Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc.
Helping people find common ground.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The mission of Dispute Resolution Institute is to help people in conflict find common ground, resolve disputes, and reach agreement. We envision a world where mediation and other forms of dispute resolution are the first choice for people in conflict. The need we are working to address is access to justice and specifically timely justice. By providing alternative dispute resolution services at any point in time in a conflict, people in conflict are able to own the process and access assistance through mediation, and other opportunities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
First Circuit Pro Bono Family Mediation Program
Proving free or sliding scale mediation services in family law cases in the First Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
St. Clair County Foreclosure Mediation Program
Providing mediation services to homeowners in foreclosure in St. Clair County, Illinois.
Illinois Agricultural Mediation Program
Providing mediation services to producers in dispute with USDA agencies.
Jackson County Small Claims Mediation Program
Providing mediation services to small claims disputants in Jackson County, Illinois.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Context Notes
Total number served through all of our mediation programs. This is the total of people who actually participated in the program (attended mediation), not the total number of cases referred.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our goal is to be able to provide mediation, and other dispute resolution methods, to our communities at any time during a conflict. We are committed to following best practices for community mediation centers by being committed to the nine hallmarks of community mediation centers, as defined by the National Association for Community Mediation. These hallmarks are outlined below:
1. Community-Based: A private non-profit or public agency or program thereof, with mediators, staff and governing/advisory board representative of the diversity of the community served.
2. Open: The use of trained community volunteers as providers of mediation services; the practice of mediation is open to all persons.
3. Accessible: Providing direct access to the public through self-referral and striving to reduce barriers to service including physical, linguistic, cultural, programmatic and economic.
4. Low-Cost: Providing service to clients regardless of their ability to pay.
5. Inclusive: Providing service and hiring without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, disabilities, national origin, marital status, personal appearance, gender orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income.
6. Timely: Providing a forum for dispute resolution at the earliest stage of conflict.
7. Innovative: Providing an alternative to the judicial system at any stage of a conflict.
8. Outcome-Oriented: Initiating, facilitating and educating for collaborative community relationships to effect positive systemic change.
9. Newsworthy: Engaging in public awareness and educational activities about the values and practices of mediation.
(9 Hallmarks of Community Mediation Centers - National Association for Community Mediation)
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Currently, we are managing several mediation programs throughout Illinois. We administer several court-based mediations programs. The First Circuit Pro Bono Family Mediation Program and the First Circuit Small Claims Mediation Program provide free mediation services to program participants with limited means. Volunteer mediators assist the mediation parties, most of whom are not represented by counsel, in discussing their current issue(s) and guide them through the mediation process. These programs are invaluable to the First Circuit as we are the only provider of free mediation services in the area, which spans the lower nine counties of the state. In addition, we administer the First Circuit Foreclosure Mediation Program and the St. Clair County Foreclosure Mediation Program. These mandatory mediation programs provide foreclosure education and provide mediation services to homeowners in foreclosure and their lenders. Finally, we administer the Illinois Agricultural Mediation Program, which is a statewide federal agricultural mediation program.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc. (DRI) is guided by a board of directors committed to access to justice through alternative dispute resolution. Many of our board members are mediators, or have had interactions with mediation in their profession. Their guidance is important to continue striving towards DRI's mission. Employed by DRI since we opened in 2009, Missy Greathouse, DRI's current executive director, has had an integral role in the development, implementation, and administration of all mediation programs provided by DRI through the state of Illinois. Missy is an attorney, social worker, and mediator. Well respected throughout the Circuit, Missy has proven she has the ability to collaborate with other agencies to imagine, develop and bring mediation programs to full scale. Additionally, we have a strong group of volunteer mediators who donate their time and energy to our mediation cases.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We continue to strive to meet all nine hallmarks of community mediation centers. Most participants are provided mediation services at no cost. We have supported local circuit court's in their mediation efforts, by creating and administering mediation programs on their behalf. We continue to provide a statewide agricultural mediation program at no cost to farmers in a dispute with a USDA agency. We will continue to evaluate and change, as necessary, our programs to ensure we are providing our services to all of those in need. In addition, we are investigating expanding our services throughout new areas in the state.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Dispute Resolution Institute, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 11/26/2018
Sarah Taylor
Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
Michael Ruffley
Retired Attorney
Michael Fiello
First Judicial Circuit Jackson County
Benjamin Reed
Reed, Heller, Mansfield & Gross
Jennifer Thompson
Michelle M. Schafer, Attorney at Law
Anna Vick
Burton & Vick
Heather Abel
Board leadership practices
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No