Dear Esteemed AASECT Colleagues,
I hope this note finds you surrounded by care and safety in these profoundly uncertain times. The landscape we’re all navigating – marked by the halting of Title X funding, ongoing assaults on DEI efforts, escalating violence against trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive people, and the heartbreaking disappearances of Black and Brown individuals – calls us to hold space for both urgency and tenderness. Please know that your well-being, and the communities you serve, remain at the forefront of our hearts and efforts.
TL;DR Highlights
- Record-breaking attendance at AASECT Programming (AASECT Institute – Menopause 360: A Whole Person Approach to Wellness & AASECT Webinar – Disrupting Anti-Jewish Ideas in the Current Political Climate)
- New safety assurance for conference travelers
- Board votes: Bylaws update regarding voting rights
- Accessibility funds awarded, Equity Fund to grow
- Technology Assessment Phase III in motion
Now for the full scoop:
We’re thrilled to share that our recent AASECT Programming: AASECT Institute – Menopause 360: A Whole Person Approach to Wellness & AASECT Webinar – Disrupting Anti-Jewish Ideas in the Current Political Climate welcomed over 200 and 175 attendees, respectively. These are some of our largest audiences in attendance yet! Deep gratitude to our Professional Education Steering Committee, particularly our Chair – Eliza Boquin, and to the Institute Planning Committee, Chaired by the incomparable De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar for curating such powerful and resonant events. The energy was electric, the learning expansive, and the community deeply affirmed.
Speaking of gathering – Annual Conference registration is officially open! We hope you’ll join us in community, connection, and celebration.
That said, we’re deeply aware of the current dangers many face simply for being who they are or for attempting to cross borders to attend. With this in mind, the Board has voted to refund 100% of conference registration fees for any attendee unable to travel to the Conference due to identification or border issues. Your safety matters. We want you with us and if you can’t be, we want to support that too.
We also bring you a pivotal governance update: The Board has passed a motion allowing Student and Supporting Members to vote in all general elections – not just for the Vice President of Membership and Regional Representatives to the Membership Committee. This change reflects our belief in a truly participatory membership. Because this requires a Bylaws update, you’ll soon receive a ballot to vote on the revised language. Every member’s perspective enriches our collective strength.
More good news: Over $51,000 in Accessibility Initiative funds have been awarded! Congratulations to the recipients – we see your vision and are honored to help resource it. In a commitment to ongoing equity, we will continue to contribute 10% of all profits to seed our Equity Fund for additional access and justice-centered initiatives.
And finally, we are progressing through Phase III of our Technology Assessment. The Board and our incredible Bostrom staff are carefully reviewing platforms with an eye toward ADA compliance, data privacy, security, and user experience. We’re excited about what’s ahead and are committed to selecting tools that reflect our values, keep us safer, and meet our membership needs.
We’re all feeling a lot right now – hope, fear, resolve, weariness. In this moment, may we lean into our collective wisdom and remember that community is our greatest resource. AASECT is here for you, and we’re better because of you.
With gratitude and care,
Dr. Lexx Brown-James, LMFT, CSE, CSES
(She|Her|Dr)
AASECT President, on behalf of the AASECT Board