The Job of the Mediator

Annette Nay, MS

Copyright © 1999

1. Call for a mediation meeting.

• Mediation should be arranged when the participants are rested and not in a bad mood.
• Post the time and date in a prominent place like the refrigerator, phone, or the bulletin board.
• The memo should state what the mediation is about and who is to attend.

2. Get the participants ready for mediation.

• Thank the participants for coming to mediation.
• Go over the set of rules.
  1. See: Rules of Mediation
  2. Post the rules in a prominent place where they can be seen at all times.
  3. Both participants must agree to keeping the rules.
  4. Briefly explain the mediation process.
  5. Use a chart with the outline of things you intend to cover.
• Ask both parties if they are willing to mediate.
• Sign a contract to mediate and for confidentiality.

1. This may seem senseless between family members but it does help when things start to turn ugly.
2. You see that the rules of mediation are kept.
3. Call a cooling down period if necessary.
4. This can be anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.
5. Don't wait until fists or words are flying.
6. You should be to this point in the first session of mediation if not at least by the second.

• Ask if a cooling down period is needed if:
  1. volume of speech gets louder.
  2. words are coming out forcefully.
  3. words are being said in rapid fire.
  4. tone of speech is higher pitched.
  • 5. Do not continue mediation when the participants are tired.
• If it continues call a mandatory time out! State that we will take a (5 to 30 minutes) depending on how hot tempers are. Make it as soon as possible (ASAP), so ground is not lost over time.
• A session of mediation usually lasts 1 ½ to 2 hour. Mediation that is highly contentious should last only 1 hour. By that time the participants are getting tired and need to rest.
• Reschedule the next session when it convenient for all parties. Make it ASAP.
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• Other Articles that Facilitate Mediation

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