How do I become a community mediator volunteer?
A major way individuals contribute to both community and their own development is by becoming a mediator volunteer. The Community Program involves bringing together neighbours, landlords, tenants, friends, parents, their children, business operators, their clients, family members and school authorities who are experiencing conflict, which do not involve police or criminal charges, to resolve matters through mediation.
The kinds of concerns and issues that individuals seek to gain understanding and resolution with include noise, property, parenting agreements, money, behaviour and relationships.
Individuals who are strongly motivated, committed to CMS-D’s mission, have flexibility and availability with their time, are a member of an ethno-cultural community and who speak a language other than English are encouraged to apply to the volunteer roster.
Our mediation pool is extremely diverse. Currently the pool has representatives that speak 25 languages who come from a number of cultures, walks of life, and have different levels of skill and interests in doing mediation work. Individuals are able to develop their skills in order to empower community members to resolve conflict on their own.
The Process
- Individuals must first complete the CMS-D Mediation Skills Training or an equivalent training (talk with Coordinator) before submitting an application.
- After your training has been completed please fill out a Volunteer Application form and attach a resume and submit this to the Coordinator, Community Transformation Program.
- Applicants who meet our current needs and priorities will be called for an interview. *Submitting an application does not guarantee an interview.
- Your application will be kept on file for 6 months.
- Selected applicants will be invited to join the volunteer roster, and others will be invited to be on a waiting list.
- Volunteer mediators will be offered further training and development opportunities though CMS-D’s certificate courses, information evenings, Role-play nights, and mediator mentorship.
Other Program volunteer opportunities
- Outreach
- Special Projects
- Coaching
- Research
- Internships
- Student Placements
Volunteer Information
Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview (CMS-D) relies on the dedication and commitment of volunteers to provide conflict resolution services to the community. The support provided by our eighty (80) plus volunteers creates opportunities for community contributions in a number of ways. The most common volunteer role involves being a Volunteer Mediator doing mediation, conferencing and facilitation. CMS-D Volunteers can also volunteer as an Organizational Volunteer assisting in key areas including outreach, training, coaching, fundraising, office assistance, researching projects and more.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with CMS-D you must fill in a Volunteer Application and submit it along with a current resume to the Coordinator, Community Transformation Program. As per below, are listed the requirements to apply as a Volunteer Mediator with CMS-D.
Volunteer Mediator Requirements
| Volunteer Position | Training Required |
|---|---|
| Community Mediation Program | Mediation Skills Training |
| Victim/Offender Mediation Program | Mediation Skills Training & Victim/Offender Mediation Training |
Steps to Becoming a Volunteer Mediator
- Take the required training
- Fill out a Volunteer Application Form
*We accept volunteers based on the current needs of the community
In addition, Volunteers are asked to commit to the following:
Volunteer Mediator Commitments
- Live, work or volunteer in the former City of North York
- Volunteer for at least a one (1) year period for a minimum of four (4) hours per month
- Participate in one (1) bingo fundraising session each six (6) month bingo schedule
- Sign up as a CMS-D member yearly
- Participate in at least two (2) CMS-D sponsored events, including one (1) role play during the course of the calendar year
Volunteer Mediator Benefits/Opportunities
- Free Role Play Nights
- Free Information Nights
- Yearly CMS-D membership fees waived upon renewal
- Making e a difference within our community
- Mediation experience
CMS-D is committed to ethnic, cultural, linguistic, gender and experiential diversity in our Volunteer pool.
For more information or to apply for a mediator volunteer position please contact Forouz Masrour, Case Manager, Community Transformation Program at (416) 740-2522 ext. 41 or send an e-mail to fmasrour@cmsd.org.
If you are interested in working on cases involved in the criminal justice system, please review the Restorative Justice section of our website and information on how to become a RJI volunteer.
If you are interested in working on cases involving youth, please review the Youth Program section of our website and information on How do I become a youth volunteer?
Back to Volunteer Opportunities.