Now, for the first time –
Community Volunteer Mediators will be able to receive a reduced rate membership in a category that gives the same full benefits as the ACR member.and…An Academy of Advanced Practitioners (AAP ACR) has been created to offer new types of Advanced Practitioner memberships.On August 2nd the ACR Board affirmed the creating of both of these new membership categories. These changes were created in consultation with the Section Leadership Council and Chapter leadership council, general membership, and with the leaders of the Community section.The ACR Community Volunteer Mediator member category is for active volunteer mediators in organizations providing community mediation services to their community. This new category is ACR's way of supporting the work of community based programs and recognizing the work of volunteer mediators. This category has the same benefits as the ACR Member for the reduced rate of $125. Community Volunteer Mediators who do not choose this category may alternatively be members as Associates or through an organizational membership. The guidelines for membership in this new category will be developed in consultation with leadership of the Community Section and we expect to have it available in the near future. Watch for the announcement!The Academy of Advanced Practitioners of ACR (AAP ACR) is the new designation for those practitioners of various kinds who have an advanced level of preparation and experience in an area of work, but have not previously been able to have that recognized by an ACR membership designation. ACR’s Advanced Practitioners to date have been for Workplace Mediators and Arbitrators and for Family Mediators. This new designation will make it possible for mediators in other areas and practitioners other than mediators to claim this advanced recognition. The AAP ACR requirements will be of an equally high standard as existing APs. Through this designation ACR encourages and recognizes its members who continue to be committed to ongoing study and practice. There will be an opportunity at the annual conference to discuss and give input to these guidelines so that they hold to a standard consistent with that of the Workplace Advanced Practitioner and the Academy of Family Mediators. Dues for all Advanced Practitioners are $230, and include the benefit of a special listing on the web site. The guidelines and process will be developed in the next few months. Watch for the announcement saying it is available!We welcome both of these new categories and invite members to explore them in terms of their own membership standing. From 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the annual conference, the Membership Committee will have a workshop describing the goals of AAP ACR and will invite interested members to give input on the guidelines for application.Stay tuned for next steps in this new innovation! The Membership CommitteeKim Bunker and Jonathan Rosenthal, Co-chairsSusanne Terry, member