2014 Dispute Resolution Center Spring Event Honors Washtenaw County Peacemaking Court

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - March 11, 2014 - PRLog -- The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), serving Washtenaw and Livingston Counties, today announced it will honor Washtenaw County’s Peacemaking Court with Judge Timothy Connors, on Thursday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The 2014 Dispute Resolution Center Spring Event is the 17th annual event honoring people who have demonstrated commitment to the just and humane resolution of social conflict. It also serves as the primary fundraiser for the non-profit Dispute Resolution Center.

Judge Connors leads the Peacemaking Court at the Washtenaw County Trial Court, the first of its kind in the country. Modeled on Native American tribal court traditions, the court embraces “the four Rs: respect, responsibility, relationship and redirection.” The goal of the Peacemaking Court is to help individuals repair the harm done by their actions, and heal broken relationships so the individual can rejoin their family and community.

“The Dispute Resolution Center is delighted to acknowledge the Peacemaking Court and honor Judge Timothy Connors for his leadership in establishing it in our community. His efforts to bring enlightened jurisprudence to the Washtenaw County Court system are extraordinary,” said DRC Executive Director Belinda Dulin. “The conflict resolution model introduced by Judge Connor’s Peacemaking Court is not only innovative, but also effective in resolving issues in a respectful and positive fashion.”

“I am humbled to receive this award from an organization I respect and whose mission I thoroughly support,” stated Washtenaw County Judge Timothy Connors. “Partnering with the DRC in its peacemaking efforts which incorporate the wisdom of the Native American tribal traditions is a proven, practical solution and a great advantage for our region.”

The annual Dispute Resolution Center Spring Event is also an opportunity to learn about how the DRC’s mediation, facilitation and restorative justice efforts support the community and contribute to a better quality of life in Washtenaw and Livingston Counties.

The DRC is partnering with the court to deliver a cutting-edge, healthier form of justice. Peacemaking is a voluntary process in which clients meet with trained impartial peacemakers in a neutral setting to work out a resolution acceptable to all parties.  These outcomes are  ‘win-win’ solutions. The mediation services offered by the DRC have many benefits compared with litigation including: confidentiality, affordability, self-determination, interest-based outcomes, relationship preservation and participant follow-through.

Sponsorship opportunities for The Dispute Resolution Center Spring Event are available. Event tickets cost $100 with all proceeds to benefit the DRC. For more information, call 734-794-2125 or visit www.thedisputeresolutioncenter.org.

About The Dispute Resolution Center

The mission of The Dispute Resolution Center of Washtenaw and Livingston Counties seeks to build peaceful communities by offering a variety of affordable conflict resolution services and trainings.

As an independent non-profit, the DRC provides affordable conflict resolution services to anyone in the Washtenaw and Livingston Counties. DRC fees are significantly lower than the private sector because mediators volunteer their time for the center. DRC mediators complete the State Court Administrative Office approved 40-hour Mediator Training and a minimum of 10 hours observing DRC-facilitated mediations. In addition, DRC mediators are required to take the advanced specialized training related to Special Education, School Attendance, Domestic Relations, Guardianship, Probate and Estate, Civil Rights, Child Protection and Parent/Child mediation, if they want to mediate cases related to those matters.