Get involved with APA governance

APA is seeking psychologists to serve on 15 of its governing boards and committees. They are:

* Committee on Structure and Function of Council
* Finance Committee
* Ethics Committee
* Membership Committee
* Policy and Planning Board
* Publications and Communications Board
* Committee on International Relations in Psychology
* Board of Educational Affairs
* Board of Professional Affairs
* Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice
* Board of Scientific Affairs
* Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest
* Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Psychology
* Board of Convention Affairs
* Committee on Rural Health

Send nominations to APA's Election Committee at the APA address by Feb. 1. The election committee will forward nominations to the appropriate board or committee as they develop nomination slates. Slates are submitted to the Board of Directors Subcommittee on Nominations for review and then to the Board of Directors for final approval. Nominees will appear on the 2004 board and committee ballot, which will be sent to members of the 2004 APA Council of Representatives on Oct. 29. For more information, contact the APA Elections Office at (202) 336-6087; e-mail: APA Elections Office.

APAGS award honors a student-focused state association

The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS), the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice and Div. 31 (State Psychological Association Affairs) are accepting applications for the second annual APAGS Award for an Outstanding State or Provincial Psychological Association of the Year. The $1,500 prize recognizes a state or provincial psychological association for excellence in promoting graduate student development and joint APAGS and Div. 31 membership. The application deadline is Jan. 31. For more information, visit www.apa.org/apags/members/schawrds.html.

Check out APAGS leadership opportunities

The elections process for the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) begins in January. Available positions for 2004 include: chair-elect; member-at-large, general focus; member-at-large, research/academic focus; and member-at-large, diversity focus. APAGS is also seeking applicants for subcommittee chairs of its Convention Committee, Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs and Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns. For more information and full position descriptions, visit: www.apa.org/apags/getinv/posdesc.html. For more information on getting involved with APAGS listservs, submitting an article for the APAGS Web site or APAGS advocacy activities, visit www.apa.org/apags.

APA committee seeks experts on LGB issues

The Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns (CLGBC) seeks nominations for two positions that begin Jan. 1. The committee's mission is to:

* Study and evaluate how to address the issues and concerns of lesbian, gay male and bisexual psychologists.

* Encourage objective and unbiased research on issues related to lesbian, gay male, and bisexual adults and youths, and to examine the social impact of such research.

* Examine the consequences of inaccurate information and stereotypes about lesbian, gay male, and bisexual adults and youths in clinical practice.

* Develop educational materials for distribution to psychologists and other health professionals.

* Make recommendations regarding the integration of these issues into APA activities to further the cause of civil and legal rights of lesbian, gay male and bisexual psychologists within the profession.

The committee seeks nominees who have a:

* Background in research on communities of color.

* Involvement in issues related to the effects of poverty on LGB populations--both environmentally and socioeconomically.

* Expertise and interest on bisexual concerns, aging and the elderly, or children, youth and families.

* Experience with gender identity issues or state psychological associations.

The committee welcomes nominations of ethnic-minority psychologists and members of underrepresented groups. Committee members attend two committee meetings a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA, and are required to work on committee projects throughout the year.

The nomination deadline is Aug. 1. To nominate an individual, include a statement of the nominee's interest in and qualifications for the committee and a current curriculum vitae. Self-nominations are welcome. Send nomination materials to: CLGBC Nominations, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address.

Stories, materials wanted on VA service

APA's Archives is seeking archival materials and historical accounts from those who worked or trained at the Veterans Administration (VA) between 1946 and 1970. The Archives is especially interested in information from psychologists who participated in E. Lowell Kelly's VA Selection Research Project. For more information and to share materials and stories, contact Wade E. Pickren, PhD, APA historian and director of archives, at the APA address; (202) 336-5645; e-mail: Wade E. Pickren, PhD.

BEA honors education advocates

APA's Board of Educational Affairs announced its first-ever Education Advocacy Distinguished Service Award winners at the 2003 Education Leadership Conference, held in Washington, D.C., in September. The winners are:

* Herbert Goldstein, PhD, a private practitioner in St. Petersburg, Fla. Goldstein, who will receive his award at APA's 2004 Annual Convention in Honolulu, July 28-Aug. 1, will be honored for securing the support of Rep Bill Young (R-Fla.) for the Graduate Psychology Education Program.

* Sharon L. Berry, PhD, of Children's Hospital and Clinics in Minneapolis. Berry was honored for her dedication to APA's Federal Education Advocacy Grassroots Network.

* Gilbert H. Newman, PhD, of the Wright Institute in Berkeley, Calif. Newman was recognized for his dedication to advocacy for psychology students.

* Lori Rowley, chief of staff for Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio). Rowley was honored for supporting psychology education and training (see November Monitor for more details).

For more information on education advocacy efforts, visit www.apa.org/ppo/edppo.html.

MFP application deadline is fast-approaching

APA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) is accepting applications through Jan. 15 for its four fellowship programs in psychology and neuroscience. The programs aim to stimulate interest in ethnic-minority mental health research and mental health services by providing financial support and mentoring to doctoral students. The fellowships are:

* MFP Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Fellowship, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This program is designed for doctoral students in clinical, counseling and school psychology. Applicants must plan to pursue careers as practitioners or psychotherapy researchers specializing in ethnic-minority populations.

* MFP Mental Health Research Fellowship, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is geared to budding researchers specializing in mental health issues of concern to ethnic-minority populations. Students who specialize in psychopathology, community, social, developmental, health, aging, cognitive psychology or any other areas related to mental health are encouraged to apply.

* MFP HIV/AIDS Research Fellowship, funded by NIMH, is geared to those pursuing careers as research or prevention scientists in HIV/AIDS. The fellowship is funded as a subspecialty under the Mental Health Research Program.

* MFP in Neuroscience Predoctoral Fellowship and the MFP in Neuroscience Postdoctoral Fellowship, funded by NIMH, support students pursuing careers in neuroscience, including behavioral neuroscience, cellular neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroanatomy and other fields. Neuroscience fellows receive support to attend the monthlong "Summer program in neuroscience, ethics and survival" at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are enrolled full time in a doctoral program. Mental health and substance abuse services applicants must be in an APA-accredited program. All applicants must be pursuing a career in psychology or neuroscience related to ethnic-minority mental health.

Download an application from the MFP Web site at www.apa.org/mfp, request an application via e-mail at Minority Fellowship Program or write to APA/MFP Fellowship at the APA address.

Learn about policy through a yearlong internship

APA's Public Policy Office invites students to apply for its 2004-2005 Public Interest Policy Internship Program, which provides graduate students with first-hand knowledge of the role of psychology in public policy. The intern spends one year in APA's Public Policy Office working on a broad range of topics, including: children, youth and families; women; older adults; lesbians, gay men and bisexuals; ethnic-minorities; individuals with disabilities; and HIV/AIDS. Activities include preparing briefing papers, testimony and other documents, and attending congressional hearings and coalition meetings.

Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology or a related discipline, in at least the second year of graduate training, and able to work 15 to 20 hours per week at APA headquarters in Washington, D.C., from September 2004 through August 2005. The internship provides a stipend of $14.50 per hour.

The application deadline is March 5. Applicants should submit a current curriculum vitae that includes information about educational background and any relevant professional, public policy and legislative experience; a statement of 500 words or less expressing their interest in the internship and what they hope to learn from the experience; and two letters of reference, including one from their academic department that confirms their enrollment and good standing with the college or university. Send materials to the APA Public Policy Office/Public Interest Policy Internship Program at the APA address. For more information, visit APA's Public Policy Office Web site at www.apa.org/ppo/funding/pifell.html or contact the office at (202) 336-6062; e-mail: Public Policy Office.

Your dues are due

Members and affiliates need to send in their 2004 dues or fee payments and journal orders to ensure updated records and to take advantage of the member or student journal credits. Prompt payment guarantees uninterrupted delivery of the Monitor on Psychology and American Psychologist. Members who renew on time receive the APA membership card, which offers discounts on a variety of consumer services, as well as eligibility for APA Insurance Trust programs, receipt of APA newsletters and a variety of other money-saving benefits. Questions related to dues, fee payments or replacement statements should be directed to APA Membership, at the APA address; (800) 374-2721; (202) 336-5580; TDD: (202) 336-6123; fax: (202) 336-5568; e-mail: APA Membership.

--J. CHAMBERLIN