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

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OVERVIEW OF ARTICLES
October 3, 2006

1. 2006 Annual Conference: Register by October 6 and Save!
2. Conflict Resolution Day 2006: ACR Unveils New Event Logo; Join the Celebration
3. Call for Proposals: ACResolution magazine
4. ACR Store: ACR Marketing Teleseminar CDs for Sale
5. Sections Update: Sections Activities at Annual Conference and Beyond
6. Chapters Update: ACR-Georgia and ACR-Florida Chapter News
7. Quotations

The 2006 Annual Conference is just around the corner!

Register by Friday, October 6 to take advantage of reduced registration rates!  There is still plenty of time left to register. ACR members save $80 on Annual Conference fees, so don’t delay and register now! The host hotel for the Annual Conference is the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center (800-325-3535 or 215-448-2000).

Annual Conference Granted CLE Approval in Pennsylvania and New York

This year will be the first year that ACR’s Annual Conference will be accredited CLEs.  Currently, 44 out of the 207 workshops have been approved for CLE credit in Pennsylvania and New York.  We will have an exhibit table at the conference to provide the forms and information necessary to receive your credits. We have applied to other states in the region and are currently awaiting their approval.  Please keep checking the website for updates.  

Annual Conference Highlights

This year’s event is going to be full of energizing workshops, lively panel discussions and plenty of networking opportunities. We hope that your fall travel plans include a trip to the City of Brotherly Love for the ACR Sixth Annual Conference!

Some of the highlights include:

• A Welcoming Reception at the Impressive Franklin Institute on Wednesday evening
• Full and half-day Pre-Conference Institutes as well as a dynamic International Day on Wednesday, October 25th
• NEW! The two-day Advanced Workplace Series for mediators and arbitrators sponsored by the Workplace Section. This series is designed for experts in the field, but sessions are open to all attendees.
• NEW! The Controversial Conflicts Series looks at the roles conflict resolution professionals play in some of today’s top stories and provides examples of how conflict resolution skills are put to the test.
• A Presidential Luncheon on Saturday with a Keynote Presentation by Morris Dees

Register TODAY at http://acrnet.org/conferences/ac06/ac06_registration.htm. 

“Philadelphia Here We Come” Part 10: Not Just for Kids – Enjoying Philly’s Halloween Tricks and Treats

By Lyn Davis

For the final installment of our series on making the most of your visit to Philadelphia for ACR’s Annual Conference this year, Lyn Davis, a long-time Philadelphia resident and member of the Host Committee, shares some of her favorite Halloween haunts that are sure to please any children you may bring along!

Halloween is always big in Philadelphia.  Over the years an increasing number of our museums and other tourist attractions have created events for kiddies which parents also can enjoy.  Because many attendees are planning to extend their conference stay to include the Halloween weekend in Philadelphia, the Host Committee thought we should welcome you to our local celebrations and provide a list of some traditional events that are taking place in and around the city. For a great list of these fun events, including some located a short distance from the city, go to www.gocitykids.com and look for Philadelphia listings for October.  Most of the events listed run through Saturday, October 28 or Sunday, October 29.

To read the rest of this article, which highlights some favorite events, click here.

See the Sights, Enjoy World-Class Restaurants

The Philadelphia area offers a wide array of attractions and fabulous restaurants. For a sampling of events and exhibits you won’t want to miss, along with suggestions and contact information for some exceptional restaurants that require advance reservations, click here.

ACR Marks Second Annual Conflict Resolution Day with New Event Logo

 A striking fall tree bearing leaves marked with aspects of the conflict resolution field set against a brilliant blue background is the image chosen to add momentum and energy to the Conflict Resolution Day campaign. The image was created by Lynne Smyers of Omnistudio in consultation with ACR’s Conflict Resolution Day working group. The new logo will be used to promote Conflict Resolution Day internationally and will be made available to schools, mediation practices and others upon request. Versions are available in English, Spanish and French.

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.

• 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...

CALL FOR ARTICLE PROPOSALS

For ACR’s ACResolution Spring 2007 Magazine on

Conflict Resolution in Higher Education

ACR’s spring 2007 issue of ACResolution magazine will focus on the topic of Conflict Resolution in Higher Education. The editors seek proposals from people who would like to write articles on any aspect of this topic. What are the key issues in conflict resolution in higher education programs? What are the different higher education options available to students interested in conflict resolution? Where are these educational programs going in the future and how are they changing the field of conflict resolution? The editors seek diversity in authors and subject matter; authors do not have to be ACR members.

If interested, please:

• write a half-page description of your proposed article,

• include a title/headline for your article,

• include your name and contact information,

• include one to three lines of biographical information, and

• specify if you would like to write a major (3,000 words) or minor feature (1,500 words).

Send your proposals via email to ACResolution Managing Editor, Emily Welty, at ewelty@ACRnet.org as soon as possible, but no later than December 1, 2006.

An editorial advisory committee will review the proposals and choose 2–3 major features and 2–3 minor features. All authors will be notified by end of December.  If selected, completed articles will be due to ACR by February 1, 2007.

For more information about ACR publications and guidelines, please visit http://www.ACRnet.org/publications/acresolution.htm. For more information on ACR, please visit http://www.ACRnet.org.  

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.

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.

Don’t forget to check out ACR’s other store items, including books, reports, training videos and ACR merchandise: http://www.acrnet.org/library/catalogue.htm/.

Section Events at ACR’s Sixth Annual Conference.

Workplace Section:

The Workplace Section is pleased to invite new and advancing Workplace Professionals to the 2006 ACR Annual Conference in Philadelphia.  The 2006 Annual Conference includes over 125 diverse workshops, networking opportunities and a series of specially designated programs for Workplace Professionals and Advanced Practitioners in Arbitration and Mediation (visit the Workplace Section website for a list of these Workplace Programs).  Workshops are designed for professionals from all walks of life who work or desire to work in the collaborative workplace environment.

Mark your calendars for the following events:

• Friday, October 26, 1–2p.m.:  Workplace Section Business Meeting

• Friday, October 26, 6–9 p.m.  Workplace and Family  Sections: Joint Reception

ATTENTION:  New Workplace Section Members (or those interested in joining) are invited to attend special Annual Conference orientations scheduled for Thursday & Friday from 8-9 a.m.  Meet your Section leadership, get acquainted with Workplace Ambassadors, learn your way around the Annual Conference and network with colleagues! 

All Workplace Section Members – Upon arrival, check-in at the Workplace Section Exhibit Table for your designation to be recognized as a Workplace Section member.

Health Care Section Announces New Teleseminars

ACR’s Health Care Section is pleased to announce a “Health Care Section Teleconference Forum” featuring authors, researchers and practitioners and their contribution to the field. Each teleconference will last approximately one hour and will include a presentation followed by a question and answer period. This teleconference forum is an opportunity to stay abreast of key work in the ADR Health Care field from the convenience of your home or office.

Upcoming teleseminars include:

• Wednesday – October 18th, 3 p.m. EDT: “Integrating Mediation Skills into Ethics Consultation,” presented by Betsy Johnson, Halina Wiczyk, M.D. and Katherine Hall

• Tuesday – November 14th, 3 p.m. EST: “ACR 2006 Conference Highlight Debrief” – a facilitated discussion of key healthcare presentations

• Tuesday– December 5th, 3 p.m. EST: “Mediating Medical Malpractice Lawsuits,” presented by Chris Stern Hyman, J.D.

• Wednesday – January 17, 2007 at 3 p.m. EST: “Highlights of the Medicare Mediation Program,” presented by Jetta Todaro, M.A. and Pat Shanahan, M.B.A.

• Tuesday – February 13, 2007 at 3 p.m. EST: “Medical-Legal Partnership – Integrating Preventative Law and Preventative Medicine,” presented by Lauren Smith, M.D., MPH and Ellen Lawton, Esq.

Additional programs are being planned for 2007. Stay tuned for the details by visiting the Health Care Section website at http://www.mediate.com/acrhealthcare

Calling Georgia and Florida Annual Conference Attendees…

Attention Georgians and Floridians!  Attendees from Georgia and from Florida will meet for dinner while at the 2006 ACR Annual Conference.

On Thursday, October 26, 2006, attendees from Georgia and from Florida will meet at Tir Na Nog Irish Restaurant at 8:00 p.m. ET.  Join us 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 ACR-Fl President Ken Starr at 941/925-0326.  You can also visit http://www.mediate.com/acrgeorgia or http://www.mediate.com/acrflorida.

 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.  This event is open to all, so even if you are not a member of the Georgia Chapter, come and check it out! Come learn about conflict resolution skills to improve your marriage, parenting, sibling relationships, 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 e-mail jheerin@aol.com.

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.

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