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.

As many of you know, this is a year of learning for me, as I begin the journey of serving as IACP’s Executive Director. One of the most enjoyable lessons I’m learning is what a treat it is to work in an organization where everyone prioritizes process, and is skilled at working with others to maximize everyone’s interests. This is a value that IACP promotes publicly, and it also operates behind the scenes. Recently, I witnessed our values in action during the process of selecting workshops for this year’s Forum, and I realized that many of our members may not know how much energy and care goes into these decisions. So I thought I would share my observations.

This year’s call for proposals resulted in over 80 workshop proposals for 43 available spaces. These were all reviewed by a Workshop Selection Committee of 12 volunteers, along with our Board of Directors, who rated the proposals on such criteria as interest level, relevance, whether it meets the needs of beginning or advanced practitioners, and the skills and credentials of the presenters. The scores are tabulated and ranked, then forwarded to the Forum Planning Committee, who reviews these rankings and makes selections that will present a balanced program. Throughout the process, reviewers take into account many criteria: diversity and quality of content; diversity of presenters in terms of geography, culture, and specialty; giving space for new presenters while also offering access to the knowledge of our most experienced leaders; and evaluations from past Forums. (Of course, they can only choose from the proposals submitted. There is always a desire for more presenters from outside North America, or more content directed at financial professionals, for example.)

All of this process represents an enormous investment of time, but our committees are dedicated. I was especially impressed that there were so many high-quality proposals from our community, and so many volunteers willing to review them all, ensuring that each one is considered from many perspectives. Our Forum Planning Committee then spent many more hours considering and re-considering these proposals in an effort to ensure that IACP’s Forum presents a varied, diverse, and interesting program for our community. I am very excited about what we’ll be able to offer at this year’s Forum. I hope I’ll see you there!

Best wishes,

Anne Tamar-Mattis

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As we begin our new fiscal year, we're kicking our 2018 Leadership LInks campaign into high gear. Our annual campaign provides the support we need to sustain the many programs and initiatives we undertake to continue to spread Collaborative Practice throughout the globe.

It is the generosity of leaders in our community that enables us to continue our work worldwide. Your financial support through a $1,000 or more Leadership Link donation to our Annual Campaign can make all the difference.

Will you serve as a leader and visionary of our community?

Within the coming weeks, you may receive a call from a member of our Board requesting your support in this campaign. Whether or not you receive a call, you may make your commitment to our 2018 Annual Leadership Links Campaign through a pledge (to be paid within the year, through installments if desired) or through a one-time, minimum $1,000 online gift. You can also call our offices to set up a payment plan by phone at (480) 719-5044 ext 103.

Our Leadership Links donors will be honored this October at a special reception at the Annual Forum in Seattle. Each donor will also receive a specially designed pin, to wear with pride, throughout the conference.

In addition to receiving an invitation to the Leadership Links Forum reception, Leadership Links donors, will be recognized in the following ways:

- on IACP's website

- in IACP member communications

- in the Annual Forum attendee communications

- on IACP social media platforms

If you would like to discuss IACP’s needs and how you might support our mission, please feel free to email our Executive Director at ATM@collaborativepractice.com. Thank you again to our 2017 Leadership Links donors for your invaluable support! 

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Is your practice group or organization interested in becoming an IACP Global Partner? Now is the time to apply! The IACP Global Partners program is a new kind of organizational membership in IACP’s community.  Our partners will work together to leverage resources, spread the word, and discover new ways to make Collaborative Practice available around the globe.  

Benefits of membership include:

- Having your organization listed with other Global Partners on IACP’s website and printed materials
- Distribution of Global Partner conference announcements through IACP (reciprocal announcements)
 - A special gathering at Forum for Global Partner representatives with IACP Board and ED
- An invitation to quarterly Global Partner planning conference calls with IACP President and ED
   ..and more!

For more information, or to see if your group qualifies for membership visit the Global Partners section of our website. 

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Seattle Collaborative Law professionals are looking forward to the many visitors expected at this year’s IACP Forum. Much work is being done to guarantee a special experience for all, including the spouses, partners, and children who will be visiting Seattle. Cascadia Collaborative Divorce, an interdisciplinary Seattle Practice Group, is preparing information about places to go and things to do with children.

Cascadia will have information available to attendees before the Forum to help them find and experience the child-centered life available in Seattle. Besides basic where-to-go and how-to-get-there information, there will be special tips from local Collaborative Law professionals about their experiences and how to maximize enjoyment of the suggested places to visit. Within the coming months, we'll share more information via IACP member communications and IACP's social media pages. More information will also be available soon online and in brochure form at the Forum. 

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Presented by the IACP Ethical Standards ReWrite Task Force: David Fink, JD,
J. Mark Weiss, JD and Diane Diel, JD

During this FREE interactive webinar, we’ll explore what’s new, what’s improved and how to work with the new IACP Ethical Standards. This is the first revision of the Standards to consider the UCLA. These revisions take into account the many changes and advancements in Collaborative Practice over the last 20 years.

This one-hour long webinar is being offered twice, once on June 6th and again on June 7th so you may choose the time most convenient for you. The webinar is free, but registration is limited.

Topics Include:

• The rewritten Standards, which include a new organization scheme
• What to convey to clients before they commit to the Collaborative Process
  (informed consent)
• Confidentiality
• Privilege
• What happens when a case ends
• Elements of advocacy
• Obligations of teamwork in a team process
• Good faith negotiations

Spots are Limited, RSVP Today!

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Showcase your firm, practice group, trainings, books (and anything that may be of interest to Collaborative professionals), all while supporting Collaborative Practice and the IACP Forum! Sponsorships, Ads, Exhibit Tables and Take One spots are still available. The Annual Forum is the largest gathering of Collaborative professionals in the world and we have opportunities for every budget - so don't delay!

View the 2018 IACP Forum Collaborative Creativity Sponsorship Packages for details on the other Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities available.

To register as a Sponsor or Exhibitor, please use this link:

2018 IACP Forum Sponsorship and Exhibitor Form

Know someone who may be interested in sponsoring? Share the prospectus with your network!

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As we countdown to the 19th Annual Networking and Educational Forum, we’ll be sharing Forum highlights submitted by IACP members. This month's submission comes from long-time IACP member, Ron Ousky, who has been to every single forum. Read more on his personal highlights throughout the years.

19 Years Later. What keeps me coming back.

The IACP Forums have given me a front-row seat to an amazing international movement and has allowed me to connect with great innovators from all over the world. For these reasons, I have not missed any of the 18 Forums and I hope that I will never miss one for many years.

When I attended the first Forum in Oakland in 2001, I was filled with curiosity. I had known about Collaborative Law (as it was then called) since Stu Webb told me about his idea in 1999, but I was just getting a sense of how this idea was starting to take root, and expand, all across North America. I could sense that something big was happening and that I had a chance to be a part of a worldwide movement that could truly make a difference for families all over the world.

I am a helpless dreamer, but I don’t think that even I had imagined that within the next ten years, Collaborative Practice would soon spread to more than 25 countries around the world. What I did know was that this was the most energized, creative and talented professionals I have ever encountered, and they seemed who seemed determined to take this somewhere. I made up my mind right then that I wanted to be present for this; to be in the “the room where it happens”

In the 17 years since that time, I have witnessed numerous events in the Collaborative World that go beyond my wildest dreams; but the one place where the “movement” seems to get its momentum is the IACP Forum.

 - From Ron Ousky
Want to share your Forum highlights? E-mail Rhonda@collaborativepractice.com.

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An important tip for practice groups is to divide the group meeting time to discuss the specific literature for Collaborative Practices and real cases (even if they are not collaborative): what we've learned from the theory and what we could do differently in that particular case. Articulate theory and practice is key!

Today our group is divided into a Working Group (monthly meetings and aims to discuss real cases) and Study Group (bimonthly meetings, open to all [professionals, clients and visitors]) and discuss the literature on Collaborative Practices). To participate in the Working Group, the requirements are: (i) to be trained in collaborative practices, (ii) to attend the Study Group, and (iii) to have a minimum attendance in both groups.

-Olivia Furst, IACP Practice Group Development Committee

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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Member Only Benefit

The Practice Development Institute
June 22-23, 2018 | ABA Headquarters | Chicago, IL

IACP is proud to be a collaborating organization for the ABA Section of Dispute Resolutions 2018 Practice Development Institute in Chicago, IL from June 22-23, 2018. This two-day workshop has been designed for lawyers, mediators, and other professionals who have (or wish to open up) their own dispute resolution practice. It will also be of benefit to mental health and financial professionals who work with lawyers in serving clients.

The Institute employs a cutting-edge interactive curriculum to help participants grow their dispute resolution practices and increase their profitability. Participants will learn new ways to help clients stay out of court and explore practice building strategies. As a member of IACP, you are eligible for the lowest registration rate. Register today!

For more information about the event, visit http://ambar.org/pd2018 or view the Program Brochure.

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