The CDR’s bi-annual 5-day (40 hour) mediation training was offered for the first time this October as a virtual live instructor-led training via Zoom. Attendee evaluations were outstanding, and the CDR will be offering an encore of this training in November to meet community demand. 

This training brought together professionals from across the region and offered unparalleled educational and networking opportunities for students in the Conflict Certificate programs. The event met the Missouri Supreme Court training requirements for mediators under Rules 17 and 88 (and was approved the states of Arkansas and Kansas as well) and was approved for continuing education credit for attorneys, counselors, social workers, human resource professionals, and police officers, among others.

The principal trainer for this event was CDR Director Dr. Charlene Berquist, with Associate Director Heather Blades providing Zoom production and technical support and administration. The event also incorporated selected guest presentations and mediation role play coaching from 15 professional mediators (with experience in all types of mediation, including civil mediation, family mediation, employment mediation, dependency mediation, and more), including alumni of the Conflict Certificate programs.

Attendees included attorneys, counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, faith leaders, and other professionals. More than $7,200 in scholarship assistance supported 8 Missouri State Conflict Certificate students in attending as well. Attendees joined the session virtually from a wide geographic area that included all corners of Missouri as well as Arkansas and Illinois.

Income from this training provides a key revenue source for the support of the CDR’s community programs, as the CDR does not receive a budget from Missouri State University.

Training evaluations revealed that 100% of participants rated the training an excellent or good, indicating the training met or exceeded their expectations. Many attendees commented that while they had been unsure how such an interactive training could be offered online, they were “very happy with the Zoom format.” In the words of one attendee, “Between all my years of professional development, plus grad school…I have sat through a ton of classes and trainings. You guys are among my top of all time. Very well organized, great communication, variety of formats used…all in all, it was excellent in every way.”

Interest in this training was significant, and in response to an overwhelming community demand the CDR has scheduled a second virtual mediation training November 11-15, 2020. Registration will also open soon for our spring mediation training, which will be held March 3-7, 2021.