County Mediation Matters |
|
A Publication of the Administrative Office of the Court |
Summer 2006 Volume 12, Number 2 |
There is no need to go searching for a remedy for the evils of the time. The remedy already exists--it is the gift of one's self to those who have fallen so low that even hope fails them.
- Rene Bazin
Writer
Mediator Payments and Travel Reimbursements
It is every mediator’s individual responsibility to follow through with signing travel reimbursements and invoices. Items for signature are prepared as soon as all of the required information is received from the traveler. Forms ready for signature are then placed in the appropriate mailbox in Janet’s office. In order to prepare a mileage reimbursement for travel to neighboring counties, we need to know the date and location of travel, total miles driven, and case numbers of all the cases you mediated. Reimbursement for conference and seminar registrations requires proof of payment (receipt or copy of cancelled check) and proof of attendance. If you are to be reimbursed for other travel costs (e.g., hotel, meals, tolls, parking) original receipts are required for all expenses except meals and fuel for your personal vehicle. Note that you must use self parking. Valet parking fees will not be reimbursed. Meals are reimbursed at a flat rate, and as of July 1, 2006 use of your personal vehicle is reimbursed at 44.5 cents per mile driven. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 60 days of the date of travel, so submit the necessary information as quickly as possible, and don’t let unsigned travel forms sit in your box for weeks on end or you will forfeit your reimbursement.
New CME Requirements
New CME requirements are now in effect for mediators whose renewal dates are on or later than August 1, 2007. The new requirements for county mediators are summarized below.
Total CME hours per two-year renewal cycle |
16 hours* to include the following: |
Mediator Ethics |
4 hours |
Domestic Violence |
2 hours |
Diversity/Cultural Diversity Awareness |
1 hour |
*1 CME hour equals 50 minutes
In addition, the total number of CME hours that may be earned through mentoring is increased from two to four hours.
Assistance With Stipulations
We have started using the mediators to assist unrepresented litigants with drafting stipulation agreements. Mediators will not be asked to assist with stipulations where at least one party is represented by an attorney or in cases with “repeat players”, e.g. financial institutions. Stipulations are counted as settled cases for statistical purposes.
CME Luncheon Schedule
The tentative luncheon dates for the fall are September 15th, October 20th or 27th, and November 17th. In general, we are going to attempt to keep the luncheons scheduled on the third Friday of the month.
Calendar
Please note the following court holidays and dates where no pre-trials are scheduled.
Friday, August 4 |
No Pre-Trials |
Monday, September 4 |
Labor Day Holiday - Courthouse closed |
Monday, October 2 |
Yom Kippur Holiday - Court Administration closed. Clerk’s office will be open. |
Friday, November 10 |
Veterans Day Holiday - Courthouse closed, No Pre-trials |
November 23-24 |
Thanksgiving Holiday - Courthouse closed, No Pre-trials |
December 25-26 |
Christmas Holiday - Courthouse closed |
Friday, December 29 |
No Pre-Trials |
How to reach us:
Robin Davis, ADR Director Phone: 352-491-4417 Fax: 352-381-0109 E-Mail: rkd@circuit8.org |
Janet Hearn, Mediation Services Coordinator Phone: 352-491-4645 Fax: 352-381-0109 E-Mail: jkh@circuit8.org |
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in county mediation proceedings you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Court Administrator’s Office by phone at (352) 337-6237 or in person or in writing at 201 E. University Ave, Gainesville FL 32601 within 2 working days of your receipt of this newsletter; if you are hearing impaired, call (800) 955-8771; if you are voice impaired, call (800) 955-8770.