| Inclusive Reporting Period:
August 1- February 28, 2001
Year 2001 Committee Goals:
- Conduct direct mail membership campaigns in 7 additional states
- Identify additional ways to maintain and/or increase divisional membership
New Membership Facts:
- 108 new members joined the division in Year 2000
- The division sent out 1500 new member invitation letters to targeted states in 2000.
- 750 APA members expressed interest in joining the division on their November dues statements.
Activities completed during reporting period:
- Preparations are underway to launch membership drives, using the direct mail campaign started by Pat Pitta, each of the following states: Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas, and Colorado.
- I drafted a mailing that will be sent out by APA, to Division 42 members who have not yet paid their 2001 dues, in order to encourage membership retention or solicit member reasons for dropping out of the Division. A feedback tally will be done by APA.
- Completed, with input from Jeannie and EC officers, an APA survey on Membership Retention.
- Drafted and sent out an invitation-to-join letter, with membership brochures, to 750 APA members expressing interest in joining the division.
Costs Incurred:
$582.88 Printing new membership brochures, promotional letters, and envelopes
$155.03 Postage
$750.58 Total
Objectives for remainder of budget Year 2001:
1. Complete new member direct mail solicitation drives campaigns in 7 additional states.
2. Encourage back payment of 2001 dues and, therefore, retention of as many current members who still have unpaid dues as possible.
3. Convert as many APA members who have expressed interest in joining the Division (on their November dues statement) into new members as possible, increasing that percentage above last year estimated 20-25%.
4. Continue writing "Speaking of Membership" articles for IP.
BACKGROUND
CRITICAL ACTIVITIES
Central Office
The Division 42 Central Office was established in 1988 under the presidency of Evelyn Hill. The Division 42 Board voted to house the Central Office at The Administrators the then home of Division 29. The account executive assigned at the time was Jeannie Beeaff. In 1996 the Board of Directors voted, under the leadership of then president Michael Murphy, to move the Central Office to JBAM, a sole proprietorship operated by Jeannie Beeaff.
Jeannie Beeaff has served as the administrator for Division 42 since 1988. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Division. The list of association management services includes but is not limited to:
Serve as the administrator for Division 42 and perform all customary duties inherent to that position.
Provide phone, mailing and E-mail address and central location for the conduct of Division 42 business. Process and set priorities for incoming mail, messages and correspondence
Serve as administrator for 2 Division 42 listservs. Serve as staff coordinator for Division’s Web site.
Oversee the administrative functioning of the Division’s CE Program.
Tracking and follow up of Continuing Education sponsorship annual reports and five year renewal.
Staff all committees and task forces.
Coordinate all membership recruitment projects. Handle processing of all new members and report them monthly to APA.
Coordinate all mailings.
Serve as liaison to APA staff.
Coordinate all awards.
Coordinate publishing and mailing of the Bulletin.Coordinate all accounting functions necessary to include preparation of annual report for APA for filing with the IRS.
BACKGROUND
CRITICAL ACTIVITIES
Communications
Dick Saunders, Chair
Publications and Communications Committee
As you could probably anticipate, I am still unclear what input you were looking for originally from Committee chairs about their activities, and I was particularly unclear about what you might have envisioned from the Publications and Communications Committee. As a "standing" committee, P & C has only one overarching mission, which is to serve the communications needs of the membership as well as the leadership of Division 42. Although that is obviously a huge job potentially, in practice we have usually been a fairly quiet group, but with important work products in the Independent Practitioner, the Website, the listserv, the Book Series, PICK 42, and the Brochure project.
The work product of the Division publications is a vehicle that is dressed up
and ready to go, but absolutely requires a direction, which must be supplied by the Division leadership. Many of our products are themselves residuals of past Division projects, undertaken by Past Presidents of the Division. I do not think we need more attention to cosmetics; I think we need to have more attention to substance.
At the risk of sounding political in a way that I do not intend, my concern about the Division, and by extension its communications apparatus, is that we do so little with what we have. For example, these last few years have seen revolutionary changes in the health care system, and IP, for one, has contributed to Division members' awareness of what is going on and what is occurring about it. Unfortunately, the Division has not done much
more than provide lip service to the need to organize, galvanize, and create change.
We in APA are lost in a system that is hemmed in by organizational and political considerations that have nothing to do with the well being of our members. They have to do with the prerogatives and the palaver of a hierarchy that exists primarily to extend itself, perpetuate its self-proclaimed good intentions, and suppress free discussion and contention that would otherwise be constructive. As a result of this, there is no genuine freedom of speech and little meaningful exchange of ideas. There is a vacuum created by political correctness, cheerleading inanity, and sheer, unadulterated hysteria.
For example, in another practice Division at the last APA Convention, I proposed
placing on our listserv the votes of Members of Congress on two issues before
the last session: the Campbell bill which passed the House handily, making
it possible for health providers under independent contract status eligible for organized bargaining status; and the Norwood-Dingell Patient Bill of Rights. My idea was endorsed by the Practice Directorate representative, and by the Chair of CAPP, who were present and stated that these were matters of public information that members of APA deserved to know, before the last election. Then when I inquired about this in follow up (nothing happened without follow-up, a definite clue that this idea would disappear in the APA swamp) I drew a lecture from the APA attorneys, stating that "my" attempt to
"electioneer" was a violation of APA's vaunted C-3 status and a threat to human survival,
to boot.
Suddenly, the Chair of CAPP changed his mind, and of course the Practice Directorate did what it always does in this type of situation: followed its legal advice. As it probably should do.
What is the point? Too many psychologists cannot tolerate a routine exchange of ideas, because they interpret the exchange as hostility. Too many governance psychologists in APA cannot tolerate free expression, because they cannot take criticism, and they cannot trust any notions not their own. We have an APA bureaucracy that is top-heavy with 6-figure employees who are above the fray, accomplish little, and exercise caution so much they have been parked at the same stop sign for a decade, waiting to see what the traffic will do.
There is little Publications and Communications can do about this sclerosis of the will. I do think we can and have put forward publications that are provocative without being unreasonably strident, and advocate the priorities of the Division leadership without excess parochialism.
I see us as a bridge to and from the membership and the leadership. I can only wish that as we move into the next five years, P & C projects will have an opportunity to gel and provide more services to members that they can actually use, especially those that expand referrals, support mutual collaboration among psychologists, and encourage the involvement of psychologists in political issues within and outside APA that are and should be vitally important to us all--but alas, too often are the last things in and the first things out.
Of mind, that is. I might mention the notion of a Membership Directory, and the Marketing Committee's idea for Website development, as relatively inexpensive ideas that P & C encourages. Division 42 must develop ideas that can attract new members, hold our old members, and yet can if necessary engage the public. That is a tall order, and I hope we are up to it--the Division, I mean. We certainly cannot raise dues any higher!
2001 Mid-Winter Conference Report on The Independent Practitioner
Mike Brickey
Chronology:
Winter 95 (vol 15-1) Mike Brickey’s first IP column
Fall 95 (vol 15-4) Marty Williams’ first of 21 "On the Lighter Side" columns
Spring 96 (vol 16-2) Kris Ludwigsen’s last issue as Editor
Sum. 96 (vol 16-3) Bill Myers’ first issue as Editor
Fall 96 (vol 16-4) began glossy covers
Fall 96 (vol 16-4) Mike Brickey becomes Acting Assoc. Editor
Winter 97 (vol 17-1) Mike Brickey’s first issue as Assoc. Editor
Winter 99 (vol 19-1) Bill Myers’ last issue
Spring 00 (vol 19-2) Mike Brickey’s first issue as Editor
Sum. 98 (vol 18-3) Marty Williams’ first issue as Associate Editor
Winter 02 (vol 22-1) Mike Brickey’s last issue
Spring 02 (vol 22-2) Marty Williams’ first issue as Editor
History:
Five years ago, IP articles were primarily opinion articles, which often covered the same ground. The quality of the writing was uneven. Bill Myers and I worked to ratchet up (gradually) the quality of the writing. We (Bill and I and later Marty and I) also believed that the membership was especially interested in articles that would be helpful in building their practices. The need was accentuated by the assault on our livelihoods by managed care. Although we had strong feelings about fighting managed care, we tried to limit managed care articles to ones that offered new perspectives or new ideas on what we could do about the problem.
Thus, we tried to include more "how to" articles on marketing our services including developing niche markets. Niche markets, of course, fit nicely with the PICK 42 project. When we could get the articles, we tried to round out each issue with an article on the business of practice and legal issues as both are very pertinent to running a practice.
We felt that many practitioners were discouraged and overwhelmed by managed care. Consequently, we tried to crate a generally optimistic tone about the future without sugar coating problems. We also felt a little humor would help practitioners have perspective and not take ourselves too seriously.
We have been fortunate in having consistently knowledgeable articles by Pat DeLeon and Ron Levant every issue. We have been trying to recruit articles about practices run by minority psychologists or that serve minorities. Such articles have been difficult to recruit. We have had several theme issues (e.g., coaching, insurance free practices, collaborating with dentists, and predictions for future of independent practice) and these were well received.
Book reviews seem appropriate and sometimes helpful to members but if space were limited, they would be a low priority. Recently, the issue came up of whether we should be extremely careful to make sure that was no possible conflict of interest between reviewer and book authors. After consultations, Marty and I concurred that since the IP is not a refereed journal but a "bulletin" it was not inappropriate to use a reviewer who knows or even has worked with or taught the author.
There is about a month or more time lag between with we finish editing IP articles and the IP arrives in practitioner mail boxes. Rona is simply delightful to work with and we have be gradually coordinating getting pertinent IP material posted on the web site as soon as possible after editing.
A few years ago the Board asked whether we could get more advertising in the IP. The problem is that no one has the time or interest in the sales job of soliciting ads. It is questionable whether the staff time (psychologist or Jeannie) would be worth the ad income it generated. We tried having a graduate student sell ads of commission. Alas the student got side tracked with other priorities and no sales were achieved.
The size of the journal has grown:
280 pages 1994 (volume 14)
196 pages 1995 (volume 15)
208 pages 1996 (volume 16)
224 pages 1997 (volume 17)
212 pages 1998 (volume 18)
264 pages 1999 (volume 19)
308 pages 2000 (volume 20)
Future plans:
I think we have a basically good formula with good balance between advocacy, how to, 42 issues, CE, and even humor. We would like to get a regular contributor for the business of practice (unfortunately we have not been able to recruit Mike Cuttler). Dan Egli says he could probably write user friendly columns on prescriptions. We would like to recruit more articles on minority issues and to get more new authors. Finally, we would like to get some articles form our student/young professional members.
Currently, Marty and I have to hustle a little to solicit articles. We have not had to turn any articles down for lack of space. Thus the current size of the IP seems ideal.
42 Online—Website
Rona LoPresti, Interim Internet Editor
Thank you for the invitation to share my perspective as Internet Editor regarding division priorities, particularly regarding how the website might be utilized to further the aims of the division. The following are some areas where the website could make a contribution:
Improving communication with the membership: The website can be a powerful vehicle for communicating with the membership. Some examples include:
Members’ opinions can be gathered through survey forms. This can be done on an ongoing basis or as specific topics arise. Such survey forms could augment a mail survey or replace one. Response rate could be increased by offering incentives to members who fill out the survey forms.
Virtual meeting rooms are now available on the website which provide the capability for division leadership to meet with members online in real-time (chat format). Such meetings would give members an opportunity to interact with division governance and hopefully to become more involved in the division.
Webcasting of Division meetings, events, and presentations is also a possibility via the website. Presentations could involve a fee to members, or be considered a membership benefit. We could ask "attendees" to fill out a survey form in return for free or reduced-fee attendance. We do not have estimates at this time of cost for webcasting but will investigate if there is interest.
Building relationships with other divisions.
In addition to linking to other divisions and encouraging links from their websites to ours, we can actively solicit articles from other divisions. Articles from other divisions could be placed on the News and View page under "Other Divisions".
Membership trends—New members can sign up via the website, and 50 members have done so since our counter has been active. By providing relevant content that attracts non-members to the website, we hope to further increase this number.
Conducting the business of the division --The website can also be a vehicle for conducting EC, BOD, Taskforce or Committee business. Virtual meetings, as mentioned above, could occur via chat format. While this wouldn’t eliminate the need for conference calls and/or face-to-face meetings, it could in certain situations expedite meetings by allowing some preliminaries to take place online. It could also provide a forum for follow-up after meetings and conference calls. Task lists and timetables for completion can add additional productivity to post-meeting follow-up via the website.
In addition, we are presently looking into developing the capability of providing shared access to documents online, so that each of the members of a particular committee, task force, the BOD and EC could work on a report or proposal without the difficulties involved in sending attachments via email. The technology is available to indicate the author and date of each edit or comment made to the document.
The website currently has an section for committees and taskforces as well as BOD to post work products or other information (announcements, news, position openings, etc.) We would like to see more contributions from committees and taskforces, as this could be a vehicle for communicating news about accomplishments and ongoing efforts to membership.
Bringing new people into leadership positions in the division while still benefiting from the wisdom and experience of our more experienced leadership. Through formal announcements, discussion and outreach, the listserv and the website can contribute much in terms of recruiting people for leadership. Both technologies provide speed and cost efficiency for accomplishing this task.
Mentoring of new leaders--This is not related to the website but comes from the perspective of someone who is new to a leadership role in the division. I think a mentoring program could be very helpful for people in leadership positions for the first time, i.e., a formal program in which at least one mentor (i.e., someone who has been active in the Division for some time) would volunteer to mentor someone who is new to division leadership. I think this would encourage new people to enter leadership roles, it would improve the learning curve for them, and all would benefit from the accumulated wisdom of more experienced members.
Budget, income and expenditures—The website is beginning to come into its own in terms of producing an income. As mentioned we have had 50 people join the division via the website. We have also received about 40 orders for Pick 42 and 9 for brochures. Books ordered from the book series cannot be estimated, since the orders are processed through APA, not the Division.
Future expansion of income from the website might include online CE offerings. We are still exploring with Jim McHugh and Nathalie Gilfoyle issues related to advertising on the website, but this is another potential source of income to defray operating costs.
Report on the Book Series
Michael Murphy, Series Editor
In early 1994, Division 42 developed a book series in collaboration with the American Psychological Association as the publisher. The relationship between Division 42 and APA was established with a Memorandum of Understanding. Leon VandeCreek was selected as the book series editor and remained in that role until 1999 when I assumed the editorship. The general goal of the book series is to disseminate information on the professional practice of psychology to members of the Division as well as to other APA members and broader audiences. First, I will describe the book series.
The book series is designed to produce a series of small books (maximum of 300 manuscript pages) written especially for the independent practitioner of psychology. Members of Division 42 are given a 33% discount on each book for about 4-6 weeks prior to the book’s publication. APA advertises this prepublication discount to each member of the Division. After that time, the book is marketed with other APA books. The books are also marketed in the Independent Practitioner.
The book series editor selects topics and authors in consultation with the Publications and Communications Committee. Selected topics are then reviewed with the publisher to assure that APA is not already under contract for a similar book.
Prospective authors are asked to prepare a book proposal for the series editor who reviews it and either requests revisions or submits it to the publisher for its review and approval. When all parties are in agreement about the proposal, the publisher prepares a contract with the author.
The book series editor is responsible for working with the author to assure timely completion of the manuscript. The author submits the final manuscript to the book series editor for review. The reviewers typically have included the series editor and the chair of the Division 42 Publications and Communications Committee (or her or his designee). If neither reviewer is able to provide a content review, an outside reviewer is usually sought. Based on these reviews, the manuscript is either returned to the author for revisions or sent to the publisher for its review and editing. The final editing and development of the book for publication are the responsibility of the author(s) and the publisher. APA maintains the right to decline the manuscript based on its reviews. The book series editor coordinates marketing of the new book with the marketing department of APA.
All volumes in the series are typeset and printed in a standardized format, developed in consultation with the series editor.
Division 42 receives a 1% royalty on the total sales revenue from all non-discounted volumes. Authors receive a 6% royalty for all books sold to Division 42 members at the pre-publication discounted price. Authors receive 10% royalty earned on non-discounted copies 1 – 1,500, 12.5% on copies 1,501 – 3,000, and 14% on additional copies. The series editor receives no income from book sales or from Division 42.
The following books have been published in the series:
1. Carol Goodheart and Martha Lansing. (1997). Treating People with Chronic Disease: A Psychological Guide.
2. Samuel Knapp and Leon VandeCreek. (1997). Treating Patients with Memories of Abuse: Legal Risk Management.
3. Robert Margolis and Joan Ellen Zweben. (1998). Treating Patients with Alcohol and Other Drug Problems: An Integrated Approach
Forthcoming offerings include:
1. A Guide to Forensic Work for the General Practitioner. Charles R. Clark, Beth K. Clark, and Jeffrey N. Younggren.
2. Ethical Dilemmas in Small Communities. Janet Schank and Thomas Skovholt.
3. General Practitioner's Guide to Neuropsychological Assessment. Jeffrey B. Allen.
4. New Frontiers in Working with Couples: A Practitioner’s Guide. Peter Sheras and Phyllis Koch-Sheras.
Summary and Impressions
In working with the series I have learned that much of the work involves finding authors. My initial plan was to follow-up on the most ordered of the PICK-42 series. However, I found that many of the authors had entered contracts with APA. I have also found that the series is at a relative disadvantage in negotiating with authors because of the restrictions on the contact imposed by our agreement with APA.
It is my belief that we need to develop a more articulated vision for the series, more actively promote the series, and increase awareness in members.
BACKGROUND
CRITICAL ACTIVITIES
Products and Projects
PRACTICE INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE (PICK 42)
Carol Goodheart, Chair, PICK Task Force
The summary information for this program, which has sold more than 3000 niche guides and is designed to be a service to our members, is as follows:
Revenues for the life of the program are:
Total 1999 sales $7,724.94 238 orders filled (multiple guides per order)
Total 2000 sales $6922.45 231 orders filled (multiple guides per order)
2001 sales (as of 2/3) $3750.10 122 orders filled (multiple guides per order)
TOTAL PICK SALES $18,397.49 591 orders filled (multiples per order)
The Division currently offers 34 niche guides for sale. The guides inaugurated in 1999 are still available for sale. New niche guides added in 2000 are: Sport Psychology, by Kate Hays; Psychologist-Dentist Collaboration, by Jeffrey Barnett and Elaine Rodino;
Psychological Management of Headache, by Gay Lipchik and Kenneth Holroyd; Direct Contracting with Employers, by Chris Stout
We have others in the pipeline now for development. Potential authors are working on new topics, such as Stress & Anxiety, Suicide Assessment, Infertility, and Spirituality. The completed ones will be available by convention time, 2001. To date, only two submissions have been regretfully declined.
The guides were advertised in year 2000, as a trial in 4 places, with packages of 3 ads apiece: The National Psychologist and three State Psychological Association Bulletins-New York, Florida, and California. The ads were purchased for the entire year with funds from the 1999 budget. The response to the ads was minimal therefore we did not renew any paid advertising for 2001, and have no plans to do so in the future. The guides continue to be promoted through notices in the IP and the website, through convention publicity, and through the direct mail route with the best response rate--the annual apportionment letter.
All in all, it seems fair to say that the Division and its members benefit from the service, which continues to produce revenue. The marketing of the guides has built in flexibility. Currently, promotion of the guides is integrated with Judith’s Steward’s 2001 Presidential efforts to increase alliances with the States. PICK products are packaged with the Division’s brochures and sold through State Associations, through wholesale/retail pricing arrangements. Such efforts can only benefit the Division, because the products already exist and the start up cost is long paid.
We have learned some things that may be useful to future project planning efforts:
1.Potential contributors have been willing to donate their work without any royalties, because the project is seen as directly relevant to practitioners needs and makes a contribution for the good of the field.
2. Advertising is not our area of expertise. Unless we have more dollars to spend and experts are hired, we do best when we stay what we know how to do well for our members.
3. Pricing of products is important. Members spend money when it is seen as enhancing their practice without a significant outlay of cash.
4. We have a vehicle with name recognition in place now with PICK 42. The Clearinghouse was always intended to serve as an umbrella structure that is larger than the niche guides. Other products and services can be added and folded into PICK 42, without the start up expenses or fragmentation that can be typical of new ventures. For example, we can promote educational programming through PICK; we can phase out the guides in a few years as they are replaced with other services that grow to take their place; we can promote entirely new products that complement our brochures and niche guides.
5. New infusions of volunteer talent are needed to keep PICK growing creatively. We need to think about a new Chair soon, if the Division would like the project to continue
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY REPORT
Bonnie Markham
Committee Members: Sandra Haber, Bonnie Markham (Chair), Patricia Pitta, Judith Steward
The Membership Directory Committee was formed in 1998 to develop and implement a plan for a Division 42 Membership Directory organized by areas of expertise, in addition to the more typical alphabetic and geographic formats. Since our members are all service providers in a wide variety of venues, it seemed that an expertise directory would most represent the distinct skills our members possess.
Legal issues were the first concern. Jim McHugh, APA legal counsel, was consulted regarding the implications of a 501(c)3 organization having a skill-based directory. We did not want to compromise our not-for-profit tax status by publishing a document that could appear to be an attempt to solicit business for our members. McHugh’s opinion was that directories are completely appropriate publications for professional organizations so long as the purpose is not specifically to make referrals to particular individuals.
The Division 42 Board of Directors approved and funded the directory project as a two part effort:
Year One, 1999 – create database for directory
Year Two, 2000 – publish and distribute directory.
A survey, including self-identified areas of expertise, was distributed to members as part of the apportionment ballot mailing and also as a tear-out section in the Independent Practitioner. Approximately 2000 responses were received. During the survey collection phase data-entry and printing firms were contacted and cost estimates obtained. Harris Publishing, the firm APA uses for its directory, proposed to do the project for more than double the cost we had originally considered.
Assuring accuracy of each entry was a large part of the overall price of most established firms in this field. Translating handwritten surveys into an electronic format was the point at which most of the errors could potentially be made. This proved to be a major problem.
We located a firm in Florida that was experienced in handling directory-type data that needed to be sorted according to a number of parameters. They also could deal with print and web versions of the directory using their own software, askSam (also the name of the company). Their price was quite reasonable to develop a modification of askSam to meet our needs. They did not, however, have the ability to work with the handwritten surveys. New Jersey Computer Services was hired to handle that part of the job. NJCS had already done a number of projects with askSam and knew the software.
Unfortunately, the quality of the surveys, some of which had been faxed to the Central Office, were much less adequate than we had thought. After struggling with the documents for a few months, NJCS proposed that all respondents with email addresses be sent a request that they complete the survey on our website. AskSam modified their template to allow direct entry of the electronic survey into the directory database. Only those members who could not be reached by email were entered manually. A full-page ad was placed in the Independent Practitioner informing our members of the opportunity to be in the Directory by completing the survey on our website.
Data collection is currently in progress. Unfortunately, the survey accuracy issue has delayed the completion of the Directory by a full year. The online version, unlike a print version, is much more fluid. As many members as have responded at any particular point in time will be in the database. The Committee needs to evaluate whether to go ahead with a print version and will then make a proposal to the Board of Directors.
Attached to this report, for those who would like more detail about the project, are the Committee Reports from 1998, 1999, and 2000, as well as a copy of the print version of the Membership Directory Survey.
BACKGROUND
COMMITTEE AND TASK FORCE REPORTS
I. Crisis Intervention and Trauma Response Committee.
Barbara Wainrib, Chair
A. What is the mission of your group or activity?
The mission of the group has always centered on the concept that "Trauma psychology is one of the most recent as well as one of the fastest growing areas od specialization in Psychology. While there is a growing public awareness and interest in trauma psychology there is also confusion about the proper training of trauma workers from various different professional fields. It is therefore incumbent upon us to not only to provide teaching and training for our members in this field but as well show them new concepts that can make them uniquely trained and therefore enhance their marketability. To that end we have consistently presented programs s] demonstrating a wide range of areas in which trauma concepts can be used and demonstrating how these can be applied.
B. Who are the members of your committee?
At the moment just myself , since our previous members have rotated off and we several people that we are considering . I have been teaching Crisis Intervention and Trauma response to grad students at McGill for over 20 years and have published a textbook on that topic ( with Ellin Bloch) .
C. What are the significant past and expected activities and work products for your group?
Every year since we were established we have presented major symposia on a wide variety of trauma related topics. These have generally been extremely well attended. As well we have done presentations focused on developing trauma skills. At one point we put in a great deal of effort and time in the attempt to develop a proposal for proficiency training in trauma but it did not get acceptance from CRSPPP. Last year we spent the year developing a new method of outreach to a previously overlooked population-
the clergy who remain in the community after the departure of temporary personnel in community disasters. We used bridge line communications to link up with clergy from many parts of North America ad did an interesting presentation on both the process as well as the results. Clergy are a clearly undeserved population open to help from psychologists and we are currently considering ways in which psychologists can further link up with the. One of the work products under consideration that I would appreciate discussing with you or Judith is a possible publication - either as a brochure or some other form.
D. What are the issues that your group encountered in budgeting, coordination with other activities for the Division, communicating with members and governance, and relationships with other groups?
Really none-my members have been very resistant about submitting bills so we really seem to need very little unless we move into a publication product. I am also the Div 42 rep to the new APA wide trauma group that is currently dependent on other divisions for program time and perhaps for funding and I will have to bring this to the board.
E. What else do you thing that the leadership should address from your perspective as leader of this group?
I think more emphasis should be placed on training and developing new skills such as trauma response as part of their overall emphasis on growth and marketing.
I. Student/Young Professional Development
Pat Pitta, Chair
A. What is the mission of your group or activity?
* To promote membership of our newest membership category-Students/Young Professionals.
*To provide educational information and training for these new members on relevant topics on how to become a successful and knowledgeable private practitioner through designing programming at annual convention.
* To learn about the many options and opportunities for the private practitioner today and in the upcoming years.
*To promote a sense of community and belonging for the students/young professionals enabling 42 to become their professional family at APA.
*To further develop the relationship with APAGs to nuture each other's goals.
*To develop links with state student associations through our student/young professional list serv.
* To develop an active lists of seasoned professionals who will serve as mentors on the list serv.
* To seek articles written by board and members that would educate students/young professionals for the IP and the web site.
B. Who are the members of your committee? Pat Pitta and as of December, 2000 Mike Gallardo -student rep and liason from APAGS.
C. What are the significant past and expected activities and work products for your group?
* At APA each year for the past year and this coming year we have programming directly slotted for the students/young professionals.(eg> conversation hours with seasoned professionals, theoretical presentation for students/young professionals, special invitation to our cocktail party to enable them to become part of our group.
*Creation of the list serv in conjunction with APAGS
*Overseeing the list serv and it functioning.
*Recruiting mentors for list serv.
*Recruiting new student/young professionals at APA meeting through a campaign of giving out brochures at presentations, APAGS site, and poster sessions.
* Write articles in IP promoting and announcing this membership category and list serv.
D. What are the issues that your group encountered in budgeting,
coordination with other activities for the Division, communicating with
members and governance, and relationships with other groups?
Since I have running this committee on my own there have been no problems in dealing with the division. Some members have been more active than others(list serv) and I would appreciate more input from our members in this account. I would like help with the next level of the campaign of connecting our list serv to the states. I know Judith could probably be very helpful with this. I could use some more people power in this committee. Also with the addition of Mike Gallardo, I have asked him to put an article in the APAGS newsletter as a regular feature to talk about div 42 membership( it advantages) and list serv. Also I assigned him to the project of giving out the brochures with other students he can recruit at the poster sessions. Finances have not been an issue at this point.
E. What else do you thing that the leadership should address from your
perspective as leader of this group?
*That members and board members recruit student/young professionals
* write articles for IP and web site geared towards educating students/young professionals
*participate in the list serv.
II. State LinkageTask Force SLTF.
Bob Wernick, Chair
A. What is the mission of your group or activity?
Briefly, the mission of the SLTF is to link up with State Psych Associations (SPA's). Since the members of Div 42 and SPA's tend to be practitioners, div 42 is in a position to help both the SPA members and the SPA itself by working together. Goals include increasing the distribution of the brochures and niche guides, increased use of PSA's, helping to generate non-dues revenue for the SPA's, and increasing membership of both SPA's and Div 42.
B. Who are the members of your committee?
Right now, it's just myself and Jana Martin (from CA). I'd like to have a few more members . I'm thiking of asking Larry Beer from Michigan.
C. What are the significant past and expected activities and work products for your group?
There is not much of a past to the SLTF. The ideas have been in the works for a year or two. Activities have been held up substantially while the "custody settlement" with div 29 over the brochures was being worked on. What we have done so far is to pilot the sale of brochures and niche guides with a few SPA's. While actual sales were very minimal, the pilot program has helped to identify the "loopholes" and potential gliches that will assist in establishing clear understandings for collaboration.
The expected work activities will be the expansion of this collaboration. SPA's will be expected to actively advertise the products we are offering. the primary mode of distribution will be the SPA meetings and through their newsletter/mailings. The current products are the brochures and niche guides. We would like to have a way of distributing the PSA's that have been developed for the division. We will also solicit ideas from the SPA's themselves (possibly by forming an "advisory committee" of SPA ED's) for additional products and joint ventures. We will try to mutually enhance each organizations membership.
D. What are the issues that your group encountered in budgeting,
coordination with other activities for the Division, communicating with
members and governance, and relationships with other groups?
I'm relatively new to budgeting. The main expenses of the SLTF will be mailing and printing costs + some preparatory secretarial time. There will be other costs, such as printing of brochures, shipping costs, etc. However, these expenses will not be incurred without "orders" that will cover these costs. Also, the cost of sending me to the APA SLC in March comes from the SLTF budget.
There is little coordination with other division activites with the exception of "using" some of Jeannie's time and trying to have enough "lead" time that there is no "crunch" to meet a deadline.
I'm not aware of any "issues" in communication. My communication with division Presidents, Jeannie and the Marketing committee have been "problem-free".
Relationships with other groups has had some issues. We had a bit of resistance in getting me to the SLC last year, but it was eventually worked out. Perhaps a bigger issue with other groups was the "custody" of the brochures with Div 29. I still do not believe everything is settled to the point it will cease to be an issue or problem... I hope to find that I am wrong.
E. What else do you thing that the leadership should address from your
perspective as leader of this group?
I don't really have any other suggestions now. I don't know if there is any interest in getting back in the business of having a winter meeting of some type. If there is, I have had several YEARS of extensive experience doing meetings and have ideas of how this can work successfully. Let me know if this is being revived.
III. Business Education Task Force.
Laurie Kolt, Chair
A. What is the mission of your group or activity?
To empower clinicians with effective practice development training vehicles. A cost effective, virtual practice development group series is planned for this year.
B. Who are the members of your committee?
This is not established formally to date. Both Judith Steward and Sandy Haber have been involved in the development of the project. Any 42 people skilled in this area and committed to helping are welcome.
C. What are the significant past and expected activities and work products for your group?
This is a new idea that Judith asked me to develop. She wanted me to set up a test structure to help practitioners learn business and marketing skills. There is a lengthy and detailed proposal that explains the virtual group training process you can get from her for more details. It was met with very positive feedback.
D. What are the issues that your group encountered in budgeting,
coordination with other activities for the Division, communicating with
members and governance, and relationships with other groups?
I recorded all expected expenses in detail in the proposal. I was told that since the project looked like it would pay for itself, no budget allotment would be made. I also understand that we took a pretty big hit on the Mid Winter conference in Beverly Hills so resources are low. I have some concerns about the risk factor in this untried project (despite it's really wonderful design and expected benefits) if a 42 member volunteer invests their time and money with no confirmation of atleast breaking even is given. Perhaps I need to talk with someone within the 42 leadership who can track the issues here and make a recommendation
E. What else do you thing that the leadership should address from your
perspective as leader of this group?
Take a poll of what are the issues people want to hear about, need help in, etc. What is our income in different geographic areas, what were trends in the last few years? What are our successes that we can learn from and get motivated by?
Let us see "who we are" a little more clearly in terms of various demographics that can build bridges and a smaller community for our members. The listerv is one good vehicle, but I think that we can do some things to make our organization closer, increase the interest and commitment to being identified with other 42 members. What can we do that will make us feel that being a member of 42 is special as well as important?
I stay away from the political conflicts but I think that there is some talk out there that implies that a few people in the leadership are more opinionated than looking for ways to balance goals and integrate ways to help members feel empowered and effective. Connecting with that passion and appreciation for what we as clinicians can accomplish out in the real world should have a stronger emphasis. It can help fill our practices and make a healthy, measurable impact on our communities. That leads to less negativity, more innovation and growing practices that end up serving more people.
V. Emerging Patterns of Practice Committee
Michael Murphy, Chair
A. What is the mission of your group or activity?
The Mission of the Committee ahs changed over the past year. In 2000 the mission was to monitor and advance innovation in independent practice. Specific goals were:
1) To monitor practice trends and innovations and collect data that can be used by the Division and its membership to expand practice;
2) To identify 20 practitioners who have implemented innovative services and present their work to the membership through articles, convention presentations, publications, and workshops;
3) To identify information needs members have about practice structure and administration and provide resources to address those needs; and
4) To coordinate the efforts of the Committee with those of other groups in the Division on developing materials to support the presidential initiative.
The mission remains the same but the committee has undertaken a more focused effort directed at developing a Independent Practice Research Network. The goal of this effort is to develop a system by which the Division can assess and monitor structure of independent practice, career paths of members, factors affecting market of services, innovation in service delivery, attitudes and values of members regarding issues affecting practice, and move toward research addressing the effectiveness of service provided by independent practitioners.
In developing this system the committee is identifying a reference group recruited from 2000 randomly selected Division members. These participants would be able to respond to surveys by mail or online. They will serve as a comparison group for participants who will be recruited online and through the Independent Practitioner.
Participants’ confidentiality will be insured and they will be asked to participate in no more than eight surveys each year. Surveys will be designed to be completed in less than 15 minutes. The first three surveys will address practice structure, responses to managed care, and use of technology in practice.
B. Who are the members of your committee?
Patrick Cerra, Loretta Kroin, Jerre Leib, and Peter Sheras
C. What are the significant past and expected activities and work products for your group?
In the 2000 year the Committee has placed articles related to expanded patterns of practice in the IP and developed presentations for the convention. The committee is conducting a survey on the organization of private practice, computer use in practice, and the extent that practitioners have implemented suggestions on dealing with managed care made by APA and Division 42. The work products will include the Network itself and the information collected. The initial mailing will be sent in March 2001 and the survey information will be started in April.
D. What are the issues that your group encountered in budgeting,
coordination with other activities for the Division, communicating with
members and governance, and relationships with other groups?
In the past much of the committee’s work and has been directed toward support of the initiatives of the Division. Members have held key roles in the Brochure Project and PICK 42. It has been only in the last year that the Committee has been able to re-focus its efforts on its own mission. A key objective will be to be more active in communicating findings to inform members and other units of governance.
E. What else do you thing that the leadership should address from your perspective as leader of this group?
It is important that the efforts of the Division are grounded in systems that insure coordination and communication between members and governance and within governance. It is also important that the decisions and activities of the Division are based upon systematic collection and dissemination of mission critical information. It is the hope of the Committee to be a key element in obtaining and sharing this information.
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