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ACR Update,
July 2009
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To view past issues online, visit the ACR Update Archives |
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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 |
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ACR Announces the Formation of New Section on Elder Decision-Making and Conflict Resolution The creation of the Section on Elder Decision-Making and Conflict Resolution was unanimously approved by the ACR Board of Directors at its July Board meeting. The mission of the Section is to advance the development, provision, and use of high quality facilitated conflict resolution and decision-making services by older persons, their families, public and private service providers and others regarding the transitions that may come with aging. Those transitions may involve caregiving, estate planning and estate administration, guardianship decisions and alternatives, health care, housing, insurance, end-of-life planning and decision-making. The transitions may involve issues related to consumer matters, neighbor conflicts, and other matters not particular to older persons, but that may require appropriate accommodations when an older person is involved. The Section will work to foster professional standards, ethics, training and practice to promote the maximum effective participation of all persons to achieve informed self-determination regardless of possible age-related or other limitations of involved parties. It also will work to address the potential of ageism or age discrimination by any person (including the practitioner, participants, and others) in the provision of such conflict resolution and decision-making services. “The formation of this Section demonstrates ACR’s interest in responding to new areas of practice,” says ACR President James A. Rosenstein. “The need for a home for specialists in elder conflict resolution became clear to me recently when I received elder mediation training. I learned there the additional expertise required for even experienced mediators to be effective in helping to resolve conflicts in which elderly persons are either parties or their interests or rights would be affected by its resolution.” Rosenstein announced today that the Section leaders will be Arline Kardasis (arline@elderdecisions.com), Carolyn J. Rodis (cjrodis@yahoo.com), and Robert J. Rhudy (bobrhudy@yahoo.com). A Section meeting is being planned for the ACR Annual Conference in Atlanta, October 7 – 10, 2009. Watch for details in the August ACR Update. To join this new Section, please go to Member Center and log in. On the left sidebar, click on the link “Add a Section,” and check off “Elder Decision-Making and Conflict Resolution Section.” Alternatively, you may call the Member Concierge Center at 202-464-9700, press option 2, and the Membership concierge will help you. Questions also may be e-mailed to sections@ACRnet.org. Special note: Watch for the Summer issue of ACResolution. The theme is New Perspectives on Elder Mediation: Evolving Ethics and Best Practices. Collaborative and Cooperative Law Work Group Working to Provide Consumers Educational Materials Comparing ADR Processes ACR’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee convened the Collaborative and Cooperative Law Work Group (CCLWG) to:
The CCLWG is comprised of representatives of ACR, American Bar Association (ABA), the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), and the Divorce Cooperation Institute. The CCLWG is developing draft descriptions of processes used to resolve issues related to divorce and parenting that are intended to assist consumers in selecting a process that meets their needs. These materials will be available on-line in Discussion Draft form later this summer. The work group is seeking comment on how to make these materials as useful as possible. If you are interested in reviewing the discussion drafts, please contact the workgroup co-chairs Cindy Cook (ccook@adamantaccord.com) and Nancy Gardner (amcr1@optonline.net). Summer Issue of Conflict Resolution Quarterly Now Available: “Challenging the Dominant Paradigms in Alternative Dispute Resolution” Be sure to catch the summer edition of Conflict Resolution Quarterly (Volume 26 number 4, Published July 21, 2009). This colloquy edition focuses on challenges to the dominant paradigms and practices in mainstream ADR. Each article was chosen specifically because it makes us think about the practice of ADR in new and challenging ways.
Conflict Resolution Quarterly can be accessed three ways: |
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The year 2009 marks another major point in the evolution of ACR in which we continue to build and strengthen our field, the connections within and across our practice areas and our chapters, as well as reach outside our communities and comfort zones. "Whole of Community" can be defined as a concept in which groups, organizations, or individuals within society come together around a common purpose. Those who come together may be from diverse backgrounds, i.e., experiential, ethnic, cultural, demographic, with different goals or values but recognize that they can have a far greater impact by working together rather than individually. This idea requires new kinds of dialogue within the multiple areas of society in which each one of us moves.
ACR is proud to welcome Keynote Speaker Wallace Warfield
Dr. Warfield is a reflective practitioner, trained in the area of public administration and public policy, making use of a full range of theory in the analysis of conflicts and various approaches used to manage, mitigate, and resolve such conflicts. He teaches laboratory-simulation, practicum, and theory courses and his field work has involved interventions and training in complex, multi party conflicts involving communities and organizations in the U.S. and abroad. Along with other ICAR faculty, he has conducted research and training projects in conflict settings in Africa and South America. In the latter case, the focus has been on conflict zones of peace in Colombia. Dr. Warfield is on the Editorial Board of Negotiations Journal and is also the author of a number of publications in the field of conflict analysis and resolution. He is a past President of the Society of Professionals In Dispute Resolution (SPIDR) and a member of the Board of Reference of the Conflict Transformation Program, Eastern Mennonite University. To view the preliminary program click here Enjoy your stay in Atlanta and plan to visit some of the historic and wonderful attractions in the city called the “Gateway to the South.” The Hilton Atlanta Hotel, our conference hotel, is located in the center of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. There are several walking tours within a short distance of the hotel. There is something for everyone and the following list of possibilities will help you plan tours and enjoy your visit to Atlanta. The Atlanta Preservation Center provides a walking tour of Atlanta’s Historic Neighborhoods and Sites. All tours are regularly scheduled. No advance reservations are required for daytime tours for groups of less than 20 individuals. http://www.preserveatlanta.com/walkingtours.htm The World of Coca-Cola is the only place where you can explore the complete story—past, present and future—of the world’s best-known soda brand. http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com The Georgia Aquarium is the world’s largest aquarium with more than 8 million gallons of water and features more fish and animals than any other aquarium. http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ Centennial Olympic Park, a unique 21-acre park, performs a dual mission: it serves as Georgia’s lasting legacy of the Centennial Olympic Games and it anchors efforts to revitalize residential and commercial development in Georgia’s capital city of Atlanta. http://www.centennialpark.com/ CNN Center provides you with a journey into the heart of the world’s news leader at Inside CNN Atlanta. This 55-minute behind-the-scenes tour shows you exactly what it takes to deliver the news available to over 2 billion people worldwide. http://www.cnn.com/tour/atlanta/ The Mall at Peachtree Center is a three-tiered retail mall located in the heart of downtown Atlanta at the corner of Peachtree Street and International Boulevard. With more than 60 specialty shops, including six full-scale restaurants and more than 20 personal and business services. http://www.peachtreecenter.com/mall/ The Fox Theatre opened on December 25, 1929 and remains as one of Atlanta’s most visited attractions. In May 1974, The Fox was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. http://www.foxtheatre.org/index.htm The Atlanta Civic Center boasts the largest performance stage in the Southeast, making it the venue of choice for major productions and exclusive special events. In 2001, the Atlanta Civic Center was renamed as a lasting tribute to one of Atlanta’s most beloved philanthropists, Boisfeuillet Jones. The calendar of upcoming events is listed on the site. http://www.atlantaciviccenter.com/ |
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Conflict Resolution Day Is October 15! New Contests Offered for Students |
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ACR is pleased to announce two new contests for Conflict Resolution Day 2009 designed to engage students and increase public awareness of conflict resolution: Video Contest Is Geared to College and University Students Students enrolled in colleges and universities are invited to create and submit a two minute or less video displaying the power of conflict resolution. Each video will be judged based on its creativity, originality, production quality, clarity of message, and potential to educate diverse audiences. The submission period is expected to be September 1, 2009 to October 1, 2009. The winner of the contest will receive a free one-year ACR membership and one free registration to the 2010 Annual Conference. Complete contest rules are available online. Poetry Contest Is Planned for Younger Students A poetry contest for students in elementary, middle/intermediate, and high schools is being planned as a youth activity for Conflict Resolution Day. The contest will take place in Fall 2009. Poetry contest information will be e-mailed to interested individuals, teachers, schools, and groups. If you would like to receive information on the poetry contest for Conflict Resolution Day, please e-mail poetrycontest@ACRnet.org Conflict Resolution Day is an annual celebration conceived by ACR in 2005 and activities take place on or around the third Thursday in October. This year, Conflict Resolution Day is October 15. It is never too early to start planning an event, arranging for a proclamation or brainstorming new ways to celebrate the benefits of conflict resolution. Visit www.ACRnet.org/crday to view listings of past events and to view a sample letter requesting a gubernatorial proclamation. Add your event to ACR’s Web site by completing this form. You also can share a proclamation on the ACR Web site by completing this form. Conflict Resolution Day posters are available in Arabic, English, French, Hebrew, and Japanese. |
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Increasingly states are authorizing residential foreclosure mediation programs statewide. In Nevada, a Foreclosure Mediation Program was recently authorized by Assembly Bill 149, passed during the 2009 session of the Nevada Legislature. This law establishes a Foreclosure Mediation Program for owner-occupied residential properties that are subject to foreclosure notices filed on or after July 1, 2009. On June 30, 2009, the Nevada Supreme Court adopted rules to govern the Nevada Foreclosure Mediation Program. These Rules can be found at http://www.nevadajudiciary.us/images/pdf/foreclosure.mediation.rules.ord.pdf . In Connecticut, the House and Senate recently passed SB 948 providing for mandatory mediation for parties involved in foreclosure proceedings on a residential property. This legislation can be found at http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/ACT/Pa/pdf/2009PA-00209-R00SB-00948-PA.pdf . SB 948 has been sent to Governor M. Jodi Rell for signature. |
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ACR Board member Paula Trout is serving on the planning committee of an upcoming conference tentatively titled “The Economic Crisis and Conflict Resolution.” The conference will take place February 12-13, 2010 and will be sponsored by The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at the Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada Las Vegas, together with a consortium of local practitioners. Participants will gain insights into conflict resolution tools used to deal with aspects of the economic crisis. Read more about the conference and the call for proposals at http://www.law.unlv.edu/saltman_Events.html |
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| From the Desk of the Membership Director | ||||
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Start the Discussion ACR is pleased to notify members that a new Discussion Forum feature is now available for members of ACR. Log in and access the Discussion Forum at http://impak.acrnet.org/members_online/members/committees.asp. The purpose of the Discussion Forum is to help advance the conflict resolution field by being an online gathering place for ACR members. The Forum is a place to ask questions and share your knowledge through free-flowing information exchanges. This online network is just one more way that ACR provides quality networking opportunities for its members. To connect with professionals just like you, start the discussion now at http://impak.acrnet.org/members_online/members/committees.asp. |
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Call for Nominations for Chair-Elect of the ACR Education Section
The
ACR Education Section is currently soliciting nominations for the
position of Chair-Elect. The Education Section follows a Progressive
Leadership Rotation: Every year the Section elects a Chair-Elect who
will serve in that capacity for one-year from the end of one Annual
Conference to the end of the next Annual Conference. That person
will become Chair the following year and will become Immediate
Past-Chair the third year. If you wish to submit a nomination for Chair-Elect, please fill out the form and send it to Cindy Morton (Cynthia_morton@yahoo.com) and Lisa Hershman (lisa.hershman@hofstra.edu). All nominees will be asked to submit a resume and the names of three references. All nominations must be received by July 18, 2009.
2009 EPP Conference Review: Managing Climate Change Through Collaborative Governance: Addressing Policy Challenges Globally and Locally By Carolyna Smiley-Marquez Approximately 175 presenters and participants attended the 2009 EPP Section Conference in Denver, CO from June 11-13 to explore ways in which citizens, policy makers, government representatives and other stakeholder groups are and can be engaged in collaborative efforts to confront challenges and leverage opportunities associated with global climate change. The conference was hosted by the University of Denver Conflict Resolution Institute, and Co-Chaired by Tamara Pearson D’Estre, Luce Professor of Conflict Resolution at the University of Denver, and Michael Elliott, from the Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Georgia Tech, and immediate past Co-Chair of the ACR EPP Section. Harry Manasewich and Carolyn Penny, ACR EPP Section Co-Chairs, welcomed everyone and noted that EPP practitioners are uniquely qualified to assist the dialogue on climate change and challenged participants to use the conference to learn where and how they may help. A pre-conference orientation program for developing EPP practitioners through mentoring relationships, conference keynote speakers, panels and sessions provided opportunities for sharing model approaches and innovative new strategies to further the use of consensus-building, collaboration, and conflict resolution to address current and emerging environmental and public policy imperatives. Conference workshop and panel discussion topics ranged from case studies on collaborative decision-making and governance at three national parks and a major western reservoir, the uncoupling of partisan politics from the issue of climate change to working effectively in the inevitable emotionally charged phases of creating collaboration. Several panels of diverse stake holders--including local and state government employees, elected officials, utility and energy sector and special interest groups and organizations--described their participation in collaborative public policy decision-making involving transportation, development and future planning issues. State-level climate programs were showcased and other programs addressed participation and partnership for addressing greenhouse gas, water storage and public health. Practitioners also had opportunities to discuss professional issues in the field of dispute resolution such as ethics and the application of a hierarchy of competencies for advancing in public policy mediation-facilitation. Presenters and participant contributors to the conference included representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution, public officials, state and city government representatives and elected officials from Colorado, California and Washington, among others. James Geringer, former two-term Wyoming Governor and past chair of the Western Governor’s Association, and now co-chair of the board of the Policy Consensus Initiative/National Policy Consensus Center, provided a keynote presentation open to participants and the public on the urgency of addressing climate change and of creating and supporting collaborative governance capacities, structures and networks at the state level. Michael Dorsey, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth University, author and former member of the State Department delegation to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and of President Clinton’s council on sustainable development, addressed the conference on the topic of “President Obama and Climate Justice: Possibilities and Necessities for the Next 1000 Days.” In particular, his focus on the interplay of finance and environment addressed issues of justice-based climate policies. Trips sponsored by the conference to the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Mesa Laboratory and to Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park provided participants with on-site opportunities to apply concepts and knowledge gained in the four-day conference. The conference was a critical activity of the ACR EPP Leadership Council whose members include: Co-Chairs, Carolyn Penny and Harry E. Manasewich and Council members, Michael Elliott, Marci DuPraw, Dan Adams, Jeff Edelstein, Juliana Birkhoff, Janice Fleischer, Ramona Buck, Nicholas Dewar, Rob Williams, Cindy Cook and Carolyna Smiley-Marquez. For more information on the EPP Section and its activities, please go to www.acrepp.org (its new blogsite!).
The Family Section monthly teleseminar series will continue on August 5 at 3 PM ET. Michael Hennecke will present “Mediating in Spanish for Gringos.” This seminar will consider topics such as historical migration patterns and current demographic trends, cultural differences affecting mediation, and effectively working with an interpreter. For instructions to participate in any teleseminars, go to the Section Web site and login as a member of the Family Section. Recordings of past teleseminars are available for Section members to download from the Family Section website: Due to a recent hiccup on the Family Section Website, the link to the nominations form, for those interested in Section leadership, was not working. The link is now functional, so we encourage any who are interested to submit their own name or the name(s) of other person(s) whom you feel would make a positive contribution to the Family Section Advisory Council. Please complete and submit the form. Click here to read the most recent issue of Family Mediation News, with a feature article about mediator certification.
The ACR International Section is pleased to provide links to the resources below. Note: ACR does not endorse or promote the listed Web sites. These Web sites are provided only as an informational service and member benefit to ACR International Section members. BASESwiki
BASESwiki would like to invite ACR members to be a part of BASESwiki
(www.baseswiki.org), a new global online community focused on
dispute resolution between companies and their stakeholders in
society. BASESwiki is an initiative of the UN Secretary-General’s
Special Representative for Business and Human Rights, Prof. John
Ruggie. This online community aims to support the use and
improvement of non-judicial grievance mechanisms around the world by
providing information on: For
additional information, click here:
BASESwiki Invitation.
Peace and Collaborative Development Networking
World Directory of
ADR Blogs “Bringing together the world of blogs covering mediation, arbitration, negotiation, conflict resolution, and people-focused innovations in the practice of law.”
Alertnet
Beyond Intractability
The Conflict Resolution Information Source Additional resources:
Conflict Resolution Network, Canada
Centre de Documentation et de Recherche sur la Paix et les Conflits
Exploring Global Conflict
Globalsecurity.org INCORE: Conflict Data Source: Regional, Internet Guides http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/services/cds/countries/index.html
International Affairs Contact Net
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/iacnet/
Mediate.com
Mediation World
Nobel Peace Prize Winners 2004-1901
NonViolence
Reliefweb The
International Crisis Group, ICG The
Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution
USAID Transition
Initiatives
The ACR Spirituality Section Is Pleased to Present A Conversation with Bernie Mayer: Staying With Conflict: Constructive Interventions in Enduring Disputes Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 3 PM Eastern
The most important conflicts in our lives do not go away but remain with us over time. That is because they represent basic issues of identity, structure, and values. In this seminar, Bernie Mayer will present an approach to helping clients work with long-term conflicts in a constructive way. The approach is based on the approach presented in “Staying With Conflict: A Strategic Approach to Ongoing Disputes” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2009). He also will discuss how taking on the challenge of enduring conflict can offer a significant opportunity for our field to expand our practice and our approach by addressing what are the most important and troubling conflicts that people, organizations, and communities face. Bernard Mayer, Ph.D., Professor, Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Creighton University, and Partner, CDA Associates, is an internationally-recognized leader in the field of conflict resolution. Bernie has facilitated many complex and controversial environmental conflicts, commercial and organizational disputes, interpersonal conflicts, public decision-making processes, and has an extensive background in family mediation as well. Bernie is the author of many books and articles including The Dynamics of Conflict Resolution: A Practitioner’s Guide” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2000), “Beyond Neutrality: Confronting the Crisis in Conflict Resolution” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2004), and “Staying With Conflict: A Strategic Approach to Ongoing Disputes” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley, 2009) Call-in number: 1-712-432-0800, code: 761419# (Remember to hit #6 to mute and un-mute your phone!)
WPS asks members to step up to ACTIVE Workplace Section membership and take on volunteer and leadership roles. Contact Susan Conner skconner@verizon.net. Conflict Coaching Committee Teleconference Emotions: Obstacle or Gateway to a Lasting Resolution? presented by Eileen Barker and John Ford
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 12 Noon – 1 PM Eastern
The call in number (not toll free) is 605-475-6350, PIN 496839#. Emotional issues lie at the heart of conflict. Ideally, conflict coaches and others who work with people in conflict are skilled and confident when working with emotions. Yet for most of us, strong emotions can be very challenging and if left unaddressed can become roadblocks that lead to impasse. Rather than fearing the eruption of strong emotions, what if you had the tools to work with them so that instead of being obstacles, they become a portal to achieving enduring resolutions for clients? This teleconference will help coaches become more skilled and confident in this important arena. Presentation Outline: Welcome and sharing of session objectives The Role of Emotions in conflict Physiology and classification of emotions Models for emotional management- emotional awareness model for coaches Intervention choices Exploration of intervention choices in context of provided scenarios
For more information on the Conflict Coaching Committee and to suggest topic ideas, please contact this Committee’s Chair Cinnie Noble at cinnie@cinergycoaching.com, 416-686-4247, toll free 1-866-335-6466.
Upcoming Monthly Workplace Section Teleseminar
July 22, 2009 Details are forthcoming, check the WPS Website for more information
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The Central California ACR Chapter is busy planning for three upcoming events. Themes for these are September: Workplace Mediation, January: Mediator Competency, March: Many Paths and Professions. The interests and needs arose from a survey administered to members at a previous meeting. CCCACR has decided to co-sponsor (one monthly) local CRE and RJ events in the community. To date, the Central California Valley Chapter has co-sponsored “Mediator Appreciation Day” in May of 2009 and the Peace Maker Award at the Cesar Chavez Conference at Fresno State University in March 2009. Two additional events were noted: Mediation Week at Clovis City Council and Fresno City Council in March of 2009. The Central California Chapter also has committed to include youth in all chapter activities. In our area, we have many schools in which peer mediators practice in CRE and RJ models and three universities contributing to training mediators for our future. Our chapter leaders also are involved in the planning for the national meeting in Atlanta. National section board members are Duane Ruth-Heffelbower, Christina Cassinerio, Don Fischer, Mari Henson and Pam Lane-Garon. In other news, CCCACR board members have been very involved in training students and teachers at Sequoia Middle School. Almost 200 mediations were completed this year, helping to reduce suspensions and discipline referrals. Students also raised close to $1100 so they could take an unforgettable trip to the Museum of Tolerance.
ACR GNY held its annual conference on Thursday, June 25, 2009 in conjunction with Fordham Law School. Plenary speakers included Christopher Coleman, Chief of Policy Planning and Mediation Support in the UN Department of Political Affairs and NY Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights, Galen Kirkland. There were 14 Workshops and an Awards Luncheon where CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Dispute Resolution and The Domestic Violence and Mediation Safety Project received the 2009 ADR Achievement Awards. Continuing their monthly breakfasts, the Chapter will welcome the Manager of Mediation Services at the World Bank, Camilo Azcarate, as speaker on Thursday, July 2, 2009, 8 – 10 AM. The breakfasts are open to the ADR community and take place on the first Thursday of each month from 8:00 - 10:00 AM at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
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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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Encourage your colleagues and friends to join the Association for Conflict Resolution! Enjoy immediate benefits for you and your friends. Go to www.ACRnet.org and click “Join Now.” |
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Association for Conflict Resolution
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