Mediators work to develop amicable communication among the parties involved in the disputes through the mediation process and work to facilitate satisfactory resolution of these disputes. The City of Palo Alto recruits, appoints, and trains up to 25 community volunteers, who live or are employed in the City of Palo Alto or Stanford and who represent a balanced cross-section of the community in order to offer this free mediation service. A member may apply for re-appointment at the end of the initial or any subsequent term. Volunteer members meet on a monthly basis on the third Thursday of each month. Everyone has a chance to explain, to be heard, and to listen during mediation.
Mediators encourage talking and listening, to see if an agreement is possible.
They do not offer solutions. Mediators can help prepare simple, non-legally binding written agreements. This often helps everyone better know and remember terms of the agreement. Mediation empowers the parties to create an agreement that they all can live with. Mediation offers an attractive alternative to doing nothing or going to court.