A MEDIATOR MOMENT

RIMA NEWSLETTER  #1                          OCTOBER 2012

Letter From the President                                             

Welcome to our first newsletter.

This has been a long time in the planning.  So, bear with us as we refine our content and strive to bring you updated information about mediation and keep you in the loop about the hard work we are doing in the field.

The Rhode Island Mediators Association has been in existence for 4 years.  During that time, we have held numerous trainings, provided several opportunities to network and had a number of social events, namely, the highly successful yearly Celebrate Mediation RI event in May and the September Kickoff.  Both exceeded our expectations this year.

Our theme for last year was "bridging the gap", namely, the gap between mediation training and experience as a mediator and with building a mediation practice.  This year we will continue to work in this area.

Recently, we introduced 3 great Peer Groups, led by skilled, experienced mediators, open to all levels of mediation experience, and affording you opportunities to engage in discussions regarding various mediation topics of importance to you, from the practicalities of building a practice to high level skills, and providing support along the way.  For more information, click here.

We will keep you updated via emails of trainings being offered by the Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island.  Hopefully, you have received their recent notice of an upcoming training "Mental Health and Mediation: A Universal Design Approach."  Click here for more information. 

Of tremendous importance, this past year, have been our efforts to build relationships with the RI courts.  We have met on two occasions with Chief Judge Haiganush Bedrosian of the RI Family Court, and have included in our discussions and events, Chief Justice of the RI Supreme Court, Paul Suttell and Presiding Justice of the RI Superior Court, Alice Gibney.  Building relationships is an ongoing focus at RI Mediators Association.

In closing, I want to welcome you to a new year at RI Mediators Association.   

Your support and participation are important to the success of the organization, and we look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

                                                                            Warm Regards,

                                                                             Frank P. Geremia

Upcoming Trainings at RIMA

Featured Article

Let Mediation Put You in the Driver's Seat

by Madeleine Butterfield Bass, Esq.

“Mediators are lawyers who are afraid to litigate.”

            That was the comment of a law professor to me when I discussed my desire to focus my practice on alternative dispute resolution.  Ignoring the glaring and erroneous generalization, his sentiments sounded like a challenge to me.  Sure, litigation can be exciting, challenging and rewarding. Litigation is the ‘thrill seeking’ side of the law.    So, why would an attorney seek to resolve disputes in any other way?  CONTROL!

            Litigation is a wild ride, but ultimately, it’s the judge in the driver’s seat.  A litigator can draw the map and explain why their way is the fastest, the most direct or the most scenic. They can even advocate off-road travel.  But, in the end, the judge decides what route to take, what speed to go and when they arrive at their destination.  The litigators and...

click here to read entire article:   http://rimediators.org/member_articles/

Initially published in the RI Bar Journal, Let Mediation Put You in the Driver's Seat

May/June 08:25(56).

Write an article for a future newsletter

We are seeking one article each quarter featuring some aspect of mediation.

If you would like to send in an article you have written, we will publish it in the newsletter and then put it online at www.rimediators.org. Please send your article to:  RI Mediators Association, 9 Juniper Court, Bristol, RI 02809.

Pictures from Annual September Kickoff Event 2012

The Annual Kickoff Event was held on Thursday, September 20, 2012.  We had thirty-three attendees at the Eleven Forty Nine Bar and Grill in Seekonk, MA. 

Tamara Johnson of Studio Amis was the photographer taking wonderful pictures during the evening.  Youi can see two of her photographs below, and if you click here, you can view several photographs posted on the RI Mediators Association website.

Madeleine Butterfield Bass was the winner of the 11149 Bar and Grill Sunday Brunch Gift Certificate and Clare Jabour won the Happy Pumpkin, shown in the picture below.

Thank you to everyone who attended for making the evening and the event such a success.

To view more pictures.......

             Member Survey

Please take a moment to respond to the two questions

posed in our survey below. 

SURVEY _ CLICK HERE

Is your membership due?  Does it seem like it has been a long time since you renewed your membership?  Recently, we tried to reach out via email and renewal postcards to let some of you know that your membership is due.  As time goes on, however, we may not have your current contact information.  If you want update your membership, you can do so online, or by mailing your membership dues to RI Mediators Association at the address listed below.  If you are not sure if your membership is due, contact us at exec@rimediators.org. We are happy to assist.

RI Mediators Association                                                                    

9 Juniper Court                                                                                       
Bristol, RI 02809

401-253-2458

exec@rimediators.org

http://www.rimediators.org/