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. Request for Proposals: 2005 Annual Conference

2. ACR Annual Fund Update

3. ACR and People-to-People Delegation to South Africa

4. Authorized Practice of Mediation Report

5. ACR Plans National Conflict Resolution Day

6. ACR Publications Update

7. Sections Update

8. Chapters Update

9. Quotes

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

2. ACR Annual Fund Update

YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACR ANNUAL FUND IS CRITICAL

There is still time to make a tax-deductible contribution to ACR’s 2004 Annual Fund!

This year, the goal of ACR’s Annual Fund is not a dollar amount but increased membership participation. Please help us increase membership participation by making an annual fund contribution at your level of comfort and by encouraging others to do the same.

Join your colleagues in demonstrating your support of ACR. With your help, the 2004 Annual Fund will be the most successful yet!

To make a contribution send your pledge or check to ACR Annual Fund: 1015 18th Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington DC 20036 or contact Penina Rantz, Development and Fundraising Associate at 202-464-9700 ext. 218 or via e-mail at prantz@ACRnet.org.

3. ACR’s People-to-People Delegation to South Africa

A diverse delegation of ACR members participated in a People-to-People professional exchange to South Africa on Nov. 7–19, 2004. The delegation studied South Africa’s emergence from decades of apartheid and the nation’s development of a democratic society. Delegates learned about South Africa’s truth and reconciliation programs and shared ideas with their counterparts in South Africa.

Those interested in learning more about this professional exchange and reading the inspirational updates posted while the delegation traveled should visit: http://www.ACRnet.org/delegation.

4. Authorized Practice of Mediation (APM) Report

Member Feedback solicited on Proposed Policy Statement

ACR’s Board of Directors has issued a draft Authorized Practice of Mediation (APM) report and is soliciting member review and feedback on this proposed policy statement. To download the full report, go to: http://www.ACRnet.org/pdfs/upl-draftrpt-aug04.pdf.

Please submit your feedback by December 31, 2004, either by e-mail to acr@ACRnet.org or by accessing the ACR Discussion Forum. (Click the login button on http://www.ACRnet.org to log in to the Member Center and utilize the discussion board tools. From the Discussion Board, click on “Legislative and Public Policy (LPP).”)

Members can sign up for periodic updates about ACR’s Legislative and Public Policy work, including the Authorized Practice of Mediation Report, by logging in to the Member Center at http://www.ACRnet.org, then clicking on “My Profile,” then “Contact Groups” and selecting “Legislative and Public Policy.”

5. ACR Plans National Conflict Resolution Day

ACR is working to create a national day of recognition for conflict resolution in order to increase public awareness about conflict resolution and its many benefits. Our goal is to gain a Congressional proclamation designating a National Conflict Resolution Day in 2005. ACR is coordinating its efforts with other national conflict resolution organizations, and is reaching out to local, state and international groups to build interest in holding local celebrations in conjunction with this celebration, planned for November 2005.

To learn more about this effort and how you can become involved, contact Sharon Press at presss@flcourts.org or ACR’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager, Jennifer Druliner, at jdruliner@ACRnet.org.

Members can sign up for periodic updates about ACR’s National Conflict Resolution Day work by logging in to the ACR Member Center at http://www.ACRnet.org, then clicking on “My Profile,” then “Contact Groups” and selecting “National Conflict Resolution Day.”

Conflict Resolution Quarterly Special Double Issue

Coming soon! The much-anticipated Fall-Winter issue of Conflict Resolution Quarterly journal will be mailed in early December. This special double issue examines existing field research in seven practice areas, provides critique, and suggests future directions for research, policy and practice in each area. Respected scholars have provided review articles and/or commentaries in the areas of family, court, community, workplace, environmental, restorative justice, and conflict resolution education arenas. This is the first and only review of field based research covering a variety of practice areas, and focuses on the link between structural program features and outcomes.

NOTE: to Associate and Youth members who do not receive CRQ as part of their membership level: upgrade to “Member,” “Student,” or another designation that receives CRQ by Dec. 31, 2004, then e-mail publications@ACRnet.org requesting this double issue, and we will mail it to you.

Purchase ACR Training Videos, Books and Reports Online

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 the “Designing Integrated Conflict Management Systems” report and the “Positive Conflict Management” video series, we offer the “Master Series in Mediation” training videos featuring Dr. Larry Fong.

COMMERCIAL SECTION UPDATE

The Commercial Section hosted the last of its 2004 Teleseminar Series in October. Angelia Tolbert, Esq. discussed how to be included on government rosters of ADR providers, and mentioned several websites where people can sign up to be included on government lists. Jeff Knishkowy from the USDA contributed valuable information from his years of experience. CDs of the presentation will soon be available.

The August Teleseminar, “Anatomy of a Commercial Mediation” presented by Jeff Allen and Tom Oswald, is currently available on CD. For information on ordering, go to the Commercial Section webpage at: http://www.mediate.com/acrcommercial/pg7.cfm. You must be a member of the Commercial Section to obtain a CD. This is a terrific opportunity to build your professional library or to catch up if you missed this session.

CRISIS INTERVENTION SECTION UPDATE

The Crisis Intervention Section welcomes the Section’s new Co-Chair, Jerry Bagnell, and offers its sincere thanks to the outgoing Senior Chair. Greg now assumes the title of Chair Emeritus; he will continue to provide his expertise in this capacity as the Section expands its efforts on behalf of all its members.

The Crisis Intervention Section is dedicated to providing crisis interveners from all areas of practice with useful information for the important work that they do. Participation of all Section members is invited and encouraged. If you have something to contribute, if you have suggestions that may help guide the Section, or if you need specific guidance and/or training, we want to hear from you. Let the Section specifically, and ACR in general, be your source of practical and useful information. Welcome to all new members of the Section. Let’s have a great year. For more information, please contact Jim Greenstone at drjlg@flash.net or Jerry Bagnell at jbagnell@ix.netcom.com.

FAMILY SECTION UPDATE

ACResolution magazine’s Summer 2005 issue will focus on Family Mediation. If you would like to submit an article, please send a 2-3 paragraph proposal for consideration, no later than March 10, 2005 to ACResolution Managing Editor Alison Talbott, at atalbott@ACRnet.org or ACResolution Associate Editor Sharon Pickett at sharonp@igc.org. All articles must be original, unpublished work. For more information about proposal requirements, go to http://www.ACRnet.org/publications/acresolution.htm.

The Family Section is offering a pre-conference Institute at the AFCC Conference, to be held May 18-21, 2005 in Seattle, Washington. Don Saposnek announced that he and three other ACR Family Section members, Nina Meierding, Chip Rose and Jim Melamed, will be participating in this Institute. The trainers will focus on Advanced Mediation Skills, and are considering a number of different issues.

In addition, Zena Zumeta is representing the ACR Family Section on the AFCC conference Workshop Review Committee. A brochure with descriptions of all the Conference offerings should be out by early February.

RESTORATIVE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE WELCOMES NEW CHAIR

Clifford Dorne, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences and Professor of Criminal Justice at Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan, is the new Chair of ACR’s Restorative and Criminal Justice Section.

Dr. Dorne serves as Chair of the SVSU campus General Education Committee and was previously Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice. Currently, he works with victim-offender and school truancy mediation programs and serves on the Saginaw County Juvenile Justice Core Collaborative, an advisory committee to the Michigan Tenth Judicial District Family Court. He has been teaching juvenile justice, corrections, criminology, conflict management and human relations in criminal justice for 22 years. Dr. Dorne received his Ph.D. from the School of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Under his direction, the Restorative and Criminal Justice Section will begin several new projects, including the development of an international section of the Section newsletter, increased dialogue with victims’ groups, establishment of liaisons with relevant institutes and centers (including university-based operations), and the development of advanced practitioner standards in the area of restorative justice. For more information on the Section’s projects, please contact Dr. Dorne at cdorne@svsu.edu or Senior Chair Cheryl Swanson at cswanson@uwf.edu.

SPIRITUALITY SECTION UPDATE

The Spirituality Section initiated a completely new project for all ACR members this year, a Quiet Room for participants at the ACR Annual Conference to meditate, do yoga, read or simply relax. Massage therapists were available during this time as well. It was so well attended and received so much good feedback that the Section plans to continue this as an ACR Annual Conference tradition. In addition, the Section sponsored a series of special programs titled “Self Care for Mediators,” designed to nurture the nurturers.

The Section will work this coming year to increase membership to expand its voice and influence within the organization and the field. Our thanks to outgoing Chair Marilyn Shannon for all her dedication and hard work, and a warm welcome to Senior Co-Chair Rick Wingate and to Eileen Barker, the Section’s new Co-Chair. If you are interested in learning more about the Section and its projects, please contact Rick or Eileen at rwingate@ix.netcom.com or ebarker7@aol.com.

DC-ACR ANNUAL HOLIDAY FETE

The District of Columbia Chapter of ACR will hold its Annual Holiday Fete on December 13, 2004, 5:00 - 8:30 pm, at:

The Charles Sumner School Museum
1201 17th Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036.

Donations of non-perishable food items accepted to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank located at 645 Taylor St., NE, Washington, DC 20017. For more information about co-sponsoring this exciting event, please contact Cynthia Kunz at (703) 578-4895.

ACR-GEORGIA: SECOND ANNUAL MEETING

Join the Georgia Chapter in celebrating the Chapter's Second Annual Meeting on Thursday, December 9, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. where Leila Taaffe, Esq., Director of the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, will present. The meeting will be held at:

The Romae T. Powell Juvenile Justice Center,
395 Pryor Street SW, Room 1132-B
Atlanta, GA

This event is free to ACR-GA Chapter Members.
Partner Organization Associates: $5.00
Non-Members: $10.00.

For more information, contact Nicky Davenport-Weston at wesnic@aol.com.

ACR-HAWAII AND ADR MONTH

ACR-Hawaii was one of the organizations that planned Hawaii’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) month. In addition to proclamations from the Governor, Mayors, County Councils and the Judiciary declaring November 2004 ADR month, there were 14 events and programs sponsored by various ADR organizations, including ACR-Hawaii. Events included a live cable TV broadcast, mediation fair at a regional shopping mall, morning news interviews, luncheon and evening programs, trainings, a “poster for peace” student art contest, a peer mediation youth conference, and a dinner recognizing natural collaborative leaders. For more information contact Dan Bent at DanBent@FairMediation.com.

ACR-NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL MEETING AND UPCOMING EVENTS

The North Carolina Chapter of ACR held its First Annual Meeting on October 4, 2004 hosted by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Following the business meeting, a local panel of prominent leaders in the conflict resolution field spoke about their organizations and the issues facing the field today. Afterwards, they responded to questions from the audience.

The Chapter is pleased to sponsor a Teleseminar titled “Marketing Your Mediation Practice” on December 14 for its members, to be presented by ACR’s Lynne Kinnucan.

ACR-NC is co-sponsoring the Quad State Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Conference to be held in Charlotte, NC on March 16–18, 2005. The Chapter is providing the Conflict Resolution Training Track and is currently accepting training proposals. If you would like more information about this program of if you would like to submit a proposal, contact Deborah Isenhour at 919-542-1882 or deborah@thesourceinstitute.com.

NEW JERSEY-ACR: INVOLVED WITH STATE’S UMA LEGISLATION

New Jersey’s ACR Chapter supported and sent comments to the State Assembly Judiciary Committee, which, on May 5, 2003, approved the Uniform Mediation Act. Chapter member Hanan Isaacs was a spokesperson for ACR, as well as two other organizations.

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, sponsor of the bill, said it is her intent "to protect all individuals who choose to resolve their disputes through either court ordered mediation or voluntarily undertaken mediation where the parties and mediator expect that mediation communications will be privileged against disclosure." This bill was signed into law on November 22, 2004. For more information, contact Chapter President Arthur Finkle at Afinkle221@hotmail.com.

ACR-DALLAS CHAPTER NEWS

The house was packed for the ACR Dallas Chapter’s Third Annual Judicial Panel, September 28, 2004. First-time panelists for this year’s event included two judges from Dallas County’s Family Courts, Judge Marilea Lewis of the 330th Family District Court and Judge Craig Fowler of the 255th Family District Court.

Judge Fowler discussed the growing use of and need for mediation in every aspect of the family courts, while Judge Lewis shared her experience with mediation for juvenile offenders. Included on this year’s panel were Judge Russell Roden of the County Court at Law No. 1., Judge Sally Montgomery of the County Court at Law No. 3, and Judge Bruce Woody of the County Court at Law No.4.

During its October election, ACR-Dallas membership unanimously elected President Sheikha Susie Hobeiche to her third consecutive term. Ms. Hobeiche is planning a panel of insurance adjustors and a panel of successful Dallas-area mediators for question and answer sessions with Chapter members and guest in the spring of 2005.

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