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Facilitated Conversations

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Helping two or more individuals have constructive conversations


Goal of Mediation

Mediation can help two or more individuals discuss important issues to gain increased understanding and resolution. Ombuds are trained mediators who can facilitate communication and help participants share their perspectives and listen to one another. The participants, themselves, maintain control of the content and outcomes of these conversations. Participation in mediation is voluntary.

 

Role of Mediator

As impartial mediators, ombuds work to create an informal structure that fosters meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and informed decision-making. To do this, mediators may do things like help develop ground rules, ask questions, summarize information, reflect themes, and brainstorm ideas.  

A primary objective of the ombuds is to avoid causing harm. The ombuds reserve the right not to move forward with a mediation if they have reason to believe it is not a helpful or appropriate next step.

 

Ombuds Mediators do NOT:

  • Take sides.
  • Tell parties what to do.
  • Enforce agreements reached during mediation.
  • Report on the content or outcomes of mediation to anyone.
  • Serve as an observer or witness.

 

About Our Mediation Process

  • Prior to mediation, each intended participant meets one-on-one with an Ombuds, one or more times, to discuss their experiences and goals. Alternatives to mediation will also be discussed.
  • Because mediation is a voluntary process, participants may choose to withdraw from the process at any time. 
  • Mediation sessions may be facilitated by one or two ombuds. 
  • Ombuds schedule mediation sessions based upon everyone’s availability. Typically, sessions are scheduled for 2-hours. More than one session may be needed. 
  • Mediation sessions can be conducted in-person or via zoom. Typically conversations occur directly between parties in real time but, in some circumstances, parties may be in separate spaces with mediators shuttling information between them. 
  • Communicating with multiple individuals and coordinating multiple schedules takes time.  As such, mediation typically takes at least a month, if not longer, to occur.