October 2021 News
President's Message
By Cindy Ettingoff

On more than one occasion I have been told that it is impossible for most people to make their living exclusively from mediating. At one time that may have been true, but I do not believe that to be the case currently. While the use of mediation in state, unlike federal court, is not always automatic, it has certainly become more widespread. As a means of addressing case backlogs resulting from pandemic related closures the Tennessee Supreme Court has encouraged judges to refer all appropriate cases to mediation. That means increased opportunities for mediators. As a result of the pandemic there is now widespread implementation and acceptance of Zoom hearings, Zoom meetings, and Zoom mediations. This is a time of opportunity for mediators who have honed their Zoom skills. It is also an opportunity for mediators, such as those with family obligations or health concerns which prevent them from routinely traveling, to advertise their availability to mediate. 

Another factor that has given rise to new opportunities for mediators is that as mediation becomes more common, some of those hiring mediators have come to the realization that different problems may benefit from different mediator personalities and styles of mediation. The view of what makes a good mediator for a specific type of case and how mediation “should” be done has broadened. In addition, just as the pandemic has created a market for virtual mediation, it has opened opportunities for virtual learning. TAPM is proud to offer many opportunities for mediators to learn about different aspects of mediation and different styles of mediation. It is an opportunity for mediator growth and development, and I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities to develop or reevaluate your mediation style.  
SAVE THE DATE: April 8, 2022

TAPM’s annual Advanced Mediation Training Seminar will be Friday, April 8, 2022 on Zoom.

Speaker: Dwight Golann – bio at Dwight Golann
Justice Clark Mourned

TAPM and the Coalition for Mediation Awareness in Tennessee mourn the loss of Justice Connie Clark, recipient of the 2020 Grayfred Gray Public Service in Mediation Award.

Click https://tapm.wildapricot.org/Grayfred-Gray-Award for a video of the award presentation.

Fall Full of Opportunities

It’s a busy fall, as these upcoming events and others are just around the corner. Be sure to register and mark your calendars:

October 14 -- ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Ombuds Day 2021

October 15 -- Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission 19th Annual Advanced Mediation Techniques Workshop

October 15-16 -- Academy of Professional Family Mediators APFM 2021 A New Beginning: Reimagining the Art and Science of Family Mediation

October 18-22 -- ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Mediation Week 2021

November 4-6 -- 2021 ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Mediation & Advocacy Skills Institute
Help4TN is a program provided by the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, with legal information available at https://www.help4tn.org/.
Got News? Email your submissions for the December TAPM newsletter to tapm@tals.org by November 30, 2021.
NEWS From AOC:
 
The Supreme Court has created a new and innovative plan called the TNSC ADR Plan. The ADR Plan addresses case backlogs related to the Covid-19 Pandemic http://www.tncourts.gov/adrplan. The Training PowerPoints are on the right-hand side of “Mediator Training Information.”
 
 
To be listed as a Rule 31 Mediator, you must submit a renewal application and renewal fee annually. 

A Rule 31 Mediator may complete ALL 6 (six) Biennial Continuing Mediation Education (CME) hours online. This 6-hour requirement is every 2 years.
 
If all requirements of a Rule 31 Mediator’s annual renewal have not been completed by March 31 of the renewal year, then the Rule 31 Mediator’s listing lapses. Rule 31, Section 15(b)
 
A mediator whose credentials have lapsed for failure to comply with CME requirements must re-apply to the ADRC for a listing and must have taken all required training per section 14. 

If you need more information about mediation please visit https://www.tncourts.gov/programs/mediation/resources-mediators
 
The ADR Portal login and help team can be reached at 615-741-2687, the Administrative Offices of the Courts. They will direct your call to the appropriate person for user account and login information, CME (Continuing Mediation Education), and Renewals.
Join TAPM! Dues are $100.00
We encourage you to support TAPM. Annual dues are $100 for Professional Mediators / $50 for Students and Non-Profit Mediators who do not have a private mediation practice.

Dues are renewable on the one year anniversary of your previous dues payment.
TAPM appreciates its members and members receive benefits in return, including discounts on TAPM’s cutting-edge educational programs!

Go to: https://tapm.wildapricot.org/about-tapm to become a TAPM member.
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