MEDIATION AND THE MEDIATIOR

What is mediation?
Mediation is a process in which two or more disputing parties discuss their viewpoints face-to-face in the presence of a mediator. The Mediator guides the discussion. The process is conducted in a positive manner which empowers the parties to maintain control of the dispute and also its resolution. The outcome of a successful mediation is a written agreement.

What is the mediator’s job?
Mediators are not judges or fact finders. They do not make decisions or judgments.  They do help disputing parties reach their own agreement. CMS mediators are volunteers from the community who have completed a thorough training course in mediation at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

How does one become a CMS mediator?
All interested parties must fill out a volunteer mediator application and submit it to CMS’ Executive Director. This will begin the application process. CMS mediators are trained at Richard Stockton College of NJ in Pomona, NJ. Community Mediators require 22 hours of training; Family Mediators require that and an additional 12 hours of training. All new mediators will mediate their first 10 cases with experienced mediators. All new mediators will also be subject to a criminal background check and a yearly review.