The culture of voluntarism: When we volunteer we give psychology away. If we are in independent practice, volunteering often means giving ourselves away. Although the adage: “for it is in giving that we receive,” resonates in our psychologist’s heart, it can also diminish our practitioner’s pocket. Time away from our office frequently translates into lack of income. In a Division 42 Internet list message, Glenn Ally expressed his gratitude to those colleagues who volunteer their time and expertise to the governance of psychology. I would like to echo his sentiment. I thank those members who “give themselves away” by participating in organized psychology boards, committees, and task forces. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to those of you who due to personal, family, and work responsibilities cannot actively participate in the governance of psychology. Nonetheless, there are many types of volunteerism.

The culture of service: You can volunteer by serving in the role of participant observer. One goal in electing officers to psychology organizations governance is to increase services to members. Division 42 aims to help elect psychologists who identify practice interests as priorities. Within this context, the Division 42 Board of Directors explored APA President candidates’ platforms. We sent the candidates a set of questions and based on their answers, the Board members voted to endorse (without ranking them) three practitioners: Rosie Phillips Bingham, James H. Bray, and Stephen A. Ragusea. You can serve our Division and our profession by voting in this important election. Please give these practitioners your top three votes in the order of your preference.

Soon we will be conducting elections for Division 42 officers. We need to fill the following positions for 2008: President-Elect, 3 Representatives to APA Council, and 2 Members at Large on our Board of Directors. You can participate in this process. Please send your nominations for these positions and make sure that you vote in our elections.

Help Us Help You

The Board approved two surveys. One survey examines the value of your membership in Division 42 and the other aims to increase our services to you.

Quality of Membership Survey: The results of this survey will help to enhance the Division’s services for psychologists in full and part time private practice. The brief survey appears in the Fall 2006 Independent Practitioner. If you complete the survey by November 15, 2006, you will be entered into a raffle to receive One Year Free Membership in Division 42. The Quality of Membership Survey is available directly at http://www.division42.org/surveys/public/survey.php?name=Quality_of_Membership or through a link on the Members Area home page at
http://www.division42.org/MembersArea/members.php.  You can also complete the survey either online or paper and pencil through the new Independent Practitioner (which is also online).

Partnering with Business Survey:  If you consult or have consulted with business, the Expanding the Business of Psychology Task Force would like to hear from you in order to share ways to expand Division members’ practices. Your responses will be compiled with others and no names will be included. The results of this survey will likely be of great value and benefit to members who engage in consultation services with business, or are interested in expanding their practices. Please provide your input by accessing this survey on the Division 42 website. You can also click the link directly:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=505042367048

Recognizing our “Servidores”

The Latino culture acknowledges the role of servidores-- individuals whose service contributes to the wellbeing and enhancement of their community. Division 42 recognizes its outstanding servidores through its awards. Please help us to identify our exceptional servidores. You can nominate candidates for the following awards:

Distinguished Psychologist of the Year: Some of the requirements include:

1). Sustained service in the practice of psychology

2). Evidence of having received local, state, or national recognition

3). Service in local, state, or national boards, committees, and/or a Division of APA

4). Publication of articles, books, monographs, and or assessment devices which have made a demonstrable impact on the practice or thinking of colleagues.

5). Distinguished contributions to public welfare as a psychologist.

Distinguished Public Service Award: United States’ Representatives and Senators, as well as psychologists such as Bryant Welch, Patrick DeLeon, Jack Wiggins and others have been recipients of this service award. The Division 42 Board of Directors will contact the APA Practice Directorate, California State Psychological Association (2008 convention will be in San Francisco), and APA Congressional Fellows for nominations to this award. However, we would also appreciate your recommendations.

Mentoring Award: This is a new award for our Division. This award will recognize an individual(s) who demonstrates outstanding contributions as a mentor in ways including:

1) Being instrumental in aiding professional psychologists to succeed in their independent practices †

2) Mentoring early career psychologists

3) Mentoring graduate psychology students

Please send your nomination statements and letters of support for these awards by December 31, 2006. You can send the materials to

Lillian Comas-Diaz,
Division 42 Awards Chair
908 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20037

So, whether it be by participating in our surveys to improve services to members and to share expertise in business consultation, nominating deserving colleagues for one of the division’s awards to recognize their outstanding contributions, nominating colleagues (and yourself) to run for office in Division 42 governance, and voting in the APA Presidential election, each of us can make valuable contributions to our division and to our profession.
So, please participate! Volunteer your services and become a servidor.

Warmly,
Lillian
cultura@starpower.net