Upcoming
Events & Trainings
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APRIL 2
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From Darlene's Desk
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Dear Community,
We're heading into an exciting season for Community Boards. We're gearing up to celebrate our 40th Anniversary and this year's 6th Annual San Francisco Peacemaker Awards, CONFLICT RESOLUTION FROM THE INSIDE OUT with Gary J. Friedman. The event will be held on June 3 at The City Club of San Francisco. We are delighted -- and honored -- to have Gary join us. He is such a distinguished trainer and a pioneer of the mediation movement. His morning workshop is approved by the State Bar of California for 2 MCLE credits (provider #9323), which is another great reason to attend. You will not want to miss this year's event. I'd like to thank our first benefit sponsors: John O'Grady Law Group and Wells Fargo at the Leadership Circle level; Tracy Lemmon of Lemmon Employment Law & Conflict Resolution, Elizabeth Shwiff of Shwiff, Levy, & Polo LLP, and the Law and Mediation Offices of Michael C. Tobriner at the Partnership Circle level; Charlie Spiegel, Tetra Tech DPK, and DDS Paul Hoyt of Financial District Dentistry at the Advocacy Circle level. Thank you all! I would be so grateful if you joined us as a sponsor as well. As a Sponsor, you get a great deal on tickets and many other benefits. Click here for Sponsorships & Tickets. We're also selling ads in our event program this year. Click for program booklet ad information. Although creating opportunities to honor our longevity and plan for sustainability is a major focus, this is also the time for staff to reflect on ways we can make the volunteer experience as worthwhile as possible for the 430+ volunteers who give their time, treasure, intellect and heart to the community. To this end, if you are a volunteer, you'll be receiving a Volunteer Survey in the near future. Please fill it out and let us know how we can better meet your needs. Thank you. In peace and solidarity,
Darlene
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#1: In Remembrance: Nicole O'Hay
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We are very sad to share the news that former Board Vice President Nicole O'Hay recently passed away from leukemia. Nicole joined the Board in 2012, retiring in late 2014 due her illness. Nicole radiated kindness and grace as she participated on the Board and interacted with staff, always generous with her wisdom, compassion, and humor.
As the VP, Nicole was very active with Board development and recruitment efforts. One instance stands out in particular. She co-led a beautiful and productive staff/board retreat with Bob Bailey and Linda Dunn. Leading us through that retreat, she put her Masters in Organizational Development into deep practice. We are so grateful for the time she spent with us at Community Boards. Nicole with always be in our hearts.
We are dedicating our upcoming 6th Annual San Francisco Peacemaker Awards to Nicole. |
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#2: Gary J. Friedman, Keynote Speaker
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Gary J. Friedman has been practicing law as a mediator with the Mediation Law Offices in Mill Valley since 1976, integrating mediative principles into his practice. Through the non-profit he co-founded, The Center for Understanding in Conflict, Gary has been teaching mediation since 1980. He was one of the very first lawyer-mediators and a primary force in the current mediation movement. Since 1989, Gary has been training law professionals and judges in the Center's method of mediation and a mediative approach to lawyering and collaborative practice, as well as psychotherapists and other conflict resolution professionals in the US, Europe and Israel. Gary has taught at Standford University Law School, the New College of Law, Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation, and the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva.
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#3: Ron Kelly: Mediatiation Confidentiality Update
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 In 2013, the Law Revision Commission began its Study K-402 on how much to weaken our current mediation confidentiality protections. In 2015, first in August and again in October, the Commission voted to draft legislation removing our current protections for mediation communications - both in malpractice actions and in State Bar Court - when professional misconduct is "alleged" against a lawyer. Predictable confidentiality will no longer exist in mediations involving lawyers. While this currently will not affect Community Boards' mediators, it may pave the way for future restrictions to confidentiality in other settings. As a mediator, do you want your mediations to stay confidential? Do you believe it's in the public interest that people can continue to speak frankly in mediation, knowing their words won't become evidence? If you have concerns or comments, please email them to Chief Deputy Counsel Barbara Gaal at bgaal@clrc.ca.gov.
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#4: California Dispute Resolution Council
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 The California Dispute Resolution Council ( CDRC) is the only not-for-profit ADR organization in California with a full time lobbyist. CDRC represents the interests of the entire ADR community from part-time community mediators to full scale ADR entities. They work for ADR professionals, ADR organizations, community ADR organizations, and volunteers, as well as judges and others who care about ADR. CDRC has reviewed and weighed in on more than 500 pieces of proposed legislation in California that would, for example, have diluted the integrity of ADR processes, compromised mediation confidentiality, and required payment of ADR related fees to the State. Their work agenda includes tracking all proposed and pending ADR legislation, promoting Best ADR Practice Standards, working closely with the California Judicial Council, and sponsoring legislation that is beneficial to the ADR community. Learn more about CDRC's important work here: www.cdrc.net.
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#5: Board of Directors, President's Update
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 This spring the Board is excited to participate in The Volunteer Center's Board Match where we expect to create connections with a handful of fantastic new Board members.
The Board is simultaneously working hard to engage sponsors for our major annual fundraiser, the SF Peacemaker Awards. We have several levels of sponsorship from $500 to $5,000 which include marketing opportunities and ad space, if any readers are interested.
Finally, the Board is in the midst of gathering many exciting items for the silent auction which occurs at our Peacemaker Awards. We hope to see many of you there on June 3!
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