Policy Matters Blog

Getting Ready for the NASP 2023 Convention

Getting ready for the annual NASP convention has always excited me. Not only do I get to see friends and colleagues who I greatly admire in the field, but I get to learn from them. The power of people is amazing! That's a point I've learned so often in the area of advocacy. Whether it's grassroots efforts or a large-scale effort with great collaborators, people can do amazing things.

This year's convention will once again provide an opportunity for NASP members and school psychologists to partake in several advocacy actions and contact their elected officials. Be sure to come visit the NASP Connect booth in the exhibit hall to take action and visit with the GPR, Social Justice, LGBTQI2-S+, and Multicultural Affairs Committees! You can also find our convention action alerts in the NASP Advocacy Action Center to participate virtually.

The annual presentation offerings are special (find all sorts of advocacy related sessions by perusing the sessions list!), but what goes on in the hallways, over dinner, or hanging out in the exhibit hall can be even more powerful. The encouragement and creativity of the people we meet at professional events like NASP's annual convention fuel us to make a move and act. The same holds true in state level meetings and even our virtual meet-ups that are so common now.

Just earlier this week I had the chance to record a podcast for NASP with Dr. Kari Oyen moderated by Kristin Rush (both fellow members of the NASP Government and Professional Relations Committee). Even in a 1-hour session of chatting, I'm so moved by their passion that my thoughts are overrun with ideas and actions that we can take to serve and support our students, families, schools, and communities well.

As the convention gives us a renewed sense of direction and excitement for the field, I look forward to the passion it excites in us all to fight for what is right with students, families, schools, and communities. See you in Denver!