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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 Misplaced Pages:Mediation (2005) informal mediation proposal). The Mediation Cabal provides unofficial, informal mediation for disputes on Misplaced Pages, and is composed of volunteers who wish to assist people in resolving conflicts.

So, what's this thing all about?

Well, we're glad you asked :-) Whereas the Mediation Committee provides "formal" mediation (officially done as per Misplaced Pages: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 tell us if otherwise) - 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 you have any questions you can also leave a note on the talk page or join us at the #wikipedia-medcab IRC channel on Freenode.

If all you need is a third opinion please consider WP:3O instead.

Making a request for assistance

You will need to be logged in to complete the following procedure: Misplaced Pages:Mediation Cabal/Inputbox

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 looking into 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 cannot edit Misplaced Pages

If you are currently blocked from editing Misplaced Pages, or you are having difficulty in using Misplaced Pages, 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.

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-medcab IRC channel on Freenode.

Cabalists

Below is a list of the cabalists involved in maintaining this wiki page; please note some cabalists don't post here, but will magically rise to the call of mediation simply by having this page on their watchlists. :-)

Note to aspiring cabalists: Simply put this page on your watchlist, and help out with anything that interests you. You can also include Misplaced Pages:Mediation_Cabal/Opentask in your user page. Before you pick your first case you might want to read the Suggestions for mediators. You can use {{user medcab}} to show on your user page that you are willing to help informally mediate.

Coordinators

See Misplaced Pages:Mediation Cabal/Coordination Desk for assistance from the coordinators.

• Cowman109 (talk · contribs)
• Keitei (talk · contribs)
• Kylu (talk · contribs)

Some Current cabalists (mediators)

prefers prior consultation to assignments.

does not currently accept new cases.

does not accept assignments but will volunteer to mediate specific open cases.

Ye Olde Cabalists

• Dan100 Cabalist Emeritus retired
• Inter Cabalist Emeritus open for requests, although may take a little time to answer
• Kelly Martin Cabalist Emerita retired
• Kim Bruning Cabalist Emeritus Status: Busy irl, so answers might take a while.
• Rob Church handled a couple of cases, was met with vitriol in one and decided he couldn't be bothered to deal with any more petty fights over insignificant issues

How do I get a mediator assigned to my case?

By and large mediators volunteer for cases they find interesting. There is no reliable assignment of mediators. You will have to wait until somebody else takes your case or is assigned to your case. If you submit a case and you are willing to mediate just pick another case from the list where the submitter is willing to mediate and write your signature next to the case. Before you pick your first case you might want to read the suggestions for mediators. If others act the same way you will get a mediator for your case. You can also update the table of assignments below to inform others and you can update Misplaced Pages:Mediation_Cabal/Opentask and Template:Medcab-infobox, if necessary.

You can also move closed cases to the archive after a while. Please make sure to explain all changes in the edit summary.

Send for the Cabal! Requests for cabal mediation

Here are the current cases:

Opentasks

This list is included on opentasks. Please update when necessary.

• Misplaced Pages dispute resolution
• Misplaced Pages Mediation Cabal