ADEC Committees

The following are brief descriptions of the role of ADEC's committees and taskforces.

View a list of Committee chairs.
ADEC Members: Log in to the Members Only section of the Web site for the e-mail addresses of the ADEC Committee Chairs.

Audit
Selects firm to conduct annual audit. Receives and reviews findings of auditors.

Awards
Solicits names from the membership and selects individuals to receive the following annual awards: Death Educator, Clinical Practice, Research Recognition and Service Awards.

Bridging the Gap Research Grant Task Force
Develops guidelines and reviews proposals for ADEC’s new program to provide grants focusing on the translation of research into clinical practice.

Chapters
Supports local and regional chapters consisting of both national and regional-only members to promote and carry out the Mission and Vision of ADEC.

Chapters Group Tax Exemption Task Force
Investigates implementation of group tax exemption program for chapters.

Collaborators and Competitors Task Force
The committee has been reviewing websites of organizations in bereavement, Thanatology, and related fields in order to understand ADEC’s position. Results of that review were reported.

Conference Marketing
Publicizes, advertises and promotes the annual conference nationally, internationally and regionally.

Conference Sponsorship
Help identify and solicit individuals/organizations to financially support our annual conference. O.

Conference Steering
Provides guidance, suggestions and support to conference organizers and assists in the selection of conference sites.

Continuing Education Task Force
Develops plans for ADEC to deliver continuing education programs through means other than at the annual conference.

Ethics and Professional Standards
Establishes the criteria for the standards and practices of the Association and its implementation.

Finance and Investment
The committee is charged with oversight and review of the organization’s financial performance including review of investments and long term financial viability. Reviews monthly statements and monitors ongoing financial activity The committee is responsible to the ADEC Board through the board treasurer.

Fund Development
Explores sources of financial support, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, and provides leadership in implementing fund-raising programs.

Human Resources Network (HRN)
Acts as a resource network for members working with clients, families, students, and other professionals. HRN volunteers are familiar with the educational and counseling services available in their locale and make referrals when asked.

International Membership
Promotes communication and active involvement of members outside the United States.

Job Description Task Force
Assists ADEC committees and task forces with developing clear job descriptions for their purpose and operations.

Journal Task Force
Explore options for providing ADEC members with access to professional journals and publications to enhance membership benefits.

LRDC (Leadership Recruitment and Development Committee)
Identify, encourage and support members to assume leadership positions; solicits nominations in preparation for annual membership voting; and provides leadership training for board members.

Membership Benefit Task Force
Explores potential new benefits for ADECs membership.

Membership Brochure Task Force
Determines content of membership marketing materials identifying member benefits and pertinent information.

Membership Marketing Task Force
Identifies and develops marketing strategies to increase ADECs membership.ir

Membership Survey Task Force
Develop and implement a survey to be distributed to the membership in order to identify needs, expectations, and concerns of the membership.

New Member Welcoming
Provides orientation, information and support to new members/

Newsletter – The Forum
Edits the official publication of the Association, which features timely articles on Thanatology-related topics, membership news, and information on professional development opportunities.

People of Color/Multicultural Forum
The purpose of POCMCC is for recruitment of people of color for membership and active participation within ADEC;  retention of those members; and education for cultural diversity within thanatology. 

Professional Development
Assigns faculty to teach pre conference courses; develops standard course content.

Public Relations
Provides positive and accurate information regarding dying, death and bereavement; death education and counseling, and the Association to the public at-large and the media.

Small Grants
suspended for 2006-07

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Supports the establishment and maintenance of ADEC special interest groups, which offer opportunities for information exchange, collegial interaction and support based on specific professional and/or personal areas of interest/expertise.

Student Paper Awards
Student Paper Awards were developed to encourage students to do scholarly work in the field of death and dying. Committee members review student papers and choose recipients for these paper awards.

Student Scholarship
Student scholarships were initiated to encourage students to become involved in ADEC and to provide them with financial resources to attend the annual conference. Committee members review student applications and choose recipients for these scholarship awards.

Student Initiative
In addition to raising funds (Silent Auction) for conference scholarships for students, the Student Initiative Committee provides opportunities for student networking and coordination of panels at the annual conference beneficial to student members of the organization.  The SIC also elects one non-voting member to the ADEC Board of Directors.

Specialty Workshops
Selects training programs delivered prior to the annual conference for professionals wishing to increase their knowledge, skills and competency in topic-specific areas of Thanatology.

Volunteers
Links interested ADEC members with opportunities for serving on committees, which are essential in meeting the needs of the membership and for the successful operation of the Association.

Web Site Editor
Provides editorial guidance and direction regarding the content and format of the ADEC Web site.

ADEC Credentialing Council Committees  

Body of Knowledge
Responsible for identifying the essential areas of Thanatology necessary for determining adequate knowledge of the field.

Fellow (FT)
A designation indicating an advanced level of education, training and experience in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement.

Handbook Editor
Serving as editor of ADEC’s planned Handbook of Thanatology.

Marketing
Educating about and promoting the Certification Program to individuals and organizations in the field.

Test Committee
Responsible for creating, updating and maintaining a list of psychometrically valid questions for the certification examination.

Item Writing
Responsible for writing test items for the certification examination.

Recertification Committee
Reviews and suggest modification of criteria for recertification. Monitors that evaluation of recertification.