Annual Report - Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County

BUILDING, RESTORING, AND REPAIRING RELATIONSHIPS
one mediation and one training at a time
2015 Annual Report
Thank You.
Twenty five years ago I lit a candle and held it up and lo and
behold, others started gathering around with their lit candles,
and over the years you’ve just kept gathering and gathering.
Their combined light continues to illuminate many dark corners
of our community.
Each year we mediate disputes between family members, neighbors, employees, customers,
associates and many others. We answer almost 1000 phone inquiries and perform upward of
350 mediation cases a year. Additionally we train over 800 people a year in conflict resolution
skill building. We touch the lives directly and indirectly of thousands of community members
through this work. That’s a lot of light shed in dark corners.
Evan Ferber
Founding Director
Your financial support protects our candles from getting blown out by the heavy winds of
change. Our community would become many lumens darker if the DRC ceased to exist.
There are two major protective factors we count on for our sustainability. The first is our DRC
vibrant culture of volunteerism, starting our board, and then all our other volunteers who do the
bulk of our direct service provision – our conciliators, mediators and trainers. All 100+ of you are
the collective beating heart of this organization and I thank you all profoundly.
The second protective factor is our culture of philanthropic giving. You, and many others like
you throughout the year, support this agency financially because you believe in what we’re
accomplishing and you want to help create your preferred future right here and right now in our
community. Thank you for all your you do to support the DRC.
In our 2015 annual report, you’ll hear directly from some folks who’ve held candles and/
or basked in their light. Their stories offer a glimpse of how your support helps protect our
collective flame.
Our Mission
We empower people
to resolve their
disputes by providing
conflict resolution and
mediation services, and
training community
members in those skills.
Our Vision
We envision a South
Sound community that
has and uses healthy
and respectful conflict
resolution skills.
Our Values
We value personal
empowerment, mutual
respect, collaboration,
integrity, civility, trust,
and humor.
Who We Are
We are a community of over 100 peacemakers who work together
to help families, co-workers, neighbors and friends in conflict listen
without judgement and talk without blame. We teach conflict
resolution and communication skill building, both at the mediation
table and in our training courses, in order to spread peace, health,
happiness and civic harmony throughout the community.
Empowering People To Manage Conflict In Their Lives:
MEDIATION SERVICES for individuals, families and groups
Our experience tells us that when both parties are able to follow the mediation process and make a good
faith effort, 87% of our clients reach a full or partial agreement of their own making. We are here to help
anyone work through conflict, including:
• FAMILIES developing parenting plans or having difficult conversations around end of life issues
• TEENS seeking to be heard and understood by parents and other adults in their lives
• CO-WORKERS and COMMUNITY GROUPS seeking to work more effectively together
• NEIGHBORS managing their relationship and finding ways to live more harmoniously together
• HOMEOWNERS facing foreclosure negotiating with banks to stay in their homes
• BUSINESSES & CUSTOMERS negotiating a dispute
• LANDLORDS & TENANTS managing living arrangements
In 2015,
we mediated
339 cases
“The mediators helped keep the conversation going in a positive
and productive direction. They ensured that both sides remained
respectful and heard what each other had to say.”
You can solve it, we can help!
The DRC enjoys strong partnerships with both the Family and Small
Claims Courts. 82% of our caseload comes directly from those
partnerships. The remaining 18% are from community members with a
conflict who find their own way to the DRC.
We are excited by the possiblities to expand services to teens and
worker and to further developing our restorative practices.
Who accesses mediation?
Training a Community of Peacemakers:
TRAINING in conflict resolution and communication
Each year we offer a diverse, comprehensive curriculum of custom-designed and professional mediation
trainings. Our courses include:
• MEDIATION TRAINING & CERTIFICATION: 40-Hour Professional Mediation Training, a
practicum to become a certified DRC mediator and advanced training in family and
multi-party mediation.
• GROUP FACILITATION: training on meeting facilitation to help both leaders.
In 2015,
we performed
31 trainings
and trained
605 people.
• CUSTOMIZED ON THE JOB TRAINING: Communication and conflict resolution training for businesses,
non-profits, state agencies and community groups.
• SCHOOL & OTHER YOUTH-FOCUSED TRAINING: custom-designed training to address issues relating
to youth and adults who work with youth.
• CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR VOLUNTEERS: training on a variety of topics for DRC mediators.
“The DRC’s Mediation Training is inspirational
and practical. I can take these skills back to
work, at home, and in life generally.”
Personal empowerment through training
The DRC is committed to the continuing education of our volunteer mediators and improving our
practices as a community of peacemakers. 78 volunteers participated in in-service trainings in 2015.
“The DRC training is like no other. I feel empowered to use
the new skills gained without hesitation in any situation.”
Program Highlight: Restoring Civic Harmony
“Up until about 4
years ago, I was the
black robe sitting
on the bench. I
was there before
and after the
DRC showed up.
Inspired by what
I saw happening
with mediation in
my court, I decided
that I wanted to
do that, and after
retirement, I finished
the professional
mediation training,
and now get to be
a SCC mediator
myself. Now I can
do what I couldn’t
do under the
constraints of trial
rules. And I am so
enjoying it.
-Retired Judge
Susan Dubuisson
In the early 1990s, the judges in District Court were seeking help managing a
growing caseload in Small Claims Court. The calendar was increasing to point that
cases were seriously delayed, and the legislative imperative of “speedy and quick
justice” was quickly fading. Successful litigants complained about low collection
rates of their judgments, court staff were frazzled with dealing with frustrated
litigants they cannot legally advise about how to collect. People clearly had
underlying concerns that the court system couldn’t address. Then along came the
DRC to the rescue.
Since 1993 the DRC has provided mediators at nearly all small claims sessions,
and the judges require all parties to attempt mediation before trial. In 2015 the
DRC successfully mediated 96 small claims. The original impetus of trial reduction
was met: the delay getting to court went from 9 months to less than 1 month
and collection of mediated claims went much higher than of court judgments.
And most importantly, litigants have an opportunity to creatively address issues
beyond the facts and law to construct outcomes that work for them.
What Our Clients Are Saying:
88% said that the situation improved because of mediation.
93% said the mediation deepened their understanding of the issue.
Mediation Works! Building Relationships through Mediation
A Testimony by Lisa Cornell
Three years ago my family experienced some unforeseen setbacks. For the wellbeing of my family I decided to relocate to be closer to my
parents. Due to the urgency of moving I decided to quickly rent my home fully furnished. My renter, Chris, and his extended family which
included, his mother, sister, a niece and a nephew moved into the home three years ago.
I formed a friendship with Chris, helping him during the holidays and providing resources for the children. The house was close to Chris’
employment, so he could walk there. Chris was the sole provider in the family. He was 24 years old and working at a local chain store to
provide for his mother and his sister and her children.
The family struggled with the rent and soon fell behind and did not rent pay for over 18 months. Not knowing what else to do I decided
the appropriate thing to do would be to settle the matter in small claims court. When the court date arrived, I was extremely anxious. I
was biting my nails and sweating profusely anticipating the outcome that would affect both Chris and I for years to come. I expected the
ruling to be in my favor but didn’t have much hope of receiving any of the money that was owed to me.
When I arrived in the court room my eyes met with Chris’. I could see the look of fear and anticipation of being responsible for 18 months
of back rent. I knew Chris did not have money. I felt as if I was going to rob him of his one shred of hope. I desperately wanted an
alternative that was more humane, and caring, something I could feel good about. I felt stuck. I had no other choices.
The judge explained that mediation was an alternative. I knew about the DRC. I am a family counselor and refer clients to the DRC all the
time. But I had no idea that this was an option for me too. I felt so much relief. A DRC mediator helped us right then at the small claims
court.
Mediation gave Chris and me a chance to talk. As I listened to Chris I discovered that he has been providing for his family for many years.
Chris told me that he has been taking care of his family since the age of 18. What a huge financial burden for Chris to carry. Chris told me
he couldn’t afford much but he could pay me $100.00 per pay check. I suggested $50.00 per pay check with the stipulation that he would
meet with me once a month to work on future goals including College.
When we made the agreement I assumed Chris would think “Now I am off the hook”. But since our mediation day in court Chris is the one
who contacts me to set up our meetings. Chris also pays me twice the amount of money than we agreed upon. Last month he gave me
$500.00 from his income tax refund. During our meetings we have been working on creating healthy boundaries with his family. Chris is
working on purchasing a home and exploring College opportunities.
If it had not been for the DRC mediator being in the courtroom that day this story would have had a much different ending.
Program Highlight: Building Youth Leadership
We are delighted by the renewed energy and vision of
youth services since we dedicated staff hours last year
year. The Youth Services Coordinator, in partnership with
our Youth Ally Group (YAG), has forged new relationships
and performed trainings with Planned Parenthood’s Youth
Council, Pizza Klatch, Avanti High School, and TOGETHER,
as well as deepened our partnerships with Community
Youth Services and GRuB. YAG also supported two Avanti
students as they went through the 40-Hour Professional
Mediation Training and joined YAG.
This talented group of young mediators has been
instrumental in helping the organization adapt our
training curriculum to meet the needs of youth, as well as
prepare our mediators to facilitate mediations between
teens and their parents or guardians. Our hope is for the
DRC to become a central hub that supports the next
generation of peacemakers.
Youth Highlight
Youth Ally Groups Member perform
during Olympia’s Art Walk event
In September 2015, Avanti High School Student, Madeline
Poultridge, gave a TED talk at the TEDxOlympia event called:
“How to Talk to Your Dad: Turning Conflict into Conversation”
that was grounded in learning from the DRC’s 40-Hour
Professional Mediation Training.
From Mosh Pits to Neighborhoods: Tools That Build Peace
A Testimonial by Erica Frea
I’ve been with the DRC for over half my life, I’m 32. I’ve held many, many roles including
becoming a senior mediator at 19 and facilitating people of all ages. Throughout, the DRC has
kept me adapting and growing my own communication skills. I could overflow with stories of
triumph and hard learnings with roots that trail back to this work. What I want to share with
you today is what my experience has been like as a human who has lived as a teenager into
adulthood with these resources.
Youth are cool! Looking back on my younger life there are some pieces that really stick with
me. Like the openness and honesty of a kid who is being given the chance to listen and be
heard and to make a plan to do right where they’ve gone wrong. I’ve seen this openness
inspire the adults involved to lean in and to be more vulnerable themselves. The cool thing
about learning these skill early on is you get to carry them into all the possibilities that life will
bring. You learn them before you need them.
Having these skills around communication in my tool belt as I’ve grown has enabled me to feel braver and more confident.
Conflict isn’t as scary because I’ve learned to lean into it myself. I’m able to speak up when I encounter an oppressive or abusive
dynamic because I’ve been trained to confront injustice with fairness and compassion. And I’ve got some awesome deescalation techniques that are often at my fingertips which allow me to do this in a non-aggressive way.
Now I’m a working musician. I’m in a band that I love and we tour relentlessly all over the world. Last year we did seven weeks
through Australia, Japan and South East Asia and a month in Europe as well as shows here in North America… anyway, we’re
a punk band and our music is fast and energetic and many people hear a fast beat and can become pretty aggressive. I stand
in front of a group of 50 to several hundred people and ask for the kind of environment that we want to play in. I facilitate
the crowd using skills I’ve learned through the DRC. And, hey, we’re a punk band that highly values safety and respect at our
shows so we ask for people to respect each other and each other’s bodies and not to bash and smash people who aren’t into
that. It doesn’t always work but we get a ton of people who say they come to our shows because they know they can expect us
to advocate for a safer and more comfortable environment. So: facilitation in an unlikely place. So much of this work is about
gracefully making space for sharing this world with each other, whether that’s at a punk rock show, on the street or in our
homes and workplaces. After 17 years these tools are fused with my DNA and i’m grateful for them. Thank you, DRC!
How Does
The Work
Happen?
The DRC is
fortunate to have
a diverse mix of
funding streams:
• Earned
Income - 29%
comes from
training &
mediation
fees
• Fundraising
- 32%
comes from
individual
and corporate
contributions
• Government
Funding 39% comes
from federal,
state, and
local sources,
including the
courts.
2015 Financial Overview
Income
Individual & Corporate Donors: $116,689.36
Grants: $2,500
Government Funding: $50,553.81
Court Surcharge: $$43,185.00
Mediation Fees: $58,393.02
Training Fees: $49,829.75
Other: $2,427.32
Total Income: $331,567.26
Expenses
Operating: $79,158.10
Training: $47,351.79
Mediating: $58,352.80
Personnel: $159,319.79
Total Expenses: $349,831.52
Business Sponsors & Grantors
$10,000+
The Tides Foundation
$5,000-$9,999
The Confederated Tribes of Chehalis
$2,500-$4,999
Law Offices of Harold D. Carr
Red Lion Hotel
TitusWill
Olympia Federal Savings
WSECU
$1,000-$2,499
Lou Ann Dunlap
Twin Star Credit Union
$500-$999
Deskoba, Inc
Law, Lyman, Daniel, Kamerrer, &
Bogdanovich, PS
Pacific Stage Audio Visual & Concert
Systems
Capitol Pacific Reporting
OBEE Credit Union
Heritage Bank
Port Blakely Tree Farms
Judge Daniel J. Berschauer
Jessica Jensen Law PS
In-Kind Donors
Abby’s Cookies &
Cupcakes
Cobbs Treats
The Blue Heron Bakery
the Bread Peddler
Fungi Perfecti
The Popinjay
Olympia Food Coop
San Francisco Street
Bakery
Heymann Whinery
Northwest
Mountain Wines
Madsen Family
Cellars
Marchetti Wines
Salida Winery
Scatter Creek
Winery
Cheri Cassedy
Olympia Flower
Market
Individual Contributers
Roy Adams
Jennie Adkins
Ann Alvord
Corey B. Armstrong
EvelynAshley
CharityAtchison
John Backman
LindseyBamba
Lisa Banks
Kathy Baros Friedt
Mary Barrett
CharleyBarron
John Bates
Paul Battan
RhondaBell
K. Jane Benson
Roberta Berger
Bruce Bergquist
DebraBigelow
B. Jean Black
Meredith Blundell
Susan Bogni
Candyce Bollinger
Mildred Bondsteel
SharonBoyle-Connelly
Stephen Bray
Marny Bright
Lisa Brodoff
AllysonBrooks
Mark Brown
Robyn Bruns
Brett Buckley
John Bumford
Marsha Hubbard Burch
Laurel Busse-Johnston
Stephen Buxbaum
Rebekah Cade Jordan
Rob Cahill
Simon Calcavecchia
Reiko Callner
Robin Campbell
Janet Carlson
Mary Carlson
WarrenCarlson
Jody Carpenter
Harold D. Carr
Greg Carras
Paula Casey
Debra Chase-Deitrich
David Cheal
Ann Chenhall
Susan Christian
Sandi Christianson
Howard Coble
Sydne Cogburn
Sasha Cornellier
Kathy Cox
Arvil Crase
Marguerite Cross
Greg Cuoio
Tina Cusimano
Rachel da Silva
Judith da Silva
Spencer Daniels
Jim Dannenmiller
Jackie Danyo
Sandi Darrah
MarilynDawson
AshleyDeMoss
RachelDillingham
Katy Dixon
Jim Dixon
John Dodge
Beth Doglio
RobertDoran
Sue Dubuisson
Lou Ann Dunlap
AllisonEby
Susan Edie
LesEldridge
Terry Elliott
Leslie Emerick
WendyEndress
Don Ernst
Neil Falkenberg
SharonFasnacht
David R. Field
Susan Finkel
JohnFinnan
PamFloyd
Linda Forrer
Karen Foster
Karen Fraser
Holly Gadbaw
Daniel Galvin
Bill Garson
Christine Garst
Dawn Gedenberg
Fred Gentry
Bob Gillis
Jewel Goddard
In 2015,
indivduals
and businesses
contributed
$160,000 to the
DRC!
Howard Goldberg
Seth Goldstein
Leslie Goldstein
Sue Goldstein
Stephanie Gombos Kelly
Anne Goranson
Stacey Gracen
Joel Greene
WayneGruen
SandraGuth
Kevan Hagen
WilliamHaines
CamilleHale
Beth Halpern
Teresa Hammer
Mary Hancock
Julie Hankins
Jack Havens
Tom Hawkins
Billie Heath
Peter Heide
Colin Helsley
AudreyHenley
Maureen Hill
Linda Hoffman
Katharine Holloway
Joan Hopper
Roger Horn
John Hough
BarbaraHoward
CherylHuggins
Steve Hyer
Jennifer Jacobs
BonnieJacobs
Jeff Jaksich
Paul James
Larry Jefferson
Aaron Jelcick
Thom Jenrette
John Johns
Laura Johnson
PamelaJohnson
Stewart Johnston
Mary Hartley Jones
Karen Kashmar
CharlieKeck
ShelleyKirk-Rudeen
Peter Kmet
Daniel Knutson-Bradac
Jayne Koester
NathanKortokrax
Randy Kramer
Matt Kreiling
DonaldKrupp
Jonathon Lack
Nancy J. LaPointe
JerrodLee
Ken Lewis
Raven Lidman
Tuula Lindgren
Lisa Livingston
Betty Lochner
Jenifer H. Louden
Sandy Loveland
Bill Lum
Chris Lunde
Bob Macleod
Kelly Magnusson
Paul Malmberg
D.J. Mark
Tamra Marlowe
Vicki Martin
Michael McCormick
RosalieMcHale
Janet McLane
Judy McNickle
Susan Meenk
Margarita Mendoza de Sugiyama
Tanya Mercier
Christina Meserve
Sam Meyer
ConnieMichener
Greg Miller
Marji Mitchell
Elizabeth Monroe
Jennifer Moore
Kathy Moore
Diana Moore
VictoriaMoore
Cindy Morana
Stacie-Dee Motoyama
Blake Nelson
Dick Nichols
PatriciaO’Brien
Ellen O’Brien Saunders
Judy Olmstead
Deb O’Neill
Beth Oppliger
Mae Owada
Leslie Owen
Christine Parke
James Parker
Tom Parma
Jennifer Pearson
Tia Pennell
RobertPerretz-Rosales
Dawn Peterson
Kristie Petrie
Marjorie Price
Marci Price
Erik Price
Stefanie Randolph
MarshaReilly
Jean Reynolds
Linda Rhoades-Clarke
JessicaRice
Beth Rietema
Alison Riffer
Becci Riley
Celia Rivera
Rita Robison
Jeannine Roe
Josh Romoff
BonnieRose
Susan Rosen
Jacky Rudeen
AngelaRush
Jeff Russell
Ann Ryherd
Christine Salvador
MarcieSample
Rick Sandler
James Sanford
Mike Santana
Christine Schaller
Laura Schrager
MargieSchubert
Howard Schwartz
Beth Scouller
ColleenScoville
Lisa Seifert
Kelcy Shaffer
Anne Sharar
Suzanne Shaw
Terry Shelton
Anna Shelton
Dae Shogren
Gerry Shogren
Erin Shryne
Jean Six
MarnieSlakey
Dwayne Slate
Stu Smith
Aaron Smith
Dan Sockle
Oscar Soule
Jonathan Sprouffske
Molly Staley
Allen Stanton
CharlieStephens
Lynne Stockwell
Eliana Stockwell-Ferber
Katie Stoll
SherieStory
HarrietStrasberg
Linda Strever
Jody Suhrbier
Linda Sullivan-Colglazier
John Swannack
Joan Swanson
Alex Tarasar
Courtney Taylor
Sally Taylor
Kathe Taylor
Terry Teale
Indu Thomas
Kelly Thompson
Carly Thornburg
Diamanta Tornatore
Chris Traber
Howard Ullery
Betty Utter
Arthur Vaeni
Karen Valenzuela
Dee Van Brunt
Edith Vanderval
Linda Villegas Bremer
LoualtaVogel
Elaine Vradenburgh
Sandy Wall
Scott Waller
Mike Walsh
Ryan Warner
Christine Watts
CathayWebb
Andra Weddington
JamesWege
ClaudiaWestbrook
Kaylynn What
Kalo Wilcox
JoellenWilhelm
Caroline Willing
Patte Wills
Eric Wilson-Edge
Rob Wilson-Hoss
MelissaWood
Linda Young
Jeff Young
Ann Zabel
PeggyZimmerman
ConradZipperian
PeggyZorn