In July of 1993, James Rutherford and Jack Hebner opened the doors of the Fulcrum Institute, as a mediation firm dedicated to resolving conflict without litigation. The firm was designed to provide educational classes in conflict resolution to business, schools, government, other specific groups and individuals.
By the end of 1993, the Fulcrum Institute had formed the Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic Association, a non profit formed under the guidelines of RCW 7.75 in the state of Washington.
The Association’s Board of Directors oversees the operation of the Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic.
The objectives and purposes of the Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic are defined as follows:
• To form a permanent organization in the County of Spokane for the provision of forums in which persons may voluntarily participate in the resolution of disputes in an informal and less adversarial manner than by using the judicial system.
• To encourage continuing community participation in the development, administration, and oversight of local programs designed to facilitate the informal resolution of disputes between, and among members of the community.
• To offer structures for dispute resolution which may serve as models for low income dispute resolution centers in other communities.
* To offer educational and mentoring services to individuals who have been, are, or will be facing incarceration through a penal system run by a jurisdiction of federal, state or county determination. Such services are to include a forum that potentially provides for employment opportunities through a business roundtable and reintegration into the local community by those individuals so identified.
• To enter into operating agreements, partnerships, leases, grants, or other arrangements with the City of Spokane or the County of Spokane (Washington), or with any subdivision or agency of the State of Washington or the United States of America, for the purposes of operating and maintaining a dispute resolution clinic for low- to moderate-income individuals.
• To do everything consistent, proper, and requisite for the carrying out of the objectives and purposes aforesaid to their fullest and broadest sense, excepting that the Clinic shall not engage in any business, trade, avocation, or profession for gain or profit.
– Adopted September, 1994
– Amended June 2018
Services We Offer
The Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic may assist in avoiding the courtroom in a majority of legal situations, these can include:
Distribution of Property
Residential Schedules
Landlord/Tenant
Land Use Conflicts
Contract Negotiations & Interpretation
Corporate Contracts
Administrative Proceedings
Will/Trust Disputes
Personal Injury
The Fulcrum Institute Dispute Resolution Clinic offers Interest Based Mediation Training and Child Custody Mediation Training three times each year. The Mediation Training Courses are submitted to the Washington State Bar and the Idaho State Bar for continuing education credit approval as well as the Idaho Mediation Association.
MEDIATION TRAINING
PARENT EDUCATION
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR WORKING PROFESSIONALS
COURT ORDERED PROGRAMS
Anger Management
Parent Education (Children First)
Theft Awareness
Fulcrum Dispute Resolution Clinic is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization and as such accepts grants from local, state and national sources. Since 1994, the many programs of Fulcrum Dispute resolution Clinic have been supported by grant proceeds. In the past, Fulcrum Dispute Resolution Clinic has received generous grants from Women Helping Women, Community Housing and Human Services, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Total funding for programs rely on a variety of sources, contractual agreements, grants and private donations.
Fulcrum’s grant applications seek funding to ensure Fulcrum’s commitment and services continue to provide and expand valuable educational classes and employment securing services which have assisted in reducing recidivism and help low to moderately low income individuals.
It is through generous grants and donations that Fulcrum Dispute Resolution Clinic will continue its tradition of providing professional services and expanding these services into areas of community needs.