VRA - Images, the newsletter of the VRA

February 2013 Vol.10 No. 1

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Memo from the President
Jolene de Verges (Southern Methodist University)

Visual Resources Emerging Professionals and Students (VREPS)
The 2013 VRA Annual Conference: Why VREPS Should Attend
Allison Olsen (University of New Hampshire) and Alyx Rossetti (Getty Vocabulary Program)

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The 2013 Visual Resources Association Annual Conference is on the horizon, and there are many great reasons for VREPS to attend. The conference will provide VREPS with opportunities to participate in the VRA's mentorship program, to take part in practical skills building workshops, to meet and network with other VREPS and experienced professionals, and to explore a new city. This year's conference will be held April 3-6 in Providence, Rhode Island.

While attending a conference may seem out of the question for VREPS on a budget, it is important to note that the early bird conference rates are very reasonable, especially for students. Students and unemployed VRA members who register before February 28th can attend the entire conference for just $135. Participation in the mentorship program is free and will be presented as an option during online registration. VREPS can also save money by sharing a hotel room with a friend or colleague. Roommates can often be found through the VRA-L listserv or through listservs at your university.

This year, in addition to fantastic, thought-provoking sessions, the VRA conference schedule includes several skill-building workshops. These workshops provide VREPS with a unique opportunity to develop new skills to add to their resumes. Two of these workshops are free with conference attendance, while the others require additional fees.

Attending the VRA conference also provides VREPS with an important opportunity to meet others in the field. Outside of conference attendance, this can be particularly difficult to achieve, as many visual resources professionals work alone or as part of a very small staff. There will be many networking events to help facilitate connections with other VREPS and experienced professionals. Opportunities to connect with other new and emerging members at the conference include the VREPS meeting and the New Members and First Time Attendees Breakfast. There will also be plenty of time outside of the conference to explore Providence, home to several universities and a lively arts and culture scene. Please visit the conference website (http://www.vraweb.org/conferences/vra31/) for more information and online registration. We strongly encourage all VREPS to attend and we look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Conferences
Submitted by Brooke Sansosti (Reed College) and Kelly Smith (Lafayette College)

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Positions Filled
Compiled by Marian Lambers (College for Creative Studies)

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The holiday season has arrived, a joyous time to be festive, but also a time to rest, reflect, and spend time with family and friends, all of which can be thrown off by hectic schedules, unrealistic expectations, travel, and an excess of tempting treats, to name a few of my downfalls. On behalf of the VRA Executive Board, I would like to extend best wishes for a safe and peaceful season.Congratulations and welcome to the newly elected and re-elected VRA Officers: Elaine Paul, President-Elect; Stephanie Beene, Secretary; and Steven Kowalik, continuing on for a second term as Vice President for Conference Program. Thank you for your willingness to contribute your time and talent in service to the Association in a leadership role. Speaking personally, the time commitment required of officers, committee, chapter and task force chairs, and all VRA volunteers, is balanced by the formation of close and supportive friendships and the realization of the rewards of working collaboratively in a wide range of areas to advance the mission of our organization. Through our combined efforts and pursuits, VRA continues to inform our professional values and the services and expertise for which we are known.

Among our core values is that of mutual assistance to one another, “members helping members.” An important manifestation of this is our annual Travel Awards Program funded through the Luraine Tansey Educational Fund. The Fund makes it possible for any member, whether new to the profession or a sustaining member, to attend a conference when circumstances such as a lack of institutional travel funding would otherwise prevent attendance. Over the years, VRA members have generously donated to the fund and participated in fundraising events, the “Tansey,” and VRAffle, both scheduled during the conference and consistently lively and memorable.

As a result of “members helping members” and the generosity of sponsors and vendors, the Travel Awards Program has grown and flourished, benefiting anywhere from 12-14 members annually with full or partial travel support. Few other organizations the size of VRA, or even larger, including those with higher dues structures and alternate sources of income, extend their hard earned fundraising dollars in the direct and collegial way that VRA aspires through the travel awards.

This year during VRA 31 in Providence (31 in 13 for you numerologists), a new twist is added to the Tansey. Anyone who donates ANY AMOUNT to the Luraine Tansey Educational Fund from September 1, 2012 up to Friday evening, April 5th (donations also taken at the door) will be invited to an Open House at the RISD Museum Shop. This wonderful shop full of creative items designed mostly by RISD students and alum will be open exclusively to VRA, with a 10% discount, door prizes, refreshments and conviviality. No tickets required, only a donation in any amount to the fund. Drop in on your way out to dinner and enjoy the SHOP-Tansey at the RISD Museum, just a few blocks from the conference hotel. More details will be available in the conference program and website in the weeks ahead.

Donate through conference registration, membership renewal or online at vraweb.org. Donations already made since September 1, 2012 are considered eligible.

Thank you in advance for your great generosity to the Tansey tradition!

Chapter News
Complied by Trudy Levy (ICCoop)

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