GREATER July/August/September1998
PITTSBURGH VOL.4 NO.3
CHAPTER
N E W S L E T T E R
Contact Alberta Mattingley-Vice President 37 Seneca Road Pittsburgh, PA 15241
Phone no. 412/466-8928 E-mail: pghdads@aol.com Fax 412/835-1362
WELCOME TO NCFC GREATER PITTSBURGH CHAPTER
"THE BEST PARENT IS BOTH PARENTS"
GREAT NEWS!
Senator James Gerlach of Chester County, PA has introduced a companion presumptive joint custody bill in the Pennsylvania Senate. Senators Greenleaf and Mowery also are part of this bill's introduction to the PA Senate. The bill was introduced on July 10, 1998. The legislation number is SB 1489. There are many similarities to the PA House Bill HB1723 and some differences.
Both bills propose to change the definition from shared custody to joint custody. This will put Pennsylvania's definition more in line with other states and joint custody is a stronger legal term to imply equal coparenting of the children.
Both bills require the court to state on the record why joint custody is not in the best interests of the children if the court denies joint custody. This is a positive for children and parents because the courts generally do not like to put their opinions on the record unless they are required.
Both bills require the parents to submit parenting plans. SB 1489 is stronger in this area. According to the bill's language, the parent that is more likely to encourage permit, and allow continuing contact and physical access between the noncustodial parent and the child, as evidenced by the submitted plan, that parent's plan shall be considered.
Both bills consider factors such as documented child abuse, certain criminal convictions and other violent behaviors to affect the decision of the court relative to the custody plans.
The Senate bill gives stronger consideration to the wishes of the children in deciding parenting arrangements and geographic location of each parent. Neither bill mandates 50/50 joint physical custody.
Please write or call your state senator to help support this bill.
SUCCESS AND PROGRESS
The Presumptive Joint Custody bill number HB 1723 is alive and well. The first and second public hearings were held on March 16, 1998, and May 12, 1998 respectively. At each hearing, the supporters of presumptive joint custody were more professional, compelling and greater in numbers. So far, the only opposition has come from attorneys.
The next hearings will be scheduled in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Please call Brian Preski with the House Judicial Committee for exact times. Brian can be reached at 717-772-6946.
Why would attorneys be opposed to equality in family court when the children's best interests are at stake. To those of us who have experienced the trauma of Pennsylvania family courts and some family law attorneys, the answer is an obvious one. Billable hours. Billable hours that come from the emotional intensity that mothers and fathers will expend in their quests for the best interest of the children. What is the result of these billable hours for the attorneys? Money, easy money. A typical parent will easily spend $20,000 in legal fees in a custody action. If I received most of my income from an industry like Pennsylvania custody court litigation and I really had no personal or moral issues with the parties involved (including children), then I, too, would oppose this bill.
However, the best interests of the children and giving both parents an opportunity to continue to be parents after a dissolution of a marriage or a divorce is the general policy of Pennsylvania's Divorce Code Title 23. HB 1723 supports Pennsylvania's custody policy. Both parents will be presumed to be fit, loving and caring parents unless documented evidence proves the contrary. Both parents will be given the opportunity to express to the other parent and to the court, their desired parenting plan. The judges will lose some of their now all too powerful discretion in determining custody plans. As Senator Melissa Hart observed in a meeting on May 1, 1998 with NCFC and ACES representatives, iT appears the judges have too much discretion with the present system in terms of custody decisions.
Please contact your local representative and ask him or her to vote yes on HB 1723, Presumptive Joint Custody. If you can schedule and appointment with your representative to review the importance of this bill and to voice your concern, please call our chapter office to schedule a board member or other NCFC member to attend with you. You can also submit written testimony as the why presumptive joint custody should be enacted in Pennsylvania. Send ten (10) copies of your statement to:
Brian Preski
House Judiciary Committee
P.O. Box 202020
Harrisburg, PA 17020
Please remember to include a copy of your letter to your local state representative and send us one for our files.
ADVOCACY GOALS
The National Congress for Fathers and Children is a coalition of organizations and indi-viduals who support father's rights, men's rights, and divorce reform in North America. We seek to advocate and with one voice to encourage:
° Public support for the vital role of fathers in the growth and development of their children ° Joint/shared custody ° Equality in child custody litigation ° Enforcement of children's rights of access to both parents ° Equitable financial child support guidelines, orders, and enforcement ° Affirmation of men's rights to choose traditional or contemporarymasculine roles in life, family and society ° Equality of men and women free from discrimination and gender bias ° Greater accessibility and fairness in courts and other forums for dispute resolution
FATHERS DAY 1998
Fathers Day this year was Sunday June 21, 1998. NCFC, The Male Coalition Fathering Families, TCACS and Citizens For Family Unity sponsored a rally on the steps of the City County Building in Allegheny County, downtown Pittsburgh at 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and a bring-your-own picnic at Dormont Park followed immediately after the rally.
NCFC received donations from the following organizations and individuals: Kings Family Restaurants, Carnegie Science Center, The Pittsburgh Zoo, Gargaro Productions, Pirate Partners, The Marriott, Shop & Save, Giant Eagle, B.Dalton Book Store, Westinghouse, Matt Rich, Alberta and George Mattingley and Lynn Wyant. A sincere thank you to all of those who contributed their time, energy and money to make this year's Fathers day a wonderful day of family celebration!
PITTSBURGH CHAPTER MEETINGS
Our chapter educational meetings are open to the public. There is no fee to attend and you do not have to be a member.
When are our meetings? It is easy to remember. Our meetings are always the second Saturday of every month from 10 :00am until noon.
Location: Bethel Park Municipal Building
5100 Library Road
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Parking: Free
Directions: Take Route 51 South to Route 88. Turn right to BRIGHTWOOD. Turn right on Brightwood to
Library Avenue. The Municipal Building is just across the Trolley Tracks.
Upcoming Educational Meetings
Recent Meetings
The April meeting featured Debra Iwanyshyn of Iwanyshyn & Associates, PC (A law firm and mediation center) Debora presented a realistic view point of the divorce situation in Pennsylvania and how alternate dispute resolution can create a better arrangement for both parents and the children. However, Debora did caution the attendees that it takes two reasonable people to mediate and that some Pennsylvania family law attorneys do not understand mediation nor do they promote mediation.
Debora is also qualified to be a court recognized expert in business value presentations in court. In other words, Debora could compliment your personal accountant when presenting financial issues of businesses in either support court or in equitable distribution. Iwanyshyn and Associates can be reached at 338-0200.
The May meeting featured Kevin Sheahen. Kevin discussed Pennsylvania's present support system. How support is determined, how much the guidelines would be, how to file for a modification, how to prepare for a hearing and how to appeal a hearing officer's recommendations. The proposed support guideline changes were also discussed by Kevin. The attendees asked many questions and contributed many of their personal experiences to the topic and the group.
Kevin and Alberta Mattingley spoke at the June meeting The upcoming Fathers Day events and HB 1723 progress were the primary topics.
SERVICE FOR MEMBERS
We offer our members a service to help them understand custody issues. If you are in the Generations program, call the office prior to your 2-hour mediation session. We will meet with you and walk you through the custody issues that will be raised in the mediation. This service, like all others is available to all members, male or female. Call the office (854-4799) for an appointment.
Pro Se Help
Help in filling out and understanding Pro Se motions is available on most Thursdays from 6-11:00 PM. We have to restrict this service to members but you can join when you come in. Call the office (854-4799) for an appointment.
Chapter News
1997 UNITED WAY COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Alberta Mattingley, the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of National Congress for Fathers and Children Vice President, was chosen to be the 1997 United Way Community Champion. Alberta was chosen out of a field of around 700 possible candidates for the honor. TCI Cable and the Post Gazette were the underwriting award sponsors. There was a taping with Alberta at her house while she was working on NCFC telephone calls and there will be an award presentation in the next few weeks.
Congratulations Alberta for a job well done! The award is a well deserved honor for a hard working volunteer.
Submissions Wanted
If you or one of your children are interested in submitting an article for future publication in our newsletter, please forward a copy to our address on the newsletter.
2ND ANNUAL FATHER RECOGNITION DINNER
The Coalition for Fathering Families sponsored a father recognition dinner and awards for the second year. The dinner was held at the Vintage Center in East Liberty. Larry Davis, Louis Johnson and Melvin El hosted the event and honored many fathers, mothers and even children for their struggles and efforts to be leaders and good citizens. Other groups that attended and contributed were National Congress for Fathers and Children, Healthy Start, Citizens for Family Unity, Parental Stress Center and Allegheny Public Defenders Office. NCFC's Brad Fish, John Gorman, David Meekins, Mat Rich and Kevin Sheahen were some of the many who were honored at the dinner. Marc Peters also was honored, but Marc had to work and missed the award dinner.
There were around 80 people in attendance. About 20 children were also honored and some got up to speak about their dads.
Please submit the name of a father, mother or child who you feel needs to be recognized at the 1999 Father Recognition Dinner. Send his or her name to our address and why they deserve to be recognized.
THE GENERATIONS PROGRAM SUMMARY
Pennsylvania enacted Act 20 in 1996 which allows counties to institute mandatory mediation programs for custody disputes. Allegheny County adopted a mandatory mediation program in February of 1997 for all types of custody actions. These actions include modifications to existing orders, new partial custody, shared custody, primary custody and even custody contempt filings. Participation by both parties is mandatory, but only has to occur one time.
The program has two parts. The first part is an educational program for parents and children over the age of six. Each seminar is held for three and a half hours. The adult part is called Lighthouse and the child part is called Sandcastle. The Sandcastle part divides the children into three age groups. The purpose of both the Lighthouse and Sandcastle programs is to educate the participants on what divorce is and how it affects children. Cooperation between separated parents is stressed to be in the best interest of the children. Soon, the Lighthouse program will divide the participants between newly separated parents, divorced parents and never married parents. Early Lighthouse indications show that participants are equally divided into these three categories.
The second part of the Generations Program is mediation between the parents. This is held in a conference room on the fourth floor of the Allegheny Building. There is a trained mediator scheduled for this meeting. You can get information on your mediator beforehand by contacting our office at 854-4799 or at Family Mediation Council of Western Pennsylvania at 255-3743.
Both parties will be introduced to the mediator and he or she will describe the procedures. Part of the procedures is to ask if either party is physically afraid of the other person. Once this is settled, then the mediator meets privately with each party to listen to their concerns. Then the mediator calls the two parties together to review each others concerns about the other party or the issue at hand.
This part of mediation works the best if you come prepared with copies of your concerns and your desires for the mediator, the other party and yourself. This paper will probably become the talking paper for your mediation. If you think there is some agreement on any part of the issues, try to put this on paper. This minor, or hopefully major, agreement can then be taken to motions court to become a part of an order of court or it can form the basis for continuing negotiation to the end of a broader order of court.
If there is no agreement or chance of agreement, then the next step is custody conciliation. The court and the people at Generations do not promote conciliation. Therefore, you need to know up-front that this will be the next step and tell the mediator that there is not any chance for agreement. Remember, these mediators make money doing mediation so they will promote themselves as much as the rules will allow. In addition, the Generations personnel will also promote mediation because it will mean success and a continuing contract with the courts. Do not get me wrong, mediation is great. It is far better than the court system. However, for mediation to work, both parties need to perceive themselves as relatively on equal footing. Most men and women know that in Pennsylvania courts, equal footing does not exist.
The financial cost to each parent for this program is $140 in money orders, $15 per child over the age of 6, and cash filing fees for the petitioners ranging from $25 to $103.50 for each custody petition or action. Attorney fees are added to these costs.
THE "BAER BIND"
Jim Carmine, a member of our Board of Directors came up with a good acronym for the way Allegheny County Family Court handles custody complaints. Jim has labeled this phenomenon the "Baer Bind" in honor of the Administrative Judge Max Baer. Jim's association with the name "Baer Bind" with Judge Baer comes from public statements made by Judge Baer and by Judge Baer's own decisions. The "Baer Bind" is an old fashioned Catch-22 that destroys children and parents. If a parent, usually the father, legally requests shared custody of his children, the father will be denied shared custody because the fact that he filed for shared custody indicates to the court that he cannot cooperate with the other parent, usually the mother. However, if the father does not legally request shared custody of his children, then he too, will be denied shared custody because he did not ask for shared custody.
According to Pennsylvania's custody policy, it is incumbent upon the court to determine non-cooperation fault when one parent is not cooperating. However, the Pennsylvania judges are not following the custody policy of this Commonwealth. The judges have instead taken the easy way out by labelling BOTH parents uncooperative when the custody issue is forced to be decided by a judge. The result is the judges reward the custodial parent to not cooperate by denying the non-custodial parent shared custody.
The result of the "Baer Bind" is that parents are forced to file for primary custody through litigation to the delight of the divorce industry benefactors; lawyers, court psychologists and judges themselves. Every professional child psychologist or counselor knows that custody litigation battles are not in the best interest of children. In addition, the custody litigations will cost the parents anywhere from $20,000 to $300,000. This money would be better used by the parents for their children.
WE NEED YOU!
Our NCFC Chapter has financially assisted James Cook with his traveling expenses to speak at the first public hearing for HB 1723, Presumptive Joint Custody. Mr. Cook is on the national Board of Directors of NCFC and also the director of Joint Custody Association. He has testified to 38 other state's legislatures. is public hearing. We need your financial support and contributions to help defray these costs. We desperately need additional funding for his expenses and future expense in kind. Your membership dues go a long way to help us do what we do, but it is not enough to keep NCFC as vocal as we have been. Please consider donating to our chapter or renew your membership and use the form on the back. Remember, your donation is tax deductible!
NATIONAL NCFC ANNUAL CONVENTION
National Congress for Fathers and Children's annual convention will be held in the Detroit area this year. The national board of directors will also hold their annual elections. Please attend and support the father's rights movement at the national level, too. The convention is scheduled for October 16-18, 1998.
The convention will be held in Pittsburgh in 1999, so let's show Michigan NCFC our support so they will show us their support next year. Call Kevin Sheahen for more information at 854-4799.
NCFC 1998 Convention Web Page
http://www.dadnkids.com/ncfc/brochur1.html (that's brochur numeral one, not letter L)
===========================================
NCFC National ConventionAt The Westin Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan
October 16th-18th, 1998
IT TAKES FATHERS TO HAVE A VILLAGE
The National Congress for Fathers and Children is planning a convention in Detroit from October 16th to 18th, 1998. To ensure that the convention is a success we are soliciting early registrations from individuals, as well as corporate and individual sponsors.
The mission of the convention is to bring together all parts of our national village that support the important roles of men and fathers. We will include men's health concerns, the religious aspects of the Promise Keepers, the racial pride of the Million Man March, and the traditional focus of NCFC on legal and psychological issues related to divorce and paternity. The convention is designed for both professionals and individuals seeking personal growth. It will draw on the strengths of an inter-faith format; be multi-cultural and multi-disciplined. An important segment will be a separate program for teenage boys, which will stress the importance of both abstinence and responsible fatherhood to young men.
Confirmed speakers include:
· Ken Canfield, Ph.D., Author of 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers and Beside Every Great Dad. President of the National Center for Fathering.
· Warren Farrell, Ph.D., author of Why Men Are The Way They Are and an upcoming book on fathers rights. Dr. Farrell holds workshops on gender issues across the country.
· Mark Bryan, author of The Prodigal Father, educator and cofounder of the Artist's Way. He is nationally known for his lectures, workshops and media appearances.
· Kim Bateman, Wayne County, MI Friend of the Court.
· Travis Ballard, Esq. A prominent attorney who has practiced in over 15 states.
· James Cook, Los Angeles, CA President of the Joint Custody Association.
· Jeffrey Leving, Esq. Author of Fathers Rights and a premier Chicago divorce lawyer.
· Robert Hirschfeld, J.D. Phoenix, AZ will present a seminar on pro se representation
· Ben Holman, Co-Regional Representative of Spirituality for the Great Lakes Region, Youth of Unity, including 12 states and 2 Canadian provinces, chairs the teenage program.
· Ronald Brown, Detroit, MI-founder of Fathers Helping Fathers.
The NCFC Board is an elected group of concerned fathers, mothers, attorneys, doctors, psychologists, etc. from around the country dedicated to bringing fathers back into their children's lives.
Local Supporting Organizations Include:
NCFC, MI Chapter
The Wayne County Task Force on Father Absence
African Women's Organization of Michigan
Fathers Helping Fathers and
Capitol Area Fathers For Equal Rights.
Act Today! Please sign up as a sponsor or promoter and help children gain access to their fathers. Our children are counting on your help.
Copy the form below and mail it to our Main Office:
9454 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 1-800-SEE DADS
Name:______________________
Address:____________________
___________________________
___________________________
Tel.. #: (____)_______________
Please sign me up (we will contact you to discuss) for:
1. Individual Registration:
_____ $100 Before July 31, 1998
_____ $125 Before September 30, 1998
*2. Corporate Sponsor:
_____ $ 500 _____ $ 750 _____ $1,000
_____ Other Amount $___________
*3. Individual Sponsor
____ $500 donation
____ Other amount $_________________
* Sponsors receive a combination of a promotional ad and/or tickets for distribution, based on amount paid.
4. Promoter
_____I will sell at least 10 tickets (5 for out-of-state promoters) to the convention.
Please make checks payable to "NCFC" and mail to
Phillip J. Holman, President
400 Renaissance CenterSuite 1900
Detroit, MI 48243
(313) 259-2307
(313) 259-8903 Fax
pholman@crosswrock.com
National Congress for Fathers and Children
Preserving the Promise of Fatherhood
NCFC MAIN WEB PAGE: http://www.dadnkids.com/ncfc
1999 NCFC National Convention
Please register early for the 1999 NCFC National Convention to be held at
Holiday Inn Central/Green Tree401 Holiday Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
(412) 922-8100
The 19th annual national convention of the National Congress For Fathers and Children Early funding solicitation for the Pittsburgh Convention
The National Congress for Fathers and Children is planning a convention in Pittsburgh from September 23rd to the 25th, 1999. To ensure that the convention is a success we are soliciting early registrations from individuals, as well as corporate and individual sponsors.
Local Supporting Organizations Include:
NCFC, Pittsburgh Chapter; The Coalition for Fathering Families; Citizens For Family Unity
Copy the form below and mail it to our Main Office:
9454 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
1-800-SEE DADS
Name:______________________
Address:____________________
___________________________
___________________________
Tel.. #: (____)_______________
Please sign me up (we will contact you to discuss) for:
1. Individual Registration: _____ $ 75 Before May 1, 1999
_____ $100 Before July 31, 1999
_____ $125 Before September 10, 1999
*2. Corporate Sponsor:
_____ $ 500
_____ $ 750
_____ $1,000
_____ Other Amount $___________
Please make checks payable to "NCFC" and mail to
Matt Rich, 1999 Convention Chairman
37 Seneca Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
(412) 343-2955
(412) 835-1362 Fax
pghdads@aol.com
National Congress for Fathers and Children
Preserving the Promise of Fatherhood
More Info: (412) 343-2955
NCFC MAIN WEB PAGE: http://www.dadnkids.com/ncfc
OTHER SUPPORTIVE GROUPS
· Florida's Chapter of NCFC 1-888-SEE-DADS
· Single Adult Ministry; Christ United Methodist Church; Divorce Recovery; 835-6621
· Divorce Recovery Workshop; Memorial Park Church; 412-364-9492
· Citizens for Family Unity; Dave Henry 344-2352
· The Coalition for Fathering Families; Larry Davis 731-4639
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Name________________________________________
Occupation___________________________________
Address______________________________________
____________________________________________
Phone Home: (___) ___________________________
Work:(___)_____________________________
email address: _______________________________
# and ages of children_________________________
Present Spouse (if any)__________________________
Spouse's Occupation___________________________
Would you be willing to help us with your time and talents? Yes or No If yes, what area would you like to help?__________________________________
Today's date _______________
1 Year New Membership (Single $85; Family $95*) $__________
1 Year Renewed Membership (Single $50; Family $70) $_______
Life Time Membership (Single/Family $500) $________________
"Kids Need Fathers, Not Visitors" Bumper Stickers
$2 ea. $_____________
Chapter Donation ( ) $25 ( ) $50 ( ) $100
Donation for Jim Cook's travel expenses for HB 1723 $________
TOTAL $_____________
MC or VISA. Card No. __________________ Exp. date_______
Signature _________________________________________
* Family Membership covers second spouses, significant others, & grandparents.
Send to: National Congress for Fathers and Children
37 Seneca Road
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15241
Current Volunteer Officers of NCFC/Greater Pittsburgh Chapter
President Kevin Sheahen (412)854-4799
V. P. Alberta Mattingley (412)466-8928
Treasurer Doug Jones
Secretary (Position Vacant)
Current Board of Directors of NCFC
Jim Carmine Ph.D. Matt Rich
Brad Fish Dave Scott
Doug Jones Gary Setzenfand
Mike Jones Kevin Sheahen
Alberta Mattingley Michael Nieland, MD
Marc Peters
Altoona Division (814) 944-5879
Butler Division (724) 368-9155
Volunteer Staff
Press Information Shawn Davis.
Newsletter Editor Kevin Sheahen
NCFC Legal Advisor Tom G. Eddy, Esq.
MEMBERSHIP INFO:
Please call 412-854-4799 or use the application on this page or call 1-800-SEE-DADS.
A local Chapter resource list and sections of Pennsylvania's custody statutes is included in a membership package. Membership is tax-deductible.
THE BEST PARENT IS BOTH PARENTS!
Greater Pittsburgh Chapter
National Congress for Fathers & Children
37 Seneca Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
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