TO: AVAPL Members FROM: Mark Hinterthuer, Ph.D., Past-President It was good to see many of you at the recent VA leadership conference in San Antonio. It was a great opportunity to network with other psychologists and to discuss psychology/leadership issues that impact on the care provided to Veterans. I know that many AVAPL members were not able to be at the conference and I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of the two important positions that will be open on the AVAPL Executive Committee. In addition to the President-Elect position that is open every year, we are also seeking candidates for the position of AVAPL Secretary. Both positions are for a 3 year commitment. The person elected as President-Elect will serve for the first year in that position, as President the second year, and Past-President during the third year. It is an exciting and worthwhile experience that provides unique opportunities to influence the direction of Psychology within the VA and how VA psychology is perceived at APA and on Capitol Hill. Candidates do not need to have extensive prior experience in AVAPL leadership. The year of President-Elect is designed to provide that background. A brief description of the major duties and time commitments for each of the presidential roles is attached. Secretarial duties include maintaining the minutes, records, correspondence and archives of AVAPL. In addition, the Secretary is an important member of the Executive Committee and has direct input into all issues involving AVAPL business. We don't have a more detailed description of this position, but Dr. Jim Besyner is vacating this position and anyone interested could contact Jim if they have any questions about duties and time commitment. We would very much like to hear from anyone who has an interest in either position. Please encourage other future leaders to consider these positions. Feel free to contact any of us informally for more information. If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please send to me (mark.hinterthuer@xxxxxx) a brief biosketch and your statement of interest/vision for AVAPL as a potential candidate, and a picture (preferably a "head and shoulders" shot) to use in the ballot. We hope to have the list of candidates together by the end of May and the ballot to the membership in early June. The newly elected members will assume their duties the day following the business meeting at APA in August. In addition to AVAPL officer positions, we are also looking for nominations for important AVAPL awards. Our awards categories include: Professional Achievement/Distinguished Career Award, Leadership Award, Professional Service Award and Special Contribution Award. Please visit the AVAPL website for a list of past recipients and then contact us with your nominees for these awards. Thanks - we look forward to your nominations for officer positions and the awards. Mark Hinterthuer, Ph.D. Past-President, AVAPL June Malone, Ph.D. President, AVAPL George Shorter, Ph.D. President-Elect, AVAPL Jim Besyner, Ph.D. Secretary, AVAPL Ann Landes, Ph.D. Treasurer, AVAPL