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Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Mediator?

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Join our team of exceptional, community minded individuals who BELIEVE in the power of mediation! 

 

Each year dozens of Oklahoma citizens say yes to becoming volunteer mediators through the Early Settlement program.  Why would they choose to give of their time and energy?  Because they want to be a part of making Oklahoma a more peaceful place.  They understand that traditional legal channels don't provide a venue for disputing parties to heal relationship and work out differences.  By becoming a volunteer mediator you too can become a part of the healing.

Never been trained as a mediator?  Maybe you're not sure mediating would be for you.  Contact the Early Settlement office and let us give you more information.  The first step in becoming a volunteer mediator is to complete the Volunteer Application. The area director will then contact you regarding acceptance to attend a Basic Training session.

 

Basic Training consists of twenty clock hours of mediation training completed within a two or three day time frame.  Completion of the training is the first step to becoming a certified mediator.   Ongoing supervision will be provided by the area director or other carefully selected and experienced certified mediators.  After successful supervision is completed mediators are certified by the Administrative Director of the Courts.

 

While applicants must make the commitment to complete twenty clock hours of volunteer work for Early Settlement within a two year period in exchange for the training, many volunteers have mediated with the program for many years.  Our volunteers often report that they find mediating a personally rewarding and life-changing experience.

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To Apply

To become a volunteer with Early Settlement, complete the application below.  We will contact you about any upcoming training dates.

Qualifications

No prior training, education, or experience is required.  Just a desire to help others by being a peacemaker.

Responsibilities

   Applications must be able to:

  • Make themselves available to conduct mediation sessions (talk to Program Director for more information)

  • Arrive at the mediation location 15 minutes prior to scheduled mediation

  • Conduct scheduled mediations

  • Adhere to program ethics and guidelines

  • Maintain confidentiality of all cases and case materials

  • Submit case paperwork to the program director in a timely manner

Skills and Abilities

Mediators must be able to:

  • Communicate effectively

  • Remain neutral

  • See both sides without judgement

  • Maintain complete confidentiality

  • Manage conflict and crisis

  • Use problem solving skills

  • Trust others' abilities to solve their own problems

 

What's in it for me?

Early Settlement volunteers often express the positive benefits, both personally and professionally, from becoming a volunteer mediator. 

 

Some of these benefits include

  • Gaining effective communication skills useful in both personal and professional life

  • Strengthen conflict resolution skills for use in personal and professional life

  • An opportunity to give back to the community

  • Helping others learn to resolve conflict in a peaceful manner

The Mediation Process

There are different forms of mediation.  Three of the most common models are: facilitative mediation, transformative mediation, and evaluative mediation. 

 

Early Settlement Mediation uses the facilitative model.  This method is based on the underlying belief that people are able to find solutions to their own conflicts.   

 

While the mediator will take an active role to set ground-rules, help define needs and interests for both parties, and explore win/win solutions, the mediator does not offer solutions or opinions. 

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