Mediation is a process for people to have face-to-face conversations about the issues important to them. Mediators are impartial and will not make decisions for you. They help people in conflict communicate and support their own decision-making. Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process.

A core value of mediation is party self-determination. As a mediator I facilitate the conversation between parties so that they can make decisions that are important to them. Arbitration is a quasi-judicial process where the arbitrator hears the evidence from both sides and makes a binding decision.

Mediation is voluntary and a session can only be scheduled if both parties agree. I respect the decision of each party in choosing whether mediation is right for them.

A mediation agreement is binding and enforceable when it is part of a court order. The parties decide whether they wish to submit an agreement to court.

All communication during intake and in a mediation session is confidential except in cases of child abuse or the abuse of a vulnerable adult.

The mediator's primary role is to assist the parties in their discussion, so they are able to hear each other and decide how they wish to address the conflict. Most mediators do not offer suggestions, although some do in the form of options. Ultimately, it is the parties’ decision as to what is best for their situation. The mediators facilitate that discovery.

No. Anyone can call to request mediation.

Yes.

Mediators are impartial. The mediator does not take sides, and is always there for both of you. The mediator doesn’t ever make any decisions for you; you work out between yourselves what proposals you want to accept. Either of you can stop the mediation process at any time; mediation will only go ahead if both of you want it to.

Nothing you do or say during a mediation will create a legally binding agreement. At the end of the mediation process your mediator will explain to you how to turn your ideas into a legally binding agreement and/or a court order, which normally includes obtaining legal advice.

Here are some suggestions of what to prepare and bring with you to a mediation: • A willingness to listen Parties cannot be listening if they are too busy planning what they are going to say next. You never know what you're going to hear, so don't assume you know what the other person will say. • An open mind Bring creative ideas to the mediation table, and be open to the ideas of others. Be ready to put the past in the past and to find ways to form effective solutions for long-lasting neighborhood peace. Think: anything is possible! • A summary and chronology of events For the sake of time, it is recommended that parties condense their thoughts and experiences on paper beforehand, so that they can be as direct and succinct as possible during the mediation session. A timeline of events is very useful. • Any necessary paperwork, pictures, etc. Although the outcomes of mediation sessions do not depend on physical evidence (mediators are not judges or arbitrators), it is sometimes handy for parties to have a visual reference when dealing with certain types of disputes (such as property maintenance or landlord-tenant conflicts). This includes leases and other agreements parties may have entered into prior to mediation. Also bring any relevant records, such as police reports, land surveys, and/or judicial materials such as court orders. • Other affected parties Mediation agreements affect the lives of others in countless ways. For this reason, it is suggested that all parties potentially impacted by the agreement be included in the mediation session (such as property managers, other neighbors, etc.). A Note: No ‘surprise' participants are permitted to attend meetings, for the sake of fairness to all involved. • A positive attitude You get out of mediation what you put into it. Coming to the mediation table with a hopeless attitude ("We're never going to find a solution") will as easily produce a negative outcome as thinking "We're going to try our best to make this situation better" will bring about positive results. Despite past feelings and experiences, your attitude is your choice and is under your control. • NO Questionable motives to participate If your desire is anything other than to amicably work out a solution to your situation, such as compiling information for a pending lawsuit, please do not use the Mediation Service to uncover such information. Mediation sessions are considered confidential, and any information collected in session cannot be used in court.

• Neighborhood disputes (such as noise, property, animals, and lifestyle differences) • Landlord-Tenant (rent, security, deposit, repairs, damages) • Consumer/Merchant (home improvement/repairs, service, merchandise, warranty) • Roommate/Housemate • Employer/Employee (such as co-worker disputes and supervisor/employee conflicts) • Family (including couples, custody, siblings, cross-generational, and parent-teen conflicts]) • School (such as those among students and/or between parents, staff, and administration • Neighborhood Association • Land Use • Business (partnership dissolution, contracts, real estate, gallery/artist)

Some people find it helpful to have a mediator present who is impartial and trained to help people have conversation. Sometimes things change as a result of a mediated conversation.

• Intake/pre-mediation: $200.00 per hour (2 hr min.) • Joint Sessions: $170.00 per hour, per party (2 hr min.) • Agreement Drafting: $75.00 per hour, per party

There are several ways to bring up the option of mediation to a party with whom you are having a dispute. How you choose to do this might depend on several factors such as the level of hostility between you and them, whether or not the other party is an individual or a company, or your comfort with explaining the mediation process. • You might call or approach them in person and ask if they are familiar with mediation and if they would be willing to try it. • You can refer them to my website, or print off a hard copy of this list of questions to give them. • You can also have them call me and I can explain the process and answer their questions. • If you prefer, you may write them a letter asking them to mediate. Again, refer them to my website or ask them to call me directly. • A third option is to have me call the other party and offer my services. After an initial phone call with you, I would call the other party and explain that we have been contacted by you regarding your dispute and that you would like to use my services to resolve your conflict. I explain the process and its benefits and clarify that it is a voluntary process. If they agree to mediate, I will start the scheduling process. I do not divulge the details of what you have disclosed to me about the dispute. I do tell them who contacted me to initiate mediation and give a general reference to the dispute.