We are a not-profit organization dedicated to raising community awareness of collaborative conflict analysis and management by providing education and intervention.

Our programs and activities promote an understanding of conflict as an opportunity for constructive and creative change. We do this by stressing good communication and problem solving approaches designed to strengthen relationships and reach mutually rewarding solutions. The Centre offers accessible and affordable mediation and coaching services (including Separation & Divorce and Parent/Teen) to individuals, families, groups, & businesses. We provides mediation and facilitation services by qualified mediators, in a neutral place. We provide members of the community, immigrants and school students training in managing conflict, through programs such as the Compass-Effective Conflict Management, Cross Cultural, and PeaceMakers programs. Facilitation and specialized workshops are also available. Current projects target seniors, women, children, youth and marginalized adults. The SIDRCS also arranges special speakers and workshops for the public to attend. Please visit our website for up to date information. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the society may apply by completing a membership form available from our website and mailing it in to our office.

Mediation is a private and informal process. The individuals in conflict invite a trained professional to help them explore ways to find solutions that everyone can accept. The mediator does not take sides. It is a speedy, effective and less adversarial alternative to litigation. Mediation can reduce both the financial and emotional costs of settlement.

Mediation is a flexible process that can be applied to most situations. Commonly mediated issues include: Family issues: parent/teen, co-parenting and more. Separation and Divorce Employe/employee issues Organizational, Commercial and Community disputes

Mediation occurs in a neutral location and it provides a safe environment for the resolution of disputes. The process hHelps parties listen and understand one another better and allows clients to define the problems and goals in their own terms. Mediation allows individuals to exchange points of view and come to their own mutually-satisfactory solutions. Research indicates that mutually agreed-upon solutions yield stronger successes than solutions imposed by the courts.

the first step is to call our office to provide a brief outline of the situation. During this conversation our staff will be able to determine if mediation is a viable option for your situation. Upon receipt of a deposit or MCFD referral, a mediator isassigned and the process begins. Each individual involved will be contacted by the mediator to arrange for a private meeting (pre-session) before the first mediation session. In the mediation pre-session the mediator will discuss expectations and each side will have a chance to tell their story, concerns and needs. During the mediation sessions(s), the mediator will lead the participants through an exploration of the dispute; the participants will then generate and examine a variety of possible solutions. Sometimes problems can be settled in a single session. More complicated situations may take longer we generally assume a complete mediation to take approximately 10 hours.

Mediators meet with participants and helps them describe their points of view and needs clearly. The mediation process is managed by the mediator, this keeps the discussions respectful and on track. A mediator will help the people work out a plan for the future that they can all accept. In certain circumstance, the mediator will draft an agreement for all parties to sign. some of these documents are registered with the courts after being reviewed by a lawyer.

Mediators are private contractors and as such have very flexible schedules. Sessions can happen during the day, in the evening or on weekends. Mediation sessions are primarily held at the South Island Dispute Resolution Centre, 102-2220 Sooke Road Ave., near Sooke and Kelly Road in Victoria, B.C (Western Communities). but other venues may be considered if suitable to all parties involved in the dispute.

•The mediators/coaches at the South Island Dispute Resolution Centre have extensive conflict resolution training as well as specialized training in various family and community areas. These include separation and divorce, power imbalances, abuse issues, child law issues and legal, ethical and financial issues as they apply to family law and legislation. The mediator/coach is matched to the needs of the participants. Mediators/Coaches at the South Island Dispute Resolution Centre have all attained the extensive conflict resolution training and experience in accordance with the BC Mediator Roster Society or Family Mediation Canada.

Contact our office at 250.383.4412. We have mediators available that have met the BC Roster Society's training and experience requirements.

Some mediators are also lawyers. Mediation does not take the place of a lawyer, although it keeps the lawyers role to a minimum. It is important to get independent legal advice before signing an agreement that was reached through mediation.

Our services are offered on a sliding scalebased on the financial situation of the people involved. To establish the cost for our services, the mediator will discuss what is a fair cost for the mediation sessions and how you will pay. There is a fee for the first private meeting for each person and it is payable at that time. The hourly rate ranges from $40 to a maximum of $150 for family mediation. The maximum for civil mediation is $125 per hour. Subsidies are available when appropriate. Funding support for affordable mediation sessions is provided by the Provincial Employees Community Services Fund, Playtime Bingo Victoria, BC Gaming Commission and other revenue generating activities.

There are many benefits to mediation: It can improve communication and help to build new relationships that meet everyone's needs. Mediation can produce agreements without costly court actions that may cause bitterness and stress for all people involved. The people involved in the dispute make the decisions that form the terms of their agreement. Individuals take an active part in solving their own problems, rather than waiting for a judge to impose a solution. The people involved in the issue have the power to make the decisions that form the terms of their agreement. Mediation costs less than court action. People are more likely to follow an agreement when they take an active part in solving their problems. It can produce agreements with lower stress, lower costs and stronger outcomes.

The number of individuals involved depends solely on what is deemed acceptable by the primary parties.

Mediation agreements have enforcement clauses built into the solution that both parties agree to, in case the outcomes are not adhered to. These enforcement clauses state what appropriate consequences are for violation of the agreement.

No, mediating an agreement does not mean that court action will never take place with relation to the issue. It does; however, require that all parties sign an agreement stating that anything discussed during mediation will not be used outside of the mediation process.

Mediators can be trained at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, University of Victoria and Royal Roads University.

The participants in a mediation sign agreements stating that they will not discuss the conversations that occur during mediation. However, participants are free to discuss the process of mediation.

To prevent conflict of interest and personal bias from entering the mediation process mediators do not mediate for people they know. In a situation where the mediator knows one of the parties, a different mediator will be assigned to the file.