NIU Counseling Association (NIUCA)
Chapter Report
June 26, 2013
I. Membership/Board (elected April 2013)
President, Erin Sherrill
Vice President, Marilyn Ramirez
Secretary, Danielle Keys
Treasurer, Sarah Potter
Public Relations Chair, Elisa Woodruff
Faculty Advisor, Dr. Charles E. Myers
Membership as of May 2013: 55
II. Meeting and Summaries
a. 2/21/2013 – Joint meeting with NIUCA and Chi Sigma Iota. NIUCA discussed the
upcoming volunteer opportunity, NIU Cares Day, and tickets sales for the end of the year
banquet.
b. 3/4/2013 – Discussed administrative details and donations for the end of the year
banquet.
c. 4/1/2013 – Candy sales complete, all spaces for the Dr. Mark Savickas workshop
reserved, discussed final details for Adventure Based Counseling workshop, and
discussed ticket sales and awards for the end of the year banquet.
c. 4/18/2013 – NIUCA Board elections. All votes were unanimous.
III. Marketing Initiatives
a. Facebook – The NIUCA Facebook page currently has 198 members and serves as a
primary communication tool for events and information.
b. Twitter – The Twitter feed currently has 24 followers.
c. Listserv – NIUCA regularly sends emails through the Counseling Department graduate
and doctoral student Listserv. This allows us to share information about NIUCA events
with anyone subscribing to the Listserv.
d. Bulletin Board – NIUCA has a bulletin board located near counseling classes, faculty,
and offices. The bulletin board provides basic information about NIUCA, testimonials
from members, photos from past events, and is used to display fliers for upcoming events.
e. Rebranding – NIUCA is currently working on a rebranding initiative that consists of
creating a new logo. NIUCA is growing and evolving with each year. Rebranding is a
way to demonstrate this growth and attract new members.
IV. Technology Initiative
a. Skype has proved to be a valuable tool in allowing commuter students to attend
NIUCA meetings without being on campus. Skype has been utilized at several meetings.
b. Wiggio – NIUCA created a Wiggio account in October 2012. Wiggio is a web-based
program where groups can share documents, schedule meetings and events, and share
information. The NIUCA Wiggio currently has 23 members.
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V. ICA Conference Initiative
a. NIUCA has promoted the ICA conference in all of its literature, on the NIU
Counseling Listserv communications, and on the Facebook page. In addition, NIUCA
will host an “ICA Conference Buddies” Facebook page for the third year in a row. On
this site, students can communicate about sharing hotel rooms and rides.
VI. Continuing Education Units (CEU) – As a result of the efforts by Elisa Woodruff and
with Dr. Justin Lauka as the NIU CEU Coordinator, NIUCA is approved to offer CEUs
for eligible workshops and presentations as of March, 2013. CEUs were offered for two
events during Spring 2013.
VII. Presentations
a. Past Presentations
i. 1/24/2013 – Adventure Based Counseling Presentation given by Pat McMillion.
Pat is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Clinical Adventure Group
Coordinator for Adventure Works in DeKalb, IL. This presentation was a
precursor to the Adventure Based Counseling Workshop led by Pat McMillion.
ii. 3/21/2013 – Emotions of the Body: Somatization in Asian-American
Populations was presented by Lisa Takara, Doctoral Intern and Dr. Shiraz Tata,
PhD., Licensed Clinical Psychologist. CEUs were awarded to eligible individuals
whom attended the event.
iii. 4/15/2013 – From Scores to Stories: The Narrative Turn in Career Counseling
presented by Dr. Mark Savickas. Dr. Savickas’ presentation touched on the
evolution of our perceptions of career satisfaction in the age of technology and
global awareness. This event was free and open to all members of the public and
the NIU community. This event was presented by NIUCA, the Graduate
Colloquium Committee, the Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher
Education, and Chi Sigma Iota.
b. In Planning
i. Fall 2013 – NIUCA and Chi Sigma Iota are discussing possible colloquium
speakers for Spring 2014.
ii. Fall 2013 – Counselor specific LGBT Ally Training presentation by Dr. Jane
Rheineck.
iii. Fall 2013 – Currently brainstorming speaker and workshop possibilities.
NIUCA is considering a theme in multiculturalism.
VIII. Workshops
a. Past Workshops
i. 2/15/2013 – Self-Care Workshop For Helping Professionals facilitated by Lynn
Lidbury, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, of the Oakwoods Center.
Lynn is a Board Certified Art Therapist and a Certified Phoenix Rising Yoga
Therapist. Lynn shared mindfulness-based practices including various breathing
exercises, Phoenix Rising Yoga techniques, and mindfulness considerations.
ii. 3/1/2013 – Skills Practice Day Workshop. Doctoral student, Danessa Carter
facilitated this workshop where students could practice their clinical skills and
strategies.
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iii. 4/5/2013 - 4/6/2013 – Adventure Based Counseling Workshop facilitated by
NIU alumnus Pat McMillion, Dr. Steve Moody, and Dr. Charles Myers. NIUCA,
in partnership with RESPECT hosted the two-day workshop in McQueen Forest
Preserve in Kirkland, IL.
iv. 4/16/2013 – Life Design in the Digital Age by Dr. Mark Savickas. Dr.
Savickas led a one-day workshop on how to perform his famous Career Style
Interview. This event was free and open to all; however, due to high demand and
a limited number of seats, registration was required. This workshop was
presented by NIUCA and Chi Sigma Iota, with special thanks to the Graduate
Colloquium Committee, the Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher
Education, for helping fund the event. There were 5.5 Continuing Education
Units available for this workshop through the NBCC.
b. In Planning
i. Due to the success and further interest in the Adventure Based Counseling
Workshop, NIUCA is considering hosting this workshop in Spring 2014.
IX. Alumni Relations
a. NIUCA hopes to draw alumni to workshops and programs by offering CEUs.
b. The former Alumni Relations Chair, Phet Keobouavanh, started the process of
creating a scholarship for current counseling students. A large part of this scholarship will
come from fundraising done by NIUCA and alumni contributions. To NIUCA’s
knowledge, they are the first student association at the university to attempt this.
X. Advocacy/Volunteerism
a. 4/20/2013 – NIUCA participated in NIU Cares Day, a day NIU students volunteer at
different agencies and community services in DeKalb.
b. NIUCA and Chi Sigma Iota are brainstorming other ways to advocate in our
community.
XI. Parties and Outings
a. Every Monday – NIUCA lunch in the Blackhawk Lounge of the NIU campus.
b. 4/26/2013 – The 4th annual Celebration of Academic Achievement hosted by NIUCA
and Chi Sigma Iota in conjunction with the Adult and Higher Education program.
c. Various potlucks will be held this summer and fall to welcome new students to the
counseling program.
XII. Mentoring Program
a. NIUCA and Chi Sigma Iota will continue to provide mentors to new students. Mentors
meet with new students once at the beginning of each semester to provide ongoing
support. Chaired by Patrick O’Connor.
XIII. Fundraising/Treasury
a. Current account balance: $869.77
b. Fundraiser products outstanding: $591.22
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c. NIUCA’s primary source of funds for FY 2014 have come from ticket sales and silent
auction items from the 2013 awards celebration, and candy fundraiser, as well as funds
awarded by the Student Association.
d. NIUCA plans to continue candy sales and brainstorm other fundraising ideas.
e. The NIU Student Association provided $1,848 in FY 2014. These funds will help pay
for travel expenses to ICA, to help fund the end of the year banquet, and to help fund a
volunteer event.