INTRODUCTION

The Wisconsin Association of Mediators' (WAM) mission is to promote and develop the use and practice of cooperative conflict resolution through mediation.

PREAMBLE

These Standards are meant to apply solely to members of the Wisconsin Association of Mediators (WAM) and are not meant to establish standards for any other mediator or group of mediators. The Standards are intended to allow members of the Wisconsin Association of Mediators who so choose, an opportunity to represent to the public that they have met minimum standards of professional training and experience.

Section I. Certification of WAM Mediators

A. A person who joins WAM may attain the status of Certified Mediator if the mediator has met one of the following certification requirements set forth below:

1. Submission of a sworn statement to the WAM Standards and Certification Committee attesting that the mediator has met the following requirements:

* Within the preceding three (3) years the applicant has completed a minimum of 40 hours of mediation training approved by the WAM Standards and Certification Committee.

* Within the preceding two (2) years the applicant has mediated 20 cases (not to include training role plays) or has engaged in a minimum of 80 hours of mediation.

2. "Grandfathering" - A WAM member currently practicing mediation shall be granted the status of Certified Mediator if the mediator meets the following conditions:

* Is a member of WAM on the date the certification requirements are approved.

* Provides documentation of having completed a minimum of 40 hours of mediation training including all the components of the WAM Model for Basic Mediation Training.

* Provides documentation of having mediated a minimum of 50 cases or has engaged in a minimum of 200 hours of mediation within the last five (5) years.

B. Continuing Mediation Education (CME) - In order to maintain mediation certification a WAM mediator must submit to the WAM Standards and Certification Committee every three (3) years, evidence that the mediator has completed a minimum of 15 hours of CME including 3 hours of ethics training. CME should focus on strengthening the core competencies listed in Section II below and the standards contained in the WAM Model Standards for Training.

Section II. Core Competencies

Mediators should possess the following competencies:

1. Knowledge of the mediation process
2. Ability to manage the process
3. Analytical and empathetic listening skills
4. Ability to mediate appropriate agreements
5. Adherence to professional and ethical standards of practice

Note: Guidelines for the above competencies may be found in the WAM "Self-Assessment Tool for Mediators" booklet. The booklet is available free to WAM members and for a nominal fee to non-WAM members.

Section III. Standards and Certification Committee

A. Standards and Certification Committee Responsibilities

1. The WAM Standards and Certification Committee shall be responsible for certification and decertification of mediators who are members of the Association. The committee shall review the application of a member for certification or request for decertification and make a determination within 45 days of receipt of request.

2. The WAM Standards and Certification Committee shall be responsible for approval of mediation training programs that satisfy the recommendation of the Association's Standards for Mediation Training.

3. Approval of continuing mediation education (CME) programs shall be approved if they contain significant elements of the Association's Standards for Mediation Training and/or enhance aspects of core competencies. Each hour of actual training shall equal one (1) hour of CME.

4. The Committee, upon the request of a mediation trainer, community mediation program, or an Association member, shall review the course of training and make its decision regarding approval within 45 days of receipt of request for approval. Approval of a course of training shall be valid for two (2) years from the date of approval.

5. The Committee shall establish rules and develop forms and procedures to implement the activities set forth as its responsibilities subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of WAM.

B. Standards and Certification Committee Membership

1. The Standards and Certification Committee shall consist of 5 members who represent the diverse backgrounds of the general membership of WAM. At least one member of the Committee shall be a WAM Board member.

2. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the WAM Board of Directors and shall serve for a term of three (3) consecutive years subject to the approval of the Board (except as set forth below in par. 3). Members may not be appointed to serve more than three consecutive terms.

3. The initial Committee members shall serve terms as follows: one member for one (1) year, two (2) members for two (2) years, and two members for three (3) years.

4. If a Committee member is unable to complete the term of appointment, or is removed from office, the Board of Directors shall appoint a new member at its next meeting to serve out the unexpired term of the departing Committee member.

5. A chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the WAM Board of Directors.

6. The Committee chairperson shall appoint a recording secretary to take appropriate notes and minutes of each meeting. Minutes shall be kept by WAM's administrators.

C. Standards and Certification Committee Meetings

1. The Committee shall hold meetings to review applications for certification or training approval within 45 days of receipt of application and to conduct such other business within its scope of responsibilities.

2. Meetings may be held in person, telephonically, or via electronic media.

3. No meeting shall be held without a minimum of 72 hours prior notice by facsimile, telephone, and/or e-mail transmission to each committee member.

4. In order to conduct any business requiring a vote of the Committee, a minimum of three members must be in attendance. No provision is made for voting by proxy.

5. All actions of the Committee shall be by a majority vote of those members present.

Section IV. WAM's Organizational Responsibilities Pertaining to the Certification Procedures.

1. Upon request of the applicant, any action by the Committee with respect to certification or decertification of an Association member is subject to review by the WAM Board of Directors.

2. The WAM Board of Directors shall set a reasonable annual fee for the filing of a Certification application, maintaining of certification status, and approval of training programs.

3. WAM shall maintain a roster of certified mediators who are Association members and approved training programs and shall make this roster available to the general public.

4. If an applicant or a training program is approved for certification by the committee, WAM will send notification and certification shall be automatic upon payment of the appropriate fee.

5. If the Committee rejects an applicant's request for approval, WAM shall notify the person seeking approval within 45 days of receipt of the request. In the event that a member is not approved or that the Committee has taken no action within 45 days of the applicant's submission, the person seeking approval may appeal the rejection or non-action to the Association's Board of Directors.

Section V. Modifications

1. The Committee, with the approval of the WAM Board of Directors, shall have the authority to review and modify the provisions of Sections I and II as appropriate.

2. The effective date of these Standards for Certification of Mediators is to be determined by the WAM Board of Directors.

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© 2001 Wisconsin Association of Mediators