Governor Proclaims March Mediation Month
Virginians Challenged to “Talk It Out”

Governor McAuliffe signed a proclamation naming March Mediation Month in Virginia.
Members of the Virginia Association for Community Conflict Resolution and the Virginia Mediation Network are using the opportunity to encouraging Virginians to “Talk It Out” and resolve a dispute using dialogue, either on their own or with the help of a mediator.

They have provided the following mediation steps to consider:

1.) Slow down
2.) Listen to understand
3.) Be clear about what you want and why
4.) Approach as teammates, not enemies
5.) Use creativity to problem-solve

The following free events will be held across the state during Mediation Month:

o Communication Tips Just for You webinar March 16, 12 -1 p.m. Join in during your lunch hour! Contact Carolyn@peacefulalt.com for call-in information.

o Fairfield Center Open House, March 18, 4-6 pm 111 N. Market St., Harrisonburg. Call 540 434-0059 for more information.

o The Big Ethical Questions Slam, March 23, 7:30–10 pm at Ruby’s lounge in Clementine’s, 153 S. Main St., Harrisonburg. Call 540 434-0059 for more information.

o What Is My Conflict Style? workshop March 26, 7-8:30 pm at the John Musante Porter Branch Library in Stafford. Call 540-659-4909 to register. Offered by Piedmont Dispute Resolution Center.

o CMG Foundation in Richmond will be offering the following 3 free breakfast seminars at their office at 9100 Arboretum Parkway:

o Mediation: A strategic solution for businesses, Tuesday, March 17th 8:30 – 9:30am
o Mediation: Helping LGBT families, Tuesday, March 24th 8:30 – 9:30am
o Mediation: Helping seniors and their families, Tuesday, March 31st 8:30 – 9:30am

Phone 804-254-2664 or email info@cmg-foundation.org to pre-register.

Additional Information on Mediation:

Over 15,000 disputes were handled by mediators working through Virginia’s courts and state institutions in 2014 and thousands more were mediated through dispute resolution centers and private mediation firms. Over 94% of people surveyed who used mediation through the courts reported that the process was helpful and they would recommend it to others.

Many courts have mediation programs. Community-based dispute resolution centers are available in nine locations throughout Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia and Virginia Mediation Network keeps a list of mediators on their websites.

The services of mediators can be used at the convenience of the participants and before a court is involved. Unlike in court, participants can create and formalize plans to resolve future issues.

The Virginia Association for Community Conflict Resolution’s 30-second video on landlord tenant mediation encourages the use of mediation to settle landlord tenant disputes.  In mediation landlords and tenants can take the time to understand each other’s situation and perspective.  Unlike in court, they can craft  workable payment plans if money is owed.  It is amazing how mediation can positively alter the relationship between a landlord and tenant. To get more information on using mediation, contact one of the centers listed on this site, go to vaccr.org or call 1-888-VAPEACE

This 30 second video describes how mediation can be used to help settle neighborhood disputes. Mediators can help parties discuss what is important to them and help them to create solutions that will work. Does a relationship with a neighbor really get better after taking them to court? For information about neighborhood or other types of mediation, contact one of the centers listed, go to VACCR.org or call 1-888-VAPEACE.

The Virginia Association for Community Conflict Resolution (VACCR) recently collected information on the length of time it takes for cases to be heard and resolved by a judge compared with the length of time it takes for cases to be resolved using mediation. The data suggests that when mediation is used, Virginians obtain access to justice (a settlement of their issues) much quicker, sometimes three times faster.

The table below lists the time it takes for cases to be heard by a judge and for cases to be resolved through mediation in general district courts (GDC) and juvenile and domestic relations courts (J&DR) in the nine regions across Virginia served by VACCR member centers, most of whom hold contracts from the Supreme Court of Virginia to coordinate the provision of mediation services.

Click on this link to see the table: Case Settlement Condensed Table

While many courts in Virginia can connect petitioners with mediators who are paid by the Court to provide mediation free of charge, people in conflict who do not want to wait for a court referral can contact a mediation center or mediator directly and pay for their services. Center fees are responsive to client incomes so they should be affordable to all.