Four volunteer mediators of the EUP Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) participated in the 44-hour Domestic Relations Mediation training held in April 2010 in Marquette.  They join several other EUP CDRC volunteers trained to mediate Domestic Relations and Parenting Time cases.

Cases are referred to the center by courts and/or agencies, but individuals may request services, too.

EUP CDRC volunteers among the trainees from across the UP in the photo above are Doris Posey and Ron Ford (middle row, third and fourth from left), and James Robinson and Edward Serwach (back row, third and fourth from left).  Photo is courtesy of the Marquette Alger Resolution Service, the center that sponsored the training.

The training required to become a volunteer mediator with the EUP Community Dispute Resolution Center was held in St. Ignace in April 2009.  16 new volunteers are now serving as mediators in the EUP!  Pictured are (from top left) Jim Robinson (instructor), Barb Searight, Hank Michaels, Dee Murray, David Schmidt, Ron Ford, Ike Darling, Karen Kangas, Kayla Nixon, and Charles Ludwick and Ed Serwach (instructors), Ashley Krajewski (staff), Erica Rhome, Pam Ross, Debbie Bonacci, and Jim Ramelis, Malia Kitchen, Connie Cullip, Doris Posey, Geraldine Stelmaszek (director), and David Rubin.

Volunteer mediators complete 40 hours of mediation training approved by the State Court Administrative Office and 10 hours of observation of mediations.  The EUP CDRC usually schedules two mediators for each mediation, and if there are new volunteers in need of observation hours, an observer as well.  Once observation hours are completed, new mediators co-mediate with experienced mediators.

The new mediator training is free for participants committing to 10 hours of observation and 25 hours of mediation within two years following training.

Trainers are active mediators as well as approved and experienced mediation trainers.