Comments sought on neuropsychology petition

APA's Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP) invites APA Members to comment on a petition submitted by Div. 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) for the renewal of a neuropsychology specialty. Members can view the petition at www.apa.org/crsppp.

CRSPPP requires a period of public notice and opportunity for comment before considering the petition. Comments may be submitted until March 15. For more information or to submit comments, contact Joan Freund, Office of Graduate Education and Training, Education Directorate, at the APA address; (202) 336-5967; e-mail: jfreund@apa.org.

APAGS celebrates fifteen years, new status in APA governance

This year, the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) not only celebrates fifteen years of representing psychology students, but also the establishment of a new voting seat on the APA Council of Representatives and a nonvoting permanent seat on the APA Board of Directors (see article on page 16). Current APAGS Chair Chris Loftis will serve in both positions.

"These changes to the bylaws vividly demonstrate APA's strong commitment to its future members, and APAGS is grateful for that support," says Carol Williams-Nickelson, PsyD, associate executive director of APAGS. Plans are already under way for the APAGS anniversary celebration at the 2003 Annual Convention in Toronto. For more information, visit the APAGS Web site at www.apa.org/apags.

Volunteer to spread the word about APA benefits

APA seeks university and college faculty members who are interested in disseminating information about APA products, services and other information on their campuses. Interested faculty should send their contact information to dvn@apa.org. The information will be kept confidential and used only to inform volunteers of APA events, products and services.

Opportunities abound for community college psychology teachers

APA encourages community college teachers of psychology to join APA and become members of Psychology Teachers at Community Colleges (PT@CC), the APA group that represents the interests of community college teachers.

For the first time, APA offers a membership status for community college teachers: APA's Council of Representatives approved a proposed bylaw amendment in 2002 to create a new affiliate membership category for Two-Year College Teacher Affiliates, which took effect in January. Applications for Two-Year College Teacher Affiliate status are available from the APA Membership Office at www.apa.org/membership.

In addition, PT@CC (pronounced "p-tack") is seeking members to get involved: The group, established in 2001, provides a voice for community college teachers in APA governance and offers programming at national and regional meetings and conventions. PT@CC sponsors an annual electronic poster contest and offers certificates to recognize outstanding community college psychology students. For more information about becoming a Two-Year College Teacher Affiliate or a member of PT@CC, visit the Education Directorate Web site at www.apa.org/ed/undergraduate.html or contact Martha Boenau at mboenau@apa.org or (800) 374-2721, ext. 6140.

Two openings on Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns for 2004

The Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns (CLGBC) seeks nominations for two positions that will begin Jan. 1, 2004. The committee seeks nominees who are:

* Researchers or scientists.

* Experts on aging and the elderly or on children, youth and families.

* Experienced with state psychological associations.

* Ethnic minorities.

The committee is made up of six members, three women and three men, who are appointed for staggered terms of three years. Its mission is to:

* Study and evaluate how the issues and concerns of lesbian, gay and bisexual psychologists can best be dealt with.

* Encourage objective and unbiased research on lesbian, gay and bisexual adults and youth, and the social impact of such research.

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

* Develop educational materials for distribution to psychologists and others.

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

Committee members are required to attend one committee meeting a year in Washington, D.C., with expenses reimbursed by APA, and to participate in one or more conference calls. They also work on committee projects throughout their service. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 1. A statement of the nominee's interest in and qualifications for the committee and a current curriculum vitae should accompany the nomination. Self-nominations are welcome. Send nomination materials to: CLGBC Nominations, Public Interest Directorate, at the APA address.

New members sought for Minority Fellowship Program advisory committee

APA's Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) seeks three new members for its advisory committee to serve three-year terms beginning Sept. 1. The MFP administers three federally funded training programs for doctoral students in psychology. MFP also aims to improve the quality of mental health treatment and research on issues of concern to ethnic-minority populations and to increase the number of ethnic minorities providing mental health services and research in these areas.

MFP is looking for candidates who have published research related to ethnic-minority mental health, whose research has received grant support from federal agencies and who have direct experience in training doctoral-level students in mental health and substance abuse services and research. Psychologists with expertise in school psychology, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention and treatment are also encouraged to apply.

The deadline for nominations is May 31. MFP Advisory Committee members attend meetings in March of each year to select new MFP fellows, review the progress of continuing fellows and nominate graduate fellows for awards. Each December the committee holds a retreat to review the MFP program, update or revise MFP publications and brochures, develop and review programming for upcoming APA Annual Conventions, and review the MFP application and selection process.

Self-nominations are welcome. To nominate, send a letter of support and a curriculum vitae to the Minority Fellowship Program, Attn: Advisory Committee Selection, at the APA address.

--J. CHAMBERLIN