02/01/2010

The Association of Counselors and Educators in Government (ACEG)

By Don Hill

Have you heard about the Association of Counselors and Educators in Government? ACEG was developed in an effort to reach out to governmental workers operating in Federal, State, and Local agencies. Their aim was to enhance their American Counseling Association (ACA) membership and allow for more networking opportunities. Additionally, the development of ACEG ensured that counselors and educators in government were included within ACA.

In effect, it became the framework for a dynamic support group of professional counselors and educators working at all levels of government.  ACEG members aspire to high ethical standards and deliver government counseling and education services to schools, communities, as well as postsecondary continuing education support and services to veterans and active duty military personnel.

A Brief History

The Association of Counselors and Educators in Government (ACEG) saw its beginnings in late 1978 in Dallas, TX when the bylaws were first established as the Military Educators and Counselors Association (MECA).  Charter memberships were granted in 1980 and four years later, it was formally accepted as an Organizational Affiliate by the American Association for Counseling and Development (now known as ACA).

MECA was originally formed to encourage and deliver meaningful guidance, counseling and educational programs to all members of the Armed Services, to include Veterans, their dependents, and Armed Services civilian employees. During its tenure, MECA expanded its reach to encompass all governmental counselors and educators and in 1994, it changed its name to the Association of Counselors and Educators in Government. 

ACEG Today

ACEG's current goals are similar but more inclusive than those developed under MECA. Their current goals are:

• to encourage, deliver, and participate in meaningful guidance, counseling, and educational programs for all members of the Armed Services and their families, whether active duty or retired; civilian employee of the Department of Defense; and employees of other government agencies.
• to encourage, develop, facilitate, and promote professional development activities for administrators, counselors, and educators working with such populations.
• to develop and promote the highest standards of professional conduct among administrators, counselors, and educators working in these environments.
• to establish and maintain full communication networks among such professionals.
• to encourage development of professional monographs and convention or conference presentations by members.
• to conduct and foster programs to enhance individual human development and increase recognition of humanistic values and goals among the members and within the agencies where they practice.

Membership in ACEG is open to individuals who are members of ACA and are in good standing. The Association is currently made up of 343 members from the following categories: 

• Professional 43%
• Regular 10%
• Retired 3%
• Student 43%
• Ex-officio 0.9%

ACEG offers a great opportunity for members to take part in the executive committee, which is made up of officers elected each year from the association membership. The executive committee consists of a President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Governing Council Representative, and 12 Directors. 

In conjunction with the annual ACA conference and exposition, an ACEG meeting is held to receive summary reports from officers and committees, conduct the business of the association, and present programs of benefit to the members. Additionally, ACEG can sponsor up to six education sessions at the conference. Any ACEG member may submit session proposals to ACEG for review (which is done separately from proposals sent directly to ACA).

ACEG sponsored sessions at the ACA 2010 Conference & Exposition

ACA's annual conference and exposition is being held from March 18-22 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You are cordially invited to stop by the three ACEG sponsored sessions to find out more about the Association of Counselors and Educators in Government!

The 40 Developmental Assets for Children (#121)
Saturday, March 20, 7:30 am - 8:30 am in Room 414
Child & Adolescent Counseling Academy & Human Development Across the Lifespan Academy
Bill Duerr will inform participants about the 40 Developmental Assets. He will discuss the role these assets play in a child's education, relationships, employability, parenting, and career. This session will teach strategies that increase the number of assets in a child's life.

New Counselors: Federal Employment Opportunities as Education Services Specialists Poster Session (#175)
Saturday, March 20, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm at Booth PS3
Jennifer Smith will discuss Education Services Specialists (ESS) as one of the career opportunities for counselors within the federal government. This poster session will provide information about several different types of ESSs as well as the various settings in which they work. Information about qualifications and tips on how to apply for ESS positions will also be included.

Career Clusters and Military Careers: A New Look Poster Session (#295)
Saturday, March 20, 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm at Booth PS3
Dan Correll will discuss the results of a partnership developed between the Department of Defense and the Department of Education personnel as they revisited how military careers are portrayed within Career Clusters.

Don Hill is the current ACEG President and can be reached at 847-688-3680, ext. 7507 or by email at donald.hill8@mepcom.army.mil.  Don served in the Navy and retired after 22 years as a Commander.  He has worked for the Department of Defense as an Education Services Specialist for nine years and has been a member of ACEG since 2003.