Good Faith Participation
When you agree to mediation, you are agreeing to participate in good faith. This means being open, honest, and respectful while working toward a solution. Mediation is an alternative to eviction court, so we expect all participants to try mediation first before pursuing legal action.
Mediation IS NOT rental assistance
How to participate in good faith:
Be willing to engage – Come to mediation ready to talk and find solutions.
Be honest and transparent – Share relevant information and communicate truthfully.
Be respectful – Treat everyone with courtesy, avoiding personal attacks or rude language.
Listen actively – Pay attention to the other person’s concerns and show understanding.
Be open to compromise – Consider different options and be flexible in finding an agreement.
Follow the mediation process – Stick to the agreed rules, including timelines and confidentiality.
Focus on solutions – Work toward resolving the issue instead of dwelling on past problems.
Contribute constructively – Bring helpful ideas and suggestions to the discussion.
Mediation works best when everyone is committed to a fair and respectful process. By participating in good faith, you help create a space where meaningful agreements can be reached.
Virtual Etiquette and Expectations
To ensure productive and professional mediation sessions, please follow these guidelines:
DO:
-
Be on time. Log in at the scheduled time and stay until the mediation ends.
-
Stay focused. Give your full attention as you would in an in-person mediation.
-
Minimize distractions.
-
Put your phone away.
-
Turn off the TV or music.
-
Mute notifications.
-
-
Mute yourself when not speaking to reduce background noise.
-
Keep your camera on.
-
Be in a quiet, well-lit space to help everyone stay engaged.
-
Come prepared with any documents you may need.
AVOID:
-
Multitasking. It’s disrespectful and may cause you to miss important details.
-
Interrupting. Let others finish speaking before responding.
-
Eating during the mediation. It can be distracting.
-
Tech issues. Check your internet, microphone, and camera before the mediation.
-
Using mediation solely to obtain rental assistance rather than engaging in good faith discussions.
-
Leaving suddenly. If an emergency occurs during the session, inform the mediator before leaving.
-
Negative body language. Even in a virtual setting, posture and facial expressions matter.
By following these expectations, we can maintain a respectful and effective mediation environment.