Attorney General Philip T. McLaughlin announced today that his office is accepting applications for volunteers to work as Consumer Affairs Specialists in the Consumer Protection Bureau's Mediation Program. The next training for new volunteers is scheduled for the weeks of October 21st and 28th, 2002.

According to McLaughlin, the Consumer Mediation Program was begun by the Attorney General's Office in 1992 in an effort to help resolve the thousands of complaints received annually by the Consumer Protection Bureau concerning business practices affecting New Hampshire consumers, and consumers of New Hampshire products and services.

The mediation program volunteers handle issues ranging from small disputes concerning undelivered mail order merchandise to disputes involving thousands of dollars over home improvement problems.

This year, the Attorney General hopes to recruit and train up to 12 qualified volunteers to participate in the Program. Adults of all ages are encouraged to apply. Volunteers will be asked to commit six hours per week for one year, and will receive approximately twenty hours of mandatory training. Volunteers will learn how to provide basic information about consumer rights and responsibilities in response to telephone inquiries and letter contacts, and will actively mediate, by telephone and letter contact, complaints and disputes between businesses and customers.

Volunteers will be selected for their willingness and ability to help their fellow consumers learn about consumer law, to address consumers and businesses diplomatically, and to work with staff members of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau.

Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity may write to the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, Office of the Attorney General, 33 Capitol Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301-6397, call the Bureau at (603) 271-3641, or visit their website to receive a description of the program, an outline of the volunteers' duties, and an application form.