Mediation Month (2006)

Mediation Month

WHEREAS, the profession of mediation has helped to create a better environment in which people and groups are able to truly listen to each other and develop a deeper understanding of each other; and

WHEREAS, mediation professionals use their skills in a variety of different settings and situations as they help parties reach cooperative agreements and encourage them to utilize mutual problem solving; and

WHEREAS, mediation principles and philosophies have been emulated during collaborative problem solving among individuals, agencies and communities; and

WHEREAS, those aforementioned principles and philosophies result in a renewed effort for doing business with respect, common sense, and accentuating the positive in every transaction and relationship; and

WHEREAS, seeking common ground is more worthy a goal than achieving victory during the process of problem solving; and

WHEREAS, the needs of individuals and groups are more completely met when mediation participants become committed to taking ownership in the process of creating agreements while also striving to build consensus; and

WHEREAS, mediation can continue to play a crucial role in the traditions and changes that enrich the Commonwealth of Virginia ; where multiculturalism, interdependence of people and organizations, and global competition mandate that productive negotiations and solutions are of the utmost priority;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize March 2006 as MEDIATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA , and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.