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.

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.