The NAA Research and Education Foundation [REF] was founded in 1985 to further the charitable and educational purposes of the National Academy of Arbitrators. The REF underwrites projects that promote understanding, competence, and integrity in the field of labor and employment arbitration.
Through the years, the REF has supported a variety of education, training, and research activities. The results of these efforts have appeared in articles, monographs, books, guides, and electronic and other media, and have been presented and discussed at trainings, conferences, and symposia.
Donations can be made to the “NAA Research & Education Foundation” by credit card or check. Contact the REF at NAA Operations Center, Ste. 412, Cortland, NY 13045, 607-756-8363, or email researchandeducationfoundation@gmail.com and REF President, Rosemary Pye pye.arbitrator@gmail.com. The REF is organized pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
The NAA’s Research and Education Foundation supports research and education relevant to labor and employment arbitration. The Foundation welcomes applications for grants of up to $50,000 for any of the following purposes:
- The study and understanding of grievance procedures, the arbitration process and other forms of labor and employment dispute resolution, and the impact of law on these processes.
- The education and training of persons engaged in the resolution of labor-management and employment disputes. Included are the funding of lecture programs, symposiums, conferences, and training seminars.
- The preparation and publication of books, symposium materials, articles, and audio-visual materials (e.g., videos, websites, CDs) designed to enhance the competence of persons engaged in the arbitration and mediation of labor-management and employment disputes.
- Projects that foster the highest standards of integrity, competence, honor, and character of persons engaged in arbitration and other forms of labor and employment dispute resolution.
- The preparation of material designed to keep arbitrators and students of labor-management and employment relations abreast of current research into the arbitration process, and the development of procedures or techniques for the resolution of labor and employment disputes in this and in other countries.
2024 Members of the REF Board
Rosemary Pye, President
Betty Rankin Widgeon, Vice President – Donations
Rafael Gely, Vice President – Outreach
Daniel J. Nielsen, Secretary-Treasurer
Richard Bales
Kevin Banks
Lisa C. Charles
Jules I. Crystal
Charles W. Kohler
Rafael Gely
Colin Johnston
Mary Theresa Metzler
Jasbir Parmar
Rosemary Pye
Harvey Shrage
David Weinberg
Elizabeth C. Wesman
Betty R. Widgeon
Jeanne M. Vonhof, Past President
George R. Fleischli, ex-officio
Philip A. LaPorte, ex-officio
William L. McKee. ex-officio
Alan A. Symonette, ex-officio