Psi Beta/Psi Chi Building Bonds Award
5/26/2009
ALBERTA JOHNSON / RUTH HUBBARD COUSINS
BUILDING BONDS COLLABORATION AWARD
Background
This unique award was the brainchild of Dr. Alberta Johnson, who founded the first Psi Beta chapter in GA in 1994 and later served as Southeastern Regional Vice-President as well as National President of Psi Beta, (2006-2007) . Interest in collaboration with Psi Chi stemmed from a collaborative event (Psych Insights) with Berry College’s Psi Chi chapter. The magnitude and success of this collaboration combined with the scope of Ruth Hubbard Cousins’ work led Dr. Johnson formulate the Building Bonds award, designed to encourage collaboration and to guide members in setting goals for their joint venture and evaluating the extent to which those goals are met.
Following the passing of Ruth Hubbard Cousins, the Psi Beta National Council early in 2007, decided to honor the memory and work of this exceptional leader by developing a new national Psi Beta award. A major purpose of the award was that it be reflective of Ruth’s pioneering spirit and professional passion. Ruth Hubbard Cousins served as the Executive Director of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, from 1958 to 1991. By all accounts she was the primary force responsible for transforming Psi Chi into the highly successful and distinguished organization which it is today. Not only was she the lifeblood and inspiration for Psi Chi, Ruth Cousins, along with daughter Carol Tracy, in 1982 founded Psi Beta, the sister honor society of Psi Chi.
Today many Psi Beta members continue their education by transferring to four-year colleges and universities and becoming members of Psi Chi. Since both honor societies have comparable missions and share many goals, collaborative efforts between Psi Chi and Psi Beta are logical and desirable. In the pursuit of scholarship, leadership, research, and community service, well-planned collaborative endeavors will ideally serve to strengthen the bond between Psi Beta and Psi Chi members and will be mutually beneficial to students as well as to the broader community.
In sum, the purpose of the Alberta Johnson/Ruth Cousins Building Bonds Collaboration Award is to recognize and formally acknowledge the efforts and outcomes of both a Psi Beta and a Psi Chi chapter, which through collaboration, have a significant impact at the local, state, regional, or national levels. The collaborative efforts may focus on scholarship, leadership, research, and/or community service.
Eligibility
The competition is open to all active Psi Beta chapters and Psi Chi chapters. Nominees may be nominated by a chapter officer or by the faculty advisor.
Awards
- Two plaques: one for the Psi Beta chapter, and one for the Psi Chi chapter.
- A certificate of recognition for all participating members.
- A $100 check is awarded to both the winning Psi Beta chapter and Psi Chi chapter.
Requirements for Consideration
- A jointly written letter of recommendation from the Psi Beta and the Psi Chi faculty advisors.
- A 200 - 400 word written paper which includes:
Categorization of the project’s thrust in terms of: scholarship, leadership, research, and/or community service;
Description of the collaboration process - Collaboration should include: a) planning; b) setting goals (measurable); and c) development of an instrument/evaluation form to assess the final outcome, product, or impact of the project).
Finally, the descriptive summary should conclude with the evaluation of the effectiveness of the project (i.e., extent to which the project‘s goals were met).
Ideas for collaboration
- Psychology Fair for high school students to introduce field of psychology
- Exploring Behavior Week project in local schools, using APA resources
- Display table for Child Abuse Prevention Month (April) at local mall or other popular gathering place
- Research survey of immigrants regarding adult education needs
- Joint research project exchanging chapter members as subjects
- Leadership training workshop for officers of high school clubs
- College is different from high school! Spring workshop for local graduating seniors on developing good study habits – to see a reference for this topic go to: http://www.taftcollege.edu/newTC/StudentServices/ACE/differences.htm
- Careers in Psychology Forum for high school and college students, high school counselors, and others in the community
- A project in recognition of Brain Awareness Week (March) project
- Develop a packet of PSAs (public service announcements) about positive mental health practices for use on a popular local radio station
- Itemize and make available a list of local, state, and national resources for understanding depression during National Depression Screening Day (usually in October)
- Organize Research Day at both campuses in which Psi Beta and Psi Chi members and other psychology students present research posters
- A joint project related to the ACHS Initiative, A Matter of Ethics
Cover Sheet
- Name both the Psi Beta and Psi Chi chapters
- Names and email addresses of chapter’s faculty advisor(s)
- Date of charter for each chapter
- College/university’s names and addresses
- Names and email addresses of participating members
Additional Documentation Acceptable
Newspaper articles, program brochures, letters of appreciation, sample of assessment instrument with tally of evaluation responses or other analysis/analyses, selected photographs
Deadline
All materials must be received by June 1st by:
Jerry Rudmann,
Executive Director, Psi Beta,
6025 Camino Correr,
Anaheim, CA 92807
Judges
Psi Beta and Psi Chi Executive Committees
Award Presentation
At the APA national convention during Psi Beta/Psi Chi Award Presentation Session
Award Announcement
The winning chapters (both Psi Beta and Psi Chi chapters) of the Building Bonds Collaboration Award will be announced on Psi Beta and Psi Chi homepages and in the fall issue of the national Psi Beta newsletter and in the Eye on Psi Chi magazine.