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>> ACR Update, March 6, 2002 <<
Published by the Association for Conflict Resolution,
a merged organization of AFM, CREnet, and SPIDR
http://www.acresolution.org
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WELCOME TO ACR UPDATE!

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 -- we hope you'll find this
information useful. We look forward to your feedback!

CONTENTS OF ACR UPDATE
March 6, 2002

[1] ACR Legislative and Public Policy Action Update
* ACR Launches New Initiative

[2] ACR Membership Update
*ACR Member-Get-A-Member Campaign

[3] Communications Update
* Call for Submissions Conflict Resolution Quarterly
* Call for Photographs for Upcoming ACResolution issue on the environment

[4] ACR Conferences and Programs Update
* ACR Family Section Conference Wrap-Up
* ACR Environmental/Public Policy Conference: May 16-18, 2002
* ACR 2nd Annual Conference: August 21-24, 2002

[5] ACR Chapter News
* Virginia Chapter Skills Enhancement Workshop
* Washington, DC Chapter Professional Development Conference

[6] Featured ACR Product
* "Best Practices for Government Agencies: Guidelines for Using Collaborative Agreement-Seeking Processes"

[7] Featured Article from ACR Learning Center
* "A Cautionary Tale: Lessons to be Learned from Past Mistakes in Afghanistan," by Courtney Draggon

[8] ACR Solicits Reader Feedback

[9] Quotes

[10] Messages from Our Sponsors
* Colorado School Mediation Project's 11th Annual Violence Prevention in School Communities Conference
* Shambhala Institute Authentic Leadership Program
* Transformative Mediation Workshop - sponsored by Conflict Resolution Center International

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[1] ACR Legislative and Public Policy Action Update
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ACR Launches New Initiative

Are you interested in helping build the first nationwide coordinated grassroots network advocating for mediation and creative conflict resolution? We are!

ACR is looking for members interested in helping create a grassroots network to track state-level legislative and public policy developments related to the conflict resolution field. Issues such as quality assurance, the Uniform Mediation Act (UMA) and the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) will be our starting points. The information gathered will be compiled and made available on ACR's Web site as a public service. Other public education and advocacy efforts will be introduced as our network grows.

If you are interested in lending your time and energy to this exciting new initiative, please contact ACR today! We are looking for State Coordinators, who will connect different education and advocacy efforts in their state; State Monitors, who will track legislative and public policy developments in their state; and members interested in working on state-level efforts to help educate the public about conflict resolution.

Please let us know how you would like to be involved by filling out the volunteer action form on the ACR Web site, located at: http://www.acresolution.org/action.nsf/action, or by e-mailing ACR at action@acresolution.org . We look forward to hearing from you!

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[2] ACR Member-Get-A-Member Campaign!
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ACR Member-Get-A-Member Campaign!

Did you know that you receive a $10 discount on your dues for every new member you recruit for ACR?

Simply ask the new member to list your name as the referral source on his or her membership application. When your membership comes up for renewal, your dues will reflect the reduced rate. For example, if you’re a general member of ACR and you recruit one new member, your dues will be reduced from $120 to $110 for the coming year. If you can recruit one new member a month, your dues for the coming year will be paid in full!

Anyone who recruits five or more members between January 1 and June 1, 2002 will be listed in the final ACR 2002 annual conference program and receive special recognition at the President’s Luncheon, held during the annual conference. As an added recruitment incentive, ACR will award a free conference registration for the 2002 annual conference to the person who recruits the greatest number of members. For more information, contact ACR Membership Coordinator Fred Mangels by phone at 202-667-9700, ext. 245, or by e-mail at fmangels@acresolution.org.

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[3] Communications Update
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Call for Submissions Conflict Resolution Quarterly (CRQ)

Conflict Resolution Quarterly (formerly Mediation Quarterly), the journal of ACR, publishes scholarship in the conflict management and dispute resolution field in order to promote more effective professional practice. The defining focus of the journal is the relationship between theory, research and practice. Volume 19:3, which members should receive in April 2002, will provide readers with valuable articles in the areas of family and community mediation. In this issue, renowned scholar-practitioners engage in an important discussion about the exportation of conflict resolution models and practices to countries outside North America. And, the commentary feature raises important issues of the state of ethics in the field of conflict management and dispute resolution.

We encourage CRQ readers to send feedback about the journal to Tricia S. Jones, Editor-in-Chief, at tsjones@astro.temple.edu. Readers may also send comments in response to specific articles for publication in the “Readers’ Response” section of CRQ -- a new feature of the journal that will begin in volume 20. For information about the format for Readers’ Response contributions, and submission procedures for papers, please consult the CRQ Call for Papers document on the ACR web site at http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/CRQ-callforpapers, or contact the editor at the above-noted e-mail address.

Call for Photographs for Upcoming ACResolution Issue on the Environment

Attention all amateur photographers! The Summer 2002 issue of ACR's quarterly magazine, ACResolution, will focus on Environmental Conflict Resolution. We invite you to help us illustrate the issue with your unpublished photographs depicting the beauty and diversity of nature and/or efforts to preserve it. While we cannot guarantee that we will publish your photo because of space constraints, we will make every effort to include as many as possible. Submissions may be in the form of prints (black/white or color; no smaller than 3X5 and no larger than 8X10) or CD-Roms (with photos scanned at 300+ dpi). Please include your complete contact information (name, address, phone number, e-mail) and a photo caption. Submissions accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes will be returned. If your photo is chosen for publication, you will be asked to sign ACR's Permission to Publish Agreement. (You retain copyright.) Submissions should be sent to Susan Williams, Managing Editor, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20036. If you have any questions about what or how to submit, please contact Ms. Williams at 202-667-9700, ext. 230, or swilliams@acresolution.org. The deadline for submissions is April 15.

We also welcome your contributions to the following departments:

Balancing Act focuses on members who are committed to conflict resolution and developing themselves as whole persons, both inside and outside the workplace. Submissions of 150-250 words and photos should highlight an after-hours activity or hobby that enables you to feel centered and grounded outside of your busy life as a conflict resolver. Please tell us about how this activity or hobby revitalizes you, helps you achieve balance in your personal life, feeds your intellect, and nurtures your soul.

What Would You Do? Ethical dilemmas? Seemingly intractable conflicts? Trouble “walking the talk” with colleagues, partners, family members? Your own biases and expectations getting in the way? Please describe (in 250 words or less) an experience that raised a question for you regarding effective conflict resolution practice. Senior practitioners in the field will respond to your queries with suggestions and advice.

Voices is a one-page collection of quotations about conflict resolution and peacemaking that relate to a particular issue’s theme. Please send us quotes related to our field that you find compelling and educational.

Letters to the Editor are both welcome and encouraged as a means of enhancing the dialogue between ACResolution and its readers. (ACResolution reserves the right to edit letters for space.) If an article or column encourages or frustrates you, we want to hear about it!

General interest columns may include: Section and Chapter news, members in the news (awards, personnel moves, etc.), and calendar information (conferences and other events related to conflict resolution).
National and Regional Legislative and Public Policy Updates. Please help us raise member awareness by submitting updates and highlights of conflict resolution-related legislative and public policy news found in the local, regional, and national media.
Best Practices in Diversity and Conflict Resolution -- New!
Starting with the April 2002 issue of ACResolution, a new quarterly column on diversity will highlight practical strategies for training conflict resolution professionals in specific cross-cultural and diversity skills, describe model approaches to resolving complex disputes in various U.S. subcultures and abroad, and present case studies of programs and interventions in the field of diversity and conflict resolution. Each “best practice” chosen for publication will be introduced by Dr. Benjamin D. Reese, Jr., who has worked in the fields of race-relations, cross-cultural communication, and diversity training for more than 30 years. To contribute to this new column, please send 500- to 600-word descriptions of innovative and successful strategies/programs/models/case studies that further the practice of conflict resolution and diversity, or the training of conflict resolution professionals who work with diverse populations. Submissions for this column should be sent to Dr. Reese at reesources1@aol.com.

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[4] ACR Conferences and Programs Update
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ACR Family Section Conference Wrap-Up
We are happy to announce that the first ACR Family Section Conference was a true success! "The Many Faces of Family Mediation" took place at the Marriott Riverfront in Savannah, Georgia, February 28-March 2, 2002. Over 270 participants networked, dialogued and learned together--creating an exciting and vibrant three-day event. The important history of a merger partner was honored, as old and new friends joined to create new memories. And everyone enjoyed the sights and sounds of Savannah, even in rainfall. Thank you to all who organized, presented, and attended this wonderful meeting!

Announcing the ACR Environmental/Public Policy Section Conference
May 16 - May 18, 2002
Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ
The conference, which will be held at the Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, is sure to be an event you'll want to attend. The U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (USIECR) is holding their conference just prior to the ACR Section's in the same location, creating a combination that promises to provide an exceptional experience. The conference brochures will be available online athttp://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/conferences and in hard copy by mid-March. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the ACR Conferences and Programs department, or send your complete mailing address to conferences@acresolution.org.

ACR's Second Annual Conference
August 21-24, 2002
Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, CA
ACR's second annual conference, which will be held at the Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center in San Diego, is sure to be one of the best in the conflict resolution field. The four days will be packed with over 200 workshop sessions, plenary sessions and special events. Plan now to join us in sunny San Diego this summer. The conference brochures will be sent to members in May and will also be available online at http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/conferences. Information regarding advertising, exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities will be available by mid-March. Don't miss this tremendous opportunity to get the word out about your products and services to the conflict resolution community. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

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[5] ACR Chapter News
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Virginia Chapter of ACR
Third Annual Skills Enhancement Spring Workshop
March 22, 2002
The Virginia Chapter of ACR is hosting its Third Annual Skills Enhancement Spring Workshop, "Facilitating Difficult Disputes During Difficult Times," on March 22, 2002 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. For more information about this professional development opportunity, please contact Julia Morelli (phone: 703-212- 7462, e-mail: juliagmorelli@cs.com).

Washington, DC Chapter of ACR
7th Annual Professional Development Conference
April 17, 2002
9:00-5:30 pm

The ACR District of Columbia Chapter will present its 7th Annual Professional Development Conference on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 at the National Institutes of Health William H. Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland. This conference will help participants build upon their ADR skills and introduce them to an array of exciting practice areas. The keynote speaker is Christopher Moore, the internationally renowned author of the classic textbook on mediation, The Mediation Process. Moore’s address is titled “Multiculturalism and the ADR Process.” In a rapidly changing world, conflict resolution experts face a multitude of issues in their ADR practices, including working with individuals of highly diverse cultural backgrounds. Rather than being an impediment or source of impasse during the mediation process, multiculturalism can be used effectively as a dynamic element to move the dispute resolution process forward. To register for this one-day event, or to request a conference brochure, please call the DC ACR Hotline: 202-822-1158.

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[6] Featured ACR Product
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ACR, and our founding organizations (AFM, CREnet, and SPIDR), have developed a number of conflict resolution products that reflect the wide range of interests and practice areas of our members. In each ACR Update, we will feature one of these products.

This issue's featured product is:
"Best Practices for Government Agencies: Guidelines for Using Collaborative Agreement-Seeking Processes," by the SPIDR Environment/Public Disputes Sector Critical Issues Committee.

These 1997 guidelines were proposed by SPIDR for government-sponsored collaborative approaches that seek agreement on issues of public policy. A series of recommendations are put forward to help ensure successful use of collaborative processes for decision-making by federal, state, provincial, and territorial government officials.

We featured this product last month, and are pleased to announce that this valuable resource is now available free of charge on the ACR Web site. To view this resource, click here: http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/EPPbestpractices.

If you would like to order an illustrated, professionally printed copy of this report, please click here: http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/Rep-GovAg.

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[7] Featured Article from the ACR Learning Center
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We are committed to educating our members and the general public about conflict resolution. Therefore, in each ACR Update, we will feature an article from the ACR Learning Center that we think will be of value to our members.

This issue's featured article is: "A Cautionary Tale: Lessons to be Learned from Past Mistakes in Afghanistan," by Courtney Draggon. An excerpt of the article follows.

"Now that the United States finds itself re-engaged in Afghanistan, it might be useful to examine the U.S.’ prior relationship with that Central Asian country. In the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. discovered that an area of strategic importance, both militarily and economically, was in danger of succumbing to Soviet influence. In order to protect its interests, the U.S. approached the situation as it had numerous times in the past—that is, by fighting a proxy war through covert action. Proxy wars were common protocol for both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. during the days of the Cold War. They basically consisted of funding, training, and even engaging in the wars of third world countries in order to uphold or reinstate their respective ideologies."

To read the rest of this article, please click here: http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/Afghanistan

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[8] Reader Feedback
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We are interested in receiving your feedback. What do you think of ACR Update? ACResolution? Conflict Resolution Quarterly? Annual and Section Conferences? The ACR Web site and Web-based services? How can we ensure that ACR better serves you, our members?

Please e-mail your feedback or your suggestion for items to include in future editions of ACR Update, to feedback@acresolution.org (Please note that any feedback you send in may be featured in future issues of ACR Update).

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[9] Quotes
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The quotations below were submitted by Frank Dukes, Co-Chair of ACR's Environmental/Public Policy Section. If you have a favorite conflict resolution-related quote you'd like to see included in a future issue of ACR Update, please send it to feedback@acresolution.org.

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and help them become what they are capable of being." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"It isn't a mistake to have strong views. The mistake is to have nothing else." -- Anthony Weston, A Rulebook for Arguments (Hackett)

They drew a circle which kept me out,
A heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win
We drew a circle which drew them in. (unknown)

"Raw, naked truth exchanged between the black man and the white man is what a whole lot more of is needed in this country -- to clear the air of the racial mirages, cliches, and lies that this country's very atmosphere has been filled with for four hundred years." The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done -- then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago." -- Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

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[10] Messages from Our Sponsors
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Save the Date: June 10&11, 2002
Colorado School Meditation Project's
11th Annual Violence Prevention in School Communities Conference
"Safe and Peaceful Communities: Now More Than Ever"
Denver, CO

Workshops on: Safe and Successful Learning Environments; Diversity and Anti-bias Approaches; Security and Crisis Management; Just for Youth; After School Programs and Community Collaborations; Restorative Justice Strategies; Conflict Resolution and Social/Emotional Skills; Violence Prevention and Resiliency.

For: Counselors, Educators, Law Enforcement Community, Youth, Mediators, School
Administrators, Parents, and Youth Service Organizations.

Co-Sponsored By:
Association for Conflict Resolution
Colorado Department of Education
Colorado Forum On Community and Restorative Justice

For More Information contact Colorado School Mediation Project, 303-444-7671, 1-877-853-5402 or visit www.csmp.org.

----- ---- --- -- -> A Message From Our Sponsor <- -- --- ---- ----

Bridging Conflict through Dialogue
with Mark Gerzon and Rachael Kessler

A 15-hour module within the annual Authentic Leadership program
June 15-22, 2002. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Other presenters include Peter Senge, Margaret Wheatley, and Fred Kofman

This module will strengthen facilitation skills that help groups-in-conflict deepen conversations, develop empathy and genuine understanding, and work towards common ground. Gerzon is president of Mediators Foundation, a laboratory for innovative projects that respond to global conflict. Together, Gerzon and Kessler designed and facilitated the historic Bipartisan Congressional Retreats in 1997 and 1999.

For more information: http://www.shambhalainstitute.org/2002/03gerzon.html
Phone: 902-425-0492. E-mail: info@shambhalainstitute.org

----- ---- --- -- -> A Message From Our Sponsor <- -- --- ---- ----

Transformative Mediation Workshop, sponsored by Conflict Resolution Center International
March 16 and 17, 2002, The Hampton Inn, 4575 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA
Presenters: Kim R. Bobrowsky and Patricia "Trisch" Bass.
This is a highly dynamic and interactive workshop that is designed to leave participants with the ability to use the transformative model effectively and confidently in actual practice. "This workshop is a real advance in skill building with the transformative model." -Paul Wahrhaftig, President, Conflict Resolution Center International. Cost: $465.00. For questions and to register, call Kim Bobrowsky at (412) 263-3400. For more information, visit the CRCI website at http://ConflictRes.org/bdra1.htm.

----- ---- --- -- -> A Message From Our Sponsor <- -- --- ---- ----
"THIS AD COULD BE YOURS!" Reach 5,000+ conflict resolution
enthusiasts with your advertising message. Get more details by clicking the
link below:

http://acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/advertise

----- ---- --- -- -> A Message From Our Sponsor <- -- --- ---- ----

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Resolution! Immediate Benefits: See http://acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/reasons
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Copyright 2001, Association for Conflict Resolution
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