The 14th annual VOMA Conference and Training Institute will take place from September 16-20, 1997, in Des Moines, Iowa. VOMA board members Dorothy Barg Neufeld and Bruce Kittle will be program co-chairs of this event.


Conference Brochure





TRAINING INSTITUTE






Introductory Training - September 16 - 18

Track #1 Basic Training For Victim-Offender Mediation (3 Days)

This training will begin with the history and philosophy of victim/offender mediation and restorative justice. The training will teach the key components and skills of mediation. Using interactive exercises, demonstrations, role plays, and lectures, the trainees will learn powerful communication skills. The trainers bring a dedication to facilitative, elicitive learning using hands-on exercises to illustrate concepts and develop skills.

The overall purpose of this introductory training is to assist trainees to gain an understanding of the process of mediation in the victim/offender context, and to develop skills in preparation for mediation role-play practice. Opportunity for role-play practice will be provided at a conference workshop. Following this training and role-play practice, it is imperative that the trainees receive a hands-on internship with experienced mediators in their region.

Trainers: Kate Hunter, MPA, Executive Director of Mediation Services for Victims and Offenders, Seattle, WA, for 8 years, and lead trainer all those years. Received mediation training from Bill Lincoln at Antioch West; Advanced Victim Sensitive Mediation in Crimes of Severe Violence from Mark Umbreit: Unlearning Racism Training from Cheri Brown of the National Coalition-building Institute; as well as other trainers and trainings at past VOMA conferences. Currently in private practice as a mediator, trai ner, and consultant.

Zachary Metz-Bradshaw, Volunteer Coordinator & Trainer with Mediation Services for Victims & Offenders, has been involved in community mediation for five years. He is a mediator and trainer in both civil (family, community, large-group) and criminal medi ation. Mr. Metz directed and continues to be involved in a program teaching inmates peer mediation skills at the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe. His focus with Mediation Services is the integration of trained community volunteers into an importa nt adjunct of the criminal justice system: victim-offender mediation.

Advanced Training - September 16 and 17

Track #2 Small Group Conferencing (2 Days)

Small Group Conferencing (SGC) requires mediation and organizational skills. This process allows the participation of victims, offenders, parents, and the community. Small Group conferences may include up to 30 people. Several mediators may be needed to prepare participants. This method may be employed for criminal matters, status offenses, and school diversion situations. SCG works well with participants of every age.

Prerequisite: Victim-Offender mediation training

Trainer: Carolyn McLeod, Community Justice Coordinator for Washington County Court Services , Stillwater, Minnesota. She has trained and presented at many of the previous VOMA conferences and has trained at local, state, national, and international le vels.

Track #3 Training For Trainers (2 Days)

This training for trainers is intentionally structured so that participants can share ideas with each other through small group practice sessions. The philosophy and theory of learning will be examined. Transferring skills from mediation to being a trai ner will be a major focus of this training. Areas covered will include; the use of role play, creative tool design, effective debriefing, leading discussion, trainer flexibility, dealing with conflict in the group, meeting divergent needs and moving the energy of the group.

All participants will receive a Training for Trainers manual. Participation in this workshop will be limited to 24 people to allow for maximum participation and interaction.

Trainer: Karen Ridd, has been active in conflict resolution and non-violence since 1986. Her work has included non-violent accompaniment in Latin American war zones, and leading conflict resolution and non-violence training, and training for trainers i n Latin America, Southeast Asia, and across North America. She continues overseas involvement, and is an associate of Training for Change, Philadelphia. Karen is presently a trainer and mediator at Mediation Services, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is active i n her inner-city neighborhood.

Advanced Training - September 17

Track #4 Advanced Skills In Victim-Offender Mediation (1 Day)

This training is designed to meet the needs of experienced mediators who are eager to combine and expand their current skills. The program materials are enhanced through the use of lectures , structured exercises, and role-playing. This provides an expe riential advanced training focused on techniques to deal with empowering parties and assisting offenders and victims in moving through guilt, shame, acknowledgment, remorse, and acceptance. Skill development includes conceptualizing, contrasting informat ion, combining techniques, and double attending to parties. Basic victim-offender mediation is a pre-requisite.

Trainer: Micheal Thompson, Executive Director of Iowa Mediation Service, Inc., West Des Moines, Iowa.

Advanced Training - September 18

Track #5 Large Group Conferencing (1 Day)

Large Group Conferencing (LGC) is designed to allow very large numbers (30-100+) of victims, offenders, and persons in the community to respectfully respond to the aftermath of a crime. LGC offers early intervention to address the concerns of communities in situations that could escalate into chargeable offenses. This process works as a response to crime, intervention in criminal behavior, and as prevention of crime. Cases are referred by court systems, law enforcement, school officials, or city govern ments. Participants may be of any age. Many mediators are needed to prepare participants. Mediation and organizational skills are a must. Prerequisite: Victim-Offender Training

Trainer: Carolyn McLeod, Community Justice Coordinator for Washington County Court Services, Stillwater, MN.

Track #6 Culture Wars In The Community: A Model For Intervening In

Racial Conflicts (1 Day)


Schools and neighborhoods are often the battleground for community racial tensions. This day-long session will explore an intervention model for responding to a crisis or violent conflict. The presenter will use a systems approach to address presenting conflicts and underlying factors that might have contributed to the conflict. The session will include case studies from middle and high schools.

Trainer: Mark Chupp, MSW, founded and served as Executive Director of the Violence Intervention Project, Elkhart, Indiana, from 1994 to June 1, 1997. He is currently a doctoral student at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, specializing in urban poverty and violence.

Track #7 Victim/Offender Sensitivity Training

Offender Sensitivity Training ( 1/2 Day - Morning) The philosophy/theology on which offender sensitivity is based focuses on creating a safe place for all confidentiality, unconditionality. A relationship of trust must be established if this process is to facilitate healing.

The ability to work with denial as a natural part of the healing process for the offender is fundamental. Identifying the pre-disposing factors that led to the offense, identifying thinking errors and boundary violations that offenders use to justify the ir behavior and restrict victim empathy, identifying restitution as ways to validate new attitudes/new motives of offenders to address the needs of victims - all of these can be major inroads in facilitating the healing of offenders and for providing them with the necessary tools to face their guilt and shame and to gain that sense of closure and peace that can come from taking responsibility and being accountable.

This workshop will provide specific tools for offender sensitivity. Handouts for all participants will be provided. Video tape of work with offenders will be used.

Trainer: David Doerfler, Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue Program, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Austin, TX

Victim Sensitivity Training (1/2 Day - Afternoon) This training will focus on the trauma of victimization. Following the TWA crash last summer, and the much publicized reactions of survivors, one television journalist asked, on air, Whats wrong with these people? Why dont they just go home and get o n with their lives? This workshop will address not only common reactions to trauma, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, but how trauma alters the individuals world-view. Utilizing McCann and Pearlmans schema theory, attendees will be able to identif y ways in which the survivors world view was challenged, changed, and ultimately adapted. Attendees will also discuss how victim-offender mediation can be structured to assist in the adaptation process.

Trainer: Stephanie Frogge, MTS, CTS, Assistant National Director, Victim Services, MADD, Irving, TX


Conference Brochure




Friday, September 19, Schedule;



7:30 - 8:30 Registration Form Registration Fees

8:30 - 10:00 Opening Plenary: Glimmer Of Hope One familys experience with victim-offender dialogue following the abduction, rape and murder of a family member. After a screening of The Film Board of Canadas documentary, Glimmer of Hope, the victims parents, Don and Mary Streufert, will discuss the film and their experience as participants in the dialogue with the men convicted of their daughters murder.

10:00 - 1-:15 Break

10:15 - 11:45 Morning Workshops

Workshop A: Strategies To Diversify Your Referral Base (1.5 Hours) A perspective on ideas for diversifying referral sources for juvenile victim-offender restitution programs, based on the experiences of a neighborhood mediation centers victim-offender restitution program. This presentation will elaborate on ideas for inter-agency collaboration and reasons for developing multiple referral sources. Presenter: Parris K. Kenney, VORP Coordinator, Wayne Co. Neighborhood Legal Services Mediation Center, Detroit, MI.

Workshop B: The Texas Experience In Mediating Crimes Of Severe Violence (1.5 Hours) An overview of the Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue (VOM/D) Program of the TX Department of Justice Victim Services. Three key program elements will be discussed in depth; the presentation will include discussion of creating a viable program vision, resolving problems and reality testing, and overall program development to date. Presenters: David Doerfler, State Coordinator, VOM/D, TX Dept. of Criminal Justice Victim Services. Lisa Looger, Assistant Coordinator, VOM/D, TDCJ Victim Services, Austin, TX.

Workshop C: VOMP: A Crash Course In Organizing, From A To Z (3 Hours) This workshop covers the steps involved in organizing and maintaining a Victim Offender Mediation Program. Strategies for including the community, deciding on program structure, creating training opportunities, and developing referral sources and criteri a will be discussed. Presenters: Susan Wiese, Director, Mediation Services of La Crosse, WI. Marilyn S. Sontag, Volunteer Mediator Coordinator, Victim-Offender Mediation Program, Lakeshore Community Action Program, Manitowoc, WI.

Workshop D: Victim Offender Conferencing In Dane County: An Overview Of A Juvenile Program (1.5 Hours) A look at the development of the VOC Services in Dane County, WI, which serves juvenile offenders and their victims. There will be an emphasis on developing program principles, developing collaborative partnerships within systems, promoting VOC and resto rative justice in the community, and building community support. Presenters: Jim Moeser, Administrator, Dane Co. Juvenile Court Program. Suzanne Beaudoin, Director, Dane Co. District Attorneys Office Victim-Witness Program.

Workshop E : Basic Training for VOM: Part II (3 Hours) Role-playing is the most effective way to practice and gain new understandings of victim-offender mediation. The role-play in this session is an extension of the work begun in the Basic training for VOM: Part 1 held during the Training Institute. Trai nees from this basic training, as well as others seeking opportunities to practice their VOM skills, are encouraged to participate. Presenters: Experienced coaches will be provided for feed-back and debriefing.

11:45 - 1:00 Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 Afternoon Workshops - Session One

Workshop A: Research On VOM Programs: National Survey Results (1.5 Hours) Presentation and dialogue about overall research findings, highlights of innovative practices and program developments, and discussion of critical issues in the field of victim-offender mediation. Presenter: Jean E. Greenwood, M.Div., Training Coordinator, Center for Restorative Justice and Mediation, University of Minnesota.

Workshop B: Restorative Justice And Jewish Law (1.5 Hours) This workshop explores how Jewish sources reflect a restorative approach to justice, with an emphasis on the interpretation of an eye for an eye. Participants will also have an opportunity to share their own spiritual paths to restorative justice. Presenter: David M. Lerman, Assistant District Attorney, Milwaukee, WI; State Bar of Wisconsin Commission on Violence and the Justice System.

Workshop C: VOMP: A Crash Course In Organizing, From A To Z, Continued

Workshop D: Embracing The Challenge: Strategies, Lessons, And Ideas From The Practitioners (3 Hours) This interactive workshop gives experienced VOM mediators an opportunity to dialogue and share strategies for approaching difficulties that can occur during VOM intake and mediation. A method of Circle Mentoring will be used and modeled, as a way of inc orporating peer review into mediator assessment and continuing education. Presenters: Kimberley Fink-Adams, VOM Program Director, The Mediation Center, Asheville, NC. Jan Bellard, Mediator and Trainer, Brevard, NC.

Workshop E: Basic Training For VOM: Part II, Continued

2:30 - 2:45 Break

2:45 - 4:15 Afternoon Workshops - Session Two

Workshop A: Victim s Needs (1.5 Hours) This workshop will closely examine the reactions and needs of victims of violent crime. Information will be given on what we can expect to experience when working with this population. De-briefing will be explained and demonstrated, as well as what has been found helpful/hurtful to victims. Two short videos will be shown to help people understand the impact of violent crime. The entire presentation will be an open discussion, with time allotted for questions, and comments. Presenter: Karen Muelhaupt, Counselor, Victim Services, Polk County, IA.

Workshop B: Community/Family Group Conferencing (C/FGC) In The United Kingdom (1.5 Hours) This introduction to C/FGC highlights several pilot programs or schemes, as they are referred to in the UK. Different C/FGC models will be surveyed, and appropriate practice guidelines for restorative justice will be discussed. Presenter: Ann Warner Roberts, Research Associate with the Center for Restorative Justice and Mediation, University of Minnesota, is based in London, England. She is an advisor to the National Council of Concern which is collaborating with Mediation UK to create a national Restorative Justice Consortium.

Workshop C: The Restorative Justice Panorama: Current Developments And Applications (1.5 Hours) A perspective of the dynamic field of restorative justice, which highlights transformation rather than reformation. Recent developments and trends of both grassroots and systemic approaches will be shared. Presenters: William Preston, JD, and Greg Richardson, JD, Co-Directors, The Restorative Justice Institute, Washington, DC.

Workshop D: Embracing The Challenge: Strategies, Lessons, And Ideas From The Practitioners, Continued

Workshop E: Building a Restorative Justice Community Through Collaboration: One Countys Experience (1.5 Hours) The experience of Story County, Iowa, will be shared by a panel with representatives from mediation services, the judicial system, and corrections services. This workshop focuses on the importance of developing adult offender programming which meets th e goals of restorative justice. Participants are invited to share their ideas as well. Presenters: Elizabeth S. Chrisinger, Director, Center for Creative Justice, Ames, IA., Sally Kreamer, Treatment Coordinator, Day Program Center, and Judicial District of Correctional Services, Ames, IA. Representatives from the Department of Correctional Services, Ames, the Story County Attorneys Office (Victim-Witness Coordinator), and a Judge of the District or District Associate Court will also present.

4:15 - 4:30 Break

4:30 - 5:30 Plenary: Alternative Sentencing For Youth In Polk County This panel of 12 - 15 people is comprised of speakers from each facet of the Youthful Offender Program, including a prosecutor, Department of Corrections staff, pre-employment coordinator, VORP Program Coordinator, mentors and youthful offenders currently participating in the program. The audience will have an opportunity for questions and interaction with the panel members.

7:00 - 9:00 Keynote Dinner A challenging and provocative dialogue on the Conference Theme, Restorative Justice and Community Transformation. Kay Pranis and Judge Stuart bring an in-depth knowledge and experience of what works in the community and how restorative justice principle s bring about community building and responsibility changes. Speakers: Kay Pranis, Restorative Justice Planner, Minnesota Dept. of Corrections. Judge Barry Stuart, Territorial Court Judge in the Yukon Territory, Canada.

Saturday, September 20, 1997

7:30 - 8:30 Registration

8:30 - 10:00 Morning Workshops - Session One

Workshop A: Victim/Offender/Community Dialogue Models: An Interactive Panel (3 Hours) Panelists: Jim Mustin, Virginia Coordinator for REAL JUSTICE, Carolyn McLeod, Victim Offender Conferencing, Minnesota, Ann Warner Roberts, Family Group Conferencing in the UK, Judge Barry Stuart, Sentencing Circles in the Yukon, Mark Umbreit, Dir ector, Center for Restorative Justice & Mediation, University of Minnesota Moderator: Micheal Thompson, Director of Iowa Mediation Service, Des Moines, IA.

Workshop B: Do I Have To Forgive? Recognizing The Theological Roots Of Modern Definitions Of Forgiveness (1.5 Hours) Is forgiveness emotionally or theologically possible after violent crime? Is forgiveness a reasonable expectation in victim-offender mediation? This workshop will look at forgiveness-related research as well as historical and contemporary views of forgi veness. Attendees will also view a short video presentation about forgiveness from the perspective of a homicide survivor. Presenter: Stephanie Frogge, Assistant National Director, Victim Services, MADD, Irving, TX

Workshop C: Developing Your VOMP/VORP Training Program And Techniques (1.5 Hours) This workshop will feature a facilitated roundtable discussion of participants favorite training curriculums, techniques, games, and ideas. Participants are requested to bring copies of any training materials they would be willing to share/donate to ot her programs. Presenter: Nikishka Stewart, VOMA Board member and Executive Director of the Community Dispute Resolution Center, Anchorage, Alaska

Workshop D: Empathy In VOM: Breaking The Cycle Of Victim Becoming Offender (1.5 Hours) This interactive workshop looks at the impact the VOM process can have on breaking the cycle of victim becoming offender. The idea of merging social work and mediation practices to create environments which are more conducive to building empathy between victim and offender will be explored. Presenter: Catherine M. Brogan, MSW, CSW; Victim Advocate and Volunteer Prisoner/Parolee Outreach Counselor, Lansing, MI.

Workshop E: Cross-Cultural Issues In Mediation (1.5 Hours) A discussion of cross-cultural issues and their impact on the parties and the mediation process. This workshop will help create an awareness in mediators of the importance of effectively and sensitively responding when cultural differences occur in a med iation. Presenter: Representative from the State of Arizona Office of the Attorney General

10:00 - 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:45 Morning Workshops - Session Two

Workshop A: Victim/Offender/Community Dialogue Models: An Interactive Panel, Continued

Workshop B: Victim Panels In Iowa (1.5 Hours) Victim Impact Panels are designed to give victims an opportunity to articulate their needs and to share their personal experiences. Representatives on this panel are victims of serious and violent crimes including homicide, theft first degree, and rape . Their very powerful stories will offer an insight into the impact crime has on individuals, families, and the community. Facilitator: Betty Brown, Coordinator of Intra-Family Sexual Abuse Program at Polk County Victim Services, Des Moines, Iowa. Betty is also an experienced mediator with over 17 years of experience in this field.

Workshop C: Mobilizing The Faith Community When Starting A VORP (1.5 Hours) This workshop will focus on how to mobilize and cultivate partnerships with the faith community for sustainable funding and other resources. It will look at how involving the faith community can impact a program. Presenters: Elaine Enns, Associate Director, Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, Fresno Pacific College, CA, and Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MCC Office on Crime and Justice, Quakertown, PA, Co-Chair of VOMA Board.

Workshop D: How To Develop A Restorative Justice Youth Referral Network (1.5 Hours) The challenges and successes in developing a youth referral network will be explored in this workshop. The goal of the YRN is to help prevent juvenile crime. A wide range of conflict resolution options including juvenile offender/victim mediation, paren t/adolescent mediation and large neighborhood mediation are part of this program. Presenter: Beverly Moore, Program Manager, Community Mediation Services, Eugene, OR

Workshop E: Victim-Offender Mediation: The State Of The Art (3 Hours) Presenting an overview of the history, research, and philosophy of VOM as foundations, this workshop will consider the relative merits of differing program models, as well as the practical and theoretical differences between criminal mediation and the med iation of civil disputes. The workshop will explore the healing power of VOM in severely violent crimes, including homicides, and the implications for the transformation of criminal justice. Presenter: Marty Price, JD, Co-Chair, VOMA Board, Consultant and Trainer, Portland, OR

11:45 - 1:45 Annual VOMA Membership Meeting

1:45 - 2:00 Break

2:00 - 3:30 Afternoon Workshops

Workshop A: Faith, Spirituality, And VOM : Sources Of The Mediators Power (1.5 Hours) Many people working in the field of restorative justice and VOM come at it from a faith/spirituality perspective. This workshop will review the healing and transformative power of VOM and then use a facilitated discussion format to encourage people to sh are the methods they use for tapping into this power in their RJ/VOM work, whether it be faith based or not. The ramifications for our work in RJ/VOM when the faith/spirituality component is not present will be addressed. Presenter: Bruce Kittle, Director of the University of Wisconsin Lae Schools Restorative Justice Project and Senior Graduate Student in the Masters of Divinity Degree program at The Chicago Theological Seminary.

Workshop B: Offender Impact Panel (1.5 Hours)

Understanding the offender and his/her story is an important component in developing and running any restorative justice program. An educational and powerful panel will include three offenders who will discuss their criminal behavior, thinking errors, an d accountability. Crimes discussed will include vehicular homicide, sexual abuse, and robbery. Facilitator: Betty Brown, Coordinator of Intra-Family Sexual Abuse Program at Polk County Victim Services, Des Moines, Iowa. Betty has developed a program and works directly with youthful offenders at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center.

Workshop C: Research From The Center For Restorative Justice And Mediation (1.5 Hours)

This workshop will review results from the National Survey with a special focus on the Criteria for Victim-Sensitive VOM Practice. Presenter: Jean Greenwood, M.Div., Training Coordinator at the Center for Restorative Justice & Mediation, University of Minnesota.

Workshop D: Restorative Resolutions - A Community Development Model (1.5 Hours)

This workshop will highlight the experience of a victim sensitive community based sentencing project for adult offenders sponsored by the John Howard Society of Manitoba and funded by the Manitoba Department of Justice. Case studies will be presented. Presenter: Michelle Joubert, Director of Restorative Resolutions in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has experience as a mediator and has worked as a case planner with Alternative Sentencing Planning.

Workshop E: Victim-Offender Mediation: The State Of The Art, Continued

3:30 - 3:45 Break

3:45 - 5:00 Closing Plenary: Restorative Justice: Reform Or Revolution?

Panel participants: Kay Pranis, Restorative Justice Planner, Minnesota Department of Corrections, Bill Preston, Co-Director of the Restorative Justice Institute, Washington, DC, and Karen Strong, VP Prison Fellowship, Washington, DC and co-author of Re storing Justice. Moderator: Wayne Northey, MCC Canada Victim Offender Ministries, Clearbrook, BC, Canada.

Last Updated on August 22, 1997 by [Maggie Campbell-Reynolds]