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Meet mediator Leigh Barer, current Secretary on the IMA Board of directors and Chair of the Communications and Fundraising Committee. Leigh is a Certified Professional Mediator who passionate about helping people resolve conflict. She focuses on family law mediations and is listed on the Idaho Supreme Court roster of child custody mediators. Leigh has a deep communications background and extensive experience solving complex communication challenges. Here are a few questions IMA posed to Leigh with her responses:
Q: When and why did you become a mediator?
A: I earned my professional mediator certification in 2021 because I enjoy helping people resolve conflict.
Q: When and why did you join the IMA?
A: I have been a member of IMA for 4 years (I think). I joined IMA to be at the forefront of mediation in Idaho, become a certified professional mediator, and connect with the mediation community.
Q: What types of mediation do you practice?
A: I focus on family law, such as divorce, parenting time, elder care as well as landlord-tenant, small claims, and restorative justice.
Q: When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A: I enjoy long walks, hiking, travel, and time with family and friends.
Q: What is one tip or piece of advice you would like to share with other mediators?
A: Don’t be afraid to reach out to other mediators for feedback, and be a mediator who is willing to share your insights. I am fortunate to have had mediators share their expertise with me.
Q: Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
A: I was a communications executive for many years prior to working in mediation.
Q: Please share with us one fun fact about yourself.
A: Chocolate is my therapy!
Thank you, Leigh, for participating in our IMA Member Spotlight!
The annual election of officers and directors of the Idaho Mediation Association will be held via online vote from October 6-12, 2024. The following positions will be elected to serve for two-year terms:
President Secretary 3 Directors
President
Secretary
3 Directors
President and Secretary candidates must be CPM members who have either served on a committee for two years or previously served on the board of directors. Director candidates must be CPM or general members in good standing.
If you are interested in nominating yourself or someone else, please complete the attached form and submit it to admin@idahomediationassociation.org by September 15, 2024.
IMA Officer and Director Nomination Form
Welcome to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA Members and what inspired their career in mediation.
Meet mediator David Pelligrinelli, an IMA board member and owner of Eagle, Idaho-based Telemediator.com. An individual of many talents, David is a licensed private investigator, a certified real estate title examiner, a licensed commercial insurance producer, a licensed building general contractor, and a certified commercial surety bond producer. He brings his diverse background and creative thinking to his work on the IMA Board.
Here are a few questions IMA posed to David with her responses:
A: In 2022, I became a mediator to facilitate the resolution of conflicts in business contracts.
A: Topromote a more widely adopted understanding of mediation among the general public.
A: Corporate conflicts and financial disputes.
A: I enjoy off-road driving.
A: Look for the existing common ground and build upon that commonality.
A: Almost everyone has something they could use a mediator for, almost always.
A: I've climbed to 10,000 feet above sea level and enjoy diving to 300 feet below sea level.
Thank you, David, for participating in our IMA Member Spotlight!
For more about Telemediator.com, visit https://telemediator.com/.
To learn more about becoming a certified professional mediator, click here.
Welcome to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became mediators.
Meet IMA board member Melissa Bishop, a certified professional mediator (CPM) and a certified direct service provider (DSP) through the Idaho Domestic Violence Council. In addition to mediating, she facilitates domestic violence programming for individuals convicted of domestic violence or domestic violence-related crimes at Trivium Life Services. Melissa brings her extensive criminal justice background (12 plus years) and experience as a responder to her conflict resolution work.
Here are a few questions IMA posed to Melissa and her responses:
A: I became a mediator in 2022 because I want to help individuals learn how to communicate in healthier ways and resolve issues. I also wanted to challenge myself professionally in another area of practice.
A: My practice areas include child custody, small claims, evictions, and neighborhood disputes.
A: I enjoy anything with my family. We love to camp, hike, boat, and fish.
A: Show up authentically and encourage those you work with to stay future-focused. Q: Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?
A: I love spending my time with my family and friends above all else, and enjoying the beautiful state we live in!
A: One fun fact about me is that I have been pepper sprayed and tased for training purposes.
Thank you, Melissa for participating in our IMA Member Spotlight!
Welcome back to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.
We are taking a closer look at Idaho Mediation Association President Terry W. Petty, CPM and owner of Moscow, Idaho-based Peace-Full Solutions RE, Inc., which provides mediation services and trains leaders in conflict management concepts and strategies. Terry has a Master of Arts in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding from California State University, Dominguez Hills. His professional experience as an ordained minister, real estate broker, and former president of the Grand Teton Mediation Association brings strength to his leadership of the IMA Board.
Here are a few questions IMA posed to Terry with his responses:
A: I became a mediator in 2009 to develop and enhance my skills in peacebuilding and peace-making.
A: In 2010, I joined the IMA to gain credibility by becoming a CPM, and to access continuing education opportunities.
A: I specialize in religious organizations, real estate, estate, non-profit, workplace, divorce, and parenting plans.
A: I enjoy umpiring high school baseball/softball for 23 seasons (and counting), riding my Harley-Davidson Ultra Electra-Glide, and sports like golf, hunting, and fishing.
A: I love conflict! Because I find great satisfaction when a conflict discovers a solution and tears of fear and anger transition to tears of relief and joy.
A: Together with the IMA board, I look forward to bringing increased value and visibility to professional mediators through increased credibility, continuing education, and influence to our communities.
A: Our home has a name, The Dove: A place of peace.
Thank you, Terry, for participating in our IMA Member Spotlight!
For more about Terry, visit http://www.peace-full.com/About-Us.html
Mediate.com is excited to announce a brand new, 3-day, online Workplace Mediation Training taught by leading mediators in the field: "Connecting Employees, Departments, and Corporations: One Conversation at a Time." Open to all mediators, the training is September 13-15, 8am-4pm PST, conducted online via Zoom.
TRAINERS: Hosted by Dr. Clare Fowler, who has worked with Google, Sirius, OSHA, DOI, and organizations in a variety of fields. Keynote by Erin Earle. Also participating will be mediators, conflict consultants, coaches, ombuds, and speakers from HR and management. AGENDA: The first 2 days of the training will focus on diagnosing and understanding workplace conflict, developing a plan for resolution, implementing your plan, and strategies for complex disputes. You will have breakout sessions with hiring managers from a variety of companies who will present a hypothetical workplace conflict which you diagnose and develop a plan for engaging with it. The hiring managers will then give you feedback. The 3rd day of the training will focus on developing your practice, marketing your process, and resources that will support you. PRICING: $495 early registration until Sep 1, $695 after Sep 1
Click here for registration and more information:
https://mediate.com/workplace-training-2023/ Materials will be available one week before the training, and recordings will be available the day after each session. Please let us know if you have any questions, and we hope to see you in September!
Clare Fowler, PhD for Mediate.com
Welcome to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.
Meet Courtney Lossmann, LMSW, CPM, and owner of Boise-based Rolling Hills Counseling & Mediation Services, PLLC. She brings her experience as a psychotherapist, court-appointed special advocate/guardian ad litem, and crisis responder to her conflict resolution work. The IMA is fortunate to have Courtney serve on the IMA Board.
Here are a few questions IMA posed to Courtney with her responses:
A: Over the past several years, I've provided psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families throughout the Treasure Valley. A common challenge or struggle often presented is navigating conflict. Through my work helping individuals learn new skills to address and manage conflict, I've found overall mental health improves. I decided to dive into the world of mediation to learn more about conflict resolution and assist others in developing skills to navigate conflict constructively.
A: I joined the IMA in 2022 to explore continuing education opportunities and to network with my professional mediation community.
A: My practice is focused on divorce and child custody, estate, small claims, workplace, community, and eviction mediation.
A: I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, learning new hobbies, and attending trainings (I'd love to be a professional student :-).
A: Yikes! This is still a new area for me, so I don't know if I have much advice to offer at this time. However, I love to hear advice and personal experiences related to the field from other mediators!
A: I have six children ages 14 - 22, have experienced divorce, re-marriage, and blending a family. Although each situation is unique, I have an understanding of the challenges that often lead to conflict during these life transitions.
A: I recently attained my “Skipper” certification to charter sailboats!
Thank you, Courtney for participating in our IMA Member Spotlight!
For more about Courtney, visit https://www.rollinghillscounseling.com/about
Welcome to the IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.
Meet Nancy Haug, CPM and owner of Haug Mediation and Facilitation Services. Based in Boise and certified in Idaho, she is a trained, experienced, proficient and compassionate mediator and facilitator. Nancy is a valued member of the IMA Board.
Here are a few questions IMA posed to Nancy with her responses:
A: I became a mediator in 2014. Toward the end of my federal career with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), I took a mediation class at the University of Nevada Reno, thinking that the mediation process would support my work as a natural resource professional. I fell in love with the practice and theory of conflict resolution and began volunteering in 2014 at the Reno Justice Court and for the Neighborhood Mediation Center.
When I retired from the BLM in 2016, I pursued and completed a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution to expand and deepen my knowledge, skills and experience in conflict resolution. Mediation was a natural progression following my career based in natural resources, where I spent decades working with individuals and groups from different agencies and organizations to explore and share concerns and negotiate resolutions. Mediation allows me to use the skills and knowledge I have gained through education and experience. It allows me to stay connected to individuals and groups and support them as they work through complicated issues toward resolutions and peace.
A: I joined the IMA in 2019 to connect with professionals in my field, learn about educational opportunities, and become certified.
A: My conflict resolution work includes individuals, families, and companies navigating small claims, eviction, divorce, elder care, and employment. I also facilitate groups negotiating complex issues to outcomes that allow them to move forward with a purpose and a plan.
A: My outdoor passions include hiking, backpacking, photography, and fishing with my husband and Mini-Aussie. At home, I write, cook, and manage my photos. I also spend as much time as possible with my children and grandchildren.
A: Adopt a student-of-mediation attitude -- we can never stop learning. This means actively pursuing opportunities for personal and professional growth through classes, books and self-reflective practices.
A: Although mediation is my second career, my first career laid the foundation for my success as a mediator. Conflict is everywhere, and it's normal and expected; I love exploring the differences people have and helping them find commonalities and mutually agreeable solutions.
A: I was born in Japan to military parents and have lived in Germany and England as well.
For more about Nancy, visit: https://www.nancyhaugmediation.com/ To learn more about becoming a certified professional mediator, click here.
Thank you, Nancy for participating in our IMA Member Spotlight!
and Leigh K. Barer, CPM, as secretary; Adds board members
BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 09, 2023–Idaho Mediation Association (IMA), which educates, certifies, and supports mediation professionals and promotes community awareness of constructive conflict resolution, today announced Terry W. Petty, CPM, as president, and several board officers and directors.
In addition to Terry serving as IMA president, Jennifer Poole, CPM, will serve as vice president, and Leigh K. Barer will serve as secretary. Leigh’s and Jennifer’s new officer roles left two vacant director seats to which the IMA board appointed Melissa Bishop, CPM, and Courtney Lossmann, LMSW. Nancy Haug, CPM, was elected a director, and Sheldon L. Forehand, CPM, was re-elected a director following his service the previous year. Scott Brand, CPM, continues as treasurer, and Steve Pinther, CPM, continues as director.
“I love conflict because I find great satisfaction when a conflict discovers a solution and ‘tears of fear and anger transition to tears of relief and joy,” said IMA President Terry W. Petty, CPM. “I am committed to advancing the IMA’s two-fold mission to train and certify professional mediators and to promote the benefits of mediation to the public. Together with the IMA board, I look forward to bringing increased value and visibility to professional mediators through increased credibility and community, and to building public awareness and understanding of mediation’s many benefits."
About Terry W. Petty, 2023 to 2024 IMA President A CPM since 2010, Terry is listed on the Idaho Supreme Court Roster for Child Custody Mediators and is a former president of the Grand Teton Mediation Association (Idaho Falls, Idaho). Prior to his election to president, he was elected 2021-2022 IMA vice president and served on the 2014-2015 board.
Terry is the president of Peace-Full Solutions RE, Inc., which provides mediation services and training leaders in conflict management concepts and strategies. He specializes in church, organizational, large group, and high-intensity conflicts. Since 2017, he has been an Idaho licensed REALTOR® and works with Team Idaho Real Estate in Moscow, Idaho. An ordained minister, Terry serves the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God as the North Idaho Executive Presbyter. He was certified as a Master Chaplain with the International Conference of Police Chaplains and served as a volunteer law enforcement chaplain for 25 years. He has authored three books. Terry earned a master’s degree in negotiation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
About Jennifer Poole, CPM, 2022-2023 Vice President
Jennifer is the mediator at the Idaho Industrial Commission and owner of Resolution Empowered Mediation. An Idaho CPM, she has been an adjunct faculty member of Boise State University’s Dispute Resolution Program since 1999 and University of Dubuque LIFE since 2022. Jennifer authored Ch. 19: Conflict Management and the Criminal Justice System in the textbook “Victimology: Crime Victimization and Victim Services” from the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.
In addition to conducting various types of mediation, Jennifer trains and consults on Restorative Justice, victim-offender mediation, peer mediation, community mediation, and active listening. Prior to serving as the 2022 to 2023 vice president on the IMA board, she was a director from 2021 to 2022 and is a member of IMA's Training and Education Committee. Jennifer holds a master’s degree in dispute resolution from Touro University Worldwide. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and communication from Boise State University, and an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Brigham Young University - Idaho.
About Leigh K. Barer, CPM, 2023 to 2024 Secretary
Leigh is a CPM on the Idaho Supreme Court Roster for Child Custody Mediators with a family law focus and a deep communications background. Her interest in resolving conflict is underscored by her professional training and extensive experience solving complex communication challenges.
Before mediation, Leigh spent 15+ years helping countless businesses and nonprofits communicate clearly with their audiences as a freelance communications and PR consultant. Prior to serving as the 2023-2024 secretary on the IMA board, she was a director from 2022-2023. Leigh has completed studies in basic and advanced mediation, child custody mediation, domestic violence mediation, and restorative justice. Leigh earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Seattle University.
For more about the IMA Board of Directors, visit https://www.idahomediationassociation.org/Board-of-Directors.
About Idaho Mediation Association
The Idaho Mediation Association (IMA) is an association of mediators that educates, certifies, and supports mediation professionals and promotes community awareness of constructive conflict resolution. IMA has certified more than 400 individuals as Certified Professional Mediators (CPMs). IMA is one of the associations for which the Supreme Court accepts its certification process. IMA is Idaho’s mediation organization of choice for individuals seeking community, certification, and professional development. Visit: https://www.idahomediationassociation.org
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Phone: 208-855-0506
Email: admin@idahomediationassociation.org
Address: PO Box 2504 Boise, Idaho 83701
