WELCOME TO ACR UPDATE—the monthly e-newsletter sharing important conflict resolution news and organizational updates with ACR members. Your feedback is welcome!

To view this issue online, go to: http://www.ACRnet.org/publications/acrupdate.htm

OVERVIEW OF ARTICLES
September 1, 2006

1. 2006 Annual Conference: Register at the Early Bird Rate through September 6
2. Conflict Resolution Day 2006: How Will You Celebrate?
3. ACR Store: ACR Marketing Teleseminar CDs for Sale
4. Special Membership Offer: Chance to Win Two Free Months of Membership!
5. Sections Update: Sections Working Group News
6. Chapters Update: News from Georgia, New England and North Carolina Chapters
7. Quotations

The Sixth Annual Conference is right around the corner: Register Now to Save!

The Early Bird deadline for the 2006 Annual Conference is approaching FAST! Be sure to register by September 6th to get the best value for the registration price. Members who sign up for the main conference by the Early Bird deadline will pay $425 for three days of energizing workshops, lively panel discussions and plenty of networking opportunities. After September 6^th, the registration rate goes up to $480 so don’t delay! Sign up today to get the best possible deal!

Here are just a few of the many Annual Conference highlights:

• A Welcoming Reception at the impressive Franklin Institute on Wednesday evening
• A Public and Intense Conflicts Series on “Large-scale Conflicts: Trauma and Resilience”
• An expanded selection of Diversity and Equity Facilitated Discussions
• A Presidential Luncheon on Saturday with a Keynote Presentation by Morris Dees!

Don’t forget to also make your reservations at the host hotel, the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center. Located in the cultural epicenter of the city, just steps from many of Philly’s finest museums, the Sheraton is a great home base for city excursions. Be sure to book your room by October 2 to receive the discounted Annual Conference rates! Be sure to mention the Association for Conflict Resolution when making your reservation. Operators are standing by at 1-800-325-3535 and 215-448-2000.

See you in Philadelphia!

“Philadelphia Here We Come” Part 9: Eating Your Way through Philly

by James A. Rosenstein

Before commenting about specific dining options, I’ll offer a cautionary note: if you want to dine at one of our more popular Center City restaurants—on a weeknight or weekend, for dinner or for lunch—you would be well advised to make a reservation as far in advance as you can.  Unfortunately, you may be unable to eat at one of your top-choice restaurants if you wait to book until you arrive at the conference. This rule should be expanded to all eating establishments if your group is likely to exceed four people. Also, please remember that (because of the high cost and limited availability of liquor licenses) many establishments are BYOB (bring your own bottle) and welcome your own wine and beer.  (See my preceding article for information about where to buy wine and hard liquor and beer to go).

Here is my list of gastronomic opportunities within walking distance (one mile) of the conference hotel, listed alphabetically within category.  To read this article in its entirety, along with Jim’s recommendations for eating your way through Philly, click here. Note to attendees: you may want to bring this list with you to Philly!

Conflict Resolution Day 2006, an international celebration, takes place on October 19, the third Thursday in October. How will you participate? Interested in planning an event in your community, at your workplace, or on your own? Visit the ACR website for event ideas.

Don’t forget to let ACR know what you’re doing on Conflict Resolution Day so we can promote it. Just send an email to acr@ACRnet.org and include the following information:

• Name of Event
• Date, Location and Time of Event
• Name of Sponsoring Organization
• Contact Information
• Brief Description of Event

For a list of events already planned for Conflict Resolution Day 2006, click here.

ACR MEMBERS: Take advantage of your valuable members-only benefits today! Online Discussion Forums/ Message Board Access to the full Membership Directory Reduced Rates on Professional Liability Insurance ACR CareerCenter CRQ Online: Access ACR's academic Journal online anytime 20% off Purchases from BNA Books and Jossey-Bass publications Discounts on Medical Insurance, Hertz Car Rental and buymagazines.com and much more... Log in to the Online Member Center today and get started!

ACR Marketing Teleseminar CDs Now Available!

Each CD is just $12.00 for ACR Members ($18.00 per CD for non-ACR Members). All shipping charges are included. For a short time only, ACR members can order all three CDs for only $30 (shipping included). Ordering information is included below.

“Entrepreneurship for Neutrals” by V. Michelle Obradovic

In this interactive presentation, V. Michelle Obradovic speaks about the vast array of experiences that have gone into building her successful mediation practice. Michelle covers a variety of topics in this hour-long program, including: identifying your market; what to anticipate as you begin your practice; and the ups-and-downs of the entrepreneurial cycle.

“A Mediator’s Approach to Marketing” by Forrest Mosten and Diana Mercer

This hour-long program was originally presented as a teleseminar by Forrest Mosten and Diana Mercer on June 15, 2006. Listen as Forrest and Diana—both authors of articles in the Spring 2006 issue of ACResolution—discuss their time-tested methods of marketing, suggest strategies for building a successful mediation practice and share tips for attracting new clients.

“Ten Ways to Promote Your Mediation Practice Inexpensively, Ethically and With Dignity” by Bruce Blitman

In an hour-long teleseminar that aired on July 7, 2006, Bruce Blitman presents his top ten tips on marketing your mediation practice. Listen as Bruce shares anecdotes from the thousands of mediations he has conducted, recommends strategies and approaches to promoting your practice, and addresses questions submitted by listeners.

How to Order Marketing Teleseminar CDs: These CDs will be available soon in the ACR online store; in the meantime, please download and fill out a product order form and mail or fax with payment information to: Association for Conflict Resolution, 1015 18^th St. NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20036, or call the ACR office for assistance: 202-464-9700.

Interested in participating in a teleconference? Send an email to sections at ACRnet dot org to receive dial-in instructions. Please note: most Section teleconferences are a Section member benefit. To join a Section, log in to ACR’s Online Member Center, click on “My Account History,” then “Add Sections,” and select the Sections you want to add.

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER!
Log in the Online Member Center and renew your membership online now and you will automatically be entered to win TWO FREE MONTHS OF MEMBERSHIP!

Make your dues go farther! Renewing online saves ACR resources!  One drawing every month!
 

ACR–Georgia “Conflict Resolution in the Family” Fun Fair: October 14, 2006

The ACR Georgia Chapter meeting on September 16 has been rescheduled for October 14, in order to coincide with Conflict Resolution Week.  The meeting will be a “Conflict Resolution in the Family” Fun Fair.  Come learn about conflict resolution skills to improve your marriage, parenting, sibling relations, etc.  12:00-3:00 p.m. ET at Kennesaw State University. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Sue Heerin at 404-373-3626 or email jheerin@aol.com. This event is open to all, so even if you are not a member of the Georgia Chapter, come and check it out!

Invitation from ACR-Georgia: Dinner Meeting at 2006 ACR Annual Conference

Attention Georgians!  ACR Annual Conference attendees from Georgia are invited to meet for dinner on Thursday, October 26, 2006. Join us at Tír Na Nóg Irish Restaurant at 8:00 p.m. ET for good food and good conversation.  Restaurant information can be found at www.tirnanogphilly.com/homepage.php or by calling 267-514-1700.

For more information, please contact ACR­–GA Chapter President Susan Raines at 770-815-4428 or visit http://www.mediate.com/acrgeorgia.

New England Chapter of ACR Presents “Putting ADR to Work: Conflict Resolution within Organizations”

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 3-5:30 p.m.

Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA

A panel discussion will explore the experiences and success stories of ADR programs within the corporate, government, health care and nonprofit worlds.  Networking and snacks will take place from 3:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., followed by a panel presentation and discussion from 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. in the 4th floor faculty dining room at Suffolk University Law School.

For more information about this event, please contact Mindy Milberg (email: milberg@milbergmediation.com; phone: 508-655-6800) or Ellen Carno (email: ecarno@comcast.net; phone: 617-347-0500).

ACR North Carolina Chapter Annual Meeting: September 12, 2006

Join the North Carolina Chapter on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. ET at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  The cost is $25, which includes breakfast, lunch and refreshments.  All members are encouraged to attend and bring a guest.

The program will include a segment on ACR elections, introduction of officers and business meeting; facilitated small group discussions on cultural diversity; and a panel presentation and discussion on strategies for working with issues of culture and diversity.  This last part will be moderated by Raquel Dominguez, Family and Court Services Director, Carolina Dispute Settlement Services and will be presented by guest panelists Dr. Judy Rashid and Rev. Dr. Mark Sills.  Dr. Rashid is the Dean of Students and Adjunct Professor in Leadership Studies, North Carolina A&T State University and Dr. Sills is the Executive Director of FaithAction.  Dr. Rashid has been involved in conflict management education and training on the college campus since 1989.  Dr. Sills is the founder of FaithAction, an interfaith charitable organization that promotes understanding among religious and cultural groups in North Carolina. He is the author of journal articles and research reports, including “Hispanics in North Carolina:  An Introduction to Our New Neighbors.”

For more information (including directions, lodging information and an agenda) please visit http://www.mediate.com/acrnorthcarolina.

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