About UsAssociation for Conflict ResolutionACR_f8884658-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced8234389The Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) is a professional organization enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution. We are the nation’s largest professional association for mediators, arbitrators, educators and other conflict resolution practitioners. ACR works in a wide range of settings throughout the United States and around the world. At ACR, you will find colleagues with similar skills and concerns ...Government Employeesgovernment employee working with the shared neutrals program, School Educatorsschool educator teaching peer mediationCustody Mediatorscustody mediator in the court systemEnvironmental Mediatorsenvironmental mediator dealing with regulatory disputesArbitratorsarbitrator dealing with corporate non-performancePublic Policy Facilitatorspublic policy facilitator working with interagency conflictDivorce Mediatorsdivorce mediator working with familiesACR Executive CommitteeMarya Cody Kolman PresidentCheryl L. Jamison President-Elect Perri E. Mayes Immediate Past PresidentMary N. Miller Vice President Nancy Flatters SecretaryDonzell Robinson TreasurerTajaé A. Gaynor Diversity & Equity DirectorACR Directors at LargeSheri Callahan At-Large MemberJeffrey Cohen At-Large MemberJulie Denny Chapters DirectorBill Drake At-Large MemberTricia Jones At-Large MemberFrances I. Mossman At-Large Member Gigi Robson At-Large MemberJonathan Rosenthal Sections DirectorJetta Todaro At-Large Member John Windmueller At-Large MemberAll people know their choices for conflict resolution _f8884cd4-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced8234389ACR gives voice to the choices for quality conflict resolution _f8884e32-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced8234389MulticulturalismOur multicultural and multidisciplinary organization offers a broad umbrella under which all forms of dispute resolution practice find a home. Multidisciplinary ApproachEthicsETHICAL PRINCIPLESProfessionalismPrinciples of Professionalism: An ACR Neutral must adhere to the highest standards of integrity, impartiality and professional competence in rendering her or his professional service. 1. A Neutral must not accept any engagement, perform any service, or undertake any act which would compromise the Neutral’s integrity. 2. A Neutral must maintain professional competence in dispute resolution skills by staying informed of, and abiding by, all relevant practice statutes, rules, and administrative orders and by regularly engaging in educational activities that inform as to professional practices and promote professional growth. 3. A Neutral must decline appointment, withdraw, or request technical assistance when the Neutral feels that a case is beyond the Neutral’s competence. 4. A Neutral must decline all cases where there is a conflict of interest or where there is the appearance of an impropriety. 5. A Neutral must not engage in conduct that is considered contrary to professional standards of justice, honesty and ethics, including but not limited to misrepresentation of credentials, crossing of professional boundaries and truth in advertising.JusticeHonestyRolesPrinciples of Role: An ACR Neutral must respect the principle of individual integrity by ensuring that in dispute resolution proceedings, other than arbitration or other leader-directed models of dispute resolution, decision-making authority rests with the participants. The role of the Neutral shall include assisting participants in identifying issues, reducing obstacles to communication, maximizing the exploration of alternatives and helping the participants reach voluntary agreements. 1. A Neutral must promote a balanced process and must promote mutual respect among the participants throughout the conflict resolution process. 2. A Neutral must not coerce or unfairly influence a participant into any settlement agreement. 3. A Neutral must not intentionally nor knowingly misrepresent material facts or circumstances in the course of conducting the conflict resolution proceeding. 4. A Neutral must be impartial and advise all participants of any circumstances bearing on possible bias, prejudice, or impartiality. Impartiality means freedom from favoritism or bias in word, action, and appearance. Impartiality implies a commitment to aid all participants, as opposed to an individual participant in conducting the conflict resolution process. 5. A Neutral must promote informed decision making among the participants in the process, without offering legal, psychological or any other advice associated with the Neutral’s background and trainingNeutralityProcessPrinciples of Process: An ACR conflict resolution process should emphasize the following principles: 1. Participants’ Self-determination: The act of participants coming to informed, voluntary and uncoerced decisions. 2. Client Centered Negotiation: The needs and interests of the participants form the basis upon which resolution is sought. 3. Neutral’s Impartiality: Freedom from favoritism or bias in word, action, attitude and appearance; ensuring a commitment to aid all participants, as opposed to an individual participant, in conducting the conflict resolution process. 4. Fairness of the Process: The balancing of the process to meet the needs and interests of the participants. 5. Procedural Flexibility: Designing the process to fit the circumstances of the situation, wishes and needs of the participants. 6. Confidentiality: Keeping all information shared in the process private unless such privilege is waived by all participants. 7. Full Disclosure: All information necessary for making informed decision by the participants. 8. Informed Decision Making: The capacity to make decisions with full understanding of all the information needed and shared.Self-DeterminationClient Centered NegotiationImpartialityFairnessProcedural FlexibilityConfidentialityFull DisclosureInformed Decision MakingConferencesGather conflict resolution practitioners, students and interested parties to network, learn new skills, discuss cutting-edge issues and keep abreast of what is happening in the expanding field of conflict resolution._f8884f2c-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced82343891Conflict Resolution PractitionersStudentsACR Conferences gather conflict resolution practitioners, students and interested parties from all corners of the globe to network, learn new skills, discuss cutting-edge issues and keep abreast of what is happening in the expanding field of conflict resolution. ACR’s annual conference attracts more than 1,000 people from around the world and offers more than 150 workshops._f8884fd6-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced8234389Professional Interest SectionsAllow members to join with colleagues with similar interests as well as share information via websites, newsletters, teleconferences and meetings._f888508a-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced82343892ACR MembersACR Professional Interest SectionsACR's Sections serve as ACR’s programmatic core. Sections allow members to join with colleagues with similar interests as well as share information via websites, newsletters, teleconferences and meetings. Members of ACR Sections enjoy a wide array of programs, as well as opportunities for volunteer leadership within ACR. _f8885120-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced8234389Regional ChaptersEnable members to meet and share ideas with colleagues in their community and participate in activities that support their professional development._f88851c0-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced82343893ACR Regional ChaptersACR's Chapters enable members to meet and share ideas with colleagues in their community and participate in activities that support their professional development. _f8885274-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced8234389Committees and InitiativesHost a wide variety of committees, task forces, work groups, and initiatives that are essential to the field of alternative dispute resolution._f888531e-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced82343894ACR CommitteesWould you like to get more involved in an ACR or work on a specific ACR project? ACR President Marya Kolman is beginning to form committees and task forces for the upcoming year. She is looking for people who would like to serve on these committees and task forces or work on a special ACR project. If you are interested or would like more information about these opportunities, please contact Marya at maryakolman@gmail.com.ACR Annual Conference CommitteeStanding Committee - Develops the program for the ACR Annual ConferenceACR Awards CommitteeStanding Committee - Selects recipients for ACR organizational awardsACR Diversity and Equity Network CommitteeStanding Committee - Promotes diversity and equity within ACR and the conflict resolution field.ACR Elections and Nominations CommitteeStanding Committee - Oversees elections for ACR President-Elect and Board of DirectorsACR Ethics CommitteeStanding Committee - Makes recommendation to Board of Directors regarding ethical standards and ethical issuesACR Finance CommitteeStanding Committee - Provides guidance to Board of Directors and staff about budget and financial matters ACR Membership CommitteeStanding Committee - Promotes and grows ACR membershipACR Accessibility CommitteeIdentifies accessibility challenges in ACR conferences, materials, and programs for people with disabilities and makes recommendations to improve accessibilityACR Conflict Resolution Day CommitteeDevelops and promotes programs for Conflict Resolution DayACR Credentialing CommitteeWorks on development of model standards and other forms of credentialing for practitionersACR Sections Mentoring CommitteeProvides mentoring services to sectionsACR Student Outreach CommitteeProvides recruitment and mentoring services to studentsACR Task Forces ACR Future Conferences Task ForceMakes recommendations regarding site, facilities and programming for future conferencesACR Higher Education Task ForceDevelops and oversees discussion of Model Standards for post-graduate conflict resolution education programsACR Work GroupsACR International Expansion Working GroupResearches and explores models and structure for ACR international expansionACR Legislative and Public Policy GroupReviews and promotes awareness about legislative and public policy initiatives at all levels of governmentACR Publications GroupOversees all ACR publications including ACResolution, Conflict Resolution Quarterly and ACR UpdateACR Public Dialogue Working GroupExplores public dialogue initiatives in relation to ACRACR Public Education GroupDevelops and oversees projects to raise public awareness about conflict resolution programs and methodsACR Public Relations GroupOversees social media, media relations, press kits, and other public relations mattersACR Resource Development GroupRaises funds for ACR and ACR projects and proposes resource development policies and proceduresACR Website GroupOversees ACR websites and recommends changes to ACR websiteACR also hosts a wide variety of committees, task forces, work groups, and initiatives that are essential to the field of alternative dispute resolution._f88853c8-4f7a-11e2-914e-25ced82343892012-12-26http://www.acrnet.org/Page.aspx?id=671#.UNscOm9X0kAOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net