Monroe County Oath of Office Ceremony

Our Monroe County CDS staff organized a wonderful Oath of Office swearing in ceremony for our volunteer mediators.  The event was held on the 19th floor of the glass walled First Federal Building providing a commanding view of downtown Rochester with Lake Ontario visible to the north.  Monroe County Staff, Mediators, Apprentice Mediators, Family and Friends were invited. 

Light appetizers preceded the Official Oath of Office swearing in ceremony.  NY State Supreme Court Judge, Hon. Richard Dollinger, presided over the ceremony.  He described the importance that mediation allows litigants to have a real opportunity to be heard.  He emphasized CDS's critical role in providing training, apprenticing and certifying volunteer community mediators.  After administering the Oath of Office to our certified mediators Judge Dollinger issued a challenge to our agency staff and volunteers to continue our unique and high quality service of listening to people in conflict and to see how we can spread our light of peaceful dispute settlement over more of the great communities we serve. 

The ceremony was followed by a communal meal of traditional Caribbean food shared over conversations with old, new and renewed acquaintances.  The evening wrapped up with fun Trivia Games (with question winners prized with sweet treats), dessert and laughter.

Here's a link to view pictures of the event: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZWuhTB9l0KHhPxKyMfPqk0c4CguoYqVf?usp=sharing