Community Boards

Community Boards operates the longest running nonprofit conflict resolution center in the United States. We have an excellent reputation for supplying high quality programs in the community since 1976. 

We offer a range of affordable conflict resolution programs and services to residents, businesses, schools and communities throughout San Francisco. Our mediation services are offered in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and English through our corps of 450+ highly skilled volunteer Community Mediators.

In 2016, Community Boards was in the first group to be designated a Legacy Business in San Francisco as recognition for our 40+ years of public service.

We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization registered as Community Board Program, Inc. (EIN: 94-2382967)

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower communities and individuals with the strength, skills, and resources needed to express and resolve conflicts peacefully and appropriately for their culture and environment.

To accomplish our mission, we provide and promote peaceful, collaborative conflict resolution. We serve diverse communities and offer mediation, conflict coaching, facilitation, training, referrals and restorative justice services. We strive to build more peaceful, respectful, healthy, and equitable communities.

Our Values

Confidentiality

Community Boards holds all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence, and does not disclose confidential communications unless given permission to do so. The only exception to this privilege of confidentiality is where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm.

Impartiality

Community Boards’ mediators are impartial. Community Boards and our mediators do not engage in any situation which could create a conflict of interest, and maintain no personal stake in the outcome of any dispute. Community Boards promotes a fair process and does not advocate for individuals. We advocate for the processs.

Informality

The use of the Community Boards is voluntary. The focus is on alternative methods to resolving problems other than formal institutional procedures. Community Boards does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure related to concerns brought to our attention, and has no decision-making authority and maintains no official records.

Independence

Community Boards is independent in structure, function and appearance to the highest degree possible within the organizations we work with.

We are guided by the following commitments:

• To provide accessible, fair and inclusive problem solving and conflict resolution services
• To respect the many forms of communication and problem solving utilized by and appropriate to diverse people and communities
• To maintain an organizational orientation to self-assessment, ongoing learning and internal practices consistent with our purposes and values
• To enhance people’s capacities as involved, aware and effective residents of their communities.