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FAQ
What is Mediation?
Mediation is one form of Alternative
Dispute Resolution (ADR) that brings disputants together
with a neutral third person who assists them in reaching a
voluntary agreement that satisfies both parties. The people,
with the assistance of the neutral, work together to seek a
realistic, mutually beneficial solution to the issues. They
may engage in mediation voluntarily or it may be ordered by
a court.
What Types of Cases are being Mediated Today By Various Programs and Entities?
Following are areas where mediation is used today to successfully resolve conflict either through a community sponsored program, court annexed or assisted program or a program offered by a professional or business association such as a Better Business Bureau or realtor association.
- Custody or visitation cases
- Conflicts between neighbors
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Customer/store owner disputes
- Disagreements over insurance settlements
- Disputes between business partners
- Community land use, zoning, environmental conflicts
- Construction disputes
- Supervisor/employee disputes
- Conflicts between adult siblings or other family members
- School truancy, playground disputes
- Victim/offender incidents, such
as those involving juveniles, graffiti, vandalism
What are the Stages of Mediation?
Mediation involves several steps
including intake or referral of an issue to the mediation
program, case development including interviews of the
parties involved in the conflict, the mediation, and in most
cases a written agreement between the parties involved in
the conflict.
Is Mediation Confidential?
Generally speaking mediation as a
process is confidential. In Oregon this confidentially is
dictated by Oregon Statute and professional standards of the
Oregon Mediation Association.
Is Mediation a Successful Dispute Resolution Process?
Yes the success of mediation has been demonstrated through out the nation as a successful alternative to dispute resolution. In Oregon this is attested to through the successful use of mediation in the courts systems for small claims, divorce and landlord/tenant matters. Even more important there are successful community programs found in many locations throughout the State some of which have been in existence for more than 20 years. Information about many of these community programs can be found on the Oregon Office for Community Dispute Resolution at http://oocdr.uoregon.edu/. While
not all disputes are resolved by mediation it has been found
that where mediation has taken place parties are more prone
to live within the agreed bounds of the mediated agreement.
Additionally, use of mediation relieves case load for law
enforcement, code enforcement and even the courts.
Do Umatilla County Residents have a Mediation Program for Community Related Conflicts? No, not for community associated
such as conflicts between neighbors. There are some school
programs for resolving conflicts between students.
What is Blue Mountain Community Dispute Resolution Program (BMCDRP)?
It is a mediation program being proposed for grant funding from the Oregon Office for Community Dispute Resolution (OOCDR). If approved for funding the BMCDRP would come into existence in July of 2008 with a goal of taking its first referrals for mediation in the last part of the first full year of existence (sometime between January and June of 2009). The first 6 months or so would be dedicated to forming the base needed for the organization including community outreach to inform communities that the program is available, train mediators, and establish the organizational policies and protocols for intake of conflicts for mediation. Following are some additional facts regarding what the proposal will entail.
- Proposed Geographic Coverage for the Program - Umatilla County including unincorporated areas and the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
- Services provided - Primary focus will be mediation for conflicts between neighbors, community education on conflict resolution and community training on effective methods to resolve conflicts.
What is Needed from You?
Most important is your willingness to refer conflicts to the program for assistance in
resolution.
Is There Anything Else?
This is a program to help community members take leadership roles in resolving community conflicts. The success of the program depends on you.
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