Contemporary Sexuality - June 2008 - (Page 9)

President’s Letter continued from page 3 5) Quality Education and Training: Our annual conferences are among the best in the world. Our regions produce fine CE-generating events, and last summer we held our second AASECT training institute. Above all, I want to honor the amazing and fantabulous co-chairs for this year’s (and last year’s) annual conference: Michele Sugg, Larry and Ricky Siegel and Sally Valentine. New Orleans will be a treasured conference to remember. Thanks to PESC Chair Libby Bennett and Joan Sughrue for CE approvals, and to Bill Finger for our last Summer Institute, which is about to expand to winter and beyond. 6) Fiscal Responsibility: We have just come through one of the strongest fiscal periods in AASECT history. This is in part due to the incredible dedication of Treasurer Russell Stambaugh with the serious input of the Finance Committee. Also deserving applause is Executive Director Steve Conley for his ability to garner funds. It is the dedication of our volunteer leadership and the pressing on about keeping AASECT up to the highest standards for fiscal excellence that have helped to promote our being in great financial shape. 7) Certification and Preservation of our High Standards: AASECT continues to serve as the premier credentialing organization in our field. These past two years have engaged the brightest minds in our volunteer corps to create new practice standards for membership, while preserving the “gold standard” we are so proud to offer as certification for educators, counselors and therapists. Thanks to Peggy Kleinplatz for serving as Certification Steering Committee chair, to Hani Miletski for leadership of the Task Force on Practice Guidelines, and all those who served on those committees and task forces. 8) Mentorship for Students and New Professionals: Michele Sugg is one of those tireless and positive forces that help to keep AASECT blooming. Praise is due for her leadership of the Outreach Steering Committee, in which fundraising has found new life at AASECT, and to the leadership of retiring Development Chair Joe Starwood and his team. (Be sure to find silent auction items, buy your raffle tickets and attend our birthday bash, along with ordering your own commemorative candle in New Orleans.) The International Outreach Committee would never have happened without the input of Beverly Whipple and her dedication to AASECT for international expansion. 9) Staffing: During the past two years, a stable, hard-working and talented staff presence has June 2008 Vol. 42, No. 6 | www.aasect.org allowed AASECT to thrive. The delightful, friendly, and extremely able office staff are managed by our Steve Conley, and feature Ashlyn Howell, Julie Hamilton and Tayloe Moore, placing AASECT in the best hands in its entire history. I cannot say enough to acknowledge our staff. Annual conferences are designed with aplomb (Ashlyn), finances are handled with skill (Julie) and certifications roll through smoothly (Tayloe), to mention just a few of their talents. Steve Conley continues to act as our “fearless leader,” heading all of our initiatives established by the board, acting as the consummate ambassador for AASECT and always proving the most positive, encouraging, and professional air for our finest service and presence in the field of sexology. 10) Policies & Procedures; Leadership: First, kudos to the heroic efforts of Russell Stambaugh, who crafted the new, complete version of the AASECT Policies & Procedures Manual. Hear ye! I want to thank the dedicated committee chairs in leadership roles: Ethics (Cathy Ravella), Awards (Konnie McCaffree), Personnel (Jo Marie Kessler), Bylaws (Lisa Martinez), Nominating (Barnaby Barratt), and our gifted Contemporary Sexuality chief editors (Todd Melby and Annette Owens). And many more. Finally, I want to thank my board — those remarkable people, who have spent countless hours and infinite keyboard strokes keeping AASECT going, and without whom I could not leave my podium of leadership without a smile on my face and satisfaction in my heart. I have been so blessed by this team. We celebrated two board development/training events, one on media/advocacy and the other on visioning for future growth. Those events have helped to promote a stronger and even more solid foundation for the future of this organization. Above all, I have enjoyed every single moment of these past two years because of the dedication of our board of directors. Thanks to Lloyd Sinclair, Russell Stambaugh, Ginger Bush, Hani Miletski, Joy Davidson, Michele Sugg, Peggy Kleinplatz, Karen Hicks, Libby Bennett and committee members. It truly has been my pleasure to lead the team to the finish line. So, as I think about the past two years of accomplishments, I ask myself “Have I made a difference?” I hope that after these two years, somehow I have made a difference to AASECT and its future. I hope, too, that you ask the same of yourself. In closing, here is a ritual for you to enjoy: Sit quietly, breathe deeply, close your eyes and imagine that you are holding a candle in your hands in front of your heart. Hear my words: “I now strike the match, I light your candle, and I encourage you to keep your light shining. Let your light shine for AASECT and for positive sexuality in our world.” I want to thank my board — those remarkable people, who have spent countless hours and infinite keyboard strokes keeping AASECT going, and without whom I could not leave my podium of leadership without a smile on my face and satisfaction in my heart. Contemporary Sexuality 9 http://www.aasect.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Contemporary Sexuality - June 2008

Contemporary Sexuality - June 2008 Contents President’s Letter Member Spotlight Quick Hits: Sex in the News News of Members

Contemporary Sexuality - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.