The Commercial Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution’s 2009 Co-Chairs, Michele Riley and Kurt Dettman, welcome members to an exciting year. Top priority is to give value back to members and to increase member involvement. The following are some of the initiatives planned for 2009:

Teleseminars - Interesting and informative speakers will lead our Teleseminars approximately every two months. These are offered complimentary to members, except for any telephone fees you may incur. The next Teleseminar is July 16, 2009 on "Leveraging the Internet to Market Commercial ADR" with Tammy Lenski, Ed. D.

Advanced Commercial Mediation Institute - The Advanced Commercial Mediation Institute, offered in conjunction with the American Arbitration Association, will continue to present experienced speakers addressing cutting edge topics in the field of commercial mediation. ACMI will be offered again in conjunction with the ACR Annual Conference in October 2009.

Newsletter - The Newsletter has resumed publication on a quarterly basis, and features timely articles from Commercial Section members, a regular ethics column, and useful tips from the Teleseminar series.

Brochure - A new ACR Commercial Section brochure is available for members to use when promoting the organization to colleagues and potential new members.

International Section Initiatives - Joint initiatives are underway with the International Section, as the commercial world is becoming more global.

Committees - We welcome section members to join committees of interest to them. We have openings on the following committees: International, Ethics, Diversity-Equity, Strategic Planning, Program, Newsletter, and Membership. Contact either of your co-chairs for details.

If you have any questions or suggestions please send an email to the Section Co-Chairs:

Kurt Dettman kdettman@c-adr.com 

Michele Riley rileyadr@yahoo.com