MWI MENTOR PROGRAMS

TO:  Interested Trained Mediators
FROM:  Joshua M. Hoch, Director of Mediation Services


Mentor Program Purposes and Options:

MWI's Mentor Programs provide trained mediators with an opportunity to increase their awareness and effectiveness as mediators through supervised skill-development with experienced MWI Mentors. Mediators can choose to participate in the following programs (clicking on a program title will provide detailed program information):

1) Mediator Skill-Builder Mentor Program
• Purpose: To build and refine core mediation skills following basic mediation training.
• Prerequisite: Completion of basic mediation training in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 233 section 23C (Confidentiality Statute).

2) Post-Training Divorce Mediation Paid Practicum
• Purpose:  To build capacity to mediate family and divorce cases effectively.
• Prerequisite: Experience mediating at least 10 cases after completing basic mediation training.

3) Advanced Workplace/EEOC Mediation Mentor Program
• Purpose:  To gain experience with all aspects of conducting intake, mediating and following-through on employment and workplace disputes from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Prerequisite: Experience mediating at least 20 cases after completing basic mediation training.

4) Marketing Mentor Program
• Purpose: For experienced mediators looking to effectively market and grow their mediation services.
• Prerequisite: Experience mediating at least 20 cases after completing basic mediation training.

5) Mediation Simulation Sessions
• Purpose of Program: To work on skills, discuss best practice, and build confidence as a mediator by meeting on 6 to 12 consecutive weeks to participate in role-plays.
• Prerequisite: Completion of basic mediation training.


MWI Mentors:

The following is a sample list of MWI Mentors are experienced mediators who are trained and dedicated to your growth as a mediator.  Please contact Josh Hoch with specific questions and/or more information about each MWI Mentor.

Dina Beach Lynch
Moshe Cohen
Charles Doran
Josh Hoch
Diane Levin
Tad Mayer
 

MWI Mentor Program Options and How They Work:

1) MWI Skill-Builder Mentor Program

How the program works:  MWI Mentors provide supervised skill-building and coaching to trained mediators (Mentees) within a two to three-month period. Mentees spend time role-playing, observing cases in court and mediating small claims cases in a Group or Individual Mentor Group (see below).

MWI Mentors will provide Mentees with direct supervision and coaching before, during and after actual mediation sessions. In addition, two seminars with MWI’s Director of Mediation Services at the start and at the end of each mentoring cycle will accompany the direct supervision.

Individual Program:  MWI’s Individual Mentor Program allows mediators more flexibility in terms of scheduling and opportunities. Most individual mentor programs consist of 12 meetings within a two month period. Mentees will observe mentors mediate, co-mediate with mentors and receive direct feedback and supervision on each case the mentee mediates. Mentorships start by arrangement. Please contact Josh Hoch at jhoch@mwi.org or 617-973-9739 x23 for more information and to request a sample mentor program agenda.

Group Mentor Program:  MWI Group Mentor Program consists of 12 meetings over a three month period. Each Group will have two meetings with MWI’s Director of Mediation Services, co-mediate 7 times and observe 3 times during the mentorship. Groups consist of 2 or 3 Mentees and will have up to three MWI Mentors working with the group. Mentorships start every other month and by arrangement. Please contact Josh Hoch for more information.
 

2) Post-Training Divorce Mediation Paid Practicum

How the program works:  For mediators who have been trained to mediate divorce cases, MWI's Post-Training Divorce Mediation Paid Practicum is for mediators to gain experience while being paid to mediate any divorce or family mediation cases, barring any conflict of interest, that the participant brings to MWI directly or via a referrals.

MWI recognizes that after participants receive mediation training they are often left without a place to mediate and do not know how to get the experience to successfully obtain clients and build a practice. MWI’s goal is to break that cycle by providing post-training opportunities to newly trained divorce mediators. MWI will meet this goal by providing new divorce mediators opportunities to:

• Observe and learn from experienced divorce mediators who will share best practices, answer questions and provide guidance; and to
• Mediate for pay with experienced divorce mediators in appropriate mediations.

After the participant refers the case to MWI, MWI’s Director of Mediation Services will handle all administrative aspects of the case including: client intake, screening, dissemination of information, fee discussions, assignment of co-mediators and first session scheduling.
For more information about MWI’s Post-Training Divorce Mediation Practicum, please contact Josh Hoch, Director of Mediation Services at 617-973-9739 x23 or jhoch@mwi.org.

To learn about MWI's Divorce Mediation Training, visit www.mwi.org/training/divorce.htm.
 

3) Advanced Workplace/EEOC Mediation Mentor Program

How the Program Works:  The EEOC Mediation Mentor Program is an individual mentorship that provides the mentee with an opportunity to work with up to two mentors over a three month period.  The goal of the program is to prepare the mentee to effectively conduct intake and mediate workplace and employment cases from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The program will begin with an orientation at the EEOC Boston Area Office that focuses on EEOC cases and applicable laws.  Following this orientation, the mentee will work closely with two experienced MWI mentors to learn how to conduct intake of EEOC cases, observe the MWI mentor mediate an EEOC case as well as co-mediate with the mentor.

The final stage of the MWI EEOC Mediation Mentor program is to solo-mediate a case under the  supervision the an MWI mentor.  Most mentorships include at least 15 hours of mentoring over three months depending on case filings and referrals from the EEOC to MWI.  Upon successful completion of MWI's EEOC Mediation Mentor Program, the mentee can apply with the EEOC to be accepted to mediate four additional EEOC cases per year.

Prerequisite: This advanced program is for mediators with mediation training that satisfies  M.G.L. Chapter 233 section 23C (Confidentiality Statute) and formal mediation experience of at least 20 cases within the past two years. If you are not currently qualified for enrollment in the program, contact Josh to discuss ways to fulfill the prerequisite.

Please contact Josh Hoch at jhoch@ mwi.org or at 617-973-9739 x23 for more information.
 

4) Marketing Mentor Program - "The Blueprint"

Have you completed basic mediation training, mediated a number of cases in court and have asked yourself - what's next? Would you like to launch your own mediation practice? Do you know how to leverage your new knowledge into a sustainable mediation business? Would you like guidance on how to take to start and grow a profitable mediation practice?

Creating a mediation practice that excites you and attracts clients may seem like an overwhelming task. It can be unless you have help. The Blueprint Program is a 12 week mentorship on practice development, designed to help you identify and achieve your goals by following an organized, step-by-step plan.   The purpose is to provide mediators with an opportunity to increase their knowledge of marketing and business development through coaching with MWI Mentor, Dina Beach Lynch.

How the Program Works:  During a 12 week program, a small group of up to 12 Mentees will meet twice monthly with Dina Lynch to discuss business operations and mediation marketing strategies. Topics will include: Selecting a Practice Niche; Educating Your Market & Attracting Clients; Developing Workable Systems as well as those topics suggested by the group. Coursework will include developing the plans and documents needed to market your practice.

Mentees will receive up to 6 hours of group coaching with Dina; written resources including checklists and worksheets; and a three month trial membership to www.ADRPracticebuilder.com. Mentoring sessions will be recorded and available to group members.

Two Groups Available: Novice and Fresh Start

1) Novice: Mediators who are considering building a practice, or those who have started but gotten stuck will benefit from this group. The focus is on completing the first steps and actions needed to launch a practice.

2) Fresh Start: Mediators who want to refresh an established practice or consider a new practice area will benefit from this group. The focus will be on re-examining goals and formulating strategies to enter new markets.

FEE: The cost to participate in this unique mentorship program is $900 per person and includes 6 mentoring sessions; written materials, networking opportunities and 3 month trial membership in www.ADRPracticebuilder.com (valued at $57). 

Please contact Josh Hoch for more information.
 

5) Mediation Simulation Sessions

How the Program Works:  Over 6 to 12 consecutive weeks, groups of 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2 meet at MWI. The purpose of the first meeting will focus on meeting group members, discussing working together, and creating a schedule of roles. The second meeting will be held the following week to review a mediators opening statement, review the mediation process, discuss facilitative mediation techniques, and to review the principles of mediation. The next 4 to 10 weeks are dedicated to role plays.

Please contact Josh Hoch for more information.
 

Cost:

Please contact Josh Hoch, Director of Mediation Services at 617-973-9739 x23 or send an email to jhoch@mwi.org for the cost to participate in an individual or group mentor program.  The fee includes two to three months of supervised mediation and two-skill building/orientation sessions. Individual Mentorships are available and tuition will depend upon the length and number of sessions.  Mentees who successfully complete the mentorship will be invited to join MWI's BMC & District Court Panel.  Participants are also eligible to receive free Advanced Mediation Training in Housing and Eviction after the completion of the mentorship.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Josh Hoch, Director of Mediation Services at 617-973-9739 x23 or send an email to jhoch@mwi.org.

MWI MENTORSHIP APPLICATION

Applicants must complete all sections.

A.  Contact Information

Name:

Company:

Address:

City:    

State:   Zip Code:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Please indicate which mentor program(s) are you interested in and what you hope to achieve:

B.  Mediation Training Information

Basic Training Completion Date:

Training Program Provider:

Number of Training Hours:

Training Program Lead Trainer and phone number:

C. Mediation Experience

Number of cases mediated in the past 12 months, if any:

Types of cases:

Please list any advanced training programs you have attended in the last year and dates of completion, if any:

Please list all mediation programs and or panels (including contact names and phone numbers) with whom you mediate, if any:

Additional questions or information that you would like us to know: 

Verification Code

Type the code you see above:
Having trouble reading the code? Click here for a new code.

Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to fill out this application.  Josh will be in contact with you about your application within one week after submission.

For more information, please call Mediation Works Incorporated at 800-348-4888 or send an email to mwi@mwi.org. 

Click here to return to the top of the page.