For those of you who do not know me, I would like to introduce myself. I am a mediator with Out-of-Court Solutions specializing in divorce, child custody, and commercial mediation. This career has provided me the wonderful opportunity to merge my interests, skills, and expertise in a way that helps individuals and couples resolve their differences quickly and effectively. After practicing law for 15 years, I feel fortunate to be part of a process that helps people avoid the emotional, physical, and financial strain typical of lawsuits and instead promotes a collaborative and cooperative environment. In addition to my law degree, I hold a masters degree in counseling. I believe my education in the counseling field has provided me the balance necessary to successfully assist others in navigating through difficult times. In my role with the AzCA, I hope to meet with many of you who are practicing therapists and counselors to share ideas and hopes for the profession, the organization, and your clients.

In the upcoming year, I hope to build on the wonderful strides made by our Past President, Lindsay Kalish, our Executive Director, Sarah Smoger, the Executive Board Members (Shannon Morrill, Kelly Ford, Erin Stanfield) and all of the Board Members. I hope to continue to offer more seminars and CEU opportunities, including the possibility of brown bag lunch seminars. Additionally, I would like to incorporate a social element to the AzCA, possibly by holding some of our meetings at restaurants where we could socialize and network afterwards. Bringing more statewide recognition to the AzCA and increasing membership is another goal, through marketing, our presence at workshops and seminars, and our mailers and website. Of course, the AzCA will continue to stay involved in legislative matters, provide support and information for our members, research current issues facing the counseling profession (e.g., internet-based counseling and national counseling credentialing standards), and promote dialogue and networking on our list-serve.

On a final note, remember that this is your organization. The AzCA is here to serve its members and is run by its members. So, your participation is welcome and encouraged. You are invited to attend the meetings, join the committees, and serve on your Board. More involvement means bigger and better things for your AzCA! Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the AzCA President for the upcoming year. I am looking forward to it!

The Arizona Counselors Association invites the submission of manuscripts for consideration for the 2008 issue of Arizona Counseling Journal to be published in late 2008.

Manuscripts on issues of interest to counselors, psychotherapists and counselor educators are welcome, including empirical research, action research, innovations in counseling practice, current trends and professional, legal and ethical issues. Reviews of current books or other resources of interest to school counselors will also be considered. Include practical implications for counselors.

Manuscripts should not exceed 20 double-spaced typewritten pages, not including title page and references, and should be written according to the American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual (5th edition) style. Include on a separate page, the title of the article and an abstract of no more than 150 words. Be sure that authors names do not appear anywhere in the manuscript other than the title page, so that submissions can be reviewed anonymously. Use APA guidelines to eliminate biased language. The deadline for receipt of the manuscripts is February 1st, 2008. Manuscripts must be in Microsoft Word and be sent electronically as an e-mail attachment to pit.kolodinsky@nau.edu. Direct questions should be addressed to Dr. Kolodinsky at his email address.

Anyone who has published in professional journals, books, or has contributed chapters in books and would like to serve on the editorial board should apply to one or both of the co-editors by e-mail at the addresses above December 1st, 2007.

NEXT BOARD MEETINGS
open to the public

March 29, 2008
May 10, 2008
June 28, 2008

All meetings will be held 10am-Noon located at:

Phoenix
NAU - North Valley
15601 N. 28th Ave. Room #134
Phoenix, AZ 85053
602-728-9509

Tucson location for March meetings:
NAU-Tucson North: NAU Video Conference Room 01
PHONE: 520-879-7970.

Yuma location for all 3 meetings:
AC 126, NAU-Yuma.
Yuma location for all 3 mtgs, AC 126, NAU-Yuma.
SouthWest/Yuma Chapter meets every last Weds of each month at:
AZ Ave Clinic, 2501 AZ Avenue, noon -1:00