So much is happening! The last conference season, one that proved to be an all-time record setter, is barely over, and already we jump into the 2014 conference and membership season. The month of July ushered in London's conference opinion survey preparation and deployment; preparation of member data for the paper submission site database; preparation of the ICA Awards nomination site. The conference website is in its virtual infancy. And, the cosponsored Shanghai regional conference registration is ready and open. Click Here to access the regional conference ("Communication and Social Transformation") website.

Throughout August, Division program planners, too, have been busy. Many are beginning their academic year, setting course schedules, meeting new and returning students and otherwise dealing with all the typical busy-ness of the season. Along with that, they've been setting up their respective submission sites, soliciting review volunteers and preparing for the submission deluge that is to come.

Here at ICA, dues invoices for the incoming term are set and the first invitation to renew went out to members via email. Many of you have already responded, thank you for that! The link to renew is www.icahdq.org/renew. If you don't remember your login information, enter you email under "Forgot your Member ID or Password?" The system emails it to you at that address. If you experience any trouble, feel free to contact us at membership@icahdq.org. This membership term is 1 October through 30 September 2014. One last point, as you renew you will come across a list of all the available ICA funds. We ask that you consider donating to your favorite cause; we appreciate any donation, big or small.

ICA Elections are now open and active members should be able to enter the polling booth to vote. Several candidates are running for ICA Board office. Vacant are two At-Large positions (Europe and Africa-Oceania), a Student Board Member position, and as always, the President Elect-Select spot. Amy Jordan and Sharon Strover vie for the presidential position, two individuals each for the at-large openings and three individuals wish to be a student representative. There are a couple of bylaws amendments to consider and many division spots as well. Once members log in, they will only see candidates pertaining to their particular divisions. The paper submission site is open and ready for proposals! This year, the site remains open through Monday, 4 November 2013, a change from our usual deadline of 1 November to allow for submissions through that weekend. Already several submissions are in the system. Remember to use only ONE e-mail address-the one in your profile if you're a member-throughout your submission process. One profile is all that is required even if you plan to submit several papers. Similarly, we ask panel organizers to search our database for participants in their respective panels and create a new profile ONLY if the person is not there. Creating multiple profiles creates problems and increases the potential for lost submissions. For more, very important information, the full call should be read. Each division or interest group has specific instructions related to their respective section. Individual papers, panel sessions, interactive paper (poster) proposals, and in some cases, extended abstracts are accepted.

This year, ICA is accepting proposals for Blue Sky Workshops. According to Peter Vorderer, ICA President-Elect and the conference program planner, these workshops are "…not bound to ICA divisions or the regular submission system, but are managed by a separate work team…." The workshops are designed to be open conversations dedicated to future research challenges. Submit proposals for Blue Sky workshops to the review team until 31 December 2013 at bluesky@icahdq.org. Read more about the workshops in Vorderer's July Newsletter article at http://www.icahdq.org/MembersNewsletter/JULYAUG13_ART0001.asp.