About RECOURSE Volunteers

“Volunteering with RECOURSE is one of the most satisfying things in my life. I know that I have made a real difference in people’s lives and that I’m contributing to something larger than myself”.

- Volunteer mediator since 2003, Santa Rosa

All mediation and facilitation services provided by RECOURSE are possible only because of our highly skilled volunteer mediators. Our mediators come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of Sonoma County.

RECOURSE volunteers must have at minimum 32 hours of mediation training, but most have many more hours of training in addition to the professional and life skills they bring to their work as mediators.

Our mediators are neutral facilitators, providing the support and skills required for people in conflict to communicate effectively and come up with mutually satisfying resolutions. RECOURSE mediators do not give advice, make recommendations or decisions. Rather, they empower parties to control the outcome themselves by helping them to see the needs and concerns that underlie and drive the dispute. By surfacing these interests people can find new ways to come to agreement that they may not have found on their own.