JLM Summary and Association Update

Each July all of the leaders from ACPA convene for a time of training, reflection, and planning. This year’s July Leadership Meeting took place July 6-9, in Montréal, Quebec, site of the 2016 ACPA Annual Convention. Meeting attendees included governing board members, coalition chairs, state and international division chairs, commission chairs, the community of practice chair, and the convention planning team. All totaled, there were close to 100 participants. I want to use this month’s blog post to provide a summary of that meeting including key items that the board discussed.

The first day of the meeting was comprised of a daylong training for all leaders. We had the privilege of learning about the First Peoples of Canada from Dr. Karl Hele, Associate Professor and Director of First People’s Studies at Concordia University (in Montréal). You can find information regarding First Peoples of Canada by visiting http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com. This talk was followed by a training session to increase leaders’ international intercultural competence. During this training Executive Director Cindi Love introduced the Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks. Leaders participated in an initial assessment of ACPA using the benchmarks. In addition, the leaders witnessed a demo of myPROfolio, an innovative portfolio and professional development content delivery system. More information will be coming soon and ACPA16 convention participants will be able to try out the system. After the first day of training leaders worked in their individual entity areas to continue planning and reflecting.

The ACPA Governing Board had a full agenda with a number of important projects to discuss. The Pathways to Leadership Task Force presented their report to the governing board. This group co-chaired by past ACPA President Kathleen Kerr and past Director of Equity and Inclusion Kathy Obear explored issues that expedite as well as hinder individuals from obtaining leadership roles in the association. This report, along with recommendations, will be posted on the ACPA website for public comment soon with the final report presented to the board at their October meeting.

Another important discussion topic was the Professional Competencies Task Force Report. This task force reviewed and offered revisions to the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies published in 2010. ACPA Co-Chair (and past ACPA President) Patty Perillo shared an overview of the review process, suggested changes to the competencies, and provides recommendations to support implementation of the revised competencies. The ACPA and NASPA boards are reviewing the competencies report during their July meetings and will be voting on the revisions and recommendations in August. If approved, they will be published shortly after in time for the new academic year.

The board heard an update from the Sexual Violence Prevention Implementation Team, chaired by Jody Jessup-Anger and Keith Edwards. This group is responsible for implementing the recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Sexual Violence Prevention appointed by Kent Porterfield in the spring of 2014. The team is drafting a monograph in time for the start of classes that will be a guide for sexual violence prevention. They are also developing a Sexual Violence Prevention Institute, starting a commission regarding sexual violence prevention, and creating research and scholarship opportunities. Stay tuned for more details.

The Digital Task Force Implementation team, chaired by Tony Doody and Ed Cabellon, provided an update on their work. This group is implementing recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on Digital Technology also charged by Kent Porterfield in the spring of 2014. They are developing an integrated digital dissemination plan for the association, facilitator materials for What Happens on Campus Stays on YouTube – a book regarding digital reputation, and discussing the development of resources related to the forthcoming technology professional competency.

The Task Force on Standing Committees, chaired by Stacey Pearson-Wharton, shared their findings and recommendations to the board. The task force reviewed the role of the standing committees (now called coalitions) within ACPA. This report, as well as other information gleaned during the July Leadership Meeting, suggested that our organizational structure is not as effective as it could be and may even hinder ACPA’s ability to fulfill it’s mission. The ACPA Governing Board will begin examining the structure and identifying solutions that allow ACPA to achieve our goals.

The convention team was busy identifying locations for various convention events; discussing open, closing, and other special activities; and planning the curriculum. They were working diligently to create the most educational, transformational, and enjoyable convention experience in ACPA history.

Montréal was a wonderful host city for our July Leadership meeting and will be the perfect location of our convention in March. Register now to attend by visiting http://convention.myacpa.org/montreal2016/. You can also propose a program by visiting http://convention.myacpa.org/montreal2016/submit-a-program-proposal/. The city combined with the convention curriculum and events will make ACPA16 a memorable, if not the most memorable, convention you will experience. I look forward to seeing YOU in Montréal!