VACCR’s 30-second video on divorce mediation encourages divorcing couples to consider using mediation to make decisions throughout their separation and divorce.  In mediation couples can divide assets and discuss parenting plans if children are involved.  They can craft  separation agreements and property settlements that make the most sense for them and any involved children.  To get more information on using mediation in separation and divorce, contact one of the centers listed on this site.

Mediation Month 2012 McDonnell

2012 March Mediation Month Proclamation by Governor McDonnell

WHEREAS, the Virginia Mediation Network, the Restorative Justice Association of Virginia, and the Virginia Association for Community Conflict Resolution are growing professional entities that strengthen the dispute resolution services available to citizens, families, businesses, and government bodies; and

WHEREAS, with the continuing efforts of the Virginia Administrative Dispute Resolution Act Interagency Advisory Council, public bodies or the Commonwealth are demonstrating a growing commitment to innovation in problem-solving and the application of creative actions and behaviors when faced with complex issues and disputes; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Alternative Dispute Resolution Joint Committee, a joint committee of the Virginia Bar Association and the Virginia Bar, supports education of the Bench, the Bar, law students, and the public on the advantages of appropriate dispute resolution options and encourages collaborative practices; and

WHEREAS, the Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Committee of the Virginia State Bar supports the use of mediation or arbitration to resolve fee disputes between attorneys and clients; and

WHEREAS, mediation practices and skills are being applied in the workplace by leaders, managers and supervisors who have embraced the power and efficiency of open communication and collaborative problem-solving; and

WHEREAS, mediators and other dispute resolution practitioners through their significant expertise in helping stakeholders find durable solutions to important issues, have demonstrated the value of the field of alternative dispute resolution; and

WHEREAS, mediation, along with the principles and practices that it embodies, can be a crucial tool for peacemaking between individual, groups, units, neighborhoods or countries, and the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to be a national leader in those efforts;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize March 2012 as MEDIATION MONTH in ourCOMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

WMRA’s Virginia Insight program is now in its second year of highlighting Mediation Month and supporting community outreach of mediation and ADR services and programs throughout Virginia.

Take part in the conversation. Tune in on-line or find a way to listen in on Thursday afternoon March 1 at 3PM EST

www.wmra.org/post/mediation-magic

Mediation Month in Virginia

By Tom Graham, WMRA

Coming up Thursday, March 1st at 3pm.

Ever have trouble communicating with someone who doesn’t see things the way you do?

Since March is “Mediation Month”  in the Commonwealth, we’re looking for tips from those who do this kind of thing for a living.

Guests:

E. Franklin Dukes, PhD – Professional mediator. Author of Reaching for Higher Ground: Creating Purpose-driven, Principled, and Powerful Groups [BookSurge, 2009].   Director,  the Institute for Environmental Negotiation.

Timothy Ruebke, M.A. – Professional mediator. Executive Director, Fairfield Center.

Tune In Thursday and Listen On Line http://www.wmra.org/post/mediation-magic

–
Tom Brenneman
Advancement & Development
Fairfield Center
tom@fairfieldcenter.org

Help a loved one show his or her support for peace this holiday season (and seasons to come!) by purchasing them a “Community Peacebuilding” license plate.  The annual plate purchase generates income for VACCR and the peacebuilding work of its member centers, making it the gift that keeps on giving in important ways.  Please peruse our site to learn more about VACCR’s work.  And consider purchasing a plate for someone this year!  It’s the perfect gift.  Plate purchases can be made at Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customer service centers or on-line in the “Special Plates” section of the DMV’s website.  The plate carries a $25 fee and can be renewed annually.  Please click here to see the vehicle information required by the DMV for plate purchase.

In the United States people often use courts of law to resolve conflict.  This makes the courts responsible for conflict resolution as opposed to the people in conflict.  And it does not always settle issues adequately.  Many courts are over-burdened and struggling to meet the needs of the citizenry.

Community conflict resolution centers emerged in the United States in the 1960s to empower individuals and organizations to engage, transform, and resolve conflicts through the use of collaborative, constructive processes.  These processes include mediation, facilitation, conflict resolution training and restorative justice and are often provided by trained volunteers committed to helping their fellow citizens use non-adversarial ways to engage conflict.

The Virginia Association for Community Conflict Resolution (VACCR) formed in 1992 to support and encourage the growth of Virginia’s non-profit conflict resolution centers.  VACCR’s members want to engender a cultural change in which Virginians seek out the support of their community conflict resolution centers to resolve disputes on their own, and use the courts only as a last resort.  They believe that educating the public about the conflict resolution services available through the centers is a first step toward creating this cultural change and creating a more peaceful society.  

Click on the “Services” link on this site to learn about what’s being offered today by Virginia’s community mediation centers.  Or click on the “Regional Centers” link to find the website for the center nearest your community.

VACCR has worked with the Virginia General Assembly and the Department of Motor Vehicles to create a “Peace” license plate for Virginia’s citizens interested in promoting peace and community peacebuilding.

By purchasing a Peace plate, $15 of your $25 fee will go to help support community peacebuilding efforts of VACCR member centers. We hope you will encourage others to order the plate and we thank you for being a part of this effort.