Category: Mediation
-
De-Escalation in Mediation
Terri and I each had a mediation at one of our favorite JP Courts in Ft. Worth today. We each had to use de-escalation techniques in our respective rooms. When the parties started to talk over each other, I stopped them as they were about to declare an Impasse. I told them I had additional…
-
Community and Growth
While we’re part of a coalition of mediators providing information about mediation resources in the communities we work in, from the DFW area to West Texas and Central Texas, we’re also proud to share the wonderful work of a long-time small business friend in Odessa – Kay’s Emblems! From our years getting show t-shirts at…
-
Where do we go from here?
We’ve discussed what’s next for us: We fully expect that discourse will indeed increase over the next several years and we are prepared to step up to the plate and take on the potential increase of mediations. When Terri and I attended a recent mediation conference, we were shocked to find out that there’s an…
-
Mediation and Impasses
I joined the mediation team at a new-to-us JP court in Tarrant County this last Monday, where it was the judge’s first time to offer a pre-trial setting for possible mediation. Out of ten cases, two decided to try mediation. One was assigned to me, which did not settle, it resulted in an impasse. This…
-
Achievement level unlocked!
Both Terri and I have achieved Credentialed Advanced Mediator status with the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association! What’s that mean? It means we’re clocking hours in mediation as mediators, observers and mentors with a large and diverse group of peers. Mediation is conflict resolution, a chance to find some piece (and peace) of common ground in…
-
Family History – “Mom”
My paternal grandparents both immigrated with their parents when they were young and their families settled in Illinois and Wisconsin. As Polish and Lithuanian immigrants, they grew up and lived on the Southside of Chicago. Several years ago, with Terri working in Midland and me at the CAF, several of us would frequent a…
-
Why We Mediate
We believe in Civil Discourse, this is in part why we do what we do. Whether it’s a 2 1/2 hr mediation, or like today, only :30 minutes. We strive to reach a settlement that both sides can live with. As the Judges we work for point out, if a case comes before them it…