The national meeting for ASCLS is always a fun meeting for students.  The first student forum is a great way to meet other people (and get reacquainted with friends you may have met previously).  This year’s first student forum was no different.  It started by everyone going around the room and introducing themselves. Robbe Peetz (Student chair) Maia Veal (Student Vice-Chair) led the meeting, going over things such as their accomplishments for the past year, the events which the students were expected to attend, one last goal they wished to get accomplished at the national meeting, and finally what night the students would get together to go have some fun.

 

            Of course the students “outing” is always something to write about, but you will have to go to next years meeting in Orlando to experience that. Remember that one last goal I mentioned earlier?  That goal was a milestone for the students.

 

            Along with being the student chair comes the responsibility of being a member on the Board of Directors for ASCLS. Robbe came up with the idea of adding another member to the board. This position would be for a first year professional and would be taken over by the student chair when his or her term was up.  The students thought this was a great idea, because it gave the young professionals a chance to have a vote.  Robbe explained how the person in this position would be able to help out the student chair if need be and also bring new ideas to the board from their experiences as a new professional. As far as I know, all of the students were behind her in her quest for this position. There was one problem; it had to pass in the House of Delegates on the last day of the meeting.

 

            On Saturday July 31, 2004 this new position was brought up before the House of Delegates. After much discussion, the new board position for the first year professional was passed. This was a great victory for the students!  Although the state level does not want to go this route, it does not mean young professionals do not have a voice. I invite all of you, students, young professionals, and professionals who have been working for years to come to a state meeting or even next year’s national meeting to get in on the fun you have been missing. You too can make a difference!!!!