mediation.jpg (38602 bytes)Mediation Matters
February 2000
Birthdays
Eva  February 17, 2000
Marge March 18, 2000
Art F. March 25, 2000
George M. March 25, 2000
Ben April 3, 2000
Hal April 6, 2000

Goodbye and Good Luck
EVA who is retiring and moving to New Mexico with her family. She will be greatly missed!

Welcome
  • Linda C. who is our new Assistant Coordinator. She is from Michigan and has a lot of experience in court and mediation.

  • Derrick, Robin , Loretta, Mark, Gus, George, and Melissa who are working as interns this term.

Don't Forget To Submit Your Biography

Juvenile Restitution
Dates for the Next Three Months:
  • March 14th
  • April 4th
  • April 25th

Don’t forget to do envelopes for all parties who are present (victims or defendants).

Ask each defendant how many defendants there were. Indicate the number on your stat sheet. If there was more than one, we must have a joint and several statement signed.

Observations
It is time to observe your fellow mediators again. It helps in skill building. Please try to complete 4 observations by May 31st. Watch four different mediators, and don’t participate unless you are asked to do so. We are also sending around a sign up sheet. We would also like to observe mediations for future training purposes. Dave and Kathy will be sitting in occasionally watching all of the mediators. If anyone has an objection to being observed by either Dave or Kathy for training purposes or other mediators for their yearly observations, please discuss it with Kathy before February 18.

Clerk's Move
As you have probably noticed, the clerk of the court is checking their cases in downstairs. We are trying several different ways of doing things to avoid the number of people having to go up to the Third Floor, then return to the First Floor. At the present time, they are set up in the old check in area. When a file is ready for mediation, the clerk is bringing it into your waiting room and putting it in the bin in the book cabinet. If you see files there, either bring them to Genie, or call us and we will get them.

If you have any comments about their presence there, please let me know now before the change becomes permanent.

Arbitrations
If you feel that a case is appropriate for small claims arbitration (no attorneys, not a legal issue, and the parties are able to communicate reasonably, feel free to ask them about arbitrating their case in front of a panel. Pamphlets are available.

Adopt a Mediation Room
Some of our mediation rooms are lacking in decor. If anyone has the time and some leftover items from home, and they would like to adopt and decorate a mediation room, please let me know. Unfortunately it does not mean you would always get that room, and we can’t have risque, political or religious themes, but we would be willing to put up a little sign that says "DECORATED BY....."

Internet and Computer Access
Eventually, we hope to have computers in every mediation room. Use of the computers will NOT be required, but for those of you who would be interested in using them to do your stipulations or whatever, let me know and we can set up some practice sessions. Many of the computers also have internet access if you are between cases. We can’t download anything, and we have to avoid controversial sites, but there are many great sites to visit. Let me know.

Notes For Mediators
  • Please be careful about agreeing with the plaintiff attorney when they tell the defendant that the judge is going to order them to pay attorney fees and court costs. That may or may not be true.

  • Also, greeting an attorney effusively who is a regular here at the office is often misunderstood by parties. They often do not understand professional relationships.

  • Don’t continue cases to April 13 or 18th.

  • Please complete stat sheets for all cases, even those going to trial

Dates To Remember
  • February 24, 2000 - RSVP is presenting a men’s and women’s fashion show downtown at lunchtime. If you missed it last year, don’t miss it again. The tickets are $10.00 and it includes lunch. Bob L. and Jane are Models! 
  • March 11, 2000 - FAPM training in Orlando.  The following mediators are scheduled for the training: Marva, David D., Bill D, Ealnor, Art H., Dave, Fern, Charles, Ele, Bob L., Hal, Bob M, Marilyn, Norm, Elliot, Arline, Donna Santilli, Clyde, Rosalee, Connie, Ben, Glenn, and George T. (Osceola).  The training will be similar to the DRC training.

  • August 17-19, 2000 - DRC training conference in Orlando.

  • SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2000 - SPIDR conference in New Mexico