ACR Update, March 2008
Published by the Association for Conflict Resolution
http://www.acrnet.org

To view past issues online, go to: http://www.acrnet.org/publications/acrupdate.htm

CALL FOR ARTICLE PROPOSALS

ACResolution Magazine Summer 2008

ACR’s summer 2008 issue of ACResolution magazine will focus on the topic of Social Justice.

Social justice issues are often central to conflict. Do conflict resolution and transformation theory and models effectively address them? What are the consequences when social justice is not attended to? How is social justice critical to the outcome and process of conflict intervention?

ACR is soliciting contributions that address these key concerns from the points of view of interveners, parties, and theorists from all practice areas.

We seek proposals from people who would like to write articles on any aspect of social justice. We seek diversity in authors and subject matter; authors do not have to be ACR members.

If interested, please:

• write a half-page (150-300 word) 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 (2,700 words) or minor feature (1,300 words).

Send your proposals via email to ACResolution at publications@ACRnet.org as soon as possible, but no later than March 25, 2008.

An editorial advisory committee will review the proposals and choose 2–3 major features and 2–3 minor features. All authors will be notified in April. If selected, completed articles will be due to ACR by May 15, 2008.

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

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An early WELCOME to Austin!!!

We – ACR members in Austin and in Texas – are looking forward to hosting you at ACR’s 8th Annual Conference from September 24-27, 2008! The Conference theme, Aspirations, Possibilities, and Realities: Expanding Principles, Practice, and Research in a Changing World, is one that’s inclusive of the work we all do and we are excited to see how the program and the activities unfold. 

Something to Look Forward to in the Coming Months

Between now and September, this space will be filled with information each month that we hope will pique your interest about the Conference, about Texas and about Austin. All of you "buffs" of history, music, travel, wine, and the outdoors will get fun facts and good ideas about what you can do and see while you are visiting us. Internet links will connect you for more details. If you want to get a head start, try the Austin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau’s at: http://www.austintexas.org/.

Austin: Old and New

Austin was first settled in the early 1800s and it hasn't stopped changing yet. Even if you've been to Austin, it's different since you last saw it (and that may have been just last week). The skyline is changing everyday and so is the downtown area where the conference is being held. Austin has over 609,000 people, with a million+ in the greater Austin area. If you haven't been to Texas, then this is a great opportunity to satisfy your curiosity and enjoy the many cultural and historic sites, restaurants (opening every day), music, shopping, outdoor activities, and much, much more. 

Many More than "Six Flags Over Texas"

Yes, Texas is home to cowboys. But in our varied history, Texas has been governed by six entities: Spain (1519-1685 and 1690-1821); France (1685-1690); Mexico (1821-1836); Texas as a Republic (1836-1845; Texas in the Confederacy (1861-1865); and Texas in the U.S. (1845-1861 and 1865-present). Our rich cultural diversity and history doesn't stop there. As the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio will tell you, we are also home to native American groups and others who proudly identify themselves as Mexican-Texans, Italian-Texans, African-Texans, or Asian, Irish, Polish, Hungarian, German, Swedish, Norwegian, or Czech-Texans, and lots of other native and adopted Texans. People from all over the world come to live, grow up, work, be educated, retire and play here.

Geography

Austin is in “central” Texas, sort of in the middle of 261,797 square miles. It’s north of San Antonio (70 miles), south and a little west of Dallas (200 miles), almost due east of Houston (160 miles), 350 miles from Brownsville, and 576 miles from El Paso. It is 801 miles from the northwest corner of the Panhandle to the extreme southern tip of Texas on the Rio Grande below Brownsville. There are vast geographic areas and eco-systems in Texas as well: deserts, mountains and hills, high and low plains, huge plateaus, savannahs, marshes and prairies, and piney woods, but we are in what is called the Texas Hill Country. This area is now known for institutions of higher education (more than five and counting), computers (Silicon Valley of Texas), football (the real "Friday Night Lights"), lakes AND, would you believe it – vineyards (you can visit).

Weather

September is still toasty from the summer months. (OK... it's still hot.) Keep checking "weather.com" or your favorite weather forecaster, but the best bet is to dress for warm weather (but bring a "wrap" if you need an extra layer since air conditioning can get cold). We have a saying, however: "If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute!" 

Come for Exploration

We would love for you to come before and/or after the Conference to explore Austin, the Hill Country around Austin, or any other area of our vast state. We were the largest state until Alaska joined the Union (at the time we said, "Just wait 'till the ice melts."). How many states do you think Texas could become if it wanted to?

Here is a sample of what you will learn about in upcoming issues:

• events you can take advantage of before and after the Conference (i.e., Austin City Limits);

• music events in the "Live Music Capital of the World:" blues, rock, opera, jazz, Latin, country, gospel, etc.;

• sports events and outdoor activities (i.e., walking, biking, jogging, swimming, golf, and rowing sites are not too far from the Conference area);

• stories about interesting people who have lived and left their mark here and in American culture (O. Henry, William Sidney Porter's house/museum is across the street from the hotel); 

• fun and interesting facts (and Texan vocabulary) you can regale your friends with;

• over 30 distinct faith traditions, including: Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, Christian Science, Muslim, Mormon, Hindu, Baha'i and many others;

• more history of Austin, the region, and the state;

• sightseeing and tour opportunities, including walking and "segway" tours of the downtown area;

• nature: Lady Bird Lake and the Hike (jogging) and Bike Trail are just four blocks away; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a few miles away; and the largest urban bat population in North America is located just several blocks away;

• food, food, food: lots and lots of food. In addition to BBQ and Mexican food (both "Tex-Mex" and traditional Mexican) and fantastic hamburgers and buffalo burgers, we also have Cuban food, many different kinds of Asian food (Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai to name a few), Italian, Belgian, New Orleans style, soul food, southern food, and vegetarian;

• museums, such as the LBJ Presidential Library on the University of Texas at Austin campus, as well as the year-old Blanton Museum; Mexican American Cultural Center; the George Washington Carver Library and Museum; Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, and the historic French Legation;

• entertainment ideas: clubs, Esther’s Follies Comedy Troupe, and theater; and

• an update on the weather in the September issue.

Let us know if there is anything else you would like to hear about…and we’ll see you in September in Austin! 

- Jetta Todaro and the Host Committee

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Education Section

 The ACR Education Section Presents

Sustaining Conflict Resolution Education:
Building Bridges to the Future

The Education Section of ACR, the George Mason University Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR), and the Fairfax County Public Schools are co-sponsoring a regional conference from March 9-11, 2008 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. This conference is designed to bring together professionals and future professionals dedicated to the field of Conflict Resolution Education (CRE). Please go to http://www.mediate.com/acreducation/pg12.cfm to view more information about the conference and topics of interest.

Scholarships for Maryland Residents:  Apply before 12 noon Tuesday!  

Thanks to the generous support of the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO), the Education Section of ACR is able to provide scholarships for Maryland residents and students to attend the conference.

To Apply:  If you are a Maryland resident or a student in a Maryland college or university please complete the following registration form: http://www.mediate.com/acreducation/docs/Reg_Form_Sustaining_CRE_Conf.pdf

Include a short note saying how your work involves conflict resolution programming in schools and indicate your need for financial support to attend the conference. Preference will be given to teachers, program administrators, university students, and those working in community mediation centers with school programs. Send forms to ACR Education Conference Registrar by e-mail to pwashington@acrnet.org, or by fax to 202-464-9720.

Deadline:  Applications must be received by 12:00 NOON on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.

 Family Section

Save the date for the next Family Section Conference

“Building Bridges, Moving Mountains”

July 24 - 27, 2008

Park City, Utah

Click here for more information

 Workplace Section

New ACR Workplace Advanced Practitioners Announced

The ACR Workplace Section’s Advanced Practitioner Review Committees are pleased to announce that two (2) ADR professionals have recently achieved Workplace Advanced Practitioner Designations. Monica Lichtenberger of Phoenix, AZ has met the requirements of the Workplace Mediator Advanced Practitioner Designation and David Stiteler of Salem, OR has met the requirements of the Workplace Labor and Employment Arbitrator Advanced Practitioner Designation.  

Workplace Section March Teleseminar - Monday, March 24th  

Continuing our teleseminar series featuring talks with authors from the Fall 2007/Winter 2008 issue of ACResolution magazine, Vivian Berger will present "After the Handshake: Don't Let Settlements Evaporate" on Monday, March 24^th at noon EST and 9 a.m. PST. For more details, see http://www.mediate.com/acrworkplace/pg27.cfm.  

Conflict Coaching Subcommittee is Launched

The first teleconference of the Conflict Coaching Subcommittee was held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 to determine the interest of WPS members in conflict coaching and solicit perspectives and objectives from the membership. Twenty-one members attended and brought their high energy, great ideas and curious questions to the forum. Members shared a wide range of objectives, which included gaining relevant resources on literature and training, learning how to integrate conflict coaching into mediation practice, increasing the credibility of conflict coaching as an ADR mechanism and coaching specialty, as well as networking possibilities.

Cinnie Noble, Conflict Coaching Subcommittee Chair, will coordinate ongoing teleconferences and welcomes ideas on topics, speakers and other activities that members would like to see the subcommittee focus on. If you would like to be on a separate mailing list for this subcommittee, please send your name and e-mail to Cinnie at cinnie@cinergycoaching.com.  For further information, contact her by e-mail, by phone at 416-686-4247, or toll free at 1-866-335-6466.

Mark Your Calendars:

Workplace Section 2008 Mid-Year Meeting and Conference will be on Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, 2008, in San Diego, CA, in conjunction with ADR-San Diego.

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Arizona Chapter 

The Arizona Association for Conflict Resolution will hold a membership meeting on Saturday, March 8, 2008, at Phoenix Law School, 4041 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.

Business meeting at 10:00 a.m.

Program (10:30 a.m. – noon): Evolving Trends in Faith-Based Conflict Resolution: Cultural Differences and Process Tools

What are common congregational disputes?

What are successful ADR tools?

Who should lead conflict resolution efforts in a congregation?

How does congregational culture and theology support conflict resolution?

This program explores conflict resolution within faith-based organizations (FBOs), emphasizing cultural differences and similarities. We will focus on the common types of disputes found in congregational activity, and discuss effective process tools.

Panel: Richard Fincher, Mediator and Arbitrator

           Co-Chair, JustPeace Ministry, Paradise Valley United Methodist Church

           Muna Ali, Islamic Center of the Northeast

           Penny Nichols, Clergy and Peacemaker

           Steven Gonzales, Associate Professor, Phoenix School of Law

Lunch and Networking Hosted by AACR:  noon- 1:00 pm

 Greater New York Chapter

SAVE THE DATES!!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

MARCH 6                                 Roundtable breakfast with

                                               Adair Lynn Nagata, Ph.D, Professor of Intercultural Communication at

                                               Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan

MARCH 19                               Book discussion/Potluck supper

                                               Strategic Negotiation by Jane Seminare Docherty

APRIL 3                                    Roundtable breakfast – Speaker TBA               

APRIL 23                                  Annual Meeting and Elections

                                               Program on city bar recommendations for certification and

                                               NYSDRA's pilot certification program.

APRIL 24                                  Book discussion/Potluck supper

                                               Circle Processes by Kay Pranis

MAY 1                                      Roundtable breakfast – Speaker TBA

JUNE 26-27                             ACRGNY Sixth Annual Conference

NOTE:  With exception of the Annual Conference, all events are held at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 899 Tenth Avenue, 6^th floor, New York, NY. The Annual Conference will be held at Cardozo School of Law, 55 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY.

 Hawaii Chapter

• ACR – Hawaii received a certified copy of the ACR-Hawaii Articles of Incorporation from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaii. ACR-Hawaii is now incorporated! We will now need to apply to ACR national to be included in the ACR's Group Exemption Roster. We will also need to apply for an exemption from the State of Hawaii for Hawaii taxes. A list of next steps is being generated.

• ACR-Hawaii’s Board approved chair and co-chair volunteers for most “standing committees.” As the chapter’s work is done through the volunteer committees, it is critical to have directors in leadership positions. Highlighting the Committee nominations were those for Communications, Membership, Finance and Planning, Education, and Programs and Events.

 Minnesota Chapter

Hold the Date!

Conflict Resolution Minnesota will have its Annual Spring Conference, “Bridging the Divide,” on Friday, May 2, 2008. The conference will have 12 sessions through out the day on various ADR topics, as well as a Conflict Resolution Day Award, and CLE and CEU credits.
 

For more information, please visit www.conflictresolutionmn.org. 

 South Carolina Chapter

The ACR-SC Chapter Organizing Committee has been accelerating the remaining formative steps to ensure that ACR's newest chapter is activated, active and action-oriented! The chapter will hold elect its initial board of directors in March. The 12-member board will then elect the president, president-elect, secretary and treasurer from among the directors. Plans are underway for a series of groundbreaking activities during the remainder of 2008 that will "put ACR-SC on the map." Member networking, an online newsletter, a new chapter website in cooperation with ACR, as well as a first Annual Meeting of Members will be highlights. Also in motion are plans for monitoring developments that might affect the practice of conflict resolution and ADR, with close attention to opportunities for effective advocacy. Finally, there will be creative efforts on public education in connection with ACR's important initiative. Meanwhile, chapter membership is growing, with about two-thirds comprised of active ACR members as well. We are reaching out to former ACR members with the goal of multiplying SC and ACR membership by the end of 2008.

Bill Drake, Chair, ACR-SC Chapter Organizing Committee, in Columbia SC

Mary Bryan, Columbia

Karl Folkens, Florence

Mary Ann Lawson (Past Chair) - Greenville

Tracy Gould Sheinen (Past Chair) - now a Georgia resident but still a member!

James Calhoun Sarratt, Greenville

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ACR MEMBERS: Take advantage of your valuable members-only benefits today! Access to the full Membership Directory Reduced Rates on Professional Liability Insurance 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!

David H. Solin

David H. Solin is the ACR Meeting Planner. He has extensive experience in meetings management and customer service. Previously, David worked as a meeting planner for the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC). He spent six years overseeing executive meetings for the AAHC. David received his B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from The Pennsylvania State University.

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Donate Now! You can make donations to ACR's Annual Fund Campaign online. Click here to learn how you can make an important investment in ACR's future.

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Parenting Coordination Training

Offered by the Cooperative Parenting Institute

April 3-5, 2008: Raleigh, NC

April 10-12, 2008: King of Prussia, PA

May 15-17, 2008: King of Prussia, PA

Presenters: Susan Boyan and Ann Marie Termini, co-authors of The Psychotherapist as Parent Coordinator in High-Conflict Divorce: Strategies and Techniques.

$400.00 Early Bird/$425.00 Full Fee

Visit www.cooperativeparenting.com, call 404-315-7474, or email coparent@yahoo.com.

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International Conference on Transformative Mediation

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Advertise in ACR Update!

Reach 5,500+ conflict resolution enthusiasts with your advertising message. A 10-line, 100-word, text ad costs just $150! For more information, contact ACR at tlankford@acrnet.org.

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ACR Update Archives

Association for Conflict Resolution
5151 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20016
Tel.: 202-464-9700
Fax: 202-464-9720
E-mail: membership@acrnet.org
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Copyright 2008, Association for Conflict Resolution