What is the "Community" in Community Mediation?: An Overview of NAFCM's 9 Hallmarks of Community Mediation and What They Look Like in Practice.

Presented by Lorig Charkoudian, Ph.D.

In collaboration with the

International Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR),

The Community Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), and

The National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM)

Session Description:

In the US and many other countries, community mediation is an approach to conflict resolution in which the community is integrated into the mediation center and the mediation center is integrated into the community.  Community mediation is a grassroots social change movement that transforms communities one conflict at a time.  In order to really transform communities, the center needs to be more than just a service provider.  Yet centers often fall short of these lofty ideals as funding cuts and high staff turnover make keeping the doors open seem like a Herculean effort and everything else seem impossible.  This Webinar will bring to life the 9 Hallmarks of Community Mediation outlined by the National Association for Community Mediation.  We will discuss how simple, every day choices further integrate a program into a community and how longer term goals can be reached.

Presenter Bio:

Lorig Charkoudian, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Community Mediation Maryland, USA.  Her work includes developing partnerships with state agencies including the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Service, Maryland State Department of Education, Family Court Administration, and others, to bring collaborative conflict resolution to new and unique forums.  Lorig serves as a trainer and provides technical assistance to the 19 community based mediation programs serving Maryland, including mentorship for collaborative public policy facilitation.  Lorig’s research examines the impact of specific aspects of the mediation process on experiences for participants as well as broader cost-benefit analysis of community mediation.  Community Mediation Maryland and Lorig have received national attention for the innovative work on prisoner re-entry mediation.  Lorig volunteers her time in her community building the local food system to support economic development and access to fresh local food for all.  Lorig has been honored three times as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Maryland Daily Record.  She likes to run really far to raise money for causes she believes in.