NCJ Number
104863
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Concern that volunteer mediators and arbitrators are amateurs who come from the counterculture is unfounded, based on an analysis of the characteristics of 190 volunteers trained for 4 dispute settlement programs in western New York State.
Abstract
The volunteers had been recruited mainly by word of mouth for the programs. They received training between 1981 and 1984 in arbitration of disputes between consumers and automobile manufacturers or merchants or in resolution of minor criminal or interpersonal matters. Forms that the volunteers completed at the start of their training provided information on age, race, gender, and occupation. The volunteers for the community dispute resolution program were largely white, college-educated female professionals in their thirties. The arbitrators for the automobile and commercial dispute settlement center were also largely white, college-educated professionals. They were in their thirties and forties and were almost equally divided between men and women. Almost half the volunteers for whom previous experience was known had some prior experience in dispute resolution. Organizations that use the recruiting approach of these programs should focus on the quality of training and the experience of the volunteers. Footnote and data tables.