Page 5 - CSI Exemplar Summer 2019_PDF

Summer 2019 Summer 2019

Fellows: building on the hard work of our past leaders. Over our three days together as a leader-
• Benjamin Aiken, Mu Nu Tau Chapter, The University of Wyoming ship team, we addressed some changes within the awards process, namely the removal of
• Jamian Coleman, Chi Epsilon Chapter, Georgia State University GPA from the individual awards criteria (given the exceptional academic performance of
• Erik Messinger, Nu Sigma Chi Chapter, North Carolina State University all of our members). We also formulated committee charges focused on the central mis-
• Michele Pinellas, Alpha Upsilon Sigma Chapter, Argosy University-Sarasota sion of CSI (namely wellness and advocacy) and discussed potential activities related to
• Kertesha Riley, Upsilon Theta Chapter, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville the upcoming 35th anniversary of CSI. While our meetings were long and covered a lot
• Jordan Shannon, Sigma Upsilon Chapter, Syracuse University of important business, our time together was productive, fun, and friendly. This is my
• Arden Szepe, Upsilon Theta Chapter, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville second time serving on the CSI EC (having served previously as secretary), and I have to
• Madeleine Vaughters, Lambda Chi Phi Chapter, Lamar University say the groups of people I have worked with as a leader within CSI have been nothing but
All LFI’s are matched with leadership mentors within Chi Sigma Iota. The ACA gracious and kind to one another. The mission of CSI is truly central to every discussion
conference provided an opportunity for some mentors and mentees to meet and get to and action taken. As a member, I hope you will be pleased to know your experiences and
know each other and begin to envision their relationship over the coming year. In addi- needs as a professional counselor or counselor-in-training are central to our decision mak-
tion to welcoming our LFI’s at the annual Delegate Business Meeting, we also welcomed ing process.
our Herr Fellow, Dr. Dodie Limberg, our new Exemplar editor, Dr. Julia Whisenhunt, and I hope to see a strong showing of our membership at the American Counseling Asso-
officially passed the gavel between the CSI president and president-elect. The business ciation Conference & Expo in San Diego, as we plan to celebrate our 35 years as an orga-
meeting is a triennial obligation of all chapters to remain active and eligible to receive nization: A society formed to and one that continues to promote and serve the counseling
chapter rebates. This meeting was well attended and provided critical information relat- profession with a strong sense of integrity and purpose. In the lead up to ACA, we look
ed to the ongoing mission of the organization as a whole. forward to engaging members at upcoming divisional conferences that have invited CSI’s
Following our presence at ACA, the Executive Council Officers (president, presi- collaboration, including ACES in Seattle and ASGW in Puerto Rico. Keep your attention
dent-elect, past-president, secretary, treasurer) and interns and editors met in Greens- on our social media as we make announcements throughout the year related to our gener-
boro for our annual planning meeting. Prior to this, Dr. Nicole Hill facilitated a strategic al activities and our celebration of 35 years as an international honor society.
visioning process with a number of CSI past-presidents to help provide a foundation for
discussion of CSI’s future during the subsequent EC meeting and support a future strate-
gic planning process. During the visioning, committee members heard from a number of
individuals within professional leadership (past and present). We discussed CSI’s legacy
and imagined our future within a frame of professional advocacy and changing cultural
climate. The resounding message I heard and felt was one of unity and a passion for the
important job of counselors in our communities and the unique role of CSI as a beacon of
hope and stewardship as we move forward together. Together, the CSI Strategic Vision-
ing Task Force reflected on their own involvement in CSI, what makes the organization
strong, and how CSI has influenced, and continues to influence, our ever-evolving profes-
sional identities. I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Nicole Hill personally for
her dedication to CSI. She approaches leadership with an attitude of humility and integ-
rity that is and has been central to CSI’s growth. I write this with all the gratitude I can
convey through written word, thank you Nicole. The counseling profession, and CSI, are
lucky to have you as a partner.
Following our collaborative visioning, Nicole, Holly, and I took our experience from
that process with us into the EC meeting as we discussed new initiatives and plans for 2019 Strategic Visioning Task Force 2019 Executive Council Meeting

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