Community Mediation

Community Mediation is designed to assist in resolving conflicts that arise in our community. Mediation is a process in which individuals, groups or organizations in conflict try (with the help of mediators) to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that will resolve their dispute.

Mediators do not make judgments, take sides or impose an agreement on the participants. Agreements are crafted and accepted by the participants themselves, and they do so voluntarily.

Mediation is completely voluntary and confidential.

Mediation Process

Contact the Mediator

If you're experiencing a conflict, contact the mediator to discuss the issue and decide on what steps to take for resolution.

Set a Meeting Date

The mediator discuss availability with all parties and schedule a meeting. Participants are asked to set aside two hours for the mediation. The mediation can be longer if needed.

Two trained volunteer mediators facilitate the mediation.

Attend Meeting

Everyone will discuss the conflict and brainstorm possible resolutions.

The mediators will help the participants craft an agreement in the participants’ own words. Verbal agreements are also an option. If the participants decide to end the mediation without an agreement, that is okay too. Sometimes the mediation process simply serves as an impetus to get participants talking to one another to increase their understanding of the dispute or miscommunication.

Follow-up

A couple of weeks after the mediation, Mediation Program staff will call all participants to see how they are doing with their agreement. Please keep in mind, however, that neither the program, nor the City of Rockville, is responsible for enforcing any agreements. That is up to the people who had the dispute. If they are having more problems, they can always come back to mediation.