How to Become an Active Mediator for the Center

In order for an individual to obtain active volunteer status with Mediation Matters, the following requirements must be met:

• Completion of a 30-Hour Basic Mediation Training Course
• Observing a minimum of three mediation sessions.
• Co-mediating several mediation sessions with an experienced mediator.
• Holding a debriefing session with a Center staff member or mentor after each observation and co-mediation session.

Once active, a mediator must meet the following standards in order to maintain their active status:

• Mediate a minimum of three cases over a one-year period;
• Take a minimum of six hours of continuing education through in-service training sessions offered by the Center or approved by the Center Director.

Apprenticeship Plan & Mediator Skills-building

Mediation Matters has established the following policy for training, maintaining, and developing its mediator panel:

Training

• Interested individuals are interviewed to determine their interest in mediation and the likelihood that they will mediate for the agency.
• Accepted individuals will complete a 30-hour Basic Mediation Training with a Certified Trainer. During the training, each trainee shall have the opportunity to practice skills in at least four (4) structured role-plays.
• Trainees receive a certificate upon successful completion of the training. This document indicates only that the individual has completed the training and is qualified to apprentice with Mediation Matters.

Apprenticeship

• Upon completion of the Basic Training, apprentices will observe and/or co-mediate (with a veteran mediator) a minimum of six cases, at least one of which shall be observed by staff. Debriefing with staff and co-mediators shall occur after each of these sessions.
• Apprentice mediators will complete at least one self-evaluation tool at the conclusion of a co-mediation and review it with a staff member or co-mediator.
• Upon completion of this apprenticeship, a staff member will observe each apprentice in mediation and complete a written assessment which the apprentice and staff member will review together. Mediators shall then be impaneled to mediate for Mediation Matters, and a certificate shall be issued.
• The Executive Director, at his/her discretion, may increase these requirements if necessary to develop the requisite skills needed to mediate competently.

Mediator Skills Building

• Active, impaneled mediators are expected to mediate a minimum of 3 cases/year.
• Active, impaneled mediators shall be expected to attend a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education in order to develop their mediation skills. This requirement may be met by attending in-services held by Mediation Matters or by other CDRCs, or by attending outside events approved by the Mediation Matters' Executive Director
• Mediation Matters staff shall observe each active, impaneled mediator at least once a year.
• Albany Law School students who have completed a 30-hour Basic Mediation Training shall each observe several cases with Mediation Matters, utilizing the same instrument used by Mediation Matters staff.
• Mediation Matters staff shall administer co-mediator debriefings after each session where co-mediation is utilized. Positive feedback and constructive criticism will be obtained from each co-mediator with regard to the other.
• Mediation Matters staff shall review each mediated agreement before closing the case.
• Approximately 100 participant (parties to a mediation) surveys shall be randomly completed by telephone between 1 and three months after the completion of a mediation session. This survey instrument will inquire as to the effectiveness and skills of the mediators, among other elements.
• Utilizing the data accumulated from these skills-building methodologies, Mediation Matters staff shall conduct an Annual Review with each active, impaneled mediator. The purposes of this review are to:
  1. identify any recurring concerns with the mediator's skills or practice;
  2. develop a plan for addressing these concerns;
  3. identify the mediator's strengths and explore ways to share these strengths with other mediators; and
  4. formulate a plan for the mediator's service to the agency for the upcoming year.

 

  Volunteer Application

  Guidelines for Observers

News/Articles

04 May 2010
2009 Annual Report
REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2009 was another busy and productive year of growth at Mediation Matters. Our most well-established programs, Town and City Court Mediation, Community Mediation, and Family Court Mediation, continued their outstanding record of quality and consistency. During 2009, Mediation Matters provided volunteer mediators to help resolve disputes in the [...]

15 Apr 2010
Special Education Mediation Announcement
Helping Parents and Schools Become More Effective Partners Special Education Mediation: A Collaborative Option for Resolving Disputes Offered By: New York State Dispute Resolution Association, Inc. in collaboration with local Community Dispute Resolution Centers and New York State Education Department-authorized Parent Centers Date Location Time April 26, 2010 Jamaica 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM April 27, 2010 Bronx 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM April 28, 2010 Lindenhurst 9:00 [...]

Contact Us
518.446.0356