Ground Rules for Mediation

1. We agree to take turns speaking and not interrupt the other person when he/she is talking. We will take notes if we feel a need to speak and will present those ideas when it is our turn to speak.
2. We agree not to demean, belittle, blame, attack or engage in "put downs" of one another. We will try to keep a respectful tone during our discussions.
3. We agree to speak in terms of our own needs and not assume what is in the heart and mind of the other person.
4. We agree to listen respectfully to what the other person says and ask questions to be sure we understand what the other has said.
5. We agree to stay on the issue being discussed and not try to sidetrack into other areas.
6. We agree to try to discuss the present and future in order to resolve issues between us and we will not try to dwell on things that happened in the past.
7. We acknowledge that we have a lot of feelings about the issues under consideration in mediation and we agree to try to discuss those issues in a rational manner.
8. We agree to work hard to reach a fair and reasonable result.