Welcome to The Circle! As we familiarize ourselves with this exciting site, what better way to get acquainted then to talk about our first member experiences?
I was inducted into Nu Chapter in 1982 when I was a doctoral student and a faculty member at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Several of my faculty colleagues were leaders in the chapter, holding elected office. In addition, one faculty colleague was Regional Coordinator, while another served as Secretary on the International Board of Directors. So, I had some excellent examples of both the quality of the organization’s members, as well as the potential leadership opportunities that were available to me. But, what struck me as critical was the mission of the organization – enhancing the theoretical foundation of the profession through research and scholarship. The fact that membership is a vetted process was also influential in my accepting membership, as this conveyed that I had to meet certain standards in order to be a member. That said, I am not certain I truly appreciated what the organization had to offer me and what I had to offer the organization.
It has only been through my participation at the chapter, regional, and international level that I have gained an appreciation of what this organization has to offer the individual member, as well as the larger community. Truly, membership is what you make of it – and let me say, it is fabulous! Welcome - All the best as you begin what is a personal and professional development journey!