Volunteer Mediator Program

Volunteer Mediator Training Program Description

The Mediation Center of Dutchess County trains mediators in the Transformative framework of conflict intervention, first articulated in the book The Promise of Mediation by Robert Baruch Bush and Joseph P. Folger. Within this framework, conflict is viewed as a crisis in human interaction. Mediators help parties to change the nature of their interaction so that they can make decisions and see the other’s perspective.

The Mediation Center’s Volunteer Training Program includes four components: an orientation session, training, apprenticeship, and continuing education.

Attend an orientation session. At the orientation session, staff will discuss the Mediation Center’s philosophy of conflict intervention, programs and services offered, relationships with courts and the community, and the one-year service commitment required of volunteers.

Complete the 35-hour Basic Mediation Training. Training includes principles of Transformative conflict theory, the mediator’s role as an intervener in conflict, supportive responsiveness, role-playing, intake (pre-mediation) and agreement writing. Upon successful completion of training, you will receive a certificate stating you are qualified to enter the Mediation Center’s apprenticeship program.
During this training, interested volunteers will complete an application form and, if accepted, will be asked to sign up for one of the mentored apprenticeship groups offered at various scheduled times. The Center will notify you if you have been selected to participate in the apprenticeship and volunteer program.

Work with a mentor and apprenticeship group. In addition to meeting with the mentored apprenticeship group, apprentices must observe at least one mediation, and co-mediate at least 5 sessions with mentor supervision. Apprentices will receive verbal and written feedback after the 2nd co-mediation, will self-evaluate after the 3rd co-mediated session and will be provided with a mentor’s written observation after the 5th mediation session.
Also integrated into the apprenticeship period are video assessments. The apprentice will be filmed mediating a role play, and then will observe and assess their own practice from the video. Afterwards, they will watch and review their video with their mentor. The written observation and video assessment of their understanding of Transformative practice will serve as the basis for certification by the Mediation Center.
Upon completion of video evaluation and written observation the mentor will make one of the following recommendations:

The apprentice is recommended for certification,

The apprentice is recommended for certification and to co-mediate w/ an experienced mediator,

The apprentice is recommended to co-mediate w/ an experienced mediator at least twice, and then observed by staff before final evaluation,

The apprentice is not recommended for certification.

Upon a successful observation, evaluation, completion of the apprenticeship program, and mentor recommendation the Mediation Center of Dutchess County will certify you as a mediator. Congratulations!

To maintain your certification you must complete six hours per year of continuing education, sign up for one on-call mediation slot per month, mediate a minimum of three cases per year, participate in outreach twice a year, and continue to provide best practice in Transformative mediation, demonstrated in an annual observation. A volunteer’s year begins July 1st, after completion of the apprenticeship
For the first two years after completing the apprenticeship, new mediators maintaining active status are eligible for $100 credit, or 20% of their training fee for financial aid recipients, per year. Active status is defined as mediating a minimum of eight times per year and conducting a minimum of 2 outreaches per year. The year is defined as beginning July 1st, after certification and completion of the apprenticeship.

*Currently mediators can be certified by the Centers for whom they mediate, not by New York State. Centers are responsible for maintaining quality assurance through apprenticeship, continuing education and observation.