Welcome and Interagency ADR Working Group Update

MINUTES

Welcome and Interagency ADR Working Group Update

Bob Ward, Senior Counsel for ADR, EPA, welcomed the participants and gave a brief overview of the training session. Bob then introduced Jeff Senger, Deputy Senior Counsel for ADR, DOJ, who gave participants an update on the activities of the Interagency ADR Working Group (IADRWG). Jeff announced that the efforts of the IADRWG and the requirements of the ADR Act and the President's Executive Order of May 1998 were main topics of discussion at the recent President's Management Council meeting. Jeff explained the members of the Council were very receptive to the discussion on ADR and that a report to the President on IADRWG activities was requested. In addition, Jeff reminded the participants about the IADRWG web site and encouraged them to participate in the list serve capability available on the site.

Bob Ward introduced and thanked the EPA staff who planned and organized the training and other CES activities. He then introduced David Batson and Cathy Costantino as the presenters for the training.

Conflict Management Systems Design

David and Cathy lead a presentation and discussion on dispute system design, the principles and techniques for developing an ADR program within an organization.

Civil Enforcement Section Update

Following the presentation, Bob Ward provided participants with an overview of planned Civil Enforcement Section (CES) activities and member support services. He then asked several CES members to provide additional details.

Lee Scharf discussed the upcoming training session on the evaluation of ADR programs and outcomes with the group. This session will be held on Tuesday, April 6^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at EPA's Ariel Rios Building. Lee also reviewed the schedule of upcoming CES meetings and trainings which was handed out for the participants to review.

Ellen Kandell discussed the upcoming training session on ADR program implementation issues with the group. Ellen announced that the panel members for the training will consist of members from the CES Steering Committee and that an agenda would be circulated prior to the training. This session will be held on Tuesday, April 20^th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at FERC's Meeting Room #1.

Neil Kaufman discussed the status of preparations for the final in the series of intensive training session on obtaining and effectively using resources for ADR programs. He indicated that individuals from FDIC, the Post Office, EPA, and the Federal Neutrals program will participate in the session as panel members.

Lee Scharf explained that in order to solicit advce of members on key topics for additional training, an informal phone survey would be conducted in the near future to solicit suggestions. The survey will also ask CES members about the progress they have made in their ADR implementation efforts. This information will help to better plan future training sessions and provide information for the end-of-year report.

David Batson explained the support services available to CES members through CES consultation teams and reviewed a handout on the subject. David encouraged members to take advantage of the "free in-house consultants" through calling him to discuss the possible use of a consultation team to assist their ADR implementation efforts. More information about the consultation teams is available on the website.

Mike Mills provided an overview of the design for the soon to be established CES Web Page and reviewed a handout on the subject. Mike explained that the web page is still in the planning stages and feedback on form and content are requested and encouraged. Mike also requested the assistance of members in creating a list of frequently asked questions for a FAQ section to be included in the web page. Mike asked that all members review and respond to a FAQ survey handed out at the meeting and to be forwarded by e-mail.

Jeff Knishkowy and Eric Young updated the group on the status of the CES End-of-the-Year Report. They described the purpose and draft form for the report and reviewed a handout on the subject, which is available on the website. They emphasized that to complete the report CES members will need to provide information on the results of their ADR implementation efforts and lessons learned. Jeff and Eric requested suggestions for making the report more effective.

Bob closed the meeting by thanking meeting participants and reminded everyone of the next training on April 6^th.