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Volunteer Mediator Application (w instructions) - District Of Columbia
| Volunteer Mediator Application (w instructions) Form. This is a District Of Columbia form and can be used in Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division Superior Court Statewide . |
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Superior Court of the District of Columbia Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division Selection, Training, and Performance Evaluation of Small Claims and Family Mediators This system for selection, training and monitoring mediators is designed to ensure that quality services are provided to the public and to the volunteer mediators. The program attempts to recruit volunteers who are representative of the community. A selection orientation is conducted so that applicants may understand the purpose and philosophy of the program prior to making a decision about the substantial volunteer commitment. The program provides volunteers with comprehensive training and ongoing skills evaluation opportunities so they can effectively assist in resolving conflicts through mediation. Selected veteran volunteers actively participate in the selection process, initial and on-going training, and skill assessment of other volunteers. Recruitment Mediators are recruited through speaking engagements and by sending announcements to newspapers, Bar publications, television, radio, community groups and associations. Applicants are recruited from a wide cross-section of the population and application forms are made available to all interested individuals throughout the year. Once training dates are determined for each program, letters are sent to all applicants to determine their availability for the selection orientation and the training. Applicants expressing interest in more than one program will be notified of the first available training only. Participation in the selection orientation is not guaranteed to any one applicant. Selection The pool of applicants from which the Division selects new mediators is quite large, typically three to four times as many as the number actually selected and trained. Every effort is made to match a volunteer's skills with mediator traits. In order to identify individuals who possess a mediator-like communication style, the selection process incorporates various components, including individual interviews with a staff member and a veteran mediator. The purpose of this selection process is threefold: 1. To assess each candidate's communication style 2. To give applicants a better understanding of the mediation process 3. To give applicants information about mediation training 2001 © American LegalNet, Inc. Based on the collective information gathered from the individual interviews, a selection committee, comprised of staff members from various branches of the division, invites the appropriate number of applicants to be trained. Every effort is made to achieve racial and gender balance of trainees in each training class. Only candidates who successfully complete the selection orientation are recommended by the selection committee. Training Initial Training: The Multi-Door Division develops the agenda, recruits the trainers and produces the material used in each training. The classroom training consists of lectures, demonstrations, exercises and role-plays. Division staff are assisted by veteran mediators who have received additional training as trainers. Each trainee is required to complete the entire training program. Absences may result in dismissal from the program. During the in-class training each trainee's performance during role plays is assessed by trainers. Trainers work with trainees in identifying strengths and areas requiring improvement. The trainee's ability to master the basic skills of mediation during the training is necessary for continued participation in the program. On-going Training: Following the formal classroom training, the trainees will mediate initially with a mentor. Select veteran mediators are trained as mentors and paired with the trainees. Each mentor will provide the trainee with verbal feedback following each mediation. Completed evaluation forms will be kept on file to assist in monitoring each trainee's progress. Each trainee will co-mediate with several mentors. The mentorship period is based on each trainee's individual needs, determined during the classroom training and throughout the mentorship period. Following an overall positive evaluation, the trainee becomes a probationary mediator for a period of one year. Several in-service training opportunities are available to trainees during the course of their service. In-service trainings provide procedural information or focus on mediation techniques. Mediator suggestions on subjects for additional training are welcomed. Performance Evaluation After completing one year of service, selected mediators are asked to continue to mediate with the program. Thereafter, if a mediator leaves the program on 2001 © American LegalNet, Inc. his or her own accord, but wishes to return after a period of time (longer than six months), he or she will be asked to contact the training officer for a reentry interview and training plan. In addition to performance evaluation during basic training and the mentorship period, each mediator will be observed by a staff and/or mediator evaluator so that an assessment of each person's skills can be made. Verbal and written feedback is provided following each observed mediation. If, at any time, a mediator's performance is deemed to be less than satisfactory, he/she will be asked to complete an additional evaluation process. This process may involve one or more of the following steps: 1. Mediating an actual case to be observed by a staff or a trained mediator evaluator. 2. Co-mediating with a staff member or mentor for an additional period of time. 3. Participating in a special in-service training geared toward helping them to improve specific skills. 4. Observing a mediation session to gain a better understanding of different mediator styles. Upon completion of one or more of the above steps, the training and program officers will make a recommendation to the director of the division, regarding the continued participation of the mediator in the program. If staff receives complaints regarding a mediator's behavior from parties involved in a dispute or from other court personnel, or has some other reason to be concerned, the appropriate program officer will gather information regarding the complaint and apprise the training officer of the nature of the complaint. If necessary, the program and training officers will make recommendations to the director regarding any action to be taken. Family Mediation Program The family mediation program has formed an alliance with
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