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Professional
Group Certification - National Organizations
There
are several professional groups that have experience-based certification or
referral programs. You can find out more information about these groups and
the criteria they use below. Some mediators may list this type of credential.
- Maryland
Council for Dispute Resolution The Maryland Council for Dispute
Resolution (MCDR) is a nonprofit organization devoted to the personal and
professional growth of dispute resolution practitioners in the state of
Maryland. The organization has the only voluntary Performance Based Mediator
Certification program in the country for practicing senior mediators.
Membership also includes a subscription to the quarterly newsletter which
includes updates on rules and current topics as well as substantive
articles. In addition, MCDR’s quarterly meetings are open to the entire
public and provide opportunities to hear informed speakers on topics of
interest as well as to network with ADR professionals of diverse backgrounds
and practice areas.
- U.S.
Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution. The Institute, a
quasi-federal agency funded by Congress as well as by client fees, maintains
a national roster. Each person who is listed must have served as the
principal professional for at least 200 case hours in 2-10 environmental
cases plus have additional experience in fields related to conflict
resolution. References are checked on a random basis. As of 9/02, only
federal agencies involved in an environmental dispute with a federal issue
are able to search the on-line database directly. When the database’s
evaluation period has been completed, anyone will be able to search.
Individuals involved in an environmental dispute with a federal issue or
party may contact the Institute directly to locate an appropriate roster
member - Phone (520)-670-5299 or Fax (520)-670-5530.
- FARM
SENSE - Farm, Agriculture and Rural Mediation: Solid Efforts
to Negotiate Solutions Effectively is the official
USDA-certified agricultural mediation program for Maryland, offering
confidential assistance to the state's agricultural community and others
with concerns related to agriculture. A low cost, voluntary,
confidential way to keep Maryland agriculture productive. FARM SENSE
is a service of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. FARM SENSE has two
main goals; training and education for organizations and individuals and
direct provision of mediation services. Phone: 800-492-5590
Fax:410-541-5987.
- Association
for Conflict Resolution - A national professional membership
organization which, among other things, operates a referral service for
family and divorce mediators. (See below.) In addition, there are various
levels of membership that relate to a mediator’s credentials.
- If
a mediator indicates that s/he is an “ACR member”, this will
mean that s/he has agreed to abide by certain ethical standards and has
paid a membership fee.
- Someone
who lists themselves as an “ACR practitioner” has stated that
s/he has completed 40 hours of training (or equivalent) and has been
practicing in the field for a minimum of 3 years.
- The
term “ACR Advanced Practitioner” can be used if the person
meets the standards set by a particular ACR professional interest
section. For the family area, approved mediators have completed a
minimum of 60 hours of family mediation training as well as 20 hours of
training every year plus 2 hours of domestic violence awareness
training. They will also have completed at least 250 hours of
face-to-face family mediation in at least 25 different cases.
- Academy
of Family Mediators – This organization has now merged with two others
and become the Association for Conflict Resolution. See above.
- American
Arbitration Association – An international professional membership
organization. Individual and corporate membership is available by paying an
annual fee for services and benefits. Membership does not guarantee that one
will be listed as an arbitrator or mediator on the AAA’s roster of
neutrals. In order to join the National Roster of Arbitrators and
Mediators (Roster of Neutrals), experienced ADR professionals are asked
to submit their education and experience to the regional AAA office. The
office reviews the application and comes to a decision on the admission of
the individual applicant. Requirements include:
- 10
(ten) years of senior level business experience or legal practice,
- honors
and awards for leadership in that field,
- and
other types of training and experience in arbitration or other types of
dispute resolution.
If these
requirements are met, an individual might be added to the roster based on the
caseload needs and the preferences of the users of AAA services. Many qualified
professionals are not listed as the openings are limited. Once accepted,
performance is monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
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