Recent Events
-
MEDIATOR TRAINING–April 2 and 16. This training was held at Union Resource Center, Gallatin, TN.
-
INSERVICE TRAINING–May 25. Attorney Patti Garner gave us invaluable information about helping divorced or divorcing parents complete the Permanent Parenting Plan and the Access/Visitation Plan for separated parents who did not marry.
- GOLDEN RULERS–On June 14, 15 and 16 trainers and mediators Marilyn Switzer, Jan Barber and Marie Bainbridge presented a program to Shalom Zone day campers. This program is based on the Golden Rule. It teaches campers how not to be a bully, what to do if they are bullied and how bystanders can help stop a bullying situation.
Upcoming Events
- TO BE ANNOUNCED
Our Annual January Breakfast:
- Joe Brodniki, Doris Brocker, Honorable Tom Gray
Group ribbon cutting for new office
Representative Mike McDonald, Ann Whiteside
Sumner Mediation
S
umner Mediation
SMS Highlights:
Proud Winner of the Center for Nonprofit Management
2008 Marvin Runyon Leadership Award
- Pictured above: SMS Board Chair 2005-06 Wanda Williams, Executive Director Doris Brocker, Board members Marie Bainbridge and Heidi Stave
The Center for Nonprofit Management has been creating and sustaining nonprofit excellence for more than 20 years by providing training, consulting, research and evaluation for 750 nonprofit agencies throughout Middle Tennessee and across the country.
CNM created the Marvin Runyon Leadership Award in 1993 to recognize the nonprofit agency that best demonstrated sound management strategy in the heat of crisis. The award commends a nonprofit organization whose executive director and board have successfully led the organization through a turnaround situation. The winning organization receives $5,000 and a display award. Each of the two finalists receives a plaque and an award of $1,000. In 2007, the winner was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.
On October 29, 2008 at CNM’s Salute to Excellence celebration in the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, Sumner Mediation Services won the 2008 Marvin Runyon Leadership Award.
The following is CNM’s description of SMS’s achievement:
SMS is a nonprofit that helps people in the community resolve disputes through mediation. Created in 1999 through funding from the Sumner County Juvenile Court, the organization began on strong footing with referrals from the justice system. SMS experienced a major crisis when referrals began to drop in 2003. Lack of referrals led to lack of grant funding and the chairman of the board position became vacant. Harnessed with a loss of funding and an inactive board, SMS began a turnaround journey. A visionary new executive director and business-savy new board chair rejuvenated the whole organization. SMS celebrated their renewed vigor with a name change that better communicated their mission.
Today, case numbers continue to rise, and the overall income of the organization has increased significantly. Funding sources have diversified and a once struggling board has been replaced with members who have experienced renewed energy and efficiency.
