Upcoming CME Programs

Judge Mary Day Coker will be our guest for the February CME Luncheon on February 25^th. Judge Coker is a certified county and family mediator and was active with the Adult Criminal Mediation Program prior to her appointment to the judiciary. Please join us for an interesting discussion of a mediator’s perspective from the other side of the bench.

In March, Alison Gerencser will present a program entitled “The Quality Of Mercy: The Power of Apology and the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.” Alison will talk about the use of apology and reconciliation to settle disputes in the United States and South Africa.

Mediator Re-Certification

It seems that by now most of you have gone through the re-certification and CME reporting process at least one time. (And wasn’t it EASY?!!) CME reporting is a breeze if you use the CME file that Janet maintains for you in her office. Please remember, also, that the program will reimburse the re-certification fee for active volunteers. In order to do so, however, we need a copy of your check to the State of Florida and a copy of your completed application. If you like we will keep a copy of your application and your CME reporting form in your CME file in Janet’s office.

 

Reminders

What would the newsletter be without the “reminders?” This month we would like to remind everyone that:

 

•          Only the Clerk is permitted to schedule continuation dates. There are absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule for any party or any attorney.

 

•          Be on time for court! If you are tardy, do not enter the courtroom or take your seat in the jury box while the judge is giving opening remarks. Wait until after the first case is called.

 

•          Don’t let the courtroom door slam shut.

Youth Summit

Project Payback is sponsoring an all day seminar entitled “Serving Youth: Strategies That Work” on Friday, March 11, 2005. County mediation program volunteers who also work with, or have a desire to work with, the delinquency mediation program may be interested in attending this all day summit. The program will sponsor you and pay the $20 registration fee. If you are interested in attending, please contact Janet as soon as possible to complete a registration form. As always, pre-authorization by the County is REQUIRED, and if we don’t know that you will be attending, we can’t pay for your registration. To date, I have registration forms for Jeffrey and Louise.

Also, please note that sessions attended at this summit will likely NOT be eligible for county mediation CME credit. We are offering this opportunity to volunteers so that we can enhance the service provided by the delinquency mediation program.

For details about the seminar, please go online and visit http://sawww.co.alachua.fl.us/Payback/ or see Janet for a brochure.

Calendar

Please note the following important dates coming up in 2005. We will try not to change the schedule for the CME Luncheons, but occasionally conflicts arise and a date may have to be shifted.

February 11-12	Advanced Training Seminar - Orlando
February 25	CME Luncheon
March 18	CME Luncheon
March 25	Court Holiday - No Court
April 22	CME Luncheon
May 20	CME Luncheon

   How to reach us:

 

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.

 

 

Eighth Judicial Circuit County Mediation Program Results

 

January 2005

               

 

 

 

Note: The percentage of written agreements does not include pending continued cases.