I have embarked on a Division 42 adventure that has been rewarding, exciting, and includes many creative interactions. I made it a task during my President-Elect year to have a private phone conversation with every 42 board member, committee chair, and any others who are in positions of leadership. While my April and May color-coded schedule had more specks of orange (the color for Division 42 business) than blue (the color for clients), it was worth the loss of blue to be immersed in orange land.

The purpose was to glean from the collective wisdom of 42 leadership in terms of what you see as our strengths and weaknesses and where you see us headed as a division. While the varied responses included important issues such as advocacy, increasing membership, supplying benefits to members, mentoring, and solving the health care crisis (yes, the whole thing – no small projects for us!), I noticed a renewed energy and willingness to roll our sleeves up and do what it takes to add to the success of independent practitioners.

I’d like to offer a special appreciation to current 42 President, Jana Martin. I believe some of the renewed enthusiasm is a direct result of her energy and commitment to the division this year. She is a motivator and I am excited to follow after her and continue to build the concept of “team” and see what we can accomplish with the strength of many working together.
One thing is clear. While we all have different ideas on how to accomplish divisional goals, everyone I’ve talked to has the same goals of strengthening the division in order for it to continue to be a resource for independent practitioners, helping practitioners be as successful as they can be in their practices, and be a voice for our collective clients and colleagues when needed. We are also ready as a group to move forward and find fulfilling, successful practices no matter what economic forces or challenges in the practice landscape there may be. We may be sitting in “hard times” for a while and cannot lament that we will not be successful until those hard times are over. Let’s be trailblazers and show how we can have successful practices even in the face of adversity. It is possible and we will do it, but it starts with our attitude and belief that we will build lucrative, enriching workplaces for ourselves.

For the fun of it, I went to Thefreedictionary.com to remind myself of the definition of “independent”. We are “Independent Practitioners”, so it’s worthwhile to be reminded every now and then of what that means. The definition includes phrases such as:

• Self-governing, self-reliant
• Free from the influence, guidance, or control of others
• Not determined by someone or something else
• Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger or controlling entity
• Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting

Does this describe your practice? If so, please consider offering your expertise in entrepreneuralship and other areas that got you to the place of having an independent practice. If it does not describe your practice, please join us as we find the solutions for recovering the “independent”.

From your collective wisdom and my overactive brain, is coming a 2009 agenda full of initiatives and tasks that will move us further down this road. I welcome a call or email from any division 42 member who wants to discuss issues or ways to be involved. You may reach me at 480-488-8221 or tmc@psycharizona.com. I hope to hear from you.

Tammy