Mediators at the DRC are trained volunteers from the community who provide a controlled neutral setting within which clients can have safe and productive discussions. The mediators help focus on the issues that need to be resolved and help participants generate ideas for reaching an agreement. Mediators do not make decisions, provide judgment, or offer legal advice or psychological counseling.

DRC mediators have been trained under guidelines approved by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office in General Civil Mediation Training, Basic Community Mediation Training, Domestic Relations Mediation Training and Domestic Violence Screening for Mediators Training, pursuant to MCR 2.410, 2.411 and 3.216.

People interested in becoming volunteer mediators for the DRC should consider registering for training in mediation or contact us for further information. The minimum qualifications for volunteering as a mediator are completion of a 40-hour course in mediation, a 10-hour internship including observations and co-mediations, and application to the DRC to become a mediator.

To satisfy the 40-hour course requirement, we offer a single course that covers both Civil Court Mediation and Basic Community Mediation . Please review the course description on our training page to see which track is most appropriate for you.

The DRC does not provide advice about establishing a practice in mediation but if you are seeking such information, you might want to contact local mediators through the Yellow Pages or review a text on the practice of mediation. Jossey-Bass Conflict Resolution offers several texts that you might wish to consider. For articles on the practice of mediation, see www.mediate.com.

People interested in becoming volunteer mediators for the DRC should contact us at (734) 222-3745 or by e-mail at drc@mimediation.org