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>> ACR Update, April 3, 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
April 3, 2002

[1] ACR Bylaws Ballot Official Results

[2] Nominations Sought for ACR Board Members

[3] ACR Staff Update
* Meet ACR's New Staff Members

[4] ACR Conferences and Programs Update
* ACR Environmental/Public Policy Conference: May 16-18, 2002
* Announcing Arun Gandhi as the Keynote Speaker for ACR's 2nd Annual Conference
* ACR's 2nd Annual Conference: August 21-24, 2002 in San Diego, California

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

[6] Membership Department Update
* Member-Get-A-Member Campaign
* New Membership Department Staff (see item number 3 for more information)

[7] ACR Chapter News
* How to Start an ACR Chapter
* Virginia Chapter Skills Enhancement Workshop
* Greater New York Chapter

[8] ACR Section News
* Education Section Update
* International Section Update
* Workplace Section Update

[9] Research Inquiry
* Invitation to participate in a workplace mediation survey

[10] Featured ACR Product
* "The Case of Willie: Three Mediation Approaches," featuring John Haynes, Donald Saposnek, and Florence Kaslow.

[11] Featured Article from ACR Learning Center
* "A Well-Founded Fear of Prosecution: Mediation and the Unauthorized Practice of Law," by David A. Hoffman and Natasha A. Affolder.

[12] Quotes

[13] Message from Our Sponsor
* Colorado School Mediation Project's 11th Annual Violence Prevention in School Communities Conference

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[1] ACR Bylaws Ballot Results
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Dear ACR Members,

The Bylaws ballot was concluded at midnight March 15, 2002. I am pleased to report that the vote was overwhelmingly positive with 95.8% of respondents voting to adopt the Bylaws.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those members who took time to study the Bylaws and return their ballot.

Sincerely,

David

David A. Hart
Chief Executive Officer

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[2] Nominations Sought for ACR Board Members
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Are you interested in nominating someone to the ACR Board of Directors?

The following positions soon will be open on the ACR Board of Directors, and those nominated will take office at the conclusion of the ACR Annual Conference, August 2002:

President-Elect (the Bylaws require that this be a contested election - the winner will become President-Elect; the other candidate will become Vice-President).

4 Directors, including a "Sections Director" and a "Chapters Director."

Duties:
All ACR Directors must recognize and understand the importance of their dedicated efforts to the ultimate success of ACR. Directors shall commit sufficient time and effort to manage the policy oversight of ACR and engage in fund-raising on behalf of ACR.

President-Elect shall: perform the duties of the President in her absence, and participate in the governance of ACR in a manner best calculated to serve as preparation for his/her term as President; serve as an ex-officio member of all committees; participate in all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee; carry out special assignments at the direction of the President, and develop appropriate plans to facilitate the prompt and effective implementation of the Presidency when his/her term begins. In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the President-Elect shall serve as President of ACR for the balance of the President's term. Please note: The President-Elect must have served previously on the Board of either ACR, the Academy of Family Mediators (AFM), the Conflict Resolution Education Network (CREnet), or the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR), within five (5) years immediately preceding his/her nomination as ACR President-Elect.

Chapters Director shall: serve as the designated "point of contact" between the Board and the members and leaders of ACR's Chapters and act as liaison between ACR and local ACR Chapters.

Sections Director shall: serve as the designated "point of contact" between the Board and the members and leaders of ACR's Sections and act as liaison between ACR and its Sections.

Terms:
President-Elect: Three years (one year as President-Elect; one year as President; one year as Immediate Past-President)
Vice-President: one year
Directors: Three years

All recommendations for candidates must be received by Friday, April 19. ACR members interested in nominating candidates may contact the ACR Governance Committee, c/o Nancy Kagondu via e-mail at ballot@acresolution.org or via fax: 202-265-1968.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sharon Press
Chair, Governance Committee

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[3] ACR Staff Update
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Dear ACR Members,

I am pleased to report that ACR has recently hired two highly-qualified candidates in important staff positions. Elizabeth Messner will begin as our Director of Membership on April 15th, 2002, and Paul Nauroth is already hard at work as our Database Coordinator/IT Specialist.

After reviewing over 100 resumes, and conducting interviews with finalists, Elizabeth Messner was our unanimous choice for Director of Membership. She impressed all who met her as exactly the kind of person we need in this important position and brings with her a strong background in both membership services and staff management. With over 15 years of customer service, membership, marketing, and chapter relations experience, she is eager to effectively serve ACR members, and offers creative ideas that will strengthen our association. She brings with her energy, dedication to quality member services, and an impressive track record of past success. Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth as your new Director of Membership. She looks forward to speaking with many of you by phone in the coming months, and personally meeting you in San Diego at this year's annual conference. When she begins her position in a few weeks, she can be reached by e-mail at emessner@acresolution.org, and by phone at 202-667-9700 ext. 206.

Paul Nauroth joined the ACR staff team as our Database / IT Specialist in early March. Paul comes to ACR with extensive background in computer science, a positive attitude, and a willingness to work hard. After many years with the United States Marine Corps, he completed an Associates degree in Information System Management, and in August 2002 will graduate from the University of Maryland, University College with a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Sciences. Although on the job at ACR for just a few short weeks, his experience as a database/application developer, computer analyst, and customer service representative is proving to be a valuable asset. Paul is already working on a plan to make necessary recommendations and changes to the ACR membership database that will facilitate our membership processes and expedite member requests. He can be reached by phone at 202-667-9700, ext. 218, or by e-mail at pnauroth@acresolution.org.

Thank you for joining me in welcoming ACR's two newest staff members. In the weeks and months ahead, I am sure that you will come to know them both as great contributors to our growing organization.

Sincerely,

David

David A. Hart
Chief Executive Officer

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[4] ACR Conferences and Programs Update
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ACR Environmental/Public Policy Section Conference
May 16 - May 18, 2002
Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ
The ACR Environmental/Public Policy Section 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 by April 12, 2002 at http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/conferences and in hard copy. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the ACR Conferences and Programs department, or send your request and complete mailing address to conferences@acresolution.org.

Announcing Arun Gandhi as the keynote speaker for 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 workshops, 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. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

Second Annual Conference Marketing Opportunities
Information regarding our many conference partnership opportunities, including advertising, exhibiting and sponsorship, is now available. Just click on "More Information" under the Second Annual Conference at http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/conferences or e-mail conferences@acresolution.org for a printed package. Don't miss this tremendous opportunity to get the word about your products and services
to the conflict resolution community. For more information, please contact Erin Weiss at 202-667-9700, ext.210 or eweiss@acresolution.org.

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[5] Communications Update
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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), CD-Roms (with photos scanned at 300+ dpi), or e-mailed tiff/jpeg files
(scanned at 300 dpi).

Please include your complete contact information (name, address, phone number, e-mail) and a photo caption, including the location where the photograph was taken. 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 magazine sections:

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 welcomed 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!

Submissions for the following are encouraged: 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 this month's issue of ACResolution, a new quarterly column on diversity highlights 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, or 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.

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-May, 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.

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[6] ACR Membership Department Update
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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.

New Membership Department Staff
ACR has hired a new Director of Membership, Elizabeth Messner, and a new Database Coordinator/IT Specialist, Paul Nauroth. For more information, see number 3, above.

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[7] ACR Chapter News
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How to Start an ACR Chapter
Tom Oswald, the new co-chair and Web site/Newsletter chair of the ACR Commercial Section, recently looked for ways to serve the growing appetite of many ACR members for a professional outlet to help them advance the field in general and ACR in particular. In his words, "The proposition of starting up, or becoming involved in, a local ACR Chapter looks like a winner to meet the needs and interests of all around the table." So, to help members evaluate the potential of local chapter activity, Tom invited Walt Krudop, ACR Houston Chapter President and Chairman of the ACR Chapter Task Force, and Lynne Kinnucan, ACR Chapter/Section Coordinator, to write about the "why" and "how" of starting up or joining an ACR Chapter. To read their articles, please visit the ACR Web site at http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/Chapter-Membership-Start-up.

Virginia Chapter of ACR
On March 22, the Virginia Chapter of ACR hosted its Third Annual Skills Enhancement Spring Workshop, titled "Facilitating Difficult Disputes During Difficult Times!" Through two half-day workshops on Facilitating Dialogues and Facilitating Groups with Deep Democracy and Awareness, the conference gave dispute resolution professionals, community activists and students practical, in-depth experience in two very different approaches to group facilitation.

Greater New York Chapter
The Association for Conflict Resolution of Greater New York will present an evening program on April 18, 2002, titled "ADR In Changing Times: Learning Lessons from Waco and from September 11th." The keynote speaker will be Jayne Seminare Docherty, Professor of Conflict Studies at Eastern Mennonite University and the author of Learning Lessons from Waco: When the Parties Bring Their Gods to the Negotiation Table. Her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring dispute resolution professionals from a cross-section of practice areas. For more information, contact Julie Denny (Tel: 845-373-7448; Fax: 845-373-7092; Tel/Fax: 212-944-7271).

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[8] ACR Section News
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Education Section Update
Campus-adr.org, a FIPSE-funded conflict resolution clearinghouse for higher education, has recently launched the beta version of their new website. The site was developed by ACR's Education Section co-chair, Bill Warters. Unique resources on the site, http://www.campus-adr.org, include:
-- A searchable collection of conflict resolution syllabi
-- The new issue of the Conflict Management in Higher Education Report
-- A searchable collection of campus mediation roleplays
-- A case review forum for anonymous posting of campus mediation cases
-- A MetaSearch tool linked to all the major dispute resolution databases and indexes on the web
-- A Conflict Studies textbook exchange listing service
-- An online Program Evaluation Toolkit for campus mediation programs
-- Extensive information for instructors developing new Conflict Studies courses
-- A "Rec Center" with some fun distractions
-- and lots more.

A meeting to explore Best Practices in Higher Education Conflict Resolution is being held April 8-11 at Wayne State University in Detroit. The broad-based assembled group will begin formal discussions regarding the development of guidelines for best practice within higher education settings, building on, among others, NAME and CREnet's K-12 guidelines. Participants include experienced members (speaking as individuals at this meeting) of ACR's Education Section, the Association for Student Judicial Affairs, the University and College Ombuds Association, Hewlett's Theory Building Centers, the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, and the International Association for Conflict Management, among others. Results of this meeting will be brought to the ACR annual conference in San Diego for continued discussion and refinement. For more information, contact Bill Warters via e-mail at w.warters@wayne.edu.

International Section Update
Maria Cattaneo, chair of the Latin American ADR sub-committee and co-chair of ACR’s International Section, is organizing a file of mediation and arbitration legislation in Latin American countries. Dr. Cattaneo hopes to have the file ready for the International Section meeting at ACR's 2nd Annual Conference in San Diego. She asks any ACR members who live in, are connected to, or would like to work with Latin American countries to please fax or email a copy of their mediation and /or arbitration legislation her at:

Dr. Maria Rosa Cattaneo
fax: 54 11 4 544 0866
Email: mariarcattaneo@arnet.com.ar

Workplace Section Update
On April 19 and 20, the ACR Workplace Section Leadership Council will conduct their first national retreat in Virginia. The Workplace Leadership Council is a broad-based group of 12 ACR members who are committed to
enhancing membership value in the Workplace Section and in shaping the future of workplace ADR. The Workplace Section (formerly the SPIDR Employment and Labor Sectors) is co-chaired by Michael Dickstein of San Francisco and Dick Fincher of Phoenix, Arizona.

If you wish to become active in the Workplace section, contact Fred Mangels, ACR Membership Coordinator, at 202 667 9700 Ext. 245, or via e-mail at fmangels@acresolution.org.

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[9] Research Inquiry
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Request for ACR members to participate in survey for master's thesis

Monica Phillips, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, invites ACR members to participate in a research study of mediators with workplace mediation experience (broadly defined). The research is being conducted as part of a master's degree in Comparative and International Development
Education under the direction of Dr. Michael Paige at the University of Minnesota. The title of the study is "The Use of Mediation to Resolve Cross-Cultural Conflict in the Workplace." For the purpose of this study, participants must be at least 21 years of age or older, and have previously served as a mediator in workplace mediation at least once.

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete a Web-based survey including questions on the impact of cross-cultural variables on mediation, regulations in the field, your experience with mediation in the
workplace, mediator training, and cross-cultural competency. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will have the option to indicate if you would like to participate in a
telephone interview at a later date that will last approximately 20 minutes. This interview will be conducted to find out more about your experience with cross-cultural mediation and your use of mediation in the workplace. It will allow participants to provide more in-depth information than the online survey allows. Volunteering to participate in the optional telephone interview does not guarantee that you will be chosen to participate.

If you have served as a mediator in a workplace mediation at least once and would like to participate in this survey on mediation, please contact the researcher, Monica Phillips, at (612) 340-7920 or mhp@black-hole.com.

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[10] 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: "The Case of Willie: Three Mediation Approaches"

In this 105-minute VHS videotape, John Haynes, Donald Saposnek and Florence Kaslow demonstrate three different styles of mediating with a hostile couple fighting over the custody of their son, Willie. The tape includes three 20-25 minute role plays, individual mediator descriptions of their approach and panel questions and discussion.

This videotape is available through ACR ($95.00 ACR members; $105 non-members). To order, please click here: http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/VHS-WILLIE.

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[11] Featured Article from the ACR Learning Center
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ACR is 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 Well-Founded Fear of Prosecution: Mediation and the Unauthorized Practice of Law," by David A. Hoffman and Natasha A. Affolder. An excerpt of this article follows:

"To many mediators, 'UPL' is an acronym with an increasingly ominous ring. This growing concern about the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) arises from reports around the country of charges filed against mediators who are not lawyers. These prosecutions – or in some cases warnings – are primarily directed at divorce mediators as a result of their drafting of detailed marital settlement agreements. However, all mediators have reason to be concerned, because of uncertainties about what constitutes UPL in the context of mediation."

To read the article in its entirety, please click here: http://www.acresolution.org/research.nsf/key/HAmediation-UPL

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[12] Quotes
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"No matter how far you have gone on the wrong road, turn back." -- Turkish Proverb

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know; its what we know for sure that just ain't so." -- Samuel Longhorne Clemens, American author, 1835-1910. (contributed by ACR member Nancy Neal Yeend)

"Advise and counsel him; if he does not listen, let adversity teach him." -- Ethiopian Proverb

"Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: rationalize them,
understand them thoroughly. After that, it will be possible for you to sublimate them." -- Salvador Dali

"Adversity comes with instruction in his hand." -- Welsh Proverb

"I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders." -- Jewish Proverb

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[13] Message from Our Sponsor: Colorado School Mediation Project
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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 the Colorado School Mediation Project at 303-444-7671, 1-877-853-5402 or visit www.csmp.org.

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