User:Aluvus/sandbox
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[[Category:Wikipedia dispute resolution|{{PAGENAME}}]]
| This page will never be Wikipedia policy. It is, by design, entirely informal.
The Mediation Cabal is a real initiative, set up to provide informal mediation for disputes on Wikipedia. The Mediation Cabal has a somewhat odd form of organisation, and a quirky way of dealing with things. But problems are much easier to solve when you can laugh about them. :-) The "Cabalists" of the Mediation Cabal actually do wish to help you and this page is meant to be informational, as well as somewhat funny and (hopefully) reassuring. |
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| Status board edit status board / history |
| Case backlog: Light / Est. response time: 1-7 days
Most cases will be dealt with eventually, but you should expect some delay. Those requiring mediation are asked to keep their requests succinct and concise, and to only post cases where mediation is a viable option. Please note that the Mediation Cabal cannot deal with disciplinary issues. |
We are the Mediation Cabal, or maybe we're not, you never know, perhaps there is no such thing. You never know with cabals now, do you? (Well, actually, chances are that we do exist; The Mediation Cabal is intended to be the alpha implementation of the Wikipedia:Mediation (2005) informal mediation proposal). The Mediation Cabal provides unofficial, informal mediation for disputes on Wikipedia, and is composed of volunteers who wish to assist people in resolving conflicts.
[edit] So, what's this thing all about?
Well, we're glad you asked :-) Whereas the Mediation Committee provides "formal" mediation (officially done as per Wikipedia:Mediation), and the Arbitration Committee produces official resolutions and sanctions, we aren't at all official and are just normal Wikipedians. The job of the Mediation Cabal is basically to provide a friendly hand in resolving disputes without taking it through a formal channel.
Because we are unofficial, we don't impose sanctions on anyone or judge anyone's actions; we are just here to help people cool down, provide a third-person view on the matter, be nice to people and advise on how best to bring the problem to an end. And since we don't order anyone to do anything, there is nothing to lose by bringing an argument to us, and everything to gain. We're nice and laid back (otherwise please complain) - no one has to argue their case or prove anything to us.
Whereas the Mediation Committee and the Arbitration Committee "accept" or "reject" requests, we will help anyone who would like us to, so we can nip arguments in the bud before they get to a point where official intervention is necessary (unless the matter has got to the point where we can't deal with it, when we will pass it through the appropriate channels).
Basically, if you (or someone else) is engaged in a bit of a conflict with someone, things are starting to get heated (but not yet a complete nuclear meltdown), or anything else which you think a gentle hand might help with - follow the instructions below to place a request, and a friendly cabalist will be sent to your rescue.
If all you need is a third opinion please consider WP:3O instead.
[edit] Making a request for assistance
Follow the three steps below:
| Step | What to do |
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| 1. Make a link under "Send for the Cabal! Requests for cabal mediation" |
Copy the following:
click here, and paste this text at the bottom of the list. Change "casename" to a descriptive name for the case - for example, if the matter was regarding the article on United States of America, you might use {{subst:medcab1|United States of America}}. Click the "Save" button. |
| 2. Make the request page | Copy the following:
and follow the new link that you've just created (it will be red, and be named the title you gave in the last step). You should get an edit screen. Paste this text into the edit window and click Save. |
| 3. Fill out the request | Fill out the questions by editing the newly-created request page, so that we can help you with your problem. This isn't a writing contest and book submissions are not necessary! :-) You can also write other things that aren't on the template if you like; however, please try to keep your request as concise as possible since, alas, we don't really have time to read huge essays. Click Save Page when you are finished. |
One of our fine cabalists will contact you via the method that you specified in order to find out more information about the dispute and agree with you what to do about it. Please note that we all have day jobs, and consequently it might take a little time before we get around to speaking to you :-) The cabalist assigned to your request will contact the other parties involved and mediate as appropriate and according to what you requested, working with all people concerned in order to resolve the dispute.
If you are not satisfied with the estimated response time given by our status board there is a quick way to get a mediator if you answered "Yes" to the question whether you are willing to mediate yourself: You can look for another case where the submitter is willing to mediate and assign the other mediator to your case and pick his or her case yourself. Please read the Suggestions for mediators before picking a mediation case.
[edit] If you cannot edit Wikipedia
If you are currently blocked from editing Wikipedia, or you are having difficulty in using Wikipedia, you are equally welcome to request our help in resolving a dispute you're involved in. Just use one of the methods listed below under "Private contact methods" and the cabal member who processes your request will create the mediation page here on your behalf. If you are using a different method to request mediation, please answer the following questions in your communication:
- Where is the issue taking place?
- Who's involved?
- What's going on?
- What would you like to change about that?
- How can we contact you?
We will respond to your request via your indicated contact method, copying our responses to the mediation page here unless you have asked us not to.
[edit] Private contact methods
If you would prefer to communicate with someone from the Mediation Cabal in private for any reason, you can contact us via the following methods:
- By the "e-mail this user" link in the "toolbox" sidebar to the right of a cabalist's userpage. If this link does not exist, the person does not have an e-mail address set for their account.
- Find us on the #wikipedia IRC channel on Freenode.
snipped to save my sanity :)
