The negotiation team for each of the parties usually consists of three to five persons. One member of each team serves as captain or chairperson that is, leader of the team and chief spokesperson. Each team is understood to be authorized to represent the interests and concerns of its constituency, parent body or other involved group, and to be empowered to seek a negotiated settlement of outstanding problems. In some cases a team has final power to commit the body it represents to an agreement. Only those individuals who are able and willing to make a commitment to participate in every mediation session should consent to serve on a negotiating team.
Continuity is vital.
Full attendance of all team members is essential not only to reach a good agreement but to make sure that it is carried out as effectively as possible. The only acceptable excuses for absence would be illness or serious personal emergency. To hedge against these possibilities a team may wish to have one or two alternate members. If so, these individuals must attend all mediation sessions. Each team should prepare thoroughly for the mediation process, developing their proposals for resolution of issues and problems, and planning for effective presentation of their proposals to the other team or teams.