REPORT OF THE PRIORITIES TASK FORCE ON THE DIVISION 42 2001 GOVERNANCE RETREAT

SECTION II

GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND ACTIONS THAT REQUIRE POLICY CONSIDERATION AT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND BOARD AND BY-LAWS LEVELS

The Breakout Groups made a number of recommendations that affect essential structures and functions of the Division. These require thoughtful consideration, consensus development, Board action, and, in some instances, changes in the Division’s By-Laws. Together they represent a sweeping change in the organization and operation of the Division.

1. Development of a companion C-6 organization

The Breakout Group on Structure recommended that the Division explore the development of a C-6 organization that would allow political advocacy, solicitation of funds, referral services for our members, and other business-related activities. The Group recommended:

1. The formation of a task force to consider the advantages and disadvantages of different alternative tax structures, and
2. The task force would make a specific recommendation to the Board at the August 2001 meeting (This is the date recommended by the breakout group. See below for the Task Force Recommendation).

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force believes that this may over time be an important direction for the Division to take over the intermediate to long term. However, the Task Force is not clear if there is the perceived need and recommends that the Governance be surveyed regarding the need to pursue this recommendation at this time. If a task force should be appointed, it is recommended that it make its recommendation at the 2002 mid-winter meeting of the Board.

2. Membership Initiatives

Associate Member for Practitioners who are not members of APA

1. The Structure Breakout Group recommended development of a new category of membership for practitioners who are not members of APA. These individuals could become Associate Members of the Division for only the cost of division dues and would be eligible to receive our publications, get member discounts for the Division’s products. The Group also suggested they would get discounts for the Division’s convention programs.

Free memberships to increase Diversity and Student and New Professional representation in the Division
Two recommendations were proposed:

1. Free membership to Division 45 members who are working on projects in Division 42, and
2. Free first year of membership to the first 1,000 students, new psychologists, and psychologists of diverse backgrounds who join the Division.
   Task Force Recommendation:
   The Task Force recommends that the president refer the membership proposals to the Membership Committee for development and recommendation to be made at the mid-winter 2002 meeting.

Allocation of Specific Positions and Slates

Several recommendations were made regarding positions and slates on the Board, Task Forces and Committees, and Council of Representatives.

1. After the Student membership has reached 200, there will be one student member of the Division 42 Board elected by the student membership of Division 42 for a voting position on the Board in coordination with APAGS, the person holding this position would be fully funded to attend two Board meeting annually;

A diversity slate for one APA Council seat from Division 42 would be created. This seat would come up for re-election every three years and would only be open to Division 42 members of diverse backgrounds, to include all forms of diversity;

Whenever possible the chair of a task force should be sought from diverse groups and those who have not yet served in a governance capacity in the Division; and

Assign at least one appropriately qualified (eg. for Finance Committee) Division 42 member from a diverse background to each Division 42 Committee and Task Force and that each be assigned a mentor from one of the other committee or task force members. (Coordinate this with the Diversity Task Force

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the Executive Committee or a task force led by them develop and recommend action to the Board at the 2002 mid-winter meeting.

New Organizations

a) Past-Presidents Council

A Past-Presidents Council (PPC) was suggested. This organization would be composed of past presidents who are not currently serving on the Board of Directors. There would be representation of this group on the Board but proposals addressing this vary. The members would be prohibited from running for member-at-large seats on the Board to facilitate entry of new participants into governance. The members of the PPC would serve as mentors, serve as "honorary members" of committees and task forces, would provide strategic coordination of the monitoring APA governance groups, and track and monitor the Division’s representation and/or liaison with relevant Boards and Committees.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the Executive Committee or a task force led by them develop and recommend action to the Board at the 2002 mid-winter meeting.

b) Ambassador Program

An Ambassador Program was proposed that would link Psychologists in Independent Practice with graduate programs that train professional psychologists. The members of the PPC would serve as Ambassadors to graduate programs in their geographic area. The Ambassador will offer a lecture, seminar, or workshop for the students and faculty on issues in independent practice and the role of Division 42.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the Executive Committee or a task force led by them develop and recommend action to the Board at the 2002 mid-winter meeting.

Changes in the Current Organization

Recommendations for several changes in the organization of the Division were made that addressed ways to develop and maintain an organizational structure that is responsive to the Division’s priorities, assures continuity, and assesses, in an ongoing way, its effectiveness. Taken together the recommendations represent a sweeping modification of the organizational structure. Suggestions include the following:

1. Restructure committees: Committees exist to support the administration of the Division. Therefore, Professional Committees would be discontinued and would be reorganized as task forces or areas of interest. Under the revised structure the following are standing committees: APA Governance Issues, Awards, Fellows, Finance, Membership, Nominations and Elections, Program, Publication and Communication, Continuing Education, Emerging Patterns of Practice. The Division will no longer have professional issues committees. These committees would form Special Interest Groups or, if it has an assigned mission and a time-certain work product, it could be appointed as a task force.
2. Special Interest Groups: These groups are intended to serve the needs of members for networking and collegiality, to provide learning and exchange among their members, to offer opportunities for mentoring among individuals with shared interest, and to increase diversity. They are intended to advance participation in the organization.
3. Restructure task forces: Task Forces would be appointed annually by the President to serve during the presidential term and are expected to serve one year or less. The work of the task force will be defined by a Mission Statement and will have a specified work product that is to be accomplished within a time certain. The Executive Committee would be responsible for task force work assignments. Task Forces may request an extension into the term of the next President. Task Forces may request a change of status to Standing Committee if their mission has clearly become an essential part of the ongoing administration of the Division.
4. Policy changes addressing liaisons: Division 42 members who serve as members of relevant APA Boards and Committees serve as liaisons, and where none exists a liaison will be appointed. Liaisons are expected to inform the Board about upcoming meetings and agenda items of relevance to the Division in ample time for the Board to discuss and formulate positions that represent the best interests of the Division. Liaisons are expected to provide a timely written report to the Division’s Board of Directors about the meetings that they attended. The Boards and Committees with which we should have such a relationship include CAPP, BPA, BAPPI, BEA, CoA, BSA, Ethics, P&P, COLI and Finance. The Division will only reimburse liaisons who attend solely for the purpose of representing Division 42.
5. Members-at-Large will be assigned one or more task forces and will serve as a liaison to that group. Liaisons will track the progress of the work product by regular monthly contact with the chair.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the Executive Committee or a task force led by them develop and recommend action to the Board at the 2002 mid-winter meeting.

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