Step Up Savannah and The Mediation have a formal partnership to meet the needs of our community’s young adults and neighborhood leaders. Together, we provide leadership skills and knowledge, leverage resources, and connect young adults who graduate from the Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA). In addition, our Center contributes to the partnership by creating space for young adults to voice their opinions by providing free/low-cost mediation and facilitation training.
Young adults need connection, empathy, accountability, and openness. Our vision is that young adults will take the leadership skills and relationships they gain from the NLA program and combine them with the mediation skills and process to access community decision-making bodies (Boards, Associations, Groups, Taskforce). Thus, creating opportunities to obtain accountability for their community, empathy with expressing concerns, and openness by contributing to critical community decisions.
Step Up Savannah, and the Mediation Center aim to support young adults to become agents of change regarding issues that specifically marginalize and oppress opportunities for young adults in Savannah.
We provide two options based on your interest.
Community Mediation and Facilitation Training
We provide a 14-hour Community Mediation and Facilitation training to access and participate as a young adult and community mediator for a community decision-making body.
Training Information
Recommended Reading: Holding Change by adrienne maree brown
Lead Trainer: Lee Robbins
Dates: Saturdays, December 3rd and 10th, 2022
Start/Stop Times: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
Duration: 14 hours | 2 days | Homework
Class Limit: 25
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Questions? Email Lee at lrobbins@mediationsavannah.com
Application
General Civil Mediation Training*
Next, for young adults that want to volunteer and register with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution or volunteer with our Center as a mediator, we will provide a 28-hour General Civil Mediation Training and practicum opportunities.
Training Information
Completing our General Civil Mediation Training and practicum is the first step in registering with the GODR as a mediator. Registration is required to attend additional GODR-approved training and to mediate court-ordered cases.
Recommended Reading: The Mediator’s Handbook by Beer et al.
Lead Trainer: Lee Robbins
Dates: January 24th – 27th, 2023
Start/Stop Times: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
Duration: 28 hours | 4 days | Homework
Class Limit: 18
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free for NLA graduates that plan to volunteer/$1,250 for all that plan to mediate privately and charge fees
Questions? Email Lee at lrobbins@mediationsavannah.com
Practicum Requirement
Participants have eighteen months to complete the practicum requirements and register with the GODR. ADR Rules require a 10-hour practicum by observing/co-facilitating five or more Court ordered mediations. Uniquely, our Center provides the practicum free for those who complete our General Civil Mediation Training.
Application
Disclaimer
Our Center and lead trainer, Lee Robbins, have the approval to provide this training. Approval by the GODR does not imply that any particular court program must accept those who complete our training on their roster. Additionally, completion of any state-approved program does not automatically qualify one as a neutral in any particular program. Local court programs have the authority to exercise discretion regarding applicant qualifications and thus may inquire into the training and experience of a neutral.
Jump here for more information regarding requirements for neutrals and trainers