Volunteering at Michigan Community Dispute Resolution Centers

Historically, the State of Michigan has been a leader in the use of conciliation, mediation, and other forms of voluntary dispute resolution. These are alternatives to the judicial process. Accordingly, Michigan legislature’s created the Community Dispute Resolution Program (CDRP)[1] as one of the most important steps to support ADR. Under the CDRP, the state authorized the creation of not-for-profit Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs).

Currently, sixteen CRDCs exist across Michigan. These CDRCs help resolve community disputes and provide timely and low-cost ADR services to litigants and others. Primarily, the Centers benefit those who may not be able to afford private services.

The Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office of Dispute Resolution partially funds the CDRCs. However, they also rely heavily on the support of hundreds of volunteer mediators and facilitators across the state. The CDRCs provide critical ADR support to all Michigan Courts. This resolves thousands of cases and disputes that would otherwise require time-consuming and expensive trials to be resolved.[2]

Also, the CDRCs provide outstanding opportunities for professional development. Consequently, Michigan lawyers should consider volunteering for the following reasons:

Experience.

Unfortunately, many Michigan lawyers who complete who complete the required mediation training often find it difficult to obtain mediation assignments from their local courts. Commonly, this is due to the lack of experience that newly trained mediators have in mediating actual cases.

Basically, the CDRCs offer excellent opportunities for lawyers seeking to build their mediation resumes. With the volume of cases referred to the CDRCs, the centers are always looking for qualified mediators to handle cases.
Mentoring.

Similar to the practice of law, mentoring is an important part of becoming a skilled mediator. The CDRCs are well-equipped to mentor mediators who volunteer at the Centers. These opportunities may include observing other mediators and co-mediating cases experienced mediators. Additionally, most centers also offer training opportunities for their volunteers.
Pro Bono/Volunteer Obligations.

The Michigan State Bar policy on pro bono legal services strongly encourages Michigan lawyers to contribute a minimum of 30 hours of no fee or reduced fee legal services to needy members of their communities.[1] The CDRCs offer Michigan lawyers with many opportunities to fulfill their pro bono obligations, by serving as volunteer mediators or facilitators for the Centers, by working as members of their Centers’ Boards of Directors, or even by making financial donations to the Centers as qualified not-for-profit service providers.
Exposure to Courts.

Courts in each of the Centers’ geographic territories refer the majority of the cases mediated through the CDRC. Volunteering as a mediator at your local CDRC is a terrific way to be recognized as a skilled and effective mediator by your local courts.
Skills Development.

Finally, volunteers at CDRCs can gain skills such as active listening, negotiation, and problem-solving. These skills benefit them in their personal lives. In addition, they enhance their law practices, making them valuable assets for use with clients and in their firms. Volunteers become adept at fostering positive relationships, promoting collaboration, and finding beneficial solutions to cases and other disputes. These are the same situations and cases their clients are involved, thus enhancing their overall effectiveness and success as lawyers.

Want to Learn More About Becoming A Volunteer Mediator?

To learn more about mediation, and ADR services offered by the CDRCs, check out the videos at https://www.courts.michigan.gov/administration/offices/office-of-dispute-resolution/ODR_videos/.

Conflict Resolution Services may even help you cover the cost of the mediator training. You can learn more volunteering and training with CRS here.

Get involved with a CDRC

Volunteering at your local CDRC is quick and easy. The Michigan Community Mediation Association website (https://www.michiganmediates.org/mediation-centers/) offers a wealth of information.

If you are interested, give your local Center a call or send an email. Your Center is ready to answer any questions you have about volunteering, and ready to make you a part of its team!

If you are local to the Traverse City area, click here to contact Conflict Resolution Services.

[1] Community Dispute Resolution Act, MCL Section 691.1551, et. seq.

[2] See, for example, the 2023 Annual Report of the Community Dispute Resolution Program, available at https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49c1a9/siteassets/reports/odr/2023_cdrp_annual_report.pdf.

[3] See the State Bar of Michigan Voluntary Pro Bono Standard, available at https://www.michbar.org/programs/atj/voluntarystds.