Be neutral, 2018 September

Resolution

Be Neutral
September 2018
A publication of the Georgia Office of Dispute

Members of the working group included: (L-R) GCDR Chair Judge Charles E. Auslander, III; Raye Rawls; Joan Prittie; Judge M. Cindy Morris; Tracy B. Johnson; GCFV Chair Stephanie Woodard; Peggy Wilson; and GCFV Ex. Director Jennifer Thomas
Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution Updates:
The Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and Georgia Commission on Family Violence collaborate on new Rules for Mediating Cases Involving Issues of Domestic Violence
Following two years of concerted effort, the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution (GCDR) has adopted new Rules for Mediating Cases with Domestic Violence. These rules will be used by court Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs to screen cases for intimate partner violence/abuse (domestic violence) in domestic relations cases. The GCDR requires that these sensitive cases be carefully screened by especially skilled mediation court staff to determine whether the case should proceed to

mediation, and, if appropriate, that the case be mediated only by state-registered mediators who have demonstrated proficiency in both practice and training.
The safety of victims of domestic violence is the GCDR's highest priority. For more information on the collaborative rule update, please read the press release by clicking here.
GODR 411: Answering Your Questions
How Do I Get Continuing Education Credit?
Is there an easy way to earn free CE credit? If you are asking yourself this question, you have come to the right place! This year, the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution are marking 25 years of public service. We invite you to join us in celebrating by attending FREE continuing education events throughout Georgia! Registered neutrals in attendance will earn up to 3 hours of continuing education, meeting the GODR annual requirement. Each event is also pre-approved for CLE credit and CJE credit (for Probate and State Court judges). For more information and a full list of events, please click here. You can also earn free credit anytime by watching our online videos, posted to our website here.
With the annual renewal period coming up (October 1 - December 31), be sure to submit your completed 2018 continuing education credit along with your renewal application. For assistance in submitting your CE credit, follow these instructions.
Questions? Contact GODR at 404-463-3808 or gaodr@georgiacourts.gov
ADR Program Updates
DeKalb County ADR Program
The DeKalb County Courts Dispute Resolution Center announced Caitlin Lowther as its new director. Caitlin's passion for ADR first developed as an undergraduate student at Kennesaw State University (KSU) where she received a BS in Political Science and ADR Certificate. Upon completion of this program she became a registered neutral with GODR and continued her training in dispute resolution with a MS in Conflict Management from KSU. The main focus of her studies was on court-referred mediation and best practices for court-annexed ADR programs. Caitlin served as Mediation Coordinator for the 7th Judicial Administrative District ADR Program prior to accepting the position as Director of the DeKalb County Dispute Resolution Center. Please join us in sending best wishes Ms. Lowther on her new role!
Cobb County Superior Court ADR Program
Cobb County Superior Court ADR Program and Cobb Legal Aid are partnering to host the upcoming CLE event "Behind the Mask: Identifying and Managing Cases with Domestic Violence". This event will be held on Friday, October 19 at the Cobb ADR office and is open to everyone. Registration is $25.00 (includes

breakfast, lunch, & snack) and closes on October 1.
For more information and a copy of the registration form, please visit our website.
The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution is on LinkedIn!
We want to connect with you! For updated news and announcements, follow our page on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/georgia-office-of-dispute-resolution
Did you know?
The Georgia State Capitol building is gilded with 43 ounces of locally-mined gold
You can obtain CE credits for FREE by watching videos posted on the GODR website. You can view and request job postings for ADR careers on the GODR website. All advisory and ethics opinions can be viewed on our GODR website.
Child Support Calculator
Online Calculator Mandatory, Effective 10/1
As a reminder, the two Excel child support calculators and the EZ paper worksheet will be discontinued effective September 30, 2018. Make sure you switch to the online calculator. More information is available by clicking here.
'Conflict Management for Managers'
Listed as 50 Best Conflict Books of All Time
Dr. Susan Raines, Associate Director & Professor at KSU's School of Conflict Management, is a registered neutral, mediation trainer, and author of Conflict Management for Managers. Her book, as reported by Bookauthority, is listed in the top 50 conflict books. According to their website, "As featured on CNN, Forbes and Inc - BookAuthority identifies and rates the best books in the world, based on public mentions, recommendations, ratings and sentiment." Congratulations to a valuable member of the ADR community!

Calendar of Events
September 28 - GODR CE Event, Carrollton October 2 - GODR CE Event, Augusta October 3-5 - ACR Annual Conference, Pittsburgh November 2 - GODR CE Event, Valdosta November 13 - Commission on Dispute Resolution Meeting, UGA Law School November 16 - GODR CE Event, Macon December 7 - 25th ADR Institute, State Bar of Georgia December 14 - GODR CE Event, Hinesville
Ongoing CE Opportunities are listed on our webpage.
Got News?
We want to hear from you. Please send any news items for future newsletters to GODR.

Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution 404-656-3808
"Providing for the Speedy, Efficient, and Inexpensive Resolution of Disputes and Prosecutions."

Contact Us

Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, 244 Washington Street, SW,Ste. 300, Atlanta, GA 30334
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