The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), located at 730 Broadway in
Kingston, is currently recruiting new volunteers for its court and community mediation program. New volunteer mediators are trained through a 32-hour Principles of Basic Mediation Training program, which will be offered June 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th at the Ellenville Public Library in Ellenville, NY.
Becoming a volunteer mediator is an excellent way to enter the field of Alternative Dispute as well as learn communication skills for your personal and professional life.
Court mediators go into the town and village courts to help resolve civil and small claims disputes between neighbors, consumer/merchants, landlord/tenants and contract disputes.
Community mediators are also trained to help resolve interpersonal disputes through mediations held in our offices.
After gaining experience and additional training, interested mediators can train to handle disputes between parents involved in custody and visitation battles in family court, as well as parent/youth and family mediation.
Skills Needed:
– People who are good communicators, non-judgmental, flexible and trustworthy make excellent mediators.
– Mediators need to be able to see a situation from both sides, listen without judgment or bias and honor an oath of confidentiality.
– Our volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds including law, business, education, counseling or social work.
To learn more about our volunteer mediator program, and or to register for the training, please contact Colleen Mulready, Agency Director at 845-331-6136 or visit our website: www.drcservices.org. A training brochure is available at http://www.drcservices.org/documents/June09TrainingBro-1.pdf.
