Community Organization Mediation

What is Community Organization Mediation?

Whether between community members, colleagues, clients… At times it is wise to have a third person present to facilitate difficult conversations, someone who is not involved in the situation, is not a member of your community or organization, and who has the skill and experience to ensure that the conversation remains safe and useful and leads to a positive (re)solution.

 

What happens in Community Organization Mediation?

Step 1

Mediator meets with each party to:

  • learn each person’s perspective and what they want to change
  • help them understand the conflict and potentially their role in it
  • prepare them for the group meeting 

Step 2

Parties meet together and take turns naming topics to be resolved and then together they:

  1. explore what is important to each person regarding the topic/issue so everyone understands
  2. problem-solve based on their (now) shared understanding of one another’s needs/goals
  3. agree on a solution that works for everyone (written as an “Agreement”) 

Mediation not only solves specific challenges/disputes, but helps the parties learn communication and problem-solving tools to work together (instead of against one another) in the future.

Benefits for Community Organizations

People often come to mediation because they are stuck – unable to positively discuss concerns and resolve conflicts. They look to the mediator to keep dialogue productive and moving positively towards a mutually agreeable outcome. “Finally, we agree!”

The mediator ensures:

  • everyone has an equal chance to express their ideas/feelings about the topic being explored
  • everyone listens without interrupting and the conversation stays productive (and doesn’t turn into an argument)
  • parties reach consensus and find mutually agreeable solutions/protocols
  • parties learn and practice communication and collaborative problem-solving skills to resolve future conflicts on their own

Is Mediation the same as Counselling?

Unlike many forms of therapy, mediation is solution-oriented. It looks at the past to understand the present situation and what is needed so that it can be improved. Mediation asks:

  • “What isn’t working?”
  • “What got us here?”
  • “How can we make it work better?”

 

Can mediation be done in addition to counselling?

Yes. Mediation can be done at the same time as a party is involved in individual counselling. The counselling can help a party to better understand and express themselves and so to more positively participate in mediation.

 

Get in touch to learn more

Very important information.  I appreciate Keiron’s ability to have the participants feel heard — he’s a very compassionate speaker and very inspiring of the same qualities.

Resources for Community Organizations

Check out our wide range of resources to help you resolve conflict and improve relationships within your community organization.

Community Organization Resources
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