Press Contacts:

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (November 17, 2020) – MC3, the Gold Standard for Mediator Certification, and the Virginia Mediation Network (VMN) have entered into an agreement whereby MC3 and the VMN have agreed to work cooperatively in support of the MC3 Certification Standards. The agreement further establishes the VMN as an Allied Organization of MC3, encouraging VMN members to apply for MC3 Mediator Certification, a benchmark for mediator training, education, practical experience and continuing professional activity and development. Mediators in California, Oregon, Utah and Virginia have qualified to be MC3-Certified Mediators in the eleven months since MC3 first launched.

The agreement, announced jointly by Dr. Jack R. Goetz, President of MC3 and by Dr. Pam Struss, President of VMN, was shared as a statement of mutual support. MC3 and VMN will reciprocally link their respective websites. Additionally, MC3 has agreed to rebate a portion of the cost of initial certification to VMN members. Finally, as an Allied Organization of MC3, VMN recently invited MC3 principals to present and discuss mediation, professional standards, ethics and other topics related to the practice of mediation at the annual VMN Fall Conference, which took place in late September. The agreement also designates VMN as an Education Provider to offer virtual webinars that meet CME/CLE requirements.

“MC3’s ability to act as a neutral in certifying mediators on standards and values held universally in our field made a difference for us,” said Pam Struss, in support of the newly announced agreement. “The other certifications we researched primarily ensued from the completion of education offered by the certifying organization, whereas MC3’s own bylaws prevent them from offering educational programs. From education and training to practical mediation experience, to continuing professional development, the MC3 Certification is a model that we believe can benefit our Virginia mediation community as well as our field as a whole.”

Jack R. Goetz, MC3 President, added, “MC3 is an effort to more firmly establish mediation as a profession; A profession guided by rigorous professional and ethical standards and committed to upholding those standards for all of the work we do and the communities we serve. We are very appreciative that VMN has agreed to support that standard and look forward to welcoming qualified VMN members to our expanding directory of MC3-Certified Mediators.”

About MC3
MC3 is nonprofit organized to ensure user and public confidence in the mediation process by setting standards for mediator training, education, and ethics and by maintaining those standards through its certification program. MC3 has set a higher standard of review than other credentialing agencies in mediator education including an ongoing requirement for continuing education as well as a requirement that MC3-Certified Mediators have a basic understanding and familiarity with legal/litigation terminology and California courtroom procedures as well as understanding of the ethics that guide mediation practice and policy. All MC3-Certified Mediators complete employment background checks and have agreed to a Quality Assurance program that provides disputants with an opportunity to address any ethical concerns that may have arisen during the course of a mediation. To learn more about MC3, visit the MC3 website at: www.mc3certified.org.

About VMN
The Virginia Mediation Network (VMN) is a multicultural organization whose mission is to promote public understanding of conflict resolution services and provide its members with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills and a community to enhance their professional success. The VMN envisions a Commonwealth where people choose peaceful ways to resolve conflict assisted by conflict resolution professionals who practice strong ethical values and deliver the highest quality services. To learn more about the VMN, visit the VMN website at: www.vamediation.org