Who We Are

The Dispute Resolution Center for the Wabash Valley, Inc. (a non-profit 301-c-3 organization) promotes the non-adversarial resolution of conflicts primarily by:

• Direct Service
• Education
• Referrals

More information is provided below under “Mediation Services” and “Other Services”

How to Contact Us

Contact the Center at:

Phone 812-241-8750

Mailing address:  P.O. Box 671, Terre Haute, IN 47808

E-mail: adrdrc@yahoo.com

Mediation Services

Mediation is a process in which an impartial third person (the mediator) works with those involved in a dispute, seeking to help them reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of their conflict.

Mediation is always voluntary and confidential.  It is not a court proceeding, but simply a means by which people can frankly discuss a common problem and seek its resolution.  In this they are assisted by a trained mediator.

There are several mediation programs offered by the Center, including some that are court-related and others that serve parties on a self-referral basis.

In some cases (especially those involving complex issues) the Center will make referrals to private mediators.

For more information, call 812-241-8750.

Other Services

The Dispute Resolution Center is prepared to arrange for special speakers on topics involving mediation and conflict resolution.

The Center also contracts for workshops that it conducts for area businesses and other organizations.

When an issue is brought to the attention of the Center for which it is currently unable to provide service, we seek to make referrals to specific individuals or organizations which might be of help.

For more information, call 812-235-7409.

2008 Officers and Board Members

The activities and policies of the Dispute Resolution Center are determined by its Board of Directors.

President	Linda Jo Peters
Vice President	Angela Kay Mitchell
Secretary	Robert E. Peters
Treasurer
Board Members	Jerold Hargis Steve Hunter Joyce L. Keenan John C. Kite Robert P. Kondras, Jr. Kevin Mays Angela Kay Mitchell Kathryn Myers Linda Jo Peters Robert E. Peters David Polizzi Karen Swopes

Most Recent Annual Reports

 

Introduction

The DRC had a very successful year, carrying forward its established mission and refining and initiating new projects. The efforts of the DRC rely exclusively upon the dedicated support of its members and volunteers, without whom none of our successes would be possible. The efforts of the entire Board of Directors deserve special recognition: Jan Arnett, Aletha Carter, Joyce Keenan, John Kite, Robert Kondras, Patti Krapesh, Hank Meier, Kay Mitchell, Don Mullen, Linda Peters, Jim Schellenberg, and David Skelton.

2004 Highlights

Community Presence -The DRC maintains a web page – http://www.vigo.lib.in.us/dr and has adopted a permanent address and telephone number.  PO Box 671, Terre Haute, IN 47807 / 812-241-8750
 

Karen Swopes and Elizabeth Buller replaced retiring board members Aletha Carter, Jan Arnett, Don Mullen, and Hank Meier. Their service is appreciated.
 

Workshops – A Workshop on Human Relations Mediation Training, funded by a generous grant from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, was offered in April.
 

Divorce Mediation Consultation Project – The presentation of mediation as an alternative for divorcing couples is a continuing success. After consultation with the Family Court Judges, there were minor changes to improve the program.  All couples in Vigo County with children whose divorces are pro se are now ordered to the sessions. They are held in the Vigo Co. Public Library, 2 to 3 times monthly, serving up to 25 people at each session. This program has been in operation for 4 years with generally positive evaluations by the participants and some consequent mediations.
 

Juvenile Court Project – The Dispute Resolution Center has actively participated in a parenting project with the Vigo County Juvenile Court. Through a grant to Judge Paulette Stagg, the court is able to assign cases of children of unmarried parents to a process of mediation to help developing parenting plans.  Mediators identified by the Dispute Resolution Center are assigned to work with such cases and report results back to the court.  John Kite has been representing the Center in helping Judge Stagg develop this project, which became operational during the summer of 2004 and 5 mediations had been completed at the time of this report.
 

Video Project – The production of a promotional video for mediation and the DRC, supported by the Indiana Network for Community Mediation and funded by the National Association for Community Mediation was completed with delivery of two Public Service Announcement video.
 

Community Mediation – We continue to offer community mediation services. Most of them come to us either through self-referral or referral from the small claims court. The Center provided mediation for referrals from the community and court-referred small claims.
 

Human Relations Commission – The DRC provides mediation services to the Human Relations Commission. One mediation was conducted in 2004.
 

Strategic Planning – The DRC continues to attempt to refine itself and ensure its long-term viability while meeting its fundamental mission. Patti Krapesh began this effort in 2003 as chair of the Strategic Planning and Financial Wellbeing Committee. Her efforts will be continued in 2005 by the new committee chair, Rob Peters.

Financial Summary

Our starting balance in 2004 was $1604.82 and we ended the year with $1453.32 after $4244.78 in income and $4396.28 in expenses. Patrons for the year (gifts in excess of $50) were Loyal Bishop, David Skelton, Jim Schellenberg, Jerold Hargis, John Kite, and Joyce Keenan. Rob Peters and Linda Peters also made gifts to the DRC.

Background

The Dispute Resolution Center for the Wabash valley was officially chartered in 1993 to promote the non-adversarial resolution of conflicts in Vigo and surrounding counties. This followed a full year of planning meetings, during which the primary activities foreseen for the organization were identified as (a) direct service, (b) referrals, and (c) education.

 Loyal Bishop served as President for the first three years of the “DRC”, followed by John Kite, 1997 and 1998, James Schellenberg, 1999-2001, Donald Mullen in 2002, and Jerold Hargis elected for 2003 and 2004. Linda Peters was elected President for 2005.

 

Dispute Resolution Center for the Wabash Valley

Mission

The mission of the Dispute Resolution Center is: To promote the non-adversarial resolution of conflicts in Vigo County and the surrounding area.  We do this primarily through (a) education, (b) direct service, and (c) referrals. 
Introduction

During 2005 the Dispute Resolution Center has continued its mission in a variety of ways, including some new programs.  During this year the following persons have served as members of the Board of Directors: Elizabeth Buller, Jerold Hargis, Joyce Keenan, John C. Kite, Robert Kondras, Patti Krapesh, Angela Kay Mitchell (Vice President), Linda Jo Peters (President), Robert E. Peters (Secretary), James Schellenberg (Treasurer), David Skelton, and Karen Swopes.

2005 Highlights

Community Presence.  Through the Vigo County Public Library we maintain a web site. Besides our official post office address, we are now sharing office space with the Vigo County Family Court/Pro Se project at the Garmong Executive Place at the southeast corner of 4th and Ohio.  Thanks to Karen Swopes’ hard work to make this happen.  We participated in the Family Learning Day Downtown at the Library with a display and a presentation on peer mediation by Project Peace at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.  We also had a display at the Anti-Bullying Workshop at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. 

Divorce Mediation Consultation Project. Divorcing couples with minor children are asked by Vigo County judges to attend sessions showing how mediation might apply to divorces.  The sessions, held at the Public Library once or twice a month, have been led this year by Elizabeth Buller, Kay Mitchell, Jim Schellenberg, and Karen Swopes. 

Juvenile Court Project.  We discontinued accepting a portion of the mediator’s fees and handling the billing for this grant-supported project administrated through the Juvenile Court, but we continue to provide our strong encouragement for this use of mediation. 

Strategic Planning.  The DRC adopted the National Association for Community Mediation values, principles, and standards of practice.  We set goals to become truly self-sufficient with improved board development and to be better known in the community.  We see our primary clients coming from the court system, but would like to broaden our base to include families, youth, and landlords and tenants.  Elizabeth Buller volunteered to take on the role of acting executive director for six months during the year to help achieve these goals. 

Community Mediation.  We have had fewer inquiries and cases than in the recent past, though we continue to be available for small claims cases and those referred to us by the Terre Haute Commission on Human Relations,
2005 Financial Summary

For our general fund the starting balance in 2005 was $1,453.32 and we ended the year with $1,361.25, after $3,326.00 in income and $3,418.07 in expenses.  We also had an endowment fund balance of $6,734.77 (as of September 30) with the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.  Patrons for the year (with gifts of $50 or more) were Esther Atcherson, Loyal Bishop, Elizabeth Buller, Jerold Hargis, Joyce Keenan, John Kite, Patti Krapesh, Kay Mitchell, Linda and Robert Peters, and James Schellenberg.

DRC Web Site:        www.vigo.lib.in.us/dr

This report has been prepared by Linda Jo Peters, President.

  January 2006

Characteristics of Community Mediation Centers

As a Community Mediation Center, the Dispute Resolution Center is affiliated with the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) and the Indiana Network for Community Mediation (INCOMM).

NAFCM has described the following as the general characteristics of community mediation centers:

The use of trained community volunteers as the primary providers of mediation services.

A private non-profit or public agency, or program thereof, with a governing or advisory board.

Mediators, staff and governing/advisory board are representative of the diversity of the community served.

Providing direct access to the public through self-referral and striving to reduce barriers to service, including physical, linguistic, cultural, programmatic and economic.

Providing service to clients regardless of their ability to pay.

Initiating, facilitating and educating for collaborative community relationships to effect positive systemic change.

Engaging in public awareness and educational activities about the values and practices of mediation.

Providing a forum for dispute resolution at the earliest stage of conflict.

Providing an alternative to the judicial system at any stage of a conflict.
 

External Links

The Dispute Resolution Center for the Wabash Valley is a member of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) and the Indiana Network for Community Mediation (INCOMM).

 The address, phone number, and web site for NAFCM are:

                        1514 Upshur St., NW, Washington, DC 20011

202-545-8866    (Fax: 202-545-8873)

www.nafcm.org


Other important web site links include:

            For the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR)
            http://www.acrnet.org/

            For the Indiana Association of Mediators
            www.mediation-indiana.org

            For a leading source of mediation information
            www.mediate.com

For the state Registry listings of Indiana mediators
            www.courts.state.in.us/CourtMed.nsf

            For the Terre Haute Commission on Human Relations
            www.terrehaute.in.gov/departments/human

            For the Indiana Civil Rights Commission
            www.ai.org/icrc