ACR and its members are involved in many initiatives and efforts to support and improve the field of alternative dispute resolution. ACR Committees and Task Forces are two means of consolidating the efforts of our members to help influence and lead the field. The following descriptions provide an overview of the important work being done by ACR’s Committees and Task Forces.

ACR Task Forces are implemented on an ad hoc basis to address specific needs, and are disbanded once the goals are achieved.

Current ACR Task Forces:

• Alignment Task Force
  This task force reviews all ACR public documents for consistency, completeness and possible contradictions, as well as the Committee and Task Force structure for clarity or overlap of charges. It will then make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors.
  
  

• Certification Implementation Task Force
  The mandate of this task force is to explore the establishment of a voluntary national mediator certification program for individual practitioners.

• Joint Committee on Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators
  Comprised of representatives of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), the Joint Committee is reviewing, revising and updating the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators, first released by the AAA, ABA and SPIDR in 1994.
  
  

• Public Education Task Force
  This task force is developing an action plan (including measurable goals, budgets and recommendations for obtaining necessary funding for implementation) for a nationwide public education program. Conducted by or on behalf of ACR, this program will educate the public about the various types of ADR and how using them can enhance the ability of individuals, businesses and other organizations to resolve conflicts and solve interpersonal and intergroup problems.