A trainer may be invited to give a lecture on a given topic, give awareness about mediation to a chosen audience, address the referral judges, be part of forty hours’ training program in mediation, refresher course, advanced course etc. as a faculty. Each role is different. The preparation required to effectively perform each role is different. In each of the aforesaid programs, the role assigned to an individual trainer may be different. Trainer should not adapt the method adapted in one area of training to the other unless its adaptability is tested and found suitable and useful.
A trainer may be asked to facilitate a discussion or do pre-briefing or de-briefing, or participate in a role play as a party, or may be requested to observe the trainees while they are doing role plays and correct them, note down the mistakes committed by them etc. There are several roles a trainer may have to play. It is ideal to note down each of these, and make a list of dos and don’ts in each of the categories and have neat plan/s chalked out for every situation. Trainer’s kit must have multiple plans for each situation.
Awareness Program
When a trainer is invited to give awareness on mediation the following are to be considered:
- UNDERSTANDING THE BACKGROUND OF THE AUDIENCE:
- Who are the audience?
- What do they know about Mediation?
- What do they not know?
- CONTENT PREPARATION
- What do I want them to understand?
- What do I give them?
- How do I make them understand the importance of Mediation?
- How do I make them embrace Mediation as an effective ADR?
- (Most important question) How will they get benefited by my presentation?
- PRESENTATION:
- How do I begin?
- How do I conclude?
- How do I tell the essence of mediation in the available time?
- What story am I going to tell (in how many minutes)?
- Do I have a personal story to share with them?
- What examples am I going to give them?
- Framing questions: What questions do I pose which should also be the questions of many in the audience?
- What answers am I going to give them?
- What is that one strong strategic question which would make them move towards Mediation?
- CONNECTING TO THE AUDIENCE:
- Move from known to the unknown.
- Use the language known to them.
- Use stories/ examples/case histories.
At the end of each of these highlight the core message which should strike the audience.
Strengthening Factors
I. Statistics
II. Logic
III. Emotion
IV. Ethics – credibility
Components of an Awareness Program
- Introduction
- Illustration
- Inspiration
Introduce, Illustrate, Inspire and you are sure to ROCK!!!
(All Copy rights are reserved by the author S.Susheela)
Training of Trainers in Mediation 
Wonderful article once again.i just think somtimes there is a curriculam for awareness programme which is differently used by different trainers.By your guidline it would definately improve understanding of both…trainer’s and audience.
LikeLike
It’s a very good Article which provides abundant information to the Reader about the preparation necessary for a Trainer in Mediation Training Programme and other such related Programmes. I convey my million Thanks to the Author who is a celebrity and an Authority and who is my Guide in the field of Mediation.
LikeLike
Brilliant ideas once again Susheela ma’am ….lot of inputs about who is the target group & whether they have any knowledge about the ADR .. if so to evaluate about where they are & what further contents need to be in the curriculum to enhance their skills.
Your inputs are certainly very essential to prepare the contents along with appropriate illustrations, roleplay, stories to connect the main content. Ultimately, the outcome should not only be beneficial to the trainees, but on the track which trainer intends to move on .
LikeLike
As usual ! You ROCK ma’am !
LikeLike
Understanding our audience, making good preparation, & systematic presentation is most imp for a Trainer. So much to know & learn. Thank you for these important tips.
LikeLike