Discussion on “Save our Homes Task Force” and how the mediators will play a role in foreclosures.
The President’s Column is on break this edition as our OMA President, Maara Fink and her family welcomed a new member to their ranks and she is on maternity leave.
The Ohio Mediation Association Better World Award was presented to past OMA President John Polanski M.Ed. at the OMA Annual Meeting and Conference. Nominated by Eileen Pruett, Ed Krauss, and Wendy Hawbaker, John was the Executive Committee’s choice for this year’s award.
John’s career in mediation, mediation program design and implementation spans more than 20 years. He has developed, managed and provided a variety of mediation services for courts in Mahoning County and Ashtabula County. In his current position he has designed and implemented an array of mediation services for the Trumbull County Family Court.
John is an active member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the Mediation Association of Northeast Ohio. In the past he has served as president of the Ohio Mediation Association and a member of the Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Dispute Resolution.
In addition to John’s commitment to peaceful resolution of all variety of disputes and his work for the protection of the earth in every aspect, his professional skills as a program designer, mediator and trainer qualify him as an ideal recipient of this award. His absolute support of mediators and the mediation process, his good cheer, thoughtful counsel and his constant moral support have benefited many members of Ohio’s dispute resolution community. His energy and enthusiasm have provided many meetings and training sessions with the “spark” that makes them worthwhile for every participant. In short, John has integrity, wisdom and knowledge that he is always willing to share.
James S. Petas—Jim received his graduate and undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo and has been mediating for 12 years. He is the Senior Mediator for the Toledo Municipal Court, Dispute Settlement Program and is currently finishing his term as co-chair of the Toledo Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Jim is also an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau and has a private practice specializing in couple and family therapy.
Sandra Mendel Furman—Sandra received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and her law degree from Capital University Law School. She is a mediator and arbitrator in private practice in Columbus as well as an adjunct professor at her alma mater. Her areas of practice are varied and she is also a member of the Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations as well as the Association for Conflict Resolution.
by Shirley A. Cochran, J.D.
Although subpoenaed, a family court mediator was not required to testify when the Judge granted the motion to quash filed by the prosecutor’s office in the Delaware County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division.
If you personally are subpoenaed or know of a mediator who has received a subpoena, contact Shirley Cochran to discuss assistance with a motion to quash and for addition to our list of cases concerning this issue.
Did you know there are actually some people who check the donation section on the OMA Membership Application? Over the years different members have felt moved to contribute more than just their membership to assist OMA in meeting its objectives of being the only state-wide representative of all mediators regardless of subject matter or employer. Thank you for the generous donations: Thomas Bailey, Jr. , Daniel B. Bennington, Michael Bollon, Jay M. Patterson, John Polanski, Diane Tedeschi, Edward Turner, Stephen D. Walters, Watkins Global Network, LLC c/o Mario W. Watkins, Lou Ann Wood, Judge Steve Yarbrough, Retired. The Board of OMA invites you to likewise thank your peers for their generosity.
I wanted to let the members of the Ohio Mediation Association aware that I will be coordinating the monthly presenters for our organization. I am very interested in any appealing presenters and if you feel you have a new program or approach that you would want to share with your peers it would be appreciated. Please contact me with ideas as well. The following are ways to contact me: Sandra Fredrick, (937) 225-4099 or I can be reached by e-mail at fredricks@mcohio.orgI look forward to hearing from you.
July 30-August 1, 2009 ABA Annual Meeting Chicago, IllinoisRenewing, New Members and Additions/Corrections to the Directory (not the entire list of members—see the directory at our web site for that list):New and renewing members may send applications to Immediate Past President, Shirley Cochran at 2897 Liberty Bell Lane, Reynoldsburg OH 43068. Contact Shirley for membership applications. A membership application can be sent electronically for your convenience or you can download it from the OMA website www.mediateohio.org If there is a correction or an addition, please let Shirley know but only you can correct the directory on the website. If you have misplaced your membership number and password, please contact Denise Nixon Sparks for assistance.
Official Job Posting: Hofstra Law School Coordinator of ISCT and Development Research Hofstra University School of Law seeks a Coordinator of ISCT and Development Research to provide administrative services related to the Institute of the Study of Conflict Transformation (ISCT) activities, including running the day-to-day operations of ISCT. ISCT sponsors and organizes training events, lectures, and symposia, conducts research, and produces scholarly and practice-oriented print and video resources for the conflict resolution field. These services will include: first-line response to all inquiries about ISCT programs and resources; assistance in program marketing and event coordination for ISCT-sponsored programs; ISCT database and website maintenance; ISCT Board meeting coordination; maintenance of ISCT records and files, including mediator certification records. The Administrator will work with an off-site ISCT Coordinator who will oversee the administrative work and provide liaison to the ISCT Board. The Coordinator of ISCT and Development Research will also work within our Office of Institutional Advancement, providing prospect research and other kinds of support for our development and alumni relations efforts, including data base maintenance. The Coordinator will assist with data entry and information management for donors and prospects, and coordinate, design, and maintain policies/procedures, fundraiser prospect management, reporting, and statistical analysis. Bachelors degree required. Hofstra University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity in its faculty, administrative staff and student body, and encourages applications from the entire spectrum of a diverse community. For further information, please visit law.hofstra.edu. Please direct your confidential letter of inquiry, with resume, to Miriam Albert, Vice Dean for Administration, 121 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, (516) 463-6091 (fax) or lawdean@hofstra.edu.
The Small Claims Division and Dispute Resolution Program seeks the services of up to fourteen (14) mediators to provide mediation services for cases referred to mediation by Judges and Magistrates of the Franklin County Municipal Court. Mediations will typically be scheduled and conducted Monday through Friday, during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although an occasional evening mediation may be scheduled at 6:00 p.m. Required services include conducting the mediations and preparing the mediation agreements.
The services will be awarded by contract to up to fourteen (14) mediators, for a period of sixteen (16) months, commencing November 1, 2008 and ending February 28, 2010. The contract will not exceed $6,000 per mediator. Rate of pay is $75.00 per mediated case and $25.00 for cases where the mediator comes to court but the mediation was not conducted.
Compassionate Communication—Central Ohio “Mediation and Conflict Resolution” with Ike Lasater, J.D . Beginner’s workshop followed by an Intermediate Workshop. Sponsored by Compassionate Communication of Central Ohio a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the elimination of violence in Central Ohio and beyond. Beginner’s Workshop October 10th 7-9 PM and October 11th 10 AM-5 PM ($135 until 9/29/08 then $155), Intermediate Workshop October 12th 1-6 PM ($65 if by 9/29/08 then $80) Ascension Lutheran Church, 1479 Morse Road Columbus OH 43229 Call (614) 558-1141; website www.nvcohio.org; e-mail ccco112@sbcglobal.net.
Community Mediation Services of Central Ohio and the Columbus Bar Association Basic Mediation Training December 3 & 4, 2008 or February 18 & 19, or April 15 & 16, 2009 and 40 Hour Domestic Mediation Training October 15, 16, 21, 22, & 23, 2008 or May 6, 7, 12, 13, & 14, 2009. Presenter Shelley Whalen, Executive Director of CMS and a past president of OMA Training site 91 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus OH, the Thurber Center CLE and CEU’s Contact CMS (614) 228-7191 or www.communitymediation.comFax: (614) 228-7213 Mailing address: 67 Jefferson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Columbus OH 43215.
Cleveland Mediation CenterUnited Office Building, Suite 906 2012 West 25th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 2005 Presenters include Dan Joyce and Wendy Hawbaker For further information on all training contact: Bob Curtis, Training Co-coordinator Phone: (216) 621-1919, extension 500 Fax: (216) 621-3202 E-Mail training@clevelandmediation.org .