We hope you enjoy this edition of the Texas Mediator. Our goal is to provide members with the latest "news you can use" about mediation and the TAM organization. In this issue, you will find:
- A Message from the President
- TAM Annual Conference
- DRC News
- West Texas Community Mediation Center (WTXCMC) Article
- McLennan County DRC Job Posting
- Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County
- In Memorium: Frank Elliott
- TAMTalk Update
- Members on the Move
- Peacebuilding Community Champions
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the various authors and do not necessarily reflect an official policy or position of the Texas Association of Mediators.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 17, 2022
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A Message from the President |
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As his tenure as President of the Texas Association of Mediators draws to a close, Mark is reminded of our organization’s successes in 2021-2022 between our last virtual TAM Conference and our upcoming in-person TAM Conference.
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Registration rates increase on February 1st.
The Woodlands Resort is now part of the Curio Collection by Hilton
Nestled in 28,000 acres of forest preserves north of Houston, yet easily accessible from I-45,
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TAM Discounted Room Rate
$179.00 per night*
Group Code: TAM22
*Before applicable taxes. TAM will pay the Resort Fee for Thursday and Friday nights.
Please click the button below for detailed information about hotel reservations.
Reservations deadline for a discounted rate:
February 3, 2022.
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West Texas Community Mediation Center (WTXCMC)
Danette J. Ross Watson, Executive Director
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The second grand opening of the West Texas Community Mediation Center (WTXCMC) in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas was held on December 10, 2021. The event also featured a silent auction fundraiser for the United Way for which WTXCMC is a 2022–2023 agency partner. A holiday scavenger hunt and recognition of the various sponsors took place as well. |
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The McLennan County Dispute Resolution Center in Waco is hiring an Assistant to the Executive Director/ Manager. Click Here for Information.
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Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County |
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The Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. (DRC-MC) in Conroe has had many changes during 2021. |
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The DRC-MC is sad to advise that Ben DeVries, volunteer mediator, trainer, mentor, and friend for more than 22 years, passed away on October 24, 2021. He was a true proponent of mediation until the end. Ben assisted in training new mediators across the state for many years and so was so dedicated that he even served as a volunteer mediator four days prior to his death. Although Ben is no longer with us physically, his peacemaking legacy will remain with us forever.
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In 2022, the DRC-MC will say goodbye to two TAM members who have actively served as DRC-MC Board members for two terms, Glenna Rodgers and Lois Voth. As Board members, Lois and Glenna also put in an enormous amount of volunteer time as members of the DRC-MC Executive, Finance, Forms, and Handbook Committees and as General and Family mediation trainers. Amazingly, they even agreed to dress as Goldilocks (Lois) and Baby Bear (Glenna) to teach conflict resolution skills to elementary school students and served on career panels for our Peer Mediation Training Programs. Strong supporters of the DRC-MC’s Conflict Resolution Day Bookmark Art Contest, Lois and Glenna also acted as judges and helped with the Awards Ceremony. To say that Glenna Rodgers and Lois Voth were exceptional board members would truly be an understatement. The DRC-MC is very thankful for their many contributions to the DRC-MC and service to the Montgomery County community. Please join us in saying “Job Well Done” to Glenna and Lois.
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Glenna Rodgers, J.D., MBA, a DRC-MC volunteer mediator of ten years has served as Board Secretary since 2018. An active volunteer mediator, Glenna has put in over 196 hours as a mediator this year alone.
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Lois Voth, who has also served as a volunteer mediator for ten years, has served as a Director and then Chair of the DRC-MC Board since 2016. Lois has contributed over 145 hours as a volunteer mediator at the DRC-MC in 2021 alone.
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The DRC-MC is very pleased to announce that Judge Kathleen Hamilton and Jennifer Ortiz Prather will be joining its Board in 2022. We welcome our very accomplished new Board members.
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Judge Kathleen Hamilton has been a judge in Montgomery County for over 18 years and is currently the presiding judge of the 359th District Court of Montgomery County. Prior to joining the Board, Judge Hamilton served two very active terms on the DRC-MC Advisory Committee. She has been a consistent supporter of the DRC-MC mediation programs and has served as Master of Ceremonies for the DRC-MC’s Conflict Resolution Day Bookmark Art Contest since 2014.
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Jennifer Ortiz Prather, former TAM President (2016), is a Supervisory Attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Jennifer manages the ADR & Mediation Services Program for the EEOC’s Houston District Office, which includes the New Orleans Field Office.
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In Memoriam: Frank W. Elliott |
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We mourn the passing of the former dean of Texas Tech and Texas Wesleyan law schools, Frank Elliott on September 9, 2021. Frank was a pioneer dean promoting ADR when he offered mediation and negotiation courses at the DFW School of Law, later Texas Wesleyan School of Law, and now Texas A&M School of Law in 1990. Frank Mediated with his wife Kay Elkins Elliott, for twenty years, and his ADR program at the A&M School of Law is now ranked 6th in the nation. He authored several chapters and co-edited the State Bar of Texas ADR Handbook in 2003 and taught advanced Mediation Advocacy courses.
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Many thanks to all of our members that participated in the TAM Talk 2021 schedule. We are very grateful to all of the well-seasoned and thoughtful professionals that contributed to our discussions, our field, and theirs. Just in case you missed any of the sessions be sure to check the TAM website for the recording. The 2021 line-up featured several of our TAM Board members and conference speaker, Andrew Poles, who provided part two of his session, “You Are Not Your Brain” (May 2021). Special thanks to Laury Adams, Tom King, Dana Garnett, Mark Batchelder, and Diane Harvey for their presentations as well.
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Richard Young is a new member of our TAMily. Young recently accepted a new position at a charter school in Dallas, teaching 4th and 5th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies, to help fill one of the thousands of vacancies amid one of the largest teacher shortages the nation has seen.
As an aspiring student, he hopes to continue with his doctoral studies in March 2022 to complete his educational goals towards becoming a certified K-12 School Principal.
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Ernesto Escobedo, Ph.D., was recently elected "President-Elect 2022" of the San Antonio Human Resource Management Association. Over the years he has taught both SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP prep classes and has 28 years of federal government experience at the US EEOC and US Air Force.
He is a Senior Faculty and HR University Professor, and in his free time enjoys learning at the Harvard University School of Business.
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At the annual Law Day Dinner, Richard E. Mattersdorff received a 2021 Pro Bono Award from the El Paso Bar Association.
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Jim Mann, Ph.D., an associate professor at Lamar University is looking forward to new challenges as he was recently selected as the first faculty Ombudsman.
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Fran Brochstein was recognized last month by the Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas for her pro bono work (via phone) during OVID. joined two non-profit boards - Marble Falls Rotary and the Highland Lakes Bar Association.
Between mediating and working with VLS, she finds time to volunteer on two non-profit boards - Marble Falls Rotary and the Highland Lakes Bar Association.
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Alvin Zimmerman, a former State District Judge, was the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Credentialed Mediator Award for the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association during their annual Symposium. He is also a former Chair of the State Bar of Texas ADR Section and past chair of the Houston Bar Association both the ADR Section and Aldo the Family Law Section.
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Peacebuilding Community Champions Recognized |
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The Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. (DRC-MC) and the Association for Conflict Resolution Houston (ACR Houston) Peer Mediation Team established the Peacebuilding Community Awards to recognize organizations and individuals dedicated to peacebuilding efforts and initiatives in Harris or Montgomery County, Texas. The 2021 Peacebuilding Community Awards Champions were announced in October during Conflict Resolution Month. |
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Counseling Center of Montgomery County, Organization Category
“We are so honored to be recognized for the conflict resolution skill building services that we provide through our volunteer therapy with foster youth, to DWI/Drug court diversion.
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Corinne Coulter, Community Member Category
“It is an honor to be recognized with this award. I have enjoyed offering students in the Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EfTA) Next Generation Leadership (NGL) Program and Student Internship Program (SIP) new ways to engage with community professionals while learning new skills. (Read more here)
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Full Members
$75.00
Candidates for Full Membership and Friends of TAM
$50.00
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TAM Members...
- are invited to join monthly TAM Talks on Zoom
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are listed in a searchable online Membership Directory available to the public with the option to include a bio, photo, and areas of practice
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receive discounted fees for the annual conference featuring workshops taught by experts of national and international stature
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have access to malpractice insurance designed especially for mediators available through Complete Equity Markets
- are featured in the TAM newsletters
- are a statewide network of mediators who support TAM’s mission
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Is your Member Profile up to date?
- upload a photo
- upload a biography
- add social media information
- list mediation practice areas, other ADR services provided, and additional languages.
Want to control the information that is displayed on your Member Profile?
Select the EDIT CONTACT INFO tab. Under Display Preferences, you can select to exclude your address and phone number in the Member Directory. Email addresses are not displayed publicly; however, members can receive email through a contact form.
Update Your TAM Member Icon for Full Members
Current Full Members may use the Full Member icon on advertising and marketing materials, including websites, letterhead, business cards, and email signature blocks.
Full Members can log in to the TAM Member Center to download the 2022 Full Member Icon.
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Texas Association of Mediators
P.O. Box 2537
Galveston, TX 77553-2537
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