Build advocacy skills through convention CE workshop

APA's Office of Continuing Education will host a workshop at APA's 2004 Annual Convention in Honolulu to teach psychologists how they can advocate for the profession and underserved populations as well as influence public policy to secure funds for psychological research, services and education.

Workshop participants can join one of two interest groups--one focused on aging, the other on trauma and abuse--to practice their new advocacy skills. Attendees will learn about current legislative issues in these areas and view model interactions between seasoned lobbyists and experienced psychologist-advocates on video and practice their own advocacy skills through interactive sessions and role-play. The workshop aims to help participants:

* Describe the value of advocacy.

* Develop skills to raise awareness of psychology's contributions at local, state and national levels.

* Apply psychological science and practice to policy development.

* Achieve individual and professional goals.

* Learn how to persuade policy-makers to support psychology.

Nina G. Levitt, EdD, Diane L. Elmore, PhD, Sheila L. Forsyth and Deborah A. DiGilio will lead the seven-credit workshop on Saturday, July 31, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Registration is $175 for APA members. Space is limited to 32 participants.

To register, visit the CE Web site at www.apa.org/ce or contact the Office of Continuing Education, Education Directorate, at the APA address; (202) 336-5991 or (800) 374-2721, ext. 5991.

Attend convention CE workshop on preventing childhood violence

APA's Office of Continuing Education also will host a workshop at APA's Annual Convention to familiarize APA members with the Adults and Children Together (ACT) Against Violence training program.

The ACT program, developed by APA and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is a national antiviolence initiative that emphasizes the importance of preventing violence in early childhood and the role of adults in protecting children from violence. The workshop, "Violence prevention in the early years," will prepare members to disseminate research-based information and skills on early-violence prevention to adults. It will cover key topics in this area, including:

* ACT as a social and cognitive intervention.

* Child development, brain development and aggression.

* The consequences of violence in children's lives.

* Prevention skills such as anger management and media literacy.

* Opportunities for psychologists to be involved with ACT in the community.

ACT encourages psychologists interested in early childhood, family services and violence prevention to attend the seven-credit workshop, to be led by Jacquelyn Gentry, PhD, Caroline Carney, PhD, and Julia Silva. The session will be held Saturday, July 31, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Registration is $175 for APA members. Space is limited to 25 participants.

To register, visit the CE Web site at www.apa.org/ce or contact the Office of Continuing Education, Education Directorate, at the APA address; (202) 336-5991 or (800) 374-2721, ext. 5991.

Volunteer to represent psychology at the United Nations

APA is seeking applications for six volunteers to be nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives at the United Nations for three-, four- or five-year terms.

APA's team of NGO representatives participates in a wide range of activities to broaden psychological scholarship's impact on U.N. policies and programs. Representatives collaborate with other NGO representatives to identify social issues and draft statements to formulate and implement global policies. Representatives also foster meaningful dialogue between psychologists and other social scientists and representatives of U.N. agencies. As such, APA has consultative status with the U.N. Department of Public Information (DPI), Economic and Social Council and Children's Fund.

NGO representatives are expected to work in at least one substantive program area--such as aging, women's issues, refugees, racism, children and families, or mental health--in their first year. They consult regularly with the main APA representative, to whom they submit semiannual and annual written reports.

Residence in or near New York is essential. Representatives must visit U.N. Headquarters each week, and each month they must attend at least one of the weekly DPI briefings held on Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon. APA reimburses representatives for local travel in New York City.

Applicants must hold doctoral degrees and be APA members. Candidates must also:

* Have experience that strongly identifies with the work of at least one of APA's four directorates: science, education, practice or public interest.

* Show their interest or involvement in the application of psychological or social science to social issues at the international, national or local level.

* Be culturally sensitive.

* Have experience working with people from other cultures.

* Take an inclusive approach to the use of psychological research to affect policy.

* Demonstrate effective oral and writing skills.

* Exercise personal initiative and work collaboratively with others who may hold different viewpoints or interests.

* Possess a diplomatic and effective interpersonal style.

* Communicate regularly by e-mail.

Proficiency in a foreign language or experience living outside the United States is helpful, but knowledge of the U.N. system is not required. Psychol ogists with previous NGO experience will help advise new representatives.

Nominations are due Sept. 1. To apply, submit an application letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation and two samples of relevant written work to APA's Office of International Affairs at the APA address. The application letter should include a brief statement of interest, comment on how the applicant's background meets the position's requirements and identify the issues on which the candidate wishes to work.

Direct questions to Joan Buchanan, Director of International Affairs, at the APA address; (202) 336-6024; e-mail.

CPSE to survey teachers' professional development needs

At its May meeting, APA's Coalition for Psychology in the Schools and Education (CPSE) began to develop a survey that will examine teachers' needs for professional development that could be provided by organized psychology.

The survey will gather information about teachers' perceptions of professional development in areas such as:

* Classroom management.

* Family and community outreach.

* Assessment of children's educational attainment and individualized instruction needs.

* Training to work with students from different cultural groups.

* Other teaching skills and knowledge informed by psychological science.

The survey will help form APA professional development courses for teachers based on the needs teachers identify. CPSE hopes to disseminate the survey by the end of the year.

APA's Education Directorate sponsors CPSE, which promotes cooperation among APA divisions, interest groups and affiliates working to enhance education and teacher training. Coalition members represent 13 APA divisions, the Committee of Psychology Teachers at Community Colleges, the Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools, the Council of Representatives' Child and Adolescent Caucus, the Committee on Psychological Testing and Assessment and the APA Board of Educational Affairs. The APA Board of Directors and Council of Representatives are sponsoring this project.

CPSE invites its affiliates and division representatives to attend the coalition's sessions at APA's 2004 Annual Conference in Honolulu, July 28-Aug. 1. To learn more, contact Heidi Sickler, CPSE program officer, Education Directorate, at the APA address; e-mail.

Committee on Women in Psychology seeks two members

APA's Committee on Women in Psychology (CWP) is requesting nominations for two new members to begin three-year terms in January 2005 to plan, develop and coordinate activities concerning the status of women.

The committee seeks candidates with demonstrated experience and interest in women's issues to make recommendations on women's issues and work with APA's governing structure, membership and Div. 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women). CWP's current goals include:

* Promoting the health and well-being of all women.

* Identifying and eliminating discriminatory practices against women.

* Promoting women's unique contributions to psychology.

* Enhancing women's leadership.

* Monitoring activities of APA groups to assess their impact on women.

* Working to empower underrepresented groups.

The committee is seeking at least one new member who is actively involved in research and--to fulfill the committee's commitment to diversity in representation--an openly identified lesbian or bisexual psychologist. Letters of nomination should clearly describe the candidate's specific qualifications for these criteria. Nominees must be full members of APA and should have public policy experience.

CWP members must attend two committee meetings each year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA. In 2005, these meetings will be held March 18-20 and Sept. 23-25. Committee members also work on CWP priorities between meetings and participate in regular committee conference calls. If possible, members attend CWP's meeting at APA's Annual Convention at their own expense.

Nominations are due Sept. 1. Nomination materials should include the nominee's qualifications, curriculum vitae and a letter indicating willingness to serve on CWP. APA members who are retired, employed less than full time or work full time are eligible to apply, and self-nominations are welcome. Send materials to Danielle R. Dickerson, APA Women's Programs Office, at the APA address; e-mail.

Join CYF to work on child/family issues

The Committee on Children, Youth and Families (CYF) is seeking applicants for two three-year positions beginning in 2005. CYF is interested in candidates with:

* Substantial expertise applying psychological knowledge to the well-being and optimal development of children, youth and families.

* Experience advancing psychology to promote health and human welfare.

* A background in contemporary issues facing children, youth and families, including promoting children's positive mental health.

* Interest in underserved and ethnic-minority populations.

CYF members attend two committee meetings each year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA, as well as CYF's meeting during APA's Annual Convention at their own expense. They participate in regular conference calls, work an average of 10 hours per month on committee issues and each lead one project--such as a task force, conference, work group or publication--during their committee service.

To apply, submit a letter indicating willingness to serve, a curriculum vitae and a proposal no longer than one page describing a project that applies psychological knowledge to the well-being and development of children, youth and families. Candidates may provide up to three letters of recommendation, although recommendations are not required.

Nominations are due Aug. 30. Late submissions will be considered next year. Send materials to Trena King, CYF Nominations, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address; fax: (202) 336-6040; e-mail.

New doctorates: Don't wait to upgrade to full member status

Dues-paid APA student affiliates who received doctoral degrees this school year can upgrade their APA status from student affiliate to full member at no additional cost in 2004. Qualified student affiliates can change their status by submitting upgrade applications, which were mailed in the spring. If you are eligible to become a full APA member and have not received an application form, you can download one at www.apa.org/membership/upgrade.html or contact APA Membership at the APA address; (800) 374-2721; e-mail.

Tell others about APA's membership benefits

Spread the word to psychology students and faculty about APA's products, services and membership benefits through APA's Department Volunteer Network. APA provides volunteers with association news, catalogs, program fact sheets and applications to distribute on their campuses. To learn more or to sign up, contact Membership Development at the APA address; e-mail.

--M. GREER

Meet the new APAGS Committee members The American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) has announced the results of its 2004 elections. The following students have been elected to the APAGS Committee and begin their terms in August: * Yaron (Ron) Rabinowitz, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, chair-elect (2004-2007) * Kelly Arnemann, Texas A&M University, member-at-large, diversity focus (2004-2006) * Laura Reigada, Hofstra University, member-at-large, general focus (2004-2006) * Jason Frizzell, Texas Tech University, member-at-large, research/academic focus (2004-2006) The APAGS Committee also appointed the following students as subcommittee chairs: * John Pachankis, State University of New York, Stony Brook, chair, Committee for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns (2004-2006) * Nichole Wood-Barcalow, Ohio State University, chair, Advocacy Coordinating Team (2004-2006) * Nadia Hasan, University of Akron, chair, Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (2004-2006) * Rufus Gonzales, Loyola University, Chicago, chair, Convention Committee (2004-2006)