Welcome to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became mediators.  Meet IMA board member Melissa Bishop, a certified professional mediator (CPM) and a certified direct service provider (DSP) through the Idaho Domestic Violence Council. In addition to mediating, she facilitates domestic violence programming for individuals convicted of domestic violence or domestic violence-related crimes at Trivium Life Services. Melissa brings her extensive criminal justice background (12 plus years) and experience as a responde ..read more

Welcome back to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.  We are taking a closer look at Idaho Mediation Association President Terry W. Petty, CPM and owner of Moscow, Idaho-based Peace-Full Solutions RE, Inc., which provides mediation services and trains leaders in conflict management concepts and strategies. Terry has a Master of Arts in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding from California State University, Dominguez Hills. His professional experience as an ordained minister, real esta ..read more

Mediate.com is excited to announce a brand new, 3-day, online Workplace Mediation Training taught by leading mediators in the field: "Connecting Employees, Departments, and Corporations: One Conversation at a Time." Open to all mediators, the training is September 13-15, 8am-4pm PST, conducted online via Zoom.  TRAINERS: Hosted by Dr. Clare Fowler, who has worked with Google, Sirius, OSHA, DOI, and organizations in a variety of fields. Keynote by Erin Earle.  Also participating will be mediators, conflict consultants, coaches, ombuds ..read more

Welcome to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.  Meet Courtney Lossmann, LMSW, CPM, and owner of Boise-based Rolling Hills Counseling & Mediation Services, PLLC. She brings her experience as a psychotherapist, court-appointed special advocate/guardian ad litem, and crisis responder to her conflict resolution work. The IMA is fortunate to have Courtney serve on the IMA Board.  Here are a few questions IMA posed to Courtney with her responses: Q: When and why did you become a mediator?  A: Over the past se ..read more

Welcome to the IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.  Meet Nancy Haug, CPM and owner of Haug Mediation and Facilitation Services. Based in Boise and certified in Idaho, she is a trained, experienced, proficient and compassionate mediator and facilitator. Nancy is a valued member of the IMA Board.  Here are a few questions IMA posed to Nancy with her responses: Q: When and why did you become a mediator?  A: I became a mediator in 2014. Toward the end of my federal career with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM ..read more

and Leigh K. Barer, CPM, as secretary; Adds board members BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 09, 2023–Idaho Mediation Association (IMA), which educates, certifies, and supports mediation professionals and promotes community awareness of constructive conflict resolution, today announced Terry W. Petty, CPM, as president, and several board officers and directors. In addition to Terry serving as IMA president, Jennifer Poole, CPM, will serve as vice president, and Leigh K. Barer will serve as secretary. Leigh’s and Jennifer’s new officer roles left two vacant director seats to which the IMA board appointed ..read more

Welcome to IMA Member Spotlight, where we take a closer look at individual IMA members and why they became a mediator.  Meet our current Spotlight, Sheldon L. Forehand, CPM, owner of Forehand Mediation. Possessing a high emotional intelligence, Sheldon is an IMA member and a treasured IMA Board member. Here are a few questions IMA posed to Sheldon and his responses: Q: When and why did you become a mediator?  A: I wanted to apply my experience as a mediation client with my extensive background helping at-risk youth and adults work through challenging obstacles with m ..read more

by Jennifer L. Neerman, CPM Small Claims Mediation Coordinator, 7th Judicial District The Idaho 7th Judicial District has remarkable people involved with the Small Claims Mediation Program. We have a Judge who has mastered the art of building confidence in the courtroom prior to mediation, spectacular court clerks who expeditiously prepare the mediators, and a group of mediators who have taken their volunteer position to an extraordinary level of excellence. On the mornings of Small Claims Court, Judge Jason Walker gives an overview of how small claims court functions and why it is important ..read more

by Jennifer Poole, CPM and IMA Director 2021-2022 A 2020 Gallup poll noted around one quarter of working Americans experienced burnout most often or always. We do not need another survey to tell us that burnout has greatly increased during the pandemic. If you have been a mediator for any length of time, you know it can be a challenge to not let the negative energy in the room impact you. One quality that can make or break a mediator’s long-term success is making sure to regularly get self-care. We have a professional obligation to make time for self-care including physical, psychol ..read more

IMA has received a complaint that a candidate for public office is advertising himself as a member of IMA, although he is not currently a member.  IMA regrets this misinformation.  If you ever have questions about IMA membership, please do not hesitate to contact the IMA Administrator at admin@idahomediationassociation.org ..read more