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. ACR Board of Directors Election Results Announced

2. 2004 Annual Conference Report

3. ACR Certification Initiative Update

4. Joint Committee on Model Standards Update

5. ACR Publications Update

6. Sections Update

7. Chapters Update

8. ACR’s 2004 Annual Fund Update

9. Quotes

Note: If the above links do not work, scroll down to view full body below.

ACR 2004 Annual Conference
"Valuing Peace in the 21st Century:
Expanding the Art and Practice of Conflict Resolution"
Held Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2004 Sacramento, California

At ACR’s Fourth Annual Conference, “Valuing Peace in the 21st Century: Expanding the Art and Practice of Conflict Resolution,” more than 1,200 attendees participated in over 200 workshops, meetings, receptions, roundtables, and other events. The opening plenary featured the reading of a welcoming letter from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and a keynote address by John Paul Lederach, Professor of International Peacebuilding at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. John Paul’s talk, titled “The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace,” provided an inspirational start to the conference.

At the closing luncheon, Presidential Awards were given to Dan DeStephen and Gail Ervin for their service as Co-Chairs of the 2004 Annual Conference Program Committee. Zena Zumeta received the John Haynes Distinguished Mediator Award, and Arnold Zack was given the Willoughby Abner Award. Lowell D. Pearson won the James Boskey Dispute Resolution Essay Competition in the graduate division, and James Boskey Memorial Youth Scholarships were given to Tajae Gaynor, Tracy Pastan and Antonio Sanford.

A more detailed report on the Annual Conference will be published in the next issue of ACResolution magazine. In the meantime, ACR members can continue talking about the Annual Conference by logging in to the Member Center (click the “login” button on http://www.ACRnet.org) and utilizing the message and discussion board tools.

Please note: The call for proposals for ACR’s Fifth Annual Conference (September 28-October 1, 2005) will be open online from November 15-December 15, 2004. Check the ACR Web site for details: http://www.acrnet.org/conferences/ac05/

Just prior to the start of the Annual Conference, ACR and the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution announced that they will jointly undertake a feasibility study regarding a national mediator certification program. The two groups hope to learn whether U. S. mediators want and need voluntary professional certification granted on a national level. ACR and the ABA Section expect the feasibility study to be completed in early 2005.

To read the full press release announcing the feasibility study, please go to: http://www.acrnet.org/about/pressreleases/pr-cert.htm. ACR members can engage in the mediator certification discussion by logging in to the Member Center (click the “login” button on http://www.ACRnet.org) and utilizing the message and discussion board tools.

ACR, the AAA and the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution convened the Joint Committee on Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators (JCMSCM) to review, revise and update the original Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators (established by the AAA, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution and SPIDR in 1994). The September 2004 revision of the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators is now available on the Joint Committee’s Web site at: http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/dr/msoc/index.html.

On this site, ACR members can access and are encouraged to comment on the following documents:

(a) the 1994 version of the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators;
(b) the January 2004 revision; and
(c) the September 2004 revision, including: “redlined” and “clean” drafts and reporter’s notes.

ACR members can also submit their feedback to ACR’s Joint Committee representatives Sharon Press (presss@flcourts.org) and Terry Wheeler (twheeler@adllp.com). Sections and Chapters were requested to designate liaisons to the Joint Committee, and those representatives are encouraged to collect feedback from their constituencies and submit a collective response.  

ACR PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Browse ACR’s catalogue and purchase books, reports and training videos at: http://www.acrnet.org/library/catalogue.htm. In addition to such bestsellers as “Designing Integrated Conflict Management Systems” and the “Positive Conflict Management” video series, we offer the “Master Series in Mediation” training videos featuring Dr. Larry Fong.

ONLINE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ODR) SECTION NEWS

The ODR Section is proud to announce the winner of the Online Dispute Resolution Research Paper Competition: Jean M. Fraleigh of Southern Methodist University’s Dispute Resolution Program. Jean wrote a paper titled “Mediation and the Use of Online Dispute Resolution.” She will receive a $500 award and will have her paper submitted for review to ACR’s Conflict Resolution Quarterly journal. Congratulations Jean! We hope to run the competition again in spring 2005, so spread the word.

WORKPLACE SECTION LAUNCHES TRAINING PROVIDER DATABASE

The Workplace Section is building a database of providers who offer workplace alternative dispute resolution training. The new Workplace ADR Training Provider Database can be easily accessed via ACR’s Workplace Section Web site at: http://www.mediate.com/acrworkplace/pg40.cfm. This database is a free service for individuals interested in taking training and for providers interested in listing their public trainings. It will supply “one-stop shopping” for potential trainees and employers seeking training providers; identify organizations and companies providing trainings in workplace ADR that are open to the public; and build successful relationships/partnerships between ACR and workplace ADR vendors. For the present, the database will include only public trainings available to anyone seeking to build or enhance his/her skills, knowledge and awareness in workplace ADR. Vendors who offer customized training for a specific group, organization or agency which limits enrollment to the hiring entity will not be included at this time. For more information, contact Patricia “Pattie” Porter, Workplace Section Co-Chair at pmporter@conflictconnections.com.

SECTION ACTIVITY AT ACR’S FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Sixteen ACR Sections held their annual meetings at the Conference, with Section Leaders and members working together on strategic planning for the coming year. Some of the planning continued informally at the Section receptions in the evening where new Co-Chairs were introduced to other ACR members. New Co-Chairs at the Conference included Ben Carroll (Community), Marsha Blakeway (Education), Gregory Todd Jones and Jayne Docherty (Research), Carole Houk (Organizational Conflict Management), Cliff Dorne (Restorative and Criminal Justice), Catherine Powell (Training), Jerome Landau (Commercial), Eileen Barker (Spirituality), Lew Dabney (International), and John Stephens (Environment and Public Policy).

Check the Section Web pages later this month for updates on the fun and food at the receptions, plans for the coming year and how you can become involved in ACR Sections.

7. ACR Chapters Update

CHAPTER ACTIVITY AT ACR’S FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Leaders and representatives from many of ACR’s Chapters gathered at the ACR Chapter Reception, held on Friday evening at the Annual Conference. ACR Board Director Diane Kenty welcomed attendees to this informal, networking event.

ABOUT ACR CHAPTERS

ACR Chapters enable members in common geographical regions to meet face-to-face and attend innovative programs and activities that support their professional development. Within the Chapters, conflict resolution professionals share ideas and best practices and make networking connections throughout their area, both within and outside of the profession. For a list of ACR Chapters, visit: http://www.acrnet.org/chapters/. If you do not see a Chapter in your area, we encourage you to form a new ACR Chapter. Call ACR at 202-464-9700, ext. 211 for more information.

8. ACR's Annual Fund Update

MAKE YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO ACR’S ANNUAL FUND TODAY!

Support your professional association by making a pledge or donation to ACR’s Annual Fund. Your contribution helps ACR provide professional development services at affordable prices and supports ACR’s special projects and policy initiatives to advance the field of conflict resolution.

Your gift is important! While membership dues support a large percentage of ACR’s membership services, they do not provide adequate financial support for every ACR program and service, such as professional conferences, leadership development, special projects, and legislative and public policy initiatives.

Your gift can also help ACR get foundation and corporation grants! The rate of membership giving is a factor that many foundations and corporations consider when making funding decisions. High ACR member participation in the Annual Fund demonstrates ACR’s energy and vitality and increases the organization’s chances of getting new funding.

Your gift of just $25 can make a big difference. (Of course, a larger gift would help even more.) What is most important is that you make a contribution–no matter the size. Your participation is what counts most. To make a donation or pledge, please contact Penina Rantz, Development and Fundraising Associate, at 202-464-9700 x218 or prantz@ACRnet.org.

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