Giving each person/group a voice is important. I would allow each ‘side’ to speak for a few minutes and invite all others to listen in silence without interruption, that way the group feels heard and the others will hopefully digest what’s been said and then speak, having had time to think properly. It’s about space, time and creating the right environment

Community disputes are tricky - setting the tone is key! Get it wrong and you may never recover. Who speaks first? How to maintain cool heads in the smouldering tension? How to dial down inflammatory rhetoric? Should bristling parties be in the same room? Effective planning is essential - map it out. The advocacy starts with the initial inquiry and so communicate your standards at the outset to eliminate prejudice and bias. Encourage the tone you expect in correspondence and position statements that allows parties to be heard, but not to drown out. Spot the different personalities and level up the playing field - the bullies and the meek must equally get a fair chance. The parties take their permission from you, so be ready and be strong.

I would begin by meeting the factions separately to begin with in order to understand their respective positions and why the conflict arose. I would set out my expectations for the conduct of the mediation. The fact that each has been heard in the initial sessions does not mean that they will feel heard during a joint session if there is hostility and or interruption, having brought them together in a joint meeting I would, if necessary, remind them of the ground rules that each should be given an opportunity to speak without interruption and then encourage dialogue.

I would first meet with each party separately to understand their positions/what's truly important, identify key (and rationale) decisionmakers, and assess their degree of emotion. Given this is a "community" faction, I would have a strong concern that emotion and lack of experience of certain members in such forums would prove detrimental to a solution in an open environment. In effect, some can't "listen" and would inject emotion effectively distracting the rationale players from being solution focused. Next, determine an effective way for the parties to communicate their interests (small group meeting; shuttle diplomacy; etc.). Then, focus on commonality, narrow issues, and work towards win/win compromise.

It is important to acknowledge the toll that any dispute has on a party and that the mediation process, whilst ultimately less stressful than trial, can be an arduous and lengthy process involving with mental and physical stresses. Keeping a mindful eye on the parties and being prepared to actively suggest a breather, a walk or other form of being stepping away to relax can assist a tense party returning to the table feeling refreshed and in a better frame of mind to consider proposals.

To mediate effectively, first step into the role of a trusted, impartial guide. Listen closely, not just to what’s said, but to what’s unsaid—the subtle tensions, the unspoken fears. Empathy is your greatest tool here. Gently ask questions that unravel the heart of the conflict, encouraging each side to understand the other's perspective. As you navigate their grievances, steer them toward common ground, a place where shared goals can unite them. Offer solutions that are neither grand nor perfect, but practical and fair, ensuring every voice feels heard. With respect at the core, you can transform discord into something resembling unity.