Community Volunteers needed to mediate in local courts

A Joint Press Release between the City of Norman and the Oklahoma Alternative Dispute Resolution System

Learning how to help people resolve conflicts and move on with their lives can be very rewarding, according to a group of Early Settlement mediation volunteers who currently volunteer their time to help people resolve disputes. Each year many Oklahomans give of their time and energy to become community volunteer mediators through the thirteen (13) regional Early Settlement Mediation Programs, two of which are based in Norman. The City of Norman program based out of the Norman Municipal Court is available for Norman residents and the Central program based in the Cleveland County Courthouse serves the people of both Cleveland and McClain counties.

The Early Settlement Mediation program is currently recruiting local volunteers to assist with mediating both city and county court-related disputes. Early Settlement Mediation, which provides FREE mediation services, has scheduled a training session for mediators on Thursday, March 19th at the City of Norman Municipal Court Complex in Norman. Trainees will complete the lecture part of the training online which will need to be completed prior to the in-person training. There is no cost for the training. "Our volunteers often report they find mediating a personally rewarding and life-changing experience," Tylnn Childress, Central Program Director, said. "Seeing people resolve their issues, mend relationships and move beyond bitterness is very satisfying," Ronda Guerrero, City of Norman Municipal Court Administrator, added.

Both programs are part of the Oklahoma Alternative Dispute Resolution System through the Administrative Office of the Courts. For more information about the program or about becoming a volunteer please contact the City of Norman program office at (405) 366-5325 or Central program (405) 366-0640 or visit the program web site: adrs.oscn.net

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