Q: What is the difference between an associate and a full membership?

Full membership is open to anyone practicing or supporting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) who is committed to excellence in this field. This level of membership is required to hold professional ADR designations, participate on ADRIA rosters, and to be eligible for ADRIA's directory of ADR practitioners. It includes membership with the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and full voting rights. Associate membership allows the member to enroll in ADRIA courses, but does NOT include an annual membership in the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC). Associate members are not eligible for a listing in ADRIA's directory of ADR professionals or to join our roster of instructors, coaches, and evaluators.

Q: How do I upgrade my Associate Membership to include Full Membership in the ADR Institute of Canada?

Associate members applying for national ADR designations , or who simply want the benefits of full membership in ADRIA , including membership in the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and access to their newsletters, conference discounts, and/or professional liability insurance , need to upgrade their ADRIA membership level from Associate to Full. Because ADRIA is required to send a portion of the annual fee to ADRIC, an upgraded Full membership will always be for a full 12 months commencing at the time of the upgrade. If you are renewing on your membership anniversary date and choose to upgrade to a Full membership, it is simply a matter of choosing that option when you renew online. In this case, your expiry date does not change. If you wish to change levels before your membership is due for renewal, and your Associate membership has not expired, the fee for your Associate membership will be prorated and refunded as a credit towards your new Full membership. For example, if your Associate membership expires in early January and you apply for an upgraded membership in late August, you would receive a $50 credit towards your new Full membership (ie. a credit of approximately $10 for every month remaining in your Associate membership). Your new expiry date with both ADRIA and ADRIC would then be late August of the following year. Since our online renewal system does not automatically calculate this amount, you are encouraged to contact the membership desk at 780-433-4881 ext 110 to receive an appropriate credit.

Question 1

What is the difference between an associate and a full membership?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Full membership is open to anyone practicing or supporting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) who is committed to excellence in this field. This level of membership is required to hold professional ADR designations, participate on ADRIA rosters, and to be eligible for ADRIA's directory of ADR practitioners. It includes membership with the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and full voting rights.

Associate membership allows the member to enroll in ADRIA courses, but does NOT include an annual membership in the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC). Associate members are not eligible for a listing in ADRIA's directory of ADR professionals or to join our roster of instructors, coaches, and evaluators.

Question 2

How do I upgrade my Associate Membership to include Full Membership in the ADR Institute of Canada?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Associate members applying for national ADR designations, or who simply want the benefits of full membership in ADRIA, including membership in the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and access to their newsletters, conference discounts, and/or professional liability insurance, need to upgrade their ADRIA membership level from Associate to Full. Because ADRIA is required to send a portion of the annual fee to ADRIC, an upgraded Full membership will always be for a full 12 months commencing at the time of the upgrade.

If you are renewing on your membership anniversary date and choose to upgrade to a Full membership, it is simply a matter of choosing that option when you renew online. In this case, your expiry date does not change.

If you wish to change levels before your membership is due for renewal, and your Associate membership has not expired, the fee for your Associate membership will be prorated and refunded as a credit towards your new Full membership. For example, if your Associate membership expires in early January and you apply for an upgraded membership in late August, you would receive a $50 credit towards your new Full membership (ie. a credit of approximately $10 for every month remaining in your Associate membership). Your new expiry date with both ADRIA and ADRIC would then be late August of the following year. Since our online renewal system does not automatically calculate this amount, you are encouraged to contact the membership desk at 780-433-4881 ext 110 to receive an appropriate credit.

Question 3

Do I need to become a member of ADRIC (ADR Institute of Canada) in order to apply for a designation (Q.Med, Q.Arb, C.Med, C.Arb)?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Yes. In order to apply for a designation, you are required to have full membership with the ADR Institute of Alberta which includes a full membership with the ADRIC.

Question 4

How do I start the process of applying for a professional designation in mediation or arbitration from the ADR Institute of Canada?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

ADRIA accepts the applications from our members on behalf of ADRIC, and our regional committees review the applications before they are forwarded to ADRIC for final assessment. ADRIA accepts designation applications 3 times/year. You can read more about the application process here.

You can see a basic summary of the requirements for each designation here.

Read our article "How to Apply for an ADR Designation" to answer the most common questions our office receives about the designation process.

To fully understand all the requirements and forms which need to be submitted for each designation, please read the application information booklets and forms on our Designations page.

You can also find additional information on ADRIC's website. If you still have questions, our office staff would be happy to answer your inquiries by phone or email.

Question 5

Do I need a membership with ADRIA to take your training?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Yes. Most students start by obtaining an associate membership, which allows you to begin your training without yet investing in the higher level benefits.

Question 6

Are there prerequisites to your courses? For example, do I need a degree before entering one of your training programs?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

There are no external prerequisites to take our training and our students come from all different backgrounds and levels of formal education.

Individual courses may have their own specific prerequisite courses and most of our training begins with basic conflict management training. Check the course descriptions for admission requirements.

Question 7

How do I become a mediator?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

A career in mediation begins with basic training. There are a variety of courses throughout Canada, however, if you were to take your training through ADRIA, you would start with our Communications in ADR course followed by the National Introductory Mediation Course.

Once introductory training is complete, new mediators are encouraged to find opportunities to continually practice and hone their skills. ADRIA offers online Mediation skills practice sessions to its members, which helps integrate your skills while giving you the opportunity to learn by observing other mediators' styles.

Additional advanced mediation training and specialized training further assist new mediators to enhance their skills.

After completing training and obtaining some experience, new mediators can apply for a mediation designation. New mediators typically start with a Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation and more experienced mediators obtain the Chartered Mediator (C.Med) designation.

For more information, see our web pages on how to Earn a Designation and how to become a mediator.

Question 8

How do I become an arbitrator?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

A career in arbitration begins with basic arbitration training. There are a variety of courses that can be found online which teach the basics of arbitration, however if you take your training through ADRIA we have a nationally accredited course called the National Introductory Arbitration Course which results in a certificate from the ADR Institute of Canada. This one course meets the educational requirements for both the Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb) and the Chartered Arbitrator (C.Arb) designations.

Learn more on our webpages about how to become an arbitrator.

Question 9

How do I make this a career? What are the job prospects like in this industry?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

ADR Practitioners are often self-employed. There are limited paid positions within government or private organizations for mediators and arbitrators. To get on-the-job experience, some practitioners start by gaining experience through community or court dispute resolution programs. Practitioners may train to specialize in a particular area of ADR, such as land disputes or divorce mediation. Different fields of ADR can vary in prospects and income range.

ADR is a small but growing industry and is not a regulated profession. As with any career change, it is recommended that you research the opportunities and demand in your area for ADR services.

For more information you can read our the transcript of our panel on The Path to Success as a Mediator

Question 10

What is ADRIA’s Course Withdrawal Policy?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

For Certificate Program Courses:

Withdrawals are accepted without penalty up until 21 days before a course is scheduled to start. If a student withdraws within 21 days of the course start date, the ADR Institute of Alberta (ADRIA) will retain $1000 or 50% of the course fee, whichever is less.

For Public Offering Courses:

Withdrawal up to 2 weeks in advance: Refund of course fee less $50 administration fee.

Withdrawal from 2 weeks up to 2 business days in advance: Refund of 50% of course fee.

Withdrawal less than 2 business days in advance: No refund.

Withdrawal Process

If you need to withdraw from a course for which you are registered please contact education@adralberta.com.

Question 11

What is ADRIA’s Course Cancellation Policy?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

If a minimum number of students is not reached 21 days prior to the course start date, the course will be cancelled and payment will be reimbursed.

Question 12

What is ADRIA’s Course Completion Policy?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Students must attend 100% of the training to receive a certificate of course completion. Unless otherwise specified, the entire course must be completed on the dates it is offered in that session - if a course is offered in two or more parts, they cannot be taken in separate sessions or locations.

Question 13

What is ADRIA’s Certification Completion Policy?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Students are expected to attend 100% of the training and will have to pass exams at various levels of achievement in order to receive a certificate. The ADRIA Certificate in Conflict Leadership must be completed within three (3) years of the start of the program.

Question 14

Do you have a directory of ADR professionals available to the public?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Yes. ADRIA's online Directory of ADR Practitioners can be used to find a mediator, arbitrator, or other ADR specialist anywhere in our province. You can search by location, speciality, service, qualifications, and more.

Question 15

How do I have my name listed in ADRIA's online directory?

Kristy Rhyason · Accepted Answer

Full members who are arbitrators or mediators have the option of applying to be listed in ADRIA's online Directory of ADR Practitioners. The cost is an additional $120 per year for Qualified members and $80 per year for Chartered members, plus GST. Members must meet criteria to be listed and all applications are vetted for qualifications. To apply, members need to fill out the Directory section of their member profile and fill out an online form with their qualifications and areas of practice. The online application form, plus all the requirements and instructions on how to apply, are on the Apply - Directory page in the Member services section of the website (members will be prompted to sign in to see this page.)

Question 16

If I complete the Certificate in Separation & Divorce Mediation, will I meet the educational requirements to apply for a Q.Med Family Designation?

Jillian Young · Accepted Answer

The Certificate in Separation and Divorce Mediation fulfills all of the specialty education requirements to apply for a Q.Med Family designation, excluding Ethics for Mediators.

Read more about Practical Ethics for Mediators here.

Read more about the Certificate in Separation and Divorce Mediation here.

Read more about Q.Med Family designation requirements here.

Read our article "How to Apply for an ADR Designation" to answer the most common questions our office receives about the designation process.

To fully understand all the requirements and forms which need to be submitted for each designation, please read the application information booklets and forms on our Designations page.

You can also find additional information on ADRIC's website. If you still have questions, our office staff would be happy to answer your inquiries by phone or email.

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