Over the past year we have made significant strides in developing a mentoring program for mediators;  I am both proud and humbled to serve as the first Chairman of the new Mentoring Program Committee. For more information about this Program follow these links: Mentoring Program and Mentor Candidate Chart. 

Whether you are a practitioner, or seeking mediation services, we invite you to explore all the services of  MCDR as we build a better world -- one mediation at a time.  See below for more information.

       Our Past President and Chairman of the Mentoring Committee, Stirling Phillips, Esq.

     First, I want to congratulate the new Board members on their election to the MCDR Board of Directors. Thankfully, most Board members are continuing to serve in this new term so there is significant experience at the helm of MCDR. Consequently, I believe these are exciting times ahead for MCDR as the Board will be at full strength as it starts its new term. Second, I want to thank the previous Board and MCDR members for your support and participation over the past year and when I served as President. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as President. We continue the tradition of providing high quality ADR/mediation education and professional training through our Quarterly meetings. 

     We continue to provide our unique independent peer reviewed certification processes which is a time tested and proven tool for the market to identify high quality mediators. Over the past year we have made significant strides in developing a mentoring program for mediators;  I am both proud and humbled to serve as the first Chairman of the new Mentoring Program Committee. For more information about this Program follow these links: Mentoring Program and Mentor Coaching Chart.   I am also proud of our success, receiving a MACRO grant helping launch the Feedback Assessment program, offering individualized constructive feedback to mediators.

Mentoring Program Overview

Mission Statement

   The Mentoring Committee has collaborated to develop a Program providing for the professional growth of early career mediators, referred to in this Program as Mentees.  For Mentees, this Program is in response to a gap in the ADR field.  This gap exists for new mediators between the completion of their training and transitioning to the practical application of that knowledge, doing mediations.  Putting the Program in perspective illustrates how MCDR is staying in tune with the needs of all ADR practitioners.  This Program also illustrates one of the many benefits of your MCDR membership.

Exactly what is Mentoring?

   Mentoring is the process of one person guiding and providing insight to another person to support self-learning, skill development, improved performance and realization of goals.  For a complete answer to this question, please click on the hi-lighted title above.

   MACRO and MCDR are at the forefront of setting mediator performance and ethical standards throughout the state of Maryland.  MCDR now can expand this effort by offering Mentors the opportunity to be paired with a Mentee over the course of  three months, offering advice, guidance, knowledge sharing, and discussion.

Mentoring Program

  Although success can never be guaranteed, this is a new program we strongly want to succeed.  To that end, MCDR implemented the Pilot Program which proved very successful. Therefore, we are launching the MCDR Mentoring Program. Each program will run for a period of 90 days  comprising three cohorts. Each cohort will consist of one Mentor and three Mentees.  All paired professionals will be given the opportunity to serve as a mediator, and provide valuable feedback as a role player. For more information, please click on these two links: Mentoring Program and Mentor Candidate Chart.

Orientation to Mentoring

   Mentors and Mentees will participate in a one hour orientation session.

Matching Mentor/Mentee Pairs

   Mentors and Mentees will be matched based in part upon interests and expertise in such areas as for example, Family, Property or Employment issues.  The committee will also consider other factors when making a match including stated communication styles to best facilitate the ease of information and feedback transfer.

In-Person/Virtual Training

   Training and Mentoring sessions may be held virtually or in-person based on the cohorts desire.

   Please click on this link for an Application and more information about becoming a Mentee.  Please click on this link for an Application and more information about becoming a Mentor.  For more information about the up-coming Mentoring Programs and answers to your questions, please contact Stirling Phillips:

E-mail:  Stirlingmediation7@gmail.com

Telephone: (240) 316-1402

Please continue your support of MCDR.

Stirling Phillips, Esq.

MCDR Past President 

 Please click here for instructions:  How Non-Members can receive their participation certificate