Below is information on the individuals interested in serving on the Nebraska Mediation Association Board of Directors. To place your vote, please use the link provided in the email sent to you as the link is specific to you. Links are not identifiable to any person; however, each link is only allowed to be used once.
Voting is OPEN! Voting will CLOSE on April 12, 2023, at 12:00 a.m. CT.
Candidates will be announced no later than the April 15 Business Meeting.
NMA’s Mission: The Nebraska Mediation Association promotes creative and constructive engagement through professional development, collaborative partnerships, facilitation, mediation, restorative justice, and conflict engagement training to practitioners, professionals, and others throughout the State of Nebraska.
Candidates for General Board Seat
(Vote for 2)
Name: Amanda Palmer
Profession: Attorney & Mediator
City of Residence: Plattsmouth, NE
What skills and experience would you bring to the board?
My primary legal practice and emphasis has been mediation for the last year with affiliation with 3 mediation centers. I also do probate and estate planning. I have been a qualified mediator for almost 3 years. I have mediated probate disputes, commercial disputes, collaborative divorces with limited representation, and most forms of family mediations. I have lived and practiced law and mediation in the rural part of the state as well as in the eastern, more urban side of the state. I have an ample understanding of the differences in culture ranging across the state. I understand from first hand experiences the frustrations of limited technology in some parts of the state and overbook court dockets in others. My experiences over the last three years of practice and throughout my life have provided me with a broad understanding of different challenges.
Based on the mission, what is your vision for creative and constructive engagement in Nebraska?
I want to expand awareness of mediation as an option for greater dispute resolution of a wider array of topics. I want to see increased attorney awareness and confidence in ADR as a whole for conflict resolution for personal and small business disputes and not just large scale commercial disputes and parenting plans. I want to see greater judicial integration of court directed or encouraged mediation because sometimes justice isn't what the law would dictate but instead a hybrid of a solution which serves a more cathartic purpose for all parties.
Nebraska has a rich tradition of experience and perspectives such as geographic, professional background, and focus of practice. What would be your strategy to help all voices be heard?
An increase in informational campaigns to all members of the legal community would begin the process of improving opportunity awareness but coupled with a public awareness campaign to encourage people to try mediation prior to hiring legal counsel would greatly serve to provide affordable legal services to a greater portion of the population. We already have mediation centers for the entire state. Those centers need assistance in spreading the information about what can be handled in mediation as well as assistance in recruiting and training mediators in the various topic areas and staffing the mediation centers adequately to arrange and coordinate the mediations. The total number of people employed as staff at all three centers which I am affiliated with is shockingly low. And while ODR is wonderful at hosting trainings and providing resource information for center directors (i.e. the current grants for RJ), it's just not enough. An increase in available options coupled with greater awareness of those options is the biggest step we need to make in improving access to legal services for all.
Name: Gina Ponce
Profession: Director
City of Residence: Omaha, NE
What skills and experience would you bring to the board?
I was certified as a Mediation provider many years ago and still refer folks to you all the time. Love the work you do. I have a Masters in Communication and have been working in the Latino community for over 30 years in many capacities
Based on the mission, what is your vision for creative and constructive engagement in Nebraska?
My vision is to make sure that the Latino community know the important work you do, help you to grow in the areas your vision sends you and really increase your visibility in communities where folks may not know you
Nebraska has a rich tradition of experience and perspectives such as geographic, professional background, and focus of practice. What would be your strategy to help all voices be heard?
Advocate! Teach! inform
