Starts: 2021-10-15 09:00:00 | Ends: 2021-10-24 17:00:00

Training Begins October 15th

This comprehensive professional mediation training is designed for people committed to solving conflict in their workplaces, organizations and communities. It provides the basic skills needed to become a facilitative mediator, emphasizing the interest-based approach common in community dispute resolution. Unlike most other basic mediation trainings, we will apply a racial equity analysis and keep racial justice centered throughout our time together.

By the end of the training you will be able to:

• Facilitate a multi-stage mediation process
• Utilize empathy and other active listening skills in all areas of life
• Analyze and respond to racial and other power / oppression dynamics
• Intervene when racial microaggressions occur in mediation

What is equity-informed mediation (EIM)?

EIM is a form of mediation where mediator applies an equity framework to offer support to ALL parties at the table. In EIM, the mediator…

• Is prepared and ready to engage in discussion of race and social justice.
• Has knowledge of systems of oppression and is able to recognize and make analysis at the table.
• Remains impartial while being alert to the most impacted folks in the room.
• Is aware that many concepts in mainstream mediation may be western concepts and is flexible to match styles of participants.

This training meets the Basic Mediation Curriculum Standard as established by the Administrative Rules for Community Dispute Resolution programs.

Sunsong and Abbey are so warm and caring! They are powerful mediators and excellent role models throughout the workshop.

Outline of Schedule 

• Two weekends: Friday, Saturday & Sunday October 15, 16 & 17; and Saturday & Sunday October 23 & 24 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day (breaks included).

This is a remote training via Zoom. You can see some introductory videos on working with Zoom here. Ways you could participate:

• Computer with camera and good internet access
• Phone with camera and good internet access (standard data rates may apply)
• If need be, you can join via phone only

Registration Options 

Regular registration: The fee for this training is $1200. There is also a payment plan option. If you have any questions, please email us for more information. Register Here.

Work Trade: We also offer a work-trade slot that will allow two participants to attend in exchange for assistance with setup, cleanup, purchasing refreshments with RNW funds, etc. The lottery will prioritize applicants who are working in long-term relationship with underrepresented communities in Portland, particularly those who live at the intersection of race, class, and gender. Please complete the application and if your name is chosen, you will be invited to join the training at half price. However if that amount isn’t available to you, we will do our best to accommodate your financial capabilities. To enter the work trade lottery (deadline October 11th), please click here.

Scholarship: RNW is offering two free scholarship slots in this training to support individuals and organizations who are working in long-term relationship with underrepresented communities in Portland, particularly those who live at the intersection of race, class, and gender. To apply for the scholarship (deadline October 11th), please click here.

Event Organizers

Sunsong (They/Them)Sunsong (They/Them) is a transplant to Portland: Born in Ohio and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. They moved to Portland in December of 1995 immediately from their experience attending Oberlin College. They started life in Portland as performer for Imago Theater; and worked in social services with developmentally disabled adults.  As a queer polyamorous mixed race intersexed person, they bring both lived experience as well as experience from a background working with Target communities to their work, especially in their recent time as an advocate and case manager for houseless youth. They have assisted and co-led trainings on racial and social justice. Before being hired on full time worked as a contractor doing mediations at Resolutions Northwest. They were a past equity informed mediation cohort member and have a dedication to building bridges across communities.