NCJ Number
95277
Date Published
1984
Length
84 pages
Annotation
The New England Environmental Mediation Center, which provides neutral third-party nonadjudicatory intervention in conflicts involving environmental development, is evaluated for the period between July 1, 1980, and July 1, 1983.
Abstract
Four interrelated areas of the Center's institutional organization are examined: structure (the basic organizational architecture of the Center); operations (managerial functions); services (all activities entailed in the provision of services to clients); and the mediators' professional interaction with clients. The Center's 'mediation services' comprise several types of activities: educational services, general dispute resolution services, and formal mediation. Results of a structured mail survey of 81 past clients of the of a structured mail survey of 81 past clients of the Center reveal that the clients were satisfied with the Center's performance because they saved money, effort, and time. Other clients said they had been impressed with the Center's success in getting parties to sit down together. Nearly all clients said they would recommend the Center's services to others. Four types of impacts of the Center are discussed: intended/direct, unintended/direct, intended/indirect, and unintended/indirect. The Center's marketing strategy emphasizes the development and employment of a network of professionals in the environmental dispute management system. Outreach, inquiry, and postcase followup strategies are discussed. Appendixes contain a list of projects, an evaluation survey form, and a discussion of the study's methodological approach. One table is included.