APAGS Subcommittee Members

Convention Committee | CLGBTC | CEMA | ACT | Eligibility | Application Information

Working with APAGS is a fantastic professional development experience, unlike any other. Please read on for additional information on each of the subcommittees and how to apply.

I. Position Descriptions

APAGS CONVENTION COMMITTEE

Description:
The APAGS Convention Committee is responsible for assisting the APAGS Central Office staff in planning the APAGS convention programs and activities for the annual APA convention. Convention Committee members are fully funded to attend the APA conventions during their terms of service. They are also fully funded to attend the annual planning meeting with staff each winter at the APA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The Convention Committee evaluates all of the APAGS program proposals and selects the APAGS convention programs. In addition, in consultation with staff, the convention committee develops other student-focused convention programs and activities, manages the APAGS Ambassador program, communicates with program presenters, monitors programs, and collaborates with other divisions, boards, committees, and leaders in APA to help make the APA convention and APAGS programs attractive and relevant to graduate students.

Becoming involved on the APAGS Convention Committee provides APAGS members with the unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, represent students, and learn about APA, APAGS, and areas of psychology that few are otherwise exposed to. You will have opportunities to collaborate with national leaders on a variety of issues and in a variety of formats, not limited to the convention.

Time Commitment and Responsibilities:
Members of the APAGS Convention Committee are required to attend the winter planning meeting (generally held in December) and the annual conventions during their terms (San Francisco, August 16-19, 2007 and Boston, August 14-17, 2008). Members must be willing to dedicate the necessary time to sufficiently prepare for meetings, the convention, and follow-up. Members are also required to participate on periodic conference calls throughout the year, as well as communicate regularly over a closed committee listserv during the year.

APAGS Convention Committee members are very busy at the annual convention -- overseeing and monitoring APAGS programs, assisting staff, helping at the APAGS booth, participating in APAGS dinners and social hours, and attending daily meetings. Convention committee members are expected to represent APAGS at the convention, which is simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating!

Convention Committee members are expected to spearhead projects and plans related to APAGS convention programs as assigned by the APAGS Convention Committee Chair. They are accountable throughout the year for making progress and for meeting their responsibilities at the annual convention.

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APAGS COMMITTEE FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CONCERNS (CLGBTC)

Description:
CLGBTC facilitates communication among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender graduate students in psychology by providing forums to discuss common issues or difficulties. CLGBTC also helps to educate psychologists, faculty and students of the concerns and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

Members of CLGBTC will help identify issues of importance for LGBT students and assist with the development of APAGS resources, programs, and initiatives to promote the interests and needs of LGBT students. Members will have opportunities to collaborate with APA staff members in APAGS and the Public Interest Directorate, and work with APA Boards and Committees that address LGBT issues.

Time Commitment and Responsibilities:
Members of APAGS-CLGBTC are required to participate on periodic conference calls throughout the year, as well as communicate regularly over a closed committee listserv. Members are expected to provide feedback and support for projects and plans related to LGBT issues. Members are accountable throughout the year for making progress and for meeting their responsibilities as assigned by the APAGS-CLGBTC Chair.

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APAGS COMMITTEE ON ETHNIC MINORITY AFFAIRS (CEMA)

Description:
CEMA represents and advocates for the perspectives and concerns of ethnic minority graduate students within the discipline of psychology. APAGS-CEMA's main goal is to ensure that the specific interests and needs of ethnic minority graduate students are given a voice within the large domain of APA. APAGS-CEMA attempts to achieve this goal by increasing the membership and participation of ethnic minority graduate students within APAGS through the development and advertisement of various educational and training opportunities. CEMA promotes cultural competency and sensitivity, and encourages the recruitment and retention of ethnic minority students in psychology by developing ethnic minority student resources, providing small grants for regional student-organized multicultural training events, and engaging in other advocacy activities to increase awareness of multicultural issues.

APAGS-CEMA members are referred to as Regional Diversity Coordinators (RDC's) and asked to monitor and oversee cultural diversity initiatives and activities in assigned geographic regions. APAGS-CEMA member's assist with the development of special programs, resources, and initiatives to promote the interests and needs of ethnic minority students, as well as training in competencies related to research and practice with ethnic minority individuals. Members will have opportunities to collaborate with APAGS and other APA staff members in the Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs, and work with APA Boards and Committees that address ethnic minority issues.

Time Commitment and Responsibilities:
Members of APAGS-CEMA are required to participate on periodic conference calls throughout the year, as well as communicate regularly over a closed committee listserv. Members are expected to provide feedback and support for projects and plans related to ethnic minority issues. They are accountable throughout the year for making progress and for meeting their responsibilities as assigned by the APAGS-CEMA Chair.

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APAGS ADVOCACY COORDINATING TEAM

Description:
The Advocacy Coordinating Team (ACT) is composed of 7 Regional Advocacy Coordinators (RACs), 50 State Advocacy Coordinators (SACs), and over 300 Campus Representatives (CRs). This grassroots network of psychology graduate students engage in legislative advocacy work on behalf of the science and profession of psychology, in the interest of individuals studying, researching, and practicing psychology, and on behalf of individuals who are the recipients of psychological services. ACT members promote the welfare of graduate students and the vigor of the profession by their participation in legislative lobbying efforts. ACT members also disseminate information about APAGS' activities and benefits, and provide opinions and feedback to APAGS staff and leaders.

Please click here for additional information about the APAGS-ACT Network.

NOTE: Application procedures for the ACT Committee are different from the other three APAGS subcommittees. Please contact the Regional Advocacy Coordinator for your state to indicate your interest in applying.

Applicants must be:

• A master's or doctoral candidate in good standing in an APA or regionally accredited program (Candidates who are at least two years from graduation are strongly preferred).
• An APAGS member
• Organized, responsive, efficient and responsible.
• Able to work effectively and cooperatively with others.
• Willing to commit to a two-year term to work on behalf of the needs and interests of APAGS and APAGS members.

Please include:

• A cover letter (no more than 2 pages) reviewing your interest in the position, eligibility and qualifications for the position, ability to commit to the responsibilities, confirmation that you are able to attend all of the required meetings (if applicable), and any other information you deem important.


• Curriculum Vitae including current mailing and email address, as well as phone numbers.


• A brief letter of recommendation from a faculty member confirming your student status, anticipated graduation date, and a statement regarding your leadership potential and ability. (If recommendation letters are sent via email, they should be emailed directly to Heather Dade from your faculty member. Original, signed, hard-copy recommendation letters may be enclosed in your application packet.)

Application materials can be mailed to:

APAGS Central Office
Application for Subcommittee Membership
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

Or

Email Heather Dade

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 1, 2008.

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered or returned. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that his or her application packet is complete and submitted by the deadline.