LEADR - Association of Dispute Resolvers

The Victorian Chapter offers events and opportunities for networking.

Thursday 4 September – Chapter Executive meeting

Tuesday 23 September – Members meeting - practice session

Tuesday 14 October – Chapter Executive meeting

Tuesday 11 November – Speaker (to be confirmed) and AGM

Thursday 4 December – Annual Christmas Party – an event not to be missed!

For more information: sallywiencke@impaq.com.au

In 2008, the networking events have begun at 5.30 pm for 6pm start, finishing by 7.30pm
At the Grevillia Jacaranda Room, 2nd floor, St Michael’s, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne
(Walk beside the church to the back of the building). However, please check for each event to confirm time, venue.

Cost: $15 LEADR members; $20 non-members.

Tuesday 12 August. 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.

The Collins Street Mediation Centre provides meeting rooms and support facilities for mediation, arbitration, conciliation and negotiation.

CPD: 1.5 hours for National Mediator Accreditation System, 1.5 hours for LEADR accreditation.

Tuesday 17 June. 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. 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.

Rod Groves resigns from Executive

Rod Groves, until recently the Executive’s Treasurer, has resigned from the Victorian Chapter Executive.

Rod thanked the previous and current Chairs (Tim and Nicole) and wished all the LEADR committee members 'fun and success in their valuable activities'.

Nicole Cullen thanked Rod on behalf of the whole Executive for his contribution to LEADR over the years. “He will be missed, not only for his contribution, but for his friendship, his sense of humour and his candour whilst on the Committee,” said Nicole.

Rod has completed his handover of all official duties as Treasurer to Ron Tiffen.

On Thursday 29 November, members and friends of LEADR met for our annual AGM and Christmas dinner.

On 16 October at 5.30pm Jon Schauder lead a skills-based workshop on resolving high level conflict and Margaret Halsmith, LEADR's National Chair also gave an address.

On 29 March, over 50 LEADR members enjoyed a lively presentation by Alan Parker who displayed his uncontested expertise as a “behavioural scientist” and won over the crowd with his demonstration of a negotiation between a parent and a 15 year old child. As usual, Alan’s presentation was riveting and we are grateful to Alan for inspiring us and to the CMA Centre for hosting this event.

On a cold Melbourne evening on 31 May Julie Walker led an interactive discussion with LEADR members on conflict coaching – a popular new approach which combines coaching and ADR in workplace settings. When Julie is not coaching, she lives on her yacht in Far North Queensland and given we met Julie in the middle of Melbourne’s winter, many of us were envious of Julie’s novel approach to achieving work-life balance.

Nicole Cullen of the Victorian Chapter Executive attended an ADR Strategy Planning Conference held by the Department of Justice on 22 June 2007. Nicole’s report on this government research project was included in the LEADR newsletter.

The research results are contained in number of reports issued by the Department

Copies of these reports are available online at www.justice.vic.gov.au (click on “about us” and “our goals”)

For further information see the abovementioned website, contact Nicole at nicolecullen@financialservicescomplaints.com or come to the Department’s briefing to LEADR members on 21 August.

Nicole Cullen (Chair)

Ron Tiffen (Treasurer)

Peter Singer (Secretary)

Sally Wiencke (Events coordinator)

Gavin Wright

Leta Chen

Louise Thorpe

Naomi Cukier

Tim Connellan (past Chair)l

Find out more, email sallywiencke@impaq.com.au

Telephone: 02 9251 3366
Freecall: 1800 651 650
E-mail: leadr@leadr.com.au