• The Power of Sorry seminar is proposed as a means of exploring the role of the apology in dispute resolution. We will discuss this in the context of Mediation and Complaints Handling processes. Our panel of speakers are:

• Renee Williamson - Chairperson, NSW Reconciliation Council Renee is a Murri woman from the nation groups of North West Queensland with a history of work with Indigenous communities in education, advocacy and development roles.

We are making plans to ensure the dinner that follows the Annual General Meeting will be another ADRA event to remember.  The Law Society provides a convenient and comfortable venue, with great catering and excellent service at good value.  We are able to provide dinner and drinks for just $65 per person.  We hope to see many members and friends on Tuesday 28 October. 

Julia Lines, the Manager of the Health Conciliation Registry in the Health Care Complaints Commisison, provided her audience at ADRA's seminar on 14 August with some insights into the complaints handling procedures she oversees.  Of special interst was the outcome of the client satisfaction surveys.  90% of complainants, health providers and support people expressed a high level of satisfaction with the processes provided by the Registry.     Sally Trevena shared some results of research by the Society of Consumer Affiars Professionals, including ground-breaking research into

The Narrative Approach to Supervision seminar was co-presented by David Newman and Michelle Brenner. The seminar encouraged participants to consider the application of narrative techniques in the supervision of mediators.Ideas such as the storying of professional lives and questioning the way values, culture, relationships and history inform our work were canvassed. We were given an opportunity to undertake a ‘re-authoring exercise’ so that we could practise the skills involved in these ideas.

A feature of the July Practitioners Information and Networking Evening was the mixing and mingling of 'older' members with 'newer' members.  Micheline Dewdney, a member of the first ADRA Board elected in 1987 attended, along with Yula Blecher, Ursula Schappi and Michelle Brenner, all of whom have been active members for many years.  Paul Sweeney, a long-standing member attending his first function, Michelle De Vries, Ron Dunsire, Sue Waterhouse and Inez Jessurum were among those counted as 'newer' members.  Steve Lancken was congratulated by the President, Paula Cas

    Don't forget - early bird registrations for the National Mediation Conference in Perth are due in this week. 

ADRA is now a Registered Mediator Accreditation Body.  This is good news for members who wish to become accredited mediators under the national standards.  If you are already accredited with another organisation, you do not need to register again with ADRA.  If you are not yet accredited, shortly we will be making availble information to assist you to apply for accreditation.

A submission to host the 2010 National Mediation Conference in Sydney is almost complete.  We are grateful to all the individuals and organisations who have offered their support.  Also, the Complaints Handling Forum is ready to pass our Complaints Handling for Mediators documents to Katherine Johnson, David Holst and Michael Whelan for discussion at the national level.  Katherine, David and Michael are members of the NADRAC complaints handling committee which will meet in July.  For more info email contact@adra.net.au 

Full conference information, registration form and program are NOW available for the National Mediation Conference 2008 to be held in Perth, Western Australia at the  Hyatt Regency Perth Hotel from 9 - 12 September 2008.  It is titled