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

SECTION III
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STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TO BE REFERRED TO EXISTING GOVERNANCE AND WORK GROUPS

The strategies and actions in this section reflect the Task Force recommendations that should be referred to existing Division governance or work groups for consideration, and development of a recommendation to be considered by the Board. If a recommendation is made by to the Board for implementation, the group should present a specific plan, including a process for evaluation of outcome.

1) President-elect:

The Breakout Groups recommended that the president-elect be responsible for developing a process for ensuring that Division 42 members serve as members, liaisons, observers or monitors for relevant APA Boards and Committees and other organizations. The process should include both appointment and feedback to the Board. The liaisons/observers may be chosen from members of the current Division board, past presidents, and other Division governance. The groups with which we should have such a relationship include CAPP, BPA, BAPPI, BEA, CoA, BSA, Ethics, P&P, COLI and Finance, as well the Council of Credentialing Organizations in Psychology (CCOPP).

Task Force Recommendation:

The President-elect is asked to develop a plan for presentation to the Board.

The Breakout Groups recommended that the president-elect undertake collaboration with other practice divisions, using several mechanisms, including the Executive Roundtable of Practice Divisions, and a proposed conference as described in the motion below:

Motion: That the Board requests from President-elect Walker that she undertake as her presidential initiative using Division resources to help with the reconceptualization of psychology as a biopsychosocial profession. Linkages need to be formed with such other divisions as those invested in social justice (Committee of Nine—Divisions 9, 16, 17, 27, 35, 43, 44, 45, 51), health care (Interdivisional Healthcare Committee—Divisions 17, 22, 38, 40) and children and family services, and others as interested, to develop a vision of the role of psychologists in the health, wellness and welfare and individuals, families and communities. The disparate career paths and delimited models various subgroups in the field currently pursue need to be woven in to a coherent and integrated vision for the future. We urge Dr. Walker to seek the means to convene a national conference on this topic and to explore the possibilities of external funding.

Task Force Recommendation:

The President-elect (or an appointed task force) is asked to develop a plan for implementation, including review of potential software support.

2) Secretary:

The Breakout Groups recommended that the secretary be responsible for tracking work products, time-lines and progress on projects for Division committees and task forces.

Task Force Recommendation:

The secretary is asked to develop a plan for managing division projects.

3) Membership Committee:

Retreat participants suggested several recommendations for additional member benefits. The membership committee is asked to consider the following suggestions and make recommendations to the Board. The recommendations should include whether the committee supports the suggested benefit and, if supported, a plan for implementation, including budgetary considerations.

  1. Develop a legal consultation plan offering 15 minutes of free consultation with additional time at regular rates, in return for free advertising and other opportunities.
  2. Explore forms of insurance that can be offered to our members (e.g., health insurance) that are not in the portfolio of APAIT.
  3. Make the Membership Directory available on the non-member side of our Website. This would allow the public to have more information about who we are and what we do.
  4. Provide a hyperlink from the Division’s website to members’ websites, and link this with their membership directory entry.
  5. Develop and implement a plan for increasing student/new psychologist members and diversity of membership of the Division.
  6. Link students and new psychologists with a mentor; consider free memberships for mentors.
  7. Offer publications to students, new professionals and academic institutions through the Website, reducing costs for both the Division and younger psychologists.
  8. Create special products or programs for students and new professionals (e.g., publications, convention programming).
  9. Offer first year free membership for students, new psychologists, and psychologists of diverse backgrounds.
  10. 1Create an annual award to recognize the psychologist who has done the most to expand/innovate/advance independent practice for members of diverse groups. [Refer also to the Awards Committee]
  11. Explore two-for-one grant from APA to sponsor a minority member to attend meetings and conferences sponsored by the Division.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task force recommends that the President refer the membership recommendations to the Membership Committee for development and recommendation to be made at the August 2001 meeting. Recommendations should include cost estimates.

4) P&C Committee

The Retreat participants made numerous recommendations for enhanced use of our communications tools for member information and resources and to assist the governance in its work. These recommendations included the following:

  1. Develop a plan for the use of multiple mechanisms for distribution of informational items for members. This could include enhanced use of the Website and the IP, as well as additional list servers and a telephone system for phone alerts to members.
  2. Develop a plan for use of the website to develop a mechanism for surveying membership on needs. Develop a response group of members for feedback on Board action and policy decisions, potentially using a mechanism like the Practice Research Net.
  3. With the Internet Editor, develop a plan for use of the Website for regular reporting by governance groups and task forces. This should include a plan for informing members of the availability of reports.
  4. With the editor of the IP, work to enhance the appearance and content of the IP. Sell advertising to develop revenue to fund these activities. Develop sections around particular content areas including practice operation and development and areas of practice.
  5. With the Internet Editor and CE Committee, develop a plan for offering continuing education on the Web.
  6. Enhance the utility of the Website for governance of the Division, including more active participation of governance members on the listserv, governance sections on the site and training as needed to enhance governance members’ facility with new media.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the President ask the P&C Committee to review and develop recommendations for Board consideration:

  1. Plans for integrated and regular communication with members, using multiple media, including list servers, website, mailings, IP and telephone distribution options.
  2. With IP Editor, plans to enhance the IP
  3. With Internet editor, plans for expanded use of the Website

There were a number of recommendations for actions to be undertaken by the P&C Committee to enhance use of our communications outlets.

  1. Create targeted products for students and new professionals.
  2. Create "tip sheets"—one page, useful how-to guides for common problems and/or service areas.
  3. Send out "newsgrams" on particular topics
  4. [Book Series] Consider developing books that are brief and focused in new content areas. Review the contract with APA to ensure that terms and conditions are balanced and fair for the Division and authors.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the President ask the P&C Committee to consider new publication options and develop a proposal for the Board.

5) Public Relations and Public Education Committee

Retreat participants recommended enhanced marketing for divisional products with the goal of making products more available and accessible for members for enhancing both membership and non-dues revenue.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the President ask the Public Relations and Public Education Committee to develop an enhanced plan for marketing our products with recommendations for media and mechanisms, budget, and a plan for evaluation of outcome.

6) CE Committee

Retreat participants made suggestions for enhancing CE offerings on the website and as part of the division’s increased attention to issues of diversity. These recommendations would require that the CE chair and committee work in collaboration with both the Diversity Task Force and the Internet Editor.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the CE chair and Internet Editor collaborate on developing a plan to present to the P&C Committee for recommendation to the Board. Further, The Task Force recommends that the CE Chair and Diversity Task Force develop a recommendation regarding CE offerings in areas of diversity.

7) Diversity Task Force

Retreat participants devoted considerable thought to ways to enhance the division’s involvement in initiatives around diversity, including enhanced resources for current members, increasing membership of individuals representing diverse backgrounds, and attending to the needs of clients from diverse backgrounds. The recommendations included initiatives to be developed by the Division itself and others that were recommended to be done in collaboration with other divisions or groups. Recommendations included:

  1. Participate in the National Multicultural Conference and Summit III (2003), including working with the planning group to offer enhanced programming for practice.
  2. Develop joint projects with Division 45 for CE offerings, reciprocal-mentoring relationships, to enhance cultural sensitivity and to offer practice building guidance, and in community-based projects.
  3. Host a diversity breakfast at APA convention.
  4. Set up and coordinate mentoring program.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the existing Diversity Task Force be expanded, and that it be charged with developing recommendations for implementation of projects to expand the Division’s attention to diversity issues.

8) State Linkages Task Force

Breakout participants supported the existing State Linkages projects and it was recommended that the State Linkages Task Force consider additional and/or expanded activities as included in the specific recommendations.

Recommendations include:

  1. Assign a Division 42 member to be a liaison between Division 42 and each SPPA.
  2. Host a Division 42 liaison breakfast at the annual APA convention with the opportunity structured into it for them to share information with each other. Invite each SPPA to send a representative to share information and receive information on issues of concern to independent practitioners.
  3. Have the Division 42 President and brief attendees on Division 42’s activities on their behalf.
  4. Establish and engage in activities of mutual benefit to Division members and SPPAs and their members.
  5. Engage in outreach activities and joint projects with APA Division 31 and the SPPAs directly.
  6. Actively support the Speakers Bureau grant presently in effect with Division 31.

Task Force Recommendation:

The Task Force recommends that the President request that the State Linkages Task Force consider the specific recommendations and present a plan for incorporation of the recommendations or rationale for not attempting implementation.
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