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>> ACR Update, November 1, 2003 <<
Published by the Association for Conflict Resolution,
a merged organization of AFM, CREnet, and SPIDR
http://www.acresolution.org
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WELCOME TO ACR UPDATE!

ACR Update is sent on a regular basis to share important conflict resolution news and organizational updates with our members. We encourage you to scroll through the items listed below, and hope you'll find this information useful. We look forward to your feedback!

OVERVIEW OF ARTICLES

November 1, 2003

[1] ACR Annual Conference Report
* Call for Proposals for ACR's 2004 Annual Conference
* Report from ACR 2003 Annual Conference
[2] ACR Board of Directors Update
* New Board of Directors Takes Office
[3] ACR Annual Fund Campaign
[4] ACR Publications Update
[5] ACR Sections Update
[6] ACR Chapters Update
[7] Quotes

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[1] ACR Annual Conference Update: 2004 Call for Proposals and 2003 Report
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2004 ANNUAL CONFERENCE CALL FOR PROPOSALS: SUBMIT PROPOSALS ONLINE BEGINNING NOVEMBER 7, 2003

The 2004 Annual Conference Program Committee, chaired by Dan DeStephen and Gail Ervin, is planning a top-notch program for the conference, which will be held in Sacramento, California from September 29 to October 2, 2004. The request for proposals will be posted on the ACR Web site by November 7, 2003. The proposal submission deadline is December 12, 2003. The theme for the 2004 conference is "Valuing Peace in the 21st Century: Exapnding the Art and Practice of Conflict Resolution."

REPORT FROM ACR’S THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE: OCTOBER 15-18, 2003, ORLANDO, FLORIDA

More than 1,400 individuals from 18 countries attended the ACR’s Third Annual Conference in Orlando, October 15-18, 2003, making this conference one of the largest in recent years. The conference offered over 200 learning opportunities, including institutes, sessions, mini-plenary sessions, roundtables, and networking events.

Many Sections took an active role at the conference by offering specialized learning sessions for their members, holding Section meetings and networking receptions. During the Welcoming Reception, ACR introduced its new Web site and cheered as Mickey Mouse made a special appearance. The following night, members danced to the tunes of a salsa band. The conference concluded with a closing Keynote Address, "Reflections of a Career Peacemaker," by former Senator George Mitchell. He related humorous anecdotes from his initiation into the culture of the U.S. Senate, and talked candidly about the challenges he faced in working for peace in Northern Ireland and the Middle East.

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[2] ACR Board of Directors Update
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ACR's 2002–2003 Board of Directors held its final meeting in Orlando on October 13–14, before the launch of the Third Annual Conference. The meeting included a major discussion of ACR’s Quality Assurance Initiatives (the Certification Task Force, the Advanced Practitioner Workgroup, participation on the Joint Committee on Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators, and the Ethics Initiative).

At the Presidential Breakfast on October 18, outgoing President Nancy E. Peace highlighted ACR's accomplishments during the past year and then ceremonially handed her office to incoming ACR President Rosemary Romero, who announced the results of this summer’s Board of Directors election.

Members elected Larry Sun Fong to be ACR’s President-Elect. Board Director Priscilla Prutzman was elected as this year’s Vice President. Marvin E. Johnson was reelected to the Board as an At-Large Director. Anne B. Thomas and Paula J. Trout were elected to the Board as At-Large Directors. The outgoing Board appointed Richard Fincher and John P. Conbere, who served as last year's Vice President, as At-Large Directors.

Board members Stephen Erickson, Lynne Hurdle-Price, Leah Wing, Chapters Director Diane Kenty, Sections Director Jennifer Lynch, Past President Nancy E. Peace, and Secretary Margaret Powers will remain on the Board during 2003–2004. Nicholas Dewar, who is beginning his second year on the ACR Board, has assumed the role of ACR Treasurer. Directors who are leaving the Board are Kathy Bickmore, former Treasurer Dan DeStephen, Bernie Mayer, and Past President Arnie Shienvold. ACR expresses its enormous gratitude for their hard work during the merger and ACR’s first two years.

The newly formed 2003–2004 Board held an informal meeting on October 19 after the conclusion of the conference, and will have its inaugural meeting in January 2004.

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[3] ACR 2003 Annual Fund Campaign
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ACR INVITES MEMBERS TO JOIN THE 2003 ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN

Donate to ACR and join the Board and Leadership in launching the 2003 Annual Fund. Your donation will help keep membership available to a diverse group of professionals and volunteers, support urgently needed activities that will benefit society, and enhance ACR's standing in the global community. Please visit http://www.acresolution.org and click "Donate To ACR" to contribute online today!

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[4] ACR Publications Update: CRQ and ACResolution
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CALL FOR PAPERS: SPECIAL ISSUE OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION QUARTERLY:

"Training in ADR: Theoretical Foundations, Methods, and Needed Innovations" (Volume 22, no. 3)

Editors: Michael Lang (guest editor, and previous editor of Mediation Quarterly) and Tricia Jones (editor of CRQ).

This special issue will consider key questions about the nature of conflict resolution/ADR training, and will address as many areas of conflict practice as possible. Submissions from all practice areas are encouraged, including: family, community, courts, CRE, international, workplace, public policy, environmental, restorative justice, intractable conflict, spirituality, deep-rooted identity conflicts, etc.

Those interested in submitting an article for consideration should submit a one-page outline to the editors (mlang@mediate.com; tsjones@temple.edu) by December 1, 2003. The outline should identify the basic content of the proposed article and indicate briefly how the content addresses one or both of the key questions listed below:

1) How well is our training infusing the theories and knowledge about conflict processes in that area of conflict and practice? To what extent have trainers infused a critical understanding of the dynamics of the conflicts people are being trained to work with as well as knowledge and application of basic conflict and conflict resolution theories?

2) What training methodologies best exemplify the relationship between what is being taught and how it is being taught? Are trainers developing their courses in a way that allows them to "walk their talk"-- to demonstrate in their approach to the training or course materials the same critical skills and professional values about which they are teaching? For example, do those who teach a facilitative style of mediation adopt a similar approach to the way they construct and present course material?

ACRESOLUTION SUBMISSIONS

Planning is now underway for the Spring 2004 and Summer 2004 issues of ACResolution magazine. The theme of the Spring issue will be Ethics, while the Summer issue will focus on Restorative and Criminal Justice. Anyone wishing to submit a feature article on ethics should submit a short abstract or proposal no later than December 1. Abstracts for the Summer issue will be due on February 1, 2004. Please send all submissions to ACResolution's Managing Editor, Mark Sawchuk, at msawchuk@acresolution.org, accompanied by your complete name, contact information, and primary professional title.

We accept submissions to other departments of the magazine on a rolling basis. Please consider submitting to any of the following departments. As for feature articles, we prefer to receive abstracts and proposals rather than full-length articles.

Members in the News

Members in the News, a subsection of the magazine's In Brief section, is the place for you to update your fellow ACR members on recent developments in your life and professional career. Found an exciting new job in the field? Appointed to a new position? Received an award? Write and tell us about it! Submissions should be no longer than 50 - 100 words, should be accompanied by a photo in JPEG or TIFF format, scanned at 300 dpi (you may send a photo hard copy if an electronic version is not available), and should note your ACR membership status and history. Please note that we can only include news about you once per volume (4 issues). Submissions received in November will go into the Winter issue (February 2004) of the magazine.

Learning Matters

We are always looking for short articles that discuss various aspects of conflict resolution education in schools, colleges, and other environments. If you have an experience to share, please let us know.

Diversity Practices

This section of the magazine is devoted to best practices in diversity and conflict resolution and highlights innovative strategies for effectively responding to conflict within our increasingly diverse community. (For this department only, send submissions to Contributing Editor Dr. Benjamin Reese at reesources1@aol.com.)

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[5] ACR Sections Update
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ACR ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY (EPP) SECTION

The Environment and Public Policy (EPP) Section welcomes Mary Skelton Roberts as its new Co-Chair. Mary is a senior mediator with the Consensus Building Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and brings a variety of leadership experience to the EPP Section. She is committed to working with all Section members, was involved in the Section's 2003 Washington, DC mid-year meeting, and co-chairs the Section mentoring committee with Juliana Birkhoff. The EPP Section thanks Rosemary Romero for her two years of service as Section Co-Chair (2001-2003) and congratulates her on being elected as the 2003-2004 President of ACR.

The EPP Section is developing plans for a 2004 mid-year meeting in May, 2004 in the Pacific Northwest, either Seattle or Portland. John Stephens will coordinate communications efforts this year and welcomes volunteers.

The Hewlett-funded Critical Issues Papers are available on the EPP Section's Web Page. You can access them at http://ww.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/EPPhewlettpapers.

ACR FAMILY SECTION

The ACR Family Section played an active role in the ACR 2003 Annual Conference in Orlando. There were dozens of family and divorce related workshops, including several sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation.

The Family Section will hold its annual conference in 2004 in connection with ACR's Annual Conference in Sacramento, California.

There are three pending applications for ACR Family Section training program approval and one new approved training. The Family Section now lists 54 approved divorce and family training programs.

The Family Section's Membership Committee has updated requirements for renewal of Advanced Practitioner Status, effective January 2005. The requirements will be posted on the ACR Web site.

ACR OMBUDS SECTION

The Ombuds/Ombudsman is happy to announce that ACR is providing the Section with a new Web site technology that will provide "O" Section members with greater access to "O" information and resources. It also will assist the members in communicating with each other more efficiently.

Given the diverse nature of the Ombuds/Ombudsman profession, the ability to provide connections among "O" organizations and ACR continues to be a primary purpose of the Section. John Barkat and Michael Mills, Co-Chairs, will be working to take advantage of the new technology and provide additional value to our members.

ACR ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ODR) SECTION

The ODR Section meeting at the ACR 2003 Annual Conference was a great success, with attendance more than doubled in comparison to last year's meeting. Co-Chair Susan Raines will request a special Roundtable discussion for Squaretrade Mediators. Any ACR member mediating with Squaretrade is invited to meet, discuss ODR techniques and challenges, and build community at the roundtable. We’ll keep you posted on its progress. If you have any ideas for Section activities, please feel free to contact the Section Co-Chairs:

Susan S. Raines
sraines@kennesaw.edu
Tel. 770-423-6081

Colin Rule
crule@mediate.com

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[6] ACR Chapters Update
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DAVID HART, ACR CEO, TO SPEAK AT LOS ANGLES CHAPTER CONFERENCE

The Los Angles Chapter of ACR will have its Annual Conference on November 8, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. The conference will feature a speech and open dialogue session with ACR CEO David Hart, as well as time for networking. Please contact Dr. Victoria D. Coleman at 702-220-5300 or thecolemangroup@mpowercom.net for more information.

ACR-HOUSTON TO HOST ACR PRESIDENT ROSEMARY ROMERO

The Houston Chapter of ACR will feature ACR President Rosemary Romero as its guest speaker at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting on November 20, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. The Chapter will also elect its Board of Directors and offer opportunities for networking over dinner. Please contact Meg Walker at megwalker@mediate.com for more information.

ACR-VIRGINIA WILL HOST FULL-DAY PROGRAM WITH KENNETH CLOKE

The Virginia Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution will host the return of Dr. Kenneth Cloke, author of Mediating Dangerously, on November 7, 2003 for a full-day workshop. In response to the overwhelming success of his session at ACR-Virginia's spring conference, Dr. Cloke will make a special trip to share with workshop participants new material from his as yet untitled, unpublished book. Those who were able to attend his workshop last March know what an electrifying, inspiring experience he provided. Please join us again and feel free to tell your friends and colleagues to reserve November 7th for Dr. Cloke. Please contact Susan Sheets at susan.sheets@fns.usda.gov for more information. We look forward to seeing you there.

ACR-CENRTAL CALIFORNIA to CO-SPONSOR 10TH ANNUAL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CONFERENCE

The Central California Chapter will co sponsor "Violence and the Journey Towards Restoration,” an annual restorative justice conference, with Fresno Pacific University Peace and Conflict Studies Department. The conference will take place November 14-15, 2003 with pre-conference training held on November 13, in Fresno, California. For more information please visit http://fresno.edu/dept/pacs/rjp/.

ACR-NEW ENGLAND TO HOLD REGIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The New England Chapter of ACR (ACR-NE) will hold its Annual Conference November 13-14, 2003 on "Beyond Dispute to the Conflict" with Keynote Speaker Bernie Mayer, Ph.D. Dr. Mayer is a former member of ACR's Board of Directors and authored The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution: A Practitioner's Guide. Please visit http://www.neacr.org for more information.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER TO DISCUSS BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION CAREER

The Chapter will hold a program titled “Beyond Marketing: Laying the Foundation for Success” on Thursday, November 13 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The program will begin with a light dinner and networking, and will guide participants in using their individual dreams, values, and passion to establish a clear vision and purpose for their work. This, in turn, will provide a solid foundation for effective business planning, marketing, and long-term success. Please visit http://www.adrnc.org for more information or contact Stacey Waters at adr@adrnc.org or 650-745-3842.

ACR-SAN DIEGO TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

The San Diego Chapter will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2003 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice on the University of San Diego campus. After socializing over beverages and hors d’oeuvres, the Chapter will reflect on its accomplishments and challenges in 2003, discuss plans and aspirations for the future, and elect officers and directors. The event is free for San Diego Chapter Members and $20 for guests. For further information visit the Chapter Web site at http://www.acr-sandiego.org, or contact Gail Nugent at ganugent@pacbell.net or at 858-484-8585.

ACR-GREATER NEW YORK DISCUSSES DOMESTIC PARTNER TRUST AND ESTATES

On December 9, 2003. ACR-Greater New York Chapter will sponsor a program featuring Lisa Padilla, mediator and attorney, and June Jacobson, mediator, attorney and President of the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, discussing "Everything on Trusts and Estates that Domestic Partners Need to Know." The program will be held at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center at 208 West
13th Street. Doors will open at 5:30, the program will begin at 6:00 and there will be time for Q&A and networking at the end of the program. Refreshments will be served. Learn about the issues surrounding these topics in preparation for mediating related cases, and network with other mediators. For more information contact Louise Dembeck at Aimac@aol.com.

D.C. CHAPTER HOLDS PROGRAM SERIES ON ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

ACR-D.C. will present a brown bag, skills-base session titled “Organizational Culture” on November 13, 2003, from 12-1 p.m. at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Patrick Chapman will present a one hour interactive session on how to uncover organizational culture and apply techniques for more effective interventions. For more information and to reserve your space, please contact Michael Muchmore at 202-273-2237.

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[7] Quotes
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There's a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out. -- Lou Reed, "Magic and Loss"

Reasoning at every step he treads,
Man yet mistakes his way,
Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads,
Are rarely known to stray.
-- William Cowper

Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth." Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path." For the soul walks upon all paths. The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed. The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals. -- Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet, 1923

Wars and elections are both too big and too small to matter in the long run.  The daily work - that goes on, it adds up. -- Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

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Copyright 2003, Association for Conflict Resolution
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Association for Conflict Resolution
(a merged organization of AFM, CREnet and SPIDR)
1015 18th St., NW Suite 1150
Washington, DC 20036
Tel.: 202-464-9700
Fax: 202-464-9720
E-mail: acr@acresolution.org
Web: http://www.acresolution.org