Application Volunteer Mediator Form Step 1 of 6 16% Step 1 - Learn About Mediation DRC mediators are specially trained community volunteers who reflect the population of the communities served. The primary responsibility for any resolution rests with the participants. Mediators are neutral and do not decide who is right or wrong or give opinions on the issues. Mediators ensure that the session is conducted in a safe and respectful manner and that everyone has a chance to be heard. Mediators assist people in conflict to make practical, informed decisions by working to: Help define and clarify their ideas, issues and goals in the session Facilitate communication and explore mutual understanding of the issues and feeling in a conflict Explore options and alternatives for resolution and reach a satisfactory agreement Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer with Dispute Resolution Center Promote mediation Develop mediation skills Interesting people, interesting conflicts Build your resume Explore career options Training opportunities – continuing legal education credits (CLEs), continuing education credits (Rule 114 Roster), certified training, interesting workshops Network, network, network! Do good in your community Work alongside people with lots of experience in dispute resolution Experience the satisfaction of helping folks effectively resolving conflict Step 2 – Training Our volunteer mediators are required to complete a certified 30-Hour Civil Mediation Skills Training (sometimes called Basic Mediation Skills Training) before they can volunteer with DRC. Many centers around the Twin Cities Metro Area offer the 30-Hour course. DRC also provides post-decree family mediation – we do not mediate custody or divorce. Our volunteer family mediators are required to complete a certified 40-Hour Family Mediation Skills Training before they can mediate family conflicts. If you would like need assistance finding a training course or you would like a recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact DRC at (651) 292-7791. Step 3 – Read Qualifications Review the following qualifications and responsibilities: Qualifications Successful completion of an approved 30 Hour Basic Mediation Skills Course under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. Strong communication skills and ability to relate to/work with a diverse client population. Ability to work cooperatively with other mediators, staff, board members. Second language skills desired but not required. Responsibilities Honor commitments and conduct mediations as scheduled by the Director of Mediation Services. Establish and maintain a safe environment for parties during sessions. Facilitate and encourage dialogue between parties to allow for the open discussion of issues, while empowering parties to explore possible solutions and work toward developing a mutually acceptable resolution. Provide feedback to staff and co-mediator upon conclusion of mediation session(s). Complete all necessary forms and send to DRC office in a timely manner. Apprise DRC staff of any unique challenges or issues that may arise during a mediation session. Represent DRC in a respectable and accurate manner. Participate in performance evaluations conducted by DRC. Complete six (6) hours of continuing education per year. Step 4 - Volunteer Application Name* First Last Email* Phone*Home Address* Street Address City AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific State ZIP Code Employment Information Employer / CompanyJob TitleWould your employer be interested in knowing about your volunteer work?YesNo Training Course Title*Date* Sponsor*Hours*Please enter a value between 1 and 100.Neutral Rosters Civil Facilitative Civil Evaluative Family Facilitative Family Evaluative Please indicate the neutral roster(s) in which you are listed under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.Additional TrainingDateTopic / ContentSponsoring Organization# of Hrs Please list additional training you have attended since you initial mediation training. Mediation Interest / Expertise* Contract Employment Real Estate Business/Consumer Landlord/Tenant Neighborhood Public Policy Small Claims Parenting Time Parent/Child Truancy Communication Please indicate your areas of interest and/or expertiseLanguage Please list languagesVolunteer Opportunities Assist staff with office tasks and special projects Assist with Newsletter Housing Court- Ramsey County Conciliation Court – Ramsey County Community Mediation (as needed) Family Mediation (as needed) Community Restorative Justice, Victim-Offender Mediation Provide training/present programs to community schools and other organizations as requested Please indicate those areas in which you are willing to volunteer your time Upload ResumeAssurance* I certify I have not had a professional license revoked, I have not been refused membership or practice rights in a profession, nor have I been involuntarily banned, dropped or expelled from any profession. Step 5 – Orientation Orientation is designed for individuals who have completed (or are taking) a 30-hour basic mediation skills course and would like to volunteer as mediators for the Dispute Resolution Center in the Second Judicial District Courts. This is an opportunity to serve your community through the application of your basic mediation skills training. Step 6 – Apprenticeship There is no difference between a court mediator and a community mediator, the same principles apply to both. DRC requires that new volunteer mediators attend a courthouse orientation session hosted by DRC to familiarize them with the court setting. Following the orientation, the new mediators are prepared to begin their apprenticeship with DRC. There are four steps to the apprenticeship: Observe an experienced mediator in a mediation Co-mediate with an experienced mediator Solo mediate Solo mediate while being observed by an experienced mediator After being observed, the experienced mediator provides the new mediator with some feedback. The new volunteer mediator can complete the apprenticeship in four mediation sessions, or, if the new mediator needs some more time to become comfortable with the process, the new mediator can repeat any step of the apprenticeship process. This iframe contains the logic required to handle AJAX powered Gravity Forms. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
