Mediation Hertfordshire

Monthly Bulletin

April 2011

Welcome to the April edition of the Newsletter. 

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the fabulously warm weather and the long weekends – with one more to come as well! 

This month, there is a reminder about forthcoming events and an update on responses so far, as well as some information about mediation books being sold, which you may find of interest.

Can I also remind you about the blog – thanks to those who have ventured there to notify of their attendance at the May/June events.  It would be great to use the blog as a way of communicating around practice issues and I’d like us to discuss this more at our June meeting.  I know it’s not everyone’s favoured medium, but we might be able to think of a way to make it more relevant and user-led as part of our discussions.

For the time being, therefore, I will be producing the newsletter as a Word document and it will go on the website as before.  I will also copy it on to the blog site so that you can go there to comment or add anything.  Access to the blog is restricted to the mediator team so it is not accessible to the general public, should this be an issue for anyone.

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May/June Events

Update Training on Saturday 14th May

We’ve had a really good response to this day, which Sue will facilitate in her usual brilliant way.  We’ve got some ideas for how to structure the day and what to include but are happy to hear any further suggestions you may have.  My thought is that we will have time to tackle 3 or 4 different issues/skills.  Sue is proposing to do some work with us on getting below the surface of parties’ positions to understand their interests and, in particular, their needs.

Big Lunch on Sunday 5th June

Not so many of you seem to be available for this gathering – I’ve only had 3 definite responses.  It will be a fun and celebratory event and will also mark a celebration of Volunteers Week.  I will contact the positive responders in due course to discuss our options and would ask that anyone else who wishes to come lets me know by 6th May at the latest.

Whole Team Support Group Meeting – Saturday 25th June

I would really encourage attendance at this morning session as we will be planning our future Peer Support Groups, discussing how best to offer Continuous Professional Development and brainstorming ways of promoting cohesiveness and best practice.  There will be the optional activity of a pub lunch, for those who have the time and inclination. 

Polly will also report back on the results from Survey Monkey – thanks to those who have responded to that very short survey.  For all those yet to respond, please do follow the link to the survey.  It’s quite short and your anonymity is guaranteed so please express your views honestly.

Finally, I do apologise that the above dates are inconvenient for some mediators.  We try all sorts of ways to be as inclusive as possible and having weekend events is one option, but I know that this does not suit everyone.  Weekday daytime training sessions will exclude those at work or with caring roles and evenings are often difficult because of family commitments and difficulties with travelling.  Once again, we hope to address some of this at our 25th June meeting – if you’re unable to attend, Polly and I will try to garner your views before that date.

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New Cases

Thanks to everyone who has been working hard on recent cases, most of which are now resulting in round table meetings and many of which entail travelling some distance to attend meetings.

Just to alert you that we have a batch of cases waiting to be allocated and Jackie will be sending out more information about these next week.  We’ve had a steady stream of referrals and the Bank Holidays and Easter celebrations have made it difficult to make contact with both parties and mediators.  So, if you’re raring to go on more cases and are willing to travel (again, many cases are spread across the County) please look out for the e-mail which will be asking for your help.

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Mediation Books for Sale

The following information is from Elaine Ralph who, until recently, managed Positive Solutions Mediation Service in Essex – sadly, the service had to close its doors at the end of March.  Please contact Elaine directly if you’re interested in any of the books.

A reminder that we have a number of books here in the office, which are available to be borrowed.  The only one we have, which is also on Elaine’s list, is William Ury’s ‘Getting Past No’ but we have a number of others which you would find informative.  Please speak to me if you want to know more or arrange to come into the office to have a look.

MEDIATION & RELATED LITERATURE FOR SALE

Contact Elaine.Ralph@rocketmail.com

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Any comments/feedback on this Newsletter will be gratefully received.