We're Baaaack!

We are back and have a lot of really great energy and ideas to share with our fellow mediators!

Our planning committee, comprised of Dick Calkins, LaCee Conley, Elena Greenberg, SueAnn Johnson, Cassie Kinney, Kristin Boldt, and Mary Pat Wohlford, have been working hard this summer to revive and energize our Inns of Mediation for another year of programming and networking.

This year, we intend to bring new content focusing on the practice and skills of mediators in all settings. We are excited to explore traditional forms of mediation, such as caucus mediation and collaborative mediation, but we also will be looking at ways mediation can be used in our educational institutions, community outreach, pro bono or agency mediations, and restorative of facilitative mediation. Basically, we believe there is no end to the use of benefits to mediation and the skills needed to successfully mediation conflicts.

We are also an ambitious bunch! We have revised our organizational by-laws and restructured our leadership board positions and our focus on what it will take to make the Inns of Mediation a reputable resource for mediators and people who are interested in mediation. You will see us continue the tradition of dinner meetings, but the fous will be on practical pointers and discussion about mediation practice by people who conduct or participate in mediations professionally. We will continue our networking an mentoring opportunities with students, but our focus will be on adding value to our members through educational programs and opportunities to connect on a professional level.

If this sounds like something that interests you, then consider adding your voice to our posts, pass along ideas or topics to our board members, check out our new LinkedIn page, and/or consider joining us on our Board. We currently have a couple vacancies for officer-level positions and Board members-at-large, plus a few key positions to chair efforts related to our communications and education groups, including a student liaison to the Board.

We are looking forward to offering new ideas about mediation, connecting with thought leaders on what's new, trending, and what's creating opportunities for the future. We love our renewed energy and commitment to promoting and touting how mediation can improve the dispute resolution process inside the legal system and beyond. If you have something to add, please let us know, or better yet, join us!