In this Edition

I have just returned from the Association Action Council and can report that we are in good shape. Our new director brings enthusiasm and refreshing challenges to us.

At the Association Action Council (ACC) we brought closure to the fundraising campaign and the Board of Directors (BOD) will soon be sending out a letter detailing how much was raised and how the money will be used.

We heard that we are changing as an organization. We are still certifying pastoral counselors, but we are now certifying completion of standards not competence.

We heard from our finance committee chaired by our own Jules Auger how we are restructuring our finances to allow for greater cooperation between the Regions and the Association.

We raised questions as to how the Association plans where to hold the annual meetings, decides on speakers and relates to the regions chosen to host the event.

We heard from our new Executive Director, Doug Ronsheim about 8 different programs that we can connect with. Doug is responding to the question - what do we get for our dues by presenting us with various opportunities for mission - some relate to regions and others to agencies or individuals - the AAPC website will soon contain details about this and so I encourage you to check the site regularly.

I hope to see many of you at our Spring retreat at Seabeck and also at the Association Conference in San Francisco. And don’t forget to vote in the AAPC elections.

Election 2004

"We are working toward an increasingly more inclusive organization at both the Regional and Association levels", according to Cathy Rogge, Association Chair of the Leadership Development Committee.

Keith Hackett has agreed to stand for office as a Director at Large on the Association Board of Directors. He is aware of the needs of the Northwest Region and "will work for the integration and inclusion of all in the Association". Keith, who is a graduate of London University and was ordained in England, has a vision to be inclusive of "worldwide membership" in the Association. He recently served on the Association Action Council, and will bring valuable insights and ideas to the Board of Directors. Keith is the only person from the western region of the Association standing for the BOD.

You will find your ballot in the Currents, the Association’s newsletter, 2004 Winter edition. Ballots must be received by the Leadership Development Committee in Virginia, no later than March 1, 2004. If you do not have a ballot, contact Keith at revkeithjoan@hotmail.com

Northwest Regional Conference, Fall 2003

Michael Clifford, Fellow AAPC and Certified Gottman Therapist, presented the Gottman Model from a Theological Perspective.

Rod Landes, Ann Beattie, Fred Schramm and Ron Kirstein take the oath as officers and chairpersons for AAPC Northwest.

If the cancel link does not work in your mail program, send a message to aapcnorthwestnews-off@letters.webvalence.com