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!

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. 2004 Annual Conference Update
   *Second Chance Registration Deadline: Today, September 1

2. Labor Arbitrator Development Workshop

3. ACR Development and Fundraising Update

4. ACR Annual Fund Survey

5. ACR Publications Update

6. ACR Sections Update

7. Quotes

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR
ADVANCED LABOR ARBITRATORS

Mark your calendar for the Second Annual Labor Arbitrator Development Workshop, September 28-29, 2004 in Sacramento, California. This workshop is sponsored by the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) and the National Academy of Arbitrators (NAA) and immediately precedes the ACR Annual Conference, held September 29 – October 2, 2004.

If you have one to five years’ experience as a labor arbitrator and have issued at least five written decisions, this workshop is designed specifically for you. Only ACR offers a program targeting this audience. Participation is strictly limited to the first 30 registrants who meet these requirements. For more information about the program and how to register, please visit the ACR Web site: http://www.acrnet.org/conferences/ac04/ladp.htm.

3. ACR Development and Fundraising Update

ACR RECEIVES NEW GRANTS FROM HEWLETT FOUNDATION

The Hewlett Foundation awarded ACR two Organizational Effectiveness grants in its final round of funding to the conflict resolution field. One grant is for ACR’s Long-Range Strategic Planning and Multicultural Organizational Development initiative, and the second is for enhancing ACR’s Strategic External Communications.

ACR RECEIVES GRANT FROM BRONX CASH REGISTER CONSULTING COMPANY

The Bronx Cash Register Consulting Company (BCRCC) has awarded ACR a 15-hour pro-bono consulting grant in its first round of grant making. BCRCC will help ACR conduct a needs/efficiency assessment of its Internet Technology structure and plans. BCRCC will also help ACR develop ways to make ACR’s new online Web services more user-friendly.

The Bronx Cash Register Consulting Company is a professional co-operative of independent new media consultants working together under a socially responsible business framework. BCRCC specializes in strategy and technology development for profit and not-for-profit organizations.

4. ACR Annual Fund Survey

ACR’S ANNUAL FUND: TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!

Please take two minutes of your time to help us make this year’s Annual Fund a success.

The 2004 Annual Fund Management Committee is conducting a survey to learn more about members’ perceptions regarding ACR’s Annual Fund. To take this short survey now, please go to: http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?p=WEB2QXREV7RT

Your participation in this survey is anonymous and greatly appreciated! The survey will also be posted in the Member Center.

ACR PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEOS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Browse ACR’s catalogue of books, reports and training videos online at:
http://www.acrnet.org/library/catalogue.htm. In addition to such bestsellers as “Does It Work? The Case for Conflict Resolution in Our Nation’s Schools” and the “Positive Conflict Management” video series, we have added the “Master Series in Mediation” training videos featuring Dr. Larry Fong.

INTERNATIONAL SECTION

The International Section is very pleased to announce that the 2004 Conference program is now available in Spanish Translation on the Section’s Web page, at http://www.mediate.com/acrinternational/. Many, many thanks to the hardworking volunteer translators of the Latin American ADR Committee - Maria Rosa Cattaneo, Cristina Franco, Maria Lucia Zapata, Julia Roig, Nelida Basabe and Nora Femenia - and to Gail Ervin for her leadership in making the 2004 Spanish Pilot Program possible.

Cristina Franco is generously taking the lead on organizing volunteers for simultaneous Spanish interpretation for the 2004 Annual Conference. If you are an experienced mediator/interpreter, and are interested in saving 50% on your conference fees in exchange for interpreting 4 or 5 workshops, please contact Cristina at francomediation@aol.com, or Gail Ervin at gmervin@aol.com. Mil gracias!

ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT SECTION

The OCM Section membership survey, completed and analyzed in July, will be one of the highlights at the OCM Section meeting at ACR’s Annual Conference in Sacramento. Responses indicated that our members want information on OCM and professional networking opportunities. Toward that end, the Section Leadership committee plans to increase articles and information available on the Section’s website at http://www.mediate.com/acrocm. The Section also will inaugurate a periodic newsletter for members, featuring OCM-related articles and events. Anyone interested in assisting with the newsletter or submitting articles may contact Andy Lewis at alewis@andrewalewis.com.

RESTORATIVE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTION

The ACR Summer 2004 issue of ACResolution magazine focused on restorative and criminal justice articles. If you have not read this issue, take a look at its variety of thought-provoking articles.

The Restorative and Criminal Justice (RCJ) Section is calling for members to submit articles for the RCJ Section newsletter.

Linda Harvey, Co-Chair of RCJ Section and Doug Noll, Section Newsletter Editor, are two of 13 members who have started the Restorative Justice Council on Sexual Misconduct in Faith Communities, affiliated with the Center for Policy, Planning and Performance based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Linda is President of this non-profit organization that will train experienced mediators in restorative mediation for clergy/religious sexual abuse cases and provide other services.

SPIRITUALITY SECTION

Marilyn Shannon, ACR’s Spirituality Section Co-Chair and Deborah Isenhour, President of the ACR-North Carolina Chapter, will offer advanced mediation training based on their new model for spiritual mediating, “Source Mediation.” This training, co-sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association, will be held on October 20-21 in Raleigh, North Carolina and on October 28-29 in Charlotte, North Carolina. For information please e-mail Marilyn Shannon at: marilyn@powerofdialogue.com

THIS AD COULD BE YOURS!
Reach 6,000+ conflict resolution enthusiasts with your advertising message. A 10-line, 100-word, text ad costs just $150! For more information, contact ACR at acr@ACRnet.org.