December Newsletter

Introducing Andrea & Nancy

Meet Andrea,

Andrea has been a social worker for over 17 years and
working for 13 of those years for Alberta Health Services. Since 2009, she has been working as a Mental Health Clinician with Acute @ Home, in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Supporting and guiding people towards self-determination and empowerment to make their own decisions about their life and to help navigate the system with them has always been a strength for Andrea.

Andrea’s career thus far has primarily been in child development and mental health. Until being referred to a family and shared in an experience that deeply impacted her. Andrea created a space for the parents to communicate their concerns and have a meaningful discussion, further improving the care and support that their daughter needed. Andrea witnessed the shift between the parents and what a powerful tool this was. After having gone through her own divorce, Andrea acknowledged the benefits of the mediation process and providing the unique experience the mediation process can offer for those individuals. This highlighted an area of work that resonated with Andrea and solidified her path to begin training and educating herself to pursue her goal of supporting people through the mediation process.

Andrea is a Qualified Mediator, a member of Alberta Family Mediation Society, ADR Institute of Alberta, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Andrea is Certified in Brain Story, a registered Social Worker with ACSW and hold a Bachelor of Social Work as well as a Bachelor of Applied Child Studies with a Children’s Mental Health Certificate and received her certificates and training in mediation and arbitration through ADR and LESA.

Meet Nancy,

 Nancy’s story has been one of self-growth and personal expansion. While improving my own conflict resolution abilities Nancy realized the deep importance in how this can profoundly change your perspectives and your life. Nancy wants to be part of the education and evolution in how we think about, communicate and respond to conflict. 

Nancy’s SUPER POWER, is the calming nature she brings to situations.

We are excited to have both Andrea and Nancy join CMCS, together they will be our Member and Intake Coordinators. This means that Kathleen and Zina will be moving on and we encourage them in their respective new adventures. We thank them for their diligent and positive contribution to CMCS and our membership.

Kathleen’s Farewell:

“A chapter in my book has come to an end, and one that I am very grateful for. I am so proud that I was part of such an amazing organization that collectively works toward peace. 

I have had such an opportunity to see the inner workings of the board, their passion and dedication to CMCS. Over the years there have been changes on the board with new people joining and others leaving at the conclusion of their term, but one thing that remains consistent is the dedication to our organization and to each of you as mediators. What a privilege to work with people that have the purpose of building peaceful communities in our city! Thank you to each of you, past and present , for the gift of your time, your skills and your support for me personally over the years. 

What an amazing roster of volunteers we have. I have enjoyed getting to know you and work with you in this organization. I think we can all agree that this year has had it’s challenges, but one thing I am grateful for is the opportunity to meet you before a CAM or mediation on ZOOM. To those of you in lead positions, you have not only impacted the participants, but you have also been a mentor and support for those mediators that have joined CMCS to get experience and build confidence. 

To those of you that started this organization all those years ago, what a vision you had! Not only for the residents of Calgary, but for creating a place where mediators could get real life experience and be mentored. Thank you for making it happen. I have had the honor of having a front row seat to the impact that CMCS has had on our city. 

I am moving onto a new venture but I do look forward to our paths crossing down the road. 

Have a wonderful Christmas season… Blessings to you all for a wonderful 2021!”

Kathleen

You will be able to reach Andrea & Nancy at info@communitymediation.ca

We would like to recognize our volunteers over the last quarter and their support in making more peaceful neighbourhoods during these unpredictable times.

Mediators are trained to be as neutral as possible. Here’s an interesting video about unconscious bias. What is Unconscious Bias.

Tools for conflict prevention and resolution in community groups - The Centre for Community Organizations.

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