Virginia Mediation Network Inc upcoming events

2026 Fall Conference: Looking Ahead, Together: Navigating the Future of Dispute Resolution (09/25/2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Looking Ahead, Together: Navigating the Future of Dispute Resolution

IN-PERSON SESSIONS: Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach on Pavilion Drive in Virginia Beach

VIRTUAL SESSIONS: September 28 - October 2 via Zoom

On Friday, September 25 from 3:30-5:00pm, there will be a 1.5-hour Ethics presentation followed by a light reception and keynote address by Dean Alpaslan Özerdem of George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution..

On Saturday, September 26 we will offer a full day of conference presentations. Our Annual Meeting will take place during lunch on September 26. In addition to lunch, we will provide a hot breakfast buffet prior to the first sessions on Saturday and coffee service during the day.

Note: Guest registration only covers the Friday evening Keynote & Reception. It does not include breakfast or the Annual Meeting lunch. If you only plan to attend the Keynote and Reception, and no other conference sessions, please purchase a stand-alone ticket for the Keynote & Reception.

The remainder of the conference, from September 28 - October 2, will be virtual.

CMEs have been approved for all conference sessions and 14.5 hours of MCLE have been approved Virginia attorneys. Schedule subject to change.

Click HERE for conference information.

Become a conference sponsor! It's not too late to generate interest in your business or organization. You can download a Sponsorship Form here or an Exhibitor Form here.

Please note:

The conference registration fee covers both the in-person and virtual portions of the conference.
The Keynote, Annual Meeting, and in-person presentations will NOT be livestreamed or recorded. For most virtual sessions, we plan to offer recordings for viewing post-conference.
We will NOT offer printed hardcopies of conference handouts for the in-person portion of the conference. All handouts will be provided via Whova, and registrants will be able to download and print handouts for the in-person sessions from Whova in advance to bring with them the day of the conference.

Cancellation policy: A full refund (minus $25 processing fee) was available for written requests received by Tuesday, August 25, 2026. After that date, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations or no shows due to contractual obligations we have with the conference hotel and their vendors.

Disclaimer as to Presentations and Materials at VMN Conference: While the Virginia Mediation Network strives to make the information presented at our conference as informative, neutral, accurate and timely as possible, VMN makes no endorsement of, promises about, guarantees or opinions related to the accuracy, adequacy or protected ownership of the contents of the presentations. Any opinions expressed by a presenter, whether or not a member of VMN, shall not be considered the opinion of the organization itself. Reference to any specific commercial product, process or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the attendees, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Virginia Mediation Network.

Please note that we may post photographs taken at our event on our website. Please contact virginiamediationnetwork@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

From Karen Richards Training: Conflict Resolution & Mediation Skills Training (General Mediation Training) (10/05/2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Conflict Resolution & Mediation Skills Training (General Mediation Training)

Online via Zoom

October 5-9, 2026

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Trainers: Karen Richards, Andrea Palmisano, Kim Graham & Sara McAllister

**VMN Enhanced, Institutional, and Community Mediation Center members can post their events on the VMN Calendar. If you are interested in becoming a member or upgrading your membership, please reach out to virginiamediationnetwork@gmail.com.

From Karen Richards Training: Mentorship Event -- General Video Observation Class (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Mentorship Event -- General Video Observation Class

Online via Zoom

October 21, 2026

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Trainer: Karen Richards

From Karen Richards Training: Family Mediation Training (11/09/2026)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Family Mediation Training

Online via Zoom

November 9-13, 2026

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Trainers: Karen Richards, Andrea Palmisano, Sara McAllister & Kim Graham

VMN WEBINAR: Dare to Be Different: Becoming a Preventive Practitioner (11/12/2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Dare to Be Different: Becoming a Preventive Practitioner
A Training Tool for Avoiding Disputes

VMN Members $10
Non-members $35
VMN Student Member* $5
Non-member Students $15
*Students must be enrolled at an academic institution. This registration option does not apply to New Mediator members.

Think Upstream.

The conflict resolution field has long focused on repairing relationships after a dispute breaks out. But what if practitioners could intervene earlier — before conflict takes hold?

This workshop introduces a proactive alternative to traditional dispute resolution: a seven-step process for recognizing and defusing tension before it escalates into a full-blown dispute.

Attendees leave with a practical framework — and a new service offering they can bring straight to clients.

**This webinar is pending approval for 1.0 hours of CME credit (0.0 ethics) by the Supreme Court of Virginia.**

Presenter Bio: Chuck Boles

A recipient of a Faculty Innovation research grant, his recently published “A Proactive Guide to Avoiding Disputes!"℠, has universal adaptability to multiple audiences.

His entertaining and informative lectures and workshop series, “How to Enjoy an Argument-Free Lifestyle!", has gained significant popularity within multiple business, academic, faith-based, and civic communities.

Available to present guest lectures and facilitate workshops, Chuck lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with his wife, Chris.

From Karen Richards Training: Support Matters for Virginia's Family Courts (11/19/2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Support Matters for Virginia's Family Courts

Online via Zoom

November 19-20, 2026

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Trainers: Kim Graham & Sara McAllister

From Karen Richards Training: Domestic Violence & Family Mediation Training (12/04/2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Domestic Violence & Family Mediation Training

Online via Zoom

December 4-5, 2026

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Trainer: Andrea Palmisano