Session 1A: “Mediating Inside the Institution”

How can organizations effectively prevent and manage conflict? One approach is to offer resources, to assist those involved in workplace disputes find mutually acceptable solutions. The speakers will discuss their respective experiences in developing and managing "internal" mediation programs. These include systems design decisions about how to structure and situate these programs within their organizations, and challenges involved in introducing the consensual approach of mediation into an environment in which experience is largely based on adversarial models.

Speaker: Ellen Beilock serves as Mediation Officer for the University of California at San Francisco, where she directs an innovative internal mediation program serving faculty, staff, administrators and students. Before transitioning to working as a mediator, Ellen practiced intellectual property and employment law. She serves on the Board of Directors of The Mediation Society and was the first President of Women Lawyers of Alameda County. Ellen is a graduate of UC Berkeley and received her law degree from Boalt Hall.

Speaker: Samuel Schindler is Assistant Manager in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Division, Department of Human Resources, City and County of San Francisco. He has lead responsibility for the development and implementation of a Pilot Mediation Program,  a  collaborative effort with Hastings College of the Law. The Program offers mediation as an alternative for resolving discrimination complaints. Mr. Schindler’s EEO experience with the City includes complaint investigation, facilitating dispute resolution, and the design and delivery of training.

Moderator: Karen Joffe is an Ombudsperson at NIAD Arts Center, a publicly funded art studio for adults with developmental disabilities in Richmond, CA and is a consultant to a manufacturers trade association. She volunteers as a community mediator and is a member of the ADRNC Board of Directors.