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The Dispute Resolution Center

eNews of Note

Winter, 2009

The Father Bernard O�Connor Award Event
March 4, 2009

5:30 pm Award Reception
7:00 pm Private Screening of
�The Order of Myths�
Honoree:
Richard Leyshock

Fri. & Sat.
8:00am-5:00 pm
Sun.
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
General Civil and
Basic Community

Mediator Trainers: Susan Butterwick and Zena Zumeta

Fri. & Sat.
8:00 am-5:00 pm
Sunday
1:00 pm-5:00 pm

2nd weekend hours
Friday
8:00 am-5:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am-1:30 pm
Sunday
9:30 am-5:00 pm
General Civil &
Basic Community

Mediator Trainers:
Susan Butterwick and Zena Zumeta

September 24, 2009
8:00 am- 5:00 pm
Topic to be announced

Trainer: Zena Zumeta

Director�s Note
WOW, 2008 was an amazing year for the DRC filled with staff changes, growth in services and growth in support. We�ve entered 2009 and hit the ground running. I want to thank our many volunteers, supporters and community partners for trusting us to provide conflict resolution services in the most responsible and caring manner. I also want to thank the DRC staff for the dedication, thoughtfulness and compassion given to this Center�s daily work. Carmelita, Sally, Margaret and Jainelle � our newest staff persons � do an outstanding job in implementing our mission. Our customers feel safe, empowered and prepared to engage themselves in this problem solving process because of the time, attention and professionalism of the staff. As we plunge forward in 2009, we remain committed to the highest quality of service and our mission providing this affordable service to individuals and organizations in Washtenaw and Livingston Counties.

Peaceful resolutions,

Truancy Prevention Mediation Program
Margaret Rohr

This past October saw the launch of the DRC�s Truancy Mediation Program. Through February, 20 cases have been mediated, all but two have resulted in agreements. The feedback from parents, students and school staff has been overwhelmingly positive, noting especially that the presence of neutral 3rd parties has been especially important.

It can be a real challenge to keep the focus on only those issues which affect school attendance. What we are finding is that truancy is often deeply embedded in complicated issues which often affect entire families. The issues contributing to problems of truancy have been wide-ranging. Mediators have assisted parties in discussing and problem-solving around issues of: poverty; students with mental illness; bullying; emerging Special Education needs; students with very complex health problems; difficulties with parenting, and many more.

The referral system with Ypsilanti Public School is now quite well developed, due to the efforts of our liaison Tulani Glenn. We are excited to add and develop a referral system in the Lincoln Consolidated School District. We have conducted our first two mediations scheduled in the Lincoln schools. We look forward to the expansion of the Truancy Mediation Program into other districts and to continued work with schools and families.

The mission of The Dispute Resolution Center is to provide confidential and affordable dispute resolution services, through mediation and training, to individuals and organizations in Washtenaw & Livingston Counties.

SCAO Diversity Project
Joan Binkow

The Dispute Resolution Center has been awarded a grant by the State Court Administrative Office to address the issues of cultural diversity for community mediators.

Cultural identity is not always understood and dealt with effectively in the field of mediation. Race, gender, sexual orientation, age (whether elderly or adolescent) socio-economic disparity and disability are often the elephant in the room when people are attempting to resolve a conflict.

The 40-hour training does not allow time to include an in-depth discussion or practice specific to conflicts involving issues of cultural identity. Over the past year the DRC has expanded its base of mediators into diverse ethnic and racial communities and conducted a series of workshops designed to increase cultural consciousness and mediation skills in dealing with sensitive issues. As the DRC expands its school truancy and community services, this initiative will greatly enhance our ability to serve our constituents.

From the Board President: Joan Binkow

On December 4, 2008 the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers gathered at the home of Joan Binkow, Board President, to honor and celebrate our volunteer mediators. It is often said that the mediators are the life line of the Center, and 2008 proved to be another year to note that. The DRC volunteer mediators� contributions to the services are 361 mediations, 695.5 of donated hours translating to $104,325 of in-kind contributions.

The Mediator Appreciation awards were presented to Sara Maxam for conducting 48 mediation sessions; Nancy Soderholm for mediating 79 hours; and Betty Widgeon for her additional contributions to the Center.

With your steadfast support The Dispute Resolution Center is able to offer affordable professional mediation services and skills training to hundreds of individuals, families, schools and organizations.

Mediation Services in Quick View
YEAR TO DATE STATISTICS: Jan through Dec 2008

No. of Cases Accepted: 517

No. of Mediations: 361

Cases Resolved/Settlement Rate: 231/64%

No. of People Served: 1,114

Ave. Length of Mediation: Approx. 2.5 hours

No. of Volunteer Hours: 695.5

Value of Volunteer Contribution: $104,325