Watch our series of PSA videos below:

Come to the Table PSA - Uneasy Feeling at Work

Find out what it means to Jesse Sostrin
to “Come to the Table.”

Become an Ambassador
Want to connect with other resolutionary people? Join our social network “The Embassy” and become a Creative Mediation Ambassador. Ambassadors are everyday people who believe in promoting win-win resolutions to life’s toughest challenges. Ambassadors help to enhance our community’s quality of life by spreading the word about the programs and services Creative Mediation offers.

Is Mediation Right for You?
Take this short quiz and find out.

If you answer yes to the following questions,
then mediation can help you resolve your dispute:

1. Mediation is only successful when both relevant parties attempt to resolve their issue(s). Do you have a conflict that involves one or more other parties?

2. Both parties must be dually informed about the mediation process. Do you have contact information for the other parties?

3. All mediation sessions are voluntary. Are you voluntarily willing to participate in mediation?

4. The atmosphere in meetings is informal and topics for discussion can be varied. This allows people to get 'things off their chests' and move beyond narrow polarized positions in a face-saving way. It can result in creative and flexible solutions. Is an informal meeting process right for your needs?

5. Mediation is often cheaper than Court appearances. Disputes can be resolved in less time. Do you want to resolve your issue quickly?

6. The mediation process gives you control over resolving your dispute and a sense of 'ownership' in the outcome. Are you prepared to play a role in resolving your own issue?

7. The greatest level of resource investment is 'upfront'. You need time to prepare and go to meetings. You need to be ready and willing to understand the other person's point of view. Are you prepared to approach the mediation with a fair and open mind?

Come to the Table News and Events

Come to the Table Week
Join us as we celebrate the official launch of the “Come to the Table” campaign. Throughout the week of May 11th – 15th 2009 Creative Mediation will host a series of community events that are free and open to the public. Check out the schedule of events below:

*Host your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors for dinner. Stop by Creative Mediation between noon – 5:00 p.m. on the 12th to grab a few complimentary bottles of wine and a few “Come to the Table” flyers. At dinner, just take a few minutes to tell your guests about the campaign and how they too can be resolutionary. Don’t feel like cooking? Instead, treat the family to California Pizza Kitchen and present our fundraising flyer before you order. 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to Creative Mediation. Download the flyer here.

What happens at the table?

Once you agree to “Come to the Table,” Creative Mediation will help you take four resolutionary steps:

1. Clarify the situation and get all perspectives out in the open;
2. Identify and explore the core issues and potential next steps;
3. Generate options that will work for everyone; and
4. Commit to a resolution and make a plan to follow through.

Let Creative Mediation help you find a better way to talk about what matters most

Where is the Table Now?

You may have noticed a peculiar, round, claw-footed, oak table around town. This is “the table” featured in our new public awareness campaign. More than just an article of furniture consisting of a flat, slab-like top supported on one or more legs or other supports – this table is a symbol of hope for finding a way through conflict. Since 1992, Creative Mediation has helped more than 20,000 SLO County community members come to the table to talk about what matters most to them. Check out this map to see where the table has been and where it is right now.

- 5/11/2009: San Luis Obispo City Hall -

- 5/11/2009 San Luis Obispo Superior Courthouse Plaza -

Right now, the Table is resting comfortably at 285 South Street, Suite P in San Luis Obispo. -

Request “The Table” at your Event
Send an email to Creative Mediation ( ) and have the table brought to your school, business or community for information, training and cupcakes!

Stories from the Table

Frank, Judy and their adult son, Jonathon, had a major argument and an explosive, hurtful exchange of accusations led to a rift in the family. There were no visits with grandkids, no communication for over four months and no Sunday family dinners. What made matters more complicated, was the fact that other family members were pulled in and taking sides.

With the family growing farther and farther apart, a friend of Judy’s suggested that the family call Creative Mediation and “come to the table.” During the initial conflict coaching, family members expressed their deep hurt and concern and suggested that maybe things were too raw and people were too vulnerable to have a meeting. Through several telephone conversations, the Conflict Resolution Specialist helped each family member to feel safe with the process and empowered them to talk about their concerns openly.

Like many meetings that begin with confrontational behavior, this meeting ended with a warm embrace and apologies by all that things had gotten this bad. The mediator helped them to get to the heart of the matter and resolve the rift that led to their separation. Three hours later, these once distraught family members were together, enjoying a meal and the company of all their children and grandchildren.

About the Campaign

Beginning in May 2009, Creative Mediation launched a 12-month public awareness campaign entitled “Come to the Table.” The “Come to the Table” campaign represents the culmination of years of grass-roots marketing efforts. The messages promoted through the campaign reflect the elemental, difficult conversations that happen every day in homes, schools and workplaces throughout the communities of San Luis Obispo County. The mixed medium effort includes television and radio PSAs, as well as interactive web and email activities.

The goals of the campaign are to:

• 

  Provide mediation and conflict coaching to more people;

• Recruit Ambassadors who will help spread the word about Creative Mediation’s programs and services;

• Develop supporters of Creative Mediation who will contribute through volunteer service and donations.

The campaign is the brainchild of Jesse Sostrin. Todd Peterson provides the Creative Direction and Jessica Dell and Jaclyn Sick are the campaign coordinators. The handsome character featured in the PSAs is Christian Henderson. Christian is the Director at the Son Care Foundation, Inc. He is also a member of the Board of Directors at Creative Mediation.