MEDIATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
                                                                       A Sequenced Three-Phase Model

                                                                                                   By

                                                     Carolyn T. Bryson, APM & Bernadette Poole-Tracy, MA/Ed. D.


In July 2006 ADDENDASolutions introduced a new and enhanced delivery of Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Training. Research indicated the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) was expanding throughout all areas of business, and that there was a growing need for an improved system of training to provide ADR practitioners with the knowledge and competency to meet heightened professional standards of practice and ethics. Additionally, the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) had indicated its intent to launch a NYSDRA Demonstration-based Certification Process, which would offer the professional designation NYSDRA Certified Mediator (NCM™). NYSDRA, as a professional membership organization, is taking the lead in New York State to offer professional certified mediator credentials. Joining with NYSDRA in pursuit of this mediator professionalism goal are the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM), and the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York (FDMCGNY).

These factors, and the commitment of the authors1, drove them to collaborate, under the umbrella of ADDENDASolutions, to establish The Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Program, a comprehensive three-phase training model designed to prepare graduates to practice mediation responsibly, ethically and within the boundaries of the law, as well as to successfully fulfill requirements for imminent NYSDRA certification.


                                                                                       ADDENDASolutions
                                               Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Training Model

Each phase of the Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Model is designed to increase knowledge, develop/reinforce skills, and intensify practitioners’ determination to deliver high quality services in a timely, cost-effective manner. Our synthesized description of each component will identify the major objectives and highlight the enhancements it offers. Our model is built upon sound adult learning theory and is designed to lead participants from the learning stage of “unawareness” through the stages of “awareness”, “internalization” and “integration,” providing multiple opportunities for participants to “dabble,” “play,” “experiment” and “manipulate” their expanded repertoire of knowledge and skills.

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Mediation I: Building the Foundation™

The instructional objectives of Mediation I: Building the Foundation™, are designed to meet established requirements of basic mediation training by the New York State Unified Court System. Hence, participants, upon completion, will be able to*:
 Identify the causes of conflict
 Analyze the inter-relationships among the major causes of conflict
 Recognize the role that emotions play in resolving conflict
 Apply basic negotiation strategies to manage emotions
 Relate personal life experiences with various conflict management theories, mediation principles, and applications.
 Use facilitative communication skills
 Recognize the dynamics of the mediation process
 Demonstrate the role of a mediator
 Conduct a supervised mediation

The enhancement elements of the ADDENDASolutions Mediation I Apprenticeship Training fall into three categories: Leadership Development, Administrative Management and Professional Development Improvement Planning

 Leadership Development: Focusing on leadership concepts described in writings of Steven Covey2, content

     includes activities to foster participants’ (1) deepening of self- awareness and self-knowledge; (2) reconnection to

     core beliefs and values; (3) pinpointing the logical steps they need to take to become confident mediators; (4)

     adoption/reinforcement of a win/win mentality; (5) increased willingness to listen before talking; (6)

     acceptance/deeper appreciation of the concept of synergy, and (7) reenergized commitment to continuous

     development.

  Administration Development: While the process of mediation has pre- and post-mediation components, these are

     often not addressed in basic training due to the fact that mediators trained through a NYS Unified Court System

     Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC), generally, are not engaged in these processes. Rather a Center

     “Case Manager” conducts the initial intake, screens clients, determines the appropriateness of the case for

     mediation, establishes the case file, coordinates the client/mediator schedule, guides the agreement writing

     process and manages the follow-up process. In the ADDENDASolutions Mediation I Apprenticeship Training

     Program the apprentices will be able to describe and explain the role of the case manager and demonstrate

     entry-level ability to perform case management functions.

 Professional Development Planning: ADDENDASolutions embraces the philosophy of Continuous Improvement

     and has instituted a procedure to support the quality principles of PLAN/DO/CHECK/ACT (PDCA) in its Mediator

     Apprenticeship Program. With coaching support from instructors, apprentices will assess their video-taped

     performance as mediator, identify areas for improvement and create a personal plan of action that will ensure their

     continuous positive development. See Figure 1.

* This does not mean that taking this training qualifies the trainee to become a mediator for the Unified Court 

  System's Programs

 2 See Covey, Stephen, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; Principled-Centered Leadership (Simon and Schuster, 1989)

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                   Figure 1: Continuous Improvement Model embedded in the ADDENDASolutions
                            Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Training Program



Mediation II: Sharpening the Skills™

Upon completion of Mediation II participants will be able to mediate effectively mid-level conflict cases, screen cases for their appropriateness to mediate, perform all case management tasks, and demonstrate ability to mediate complex, emotionally charged mediation situations.

Instructional Objectives: Moving from the classroom and laboratory to real world “out-on-the-street” experience, Mediation II focuses on developing essential skills that will enable Apprentices to hone their mediation skills and deepen their knowledge of the field. Through drills, practice, video-taped role plays, constructive feedback and individualized professional development planning, Apprentices will be able to:

 Demonstrate the role of mediator with confidence
 Mediate live cases on demand
 Facilitate high-stake negotiations
 Recognize the dynamics of human motivation and emotion
 Manage client motivations and emotions during the negotiation process
 Match their communication style to the styles of their clients
 Uphold during the mediation process the principles of neutrality, empowerment, win/win, impartiality,                                   openness and confidentiality
 Lead the mediation process to its appropriate conclusion.


Mediation II gives Apprentices the chance to experience coordinating the three-dimensional role of a mediator: (1) Lead the process; (2) Facilitate the interactions; and (3) Manage the administrative tasks. The format is highly experiential with assessment focusing on the quality of process leadership, the competencies of facilitation, and the effectiveness of case management.

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Mediation III: Mastering the Art™

Mediation III is designed to bring out the talent behind the knowledge and skills. Each Advanced Apprentice is viewed as a unique person with special personal talents. The aim of Mediation III is to help Apprentices integrate their unique talents and abilities with their practice of mediation and to prepare them for the independent/private practice of mediation. Hence, in addition to ongoing involvement in the above-referenced Continuous Improvement Model with an Observer/Coach, participants will be guided through the processes of developing business plans, marketing strategies and basic office/financial management procedures.

Conclusion

The ADDENDASolutions 3-Phase Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Training Program raises the bar for training mediators. It establishes a mechanism for mediators to transition from practicing mediation as an avocation to engaging it as a vocation. It provides evidence of participants’ ongoing development and improvement in leading the mediation process over time. But, perhaps it’s most important contribution to the field will be that, collectively, Mediator Professional Development Apprenticeship Training Modules I, II, and III establish a foundation for mentoring a body of serious-minded mediators toward the horizon-looming New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) Certified Mediator (NCM™) credential.


Carolyn T. Bryson, President                                                           Dr. Bernadette Poole-Tracy, President
ACCORD Mediation Services                                                          AEDU-TECH Systems, Inc.
1100 University Avenue, Ste 124                                                   1100 University Avenue, Ste 122
Rochester, NY 14607                                                                       Rochester, NY 14607
Tel: 1-888-851-0414                                                                         Tel: 585-244-2070
www.accordmediates.com                                                               www.addendasolutions.com
cbryson@accordmediates.com                                                      mbptracy@aedutechtrains.com