Monday, July 28, 2008

Mediation Training

The New York Center for Interpersonal Development's 2008 Basic Mediation Training will be lead by Adam Berner, Esq. Mr. Berner is an experienced mediator and trainer, certified by the New York State Unified Court System Office of ADR and Court Improvement Programs.

This program will provide an in depth examination of the theory and practice of facilitative mediation for participants who are interested in mediating cases, exploring alternate dispute resolution concepts, and building skills to become a knowledgeable practitioner. Key components of the program are:

- Problem solving and negotiation skills

- Conflict management skills

- Gathering information and framing issues

- Development options and formalizing agreements

- Understanding concepts of mediator influence and positive neutrality

This program uses an experiential learning methodology to equip participants with these invaluable skills. Participants will identify and analyze various approaches to conflict management, build their capacity as mediators, and engage in mediation role plays to enhance skills. Upon completion all participants will be eligible to enroll in an extensive mediation apprenticeship program. CLE application pending.

BASIC MEDIATION TRAINING

- This is a comprehensive 30 hour Basic Mediation training, approved by the New York State Office of Court Administration, designed to cover basic theory and skills of mediation.

- Upon completion, participants will be eligible to participate in New York Center’s Mediation Apprenticeship Program.

- This training also meets the Basic Mediation training requirements of the New Jersey Collaborative Law Groups.

CLE Credit Pending

For more information or to register contact:
Liz Bonici – 718-947-4036

Tel 718-815-4557 Fax 718-889-3033 TTY/TDD (800) 662-1220 Website www.nycid.org


Job Opportunities

Below are internship and job listings which may be useful to law students and recent graduates.

__________
Intern (Unpaid), Northern Virginia Mediation Service, Fairfax VA
Northern Virginia Mediation Service (NVMS)provides the entire community with accessible, affordable and appropriate conflict resolution and education services. We help people find collaborative approaches to achieve acceptable and enduring outcomes.
We offer Family, Civil, Community and Commercial Mediation. NVMS also offers training workshops regarding topics such as negotiation, facilitation, leadership development, conflict resolution etc.

Interns work with the Family Mediation Program Manager to support case and program management, including intake interviews, scheduling, mediator assignment, special projects, and policy development.

Interns have the opportunity to participate in NVMS training workshops (see list at http://www.nvms.us/schedule.htm and include mediation, negotiation, and facilitation skills)offered during the internship period at no cost.

Contact: Lauren Donovan Phone:703-993-3656, Fax: 703-993-3551, E-mail: communitymediation@nvms.us, URL: www.nvms.us

__________
Program Coordinator, Community Mediation Center, Bozeman, MT
entry-level position, Salary: $15.00 (Hourly Wage), Part-Time, Min Experience: 0-1 Year
The Program Coordinator is responsible for coordination and management of the Gallatin Valley Youth Justice Councils (YJC), Minor in Possession Impact Panels (MIP), Victim Offender Mediations (VOM) and Peer Mediation. Currently, Youth Justice Councils take approximately 70% of the time on the job, Minor in Possession and Peer Mediation 10% each and VOM 0-5%. http://cmcmontana.org/pdf/programCoordinatorApplicationPacket2008Jun.pdf

Contact Person: Connie Campbell, ccampbell@cmcmontana.org, Phone: 4065228442, Fax: 4065868745, http://www.cmcmontana.org/about us/careers

__________
Director, VCS Center for Conflict Resolution, New York, NY

General Scope of position: New City, NY non-profit organization seeks a qualified person who is a proven leader in the field of Conflict Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution to manage a community mediation program that empanels volunteer mediators who are assigned to court-referred and community cases. This is a full time, senior management position in a comprehensive, social justice oriented family service agency. The Director supervises program staff, manages several contractual programs and has some additional agency-wide responsibilities. The Director represents the Center for Conflict Resolution and the agency throughout the county and the state, serving on committees, coalitions, and other types of collaborative efforts that pertain to the specific concerns in the Center and to the mission of the agency as a whole. The Director reports to the Executive Director. VCS is an EOE.

Required Qualifications and Skills: Masters Degree ; Proven Managerial Experience; Valid driver's license and own transportation; Working knowledge of the Field of Conflict Resolution; Communication, written and verbal; Community Organizing; Program Development; Grant writing; Personnel and Volunteer Management; Public Speaking

Preferred Capacities:Certified Mediator in the State of New York or Significant Mediation Experience Certified Mediator Trainer in the State of New York or Significant Mediation Training Experience; Bi-lingual/Bi-cultural

Benefits: Salary: mid-to-high 50's; Generous paid vacation, personal and sick time; Health and dental insurance; cafeteria plan; direct payroll deposit;

Please send resume and salary requirements to: VCS Inc.; 77 South Main Street; New City, NY 10956; Attn: D. Murnion

__________
Court Mediator, Community Mediation, Inc, New Haven CT
Position Requirements: Applicant must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills; bilingual (English/Spanish) ability a plus. Mediation experience and/or mediation training highly desirable. Applicant should have good computer skills and be detail-oriented and self-directed. 37.5 hours per week with flexible scheduling; some evening and weekend work expected. Salary range: $28,000 - $30,000, with benefits, depending on experience. Starting 09/02/08. Minimum two-year commitment.

Responsibilities: Mediates cases in CM's court, neighborhood and family programs.; Works in the Superior Court on a regular basis each week.; Develops cases involving adults and youth.; Assists with record keeping and mediation case data entry. Works closely with other staff, especially the Court Coordinator. Assists with mediation trainings and conflict resolution workshops. Assists with outreach and public education.Reports to CM's Associate Director.

Please send resume and cover letter to address below, or e-mail both to kathy@cmediation.org by Friday, July 25. Community Mediation, Inc. 32 Elm St. New Haven CT 06510. Phone: 203-782-3500 Fax: 203-782-3503 www.community-mediation.org

Court of Appeals Decision in Hauzinger Case

The NY State Court of Appeals recently decided Hauzinger v Hauzinger (available on Westlaw at: N.E.2d, 2008 WL 2519811 (N.Y.), 2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 05781), a case concerning confidentiality between parties and mediators. During the course of their divorce, the Hauzingers retained a mediator. The mediator's Agreement to Mediate included an "opt-out" of confidentiality clause if both parties consented to waive confidentiality, allowing the mediator to communicate with any third party about the mediation and release documents.

The Court of Appeals held that the husband in the case had executed a waiver releasing the mediator from confidentiality and that the wife's subpoena was a waiver of her confidentiality. Therefore, because both parties to mediation waived confidentiality, the mediator could not assert it.

The reason that mediators throughout NY followed the case closely is that the confidentiality of mediation proceedings is considered important to attain the level of candor that may be required. the Court of Appeals specifically refused to address the broader question of confidentiality in mediation, leaving the limits of mediation confidentiality unsettled in New York, particularly in the context of divorce mediations.