Just Court ADR

Dear friend of RSI,

What can I say about 2020 that hasn’t been said? From a global pandemic to economic instability, from political division to the fight for social justice, this year has seen more than its fair share of turbulence.

Amidst these storms of conflict, RSI continues to work to increase access to justice through enhanced court ADR by:

• conducting mediations for foreclosure and child protection cases via video connections
• evaluating court online dispute resolution (ODR) programs remotely
• convening national experts on family ODR to explore how ODR can best serve thinly-resourced parents, courts and communities
• designing a remote foreclosure mediation program in preparation for an expected flood of eviction cases 

Courts look to RSI for innovation and guidance. And RSI responds, providing mediation services, designing cutting-edge systems to serve families during crises, conducting incisive evaluations and offering reliable court ADR resources. RSI focuses on the issues that most effect individuals and families, such as, foreclosure, eviction, child protection and divorce. 

As we all weather the storms that are buffeting us, RSI needs your support more than ever. Please make a contribution to help RSI serve the parties, courts and communities that look to us for innovation and guidance to deal with the massive disruption caused by COVID-19. You can go online to contribute or mail your contribution to RSI, 11 East Adams St., Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60603. 

On behalf of everyone RSI will help, I thank you.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Yates

Executive Director

In what has become a holiday tradition at RSI, here is my ADR-themed parody of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Happy holidays!

For the first hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me a round table with a great view

For the second hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the third hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the fourth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the fifth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me five as-pir-in
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the sixth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me six tested realities
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the seventh hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me seven caucuses
Six tested reality
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the eighth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me eight explored BATNAs
Seven caucuses
Six tested reality
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the ninth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me nine fresh perspectives
Eight explored BATNAs
Seven caucuses
Six tested reality
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the tenth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me ten brainstorms
Nine fresh perspectives
Eight explored BATNAs
Seven caucuses
Six tested reality
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the eleventh hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me eleven cookie breaks
Ten brainstorms
Nine fresh perspectives
Eight explored BATNAs
Seven caucuses
Six tested reality
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

For the twelfth hour of conflict, my neutral gave to me twelve resolved issues
Eleven cookie breaks
Ten brainstorms
Nine fresh perspectives
Eight explored BATNAs
Seven caucuses
Six tested reality
Five aspirin
Four mirrored feelings
Three paraphrases
Two succinct summaries
And a round table with a great view

Have a great New Year!

Congratulations to Olga Ivari and Kevin Malone who celebrated seven years with RSI in November! Olga and Kevin manage RSI’s mediation programs in Illinois. Olga is the Program Coordinator for RSI’s Lake County Foreclosure Mediation Program and Kevin is the Program Manager for RSI’s Kane County Foreclosure Mediation Program and Child Protection Mediation Program.

Please join us in congratulating Olga and Kevin for all of their hard work!

RSI’s Executive Director Susan Yates has been awarded the ADR Professional of the Year Award by the Association for Conflict Resolution Chicago Chapter. Last night, during the Chapter’s celebration of International Conflict Resolution Day, Susan was recognized for her commitment and contributions to the alternative dispute resolution community, both in Chicago and across the nation. The award celebrates Susan’s talent and skill in helping parties resolve their disputes outside the courtroom and her dedication to teaching improved mediation effectiveness.

Congratulations Susan!