County Mediation Matters |
|
A Publication of the Administrative Office of the Court |
Volume 12, No. 1 |
Success can come in many areas, such as motherhood, business, or volunteering. It can be finding something that leads you to say, "Nothing I ever did made me feel this important."
- Elizabeth Dole
Volunteer Appreciation Week
The week of April 23-29, 2006 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week. The county mediation program could not exist without our faithful team of extremely dedicated volunteers. The program started in Alachua County in 1993 with just a few mediators, and since that time dozens of volunteers have mediated nearly 9,000 cases with an overall settlement rate of 65 percent.
Mediation Rooms
Please note that rooms 411 and 411A on the fourth floor are no longer available for mediation. We will instead be using Room 414 on Friday mornings. Room 414 is located directly across from Courtroom 4A on the fourth floor.
Speaking of rooms... please be careful to go to the room to which you have been assigned. If you find for some reason that the room is not available or is locked, please see Janet for an alternate room assignment or to unlock the door. Don’t just go to any other room that you think might be open! Not only does this create unnecessary problems and confusion, it is important that we know where all of the mediators are at any given time.
CME Luncheon Schedule
The CME Luncheon schedule through May 2006 is as follows:
Date |
Guest and Topic |
April 21, 2006 |
Ethics (Exact program to be determined) |
May 26, 2006 |
Jeffrey Weisberg “Non-Violent Communication: The Language of Life” |
The May seminar will be the last CME Luncheon until September. We will keep you posted regarding the scheduled luncheon dates. And, please note that we are actively looking for speakers, ideas, and topics for the next CME season.
CME Reporting Forms
We now have the CME Reporting Form personalized for each volunteer in a computer file format. Programs that are sponsored by the mediation program (e.g., CME luncheons) will be entered into the form for you. When it comes time for you to renew, Janet will help you with completing the form with any additional CME hours that you have attended.
FAPM Seminar
The Florida Academy of Professional Mediators is sponsoring an Advanced Mediation Training Seminar entitled “Be A Part Of The Resolution Evolution” on Saturday, May 6, 2006 in Orlando. Sharon Press is the keynote speaker. In addition, Sharon will be conducting a pre-seminar workshop “Legislative Update and Ethics” from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 5th. For additional information, please visit the Academy web site at www.tfapm.org. For those of you who do not have web access, a copy of the program brochure is enclosed.
We have funds available to reimburse volunteers for the registration fee. If you are interested in attending one or both of these programs and will be requesting reimbursement, please see Janet as soon as possible. We must have advance notice of your intention to attend or you will not be reimbursed.
Calendar
Please note the following court holidays and dates where no pre-trials are scheduled.
Friday, April 14 |
Court Holiday, no pre-trials |
Monday, May 29 |
Memorial Day Holiday |
Friday, June 2 |
No Pre-Trials |
Tuesday, July 4 |
Independence Day Holiday |
Friday, August 4 |
No Pre-Trials |
Monday, September 4 |
Labor Day Holiday |
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.