This special issue of Counseling Today is the result of numerous hours spent by our writers and editors researching, interviewing and writing about counseling around the world. While no one publication could hope to cover even a small portion of such a diverse and broad topic area, it is our hope that you will find the articles both interesting and thought-provoking.

Given that the American Counseling Association will be partnering with the Canadian Counselling Association for our first “jointly sponsored” convention in just a few months, this special issue of Counseling Today seems especially timely.

Counseling certainly encompasses a “world community,” and for this reason helping professionals must have the ability to access tools and resources that will allow them to do the best they can for their clients and students. At ACA, we recognize that our role is to support those of you doing such important work with millions of children, adolescents, adults and families each and every day. Our job is to listen to what you need.

I am pleased that last month we launched the latest generation of the ACA website at www.counseling.org. The new site features a cleaner design that includes easier navigation. This effort was the culmination of many months of research and feedback from our members and staff. I thank all who were part of making this important communication vehicle a reality.

In a previous column, I commented on the Counselors Care Fund, a project of the ACA Foundation. The fund was designed to help our members who were impacted by the ravages of the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region last fall. When it comes to helping others, counselors are the best. With the outpouring of donations to the Counselors Care Fund, I’ve witnessed that same level of caring for your colleagues who suffered through such devastating events.

At the end of December, the Counselors Care Fund had received donations of more than $15,000. As you may remember, the ACA Foundation matches each dollar, resulting in a fund of more than $30,000. The heart-wrenching stories of our members and branches affected by the hurricanes reinforces to me that the ACA Foundation trustees made the right decision in organizing this important effort. Your donations are being put to good use, and I appreciate your compassion.

This column not only acknowledges those of you currently doing such good work, but also recognizes those who made their mark and are no longer with us. At the end of 2005, we lost two people who made significant contributions to the counseling profession, each in their own unique and talented way.

Roger Herring was a fine author and compassionate educator and was well known for his positions on issues relative to multicultural issues in counseling. When he passed away, he had already authored and edited numerous articles and texts that are continually cited and referenced by others. Perhaps more importantly, Roger’s passing resulted in many people sharing (via listservs and in print) the impact that he had on their lives.

We also marked the passing of Nancy Pinson-Millburn. She was well regarded in the career development field and on international issues, and was a strong believer in public advocacy on behalf of those less fortunate. Nancy also worked here at ACA headquarters and was my boss in the late 1990s. I came to know her as a superior scholar, excellent communicator and compassionate listener. During her memorial service at the University of Maryland, many people spoke of her spirit, her humor and how she positively impacted their lives. I remember her as someone who could easily move within the worlds of academia and advocacy and still be able to connect with leadership, staff and members.

Two of the counseling profession’s bright lights have gone out, but what they brought to the table, and their dedication to convey the importance and relevance of counseling in a global community, will continue to live on (see related articles on p. 56 and p. 57, respectively).

As we begin a new calendar year, I want to wish all of you a pleasant, healthy and peaceful 2006. Your work is so incredibly important, and I hope you will continue in your endeavors to help, serve and advocate for your clients and students. I also want you to know that ACA will continue to do what we can to support you in your good work.

As always, I hope you will communicate any comments, questions or suggestions that you have. Please contact me via e-mail at ryep@counseling.org or by phone at 800.347.6647 ext. 231.

Thanks and be well.

In this issue of Counseling Today, you’ll read about the many offerings and opportunities that await those attending our first international convention co-sponsored by the Canadian Counselling Association. For those of you who have somehow managed to avoid seeing a multitude of marketing and informational pieces during the past several months, the event begins on March 30 and continues through April 3 in Montréal.

As you read through this issue I hope that you’re saying to yourself, “I have to remember to get to that session” or “I need to visit the American Counseling Association bookshop and the 100 other booths in the expo” rather than “Oh, I sure wish I was going to the convention this year.” But if not, I have good news — you still have time to register for what will surely be one of the most important counseling events of the year.

This year’s convention will again provide opportunities to attend more than 500 educational offerings, including the “Counseling 20/20” town hall, which will bring together many experts to examine the future of counseling. There is also an even greater focus this year on what is being offered for counseling graduate students and emerging professionals. An enhanced Career Center, the ever-popular ACA Cyber Café and some terrific keynotes will also be featured.

I also want you to think about the fact that events representative of all 19 ACA divisions, as well as our four regions, and more than 20 committees and task forces will occur during our time together in Montréal.

Take a moment to consider where else you can go to find all the great offerings of the ACA divisions in one place. The answer, of course, is nowhere else but the convention. Look at the Education Sessions, a good many of which were selected by experts from our ACA divisions. And when you need a release from learning, you’ll find that our divisions offer many social and networking opportunities such as brunches, lunches and receptions. There is also the chance to meet with their leadership in the ACA expo!

ACA’s divisions originally helped to form our association. Those four groups, along with a number of others that have followed during the past 50 years, are key to the cutting-edge practice, research and scholarly work that is so important in moving the counseling profession forward. I appreciate the dedication and commitment of our division leaders, and I hope that all of you will take the time to learn more about what these special groups offer. What better way than to see them in action at the ACA Convention!

In the event you cannot make it to Montréal, I hope you will check out the ACA website at www.counseling.org during the first week of April, as we will make both keynote speeches from the convention available for your viewing pleasure. Tipper Gore and Stephen Lewis have both made an impact on the lives of countless people around the world. Gore’s advocacy of mental health services and Lewis’ efforts at addressing HIV/AIDS services in Africa are what make them exceptional human beings. So please “tune in” to the ACA website when we rebroadcast their remarks.

I also want to update you on ACA’s other new efforts in the digital world. We now have an online ethics course, “Building a Foundation for Ethical Practice.” (For more information, go to www.counseling.org/resources, click on “Professional Development” and then read the section on “Continuing Online Education.”). This course is part of our effort to provide you with the best information on ethical practice in counseling.

Last month we also began sending ACAeNews to our members for whom we have e-mail addresses so they can keep up on the latest trends, information and opportunities. If you didn’t get a copy in your e-mail inbox and would like to receive a free subscription (ACAeNews is published every two weeks), let me know by sending me your e-mail address. If you have colleagues (regardless of whether they are ACA members) who might be interested, have them contact me as well, and we’ll provide them with a trial subscription.

After 18 years with ACA, I can say that I am sensing a renewed energy in our association. The leadership of ACA, the commitment of our divisions and the hard work of our committees and task forces have combined to make this “new era” one in which ACA is thriving once again. I would be remiss if I did not specifically recognize our president, Patricia Arredondo, and also acknowledge the role of the ACA staff, who have been part of bringing us to this momentous point in our development. I am proud to work side by side with such dedicated professionals. I hope you also appreciate their efforts.

I trust you know how important it is for us to hear from you. As always, I hope you will contact me with any comments, questions or suggestions that you might have. Contact me via e-mail at ryep@counseling.org or by phone at 800.347.6647 ext. 231.

Thanks and be well.