Agenda - 06-09-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of interpersonal cOnr]jct . Nediation sessio are scheduled at the statement of agreement, no written records are kept of the discussions to ensure confidentiality. Even more importantly, mediation allows individuals to discuss at length the feelings, as well as facts, underlying a dispute. Through a discussion of all the extra-legal issues, a more long-term agreement may be reached by the disputants who frequently have an on-going rela- tionship, such as neighbors, family members, landlords and tenants or friends. Such lengthy discussion of minor disputes is simply too time consuming for the overloaded dockets of the courts. WHO ARE THE MEDIATORS? Collectively, the Center's 20 mediators reflect the variety of cultural and demographic characteristics of the community: 37% are black, 63% white; 45% are men, 55% women; and ages range from 25 to 70. Based on the typical wage of a salaried mediator, the 5000 hours donated by the volunteers this year represents a contribution of $37,500• FINANCIAL SUPPORT The Dispute Settlement Center was given its initial funding of $7100 from the N.C. General Assembly in 1979. Currently, the program is being supported by a $27,500 grant from the Governor's Crime Commis- sion which expires in July, 1981. The additional support this year has enabled the Center to increase the one paid staff position from half- time to full-time and thereby triple the caseload, open a new branch in nearby Hillsborough, develop a comprehensive training program for new mediators and assist with the development of other centers in N.C. A NATIONAL MODEL The Dispute Settlement Center in Orange' County has gained national exposure as a leading model for volunteer-based centers. Currently, the Center is assisting citizens in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham with the development of similar centers in their areas. A network of dispute settlement centers across the state, based on the Orange County model, would call national attention to North Carolina as a progressive, forward-looking state in crime prevention and alter- natives to the courts. NATIONAL SUPPORT As part of a new but rapidly growing field, the Dispute Settlement Center is one of 100 centers across the country. The American Bar Association, Chief Justice Warren Burger and former Attorney General Griffen Bell have all called for alternatives for the resolution of disputes. In response, Congress passed the Dispute Resolution Act in 1979 which authorizes the creation of a national system of projects similar to the one in Orange County, but this act has yet to be appropriated by the Congress. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Evelyn Smith Program Coordinator Dispute Settlement Center 105 N. Columbia St. Chapel Hill , NC 27514 919/929-8800