We are pleased to bring you another issue of the Collaborative Connection, the electronic newsletter of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Past issues of the Connection are archived on the IACP website at www.collaborativepractice.com [Home > Member Resources > IACP Publications]. If you have comments, questions or any suggestions, please contact info@collaborativepractice.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH:  WESTIN SEATTLE BOOKING DEADLINE

The discount rate at the Westin Seattle is good through Saturday, September 29th, and we’re nearly sold out of our hotel block! If you're planning to join us at the Westin Seattle, book your room before it's too late!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1ST: LEADERSHIP LINKS (FORUM ATTENDEE BOOK)

This year we will honor our Leadership Links donors at a special Forum reception on Thursday, October 25th, at the Westin Seattle. All 2018 Leadership Links donors will be invited to attend the reception with the IACP leadership and special guests. In order to be included in the Forum attendee notebook, we'll need to have your pledge or payment no later than Monday, October 1st. Those who pledge or make payments after October 1st will still be recognized in digital communications. 

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One of the most rewarding experiences in life is having the chance to do work that you care about, work that matters, with people you respect. Collaborative professionals understand this intuitively, because it is an inherent part of what we do. From Collaborative teams, to practice groups, to regional organizations, to our international organization, IACP, we are part of an interconnected network that is transforming the way family conflicts are resolved worldwide.

You can help IACP further that goal, while expanding your own network of peers, by joining an IACP Committee. We are an organization that maximizes our work through volunteer efforts, and we need your energy and skills to help spread the word and make the field of CP even stronger. Our committees focus on many different aspects of this work, from Access to Collaboration, to fundraising, to Standards and Ethics, to research, and much more! We will be rolling out many exciting new initiatives in the coming year, and the Committees will be at the heart of making them happen. Committee work also offers the opportunity to connect with leaders in CP from around the globe, to learn more about different approaches used in different communities, to develop your own skills, and to share your vision of the future of IACP.

We welcome your expertise, and we also welcome those who are new to the field to share their energy. We need Committee members who are diverse in geography, age, experience, profession, language, race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, family status, and many other ways, so that our efforts will be relevant to the diverse communities we serve. (Currently, we especially encourage financial professionals, new professionals, people of color, and members from outside of North America to join.) Our call for committee membership will come out at the end of October, but it isn’t too early to think about what committee might interest you. You can also encourage an emerging leader in your network to join! Our current list of committees is available at https://www.collaborativepractice.com/committees, and we will be adding some exciting new opportunities for the new year. Watch this space and check your email for an announcement about how to apply.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.), #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on holiday and end-of-year giving.

On this day, anyone, anywhere can get involved and give back in a way that’s meaningful to them. This year, IACP will raise money for the IACP Forum Scholarship Fund. We feel the Forum fund not only reflects our philosophical commitment to Collaborative Practice, but also demonstrates a commitment to expanding CP throughout the globe by investing in current and future practitioners. 

Our goal is to raise $11,000 to send 10 qualified applicants to the 2019 Forum. Will you help us? #GivingTuesday is November 27th, but you don't have to wait to donate! Click the button below to make a donation through our General donations page today, and add #GivingTuesday in the notes. 

"It is a good idea to ask your members to answer a survey addressing what they think is working well and areas that could serve them better. There are various ways to go about this, such as www.surveymonkey.com. It is best if the surveys are brief and sufficient time is given to respond. Give your members notice that the anonymous survey is being sent by email and the importance of their response. The feedback can be invaluable to incoming practice group chairs and committee members as they plan meetings, training, and social events."

Submitted by: Ann Levin
Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania

Do you have questions about practice group management, or tips for other practice groups? Write to our committee at lgephart@nhpa.com.

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The Spring IACP Collaborative Review was dedicated to the IACP 2015 Divorce Experience Study. The study was the first extensive survey to compare the experience of those who used Collaborative Practice with those who used other divorce methods. 

We received an overwhelmingly positive response from the study, and in an effort to keep the conversation going, we are breaking down some of the most impactful data from the survey in our monthly, 100 Words of Wisdom, provided by The IACP Study Task Force. See the fifth installment of '100 Words of Wisdom' below.