New York Mediation Centers Seek Restoration of Funding (1/31/12)
Keith Seat

Mediation centers in Westchester and Rockland, NY, are leading a statewide advocacy campaign to restore funding for community mediation, following deep cuts during last year’s state budget crisis. The campaign is collecting online signatures, focusing on the cost effectiveness of community mediation centers where 100,000 people resolved conflicts last year, decreasing the pressure on overburdened courts. The average cost per dispute at community mediation centers is $300, far less than even minor court proceedings.

Nyack News & Views (January 23, 2012) 0

A Mediator's Reflections on the Occupy Movement (1/30/12)
Grace Eagle Reed
The police in Portland, unlike other cities of its size, became national examples of progressive community policing during the Occupy Movement. By calmly responding to the conflict around them, they are open to ongoing community feedback, are continuing to look for ways to do a better job and are using better judgment when they have to restrain protestors. Their patience and openness is appreciated by all involved. It is also the perfect example of a counter-story peacefully challenging the accepted stock story, for the betterment of all involved. 2012 1

Mediation Works, But Will it Play in Macedonia? (1/23/12)
Michael Diliberto
The article describes the status of mediation in the Republic of Macedonia and the cultural issues that affect whether or not the Macedonian judicial system should adopt compulsory mediation. The article also provides persuasive alternatives from other jurisdictions that are used to encourage mediation. 2012 1

Divorce (In Itself) Does Not Pose Risk For Children (1/23/12)
Andra Brosh
“It is not divorce in itself that can lead to problems in children. It is the divorce linked to interparental conflict, a lack of co-parenting, an unsuitable family climate, etc.,” according to Priscila Comino, a researcher at the University of the Basque Country’s (UPV/EHU) Faculty of Psychology. 2012 1

Ray Shonholtz: The Passing of a Community Mediation Visionary (1/11/12)
Justin Corbett
It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our friend and colleague Raymond Shonholtz. Ray was a visionary within community mediation from its earliest days. 2012 1

Ray Shonholtz: Visionary and Model (1/10/12)
James Melamed
It was during the time of Ray Shonholtz transitioning from being the founding director of San Francisco Community Mediation Boards to his founding Partners for Democratic Change that Ray and we worked together. Ray was interested in my thoughts on technology and organizing. He wanted to know how we could help the emerging Eastern European Republics, fresh on the heels of the Soviet Union crumbling. What resulted was the opportunity of a lifetime. 2012 1

Citizen Participation, Media Hype and… Dogs (1/02/12)
Aik Kramer
A while ago, I facilitated a public meeting about dogs in the municipality of Zandvoort (Holland), a fishermans village that, over the years, has transformed itself into a tourist beach resort. It houses approximately 16.000 inhabitants and, with the seasons, has a flow of millions of tourists each year. There are hotels, cafes, clubs, a race-circuit, and of course, there’s the beach itself. 2012 1

Towards Crowdsourced Online Dispute Resolution, Part 3 (1/01/12)
Jaap Van den Herik, Daniel Dimov
Using crowdsourcing for solving disputes is a subject that has not been discussed in many scientific publications. However, since Crowdsourced Online Dispute Resolution (CODR) provides a cheap, fast, and democratic dispute resolution, it has a potential that needs to be explored scientifically. How should eBay solve otherwise 60 millions disputes per year? (This is a Part 3 in a 3-part series.) 2012 1

Mediator Excellence and Self-Awareness (12/12/11)
Louise Phipps Senft
Louise Phipps Senft discusses mediator self-awareness. She looks in-depth at how it aids the mediation process, and MACRO's process to use self-awareness to assist mediators become excellent. 2011 12

Why Sucking Up at Work Isn’t a Bad Thing (12/05/11)
Vivian Scott
Brownnoser, suck up, and backslapper are just a few of the monikers folks at work get when they have the boss mesmerized and delivering whatever they want. Coworkers may like to point out a yes-man’s flaws and make a lot of noise about his behavior, but that doesn’t stop a teacher’s pet from receiving special attention and perks. 2011 12

When a Bully Refuses to Dance! (11/28/11)
Phyllis Pollack
Recently, I posted blogs on the necessity of “dancing” and on “difficult people”. This past week, both topics collided in a mediation! What an experience! 2011 11

Effective, Respectful, Communication—Lessons from Occupy Santa Rosa (11/21/11)
Lorraine Segal
Consensus building, like other valuable parts of negotiation and conflict resolution, is often messy and time consuming, but the result can be a vibrant, inclusive process of reaching decisions to which people feel deeply committed. 2011 11

Deciphering Life via Game Theory (11/04/11)
Phyllis Pollack
Mr. Mubarak’s influence waned as cuts in American aid threatened his ability to keep cronies in the army and security forces happy. Underemployed citizens then realized that disgruntled officials would be less willing to use violence to put down street protests against the ailing dictator. 2011 11

Taking the "Me" Out of Mediation (10/24/11)
Delores Manwar
The "Me" impacts many areas of the mediation process. We can leave the “Me” out of mediation and replace it with an armor of understanding, empathy, open mindedness, and non-judgmental practices. 2011 10

Mediate.com: A Reality Check (10/17/11)
Steffi Berkowitz
You are about to read an atypical article/testimony honoring two October celebrations.   In truth, both are dedicated to raising awareness, promoting education and helping people understand options on a journey they did not seek. In truth, both provide a respite for determining outcomes by building knowledge and support irrespective of heart-rendering tales and underlying stories. 2011 10

Don't Shoot (10/17/11)
Joe Markowitz
First, recognize that the number of people responsible for the vast majority of violence in most cities is relatively small. So concentrate on those people. Next, let the street gangs know that violence will no longer be tolerated. 2011 10

New York Mediation Centers Face Cuts in State Funding (9/06/11)
Keith Seat

With significant budget cuts to New York’s Unified Court System, the court is cutting in half last year’s $9.6 million in funding for a network of conflict resolution centers in the state. Although centers are seeking other funding and considering new fees, the cuts are resulting in layoffs of staff, limiting the number of matters that can be handled even with volunteer mediators. The cutback in mediation is expected to increase pressure on the crowded court system which is itself facing personnel cuts.

Legislative Gazette.com (May 23, 2011) 0

Tips for Talking to the Media about Collaborative Practice (8/22/11)
Elizabeth Ferris
You have been trained in collaborative practice, you know it can benefit clients and their families and you want to educate the public and attract more clients to your practice. Unfortunately, in your community not enough people know about Collaborative Practice and the value it can provide. 2011 8

A Community that Binds is a Community Alive (8/15/11)
Jason Dykstra
What does the word community mean to you? There are many definitions out there…some of them referring to geographical location, some common values or goals, a common identity, intent, or belief. 2011 8

How Arbitrators Think? (8/15/11)
F. Peter Phillips
Hey, I’m an arbitrator. And like Derek Jeter I always want to improve my game every time I go on the field. 2011 8

Mediation in Caribbean Justice (8/14/11)
Abiola Inniss
The concept and use of mediation in Caribbean Justice requires far more effort and application than is currently exerted. Certainly it is to be hoped that Caribbean leaders in the legal field and in government will not wait for the gates of perdition to be opened upon our society before embracing Alternative Dispute Resolution. 2011 8

AudioBlog: Business Marketing for Mediators (8/13/11)
Jeff Thompson
During the Webinar we will highlight the important relationship between focused and clear business values and purpose and sustained business success Identify the keys to building a strategy for your business that meets your needs and interests, including discuss some of the methodologies and tools that drive alignment between what you want and what you do: “the knowing-doing gap”. 2011 8

The Future of Community Mediation (7/18/11)
Delores Manwar
Our future, in my opinion, depends on how proficient we are in clearly defining and precisely getting the word out as to who, what, and where we are, and how valuable we are to the community. 2011 7

The One (Mediation) That Didn't Get Away (6/19/11)
Vivian Scott
After this mediation I closed the door and cried for the pair’s past, for my gratefulness at being allowed to see such pure emotion, and for the richness this experience brought to my life. 2011 6

Nine Ways for Counsel to Prepare for Mediation (6/19/11)
Daniel Ben-Zvi
Attorneys know how to prepare for trial: motions in limine, evidence, witness exams, and opening statements. How to get ready for mediation is not as obvious. Here are nine suggestions for counsel to best prepare for mediation. 2011 6