Thanks to CDRC, Talk Works!Please consider supporting CDRC with a charitable giftYou can give online at www.cdrc.org

INCOME

Contributions, Grants, Gifts 19,169NY State Unified Court System 213,121Case Fees 1,831United Ways* 53,805Tompkins County 43,796Training Income 13,633Other 1,928*Chemung, Schuyler & Tompkins Counties EXPENSES

Program Services* 298,381Administration 42,124Development 10,530*Mediation and Conflict Education

2011-12 Finances

Heather BakerDarlene BarelaSharron BeckworthLaura BrancaCalvin BrewerSherron BrownShirley BrownTammy L. BrownJenna BugliosiJudy BurrillDorothy CaldwellKathy CarpenterMeaghan Charko-

wickBeth CohenBarbara ComanTroy CouncilEileen DriscollKirby EdmondsCindy EmmerJohn Fidler* Raymond Gozzi

Michael HartneySatomi HillNicky Hilton-

PattersonLeni HochmanRuth HopkinsPaul HouleSrivalli IndraniSylvester JohnsonEmily Karr-Cook,

Esq.David KayJurgen KerberJim KetchamPatrice Lockert

AnthonyTim LogueAnn MartinErica MarxLeslyn McBean-

ClairborneO. Jane Murphy

Michael NewboldMary NewhartJim O’BrienWillie OwensConnie ParkChrista PerzCili PhillipsKaaren RemleySandra RhodesAdrienne RussellJudy SaulAkossiwoa SinonApril SpencerSharron ThrasherNancy VanMaarse-

veenPeggy WalbridgeMichael WaldSidney WhitfieldIska Ziver

* Deceased

MEDIATORS HELPED PEOPLE TALK IT OUTMediators give the gift of time. What qualified mediators for this work? A willingness to learn to listen deeply, to not take sides, and to support people in making the best decisions they can as they balance the needs, perspectives, and constraints of particular situations. They spent 504 hours helping people talk. We’re grateful for their energy and commitment.CDRC Volunteer Mediators 2011-12

CDRC wishes to give special thanks in recognition of our contributors. Their generosity makes our work possible.Barry & Molly Adams • Theresa Alt • Anonymous (4) • Robert Aronson • Mark & Judith Ashton • Barney & Linda Beins • Robert & Carolyn Belle • Miriam Biatch • Mitchell Bobrow & Kathy Rodgers • Josh Bornstein • John & Anita Brenner • Vonne Brewster • Laura Bronstein • Brooks Family Foundation • Ira & Anne Brous • John Cancalosi • Earl & Kathy Carpenter • Cascadilla Tree Care Inc. • Catholic Charities of Schuyler Co. • Chemung Canal Trust Co. • Richard & Brenda Christofaro • Diane Cohen • Karen Comstock & Vicki Gayle • George J. Conneman • Sara Culotta • Barbara DeWall & Deborah Jones • Jerry & Judy Dietz • William Elkins • Betty Empson • Richard Entlich & Ilene Gaffin • Elmer & Marilyn Ewing • Fagan Engineers • Stephen & Marcia Falk • Donald Farley • Martha Ferger • First Unitarian Society of Ithaca • Helen Fisher • Lucy Fisher • Dan Flerage & Judith Paskin • Mariette Geldenhuys • Raymond Gozzi Jr. & Barbara Logan • Sidney Graubard • Ronald & Rebecca Harris-Warrick • Michael Hartney • Satomi Hill • Christopher & Cheryl Hines • Leni Hochman & Tim Joseph • Dan Hoffman • Steve Hoffman • Kathleen Homa • Roger & Ruth Hopkins • Betty House • Sally Hoyt • Ithaca Religious Society of Friends • Stephen & Marion Jacobsen • Mary M. Kelsey • Rosalind Kenworthy • Jim Ketcham • Cynthia King • Rebecca Koch • Joseph Lagonegro • Lynn Leopold • Gilbert & Ilma Levine • Philip & Catherine Lewis • Nicole Librandi & Bill Brown • David Lipsky • Beth Marsh • Peter & Ann Martin • Leslyn McBean-Clairborne • Mark & Sandy Mentuck • Northern State Auto • Anna Palmer • Elizabeth Peters • Anne Posel • Frank Proto • Ruth Richardson • Virginia Rinker • Sean & Jackie Roberts • Steve & Martha Robertson • Eric Rosario • Laurie Rubin • Elizabeth Saggese • Judy Saul • Helen Saunders • Joel & Susan Savishinsky • Ted Schiele & Chris Griffin • Raymond & Kathleen Schlather • Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP • Ian Shapiro • Michael & Karen Shuler • Joanne Sturgeon • John Suter • Andi Sutherland • Rita Tague Carmony • Temple Beth El • The Center for Transformative Action • Garry & Connie Thomas • Mark & Lynn Turnquist • Norman & Marguerite Uphoff • Peggy Walbridge • Charles & Jane Walcott • Sarah Wessels & Robert Love • Hans Wien • Brian Williams • Patricia Woodworth • Joel and Cathy Zumoff • Gail Zussman & John Dobbins

Tompkins Trust Annual Award for Excellence May 23rd, 2011

We want to congratulate all of our mediators for winning the Tompkins Trust Company annual AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE, presented by the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County on May 23rd, 2011. This honor is given

annually in recognition of outstanding volunteerism on the part of community members who give of their time in the service of others. We have prominently displayed the award in CDRC’s Tompkins County mediation office on 120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street in Ithaca. A check for $1,500 was presented to CDRC to honor the work of our volunteer mediators. Excerpts of the nomination authored by CDRC Staff follow:

The volunteer mediators of the Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) define the organization. Collectively, they comprise the backbone of CDRC and make it possible for the organization to carry out its vital mission: cultivating constructive responses to conflict.

CDRC’s volunteer mediators enable the agency to offer interpersonal mediation services at no cost, so that those most vulnerable to the often devastating consequences of protracted conflict can always have access to professional alternative dispute resolution services of the highest order. The volunteers’ impact is as broad as it is deep. Mediating hundreds of cases every year in Tompkins County, volunteer mediators have cumulatively served a number of people equivalent to one-third of the county’s non-student population since CDRC’s inception in 1983.

CDRC volunteer mediators are the peacemakers of our community. The strict code of confidentiality mediators work by requires absolute discretion, so they remain unsung heroes.

Whether a case involves family, neighbors, or co-workers, one can imagine the pressure of shouldering the responsibility for helping disputing parties achieve resolution with relations so cold and stakes so high. Yet that is what CDRC volunteer mediators do every day, and they do it only for the sake of their civic and communal affections…

Once again, all of us at CDRC wish to extend our gratitude for your dedication and our congratulations for this collective recognition of your wonderful service.

2011

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Mediated or Concilistioned

57%

What happens once a case is opened by CDRC

Screened Inappropriate 3%

Unable to Contact

19%

One or Both Parties

Declined 21%

Who were the people who sought CDRC’s assistance? Over 1400 were parents and other family members who hoped to develop parenting plans through mediation and conciliation. Others were served in a variety of ways:

Whether people were referred by the courts, came to CDRC because they knew about us, or were referred by a friend or agency, over 2100 individuals were served through CDRC’s mediation program.

Additionally, 805 minor children benefited.

Mediation/Conciliation

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

49.17%

14.30%

36.53%

0

200

400

600

800

1000

905

683

352

165Chemung

1035Schuyler

301Tompkins

769

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

49.17%

14.30%

36.53%

0

200

400

600

800

1000

905

683

352

165

Training/FacilitationCDRC’s Training and Facilitation services were offered

to Local Governments, Businesses, Not-for Profits and other community groups.

Representatives from all of these sectors contacted CDRC to discuss challenging situations and consider possible responses. 195 people took part in coaching, skill training and facilitation services.

Facilitation services were useful to local governments and organizations, whose teams or individuals were adversely affected by compromised interactions. CDRC also facilitated community conversations with elected officials, organizational leaders and community members around a number of contentious issues.

Training and coaching services increased employees’s communication and conflict management skills, enhancing their ability to communicate effectively with dissatisfied clients and co-workers. “I asked CDRC to act as moderator for a political Meet the Candidates forum. The meeting was well run and order was maintained. These meetings are not the easiest to have people conduct themselves in a civilized manner. The moderator was able to get the people to remain respectful and it turned out very well.” —Benjamin R. Dickens, Town Supervisor “CDRC’s Workplace Facilitation provided a safe forum in which to share concerns, reach a level of understanding which improved work relationships and essentially brought healing.”

—Area Agency Executive Director “CDRC’s presence was hugely valuable. At least there are some doors open whereas before, we didn’t even know if it was worth knocking!” —Local Town Councilperson “CDRC helped facilitate large meetings, ensuring all voices were heard while creating an environment that diffused tension and encouraged positive discussion and problem-solving.”

—Local Sports Team Captain

spec

ial t

Ha

nk

s

Training and Facilitation Clients included:• Schuyler County

Administration Office

• Joint Education and Training

• Society Human Resource Management of Tompkins County

• Child Care Councils of Chemung and Schuyler Counties

• Caroline After-School Program

• Tompkins/Tioga Catholic Charities

• Human Services Coalition, Tompkins County

• Schuyler County Office of Aging

• Town of Hector• Ithaca League of

Women Rollers• Coddington

Community Center

CDRC also wishes to express our deepest appreciation to the following funders and clients:Caroline After School • Coddington Community Center • Community Foundation of Elmira • Corning and Finger Lakes Area • Community Foundation of Tompkins County • Human Services Coalition • Ithaca Suffer Jets • Joint Education and Training • New York State Dispute Resolution Association • New York State Unified Court System • Park Foundation • Schuyler County Administration Office • Schuyler County Office of Aging • Schuyler County United Way • Society of Human Resource Management of Tompkins County • Tompkins County • Tompkins County Child Development Council • Tompkins County United Way • Tompkins Tioga Catholic Charities • Town of Hector • United Way of the Southern Tier

Families (immediate & extended)

Separated Families

Business Relation-

ships

Friends & Community Members

Local Governments

27%

Businesses 18%

Not-For-Profits 18%

Community Organizations

37%

Coaching 9%

Managing Conflict in the

Workplace 27%

Mediation Skill Training

27%

Group Faciliation

37%

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

49.17%

14.30%

36.53%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

63.64%

36.36%

Trainings Facilitations

talkworks.

community dispute resolution center 

talkworks.

Conflict happens and mediation

can help!

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IN RESPONSE TO THE DRASTIC BUDGET CUTS handed down by the Unified Court

System of New York State, mediation centers and the communities they serve across the state responded with a post card petition calling for a commitment to begin restoring funding to sup-port the valuable work of mediation and conflict resolution services. Over 2500 postcards were delivered to the office of the Honorable Jona-than Lippman, Chief Judge of the State of New York. CDRC in Chemung, Schuyler and Tompkins County submitted more than 400 of those post-cards! The state mediation centers continue in their on-going efforts to support a gradual fund-ing restoration to mediation centers across New York State in the years ahead.

2011

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ts Peacemaker Award Local Civil Rights Legend Dorothy Cotton Wins 2011 Martin Luther King, Jr. Peacemaker Award

In partnership with GIAC, CDRC selected Dorothy Cotton, Founder and Distinguished Fellow of the Dorothy Cotton Institute, as the winner of the

peacemaker award. The Dorothy Cotton Institute promotes the non-violent organizing and education principles of the CEP and works to gather the stories, share the lessons, and foster the global realization of human rights.

Dorothy Cotton was the Education Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) for twelve years. She was the only female member of the SCLC’s Executive Committee which served as Dr. Martin Luther King’s inner circle of lieutenants. The Executive Committee created and implemented non-violent strategies for social change critical to the victories of the Civil Rights Movement.

Ms. Cotton also led the The Citizenship Education Program (CEP), which fostered the transformation of often poorly educated and disenfranchised people from “victims” to full citizens. The victories won as a result of this work and the systemic and social changes attained through the growing power of the African American electorate and its emerging leadership ultimately led to state and federal protections against discrimination in voting, access to public accommodations, housing and employment throughout the nation.

Laura Branca and Kirby Edmonds , 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Peacemaker Award Recipients

In partnership with GIAC, CDRC selected Laura Branca and Kirby Edmonds the 2012 recipients of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peacemaker Award. Laura and Kirby were nominated “for their years of tireless service in race relations… and for the way they rise again and

again to do whatever is in their power to make Ithaca a better place to live for all of us.”Laura Branca and Kirby Edmonds are managing partners of “Training for Change Associates (TFC),” founded in

1982. Together and individually they lead interactive trainings and retreats on organizational change, planning, leadership development, communication, decision-making, handling conflict, diversity inclusion, and building culturally competent organizations and coalitions. They are both trained mediators with over 25 year’s experience.

In 2006 Laura and Kirby answered a call from the Multi-Cultural Resource Center to develop Talking Circles that brought diverse segments of the community together to engage in the emotionally difficult conversations around race and racism. They have trained and mentored a total of 35 volunteer facilitators to lead additional Circles.

This award, celebrating the life and work of Dr. King, is given to an individual or organization who works non-violently for change, who brings people together to resolve differences and/or promote social justice, and whose work benefits the Tompkins County community.

Ann Martin, Board President of CDRC left, announces as Ayana Richardson, Board President of GIAC presents the CDRC Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award to Kirby Edmonds and Laura Branca.

Dorothy Cotton

2011-12 Highlights continued on inside

In Honor of Judy Saul, gift of Laure Conklin Kamp

In Memory of Elizabeth C. Delahanty, gift of Mary Delahanty

In Honor of David Stotz, gift of Carl & Suzanne Kilgore

In Honor of Walter Hang, gift of David & Susan Kramer

In Memory of Candace Widmer, gift of Sue Robinson

In Honor of Judy Saul, gift of Donna Scott

2011-12 DONATIONS IN HONOR OR MEMORY

A Word from thecDRc BoaRD of DiRectoRs

Dear CDRC Supporters,

This year’s Annual Report reflects the effectiveness and efficiency with which CDRC staff adjusted

to the 63% reduction in state funding that came just at the end of the last fiscal year. We are fiscally sound and serving well the parties referred to us by courts in Chemung, Schuyler, and Tompkins Counties. Our volunteer mediators, as you can see from the list, are numerous. They continue to be mentored and inspired by our volunteer coordinators in all three counties. We are proud of the quality of the conciliation and mediation services we offer, and we plan to continue promoting skills practice and reflection with and among our mediators.

All of this said, we see that we can reach out more to our communities, that we can do more to support our dedicated staff and mediators, and that we must put new effort into promoting a broader understanding of the positive potential in constructive conversations. Too often we see and hear of both public and private conversations that fail to lead to further understanding or opportunities for change.

As of the sending of this report, CDRC staff, board members, and representative mediators have just come together to decide how we will focus our energies in the next three years. We committed to continuing to do what we already do well and to generating new resources so we can deepen our reach in the counties we serve. We plan to undertake an intensified fundraising campaign and to explore services that will generate new revenue streams. We will also take a new look at how to raise community awareness of what we mean when we say, “Talk Works.”

Some of these activities will touch you, our ambassadors and supporters. On behalf of the Board, I invite you to come along with us as we build our future.

—Ann Martin, Board President

2011-12 Board of directors

Ann Martin, PresidentMichael Hartney, Vice PresidentKirby Edmonds, SecretarySeth Hiland, TreasurerKate BartholomewSamantha Castillo-DavisDanielle HautaniemiSatomi HillAnita LewisSandy MentuckMary NewhartCindi Newman

current staff

Tammy Baker, Tompkins County Program Director

Kathy Gehl, Chemung/Schuyler County Program Director

Melissa Hollister, Office ManagerJeff Shepardson, Training &

FacilitationGina Tinker-Williams, Senior

Program CoordinatorPaula Wright, Executive Director

CHEMUNG COUNTY215 East Church St.Elmira, NY 14901tel. 607.734.9087fax 607.735.9828

SCHUYLER COUNTY105 9th St., Unit 15Watkins Glen, NY 14891tel. 607.535.6860fax 607.735.9828

TOMPKINS COUNTY120 W. Martin Luther King, Jr. St.Ithaca, NY 14850tel. 607.273.9347fax 607.275.9225

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talkworks.

community dispute resolution center 

talkworks.