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Become a vital part of the process and volunteer

As residents of the greater Dayton area, we are all in this together. In 1987, the City of Dayton saw a different way for community members to be part of the process to address conflict effectively and make our community better. Today our volunteers receive cutting-edge training in conflict intervention and play an important role in the success of helping people manage conflict positively and constructively.

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The Center conducts more than 1,000 mediations and community impact panels annually with the support of community volunteers. The Center has trained more than 1,500 citizen mediators and panelist from diverse backgrounds and interests. 

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Learn more about what becoming a volunteer looks like by listening to this WYSO story!

We have a variety of volunteer opportunities, including:

 

Mediator: Volunteer Mediators work with community members in conflict to have important conversations so they can make their own decisins about how to address their situation.  Mediators support parties to get clearer, more decisive as well as more open to the other. 

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Community Impact Panelist: Panelists work with youth and their families in a welcoming setting to help them learn and grow, from first-time offenses that have resulted in a ticket or a fine, to situations that result in criminal charges. Panelists bring the wealth of their personal experiences and share their perspectives as representatives of the community.

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Front Desk: Center receptionist/administrative volunteers assist the Center Staff by greeting clients, managing mediation paperwork, and completing a list of administrative duties.

 

​​​​​​To apply for any of these volunteer roles, fill out the application below.

Being a Volunteer

Thank you for considering volunteering for the Mediation Center.  In addition to Volunteer Mediators, our volunteers serve as Community Impact Panelists and Front Desk Volunteers.  All our volunteers give of their time and talent to support our community members. 

 

To learn more about each of these roles, click on the arrow to the right. Then fill out the application below.

 

Have further questions?  please contact us at (937) 333-2345

 

Please note, we are not currently accepting applications for Volunteer Mediators.  We hope to have a training in 2026 and will make that decision by October 2025.

Volunteer Application

Thanks for your interest in being a Center Volunteer!  We could not do the work we do without our dedicated community volunteers.  We have several different ways for community members to volunteer at the Center including community mediator, community panelist, and front desk volunteer.  Please read and fill out the application form below.  Please contact us with any questions.  

Volunteering Options

1. Community Mediator (Not currently accepting applications for this role)

​2. Panelist 

3. Front Desk Support 

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See the above slide for more details about each role.  Additional information about training will be given to you at the return of this application.

Committment

Please answer the following questions

1. Why you are interested in this role? 

2. What skills or experience you have that will help you fill the role? 

3. How did you hear about us?

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The following qualities are critical for any volunteer opportunity put forth by the Dayton Mediation Center.  You do not need to select 5 for all the statements to be selected as a volunteer.  Your answers will help us know what training needs you may have as well as what qualities you bring to this work. 

 

Please rate each question on a scale of 1 to 5 with the following criteria:

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1 - Not at all    2 - A little    3 - Somewhat    4 - Mostly    5 - Yes, definitely

I am optimistic about people and their ability to solve their own problems
I am committed to supporting people in finding safe and constructive alternatives to their conflict situation
I am able to suspend your personal judgments of others when they are in conflict and not at their best
I have had training and/or experience to help me understand my implicit biases around race, class, gender, etc.
I have had training or other education in understanding privilege, structural racism and other types of discrimination
I am comfortable with a limited understanding of a problem or issue
I am able to demonstrate sensitivity while considering the different and unique realities of others
I am comfortable learning new things, applying it in real situations, and recognize that learning is a continuous process which involves critical and reflecting thinking
I possess strong communication skills including listening, verbal, and written skills

Thank you for submitting your application! We will be in touch in 2-3 weeks. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Trisha Werts at trisha.werts@daytonohio.gov or by phone at 333-2332.

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