Frequently
Asked Questions about ACR
What is ACR?
The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR)
is a professional organization dedicated to enhancing
the practice and public understanding of conflict
resolution. ACR represents and serves a diverse
national and international audience that includes
more than 6,000 mediators, arbitrators, facilitators,
educators, and others involved in the field of
conflict resolution and collaborative decision-making.
Anyone interested in the field of conflict resolution
is welcome to join.
Why did AFM,CREnet,
and SPIDR merge?
ACR was launched in January 2001, when the Academy
of Family Mediators (AFM), the Conflict Resolution
Education Network (CREnet), and the Society for
Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR) merged
into one organization. Prior to the merger, the
three separate organizations all required their
own staff and office space, produced separate
publications, held separate conferences, and tried
to meet the multiple needs of their members with
limited resources. The Hewlett Foundation and
other supporters encouraged the three groups to
join forces in order to build a unified voice
for the field of conflict resolution and avoid
duplication of efforts. By bringing together the
members, staff, and financial resources of the
three organizations, merger advocates felt that
one unified professional association could better
serve all its members and offer greater leadership
in the public policy, legislative, and public
awareness arenas. With the combined support of
all our members, we are confident that the goals
of the merger can be realized.
How was ACR selected
as the name for the organization?
From October to December 2000, merger staff and
Board members solicited suggestions for names
from our collective membership and engaged in
a lengthy process to choose a new name for the
merged organization. At the same time, a public
relations firm in Washington, D.C., was hired
to conduct research and propose potential names.
In January 2001, several options were presented
to the Board, and the name "Association for Conflict
Resolution (ACR)" was finally selected as the
one that most accurately reflects who we are—an
association of members who practice various forms
of conflict resolution. We are pleased with the
final choice, and believe that the name ACR will
soon become well recognized and respected in the
field.
How is ACR managed?
Activities are managed by a national staff
under the leadership of Doug Kleine, Executive
Director.
A 16-person Board of Directors, lead by the ACR
Board President, provides guidance on all policy
issues. The founding Board was comprised of recent
Board Directors from AFM, CREnet, and SPIDR (4
from each organization, a total of 12), plus four
new at-large Directors selected by the Board.
With the exception of the Vice President, whose
term is one year, Directors serve three-year terms.
Twelve Board Directors are elected to their positions
by the membership (a Board of Directors election
occurs annually; because the original Board Directors'
terms were staggered, only a few of the 12 elected
Director positions are open each year), and the
Board selects 4 additional Board Directors to
ensure representation from all aspects of our
field and areas of diversity. Our Board is representative
of our combined membership in each practice area,
and is diverse experientially, as well as in terms
of geography, ethnicity, age, and gender.
How is ACR organized?
Committees—Volunteer
committees support the work of the organization,
including the annual conference, membership, ethics,
awards, publications, public policy, development
and other issues.
Task
Forces—Short-term task forces are appointed
by the President to explore specific issues pertaining
to the work of the organization in the field.
Chapters—ACR
is chapter-based, i.e., members in common geographical
regions form local Chapters and carry out locally—focused
programs and activities.
Sections—ACR
is also organized into special interest Sections
that offer members the opportunity to focus on
common areas of concern within the broad field
of conflict resolution; and collaborative decision
making.
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