The D.R. Innovation Society and the BC Mediator Roster Society are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of each organization has approved in principle a proposal to integrate their operations in order to better serve the people of British Columbia and promote timely and effective dispute resolution services.

The Mediator Roster Society plays an important role by setting standards of admission and conduct for rosters of qualified civil and family mediators and by appointing mediators as required under court rules and regulations. The D.R. Innovation Society (formerly called the BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society) offers practicum experience for civil, family and child protection mediators who wish to establish and improve their skills, and administers the mandatory mediation process in five registries of the Provincial Small Claims Court. Both organizations focus on mediator quality, ongoing professional development and public education about mediation and non-judicial dispute resolution. The vision of each incorporates a desire to innovate in meeting these goals.

This integration represents a coming together of two key dispute resolution organizations with many shared values. While the core functions of each organization will be preserved, the integrated entity has the potential to achieve much more than the two could accomplish separately. Together they will be better able to serve the public and the dispute resolution community by

• continuing to promote and foster a vibrant “community of mediators” in B.C.;
• providing strong leadership in B.C.’s dispute resolution community; and
• raising an audible voice in the dialogue on justice transformation in the province.

To facilitate the integration, Kari Boyle, the Executive Director of the D.R. Innovation Society, has also been appointed as the Acting Executive Director of the Mediator Roster Society. Kari is very excited about working more closely with the Mediator Roster Society, its staff and roster members.

Over the next several months the organizations will be working out the details of the integration. A further announcement will be made when the integration is accomplished and the new organization is launched.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact: