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Workplace Harassment: Expected and Prohibited Conduct

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While we all know there is a requirement to treat our colleagues, clients, and others we interact with at work with dignity and respect, sometimes inappropriate interactions creep in without our awareness or recognition.

This introductory presentation covers:

  • sexual harassment and bullying behaviours
  • affects to the targets of harassment and the overall workplace
  • respectful workplace behaviour and expectations
  • reporting and investigative procedures and expectations

Speaker:  Ruthann Weeks, CRS

Ruthann Weeks is a People and Culture Strategist and founder of Harmony In The Workplace. She is a change agent whose efforts have helped to bring the importance of an abuse-free work environment to the forefront of public awareness. She is an author and gifted keynote speaker who delivers a powerful message about today’s workplace challenges.

Working as a Certified Resource Specialist in the human service sector, Ruthann went on to graduate as a Human Resource Manager. She is a Certified Psychological Safety Advisor and specializes in leadership development, people and culture, diversity and inclusion, workplace bullying, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and mental health in the workplace.



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Decisions, Decisions – How to Write them Successfully

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In this video Leila Gosselin discusses the essential requirements for an effective decision. She shares how to write an effective decision designed for the related audience, including the legal requirements for administrative decision makers. She addresses two main motives/explanations on what makes a written decision ineffective or futile. Leila shares a sample of a decision writing structure and the steps for effective decision writing.

Leila Gosselin, BA Specialization in Criminology, JD, CTAJ

Ms. Gosselin is a retired lawyer who practiced in the area of administrative law.

She received her B.A. (Criminology with Distinction 1986), and LL.B. (1989), from the University of Alberta. She articled with The City of Calgary Law Department in 1989 and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1990. She received her Chartered Mediator status in January 2000.

Ms. Gosselin has appeared before several administrative tribunals including the Labour Relation Board, Human Rights Commission, Land Compensation Board, Assessment Review Board, Municipal Government Board, and Livery Transport Services Board. Ms. Gosselin has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta, as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.

She is a senior instructor with the Foundation of Administrative Justice (FOAJ) and holds her Certificate in Tribunal Administrative Justice™ offered by FOAJ.

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Irish Mediation Act 2017

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Support for the regulation of mediation in Canada has waxed and waned over the years. Many practitioners agree that some form of oversight is needed although many cannot agree why. One of the strongest arguments against regulation is the cost involved to set up regulatory bodies which would likely mean higher professional membership fees for mediators. But there is more than one way to consider regulation and in this webinar we hear about the experience in Ireland with its Mediation Act, 2017 and if this model should be considered in Canada.

Presenter:  Colm Brannigan

Colm Brannigan is mediator and arbitrator in the Toronto area. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, holds an LL.M. in ADR, and is a Chartered Mediator and a Chartered Arbitrator through the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC).

An acknowledged Canadian expert in the development of online dispute resolution and med-arb processes, he is the first person to receive the Chartered Med-Arb designation from ADRIC.

Colm is a frequent speaker at continuing education webinars, programs and conferences and has taught ADR in the Faculty of Law at Queen’s University.  He is a founding member of the Canadian Collaborative for Engagement & Conflict Management (https://www.c4ecm.ca/) an innovative group dedicated to ADR training and best practices.

Colm can be contacted by e-mail at colm@mediate.ca or through his website www.mediate.ca.

Presenter:  Paul Pierse

Paul Pierse is a lecturer on the LL.B. in Irish Law, the Certificate in Mediation and the Certificate in Dual Career Development (Sports).

From Listowel in County Kerry, Paul obtained an honours degree in Commerce and German from the National University of Ireland, Galway, before being admitted on to the roll of solicitors by the Law Society of Ireland and Certified to practice as a Mediator by the Mediators Institute of Ireland. Paul has developed a keen interest in mediation as an alternative to litigation and actively promotes its use in appropriate circumstances. He was instrumental in the inclusion of a separate module on Mediation in the LL.B. (Hons) in Irish Law in Griffith College – a first in Irish third level education.

Paul is recognised as amongst the most established lecturers in delivering third level education through blended delivery. Having just completed his PGDip in Teaching and Learning at the time, Paul was selected as part of the pioneering cohort of lecturers when the LL.B. (Hons) in Irish Law was first launched via blended delivery.

Paul continues to lecture a number of core modules on this successful course.

Presenter:  Dr. Roisin O’Shea

Róisín is a former Irish Research Council scholar, who was awarded a Ph.D. in 2014 for her doctoral research on Judicial Separation and Divorce in the Circuit Court, Ireland. She has significant experience as a mediator completing hundreds of cases since 2009 including Family, Work-place, Farm family, SME mediations, Commercial disputes, Succession disputes, Wards of Court and EPA (Enduring Power of Attorney) disputes and Personal Injury claims. Many of these cases have been referred to Róisín after legal proceedings have been initiated, and the majority of cases subsequently came to a mutually satisfactory agreement.

This recording is from our February 17, 2022 Webinar:

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Webinar Recording: Introducing a Contemplative Practice into your Practice

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Imagine what the world could look like if we had more awareness or were more skillful in providing constructive feedback to each other!

Jules utilizes “Active Engagement” (the art of active noticing and mindfulness) as a principled way to help teams, clients and consultants, families and loved ones have honest and safe conversations with each other. He promotes self reflection and being more aware of our own behaviors and actions to see  if they are in alignment with our espoused values. Are they in sync?

Perfect lessons and reminders as we re-emerge into a new world post Covid world.

Jules LeBoeuf is a registered forestry practitioner with the College of Alberta Professional Forest Technologist with 35 years of experience in natural resource management.  A career ranging from working in the field as a forest officer to senior manager in Wildfire Management has reinforced the importance of dialogue in building trustworthy relationships on the landscape or in the corporate boardroom.  His insight into natural resource management and human factors has enabled him to help teams solve substantive problems more effectively through reflective dialogue practices.  As a neutral third party facilitator he assists a broad range of individuals and teams based on the core principles of transparency, supporting free informed choice, creating safe places to talk together and taking time to build shared understanding with intent to take action.

He has completed a 2-year certification practicum for facilitators and trainers in the art and science of the practice of Active Engagement hosted by The Centre for Contemplative Dialogue located in Georgetown, IN, USA.  He is an active faculty member and trainer/facilitator on workshops and practicums sponsored by the Center for Contemplative Dialogue and currently working as a senior manager with the Government of Alberta, department of Environment and Parks.

This recording is from our December 14, 2021 ADR Webinar:

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Kindness and Communication Workshop – Conflict Resolution Day 2021

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Our world is changing in so many ways and this means our manner of communication is changing. With covered faces and virtual meetings, we must rely more on the intention of the words that are being used to relay messages.

This workshop shows us how to bring kindness into communication by exploring the differences in and value of both empathy and sympathy, create empathic statements and how empathic responses can diffuse conflict and improve relationships. We look at the importance of being aware of alternate cultural responses in communication and how conflict can bring new insight and understanding to your personal and professional interactions.

​Being kind in communications requires awareness, strength and courage. 

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From Horses to Negotiating – A Day in the life of a Vancouver police officer

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Susan and her partner Apollo

Susan Sharp is the Sergeant in charge of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Mounted Unit.

A 22-year member of the VPD, Susan has worked in various operational positions in surveillance, property crime, and the Court and Detention Services section.

She is also a member of the Crisis Negotiator Team, where she is a Negotiating Liaison Officer who advises  the Critical Incident Commander .

Susan shared some of her stories about what it’s like to be a police officer on horseback in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.  She also shared some of the strategies her team uses when communicating with a person in crisis or negotiating with a high-risk subject.

This recording is from our September 29, 2021 ADR Webinar:

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How Should ADR Practitioners Approach Self-Represented Litigants?

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SRLs and ADR: Beyond the Acronyms

How should arbitrators, mediators, and tribunals approach things when at least one party is a self-represented litigant (SRL)?  In our webinar on May 25, Professor Andrew Pilliar reviewed research on SRLs in Canada, discuss some challenges that decision-makers may face, and offer suggestions to help navigate those challenges.

Presenter: Andrew Pilliar, JD, LLM, PhD

Assistant Professor, Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law
Director, NSRLP West

Andrew Pilliar’s research interests focus on access to justice, including the self-represented litigant phenomenon.  Since 2019 he has been the Director of the National Self-Represented Litigants Project West (NSRLP West), which is a partner to NSRLP, based in Windsor, ON.  Before his academic career, Andrew practiced in the litigation and insolvency fields at a national law firm and at a Vancouver boutique, and clerked for the BC Supreme Court.

This recording is from our May 25, 2021 Webinar:

How Should ADR Practitioners Approach Self-Represented Litigants?Read More

Fairness in Arbitration & Mediation: A Personal Perspective

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Whether you are a mediator or an adjudicator, fairness is a very important characteristic to maintain. But what exactly does this entail?

In this presentation, our speaker Moin A. Yahya will suggest some simple rules to follow when mediating or adjudicating disputes between various parties. These include formalistic legal rules, such as not being biased, giving proper notice to each side, and allowing each side to present and be heard as well as informal rules that will assist in getting the buy-in from each of the parties involved.

Our Speaker: Moin A. Yahya

Moin A. Yahya is a Professor of Law at the University of Alberta. He is a current member of the Alberta Human Rights Commission and a past member of the Alberta Utilities Commission. He has taught Administrative Law, Criminal Law, and Constitutional Law among other courses.

This recording is from our April 14, 2021 ADR Webinar:

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Changes to the Divorce Act and What it Means to ADR, to Families and to You

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A panel discussion regarding the changes to the Divorce Act, what it means to ADR, to families and you.

Panelists:
Diana Lowe, QC
Sharon Crooks, President AFMS
Hon. Justice Andrea Moen (frmr) 

Diana Lowe, QC is a lawyer with 35 years of experience which includes legal practice, research and reform of the civil and family justice systems in Canada, and most recently as Executive Counsel to the Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. Diana recently retired from the Court and established a consulting practice – “Re-imagining Justice”. 

The Honourable Andrea Moen frequently observed high conflict in her courtroom between parents in their fights over their children. She asked the question of what happens to the brains of those children when they are exposed to the conflict of their parents. As a consequence of her research, the Court was a founder of the Reforming Family Justice System initiative. 

Sharon J. Crooks, LLM, has been a lawyer for 34 years, a mediator for 20 plus years, and an arbitrator for 6 years with a Chartered Arbitrator [C-Arb] designation. She has been the managing partner of Rowanoak Law Office LLP since 2002. Sharon has extensive training and experience in family, child protection and children’s law, as well as in mediation/arbitration.

This recording is from our March 10, 2021 ADR Webinar:

Changes to the Divorce Act and What it Means to ADR, to Families and to YouRead More

Coming Alive in the COVID World

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We could all use a little help navigating these challenging times and situations more effectively. Through this webinar you will guided to a broader and deeper understanding of your experiences during this time of transition. Using a mindfulness lens, you will enhance the quality of your being while you are doing your doing. 

Cinim is an integrative health and research institute and a registered charity. They improve the mental health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through the development and delivery of safe, effective, evidence-based programs.

Cinim presenter Allan Donsky has been a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for 25 years. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Child Studies and Social work, Mount Royal University. He facilitates Mindfulness workshops in schools, Universities, Conferences and the business world. Allan uses a Mindful approach to navigate the human experience integrating Mind, Heart, Spirit and Soul. This brings us closer to the quality life we are looking for.

This recording is from our February 25, 2021 webinar Coming Alive in the COVID World

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Hard Conversations: Faith Communities & Shared Spaces

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This recording is from our January 21, 2021, ADR Luncheon Webinar

Graham Singh offers his many years of personal experience with the re-purposing of historic churches and urban architecture into shared use community and business hubs. In tackling such projects, he has encountered many conflict situations – often deeply entrenched and linked to identity.

Can you mix congregations and circus performers?

Can a church building host different faiths, each seeking their own spiritual accommodations?

Where do spiritual, business and cultures interests collide, and what lessons can we learn from the often difficult conversations that ensue.

Graham offers some unique insights into the hard conversations that must be embraced if a lasting accommodation is to be reached, and the lessons learned here can be applied in many settings. 

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Finding Happiness – Or at Least Moments of Joy!

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Enjoy this recording from our December 16, 2020 ADR Luncheon Webinar

In these unprecedented times when nothing is as it once was, it may be hard to remember what happiness feels like.

Our brains are wired to contemplate the worst-case scenarios and watching the news or Covid-19 update can reinforce this impending sense of doom.

We can learn ways to mourn what was and cannot be again, and find a path to a different kind of happy. It can be hard to find joy, to notice what makes us feel good and grounded and safe. 

Check out the recording below from our latest luncheon to help find some moments of light amid the darkness.

Presenter: Tara Livingston

Tara Livingston is a professional mediator, relationship coach and enthusiastic public speaker. A retired Anglican Priest, she earned her master’s degree in divinity from Trinity College at the University of Toronto with a focus on pastoral counseling, grief care and inter-faith dialogue. In addition to divorce mediation, she offers marriage preparation classes for couples about to embark on a new life journey. Tara is committed to guiding couples and families toward maintaining healthy relationships at their beginning, middle and end. As a parent of two resilient young men, she has a special passion for helping children to thrive during and after challenging times. 

As a presenter, Tara uses stories from her considerable professional and personal experience and legendary humour to inspire audiences of all kinds.

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Truth & Reconciliation Work in Canada

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As you may remember, our June Luncheon featured Ry Moran, founding Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg

On November 25, 2020, the Canadian Club of Edmonton hosted Ry Moran, now inaugural Associate University Librarian (Reconciliation) at the University of Victoria for an engaging and informative presentation on the work of Truth & Reconciliation broadly underway across the country.

Watch the recording below to learn from Ry as he shares his extensive first-hand experience on the transformative steps underway in Canada, including how to confront and act upon some of the most troubling elements of our collective history together.

Ry Moran is Canada’s inaugural Associate University Librarian (Reconciliation) at the University of Victoria. Ry’s role within UVic Libraries’ focuses on building and sustaining relationships to introduce Indigenous approaches and knowledge into the daily work of the Libraries and more broadly across the campus community. In so doing, Ry plays an active role in advancing UVic’s strategic goal of being a globally recognized leader in areas of reconciliation.

Ry came to this position from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) hosted by the University of Manitoba. As the founding director, Ry guided the creation of the NCTR from its inception. Along the way, Ry contributed to major national initiatives such as the creation of the National Student Memorial Register, designation of multiple residential schools as national historical sites, development and launch of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, and a major educational broadcast which reached over three million Canadians.

Prior to the NCTR, Ry served with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). On the TRC’s behalf, he facilitated the gathering of nearly 7,000 video/audio-recorded statements of former residential school students and millions of pages archival records.

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The Important Work of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

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National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Canadian Constitution recognizes these three groups as Aboriginal peoples, also known as Indigenous peoples.

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, take part in one of the many events happening online, check out some reading lists or visit a museum virtually!

You can also watch the recording of our June 2020 ADR Luncheon Webinar linked below.

Watch Ry Moran, Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation discuss the important work of this organization.

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