Intermediary : a bridge between the Dispute Resolution Commission and North Carolina's certified mediators [2015 : fall]

Fall 2015 The Intermediary 4* A Bridge between the Dispute Resolution Commission and North Carolina’s Certified Mediators * THE DEBATE ABOUT CONTINUING MEDIATOR EDUCATION PROPOSED CME POLICY: "Every certified mediator must complete annually 2 hours of continuing mediator education (CME) approved by the DRC that relates to 7A-38.1 and 38. 4A, Rules of the Supreme Court, Standards of Conduct, or Grievance and Discipli¬ nary Procedures of the DRC." (http://www.nccourts.org/Courts/CRS/Councils/DRC/Documents/proposed CME. pdf ) The Commission recently posted the above proposed mandatory CME Policy on its website for comment. From the breadth of comments received to date, it is clear that there are strong feelings out there on both sides of the issue. The members of the Commission appreciate your comments, will consider all of them, and encourage those who have yet to give your opinions on this matter to do so. By way of background, I'd like to address the history of the DRC's con¬ sideration of the issues surrounding the topic of CME in this From the Chair article. The Commission has considered and discussed the controversial issue of mandatory continuing mediator education for its certified mediators for almost fifteen years. In 2002, the Commission voted unanimously to encourage rather than mandate the completion of CME activities by its certified mediators. At that time, the DRC recommended completion of six hours every two years, and required mediators to report any CME activities on an annual basis. It was a "test balloon," if you will, to try to determine if mediators would, on their own, undertake to keep themselves current with mediation practice, rule amendments, Standards and advisory opinions, and the policies, proce¬ dures Continued on Page 2 Commission Members Judge Gary Cash, Chair Asheville, NC Lynn Gullick, Esq., Vice Chair Greensboro, NC Judge Charles T.L. Anderson Hillsborough, NC Lucas Armena Fletcher, NC Judge Jesse B. Caldwell, III Gastonia, NC Thomas Clare, Esq. Raleigh, NC Lorrie L. Dollar, Esq. Cary, NC Judge Yvonne Mims Evans Charlotte, NC Susan A. Hicks Carthage, NC Richard G. Long Jr., Esq. Monroe, NC Judge J. Douglas McCullough Raleigh, NC Robert A. Ponton, Jr., Esq. Raleigh, NC Diann Seigle Raleigh, NC W. Mark Spence Manteo, NC Judge Teresa H. Vincent Greensboro, NC 1