Mission Statement

The Community Section's mission is to advance the practice of community-based dispute resolution through:

• Sharing information, experience and expertise to improve the practice and development of community mediation and dispute resolution;
• Educating and training the public, including those in government, business and the not-for-profit sector -- in the benefits of various types of dispute resolution and the availability of community based service;
• Encouraging and assisting community involvement in conflict resolution processes and the extension of service to under-served communities and constituencies;and
• Working with all others interested in promoting prevention and peaceful management and resolution of conflicts at the community level and at the earliest possible stage. [Adopted 10/16/98, modified 09/14/00].

Vision

The Community Section believes:

• that mediation and other forms of dispute resolution should be widely available and accessible to those who need it, including those unable to pay for service;
• that the use of trained community volunteers is a proven method of delivering high quality dispute resolution services;and
• that people can be educated, empowered and trained to avoid or resolve many of their own disputes. [Adopted 10/16/98]
  

Objectives

• Ensure the viability of community-based conflict resolution.
• Collaborate with communities, courts and others in increasing access to service.
• Encourage and maintain quality in training and provision of service.
• Promote early identification and resolution of potential problems.
• Establish communication among practitioners and other interested parties.
• Educate and empower people to resolve their own differences. [Adopted 10/16/98]
  

Section Tri-Chairs:

Guiding Principles of Excellence in Practice

Community-based mediators have resolved hundreds of thousands of conflicts in the past 20+ years. The Community Section would like to develop useful principles based on the many years of collective experience of community mediators. Our sector survey returns to date indicate that best practices and mediator competency are important issues for many members. Please consider how you can be involved in developing the practice of community mediation. [Adopted 10/16/98]