| Mediation by Folks |
| Wally A. Folks President (210) 269-6723 Email: C21Folks@aol.com |
| MEDIATION What is Mediation? Mediation is an alternative approach to the traditional methods of resolving disputes. Mediation provides the persons involved in a dispute with an opportunity to take active roles in settling their problem. Each side is given the opportunity to examine feelings, explore facts and discuss possible solutions. |
| How does Mediation work? The person who has a dispute comes to Mediation by Folks to initiate a mediation. A mediation conference is scheduled and the second party is notified of the date and time. At the mediation conference a trained mediator explains the mediation process to both individuals. Each person in the dispute has the opportunity to present his or her side of the situation and to suggest possible solutions. If the parties arrive at a mutual understanding, a written agreement is drawn up by the mediator and signed by both parties. |
Who are the Mediators? Mediators are professionally trained. They come from all walks of life and are trained to serve neutral parties. |
 | Helps to find solutions in most | |
| cases | ||
| Helps the parties clarify their | |
| agreement | ||
| Maintains confidentiality of client | |
| records |
| Listens to both sides carefully and | |
| objectively | ||
| Asks questions of all parties to clarify the | |
| issues | ||
| Does not blame anyone or take sides | |
| Why should the "other side" come to Mediation? Mediation provides both parties in a dispute with the opportunity to contribute to the resolution of their problem. If the problem goes to court the outcome is no longer determined by the parties, but rather by the judge. If the parties take the law into their own hands, everyone loses. If the problem is left "unsolved", both parties continue to suffer with frustration and anger. |
| Who can refer people to Mediation by Folks? Referrals can be made by individuals themselves, friends, neighbors, clergy, schools, police, lawyers, judges, employers, social service agencies, and the district attorney's office. |
| What are the goals of Mediation? |
| To serve the community as a resource to resolve disputes of all kinds | |
| To prevent disputes from escalating into more serious criminal or civil matters | |
| To relieve the courts of a number of matters that do not require formal court | |
| action | ||
| To provide the opportunity for individuals to resolve their problems through | |
| mediation | ||
| To decrease the "runaround" citizens experience in seeking a resolution to their | |
| problems |
| Why should you use a Mediator? |
| Your dispute will be scheduled quickly | |
| A low cost to participants | |
| Matters are confidential | |
| Participants learn how to resolve their own disputes | |
| The escalation of minor matters into serious situations is avoided | |
| What does a Mediator do? |