LEADR - Association of Dispute Resolvers

Venue
Chic Lander room
Lander & Rogers
Level 12, 600 Bourke Street
MELBOURNE

Cost: $20 for members; $25 for non-members

RSVP by 12pm Monday 30 August to Therese at therese@leadr.com.au
or 02 9251 3366

This event contributes: 1 hour for CPD.

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

List of all LEADR state and national events over past 2 years which could contribute to CPD >>

Leta Chen
Sally Wiencke
Peter Singer
Michael Jensen
Naomi Burstyner
Natasha Boehm
Holly van den Huevel
John Roberts
Helen Collins
with Nicole Cullen ex officio as she is currently residing in Port Macquarie.

Stories of Conflict
with Susan Benedyka, Peter Singer, Anne Sutherland-Kelly and Bruce Turner
A networking event for LEADR and IAP2 members
Tuesday 27 July

Community engagement and dispute resolution professionals learning from each other: A night for practitioners to share practical approaches to working with conflict.

Remember that meeting when you felt you were in the middle of the fire?
Well, find out how other community engagement and dispute resolution professionals ‘fire-proof’ themselves and get positive outcomes when the heat is on!

The International Association for Public Participation, IAP2, and LEADR, Association of Dispute Resolution practitioners, invite you to an intimate night to learn from each other and leading practitioners about practical techniques to work with conflict.

You will have the opportunity to get to know other practitioners and share practice. You will also hear some leading edge techniques from some experts in the field that have made them leading practitioners. We will be compiling the top suggestions and approaches into an electronic resource that will be available for all participants after the event.

You may not realise how much dispute resolution and community engagement have in common… So, what have you done when the temperature goes up?

Workplace disputes – ADR in Fair Work Australia
with Fair Work Australia Commissioner, Anna Lee Cribb
Thursday 13 May 2010

In a fascinating exploration, the Commissioner focused on the changing landscape of workplace relations so influenced by developments such as The Fair Work Act and Workchoices. She highlighted the Commission’s conventions in relation to processes of dispute resolution, listing mediation, conciliation, expressing opinions and making recommendations and emphasised the skill and commitment of members in applying these processes to the unique cases appearing before them.

Anna Lee reflected on the importance of analysis of each case to ensure that it is addresses most appropriately, usually by a blend of the four processes. The Commissioner provided some fascinating insight into her own dispute resolution approach, in light of her facilitative mediation training. Using illustrative examples of collective and individual grievances, she highlighted the challenges associated with addressing these.

To conclude, Anna Lee expressed the tendency of parties in workplace disputes toward adjudicative rather than facilitative models of dispute resolution. Despite this, she emphasised the importance for facilitators or adjudicators in these contexts to possess the skills and qualities used by facilitative mediators.

This engaging and educative evening, which took place in the stylish surrounds of Melbourne University’s Graduate House, was complemented by a wonderful array of guests whose questions further explored the intricacies of this topic.

Consultation on NADRAC's key national principles for resolution of disputes
with LEADR CEO, Fiona Hollier & LEADR Chair & NADRAC member, Margaret Halsmith
Monday 29 March

For more infomation >>

An introduction to narrative mediation
with Richard Cohen and Stella Levy
Tuesday 2 March

Richard Cohen one of the founders of Narrative mediation talks about incorporating narrative and transformative perspectives into a process which can heal as well as resolve. Stella Levy introduced a restorative component to the session.

Thursday 10 December – Christmas Party at Barca, Armadale
with " My top 10 tips for managing the “not so merry” Christmas" with Nicole Cullen.

For more info >>

What are the top 10 personal qualities that influence the mediation process and which ones do you want to develop?

Thursday 12 November

This event featured some wonderful and thought provoking research into what disputants need from conflict resolvers. Helen Collins, mediation and conflict resolution practitioner and multi-talented LEADR member, synthesised some fascinating material which suggested that what parties need from the mediator is more than process. In an animated and interactive discussion, she articulated these other needs as understanding, engagement, creativity, strength, wisdom, strategic thinking, confrontation, patience, encouragement, humour, courage. Lively discussion, reflection and sharing of experiences reaffirmed these assertions and also indicated that there are many other important qualities of a mediator which are essential in a mediation, and which do not relate only to process or substance.

Making the private sessions work with Anne Sutherland-Kelly
on Monday 17 August 2009
CPD: 1.5 hours

At the Collins Street Mediation Centre.

Investigations and mediation in managing workplace issues
Monday 22 June 2009
CPD: 1.5 hours

Investigations and mediations are an evolving aspect of managing workplace issues. Ongoing conflict in the workplace can be distracting and costly. How you manage conflict in the workplace and workplace investigations and mediations will have an impact on morale and the ongoing relationships of staff.

LEADR in conjunction with Allens Arthur Robinson hosted this Twilight Seminar with a panel of Adam Lunn (Partner), Michael Jensen (Investigator) and Leta Chen (Mediator)

Conflict management systems – international perspectives
with Francis JF Handy
Wednesday 20 May 2009
CPD: 1.5 hours

On 20 May, LEADR (VIC) chapter members and interested others enjoyed an informative presentation on conflict management systems. The session was facilitated by Francis Handy of the Trillium Group, Canada who compared the conflict management systems used in the agricultural sector (specifically, tomato production) in California, Canada and Australia.

The session was well attended and produced a robust conversation challenging the need for pro-active conflict management in the free market, the role of the mediator in such circumstances, the impact of different systems and structures in each of the three jurisdictions on the relationships between producers and distributors and the appropriate response to power imbalances between growers and manufacturers.

Cornwall Stodart’s elegant boardroom provided a comfortable atmosphere for a compelling and thought provoking session.

To listen to a podcast of this presentation, click here >>

The family business sector: opportunities for mediators and facilitators
with Jon Kenfield and Leon Levin
Tuesday 7 April 2009
CPD: 1.5 hours

This interactive sessionprovided an overview of the family business sector – its issues and challenges stimulating discussion of the opportunities to provide mediation and facilitation services to this sector.

Members of the Victorian Chapter commenced the year with a working meeting on board Sally Wiencke’s boat aptly named “the Negotiator”. Heading high into the wind and with the sun setting over Williamstown, they discussed their visions for LEADR in Victoria this coming year.

Strong commitment to continuing to deliver high level member events and networking evenings was expressed. Roles within the committee were agreed and the members of the Executive Committee spent some valuable time getting to know each other better. This event for Committee Executive members was made possible by Sally Weincke and was funded by the Executive members who attended.

[Pictures are of Sally Wiencke, Director on the LEADR Board at the wheel and Victorian Chapter Secrety, Peter Singer casting off.]

Stress management for mediators and conciliators with Dr Pat Marshall
Tuesday 10 February 2009
CPD: 1.5 hours

What causes mediator stress and how do mediators cope? What are the attributes that will stand a mediator in good stead when stressful circumstances arise? Do high levels of emotional awareness help when the going gets tough?

Nicole Cullen (Chair)

Peter Singer (Secretary)

Sally Wiencke ( Director, LEADR Board)

Naomi Cukier

Leta Chen

Tim Connellan

Holly Van Den Heuvel

Natascha Boehm

Mike Jensen.

Find out more, email sally@momentum-cm.com.au

Christmas drinks to wrap up the year with Tania Sourdin speaking on:
Who is the mediator?
Thursday 4 December 2008
CPD: 1.5 hours

The final event on the LEADR Vic Chapter calendar was the annual Christmas party which was held amongst the moose-heads at the Kelvin Club. An apt venue for a virtual romp through mediation history – a session led by Tania Sourdin which looked at the way in which mediators have been portrayed in the mass media and in film and television and the print media. Tania concluded by suggesting that there was room for improvement of the media portrayal of mediators. After the presentation, members enjoyed catching up with each other and there was also a group who went on to “dinner after” – as is our new format for member meetings.

From Umbria to the wild wild West… mediator training and advancement

Tuesday 11 November 2008

"The Italian", a very swish restaurant venue, was chosen for the setting to hear the experiences of our Vic Chapter Secretary, Peter Singer, who attended the Advanced Commercial Mediators Course in Umbria Italy. VIC LEADR was determined to sate all members' senses on the evening. There was sumptuous food, fine wine, sparkling conversation, even the outdoor courtyard venue with the balmy weather, all coordinated to attempt to portray the experiences Peter shared with us. The photos of Italy and stories tantalised all. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Peter had responded to the LEADR email promoting the "Advanced Commercial Mediator Course" in August. A number of late cancellations led to the call to Australia to bring in reserves, for those who could withstand a 7 day residential workshop in the heart of Umbria, set in the 600AD built St Pietro di Valle Abbey.

Peter described the 7 day program and the structure for the learning. In particular he focused upon 2 areas which helped change his perspective in handling facilitation work, in his practice. These detailed the handling of highly emotive parties and ways to return discussions to a more rational level and the insight provided by Joanna Kolawski's work on managing different cultures.

Following Peter, Leta Chen, Vic Chapter committee member (right with Michael Tiernan and Gavin Wright) presented a glimpse of a presentation made at the National Conference, by Bill Eddy. Leta described the issues faced with a high conflict individual when attempting to discuss issue substance only. Saly Wiencke then described her positive experience of the national conference to the attendees.

Nicole Cullen who conceived the idea, hosted the evening and announced that Victoria would be hosting the next national conference.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

In a thought provoking and highly interactive session, Tim Connellan, mediator and member of the LEADR Chapter Executive Committee, facilitated a discussion on what to do when a mediation threatens to derail.

Tim asked probing questions of the audience which focussed on three difficult situations which arise in mediation:

Tim facilitated a veritable brainstorm on breaking impasses and the ensuing discussions featured some colourful and creative examples of mediator strategies and the consequential magical effects. What followed was a highly interactive discussion on topics such as confidentiality, how to deal with emotional exchanges and ethical dilemmas relating to termination of the mediation process.

This meeting was held at Bureaux, 530 Lonsdale Street which offers mediation and training facilities at commercial rates. www.bureaux.com for more details.

Tuesday 12 August 2008 .

Robyn Roberson, Dispute Resolution Practitioner, ADF and Pete Coster, Defence Equity Coordinator for Victoria/Tasmania, ADF, delivered the Vic Chapter’s most recent event. The meeting was well attended by a diverse crowd of LEADR members and guests, including mediators, lawyers and corporate executives.

The session proved highly stimulating giving a clear picture of the challenges faced by the ADF’s Fairness and Resolution Centres. Located in each State and Territory of Australia, the Centres have had the challenge of implementing a comprehensive interest-based system for the management and resolution of workplace conflict, unacceptable behaviour and complaints within a power-based system such as the ADF. The speakers also highlighted the diversity of approaches, such as conlfict coaching on offer by the ADF.

Two initiatives also undertaken by the Chapter included the showcasing of the facilities offered at the Collins Street Mediation Centre, 15/350 Collins Street; a highly suitable venue available to practitioners on a casual basis. The other initiative included the opportunity for interested members and guests to join for a casual meal after the event; a practice the chapter is hoping to firmly establish as part of its post-event activities.

Tuesday 17 June 2008

As a practice, transformative mediation is gaining increasing popularity within the ADR community. At this session, two experienced transformative practitioners, Janine Björkman and Jim Cyngler, demonstrated their skills in a live role play. (Janine is seated on the left of left hand photo. Jim is standing.)

Tuesday 29 April 2008.

Practical steps on how to get started in a mediation practice: business development, de-briefing/mentoring and other practicalities presented by Di McDonald and Michael Tiernan.