“We walked away with a resolution we both liked, and we’re getting along” - Mediation Participant
COME JOIN US
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer mediators at the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) are at the core of our mission and are at the forefront of practice in the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) field. At CCR, volunteers have a unique opportunity to mediate a wide range of high conflict, high emotion disputes with diverse parties.
Ways to Volunteer with the Center for Conflict Resolution:
Mediator Mentorship Program
In order to be a volunteer mediator with CCR, individuals must participate in an intensive training program called the Mediation Mentorship Program (MMP).
The MMP is a 3-month mentorship program designed to prepare individuals to meet CCR's strict performance-based evaluation standard and if certified, be able to provide top-quality mediation services in our mediation programs throughout the Chicagoland area. A prerequisite of the MMP program is recent completion of a 40-hour Mediation Skills Training (more details and approved trainings below).
*Please see below for an update on our Mediation Mentorship Program.
The Components of the MMP:
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Half-day orientation
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One-day Adapted Model Mediation Training for civil court-based mediations
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Three-month mentorship program
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Certification simulation
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18 month commitment to mediate at least twice per month
Certification as a CCR Volunteer Mediator:
CCR Volunteer Mediators are trained, mentored and certified using a performance-based evaluation standard. In order to become certified as a CCR mediator, prospective volunteers must be able to demonstrate a master skill level in the CCR Mediation Model. CCR sets a high standard for training and certification – we work to provide the very highest level of service to our clients.
2022 Mediation Mentorship Program Announcement
The next cycle will begin in early 2022.
Thu. 12/2/2021 – Essentials Training (register here)
To be announced – Applications Open
To be announced – Info Session 1 – applicants required to attend one of the info sessions, not both
To be announced – Info Session 2 - applicants required to attend one of the info sessions, not both
To be announced – Applications Due
To be announced – Orientation
Please note an important prerequisite to applying to the program! Applicants are required to have participated in a 40-hour Mediation Skills training within the last 18 months of submitting an application (extended to two years for the 2021 application period).
We are also offering an opportunity for people who have participated in any 40-hour Mediation Skills Training approved by the Cook County Chancery Court to attend a one-day training to get oriented to the CCR model. The training is called Mediate the CCR Way: Essentials of the CCR Mediation Model and is offered at various times throughout the year. Please check here for any updates about this training.
APPROVED TRAINING
De Paul University
College of Law Center For Dispute Resolution
Title: “Mediation Certificate Training Course”
Miller, Andy B Mediation Skills, Inc.
Title: A 40-hour Performance Based Mediation Skills Training
Dispute Resolutions, Inc.
Broward County Bar Association Conference Center
Title: “Circuit Civil Mediation Certification Training”
ICLEF (Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation)
Title: “Civil Mediation Training”
Harvard Law School
Harvard Negotiation Institute at Pond Hall
Title: “Mediation Workshop”
Dominican University
Title: Mediation Skills Training
National Judicial College
Title: “Civil Mediation”
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Title: 40 Hour Mediation/Arbitration Training
Northwestern University
Title: “Mediation Skills Training”
Mediation, Inc.
Title: “Civil Superior Court Mediation”
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Pepperdine University School of Law
Title: “Mediating the Litigated Case”
Determine which training-track is required for you:
If you were trained at another organization more than 18 months prior to application to the MMP, you will be required to take either the Essentials course or the CCR Mediation Skills Training. Decisions will be based on an review of the individual's training and mediation experience.
If you were trained more than three years ago, through any program, decisions will be made on a case by case basis.
Training Prerequisites Information, Dates, and Registration:
Please see details below from the Fall 2021 MMP cycle.
MMP 2021 Cycle Two Information
MMP 2021 Cycle Two Application
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR TO BE CONTACTED WHEN APPLICATIONS ARE READY, PLEASE CONTACT:
Larissa Hachinski
Assistant Training Director
Center for Conflict Resolution
11 E. Adams, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60603
Email: mmp@ccrchicago.org
Phone: 312-922-6464 Ext. 15
Volunteer Council
Please click here for more information