WHAT IS MEDIATION?
Mediation is voluntary.
Any participant can end the process at any time and no one can be forced to agree to anything they do not want.
The mediation process is
confidential. The mediators
will not tell anyone what was
said during the mediation process; except information indicating that someone is in danger, such as child abuse, abuse of a vulnerable adult, or credible threats of violence.
The mediation process is non-judgmental. The mediators will not take sides, place blame, or tell you what to do. The mediators will not force you to
make a decision.
Mediation is a conflict resolution process in which mediators help participants have a difficult conversation, get clear about what’s important to everyone, and make decisions that meet the needs of those involved. In mediation, people speak for themselves and make their own decisions.
What to
Expect
Getting Started Process
A staff member will call you to explain the mediation process & learn more about your situation.
TCM staff will invite other participants and set up mediation at a convenient time & place for all parties.
Mediation helps people reach agreements, rebuild relationships, and find permanent solutions to their disputes.
Mediators remain neutral while facilitating the process.
In everything we do we are guided by
The Ten Points of Mediation
Maintain high quality mediators by providing intensive skills-based training, apprenticeships, continuing education and ongoing evaluation of volunteer mediators.
Educate community members about conflict resolution and mediation.
Schedule
mediations at a time and place convenient to the participants.
Train
community members who reflect the community's diversity with regard to age, race, gender, ethnicity, income, and education to serve as volunteer
mediators.
Mediate
community-based disputes
that come from referral sources
including self-referrals, police, courts, community organizations,
civic groups, religious institutions, government agencies
and others.
Provide mediation,
education, and potentially other
conflict resolution processes to
community members who reflect the community's diversity with regard to
age, race, gender, ethnicity, income,
education, and geographic
location.
Work with the
community in governing
community mediation programs
in a manner that is based on collaborative problem solving among staff, volunteers and community members
or on a sliding scale.
Encourage early use
of mediation to prevent violence or to reduce the need for court intervention, as well as provide mediation at any stage in a
dispute.
Hold
mediation in neighborhoods where disputes occur.
Provide
mediation services at no cost or on a sliding scale.
