Become a Volunteer Mediator

"Becoming a mediator has been a life changing process" - Lili, Volunteer Mediator, Neighborhood Mediation Program.

RNW's volunteer mediators work directly with people in disputes: easing tensions, establishing trust, helping the parties find solutions. With professional training and ongoing staff mentoring, volunteers gain the skills and confidence to mediate the most challenging and complex cases. Being a volunteer mediator with RNW is a unique way to give back to the community while gaining valuable personal skills.

Getting Involved

All volunteers complete 35 hours of professional mediation training, followed by a one-year, 100-hour+ volunteering and mentoring program. This includes a weekly commitment of two and a half hours in the day or evening. This allows RNW to maintain its high standards of service and commitment to improving Portland's neighborhoods, while providing a valuable skill-building experience for the volunteer. 

The Process 

Prospective volunteers send us an application and go through a selection process, which includes some applicants being interviewed.  Applicants selected for interviews should expect the interview to take place in, roughly, the first week of December.  Once final selections have been made, new volunteers are accepted into the program once per year, beginning with the basic mediation training.  To be considered for our Mediator Training program, complete the application below and mail, email, fax, or bring to us by the deadline indicated.
 

To stay informed of trainings and other RNW activities, check the Training and Education link. 

Ongoing Volunteer Development 

RNW volunteers begin by working in the Neighborhood Mediation Program for a one-year cycle, with ongoing mentoring and periodic additional training opportunities.  During the year, volunteers will have the opportunity to apply for additional training and in other RNW programs, including Family Mediation, Restorative Justice and Facilitation.

Volunteers range in age from teens to retirees, and in vocation from engineer to landscaper.  Many of our volunteers continue to stay involved and mediate cases with RNW for several years after their initial training.

Frequently Asked Questions about the RNW Volunteer Program

What chances do I have for getting selected as a volunteer mediator?

We consistently receive far more applications than we have positions available.  For example, last year, we had close to one hundred applications, and only twenty volunteer mediator positions. 

What is RNW looking for in their selection process?

Selections are made using a wide range of criteria. RNW desires to have volunteers with a variety of backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives.  We additionally look for what skills or resources people can bring to the organization and a sincere commitment in serving this community for years to come.  RNW does not necessarily look for people with a lot of mediation training or experience, because that’s what we do.  We provide the training and mentoring, you provide the energy and heart.

What if I am not available for some of the training or can’t commit to a volunteer shift?

While RNW understands that people lead busy lives, it is a unique and selective opportunity to become one of our volunteer mediators.  We will only accept those volunteers that are available and can make a commitment to consistently fulfill their volunteer shifts. 

Do I need to take the training if I have already had basic or advanced mediation training?

Yes.  Having all of our volunteers trained in the same manner provides us with an assurance of the quality of the training received and provides the bonding for peer support through the learning process.

When are the applications available?

Applications for each year’s volunteer training will be available from September to mid-November.