Supporting mediators in a challenging job –
Debriefing, problem solving and peer support

with Sandy McNeil (IAMA) and Penny Wright (LEADR)
on Tuesday 23 June

• Have you ever felt troubled about the way you conducted a mediation and felt the need to talk it through with someone else?
• Do you sometimes feel stuck and unsure about how to proceed?

• Do you sometimes lie awake at night or ponder tricky mediations in the shower?

• Do you ever wonder if you’ve chosen the right career or doubt your effectiveness?

• Would you find it useful to have someone with whom you can discuss ethical quandaries and talk over matters you may be grappling with?

If so… this is the session for you!

It will be an interactive session. Sandy will draw on her wide experience to discuss the benefits of co-mediation, particularly for new practitioners, and debriefing practices in other contexts which have common elements to mediation.

Please feel welcome to bring along any curly issues you are currently grappling with, ethical dilemmas or just matters where you would value a second opinion.  We intend an atmosphere of ideas-sharing and option-generation!

We will also be exploring the possibility of establishing a Peer-Support Scheme with details of people who are willing to be contacted as a sounding board or a friendly shoulder for mediators who would benefit from having someone to talk things over with.  Please consider if you would be willing to go on the list.

About Sandra McNeil

Sandy originally trained as a social worker and for the last 20 years she has had extensive experience in conducting workplace mediations and delivering Employee Assistance Programs to government and non-government organizations as well as counselling and the provision of critical incident response (debriefing) services.  Sandy works as a part-time Senior Consultant with an international provider of workplace support and EAPs and also has her own private practice, McNeil Consulting. 

About Penny Wright

Penny completed her mediation training in 2004, is a member of the LEADR (SA) Chapter Executive and has worked as a Conciliator with the Legal Practitioners Conduct Board and a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with Relationships Australia.  As a relative newcomer to Alternative Dispute Resolution, Penny knows the value of good supervision and support to practitioners who are still finding their way.

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Time

5.45pm for drinks
6pm Start

Venue

Courts Admin' Mediation Suite,
14-16 Grote Street
Adelaide
(Enter via Morialta Street, opposite Hilton Hotel)

Cost

$5 on the night
to cover drinks and nibbles

RSVP

By 5pm on Fri 19 June to pwright@internode.on.net

Professional development

This event contributes:
1.5 hours for National Mediator Accreditation System
1.5 hours for LEADR accreditation

A podcast of the recording from this meeting will be available to LEADR members on the LEADR website.