Laserfiche WebLink
xiv Preface <br />has served as a model for several states and mediation programs; <br />a sample contact letter, a form that explains the confidential <br />nature of the mediation process, and two sample agreements. <br />Acknowledgments <br />All knowledge is socially produced. Although I bear re- <br />sponsibility for the identification, elaboration, and develop- <br />ment of the ideas presented in this book, I have clearly drawn <br />on the experiences and advice of others engaged in the practice <br />of mediation. <br />The first group of people to whom I am indebted are my <br />fellow mediators. Since 1973 when I first became involved in <br />mediating an intense interracial community dispute, I have <br />worked with four active groups of mediators and conflict re- <br />solvers. Each group has contributed significant insights and <br />pushed me to develop my thinking. <br />First and foremost are the mediators at the Center for <br />Dispute Resolution in Denver, Colorado: Susan Wildau, Mary <br />Margaret Golten, Bernard Mayer, and our associates and in- <br />terns.. They have been my colleagues in developing and prac- <br />ticing many of the ideas contained in this book. Susan Carpen- <br />ter and W. J. D. Kennedy of ACCORD Associates also provided <br />insights and support in researching and refining mediation the- <br />ory and practice while I worked as a mediator and director of <br />training for that organization. The members of the Training Ac- <br />tion Affinity Group of the Movement for a New Society- <br />Suzanne Terry, Stephen Parker, Peter Woodrow, and Berit <br />Lakey-and the authors of the Resource Manual for a Living <br />Revolution-Virginia Coover, Charles Esser, and Ellen Deacon- <br />worked with me to develop intervention skills for multiparty <br />disputes and effective conflict resolution training techniques. <br />Work with academic colleagues was also important. Norman <br />Wilson, Paul Wehr, and Martin Oppenhimer encouraged and <br />supported my research. <br />Mentioned above are the theoretical and experiential con- <br />tributors. Just as important are the people who type the drafts <br />and edit them. First and foremost of my "technical advisers" is <br />