Two Roberts -- Benjamin and Mnookin

This morning I heard a video (vimeo) of a mediator whom I have always admired -- Robert Benjamin -- and now I have another mediator whom I also admire -- Robert Mnookin.

I've known Robert Mnookin's name for quite some time, but never before had the opportunity to explore his philosophy about mediation. Several years ago a woman with a case in small claims brought a friend with her. As I happened to be walking down the hallway with the friend, she said she was somewhat familiar with mediation because a relative of hers was involved in conflict resolution. "You probably never heard of him," she said, "his name is Robert Mnookin."

"I'm not familiar with his work," I told her, "but I do know the name."

Now that I've heard the interview with Robert Benjamin, I am truly impresssed, and will be looking for books and articles by Robert Mnookin, who, by the way, grew up in Kansas City, MO. In fact, both the Roberts are Missourians.

OMG ! (That's Oh, My, Golly)

Now that Norm Ledgin has found my blog, mediationbychoice, I should be more dedicated to adding new posts. In truth, after several drastic changes in my life, I'm intending to get back into mediation in one form or another. Last week I was back in the courthouse, rubbing elbows with some of the mediators, the first time I've done that since I passed the coordinator's job onto my worthy successors. I've been working on the sequel to my first mediation book, Mediation Survivor's Handbook, which is described at a website maintained for me by my editor and lawyer, www.mediationhandbook.com.

PARAGUAY PROPOSES MEDIATION

jULY 30, 2010
The Paraguayan FM stressed that the inauguration of Colombian president-elect Juan Manuel Santos next August 7 will cause “a new scandal” in depleted Venezuelan-Colombian relations
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Venezuelan FM meets with Paraguayan President to deal with Venezuela-Colombia deadlock

Western Hemisphere
Far from taking sides with Venezuela or Colombia, Paraguay will opt for mediation apropos the crisis unleashed between the two countries when Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez resolved to sever ties, Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Héctor Lacognata said.

In an interview with radio Ñandutí during the visit paid to Asunción by Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro, his Paraguayan colleague explained that instead of "supporting one or another position," his country will reserve the role of "mediation," something that, in his opinion, "will be fundamental in this process," Efe quoted.

Lacognata explained that Maduro submitted to Paraguay a peace plan with Colombia that Caracas will take to the extraordinary meeting of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur), convened for Thursday 29 in Quito by Ecuador, the pro-tempore president, at the request of Venezuela, after breaking relations with Colombia.

The Paraguayan Foreign Minister stressed that the inauguration of Colombian president-elect Juan Manuel Santos next August 7 will cause "a new scandal" in depleted Venezuelan-Colombian relations and insisted on the need of a group of "friends to make room for talks."

HEARTLAND REGIONAL MAY 5-6, 2011 IN IOWA

The Heartland Regional Conference is scheduled to be in Des Moines, Iowa May 5th and 6th, 2011.

(This is a rudimentary attempt to revive a mediation blog that will provide information about meetings and trainings.)

STILL SOME WORK TO DO

This may come as a surprise to my fellow mediators, but, folks, we still have some work to do.

Veering into my line of sight this week was an internet review of a television program which included a character playing a "mediator." I never watch this particular show, so I have to rely upon the internet review, but early in the episode a pair of disputants met with a mediator. At issue was an asininely salacious contract between the two, a man and a woman, I might add. During the mediation, the mediator "decided" that the contract was valid.

The mediator DECIDED? The mediator made the determination that the contract was valid?

I've never written a script for a television situation comedy, but I can well imagine the process. Someone comes up with an idea and pens an outline upon which an entire committee expands. The final script has to go through several approval filters.

And no one, absolutely NO ONE, knew enough about mediation to understand and remember that real mediators don't decide?

Folks, we've still got some work to do.

FIND MSH SUMMARY ON CRINFO SITE

Wow! That's a mouthful.

I've just learned (sometimes I'm a slow learner) that Mediation Survivor's HandBook is in the list of "Book Summaries" on the Conflict Resolution Information Sources website.

That's http://v4.crinfo.net. (I think v4 means "version 4")

I'm a bit confused by part of the summary, but honored to be included in their list. Lots of other good stuff on their site, including a new online program to help people in their relationships.

(Wonder where I could find a program that would help me in my relationship with my computer?)

IT'S BACK

My old blog is back! Just realized that there is a link on the website for Mediation Survivor's HandBook to "my blog," which I had unwittingly deleted. Amazingly, google will let me reclaim it. I will be adding new posts.

Not everyone knows that mediation IS a choice.