Basic Mediation

“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9

Dear Colleague:

Today’s generations are increasingly on edge, more pressed and stressed than ever before. And before long, tension and anger begin to burn, stomachs turn, ulcers bleed, tempers flare and relationships blow up. When relationships are hurt and conflict goes unresolved, real harm can result. Sadly, a lot of hurtful things are said and done at home, at the workplace, and even at church without thought and care. You know how these interactions damage and scar loved ones, friends, co-workers, staff and others–even for life.

Sometimes these hurts involve very complex issues. At other times, they are over the most trivial and foolish disputes. But without resolution, off to court we go–furthering the damage to reputations and relationships. Hopefully, it is not too late for such help, for that is when a mediator–a peacemaker–is needed. Developing a plan of resolve–making peace between people and entities who have been at war–is what we want, a just closure and an opportunity for healing is what we all pray for.

That’s why AACC created the “Certified Christian Mediation Training Program.”

It is a very practical, hands-on, skills-based approach to mediation training that concentrates on delivering the skills needed for structured mediation practice. Important as well, is that you become certified to practice in most state court systems in America. And most importantly, this program is Christ-centered and is built on a Biblical foundation.

Our two-fold goal is straightforward and simple–to help you gain the skills and credentials to expand your practice into a growing ADR arena that is gaining a significant place in both the legal and human service worlds, and to help others make peace–reaching mutually beneficial solutions to seemingly irreconcilable differences.

These Mediation trainings have been very successful. Students are registering high praise for these events, and I am confident you will too.

Warmly,
Tim Clinton
President, AACC

 
 
 

ENDORSEMENT FROM NATIONAL MEDIATION

It is with great pleasure that we announce our strategic alliance with AACC. Together, we plan to create one of the largest Christian Mediation panels in the U.S. and Canada. There is an increasing need for faith-based mediation and our goal is to become the standard of excellence in providing this service to organizations and consumers.

National Mediation (NM) is a leading provider of state-of-the-art mediation programs and is constantly expanding its panel of independent mediators in order to provide its members with the most effective means of professional mediation service. National Mediation is contracted with thousands of membership organizations and major corporations through various national marketing entities.”

D. Troy Morgan
President, National Mediation

FACULTY

Sandra Dopf

Sandra is the founding director of Divorce guidance. She provides Christian mediation, life coaching for survival, rebuilding and thriving during divorce, remarriage; blending families; and co-parenting, growth groups, and seminars for the unique road blocks faced during and after divorce. Sandra is Vice-President to the Mecklenburg Collaborative Law team working with attorneys in developing the new approach to divorce in a less damaging and adversarial style.

COURSE INFORMATION

AACC’s Basic Program in Certified Christian Mediation Training (CCMT-Basic)is a 40-hour intensive certificate program in structured mediation skills. This specialized training will certify you as a Christian Mediator and will prepare you for further advanced training in family and various other specialty programs.Combining, for maximum impact and convenience, 20-hours of video education with 20-hours of face-to-face small group skills training, CCMT-Basic integrates the best of Christian education with the skills of structured mediation available in America today.

Lectures focus on:

• Introduction – Training definitions and history.
• Mediators – The who, what, how, rules and key tenets of mediation.
• Mediation Models – Consideration of the different types of mediation.
• Family Mediation – What it is, and what it requires.
• The Process of Conflict – From dispute to resolution.
• The Stages of Mediation – Six stages to structured mediation practice.
• Points of Impasse – How to recognize them, what to do about them.
• Co-Mediation – Purpose, reasons, techniques and pitfalls.
• Coping with Difficult People – Yes, they exist here, too.
• Dealing with Third Parties – The possibilities and the limits.
• Mediation Strategies – Key phrases, questioning, listening and writing agreements.
• Ethics of Mediation – Various ethics codes and their key components.
• Legal Issues in Mediation – And how to work well with lawyers.
• Marketing for Mediation – How to find clients and be successful in service.
• Dispute Resolution Models for Business and Industry – Multiple applications for mediation.

For 40 hours of study you will receive:

• 20-hours on VHS video for convenient video-based learning (so you can study at home at your own pace)
• comprehensive worktext complete with notes, case studies, and role play exercises
• opportunity to finish the additional 20-hour training in two days at selected sites across America
• certificate of completion, suitable for framing

As a trained mediator, you will be able to offer:

• Victim-offender mediation to help people realize justice and get back on the right track
• Parties in lawsuits a quicker, less costly way to settlement negotiations
• Conflict resolution for cases that are otherwise headed to court
• Supervisors and workers reduced conflict and tension on the job
• The promise of increased productivity between workers and administration
• A service with a high probability of success – often over 80%
• A service to facilitate reduced conflict and violence prevention in schools

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

• Add an adjunct specialty practice to your counseling and ministry care.
• Expand your client base and increase your income – mediators typically earn $50-150/hour.
• Learn mediation and peacemaking practice based on Christian values.
• Be recognized as a certified provider by the National Mediation Association (NMA–the leading provider of affordable mediation services in the U.S. and Canada, NMA provides services to over 14 million households and over 5,000 corporations, with a mission to provide consumers with a trustworthy and competent mediator).
• Recieve a one-year membership in the American Association of Christian Mediation (AACM a $50 value) – possibly qualifying for reimbursment referrals.
• Be prepared for advanced training and practice in family mediation, and in other specialty applications of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
• Opportunity to receive 40 CE credits through AACC.
• Receive a one-year (new or renewal) membership in the American Association of Christian Counselors ($99 value).

Special emphasis given to…

• Assessing mediation readiness
• Process explanation and structuring
• Using neutrality to ‘draw out’ issues
• Reframing and communication skills
• Confrontation of destructive behaviors
• Facilitating and crystallizing negotiated arguments
• Getting parties to agree to a fairness perspective to facilitate settlement
• Translating agreements to written contracts that can be taken into court