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What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary dispute resolution process designed to
bring people in conflict together in a face-to-face meeting to work
out solutions to their differences. The meeting is facilitated by
a specially trained, neutral third-party called a "mediator."
What are the Advantages of Using the Mediation
Program?
- It is located in your neighborhood.
- Mediation is informal, inexpensive, and you don't need a lawyer.
- It offers flexible scheduling, including evenings and Saturdays.
- If you don't reach an agreement, you can still bring your case
to court.
- It is confidential; there is no public record.
How Can I Have My Case Resolved at the Mediation
Program?
Call (215) 843-5413 for an appointment. Mediation is a confidential
and voluntary process. Both parties must agree to mediate.
When one person initiates the process, the Mediation Program will
notify the other party by mail or by phone, explain that mediation
has been requested, and determine if that party is willing to participate
in mediation.
If both parties agree, a mediation date is arranged and a mediator
is assigned to the case. Any individual can schedule a mediation.
Although not necessary, cases may be referred by parties uninvolved
in the conflict.
- Police Referrals: Police
Officers refer people to the Mediation Program when arrest is
not appropriate or to avoid possible future arrest.
- Court Referals:
Family Court refers Parent-Youth disputes to the Mediation
Program. The Municipal Court refers Small Claims and Landlord–Tenant
cases to mediation.
- Individual Referrals: Block
captains, businesses, community groups, churches, schools, social
service agencies and other organizations refer disputants to mediation.
What Kinds of Cases are Settled through Mediation?
- Neighborhood Disputes:
Noise, pets, property lines, harassment, common driveways, nuisances,
minor assault. . .
- Family Disputes:
Parent-youth, intergenerational, child custody, divorce, separation.
- School-Based Mediations:
Peer mediation, student-teacher, parent-teacher involving
issues such as; truancy, rumors, miscommunication, fighting, fair
play.
- Individual Disputes:
Landlord-tenant, friends and acquaintances, girlfriend-boyfriend,
housemates, roommates.
- Small Claims Disputes:
Monetary disputes (e.g., loan repayment), consumer-repairperson,
consumer- mechanic, consumer-merchant
- Employment Disputes:
Co-workers, supervisor-employee.
- HIV+/AIDS Related Disputes:
Reconciling personal relationships, planning wills and estates,
debt repayment, stay-at-work plans.
Who is the Mediator?
The mediator is a VOLUNTEER who has successfully completed a 24-hour
mediation training which includes mediation techniques, communication,
negotiation and conciliation skills, and laws appropriate to the
cases mediated; an apprenticeship and a performance evaluation.
What happens if the parties cannot reach an
agreement?
If an agreement cannot be reached in a case referred from the court,
the parties will be referred back to court. If the case is not court-referred,
the mediator may assist the parties in determining what they want
to do next.
When the parties agree to mediate, they understand that the information
obtained during intake, the mediation process, and follow-up is
confidential and will not be used in any legal proceedings on the
matter.
Is Mediation Binding?
If the case is court referred, the agreement is as binding as if
the case was decided by a judge. It cannot be appealed. In privately
referred cases, the mediated agreement is a contract between the
two parties.
DEAF & HARD OF HEARING MEDIATION PROGRAM
View this information in ASL: High Speed Connection | Low Speed Connection - Requires Quicktime v.7 
What is Good Shepherd Mediation Program?
Good Shepherd Mediation Program, established in 1984, is a neighborhood justice center in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. People in conflict come to the Mediation Program to resolve their conflicts through mediation at a convenient and neutral location.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary conflict resolution process designed to bring people in conflict together in a face-to-face meeting to work out solutions to their differences. The meeting is facilitated by a specially trained, neutral person called a "mediator." The people negotiate their own settlements. The mediator does not force them to do anything. The mediation process is confidential, voluntary and inexpensive.
What is the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Mediation Program?
The program provides mediation services that are accessible Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, including:
- A trained mediator on staff who is a certified interpreter, highly skilled in ASL
- Intake and mediation process that can happen in ASL, without depending on written English and printed materials developed for second-language users of English
- Use of certified interpreters specially trained to understand the goal, process, values and specialized vocabulary of mediation
- Office staff sensitive to the experience, language and culture of Deaf people and trained in making and receiving relay calls
What is the Mission of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Mediation Program?
The mission of the program is to provide accessible mediation services in a way that recognizes and respects self-determination and the unique experience, culture and language of people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
What Does the Program Do?
- Provide outreach and information about mediation to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community
- Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations that may serve as referral sources for people who can benefit from the program’s services
- Mediate conflicts involving people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Ensure clear communication and confidentiality for all people who participate in the program
- Offer conciliation and conflict coaching services to people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing as a way to resolve conflicts
Who Can Refer People for Mediation?
Anyone, including yourself, can refer people to the Good Shepherd Mediation Program.
Comments from Disputants as They Leave
Mediation
".. this was so much better than dragging it out..."
"...so convenient. We didn't have to travel downtown, pay for
parking or lose time from work.."
"..it was just a communication problem. I didn't know that.."
"Want a ride home?"
"Let's shake on it!"
"I tend to have a bad temper. I'm sorry."
"What a relief. Thanks."
"Now we can go home and live in peace."
Meeting Facilitation: A Process for
Achieving Group Harmony
Good Shepherd Mediation Program (GSMP) provides facilitators
for organizational, informational, decision-making, problem-solving,
planning and dispute resolution meetings. |
What is meeting facilitation?
The dictionary definition of “facilitate” is “to
make easier.” Meeting facilitators are trained, third-party
neutrals who provide process leadership and process expertise
to help groups accomplish their meeting goals harmoniously.
GSMP facilitators are experienced mediators who have taken advanced
training in Multi-party Mediation, Town Meeting Facilitation,
Study Circles, Maori Circles, and/or Conferencing methods. |
What types of meetings
can be facilitated? |
- Mediations involving multiple parties
- Pre-conflict meetings (Facilitation as a preventative
measure)
- Board Retreats
- Workplace (staff) Retreats
- Team-building Retreats
- Planning Meetings (e.g., policy development)
- Public Policy Meetings
- Town Meetings
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What is the role of the facilitator?
Prior to the meeting, the facilitator works with group representatives
to: |
- Assess needs (e.g., sometimes surveys, personal or telephone
interviews with group members are necessary)
- Establish meeting goals (i.e., desired outcomes)
- Select a meeting process to best achieve those goals
- Determine who should be present at the meeting & how
they will be invited
- Determine whether the meeting will be closed or open to
the public or the media
- Coordinate pre- and post-meeting logistics
- Create the meeting agenda
- Discuss decision-making process (e.g., consensus, majority
vote)
- Determine how to evaluate the success of the meeting
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During the meeting, the
facilitator: |
- Guides the group process
- Serves as the “gatekeeper,” inviting people
to speak, keeping others from dominating the discussion,
etc.
- Encourages participation
- Focuses the discussion on content
- Protects ideas and individuals from attack
- Fosters creativity and good will
- Does not take sides, evaluate or contribute ideas
- Harmonizes (i.e., calms, reduces tension and emotions,
identifies feelings)
- Works with a “Recorder” who keeps a “Group
Memory” of what occurs and what is decided during
the meeting. The Group Memory is kept on newsprint or butcher
paper so that it is visible to all participants.
- Debriefs with the group prior to adjourning the meeting
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After the meeting, the facilitator and the recorder: |
- Prepare a meeting report and follow-up roles and responsibilities
- Debrief with the meeting organizers to determine the need
for follow-up and/or additional meetings
- Participate in the meeting evaluation process, where appropriate
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schedule.
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