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NYACP Newsletter - Winter 2021 |
NYACP News ~ Winter 2021Volume 3, Issue 1 In This Issue...President's Message
2021 Membership Year is About Growth and You! President's Letter to Our MembersBy Ken NovensternAs I sit here on the couch watching the snowfall on our second Sunday storm in February, with the gas stove on and Walter snuggled at the end of the sofa, I think about how we can increase the number of Collaborative cases for our members and make Collaborative part of the discussion in every new consultation for a separation or divorce. I scroll Linked In and see postings and comments from several of our members including the recent NY Times article quoting Andrea Vacca, Esq. and Kate Bar-Tur, LCSW and from Melissa Goodstein, Esq. promoting NYACP programs and our recent Deborah Gilman and Jacinta Gallant programs. Ivan Alter, Esq.,. recently posted a video promoting the benefits of Collaborative Law. Katherine Miller, Esq. posts regularly on Twitter and other platforms. NYACP 2020 Annual Meeting ~ "Virtually" Perfect!The only thing missing was it being a live event!As a result of COVID, this year’s annual meeting was virtual over Zoom and presented over two days, December 3 and December 10, 2020. For the annual training, Prof. David Hoffman presented “Biased? Who, Me?!?” A Candid Look at the Problem of Implicit Bias and its Implications for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”Prof. Hoffman asked us: But the highlight of our meeting may well have been the Video Tribute put together by Board members Nancy Kaye and Jeffrey Steiger:
In our annual election, the members voted in Jeffrey Steiger to return to the Board of Directors and for Catherine Canadé and Stephen Linker as new Board members. NYACP Winter Trainings Continue As We Welcome 2021...Just Roll with It: Recognizing and Responding to Resistance.On January 8, 2021, Dr. Deborah Gilman presented Just Roll with It: Recognizing and Responding to Resistance. Dr. Gilman is a Pennsylvania Licensed psychologist, mediator, coach and child specialist. She discussed how to recognize resistance and noted that highly resistant clients are expert at making us feel incompetent. The client contests the accuracy, expertise, or integrity of the professionals or the process by challenging the statements of team members, questioning the team’s authority, expertise or efficacy, and showing hostility. Dealing with this is a challenge facing all Collaborative practitioners. This recorded training is available in the members only video library. Bringing Our Family in Two Homes to Collaborative PracticeOn February 5, 2021, Jacinta Galant presented Bringing Our Family in Two Homes to Collaborative Practice. Ms. Galant is a Canadian lawyer, conflict trainer and mediator who developed resources to facilitate deeper client preparation and efficiencies in Collaborative Practice. Her Workbook was designed to enhance the client’s ability to be self-reflective and more engaged with the members of the Collaborative Team. Her innovative Our Family in Two Homes resources help clients prepare to engage deeply, and productively, in Family Mediation and Collaborative Practice. It was developed to help couples work through the various considerations associated with separation, from learning to communicate with one another in a healthy manner to making decisions related to parenting, finances and dividing assets/debts. Utilizing the Workbook and accessing the knowledge of an experienced lawyer and mediator is a discreet and practical way to have discussions that matter. This recorded training is available in the members only video library. Training and Education Committee MeetingOur Training and Education Committee met on January 25th and continued to format a wonderful schedule of trainings for 2021. The committee is working diligently to design programs while considering the possiblility of conducting in-person meetings versus webinars and hybrids in a post-COVID environment. Be sure to look on the website and in your email for upcoming events and information for registration. NYACP Pod Meetings Start the New Year Right
Unpacking Trump’s Tax Returns: Takeaways for Our Collaborative PracticesSteve Kaplan presented Unpacking Trump’s Tax Returns: Takeaways for Our Collaborative Practices at the October 21, 2020 meeting of the Northern Westchester Pod. In an apolitical discussion, Steve explained the reports of the New York Times on the alleged Trump tax returns and how some of the issues raised might relate to the concepts and issues facing our clients. Dealing with Bullying Behavior in Collaborative DivorceAt the November 3, 2020 meeting of the Long Island Pod, Roxane Polak gave a PowerPoint presentation on Dealing with Bullying Behavior in Collaborative Divorce. Roxane gave insights into the definition and predictors of bullying, antisocial and narcissistic personalty disorders, and bullying behavior patterns. Much of the members’ discussion related to examples of verbal bullying around the Collaborative table, with Roxane providing possible responses in the Collaborative setting. Roxane’s recommendations:
Ask person who bullies for their solutions and how they would address spouse’s concerns. Helping Divorcing Women Reinvent Themselves During COVID and BeyondSheilah Crowley led the November 10, 2020 NYC Pod discussion, Helping Divorcing Women Reinvent Themselves During COVID and Beyond. Ms. Crowley is an NYU-trained and ICF-certified coach who discussed ways to help our clients reframe their self-images as it relates to work. Particularly as a result of COVID, many women are struggling to see what direction to take, or what their value proposition might be. Career reinvention may be an important part when planning a divorce settlement. Ms. Crowley provided guidance on helping a client discuss her values, natural strengths, skills, interests, work and lifestyle in a cohesive way to share with the new contactor prospective employer. Highlights From the 2020 IACP ForumThe Northern Westchester Pod met on November 18, 2020 and discussed highlights from the 2020 IACP Forum held October 28th through the 31st. Attendees, led by Melissa Goodstein, spoke about Dr. Deborah Gilman’s presentation on how to deal with resistance and Collaborative cases (as a result of which Dr. Gilman was invited to make the presentation, above, to the NYACP on January 8, 2021). Members were eager to learn about collaborative mediation and Melissa described her first case using this model. A few members talked about a presentation involving use of a Workbook with clients that guides them through their Collaborative Divorce and whether this is something that we should consider in our cases. That led to the to the NYACP training, above, on February 5, 2021, Bringing Our Family in Two Homes to Collaborative Practice, presented by Jacinta Galant, J.D. Help Your Client Help Herself: Understand the Money Barriers She Has FacedOn December 8, 2020, Carrie Rattle, MBA, CDFA, AFC, led the NYC Pod in a discussion, Help Your Client Help Herself: Understand the Money Barriers She Has Faced. Ms. Rattle covered the five core social myths that continue to erode women’s confidence around money, despite their equal ability to men. She discussed how to approach women on these topics to ensure they care for themselves and don’t feel overwhelmed when having to make financial decisions for the first time on dispenser stressful situations. Ms. Rattle Carrie has spent her lifetime championing women in the workplace and in their personal lives, including helping women break self-limiting money beliefs that restrict their success in the workplace, conquering fear/shame/embarrassment, and managing their own money. Carrie is also a board member and volunteer for Savvy Ladies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the financial wellbeing of all women. Expanding NYACP Membership and CasesThe Long Island Pod on January 5, 2021, and took stock, discussing what we can do to expand our NYACP membership and increase the number of our cases. We also asked what we could do to promote the Collaborative Practice as well as ourselves. Lessons Learned; Lessons MissedThe NYC Pod met on January 12, 2021, with the topic of Lessons Learned; Lessons Missed. It was a reflection on the past year, sharing, with gratitude and humility, the learning and misses that made us wiser (one way or the other). Managing Our Lives in These TimesThe Northern Westchester Pod met on January 20, 2021 for a general discussion of how we are managing our lives during COVID and the changing of political administrations. Melissa Goodstein suggested we listen to a podcast called “10% Happiness” by Dan Harris to get ideas about self-care. Barbara Bel and Sallie Mullins talked about the PPP loan forgiveness program. They all agreed that politicians should be trained in Collaborative principles. Marketing Ideas From the Hudson ValleyWith an eye towards possibly marketing itself, the NYC Pod, at its February 9, 2021 meeting, had Steve Kaplan bring marketing ideas from the Hudson Valley Collaborative Divorce & Dispute Resolution Association. The recent efforts of that group has led to interesting results. Steve provided an intimate understanding of their marketing steps and organizational procedures. Part One of Two-Part Series on Tax ReformOn February 17th, the Northern Westchester Pod, began its two-part series on Tax Reform. Barbara Bel, CPA is a tax partner for one of the largest full-service CPA and consulting firms in the tri-state area. Barbara took us through the tax changes that are now under consideration and discussed the likelihood they would be enacted. Barbara’s PowerPoint presentation, along with the video of the meeting, have been uploaded to the Member Video Training page on this website. Northern Westchester Support Group for Collaborative ProfessionalsThe Northern Westchester Support Group had another successful meeting and continues to meet every month! Support groups provide needed sharing and input for our member professionals in a safe and collaborative environment. 2021 Membership Year is About Growth and You!We Need You!As you all know, it was after considerable research and serious consideration, the Board voted to reduce dues 30% to $595 starting in 2021. However, it is now imperative that we grow in numbers, both to secure the financial well being of the organization, and to help increase Collaborative cases for our members. We need you to assist with recruitment and actively participate in the effort so we can maintain the new dues level, or even reduce it further in the years to come. NYACP Volunteer Positions are OpenThere are positions opened for the following committees/work groups! If you are interested in any of the following topics, contact the office today: Social Media, Professional Standards, Membership, Diversity/Inclusion. SPRING IS COMING...We Promise!Plan for Your Social Distancing–Friendly Spring ActivitiesEven if you're stuck indoors, you can still enjoy these rites of spring. You may have to pass on some social springtime activities—going to a ball game, seeing a play, etc., but that doesn't mean you can't find plenty of fun spring things to do. Start planning some activities now so you are ready for Spring! Check out the cherry blossoms and spring blooms Plant an herb garden Speaking of herbs for your drinks... Check out baby animal live cams Plan a seasonal feast Look for rainbows Take up bird watching Freshen up your home Take a scenic drive Business are Opening...with a Common Goal Take a Walk with a Collaborative Friend Most of all, stay safe, and remember...Hope Springs Eternal. TELL US...WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!The NYACP wants to connect with you, and hear how you are. Please send us an update, a story, or just well wishes to your fellow colleagues. We want to hear from you, please write! |