Student of the Month
Megan Ireland, Senior at GHHS. Joining her are her father, Dan and teacher Mrs. Hurd. Had a lead role in this year's musical Jeckyl & Hyde, also active in choir. Is currently in the spring "Pay It Forward" class and is learning a great deal about service opportunities.
Issa El-Amir, Senior at GHHS. Brought his parents Abeer and Nabeel. Worked with tutoring younger children for several years. Was inspired by the experience of seeing the kids expanding appreciation for the topics he covered with them. Issa is involved with Chess Club, Math Club and NHS.
Elizabeth Giddings, Executive Director of Mediation Services of Ottawa and Allegan Counties.
"When conflict becomes opportunity."
Established in 1993, started in Holland, became a 501 C (3) in 1996. There 18 such programs in the State of Michigan. The mediation services offered are considered "alternative dispute resolution" (ADR) and is a formal option to litigation in the Michigan Court System.
90% of case load is referred to them by the court system.
Funded by State Board Administrative Grant, Mediation Fees, and one third from Foundation and United Way support.
Elizabeth compared mediation with litigation, and explained the benefits of a mediated resolution versus a litigated one. Mediation is private, litigation is public. Mediation is inexpensive, litigation is expensive. Mediation can result in a win-win, litigation is almost always win-lose. Litigation can go on for years. mediation is relatively speedy. Mediation services cover just about any civil dispute.
Mediators receive extensive training (up to 48 hours) followed by an internship (two observations and one co-mediation). Mediators are community members, and currently there are 70 volunteer mediators, the majority of whom are domestic mediators.
Everyone has different ways of dealing with conflict, understanding how we respond to conflict helps us understand how to solve our conlficts.
Members were invited to train to be a mediator - call 616-399-1600.
