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Date: Thu, 06 Apr 95 20:58:10 EST
From: carolorm@MIT.EDU (orme-johnson)
To: mediating@MIT.EDU
Subject: mediation@mit business

re: testimonials

Mediators -- 

mediation@mit needs your support.  

Our funding is in jeopardy, because our accomplishments have been judged 
by some almost entirely on the basis of the number of cases we have 
mediated.  That number is still small.  By such a criterion, training 
more mediators than are needed for that small number of cases appears 
unwise, and it does not make sense to spend even a modest amount of 
money for a program which trains many but mediates few.

This point of view is based on the assumptions that mediation is 
valuable only for dispute resolution and training mediators is merely a 
means to that end.

The founders of mediation@mit have a different view, that training 
mediators is an independent goal, because trained mediators contribute 
to a positive environment all the time, not just when participating in 
formal mediations.  Comments you have made to us during and after 
training have led us to believe that many of you agree.

We are now asking you to write your thoughts down for us to use in 
support of the program.  Specifically, please address (1) the value of 
the mediation training to your personal development and (2) the 
contributions it has enabled you to make to life at MIT.  Then give us 
permission to publicize your statement and sign your name.

Please take 15 minutes to do this in the next day or two and send your 
testimonial by campus mail to mediation@mit, w20-549 or email to 
mediation@mit.edu.

THANKS!

Carol and Laura


ON A CHEERIER NOTE:  DON'T FORGET THE APRIL MEETING NEXT WEEK -- 
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 6:30, IN THE MARLAR LOUNGE, 37-252 -- We are 
expecting visitors from Macedonia, visiting the U. S. to investigate 
dispute resolution practices, who will observe our role play.