CMC begins its annual appeal December 2005. Please join the board in supporting mediation services and education in southern Maine by sending in your donation today...

Community Mediation Center welcomes John McKenna as our new Mediation Coordinator! Please stop by the office to say hello and introduce yourself or send him an e-mail at cmcalex@maine.rr.com.

Great Training on the Dynamics of Aging and Mediation for the Elderly

Mediators in Southern Maine, including volunteer mediators working with the Community Mediation Center, participated in an engaging training on the dynamics of aging and mediating with elderly parties on September 19th. Many thanks to the wonderful trainers: Rebecca Henry, Esq. of Legal Services for the Elderly, Doris Luther, MACR, a volunteer and board member with the Community Mediation Center, and Judy Metcalf, APRN, BC, MS, Director of the Maine Geriatric Education Center. Funding for this project was been provided by the National Association for Community Mediation. Due to the level of interest in this training, the Community Mediation Center will offer this again. Stay tuned for new training dates.

CMC Raised $$ from Filene's Charity Benefit Shopping Day!

The Community Mediation Center raised $400 by participating in the Filene's Charity Day. Thank you to those that purchased or sold tickets!

Volunteers! Volunteers! Volunteers!

The Community Mediation Center uses volunteers to provide mediation services to our clients. As a result we are always on the look-out for new volunteer mediators. Volunteering for CMC will provide you with required chair time, feedback from more experienced mediators, training and a invaluable sense of contribution. Please call CMC or check back on the website for our upcoming new volunteer orientation.

The Portland Community Resolution Team seeks citizens interested in making a difference on behalf of their community. Volunteers coordinate and provide community conferences for victims and offenders as a way to address harm and repair relationships. See below for more information.

A Note on CMC's Relationship with Private Mediators

In a recent article in the Maine Association of Dispute Resolution Programs (MADRP) newsletter, CMC volunteer and board member, Doris Luther, sought to clarify CMC's case screening processes. CMC has not established financial guidelines for mediation services in an effort to select clients. Instead, CMC informs all callers about private practitioners in this community that specialize in specific areas such as family matters or land use issues. Callers are further informed that CMC mediators are volunteers and provided the MADRP list of private practitioners. CMC values and thanks the private mediators in this area for their ongoing support, consultation and volunteer services.    

Portland Community Resolution Team

Started in 2002, the Portland Community Resolution Team provides a community-based, restorative justice process to victims and offenders as an informal adjustment, in addition to or in placement of a formal legal process. The participants can talk about what happened, express their feelings and concerns, and come to agreement about how the harm can be addressed. The process is victim-focused, and offender sensitive.

Each Community Resolution Team in Maine creates its own guidelines for handling cases which are referred to them by JCCOs and law enforcement in their area. Members of the Teams are volunteers who meet regularly to discuss recruitment, outreach and training issues in addition to coordinating and facilitating community conferences.

The Portland Community Resolution Team enjoyed an engaging training on July 30, 2005 provided by Cindy Brann, a Regional Correctional Administrator from the Maine Department of Corrections. Participants were grateful for Cindy's energy, information and guidance. Thank you!

  For further information call John McKenna at 772-4070 or e-mail:  cmcalex@maine.rr.com