Division 42’s treasurer needs energy, experience, an understanding of the financial issues facing the division and management skills.

Role of the treasurer

Many of the things we do for our members and for independent practice involve financial resources. How we allocate these resources is an important part of the responsibilities of leadership. Most specifically, it is an important part of the responsibility of the treasurer. The treasurer has to manage the money allocated for operating costs and assist in allocating funds for creative endeavors that will forward the division’s agenda. Many worthy projects come before the board of directors. Which ones should we fund, which ones should we ask APA to get involved in, which ones should we hold off on funding? Our division is diverse and initiatives that one group sees as pivotal, may not be ones that all members see as important. The treasurer, although not the sole voice in this, is asked to comment on expenditures. That commentary has to come from an understanding of the needs of members, a broad understanding of the critical issues in the field and an understanding of how to target expenditures wisely. I believe I have the experience and knowledge to be able to help the division make these decisions.

Experience

My experience includes several decades of active involvement in the Division, most recently as its president. I have also been active in the larger APA for many years, on various governance groups, the Council of Representatives, the Board of Directors of APA and the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP). In all of these positions I have brought the voice of the independent practitioner, strongly representing our needs. In addition, I have directed a graduate program and have served as treasurer on the board of various other associations. In each of these capacities, I have managed large budgets. With my history of service in the division and in APA more broadly as well as my financial background, I believe I have the experience to understand the needs of the division’s members and to facilitate the appropriate use of funds to forward our agenda.

Critical Issues confronting independent practitioners

Division 42 is the one division of APA that is totally dedicated to “issues affecting psychological services in all independent practice settings.”

Its very mission is confronting issues specific to independent practitioners. Division 42 itself is a diverse group, made up of experienced clinicians and new professionals, of practitioners in both rural and urban settings, of practitioners working in various models of practice. Although there are some common issues that face all of us- most importantly the issue of keeping independent practice independent-each of our groups has different “critical issues.” Our independent practitioner Division must address each of these critical issues.

I appreciate having been nominated to be Treasurer of D42. As to how my election will yield benefits to D42, I have unique professional skills and experiences aligned with financial operations and leadership. I have developed considerable familiarity with financial matters, and am committed to helping practitioners cultivate new income streams and keep control of the profession of psychology (as opposed to kowtowing to dictates from managed care or government sources).

Having been in private practice for forty years plus, I have a solid understanding of critical issues faced by the D42 membership. Being both an attorney and psychologist, I have dealt with many practice problems, including difficult/threatening clients, public policies and laws, standards and ethics, government regulations, and management of practice. Incidentally, my law practice is limited to serving psychologists.

Within professional associations, I have worked diligently to promote practice standards and opportunities to enrich practitioners. From 2002-2007, I served as the Florida representative to the Council of Representatives. For three years, I was on the Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Division of Clinical Psychology. For the Florida Psychological Association, I have been on the Board of Directors from 2000-2007, was FPA President in 2001, and currently serve as Chair of its Education Committee.

My degrees include: PhD (Michigan State University); ScD (University of Pittsburgh); and JD (Creighton University. I am a Diplomate in Clinical Psychology and a Diplomate in Forensic Psychology, ABPP. I am a Licensed Psychologist in Florida and Michigan, and a member of the Bar in Florida, Michigan, and Nebraska. In addition to my private practice, I am a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. I have authored/edited about 34 books and a couple of hundred articles. More information about my qualifications is available at: www.bobwoodyhelpspsychology.com

If elected to be your D42 Treasurer, I would bring a high-energy effort to advancing independent practitioners. I would not hesitate to advocate new roles, skills, and venues for practitioners, including (but certainly not limited to) creative assessment and therapeutic interventions, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, and innovative, empirically-based practices.

I would be honored to serve as the D42 Treasurer, and will appreciate your vote.