Talking Stick - January/February 2018 - 9

VISION

Student Housing
Conference & Events
Campus Life

Approaching the New Year
with a Plan
This month I begin my sixth term on the ACUHO-I Executive Board, and, to be
honest, it's hard to believe it's been that many years. It seems like just yesterday
that I was stepping in as the inclusion and equity director before transitioning to
the presidential track. As they say, time flies when you're working alongside committed professionals from around the world.

. . . WE ALSO
KNOW THAT
THE DESIRE
TO GIVE BACK
TO ACUHO-I
IS STRONG
WITH MANY
OF YOU. WE
WILL CONTINUE
TO FACILITATE
AS MANY
OPPORTUNITIES
AS POSSIBLE
SUCH AS
WRITING
AN ARTICLE,
CONTRIBUTING
TO A REPORT,
HOSTING A
WEBINAR,
SERVING ON A
TASK FORCE, OR
ANY NUMBER
OF OTHER
PROJECTS.

TALKING STICK

I have seen many changes both in the profession and our association during my time on the board. What has remained consistent
for me, though, has been my passion to foster an atmosphere where
housing professionals from all backgrounds, identities, and career
phases see ACUHO-I as their association of choice. That is why I've
been excited to watch The Levels of Engagement project team diligently work to maximize the volunteer experience in ways that will
increase the number of opportunities, attract talented and passionate individuals, and ensure that they grow from their participation.
Led for the last year by TJ Logan - and carried forward in 2018 by
Colin Marshall - this initiative will have a dramatic impact on how
our association operates.
The simple fact is that, without volunteer involvement, ACUHO‑I
does not exist. Volunteers are the ones who come together to advance the field and lead a global dialogue on proven and emerging
practices. Fortunately, as volunteers give back to the profession, they
also gain and enhance their leadership skills, connections, and opportunities that accelerate their personal goals and achievements.
Much of the work thus far has focused on streamlining the work
of volunteers associated with our face-to-face events, with our first
volunteer summit happening last November. Moving forward, you
will see more work related to elevating the visibility of other committees and networks as well as creating and promoting more
task-based volunteer outlets. Housing professionals are increasingly
pressed for time as their on-campus demands grow, so it can be
difficult to commit to a prolonged volunteer term. However, we also
know that the desire to give back to ACUHO-I is strong with many
of you. We will continue to facilitate as many opportunities as possible such as writing an article, contributing to a report, hosting a
webinar, serving on a task force, or any number of other projects.
Those of you who know me understand that I have never been
shy about sharing all the opportunities that ACUHO-I has provided
me and how much it has meant to my professional growth. Through
this next year, I won't be shy about sharing all the opportunities for
volunteerism and collaboration that are available to you.
 Dschmi6@luc.edu
 Deb Schmidt-Rogers

 @DSchmidtRogers

TALKING STICK
Symbol of International
Friendship
Talking Stick magazine
takes its name from the
symbol of international
friendship presented
to ACUHO-I in 1973 by
the Ohiat Band of the
British Columbia Indian
Nation. The talking stick,
or speaker's staff, is
hand carved, and the
inscription explains, "It is
a sign of authority carried
when proclamations
are to be made or a
meeting of chiefs is in
session. It is a token
of common heritage
both to Canadians and
Americans."

ON THE
COVER

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TO BE
WILD
A JOURNEY INTO THE ADOLESCENT MIND. BE AFRAID.

January + February 2018 | Volume 35, Number 3
published by the Association of College and University
Housing Officers - International

Cover Information:
Jess Shatkin, author
of Born to Be Wild,
shares his insights on
adolescents and how
they relate to what
is seen in student
behavior on campus.
See the feature
starting on page 44.

Roommate Matching

Business Intelligence

Room Selection

Student Conduct

Room Inspections

Integration

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Talking Stick - January/February 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - January/February 2018