This hands-on, two-day workshop reinforces and refines specific skills that are essential for mediators developing an elder mediation practice. A natural follow-up to core training in elder mediation, the workshop focuses exclusively on intensive practice and individual feedback in realistic simulations. Participants will tackle tough challenges frequently associated with elder mediation – multi-party and in-person intake; capacity and accommodation; power imbalance; emotional intensity; long-standing relationship issues; integration of agents, experts and support persons into the mediation setting; and large group management.

Pre-requisite: Completion of elder mediation core training.

$595 or $545 with 10-day advanced registration

8:30am-5:30pm

]]> http://www.nvms.us/advanced-elder-mediation/feed/ http://www.nvms.us/intuitive-reasonsings-a-whole-brain-approach-to-problem-solving/ http://www.nvms.us/intuitive-reasonsings-a-whole-brain-approach-to-problem-solving/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:55:13 +0000 editor http://www.nvms.us/intuitive-reasonsings-a-whole-brain-approach-to-problem-solving/ with Mary Elizabeth Lynch, J.D.

Intuition is an innate aspect of human cognition.  It is one of the ways that we are “wired” for knowledge, creativity, and understanding.  But how frequently do we make use of this valuable resource?  When it comes to problems and conflicts, too often we don’t remember to consult our feelings, gut instincts, body widsom, and creative imagintation.  More often than not, we appraoch problems, conflicts and life-decisions with only half of our resources - just the analytical mind.

In a world information-overload, our intution helps us navigate more successfully through a myriad of choices and decisions.  More than ever, we need to bring this profound capactiy for “knowing” to the surface of our awareness and better utilize its capacity to guide us in meeting the challenges and opportunitites that life presents.  A growing body of scienfici and psychological evidence shows that our itution is working all the time, albeit at an unconscious level.  Ignoring this important part of our cognitive process robs us valuable input in decision-making and problem-solving.  They key to a “whole-brain” approachis to understand and utilize intuiion as well as our analytical mind.

Drawing upon her experience as an attorney, a family and employment mediator, and an educator, Mary Elizbeth Lynch will present a workable model for starting to apply intutive reasoning to a wide range of life situations, including dispute resolution and conflict tranformation interventions and personal life decisions-making.

Lectures and workshop experiences during this one-day training will help you:

· To experience and understand a framework for using right-brain intuitive “knowing” to support and complement left-brain, logical “analysis.”

· To learn several contemplative and mindfulness practices to support the development of your intuition.

· To learn how to harness the benefits of the intuitive process in order to listen more deeply, understand your clients and what they really want and need, and to respond with more purpose and clarity to the problems and issues presented in mediation.

Mary Elizabeth Lynch, J.D., is a conflict transformation specialist and adjunct faculty member at George Mason University’s Center for Consciousness and Transformation where her academic courses include “Intuitive Reasoning for the Law and Peacebuilding” and “Personal Transformation: Identity and Conflict.” She is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, after which she practiced law and mediated family and employment disputes for over 10 years. She is currently president of the Personal Transformation and Courage Institute (see www.transformationANDcourage.org )

Date: November 16, 2010

Time: 8:30 – 5:30 pm

CME: Pending

Cost: $345 or $295 with 10 day advanced registration

The wisest and most successful mediators ask the best questions in the best ways to achieve desired results for their clients and themselves.  They use the “mediation mindset” to think and act strategically, creatively and collaboratively.  This practical introduction to the principles, perspectives and practices of Question Thinking includes:

• The mediation mindset - how to activate, utilize and strengthen it
• A discipline of asking questions, listening and facilitating that is thoughtful, balanced, incisive and comprehensive - and that has the inherent dignity and respect, as well as accountability.
• Guidelines for facilitating authentic, collaborative conversations that lead to resolution and that do not derail or end up in self-righteous “stand offs”
• Mediators will be ale to teach clients skills for the future to prevent or diminish conflict and become more successfully collaborative in their lives

This enlightening session will be practical, interactive and dynamic.

Marilee Adams, PhD is the bestselling author of Change Your Questions, Change your Life: 10 Powerful Tools for Life and Work.  She is also an organizational consultant and facilitator, executive coach and professional speaker.

Date: September 30th

Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm

CME: 4 General

Registration: $325

Registration fee includes a “mediator toolkit”: Marilee Adam’s book Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 10 Powerful Tools for Life and Work 2nd ed, 5 Choice Maps and manual

For those interested in Virginia Supreme Court GDC certification, NVMS requires attendance at Mentee Orientation prior to the scheduling of observations and/or co-mediations.  Mentee Orientation will prepare participants for what to expect in court.  In addition, participants will be given all of the necessary paperwork needed for certification.  This orientation will take place from 7pm to 8:30pm at our Training Center.

DATES:April 28, June 21, July 27, September 14, October 18

Fee: $10 material fee

This two and a-half day training expands the skills of experienced mediators into a growing specialty field. Elder mediation is becoming well-known as an effective way for families and older relatives to address aging issues. Recent attention by the national news media has raised awareness of the mediation alternative for navigating difficult decisions about independence, living arrangements, health care, financial and legal matters.

Training topics include the aging process and its impact on families: ageism and bias; how elder mediation differs from other mediation; family dynamics; community resources for seniors; accommodating cognitive impairment or other limitations; intake strategies; working with large groups; use of support persons; recognizing elder abuse; ethical considerations - self-determination, necessary parties, ensuring the older person’s voice is heard and mediator competence; and legal and financial issues including guardianship, end-of-life decisions, and financial planning.

Participants will learn through exercises, discussion, role plays, presentations by professionals who practice geriatric care management, medicine, and elder law. A reference manual with related articles, outlines, and resources is included.

This training meets the ACR Elder Section Training Standards Committee’s core objectives for elder mediation training.

Date: May 24th - 26th

Time: May 24th and 25th: 8:30am - 5:30pm

May 26th: 8:30 - 12:45pm

CME:18 General, 2 Ethics

Cost: $695, early registration $645

VMN members receive a 15% discount!

8:30 - 5:30

Course Fee: $430 or $380 with early discount
Dates: 2010: January 15 / August 27

CME: 8 hrs General or Family

This workshop explores the foundational concepts that mediators need to reflect upon in
their practice – the terms, tools, concepts, and ideologies used in third party interventions.
Participants will explore and evaluate their active knowledge and “theory” of the mediation process, their strengths and weaknesses as practitioners, and consider ways to revitalize their commitment to mediation practice.
(Prerequisite: Mediation Skills and Process)

8:30am - 5:30pm
Course Fee: $595 or $545 with early discount

Dates: 2010: January 29-30/ July 20-21/ November 12-13
CME: TBD

Included workshops: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Leading with Language, Coaching Skills for Managers, Managing Effective Meetings, Organizational Problem Solving, Building High Performance Teams

Institute Price: Save $500 and attend all workshops for $1360

Dates: April 9 - 21, 2010