of one of the non-mediator hats I wear—hearing officer for two state agencies, since there has been a discussion of consolidating all hearing officers under one agency rather than having each agency hire them as employees or contractors.  In a way, that is what the discussion was about, but when mediators were added to the discussion, my ears perked up.  These mediations would be between the state agency and the public that they license, contract, discipline or whatever reason there might be for a hearing.

It appears Governor Strickland has a task force investigating this consolidation of all decision-makers and the task force decided other forms of dispute resolution should be included, such as mediation.  Once they decided that, they contacted the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management to talk about the state employee or workplace mediation program.  That program trained a group of state employees to mediate employee/supervisor cases and then they are used to mediate disputes in other agencies at no cost to the parties and no payment to the mediators other than their regular state pay.

The task force also contacted Nancy Rogers, then Dean of the law school at the Ohio State University who volunteered her dispute resolution seminar class to research and make a proposal for this state-wide agency mediation program.  This was a small class of law students none of whom were actually mediating as their profession yet.  Among their recommendations were to train staff attorneys from the appropriate state agencies to mediate for another agency with the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management as the scheduling agency.  One of the main reasons for this particular proposal was the task force mandated that the program be “revenue neutral” or not cost the state anything or in such a way that there was no additional cost to the state.

There are multiple reasons why this proposal is unacceptable; not the least of which is that no full-time mediators were contacted concerning the task force’s inquiries.  Again more people are being trained to mediate whose main job is not mediation.  These people are also all lawyers who, in my opinion and experience, have more difficulty practicing true mediation as opposed to holding settlement conferences.  In addition, Ohio has never favored restricting mediation to attorneys—even court related mediations like for instance Florida has for any case larger than small claims.  In addition, there is not enough work for the mediators who have decided to make this their profession without training more people who are not even interested in mediation as a profession.

Regardless of the mediator/staff attorney being from another agency, they are still an employee of the State which will reflect negatively upon the program with the very person the program is meant to help—the public.  As a contract mediator for multiple agencies and courts, I even have difficulty at times convincing the non-connected party that I am unbiased and not going to favor the party paying my fee.  I cannot imagine there will be much trust possible that this staff attorney/mediator is unbiased and neutral.

Lastly, a state-wide program providing mediation services for which the mediators are not compensated as any other provider of services is unacceptable.  There are many free mediation services using volunteers but even if the mediation is at no cost to the parties, the mediators need to receive compensation—even if it is a token or honorarium or the entire profession of mediators will be seen as valueless.

None of this of course, addresses the “revenue neutral” requirement of the task force mandate.  The way I see it, if cases are resolved through mediation, there will be less of a need for decision-makers such as hearing officers.  (As I think about it that will reduce my ability to earn funds as a hearing officer but hopefully would increase the possibility to earn funds mediating which is what I prefer.)  I would propose that the funds the departments and agencies are currently using for hearing officers be placed into a fun for dispute resolution.  The mediators and hearing officers both would be paid out of this fund and as the mediations reduce the need for the hearings, the fund’s use would be appropriately proportioned without needing to be increased.  Eventually, the state could end up with a panel of mediators and hearing officers such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on the national level.

The first thing needing to be done is contact with the Governor and the task force explaining that a major component of the mediation process was missing from these discussions—the mediators.  Assuming the task force wishes to remedy that oversight, reference to this article can be made as a starting point for the discussion.

There is another meeting of the OSBA Administrative Law Committee scheduled for January 30th so more will be forthcoming as more information becomes available.  Already, Linda Norris, an OMA member who did her thesis on this sort of issue has volunteered to be of assistance and if anyone else would like to be involved in the solution to this problem, please contact me or the officers of OMA.

Mediate Ohio Material: Please send material for Mediate Ohio by the 20th of the even numbered months to permit publication in the newsletter.  The next deadline is February 20, 2009.  My address is 2897 Liberty Bell Lane, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Phone/fax:  (614) 863-4775 E-mail: scochran@insight.rr.com Thanks, Shirley Cochran, Editor

THE MEDIATION COUNCIL OF GREATER CINCINNATI
The Mediation Council of Greater Cincinnati, which has been in existence since the mid-1980’s, is a networking organization of mediators who live or practice in the greater Cincinnati area. The group meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month from September – May to learn about matters of interest and share information. Members as well as non-members are welcome to attend the meetings; annual membership fees are $15.00.  Meeting Time:  11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati* Rookwood Tower (5th Floor) 3805 Edwards Road, Suite 500 *Health Foundation will not allow food to be brought in to its facility.  Please Note: with the exception of the September meeting, the schedule of presenters and topics may be subject to change. Join the Mediation Council for monthly meeting reminders with updated information.  If you have questions or need information, contact Marie Bader at 859-380-2137  If you have questions or need information, contact Donna Dansker: 513/821-0767

Save the Date: MANO Conference April 3, 2009 Health Care Mediation.  More information to follow or see www.manomediate.org

Upcoming ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Sponsored Events:

April 15-18, 2009 Eleventh Annual Section of Dispute Resolution Conference Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers New York

July 30-August 1, 2009 ABA Annual Meeting Chicago, Illinois

ACR 9th Annual Conference Convening “Whole of Community” Integrating Approaches and Practices to Address Conflicts in a Chaotic World Atlanta, Georgia October 7 – 10, 2009 Call for Proposals ACR is now accepting proposals for its 9th Annual Conference that will take place October 7 – 10, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. Online submission of session proposals is now open and closes Monday, February 9, 2009 at 5:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Follow this link to access the Call for Proposals form.

**** HURRY! **** Register TODAY!!! ACR 4th Annual Rocky Mountain Retreat Transforming the Practitioner: Attention to Intention February 13-16, 2009 St. Malo Retreat Center Allenspark, Colorado Join Gary J. Freidman, Erica Ariel Fox, Stephanie West-Allen and other leaders in the field of spirituality and conflict resolution for an experience that will bring new depth to the multiple dimensions of your life. Rocky Mountain Retreat Program Click here to view the agenda and flyer for the retreat. 20 CLE’s are approved for Colorado. You may apply for CEUs in your state if required. Registration Spirituality Section members – $595 (double) / $795 (single) Non-Spirituality Section members – $695 (double) / $895 (single) The registration fee covers lodging and meals for Friday evening through Monday lunch. Lodging at the St. Malo Conference Center will be assigned when you register.  Attendees will be assigned roommates. Payment in full is required at registration. Contact Paulette Washington at pwashington@acrnet.org or David Solin at dsolin@acrnet.org to register. Questions about Registration? Contact Paulette at pwashington@acrnet.org. Questions about Lodging? Contact Nan Waller Burnett at 303-273-0459 or nandrp@aol.com. Ground Transportation The retreat will take place at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. This center is located approximately an hour and 45 minutes from the Denver International Airport. For those who need ground transportation, ACR will arrange bus service to and from the retreat center from Denver International Airport as follows: Friday, February 13

Denver International Airport to St. Malo Retreat Center Departing DIA at 12:00 pm (noon) Monday, February 16 St. Malo Retreat Center to Denver International Airport

Arriving at DIA at 2:15 pm A ground transportation form will be sent to attendees in January. The roundtrip cost for this ground transportation is $40 per person. Questions about Ground Transportation? Contact David Solin at dsolin@acrnet.org. We look forward to seeing you in February!

Renewing, New Members and Additions/Corrections to the Directory (not the entire list of members—see the directory at our web site for that list): New and renewing members may send applications to Immediate Past President, Shirley Cochran at 2897 Liberty Bell Lane, Reynoldsburg OH 43068.  Contact Shirley for membership applications.  A membership application can be sent electronically for your convenience or you can download it from the OMA website www.mediateohio.org If there is a correction or an addition, please let Shirley know but only you can correct the directory on the website.  If you have misplaced your membership number and password, please contact Marra Fink for assistance.

New or renewed memberships since the last newsletter:

Antioch University McGregor
Dr. Richard McGuigan Conflict Analysis & Engagement Dept.
900 Dayton Street
Yellow Springs OH 45387 (937) 769-1809
Fax: (937) 769-1807
rmcguigan@antioch.edu

Leslie Bowen
2302 Brisum Way
Hilliard OH 43026 (614) 771-6613
Leslie.bowen@sbcglobal.net

Mary Kay Crowder
334 E. Center Street
Marion OH 43302 (740) 802-2249
Fax: (740) 389-4335
mkcrowder@roadrunner.com

William D. Dowling, Esq.
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP
3800 Embassy Parkway #300
Akron OH 44333 (330) 258-6502
Fax: (330) 252-5502
wdowling@bdblaw.com

Randy L. Fisher
2271 Teardrop Avenue
Columbus OH 43235-7172 (614) 459-2896
Fax: (614) 246-7185
Randyfisher@wideopenwest.com

Marissa L. Godby
1236 Constitution Drive
Independence KY 41051 (513) 621-1652
brandichase@yahoo.com

Lindsey N. Lilly
7475 Valley View Place #304
Cincinnati OH 45244 (513) 515-5756

Janet Mitchell, Coordinator
Bluffton University Mediation
1 University Drive #185
Bluffton IN 45817 (419) 358-3068
Fax: (419) 358-3074
mitchellj@bluffton.edu

Harold Paddock
Suite 1A
2602 Oakstone Drive
Columbus OH 43231 (614) 839-0400
Fax: (614) 839-0821
Harold@settlementweek.com

John C. Spille
3200 N. Whitetree Circle
Cincinnati OH 45236 (513) 794-1137
johnspille@fuse.net

TRAINING & WORKSHOPS:

Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Circle Training for Schools, Community, and Justice Organizations Cleveland, Ohio, February 25th – 28th, 2009 Hosted by: Global Issues Resource Center, Cuyahoga Community College, The Supreme Court of Ohio, the Ohio Resource Network, the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution, Lake County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division, and Mahoning County Juvenile Court Used in schools, corrections, and the community, restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior.  Restorative programs create opportunities for victims, offenders and community members to meet to discuss the crime and its aftermath, expect offenders to take steps to repair the harm they have caused, seek to restore victims and offenders, and provide opportunities for parties with a stake in a specific crime to participate in its resolution.  Peacemaking circles are one form of restorative process.   Saturday, February 28th, 2009, 9AM – 5PM Workshop: An Overview of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Circles – A Training for Schools, Community, and Justice Organizations (CRN: 18774) Cost: $50.   Wednesday – Friday, February 25th – 28th, 2009, 9AM – 5PM Training:  Implementing Restorative Justice Circle Processes in Schools and Community (CRN: 18775) Cost: $150. Who Should Attend?  School personnel, school counselors, law enforcement, school based probation, juvenile courts, juvenile detention facilities, school resource officers, youth serving organizations, gang prevention and intervention workers, faith-based organizations.    Credits Available:  Social Work, Counselor, RCH, CEUs, and Graduate Credit.  Questions? Call Global Issues Resource Center at 216-987-2231  or Jennifer.Batton@tri-c.edu To Register:  Please call 216-987-3075 and be sure to include the Course Registration Number (CRN) listed above, associated with the training or workshop you are interested in attending.  Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.

An Overview of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Circles A Training for Schools, Community, and Justice Organizations Saturday, February 28th, 2009   9 – 5pm This workshop will provide information on the implementation and evaluation of restorative justice practices in schools, the justice system, social services, the workplace and in neighborhoods.  Attendees will learn about practical applications of these approaches and share new resources.  Participants will learn the principles of restorative approaches and explore ways to use and adapt the practices in a wide variety of contexts including classrooms, youth programming, workplaces and the justice system.  Restorative measures in schools are part of the whole school environment; restorative classroom management approaches fit well with on-going efforts, such as preventing bullying and harassment, teaching pro-social skills and discipline policies.  Cost:  (CRN: 18774) $50 includes all materials.  Lunch on your own.   Credit:  6.5 Social Work, 6.5 RCH, 6.5 Counselor, and 6.5 CEUs available.

Implementing Restorative Justice Circle Processes in Schools and Community Wednesday – Friday, February 25th – 28th, 2009  9 – 5pm

Circle processes provide a way to bring people together to have difficult conversations, to work through conflict or differences and to build relationships.  The peacemaking circle process is being used for decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution and community building in schools, neighborhoods, workplace, family and the criminal justice system.  This introductory training will explore: foundational values and philosophy of circle practice, ceremony and ritual of circles,  conflict as opportunity to build relationships,  structure of circle process,  practical applications of circle process,  initiating the circle process,  challenges in circles.  Circles provide a way to enhance school safety by building community and connecting youth to adults and each to other in meaningful and practical ways.  The Restorative Circle provides the school community with a way to help students who have been harmed while holding students who do harm accountable for violations without sending them away from education. Circles are used in schools to enhance teaching and encourage accountability and care.   Cost:  (CRN: 18775) $150 includes all materials.  Lunch on your own.  Credit:  19.5 Social Work, 19.5 Counselor, 19.5 RCH, 19.5 CEUs available. One credit hour of Ashland University graduate credit available for attendance at the completion of the three day training in its entirety, for an additional $200.  Questions?  Call Global Issues Resource Center at 216-987-2231 or Jennifer.Batton@tri-c.edu

Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio and the Columbus Bar Association Basic Mediation Training February 18 & 19, or April 15 & 16, or June 9 & 10, or September 9 & 10, 2009 and 40 Hour Domestic Mediation Training May 6, 7, 12, 13, & 14, or November 4, 5, 10, 11, & 12, 2009.  Presenter Shelley Whalen, Executive Director of CMS and a past president of OMA.  Training site 91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus OH, the Thurber Center CLE and CEU’s Contact CMS (614) 228-7191 or www.communitymediation.com Fax: (614) 228-7213  Mailing address:  67 Jefferson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Columbus OH 43215.

Capital University Law School Center for Dispute Resolution

Center for Dispute Resolution, Capital Law School, 303 E Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215-3200, Phone (614) 236-6430/ Fax (614) 236-6956 CDR Directors include Roberta S Mitchell and Scot E Dewhirst, Co-Directors of the Center, and Terrence T Wheeler, Executive Director of the Center.  Please visit our website at www.law.capital.edu/disputeresolution to gain more detailed information on our trainings or to register on-line.

Cleveland Mediation Center United Office Building, Suite 906 2012 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 2005 Presenters include Dan Joyce and Wendy Hawbaker For further information on all training contact: Bob Curtis, Training Co-coordinator Phone: (216) 621-1919, extension 500 Fax: (216) 621-3202 E-Mail training@clevelandmediation.org .

North Coast Conflict Solutions and Cleveland Mediation Center have announced trainings for 2009.  Information about these trainings is available on the MANO website at: http://www.manomediate.org/medevents.htm

North Coast Conflict Solutions’ first training, Elder Mediation training, will be given February 13.

Cleveland Mediation Center’s first training,  Advanced Family/Divorce, will be given starting January 14.

Elder Decisions Elder /Adult Family Mediation Training 617-621-7009  trainings@ElderDecisions.com www.ElderDecisions.com www.AgreementResources.com Tues & Wed February 10-11, 2009 8:30a – 4:30 Walker Center    ~     Newton, MA A charming B&B and Conference Center Just off Rte 95 and the Mass Pike (Rte 90) and close to the Riverside MBTA Station Elder mediation helps seniors and their adult children resolve conflicts around issues such as living arrangements, caregiving, financial planning, inheritance/estate disputes, medical decisions, family communication, driving, and guardianship. Trainers The Elder Decisions Team: Arline Kardasis, Blair Trippe, Honorable John Maher, Emily B. Saltz, LICSW Geriatric Care Manager Director, Elder Resources, Newton, MA, Jeffrey A. Bloom Margolis & Bloom, Elder Law and Estate Attorneys Boston, MA MENTAL & PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF AGING Maintaining Independence Coping with Loss Caregiving and Aging Families Long Term Care Options for Elders LEGAL PLANNING Planning for Financial Management MassHealth Eligibility Medical Decision Making Asset Protection Guardianship  ADVANCED MULTI-PARTY MEDIATION SKILLS & CHALLENGES OF ELDER MEDIATION Neutrality vs. Mediator Advocacy Common Hurdles New Strategies for Intake Working with Large, Dispersed Family Groups Ethical Concerns Challenges of Aging Log on now to register at www.ElderDecisions.com 617-621-7009 training@ElderDecisions.com Early Registration: $525 through January 9, 2009 ($595 thereafter). Includes lunches snacks and course materials. Location:  The Walker Center, 171 Grove Street, Newton, MA www.walkerctr.org For Guestroom Reservations, call 617-969-3919.

We would like to invite you back to join us in Baltimore for our upcoming 20-Hour Advanced Mediation and Conflict Transformation Skills Training January 28-30, 2009.  This 20-Hour mediation training is designed for those who are interested in improving and expanding their mediation skills in the area of custody, parenting agreements, and child support. Dates: January 28-30, 2009 (20-Hours) Time: 5:00-9:00pm (Wednesday), 9:00am-5:30pm (Thursday and Friday) Location:  Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore,  Maryland Cost: $745

* Understanding the domestic mediation process and mediator’s role

* Hands-on skills necessary to mediate custody, visitation, and child support issues

* Domestic violence and mediation

* Communication skills for domestic conflict and conflict transformation how-to’s

* Creating Parenting Plans: Psychological and Cognitive Issues

* Individual feedback from trainers addressing participants’ consideration: specific strengths and areas for betterment

* Certification for private and circuit court mediators and for daily use and practice

Louise Phipps Senft & Associates/Baltimore Mediation has delivered the highest quality family mediation training for 15 years and is nationally recognized as a leader in Conflict Transformation and Mediation training in the Transformative Framework.  Louise Phipps Senft and the Baltimore Mediation team will provide you with a training experience consistently rated a “10” by participants.  Our trainings are approved by the Maryland Circuit Courts, Federal Mediation Rosters, Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, and the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation. To register for the 20-Hr Mediation Fundamentals click here: http://www.baltimoremediation.com/enroll.php.   Or, for more information please call 443-524-0833 or email office@baltimoremediaiton.com.

We also offer the following upcoming 20 hour trainings:

Basic Mediation Skills Training: Legal and Ethical Issues, February 25-27  (http://www.baltimoremediation.com/tw_20b_basic3.php) Workplace Mediation Skills Training, March 10-12 (http://www.baltimoremediation.com/tw_20a_workplace.php) Basic Mediation Skills Training: Self Awareness and Third Party Intervention, June 17-19  (http://www.baltimoremediation.com/tw_20b_basic1.php) Louise Phipps Senft Owner/President — Louise Phipps Senft & Associates BALTIMORE MEDIATION 4502 Schenley Road Baltimore, Maryland 21210 443-524-0833 www.BaltimoreMediation.com Mediation, Facilitation, Training Voted “Baltimore’s Best” Mediator “Better Process… Better Outcome…The Transformative Approach”

Online conference registration is available for AFCC’s 46th Annual Conference, Children, Courts and Custody: Back to the Future or Full Steam Ahead?, in New Orleans, May 27-30, 2009. Register today for the early bird rate — available only to AFCC members.  Hotel rooms have sold out for the last three annual conferences, so remember to make your reservations early. Call the Sheraton New Orleans direct at (504) 525-2500 or toll-free at (888) 627-7033 and request the AFCC special rate of $165 per night. The Annual Conference Scholarship application is posted on the AFCC Web site. More than 40 conference scholarships will be granted, including a limited number of scholarships with travel stipends. Please click the links below for more information. Online Registration  Scholarship Application  Conference Brochure (PDF) AFCC TRAININGS IN NEW ORLEANS If you are interested in parenting coordination, you will not want to miss two important training programs sponsored by AFCC in collaboration with Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, February 9-12, 2009. The training programs will take place at the Pan American Life Conference Center, 601 Poydras, 11th Floor, in New Orleans. Parenting Coordination: Working with High Conflict Families with Robin M. Deutsch, Ph.D., will be offered February 9-10, 2009. Attachment, Alienation and Access: Advanced Interventions for Parenting Coordinators with Arnold Shienvold, Ph.D., will be presented on February 11-12, 2009.  Each two-day training program is eligible for 13 hours of continuing education for psychologists. The two training programs together are intended to meet the 26 hours of specialized PC training required by Louisiana Statute LSA-R.S. 9:358.3 in addition to the 14 separate hours of mediation training.  A block of rooms is being held until January 16, 2009, at the Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street at the special rate of $165 per night. For hotel reservations, call(888) 627-7033 or (504) 525-2500 and ask for the Loyola College of Law special rate. AFCC members receive a $70 discount per training and save an additional $70 when registering for both trainings. Please view the program brochure and download the registration form at www.afccnet.org/training or contact AFCC at afcc@afccnet.org or (608) 664-3750. 6525 Grand Teton Plaza, Madison, WI 53719-1085 e-mail: afcc@afccnet.orgwww.afccnet.org (608) 664-3750 • Fax (608) 664-3751

Web Sites of Interest:

Ohio Mediation Association: www.mediateohio.org
Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management: www.disputeresolution.ohio.gov/
Ohio State Bar Association: www.ohiobar.org
Mediation Association of Northeast Ohio (MANO) www.manomediate.org