Who is CRCMC? The Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County (CRCMC) is a non-profit organization, serving residents of Montgomery County. Our mission is to help Montgomery County residents manage conflict in a constructive way.
What does CRCMC do? We offer mediation, facilitation, community conferencing, dialogue circles, and training to residents of Montgomery County.
What are the advantages of using mediation? Trained mediators help facilitate an otherwise difficult conversation. They help people define what their issues are, brainstorm options and write up the participant’s agreements. Reaching agreement is voluntary and carrying out the agreement is voluntary, but decisions reached by agreement during mediation last longer than those imposed by a judge or other third party.
Where do you hold your mediation sessions? We try to schedule the mediation sessions as close to the people involved in the dispute as we can. This includes all 5 Regional Service Centers, community centers, recreation centers, and places of worship throughout Montgomery County.
How long does a mediation session take? We usually allow 2 hours because that has proven to be an adequate time for most mediations we do. Additional sessions can be scheduled if necessary.
What are some typical mediation cases and results? See sample cases on the mediation, facilitation, and community conferencing pages.
What percentage of the mediation sessions that you hold end up with an agreement? On average 65-70%.
What does a mediation session cost? CRCMC provides its mediation sessions free of charge to the parties, regardless of the number of sessions held.
Besides mediation, what other services does CRCMC provide? We offer trained facilitators for Community Conferencing: a diversion program for youth who have caused harm to an individual or individuals. We offer large group facilitation for community meetings and neighborhood problem solving. We also provide training to other nonprofits, community groups, and government agencies on topics related to conflict management.
What is community conferencing (CC)? It is a program offered to youth who have done harm and for all of those who have been affected by the harm. It is a facilitated conversation that asks: What happened? How were you affected? And what is each person willing to do to make it better? Referrals can come from schools, the police, or the Department of Juvenile Services. There is no charge for community conferences.
What is group or community facilitation? CRCMC provides trained professional volunteers to facilitate contentious meetings. The facilitators do not take sides, give advice or make judgments; their purpose is to make sure that all voices in the room are heard and that the group has a productive meeting. CRCMC has facilitated sector plan revisions, zoning changes, expansion of parking lots, safety issues, noise issues, etc.
What type of training do you provide? CRCMC provides basic training in conflict prevention and conflict management to community groups, other nonprofits, and government agencies.
What does it cost? Mediations and community conferences are free. CRCMC asks for donations for facilitations and training sessions that are an hour or more in length. We request $100 per hour, but no organization will be turned away for inability to pay.
Where do you get your funding? We are funded by grants and donations.
Is your work confidential? All activities are confidential unless otherwise directed by certain government agencies or courts or otherwise agreed by the participants.
How many volunteers do you have? We currently have a roster of over 100 trained volunteers.
How do I get started? Call us at 301-942-7700. Tell us what is going on and let us suggest which process makes the most sense to help you manage, resolve your conflict or prevent it from even starting!