APAGS Organizational Report for June 2004

I. APAGS Mission

APAGS is the single largest continuing committee and one of the largest constituency groups of the APA, as well as the largest organized group of psychology graduate students worldwide. Similar to the APA, APAGS implements governance initiatives and policies, provides direct member contact and support, develops resources to meet the information and advocacy needs of members, provides leadership opportunities, and provides special convention programming and other distinct training. APAGS has grown in scope and influence while adhering to its original mission to:

1. promote the highest standards in the research, teaching, and practice of psychology in order to further the education and development of all psychology students;



2. represent all graduate study specialties of psychology, facilitating information exchange between these groups;



3. promote leadership development in order to communicate and advocate for the concerns of students; and



4. establish and maintain channels of communication between APAGS and schools, universities, training centers, institutions, and other members of the psychological community.

With the completion and approval of the APAGS strategic plan, 2004 marks an important turning point with regards to the mission of APAGS and the functioning of the APAGS Committee. Through the review of the APAGS' mission, vision, and values, the APAGS Committee has proposed strategies and goals to help drive APAGS' activities. As one of the largest constituency groups of APA, and the largest organized group of psychology graduate student worldwide, this comprehensive documentation of APAGS' goals and objectives is an invaluable tool for providing our constituents with the best possible benefits and services.

The following is a summary of APAGS highlights over the last six months:

On March 26-28, 2004 the full APAGS Committee met at the Spring APA Consolidated meeting. The Committee reviewed a full agenda and continued the development of a comprehensive strategic plan. A draft of the plan was approved and will be reviewed annually. The purpose of the plan is to shape APAGS' activities and provide a baseline for measuring success.

The APAGS Committee voted to formally change the Member-at-Large, General Focus to Member-at-Large, Recruitment and Retention Focus. Those running for the General Focus position were made aware of this potential change prior to the election. The new APAGS Committee Member will assume this new title based on the new position description as approved by the Committee.

APAGS launched its Division Student Representative Network (DSRN) at the Division Leadership Conference in January 2004. The DSRN is designed to help provide support to student division leaders through APAGS and to encourage divisions to support APAGS initiatives and activities. APAGS is now represented in the APA Division Dialogue to further promote student involvement in divisions. Currently, seven divisions have identified a student leader. More information is available here.

APAGS, in collaboration with the APA Membership Office, conducted a 'Student-Get-a-Student' contest during the month of February. This time-limited contest was offered in an effort to prompt current student affiliates to encourage their peers to join APA/APAGS. The contest met with some success and APAGS is looking into the possibility of conducting a similar contest during the fall.

The APA Membership office has transferred $3000 to APAGS to assist in the planning of member outreach pilot programs, utilizing APAGS' volunteer networks, such as Campus Representatives, to recruit and retain graduate student affiliates. Plans are underway to develop materials that showcase the advantages of APA affiliation and membership in APAGS and pilot the program in the fall.

The Associate Executive Director will continue to facilitate focus groups across the country with graduate students. One is planned for the fall. These regular focus groups will help make APAGS' benefits and services known, and help us understand how APAGS and gradPSYCH can be more relevant and useful to our members. Discussion will include topics such as internships, mentoring, finding your first job in psychology, postdocs, balancing work and family, preparing for licensure, etc. APAGS conducted one such outreach effort at the Southwestern Regional Psychological Association Conference on April 9, 2004. The discussion was lead by Carol Williams-Nickelson, Psy.D, Associate Executive Director, APAGS, Rhea Farberman, Executive Director, Member and Public Communications, Michael Madson, MSE, APAGS Member at Large, Education Focus and Ken Whitton, APAGS Campus Representative, University of Texas-San Antonio. The meeting was productive, confirmed that APAGS and gradPSYCH are focused on topics that matter most to graduate students, provided an opportunity for direct member contact, and produced some new ideas for gradPSYCH content and APAGS programs.

APAGS conducted its annual online elections during March and April. Newly elected APAGS committee members will begin their terms August 2004. APAGS staff have provided orientation materials and have conducted new member orientation conference calls to assist new members prepare for their role on the APAGS Committee. Outgoing members have created new member mentor checklists for acclimating incoming Committee members during this transitional period.

The following students were elected to the Committee for the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students:

• Yaron (Ron) Rabinowitz, Chair-Elect (Aug 2004 - Aug 2007)
  
  
• Kelly Arnemann, Member at Large, Diversity Focus (Aug 2004 - Aug 2006)
  
  
• Laura Reigada, Member at Large, Recruitment and Retention Focus (Aug 2004 - Aug 2006)
  
  
• Jason Frizzell, Member at Large, Research/Academic Focus (Aug 2004 - Aug 2006)
  

The following Sub-Committee Chairs were appointed to the APAGS Committee following a competitive application process:

• John Pachankis, Chair, Committee for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
  Transgender Concerns-CLGBTC (Aug 2004-Aug 2006)
  
  
• Nichole Wood-Barcalow, Chair, Advocacy Coordinating Team-ACT
  (Aug 2004-Aug 2006)
  
  
• Nadia Hasan, Chair, Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs-CEMA
  (Aug 2004-Aug 2006)
  
  
• Rufus Gonzales, Chair, Convention Committee (Aug 2004-Aug 2006)
  

The APAGS Internship Workbook, transformed into a published book in 2003, has been recently updated in preparation for a new printing this summer. The updated workbook will be available at the 2004 Convention.

Three issues of the APAGS Campus Representative Bulletin are available for download here. The Bulletin was launched in November 2003 as a means to enhance communication between APAGS and graduate students. The bulletin is disseminated electronically to the APAGS Campus Representatives so that they may print the bulletin and post it in their department. The bulletin includes highlights of APAGS activities including science, practice, education, diversity, and legislative issues.

A new APAGS listserv dedicated to the dissertation process has been created. The listserv will be a useful resource for students needing advice and direction concerning dissertation issues.

The APAGS Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs is conducting a student survey (via the APAGS Web site) aimed at assessing students' overall satisfaction with the level of multicultural training offered throughout graduate level curriculum. This survey is also designed to identify and gather information regarding the issues that ethnic minority students continue to face throughout their graduate school experience.

APAGS is currently accepting applications for its 2004 scholarships, grants and awards, which recognize students and those who support them, for excellence in several areas. Additional information regarding APAGS Scholarship and Awards can be found here. Most of the 2004 scholarships and awards will be given at the APAGS Awards Ceremony and Reception during the APA Convention in Hawaii.

The APAGS Convention Committee and APAGS staff have created a student-centered convention program for the 2004 annual APA Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. Convention preparation includes, but is not limited to: Creating program flyers and mailings; communicating with presenters; ordering promotional give-aways; booth planning; special events (e.g. Food for Thought Breakfasts, Internship Breakout groups, Ambassador program); planning substantive programming; preparing the gradPSYCH survey; and updating/creating flyers and resources for shipment. A full listing of the APAGS Convention programming schedule can be found on the APAGS Convention site.