Mentor Information

WMA Mediator Mentor Program for Certifying Mediators

As an alternative to taking a practicum at a WMA-approved, DRC Practicum Program (Option B in the Qualifications Summary), a member can also meet the mediator certification experience requirement by completing at least 24 hours of supervised mediation with a WMA approved mentor. The mentor program steps are as follows:

The first step in the mentor program is for the applicant to select a qualified mentor. The mentor need not be a certified mediator with the WMA nor specifically endorsed by the WMA, so long as they have at least 36 hours of basic mediation training, at least 50 hours of advanced mediation training, at least 200 hours of mediation experience, and agree in writing to abide by the WMA Standards of Practice for Mediators. Applicants who have already worked with a mentor, or who wish to do so, need to submit their mentor’s qualifications and a brief summary of their mediation experience to WMA for approval (unless they have been pre-approved by WMA). Applicants also need to submit a signed statement from their mentor that they abide by the WMA’s Standards of Practice for Mediators.
The applicant and the mentor will then design the mentorship together. Each mentorship may have three parts: a) a series of observations, b) a series of co-mediations, and c) a period of solo mediations while consulting with a mentor mediator. However, each applicant and mentor can develop their own program and can determine how many observations (if any), co-mediations, and how much consulting time will be included in the supervision. At a minimum each mentorship must include supervision for at least 24 hours of actual experience in the role of a mediator or co-mediator in a least 3 separate cases. Each case must include at least an opening statement by the mediator, opening statements by the parties, some negotiation, and closure. Any case development time done by the mediator may also be included to satisfy the 24 hour requirement. In order to experience a variety of styles, the applicant may do their observations and co- mediations with mediators other than their supervising mentor as long as those mediators are supervised by the mentor.
The applicant will provide documentation to the mentor and to WMA of all mediation done under the mentorship including: a) A brief description of the form of case practice experience including the types of cases involved; b) Approximate number of hours involved in each type of case practice and the total number of hours of case practice; c) A list of persons who co-mediated or observed the applicant’s case practice and the name, address and phone number for the mentor mediator; and d) One memorandum of agreement rendered anonymous resulting from the cases mediated or co-mediated.
When the mentor and applicant agree that the applicant has completed their mentorship, the mentor will write a letter of recommendation to the WMA indicating that the applicant has finished. The mentor need not submit an evaluation of the mentee’s performance.

Reference the “Mediator Certification” tab, “How to Certify” page of the WMA website for more information regarding Mediator certification qualifications and requirements.

WMA Pre-approved Mentors
The following mentors vary as to the circumstances/requirements under which they can provide mentoring to prospective mediators. Next to each mentor’s name is a code designating his or her mentoring circumstances / requirements.

Case Requirement Designation Codes:

MPC Mentor provides cases
BYOC Mentee brings cases
IDCWM It depends, check with Mentor

Complete information regarding pre-approved mentors, including contact information, can be found in the following: WMA Pre-Approved Mentors.pd

Sue Ann Allen — IDCWM
WMA certified in Business/Consumer/Community, Domestic Relations/Education

Frances Andrews — IDCWM
WMA certified in Business, Community, Domestic Relations

James Craven — MPC
WMA certified in Business, Domestic Relations, Education, Employment, Construction

Richard Croll — MPC
WMA certified in Education, Labor/Employment

Andrea Dugan — MPC

Judy Friesem — MPC for Parent/Teen cases; BYOC for all others

Cathy Goldman — BYOC
WMA Certified in Domestic Relations/Education, Employment/Organizational

Mary Hoagland — BYOC
WMA Certified in Government, Workplace, Family

Andrew D. Kidde — IDCWM
WMA certified in Domestic Relations

Claire Lyons — IDCWM
WMA certified in Consumer/Community, Public Policy, Domestic Relations, Employment/Organizational

Regina Lyons — BYOC
WMA certified in Business/Community, Domestic Relations, and Intercultural Relations

Ann McBroom — IDCWM
WMA certified in Business/Community, Environmental/Public Policy, Domestic Relations, and Employment/Organizational

Donna C. Morse – IDCWM
WMA Certified in Business, Community, Domestic Relations and Intercultural Relations

Debbie Nelson — MPC
WMA certified in Business/Consumer/Community, Environmental/Public Policy, Domestic Relations/Education, Labor/Employment, Healthcare, and Intercultural Relations.

Christopher Sheesley — MPC
WMA certified in Labor/Employment/Organizational

Mentor – Requirements and Approval Process

Requirements
Mediators and Mediator Certification Applicants who are also interested in serving in a mentor capacity may request mentor approval if they satisfy the qualifications listed below.

WMA requires that Practicum supervisors and mentors meet the following minimum qualifications:

Received at least 36 hours of basic mediation training and at least 50 hours of advanced mediation training;
Conducted at least 200 hours of mediation; and
Agree to abide by WMA’s Standards of Practice for Mediators.

Practicum supervisors and mentors do not need to be a WMA certified mediator or WMA member.

Please contact the WMA Certifications and Qualifications Chair for information regarding the following: