From the Editor

by Beverly Waldron

It really is strange. When I accepted the assignment as ACN editor I imagined any number of potential problems or troubles which could occur. They haven't. Instead, two problems that I had not anticipated have appeared.

The first is the feeling that you are working in a vacuum. This newsletter is for the members of IPMAAC but in order to put together a good newsletter we need to know what topics you need or want to have covered. We have some ideas of our own but this isn't our newsletter, its yours. We need your input. Jeff needs to know what issues you would like to see addressed in the legal column, Mike A. needs your questions and/or topics in order to provide answer in the technical section, Ilene needs to know what new and innovative things you are doing, and Mike W. needs to know what is going on with the various assessment associations in order to report on their activities. Without your input we can not do the job you need and expect us to do.

I would really like to thank those individuals who took the time to get in touch and let us know what they think about the ACN. Your comments were really appreciated and we hope we will be hearing from you again. To those of you who had suggestions, ideas, and questions/topics for future inclusion in the ACN, we've tried to pass them on to the appropriate individuals and hopefully you will be seeing them soon in future issues. For those of you who made contributions to this issue, thank you for making and taking the time necessary to provide the articles that make the ACN. I know you're busy, but I assure you, your efforts are appreciated by the readers who benefit from your work. Thank you!

The other problem is feeling like a pest (nag, harpy, or the unpleasant, descriptive word of your choice). That one I'm just going to have to deal with on my own. A couple of people have pointed out that it's part of the job (and a skill I already have). Oh well, enough whining!

I think you will find this issue of the ACN interesting. The content covers a wide variety of topics and should have several articles of interest to everyone. We have reports on this summer's conference from both the program and host committees. Remember Kris still needs a few more session chairs and roundtable facilitators, so get in touch if you can be of assistance. In addition to providing details about the host activities Warren has even provided wonderful directions so nobody (not even the guys who won't ask for directions) should get lost. We have the first in a series of regular updates from the IPMA Executive Council and an update on the Standards revision (something that will have major impact on all our lives). Jeff's legal column on after-acquired evidence is something of which we all need to be aware. It's an article that you may wish to share with others in your organization. Ilene's column covers 3 different and very interesting things being done at the federal level.

For those of you who get involved with organizational surveys, or who need to assess job satisfaction for other purposes, we have a good article on job satisfaction scales with suggestions for getting better, more accurate results. Marianne's President's Message has some interesting points to make about re-engineering and organizational uncertainty - issues that are very much a part of our present and future. While on the topic of uncertainty and the upheaval it causes in our lives, be sure to read Clyde's article on stress in the workplace. (This is an article that needs more than just reading, it is something that you need to think about doing.)

On the computer front, Terry reminds us computers are a useful tool but they are not the answer to everything while Kirk provides insight into getting your organization a home on the web. We also have information about joining IPMAAC's discussion list. The statistics section has information on random sampling and a good story on partial correlations. Be sure and check out the calendar of events - it covers conference and training opportunities available all over the country. And remember, if you are going to be at SIOP in April, get in touch with Joel about the IPMAAC social gathering. Finally, there is a brief survey asking for your opinions and recommendations for the ACN. It's very short and should only take a few minutes of your time to respond.

Let us hear from you! We really do need and want your comments, your ideas, your questions, and last, but not least, your articles.