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 a year, offering advice, guidance, knowledge sharing, and discussion.

Pilot Program

   Although success can never be guaranteed, this is a new program we strongly want to succeed.  To that end, MCDR recently implemented what turned out to be a highly successful Pilot Program for a 90-day mentoring period comprising 4 pairs.  All the paired professionals were given the opportunity to transition into the more formal time period of 6-12 months, should both desire to do so.  For more information, please click on these two links: Mentoring Program and Mentor Candidate Chart. 

Training Prior to Mentoring

   Mentors and Mentees must participate in a 1-hour training session consisting of a 2-hour joint session and a 1-hour separate 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.

COVID Update

   Training and Mentoring sessions will be held virtually until they can again be held in person.  Until that time, we will be using ZOOM as our platform.  MCDR holds a commercial license allowing professional use of the platform.   During the training session you will be given instruction on using ZOOM. 

   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 Pilot Programs and answers to your questions, please contact Stirling Phillips:

E-mail:  Stirlingmediation7@gmail.com

Telephone: (240) 316-1402