We are the Texas Association of Mediators
Our Mission Statement: The Texas Association of Mediators (TAM) is a multidisciplinary organization established to provide leadership and education in the field of mediation. Comprised of a statewide network of mediators, TAM fosters the sharing of information and experience among its members.
Our Goals: Promote and encourage the use of mediation. Promote cooperation and communication among organizations and individuals that affect Alternative Dispute Resolution. Promote the ethical practice of mediation. Sponsor and promote professional development for mediators.
Membership We have 290 members (as of Feb. 21): 188 Full Members 68 Candidates for Membership 23 Friends of TAM If you include 2014 & 2015 (450 members) Our membership is approximately 30% attorneys and 70% mediators from other professions.
The history of TAM is also the history of mediation in Texas. In the late 1970 s & early 1980 s future Texas mediation pioneers were looking for a better way for divorcing couples to end their marriages without destroying their lives or those of their children.
They attended divorce mediation seminars on the East and West coasts and brought their new knowledge of mediation to Texas.
Early 1980 s Family Mediators formed organizations to promote mediation in Houston Austin San Antonio Dallas
There was rising Interest in forming a Texas Mediation Association To clarify issues particular to Texas To encourage participation by mediators who might not be able to travel to national meetings and conferences.
1985 There was a meeting of family mediators from around the State in a hospital meeting room in Austin. Formed the Texas Association of Family Mediators (TAFM)
First Officers & Directors of TAFM Gary Kirkpatrick - President Maureen Peltier - Vice-President Judy Dougherty - Secretary Florence Kusnetz - Treasurer Don Graul - Director Marie Mullineaux - Director
1987 The Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act was passed.
From its inception, the TAFM [and TAM were], as our newsletter proudly stated on the cover of each issue, An Multidisciplinary Organization B ecause One V iewpoint I s Not E nough.
1990-5 Years after the Founding of TAFM Outgoing President Susanne Adams suggested broadening TAFM to TAM New President Florence Kusnetz sent out a survey to membership to judge the interest in expanding TAFM to include all mediators, not just family law.
Reason for Change -- I nclusion of AL L T exas Mediators in One Organization Non-family mediators did not have a place to go, since SPiDR (now ACR) did not have a strong state presence and included other professionals beside mediators. Some members feared the State Bar might assume leadership in forming a mediation organization and might limit it to attorneys.
Florence Kudnetz said about changing TAFM to TAM: We realized in order to be effective in promoting mediation we had to be inclusive and grow with the field. She said that in 1991, and we are saying that again today.
1991 - Pres. Laury Adams Presidents led the association, published the newsletter, & headed the conference committee. First TAM strategic planning & mission statement First professionally printed TAM newsletter: T he T exas M ediator First nationally recognized mediator at TAM Conference (Bill Ury)
1994-6 Two Seminal Events in TAM History Presidents Suzanne Duvall & Mike Schless:
#1 UPL Lawsuit Against Susanne Adams Unauthorized Practice of Law suit brought by the State Bar of Texas against TAM founder & non-attorney Susanne for drafting settlement agreements. A settlement agreement is a contract, which must be drafted by an attorney or by parties to the contract.
Years & $80,000 in legal fees later, the suit was dismissed on a technicality. (The State prosecutor missed a discovery deadline. Susanne s attorney believes she would have lost the suit if not for that error.) TAM honors Susanne s dedication to mediation today with the Susanne C. Adams Award.
#2 Lawsuit Against TAM Plaintiff claimed TAM had a set of Ethical Standards that it did not apply. She further said the Ethical Standards were meant to protect the public and ensure the integrity and quality of the mediators who were members of TAM. Summary judgment in favor of TAM because of a technicality. (Plaintiff had no standing.)
Effect of Lawsuit on TAM We no longer publish our own Ethical Standards for Mediators or have our own Grievance Procedure. We now have more aspirational Standards of Practice. We also carry Directors and Officers Errors & Omissions Insurance for our board members.
96-97 Pres. Carol Hoffman Susanne Adams Award established TAM Website established Directors & Officers Liability Insurance purchased for first time TAM Conference grew from one day to 1.5 days
98-02 Presidents Maureen Peltier, Virginia Bowers, & Bruce Stratton TAM was actively involved with other mediation organizations in Texas in the creation of Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA) Mediator Malpractice Insurance made available to all TAM members
2002 - Pres. John Palmer TAM produced first-ever statewide bilingual brochure describing the benefits of mediation in English & Spanish Creation of Historian position Taking It to the Streets Program developed
2003 - Pres. Judy Corder First multi-year strategic planning New budgeting & accounting system TAM policy manual developed Website update & expanded Taking It to the Streets established Began work on Case & Form book
2004 - Pres. Linda Gibson 2 hours self-study approved; ethics requirement added Partnership Plan developed Board position added for Director from outside the 4 main metro areas & move to increase membership from those areas Active participation along with the ADR Section of the State Bar, AAM, & ADR Section of the Houston Bar to change State Bar Accreditation Standards (MCLE) for ADR Programs
2009 - Pres. Melanie Grimes Improved TAM branding by Creating new TAM logo Redesigning the TAM Website
2011 - Pres. Doug Skierski TAM communication with members and non-members was expanded to include Social Media. Social Media Guidelines were developed.
2013 - Pres. Melynda Gulley Promoted Conflict Resolution Day to educate the public about mediation by Proclamations were made by the State of Texas, Bexar Co., Hays Co., San Antonio, & Lancaster naming October 17, 2015 Conflict Resolution Day Developed Social Media awareness through Facebook, Google Hangout, Twitter, etc. Created the video series: Stuck in a Dispute? You Need to Mediate This! Promoted Social Media as necessary to TAM s growth
2014 - Pres. Gene Roberts Surveyed current members and formed a committee of new and young mediators to see how TAM can be of value to them, and how we can attract and retain new mediators. Studied our mission, bylaws and policies, and our strategic plan to put TAM in a leadership position for mediation s future.