6. How to Schedule, Setup and Attend a Virtual Mediation Session (BONUS)

Sydney Mitchell:

Hi. My name is Sydney Mitchell.

Matthew Brickman:

Hi, I’m Matthew Brickman, Florida Supreme court mediator. Welcome to the Mediate This! Podcast where we discuss everything mediation and conflict resolution.

Matthew Brickman:
Today’s bonus podcast episode. I’m going to discuss with you how to schedule and set up your virtual mediation. My co-host Sidney will join us again next week. So be sure not to miss a single episode. So if you’re pro se and scheduling your own mediation, you can first either call me at (561) 262-9121 or toll free at (877) 822-1479. Or you can go to my website and schedule your own mediation 24 hours a day. So how do you schedule your mediation yourself? Okay, so first go to www.imediateinc.com. And then from the homepage there, click on the calendar link at the top of the page. This is going to take you to my live calendar, which is going to show you my availability. If you see a day that is blank on the calendar we’ll then that day is open anytime for you to schedule.

Matthew Brickman:
If you see the word unavailable well, then that means exactly what it says. It means that I’m not available that day. If you see the word mediation, click on that word and a box will pop up the box will then tell you what time an existing mediation is scheduled from and to. So if you want to schedule your mediation either before or after well, then you’re going to know what time I will be available. Okay. So now that you have found a day at a time that works for you, if you want to see my pricing, we’ll go back to the top of the calendar page and click on Number 2 to check our pricing structure for mediation. Now pricing structure is going to be in blue, which means it’s a hyperlink. So you can click on those words and it will then take you to the pricing page.

Matthew Brickman:
If you are now on the pricing page and ready to schedule. Well, there’s no need to go back to the calendar page because on the left hand side of the pricing page is the same Number 3 that was on the calendar page, which is navigate to the mediation scheduler. Again, you’re going to see the words mediation scheduler are in blue. So that means that you can click on that. And that’s going to take you to the schedule or selection page. Now you’re on the schedule or selection page, and you’re going to see two boxes. You now have a choice depending on who you are. If you’re a law firm that wants to schedule within, you’re going to click on the box on the left that says, use this form if you’re not a law firm. So if there’s no attorneys involved means you’re pro se, which means representing yourself.

Matthew Brickman:
Well, then you’re going to click on the box on the right that says, use this form. So once you fill out the form, then I’m going to receive your request. And then I will put your mediation on the calendar. I will then email every party, a letter that confirms me as the chosen mediator confirms the date and time confirms the minimum hourly cost for the mediation. And it will outline what documents you will need for your mediation. So for a detailed overview of the documents that you’re going to need for mediation, be sure to listen to the episode where Sidney and I discuss how you as the party can prepare for your own mediation in this very same email, though, I’m also going to have instructions for joining your virtual mediation conference. There’s going to be a link that you can click that will be active on the day of mediation, as well as a password to enter so fast forward.

Matthew Brickman:
Now it’s your day of mediation. The mediation platform will be open approximately 30 minutes prior to your scheduled mediation. So if you happen to have any issues with your microphone or your speakers, or if you have slow internet, you will have plenty of time to sort out these issues before we actually get started at your chosen time. So I’ve had a lot of people tell me that logging into the iChat Mediation platform is just not as simple as, and it’s not as easy as logging into zoom or Skype. They asked why they have to type their first and their last name as well as enter a weird password. And then their email address just to log in. Well, the answer is always the same and it’s very simple platforms like zoom and Skype, our social media platforms. They were never built or meant to be used for business.

Matthew Brickman:
And they’ve got a lot of issues, mainly security and stability. iChat Mediation was built back in 2009 by Cisco communications, which is one of the largest communication companies in the world. Most fortune 500 companies and government agencies utilize Cisco’s platform. The reason why you will be asked to put in the requested information is not to be difficult or create a hassle, but to ensure a safe and secure environment because we are conducting legal business. Okay so now that you have logged into the platform, you’re going to need to connect your audio and your video, you will be asked to connect either using your computer or your phone. The best connection is using your computer so that you don’t have to hold your phone mediation or use your headphones, which may go dead after being on for a couple of hours. And you don’t have to worry about your phone battery, possibly draining either.

Matthew Brickman:
So connecting through your computer will simply activate your phone, your tablet, or your computers, speakers, and microphones. And now you’ll be ready to go. Now, did you hear me say that you could use your phone, your tablet or your computer? Absolutely. You can join using your phone tablet or computer. Just make sure that if you are going to use a phone or tablet, have your power cord there so that you don’t drain the battery and then disconnected, when we’re almost ready to finish up, I’ve had that happen before. So once you get connected with your speaker and your microphone, now you’re ready to connect your video. And so you’re going to select a little green camera icon, and that will turn your video on. So congratulations, you are now sitting securely and safely and your very own customized virtual mediation session. You were ready to be empowered as you negotiate and create a new tomorrow for you and your family.

Matthew Brickman:
If you choose to create an agreement at the conclusion of our mediation, I will have a final draft ready to be uploaded so that you can electronically sign your document. There will be no need to print the document, take pen to paper, scan it, email it back and forth. None of that we’re high tech, everything is done safely and securely online from the comfort, convenience, and safety of your own home office hotel, or even your favorite vacation spot. And yes, I have had people get divorced from their Lake house over a holiday weekend. I have had people who have had car issues and they actually mediated virtually from the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck. Then they sat in the tow truck and continued to mediate all the way to the car dealership. And then while they were waiting for their rental car, they continued to mediate. We finished, they were able to electronically sign their document and never even had to show up thanks to the I chat mediation virtual platform. So I hope this podcast explained how to schedule your mediation and how to attend your very own virtual mediation. And I hope that it’s been very helpful for you,

Matthew Brickman:
Occasionally Sydney, and I will be releasing Q&A bonus episodes where we will answer your questions and give you a personal shout out.

Sydney Mitchell:
If you have a comment or question regarding anything that we discuss, email us at info@ichatmediation.com that’s info@ichatmediation.com and stay tuned to hear your shout out and have your question answered here on the show.