Training
Learning the skills of mediation will allow you to help people have better conversations, resolve differences and improve communication. Our Centers offer a variety of trainings to groups and organizations that improve participants’ conflict resolution skills or prepare them to volunteer with a Center.
Conflict Resolution Skills Training
Conflict Resolution Skills Training provides participants with an understanding of how better communication skills can enhance relationships in the workplace or with friends and family. Listening skills, de-escalation strategies and an understanding of how to ask helpful questions are part of training which can be tailored to meet particular needs.
Some examples of trainings recently offered by Centers:
Workshop for an Association of Realtors
Workplace Conflict Workshops, for a Chambers of Commerce
“Active Listener” Training, for a Fuel Assistance Program
Workplace mediation training for School Personnel Administrators
Youth Conflict Resolution Skill-Building and PhotoVoice Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu48tMaerjo&feature=youtu.be
Mediation training
Basic Mediation Training provides a grounding in the mediation process and can prepare participants to volunteer with a Center. This training is at least 30 hours and, because Centers provide mediation to their local courts, meets the MA Court’s Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution training requirements.
You will learn:
· How to empower people to determine their own solutions to a conflict
· How to manage the mediation process
· How to identify what is important to people
· Enhanced listening skills
· How to listen non-judgmentally.
· The importance of staying neutral
Following the Basic Mediation Training participants can partner with their Center to practice their skills though an apprenticeship or practicum. This experience includes observations and supervised mediation with mentor mediators including feedback for additional skill development. To find out more about opportunities in your area, call your local Center.
Who should take mediation training?
People come to mediation training from all walks of life. We all need and use communication.
If you wish to learn new skills to help you generally in life or have a desire to help people communicate better using a time-tested process that gets results, mediation training may be for you. Centers welcome training participants from all walks of life that reflect their local communities.
Quotes from volunteer mediators:
“I am a volunteer mediator/facilitator/trainer because I love the fact that I can help people to resolve certain issues that require open communication and understanding. In addition I like the idea that the Hispanic community can benefit from this service.” - Volunteer mediator.
“I believe that the individual volunteer mediators profit from the experience that has a wonderful carryover into one' s own life. I believe that the continued updating of one's skills is essential to carrying out the responsibilities of the role of mediator. And, there is an element of fun wrapped into the process. By that I mean observing "slices of life" enhances one's world view." - Training participant.