THE BASICS OF MEDIATION

• Orientation: Apr 26, Wed, 6:00-8:00pm PDT
• Apr 29-30, Sat & Sun, 9:30am - 6:00pm PDT
• May 6-7, Sat & Sun, 9:30am - 6:00pm PDT
• May 13, Sat, 9:30am - 6:00pm PDT

Earn Your Certificate in Mediation

Become a Certified Mediator with Community Boards’ 40-hour The Basics of Mediation training. Ideal for people who want to learn to mediate and to enhance their conflict resolution skills. Community Boards’ nationally-recognized The Basics of Mediation teaches a practical and proven step-by-step framework to become a successful neutral third-party mediator.

Participants gain the skills needed to handle a broad range of disputes and to communicate effectively. This live training introduces mediation and core conflict resolution skills for managers, HR professionals, attorneys, ombuds, social workers, community organizers, and those interested in expanding their professional and personal skill sets. These skills can be used to mediate conflicts that arise in the workplace, in community, and at home.

Live Interactive Training on Zoom

Our Zoom training is a highly engaging mix of discussion, role play, and coaching that builds participants’ skills step-by-step, and gives you the framework, practice, and confidence to mediate disputes. Participants get access to supplemental training videos on YouTube and additional reading materials. Coached role-play practices are held in breakout rooms with immediate feedback and guidance. Each day is designed to be fun and engaging to maximize learning.

Training Topics

The Basics of Mediation training topics include:

• Employing effective communication and active listening
• Dealing with strong emotions
• De-escalating anger
• Addressing diversity
• Balancing power
• Breaking impasse
• Managing a negotiation

The Basics of Mediation provides these professional benefits:

• Gain credibility and professional expertise
• Learn a highly desirable workplace skill set
• Join a community of alternative dispute resolution professionals

Certificated

Community Boards’ Basics of Mediation training meets the requirements of California Trial Courts’ mediation programs and fulfills the education and training requirements of California’s Dispute Resolution Program Act (DRPA). Upon completion, each participant receives a signed certificate. After completing the training, participants are invited to join Community Boards’ volunteer Community Mediator team which provides opportunities to practice and hone mediation skills among a cadre of compassionate, skilled volunteer community mediators.

MCLE

This course is approved by the State Bar of California for 40 MCLE credits including 4 credits for the Recognition and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession and Society (provider #9323). $75 processing fee required.

TRAINERS

Donald Proby
Donald, currently a doctoral scholar in educational leadership with an emphasis on cross cultural conflict transformation, has been a mediator, restorative justice practitioner, and conflict resolution trainer for over 35 years. He has worked in government, social services, nonprofit leadership, and public and holistic health arenas.

Donald also works with multiple Bay Area organizations to advance peace and community building. Donald has been co-leading our Basics of Mediation training since 2011. His approach to adult education involves holding space where learners are encouraged to engage with their natural curiosity, explore, experiment, and master the content through transformative embodied experiences. Donald works to create an environment where risk taking is encouraged and the collective experience is engaging.

Karen H. Lipney
Karen is a trainer, mediator, facilitator, conflict coach, and is a co-trainer of The Basics of Mediation and Beyond the Basics. She draws on years of experience working for a national labor union and before that, as an attorney. In a career transition, Karen focused on mediation to expand her skills and experience. In 2014, Karen began to volunteer her time for Community Boards as a Community Mediator, Conflict Coach, and Facilitator. In 2016 she joined the staff as the Outreach Coordinator. Karen then worked as our ADR Programs Director from 2016-21.

Karen is currently the Neighborhood Courts Program Coordinator & Consultant with Community Boards, as well as a mediator, conflict coach and facilitator for The Brigham and Women’s Hospital located in Boston. Karen was raised in San Francisco and giving back to the community is part of her family heritage.