John Willis Email & Phone Number

Shelbyville, Commonwealth Of Kentucky, Usa

I mediate for the NE Region of the USPS using the transformative method.

I designed the first 100% distance education Master of Science in Dispute Resolution in the U.S. using national standards of practice established by major conflict resolution organizations: The American Bar Association Section on Dispute Resolution The Association for Conflict Resolution The Association of Family Conciliation Courts The National Association for Community Mediation The American Arbitration AssociationConcerning teaching theory, distance education has proven comparable or even superior to many brick-and-mortar courses. Nevertheless, it cannot provide students with practice simulations, peer and faculty critiques in brick-and-mortar settings.To offset this deficiency and exceed brick-and-mortar experiences, a Practicum Option was developed. Students chose their workplace application; helped select a corporate Partner agreeing to document and assist in actual workplace performance; then presented a reviewed plan for the Practicum.See the degree program, which essentially remains as designed, at the following URL: http://gradschool.sullivan.edu/graduate/curriculum/msdr/index.html.

I enforced all U.S. and KRS 344 civil rights statutes in this position, which involved investigation, determination, and reports to the Ky Commission on Human Rights.During the time of my employment, I led all conciliations in the agency, with an overall percentage of 64%. This was done through providing parties with information related to the investigations, and allowing them an opportunity to seek the best resolution to their grievance through mutually agreed means. Wherever possible, the employer included elements in the conciliation which prevented policies and practices leading to similar future grievances.

I worked for and reported directly to the late founder and President, Jimm Axline. NATI had a very unusual mission unparalled by most charities. NATI provided direct payments of bills to creditors of families being wiped out by costs of terminal illness medicine, treatment, and care. I know of no other charity with such direct services to people, with the exception of Habitat for Humanity and its provision of no-interest homes to qualified families.My tasks were: (1) to review, redraft, and suggest new policies for NATI; (2) to represent patient families in financial crises with mounting debts caused by loss of a terminally ill wage earner; (3) to negotiate debt cancellation or reasonable debt repayment plans with creditors; (4) to thank those company representatives authorizing solutions, and build partner recognition; (5) to report to the President successes and obstacles in this developing service model; and, (6) to build partnerships with foundations and regional charities, such as The United Way, to fund NATI's mission.Principal recommendation in policy changes were (1) to broaden board memberships in this family-owned charity; (2) to institute best practices enabling easier access to foundations and other grant-issuing entities; and, (3) to widen local services and partnerships.

Phd, History & Ethics

Activities and Societies: The American Academy of Religion The Society of Biblical Literature The American Historical Association.

Ma, Religion

Mdiv, Christian Ministry

Activities and Societies: Inducted into Theta Phi Honor Society, 1978

Ba, Bible; Koine Greek