Due to the tremendous changes we all have experienced over the last few months, the 14th Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference will take place virtually AND over three days: Tuesday, October 27 (morning), Thursday, October 29 (morning), and Friday, October 30 (afternoon). Now more than ever, this year’s conference theme, “Promoting Belonging as Dispute Resolution Professionals,” is central to our joint experience as professionals and humans as we endure the global pandemic and social and political unrest. 

The Planning Committee is reopening the submission period for presentation proposals. Our last request went out as the world was beginning to lock down due to the pandemic, so we are giving prospective presenters another chance to submit proposals as we adjust to our new normal. Presentation formats should be compatible with an online presentation. Virtual presentations may be live or pre-recorded. All presentations will take place in Zoom and integrated into the virtual conference platform. The platform allows for the presenter to engage with attendees using audience polling and live chat Q&A. 

Our theme is intentionally broad this year as we strive to promote diversity in our field. We have developed the following four categories to assist you in brainstorming ideas for presentation proposals, though you are not limited to these. We encourage you to be creative in your proposal submissions. 

1. Understanding Diversity and Belonging in Practice 

Proposals submitted under this topic area address issues of diversity awareness, belonging, and community-building. Examples of topics under this category include, but are not limited to, practitioner and client diversity reflecting our society, practitioner self-care, wellness/mindfulness/enrichment/resilience when dealing with communities in conflict, countering negativity, dealing with trauma, managing emotional reactions, and identifying personal bias, In addition, problem solving, recognizing power imbalances, resolving crosscultural disputes, negotiated rulemaking with competing stakeholders, resolving professional disputes, resolving cultural property disputes, understanding community and professional dynamics, ethical conflicts between professions and cultures, self-awareness, hybrid dispute resolution processes, and reflective practice are additional topics that would support the theme. 

2. The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Proposals submitted under this topic area address current and future trends in conflict and ADR in Colorado and elsewhere. Examples of topics under this category include, but are not limited to, online dispute resolution practice and ethics, political and social conflict resolution, international dispute resolution, contemporary dispute resolution scholarship, dispute resolution and the law, technology and/or artificial intelligence, neuroscience and conflict mapping, restorative justice, med-arb, collaborative law, arbitration, change management, access to justice and dispute resolution, and a look at future trends in conflict resolution worldwide. 

3. The Business of Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Proposals submitted under this topic area address information regarding the business aspects of starting, building, and running your ADR practice. Examples of topics under this category include, but are not limited to, remaining profitable during a pandemic, transitioning to a virtual dispute resolution practice, and changes in marketing strategies, including social media, advertising, and networking. Additionally, accounting and tax issues, identifying conflicts of interest, disclosure by ADR professionals, pre-session communications, agreements to mediate, recordkeeping and confidentiality, document drafting, reasonable fees, dispute resolution services, court requirements for ADR professionals, party/participant/advocate competence, technology, best practices for ADR professionals, mediation advocacy, and ethics in ADR business practices are other key topics. 

4. Communication Skills for Conflict 

Proposals submitted under this topic area address communication skill development for conflict in professional, social, family, business and world communities. Examples of topics under this category include, but are not limited to, overcoming communication challenges in the age of virtual dispute resolution, cross-cultural/productive communication during high conflict, consensus building, facilitation, non-verbal communication, process communication and selection, understanding negotiation, subject knowledge necessity, communicating BATNAs, storytelling, emotional intelligence, caucus timing, effective praise, apology, and constructive responses. 

Proposal Guidelines and Considerations 

1. The Planning Committee considers any and all timely submitted proposals. We are seeking thoughtful, engaging, and creative proposals from a wide range of dispute resolution professionals across different areas of practice including, but not limited to, workplace, traditional/non-traditional family, community, civil, commercial, elder, domestic violence, child abuse, probate, health care, consumer, financial planning, protection orders, insurance, business, HOA, land use, environmental justice, education, and marijuana. We encourage students, new practitioners, and seasoned veterans to submit proposals. 

2. We value diversity and inclusion recognizing everyone hasimportant talents and perspectives. We are particularly interested in the broad diversity comprising the ADR community inclusive of diversity in race, ethnicity, age, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, and professional background. 

3. We invite presentation proposals ranging from 60 to 75 minutes. Please indicate the presentation time needed understanding we may alter it depending on conference needs. 

4. We encourage innovative presentation formats and creativity in content delivery to attendees. Key considerations include the use of technology, audience participation, and creative presentation formats. 

5.  We request an appropriate number of presenters for the subject matter and session duration. We value well-organized programs and individual presentations with a logical, structured flow sharing a common theme and consistency. 

6. Please use a 28-point font size or larger in your PowerPoint presentations. We encourage using no more than six lines of text per page and six words per line. 

7. Please submit a separate proposal for each presentation. 

8. Please submit all proposal materials in Microsoft Word, not PDF or any other format. 

9. Additional requirements are listed below. 

(a) Session Organizer Information. Provide name, title, organization, address, phone number, email, and resume. 

(b) Presenter Information. Provide name, title, organization, address, phone number, email, and resume. 

(c) Presenter Biography. Provide a short biography of 200 words or less. 

(d) Presentation Title and Abstract. Provide a brief, concise statement of no more than 50 words (not counting the title) describing your presentation. Write presentation titles and abstracts in a manner accurately describing the session and convincing people to attend the session. We may use the title and abstract in the conference marketing materials.

 (e) Presentation Learning Objectives/Goals. Provide a brief, concise statement of no more than 50 words describing your proposal learning objectives and goals. We require a minimum of three learning objectives to evaluate your presentation. If you are requesting ethics credits for your presentation, please provide the basis for that request. 

(f) Presentation Outline of Format and Session Content. Provide a brief, concise outline of no more than 500 words identifying the approach you will use to meet the project goals, including but not limited to, principal tasks, duration, sequence, and particular purposes. Please make the presentation outline consistent with your learning objectives and goals. 

(g) A Description of Your Presentation Handout Materials. Provide a brief, concise description of no more than 50 words listing the comprehensive written materials you will provide. These materials may include, but are not limited to, research articles, detailed outlines, charts, diagrams, checklists, case studies, bibliographies, and additional references. Please note we require comprehensive written materials for distribution at the conference and inclusion in the conference handbook. 

(h) Audience Participation. Please provide a brief, concise statement of no more than 50 words detailing how your presentation will provide audience participation opportunities.  

(i) Required Presentation Equipment. Provide a statement regarding the audio/visual support you will need for your presentation. 

(j) Sample Presentation (optional). Provide an attachment or link to an audio/video recording of a past presentation you have done. 

Program Decisions and Conference Planning 

Proposals are due on or before Friday, July 17, 2020. Once the Planning Committee makes decisions on the acceptance of proposals, we will notify the session organizers at the email address provided with the proposal. Presenters will receive notification of acceptance on or before Friday, July 31, 2020. Comprehensive written materials are due on or before October 5, 2020. Please submit your proposals by email to Bridgett Moore at [email protected]. Thank you for submitting your proposal. Sincerely, 14th Annual ADR Conference Planning Committee