CSI Membership

Hi everyone!

So, we are getting into the home stretch of our fall semester. Practicum and Internship students scramble for hours, Fundamentals folks secure sites, and budding writers in the Writing Lab edit out all of that pesky passive language from final papers. Wow, I can't believe how rapidly this semester seems to pass us by. I know that this part of the year can be frightening for many of us for an array of different reasons. The internal process of becoming a counselor is one with no pre-existing formula. All we can do is consult with one another relentlessly and just be there for each other.

I know that many of us feel disappointed since the results of the recent election came to fruition. At the same time, some feel pleased with the results. One thing we know for sure is that unity and solidarity seem like foreign terms given the growing divisiveness that permeates our country. On top of that, we suffer from the budget blood bath that has been inflicted upon our department. Many students now face the reality that plans of study are completely messed up as a result of this blood bath. For those of you directly affected, I am so, so sorry. Man, we really have fallen on hard times. I have been thinking a lot about these very unwelcome changes occurring on the micro and macro level. As difficult as it is, I know it is time for us to mobilize and advocate for ourselves, our wonderful program, our incredibly important profession, and the rights of those who have been systemically marginalized in this country. We can do this by getting involved in organizations that promote an inclusive agenda and continuing to develop our professional identities as counselors.

With that said, I would like to congratulate the folks who officially joined CSI a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations! This is such a wonderful milestone in the journey to becoming a counselor.

From Left: Millie Reeves, Ashley Lopez, Rebecca Ryan, Tracy Buccino, and Jennifer Bacile
Not Pictured: Angie Martin, Emma Moates

In light of our new members, we (the CSI board) want to revisit what makes CSI membership great for emerging counselors. Jenn Glynn Mau, Treasurer of the CSI board and precious treasure of a person, spells out exactly why people in our program should seriously consider CSI membership as well as the nuts and bolts of joining up below.

Sincerely,
Anna McGowan, Parliamentarian Historian

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The many benefits of an active CSI membership:

Nationally:

Eligibility to participate in and apply for Award Nominations, Essay Contests, and Excellence in Counseling Research Grants. Every year, CSI awards members with recognition and funding in various arenas that promote and support active members in the counseling profession. 

Access to the CSI online Career Center, including links to useful job search websites for professional counselors, and the ability to post and search for jobs through the Job Links Forum.  

CSI Webinars provide exceptional professional development opportunities and CEUs at no charge to members. (Non-members pay a fee of $39 per webinar.) 

CSI’s Journal of Counselor Leadership & Advocacy, a source of cutting-edge information on professional and clinical issues, is available as a member benefit and resource. 

The opportunity to sign up to be a part of CSI’s statewide and regional networking 

groups and any of CSI’s groups for counselors to network and share on topics of mutual interest: Counselor Community Engagement Network, Global Network, CSI All Members Network, Professional Advocacy Network, and Professional Counselors Network.

Locally:

Opportunity to procure funding assistance from Loyola’s Student Government Association (SGA) to cover the costs of presenting at professional conferences.

Local dues make it possible for our counseling department to offer the Fall Bar-B-Que, Spring Crawfish Boil, Darkness to Light and Mandated Reporting trainings, After Hours, Initiation, and the Beyond the Degree panel and informational.

Members that are in good standing will receive an honor chord and tassel charm to wear while walking across the stage at graduation.

CSI membership offers numerous benefits to its members. 

For more information, please see an active CSI board member!

Chi Sigma Iota Membership Dues:

National Dues:

$50, initiation

$40, yearly renewal

National membership dues can be paid with a credit card or through PayPal.

Visit www.csi-net.org

Local Dues:

$20, initiation

$15, yearly renewal (x2 years)

Encouraged--You can save $10 by paying a one-time membership fee of $40. This will ensure your receipt of honor chords and tassels for graduation.

Local membership dues can be paid with cash or check (payable to Loyola University New Orleans). 

**If financial accommodations are needed, please let us know. The treasurer will work with you to create a payment plan that suits you.