UPDATE ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM

THE DIVISION 42 PRIORITIES TASK FORCE (2001)

FIVE YEAR PLAN 2002-2007

Updated January 2005

Background:

The Division 42 Bylaws state (Article VII B):

“The Board of Directors shall conduct a review of its priorities, the elements of its extant governance structure, and the relationship of its structure to its intended functions no less often than every five (5) years. As part of said review, the Board may require that each element of the governance structure in existence during the year of the scheduled review provide the Board with a recommendation that it be terminated or with a petition and rationales for its continuation.”

In 2001, as directed by President Judith Steward, the Board engaged in a retreat to review the division’s priorities and develop recommendations to implement those priorities during the five years beginning in 2002. We have now completed 3 years of that five year period, and it seems appropriate to give the Board an update on activities on these priorities and to develop plans for the final two years.. The Task Force that developed the final report is submitting this update.

Review of the Retreat

[Much of the material in this section is taken directly from the final report of the Task Force to the Board; the full report is available for review]

The Retreat process was developed and led by the Priorities Task Force (Jeffrey Barnett, Jean Carter – Co-Chair, Bonnie Markham, Michael Murphy – Co-Chair). Four Breakout Groups (Membership, Organizational and Structural Issues, Relationships with Other Groups, Communication) focused on the areas previously identified by the Board and membership as important to the efforts of the Division. The recommendations of all the Breakout Groups contained the following common themes:

            Theme 1:

The Division seeks to serve as the focal point for independently practicing psychologists in terms of identity, information, advocacy, networking, communication, and advancement of practice.

 

Theme 2.

 

Psychologists in Independent Practice are diverse with regard to their areas of expertise, practice settings, organizational and other affiliations, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, gender, age, sexual orientation, stage in their career development, and so forth. The Division seeks to represent all of these psychologists by inclusion in our membership and governance, and through our programming.

 

Theme 3.

Central to the Division’s effectiveness is its leadership and its organizational structure. The Division needs to encourage new and diverse leadership while also benefiting from the experience of those who have served for a number of years. The structure of the Division should be designed to most effectively carryout its goals and priorities. The expenditure of human and fiscal resources should be used to accomplish those purposes.

 

Theme 4.

Communication is vital to the success of the Division. An open channel between governance and membership, across members, with other related groups, and the public should be fostered. Division 42 serves as a conduit for interchange within, between, and among various constituencies.

Many of the structures and activities are already in place that allow the Division to implement some aspects of each of the key themes. In other cases, new structures, procedures, and policies are required. In general, the Division will need to streamline its functioning in order to create opportunities for expansion of scope and advocacy in the independent practice arena.

 

New directions proposed include:

 

            Consideration of the creation of a companion C-6 organization to allow political advocacy, solicitation of funds, referral services, and other business-related activities that are now prohibited to us as a 501 C-3 organization.

 

            Creation of a membership category for practitioners who are not members of APA, institution of membership incentives to increase representation of the full range of diversity in the field, and encouragement of the participation in the Division by graduate students beginning early in their training.

 

            Opening governance to new leadership by having particular slates for those who have not yet served in an elected position, appointing committee and task force chairs from diverse groups, and insuring leadership continuity and expertise through the establishment of a Past-Presidents Council that would have a number of crucial functions at all levels of the Division and would exclude running for Member-at-Large of the Board.

            Restructuring committees such that only standing committees would continue; professional issues committees would become Special Interest Groups emphasizing diversity, networking, mentoring rather than governance; and restructuring task forces to have time-certain missions to be completed, in most cases, within a single presidential term.

            Expand and enhance all of our communication vehicles to maximize the use of the Independent Practitioner, website, brochures, books, PICK42, APA program time, and extend beyond these into inter-group programming at mid-winter and other times; develop other communication mechanisms including active involvement of liaisons who share membership in Division 42 and other relevant groups within and outside of APA and appoint liaisons to groups strategic to the Division’s mission for which there are no existing links.

 

The Task Force report is organized to layout the material in a manner that assigns strategies and actions to the appropriate group for consideration, development, and action. The system adopted organizes the strategies and actions into the following categories:

·   Those goals, strategies, and actions that have general applicability to various groups and do not require Board action beyond endorsement;

·   Those that require policy consideration at the Executive Committee and Board and By-Laws levels;

·   Those that involve development and recommendations by current governance groups

 

For each of the three areas the Task Force has provided a summary of the breakout group recommendations and the Priorities Task Force’s recommendations for action to address them. The report also includes appendices containing the goals that guided the work of the groups and the complete report of each Breakout Group.

Update on Recommendations from the Retreat through Fall 2004: Strategies and Actions to be Taken

Finance Committee (Finances and accountability)

The strategies and actions reflect several general principles involving inclusion; communication; and organizational structure, assessment, and monitoring. All groups are asked 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. The Finance Committee was asked to implement and monitor goals, priorities and actions through the budgeting process.

Action to date: The Finance Committee, with the assistance of the treasurer, has developed a process for requesting and reviewing program proposals prior to developing a recommended budget for the division. It also has developed a process for presenting preliminary budgets in the summer/fall Board meeting and final budgets at the winter/spring Board meeting. (Include Budget Request Form with this document)

The Finance Committee has completed an examination of the Division’s finances and investment procedures and policies. Its outcome will be reported to the Board.

Specific recommendations for consideration by the Executive Committee and the Board:

1. Explore development of a companion C-6 organization

Action to date: Task Force appointed by President Ron Fox (2004) is exploring this option, its feasibility and desirability, as it relates to increasing and protecting practitioners’ incomes. This task force will report on its progress at the 2005 Midwinter Board Meeting.

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2.   Membership Initiatives

a.   Associate Member for Practitioners who are not members of APA

 

Action to date: Not currently under consideration

 

b.  Free memberships to increase Diversity and Student and New professionals

 

Action to date: This was considered by the membership committee, and not implemented in favor of other approaches to increasing membership from these categories of individuals. The Membership Committee will report on these activities to the Board at the 2005 Midwinter Board Meeting.

 

c.   Allocation of Specific Positions and Slates

      Elected, voting student member of the Division 42 Board

 

Action to date: Bylaws and policies have been developed to create a strong Student/Early Career membership category and to create a voting Board position for a representative from the Student/Early Career members. The Board appointed an interim representative until an election could be held. The first election for this position occurred in 2004 (term 2004-2005). Mitchell Hicks serves in this position.

 

      Creation of a diversity slate for one APA Council Seat from Division 42

Action to date: Bylaws and policies have been developed to create this seat/slate. The first election for this position occurred in 2002 (term 2003-2005); Rita Dudley-Grant serves in this position. In addition the Division has developed a comparable seat/slate for a member-at-large position on the Board with the first election for this position in 2003 (term 2004-2006); Josephine Johnson serves in this position.

 

      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)

Action to Date: Chairs or members of the following committees have represented diverse backgrounds and/or individuals new to Division 42 governance:

Fellows (Chair 2002, 2005, 2006)

Finance

Membership (Chair 2003)

Program (Noteworthy: chairs in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006)

Diversity Issues in Independent Practice (broadened in 2003 to include Native Americans and GLBT and in 2004 to include disability)

Student/Early Career Professionals Committee (Chair 2002, 2003, 2005)

 

Appointments for 2005 and beyond are underway, and include a number of individuals representing diverse backgrounds or individuals new to 42 governance.

In addition, in 2004, three additional board members are members of diverse groups (President-Elect designate Lillian Comas-Diaz, Member-at-Large Doug Haldeman, and APA Council Representative Melba J.T. Vasquez).

 

3.    New Organizations

a.   Past-Presidents Council

 

Action to date: No action or proposals

 

b.  Ambassador Program

 

Action to date: No action or proposals

 

4.   Changes in the Current Organization

a.   Restructure committees:

 

Action to Date: Bylaws and policies have been revised to:

 

Discontinue professional committees, with the specific content areas that continue to be significant initiatives for the division reorganized as task forces or appointments

Create Governance/Standing committees which maintain responsibility for administrative functions for the division. These committees have specified numbers of members with staggered terms and specific terms for chairs which include a three-year rotation to provide for continuity and increased involvement by members. Standing committees are: APA Governance Issues, Awards, Fellows, Finance, Membership, Nominations and Elections, Program, Publications and Communication, and Continuing Education.

 Based on feedback from P&C and Finance, the chair term will be extended to two years, in order to take into account the complexity and nature of these two positions which a steep learning curve and continuity for the benefit of the Division and its members. Needed changes to the Division’s Policy and Procedures Manual are being drafted for the Board’s formal approval. Appointments for 2005 have reflected the use of this new policy.

 

            Several Task Forces were changed to continuing committees to provide ongoing attention to areas which needed highlighting in the Division (Diversity, PRPE, and Student/Early Career Psychologists)

An ongoing governance database has been developed to assist in tracking membership on committees and assisting committee chairs with better utilization of committee members. The database, Bylaws, Policy and Procedures manual and a newly developed orientation manual will be distributed to governance members via CDrom (this was initiated in 2004).

b.   Develop Interest Groups:

Action to Date: Interest groups were initiated on a trial basis in 2002, but were dropped as ineffective due to lack of membership and inactivity.

 

c.   Restructure task forces:

Action to Date: Bylaws and policies were revised to clarify goals, structures and time limits for task forces to improve their role in implementing the division’s goals.

d.   Policy changes to enhance the use of Division 42 members who are on APA board and committees as liaisons.

Action to Date: Action was begun but the initiative lagged. Tasked to President-elect.

e.   Members-at-Large will be assigned one or more task forces and will serve as a liaison to that group.

Action to Date: No action

5. Other Initiatives:

a. Proposed Conference: Recommended that President-elect Walker undertake as her presidential initiative a conference, in collaboration with other divisions, to help with the reconceptualization of psychology as a biopsychosocial profession.

Action to Date: Dr. Walker chose to focus on other initiatives

b. Managing Division projects: The secretary is asked to develop a plan for managing division projects, including tracking, tasking and follow-up.

Action to Date: Secretary Murphy has initiated a grid to be used to track follow up on Board items. It requires additional work to be able to utilize it to its best capacity.

6. Specific recommendations of member benefits to the Membership Committee for its consideration:

A number of recommendations were made as suggestions to the Membership Committee.

Action to Date: In addition to a number of other initiatives, the following specific recommendations are underway

a. Increasing student/early career and diverse psychologist membership

      Use of mentoring opportunities for student/early career members

      CEMRRAT grants for minority members to participate in Board meetings

      New Niche Guide created. Being given free to all new/existing S/ECP members.

      When any member brings in a new member each receives a free Niche Guide. This was announced in the Apportionment Mailing.

      Breakfasts and hospitality suite programming being planned for and coordinated by S/ECP’s at the APA convention.

 

7. P&C Committee

Action to Date, based on a range of recommendations:

 

    a. Discussions currently underway with IP Editor on enhancing appearance and content of the IP; Selling advertising to develop revenue to fund these activities; developing sections around particular content areas including practice operation and development and areas of practice.

       Announcement only listserv developed to allow for integrated and regular communication with members, using multiple media.

      With Internet editor, plans for expanded use of the Website

      CE programming made available on the Web (Ethics Revision course. Other online courses are being planned at present).

      CE credits available for niche guide materials within PICK42 program; cooperative agreement with Florida Psychological Association to provide administrative support for this program within Florida.

      All Niche Guides are being updated to ensure the most current and relevant content. Revisions are also being used to ensure consistency in quality and format across all Niche Guides.

      A new Niche Guide on establishing and running a successful independent practice has been written by 2004 Membership Chair Roz Dorlen and is now being offered to members.

      The P&C Committee’s policy for the recruitment and appointment of IP and website editors has been revised. A more structured and useful procedure is now in place.

Still need to work to enhance the website and IP further especially to include the development of advertising on both and the development of content in the IP that addresses practice operation and development. Tip Sheets still need to be developed and offered to our members.

 

8. Public Relations and Public Education Committee

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, and with a plan for evaluation of outcome.

Action to date: PRPE is developing proposals for their continued functioning. The relationship with Kelly Cunningham has been terminated and PRPE is moving forward in a new direction to create products that better assist practitioners to market their practices effectively. A revised mission statement and new name for this committee are proposed.

9. CE Committee

Expand CE offerings, utilizing website and attending to diversity.

Action to date:

a. CE offerings on the website (see above, P&C). Additional online CE offerings are being planned and developed.

b. CE credits associated with niche guides (see above, P&C)

c. Preconvention CE program on implementing the multicultural guidelines in practice (in collaboration with Divisions 17 and 45 and BPA)

d. Preconvention CE program for students and early career members

e. CE programming where available for convention programs

f. Preconvention CE program on working with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients; presented by Beverly Greene and Gladys Croom.

10. Diversity Task Force

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.

Action to date:

a. Task force changed to standing committee status

b. Participated in National Multicultural Conference and Summit III (2003)

c. Support for and participation in National Multicultural Conference and Summit IV (2005). Midwinter Board Meeting being held in conjunction with this event. Promoted significant Board attendance at the Summit. [See Additional Initiatives below]

      Two programs submitted to NMCS IV

      Development of a LGBT Task Force for 2005. Chaired by Armand Cerbone and Kris Hancock (See also LGB preconvention CE program above).

      See election and appointment changes

      Niche Guides are being reviewed and updated for diversity content, relevance, and sensitivity. [See P&C Committee above]

      CODAPAR grant application submitted that was written by Division 42 and proposed four joint projects with Divisions 45 and 17. [See Additional Initiatives below]

6)  State Linkages Task Force

The Task Force recommends 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.

Action to date: Task force sunsetted, with projects incorporated into other programs (eg, CE agreement with FPA)

Additional Initiatives:

Several initiatives that are in line with the larger mission, themes and goals (see above), but not specifically recommended, are also in process. Information on these activities are noted below.

Theme 1: Presidential Mini-Convention on Independent Practice that takes the practitioner from graduate school to retirement (with particular focus on S/ECP and Diversity needs). Eleven workshop track of programming scheduled for the 2005 APA Convention. Efforts were made to have at least one practitioner of diverse background be a presenter in each of these workshops. Write-ups of each presentation by each presenter are being compiled and edited by President Barnett and Convention Chair Gallardo. This compilation, the Handbook for Success in Independent Practice will be distributed free to all Division 42 members in attendance at the Annual Membership Meeting at the APA Convention. It will then be offered for a nominal fee to all others as a member benefit and a membership recruitment tool.

Theme 1: A CODAPAR Interdivisional Grant Application was submitted with Division 47, Sport Psychology, to develop a training program for practitioners interested in expanding their practices to include expertise in sport psychology. The program would include two workshops at the 2005 APA Convention and written materials that would be distributed to members to assist them to begin the process of developing expertise in this area of niche practice and to assist them to market themselves effectively in this new area as well.

Theme 2: CODAPAR Interdivisional Grant Application: The leadership of Divisions 45 and 17 have agreed to collaboration with Division 42 on several projects. Regardless of the outcome of the CODAPAR grant outcome (application included in agenda book) Division 42 is actively pursuing these projects this year. They are:

1)  Two jointly sponsored workshops on diversity in practice at the 2005 APA Convention.

2)  Review of all Niche Guides for cultural sensitivity and relevance to diversity.

3)  Creation of an online CE course on the Multicultural Guidelines and how they may be implemented and applied in the daily work of practitioners.

4)  Preconvention workshops at the 2005 APA Convention.

 

Also, the Board members of Divisions 45 and 44 will be invited to attend a social gathering sponsored by Division 42 on the Saturday evening of our Midwinter Board meeting at the site of the NMCS.

Theme 3: A monthly e-mail newsgram, In Touch With 42, has been initiated by President Barnett. It began in September and will continue at least through 2005. It is distributed via the Division’s Announcement-Only listserv. This listserv was expanded by President Barnett by including all listed e-mail addresses of Division 42 members in the APA online membership directory. To date, no one has asked to be removed from this list. The goal of this monthly newsgram is to keep members informed of ongoing activities and initiatives within the Division, relevant legislative information, and to provide timely practice-related information to assist our members be more successful in their practices. This is also intended to fill in gaps between our quarterly issues of the IP. All previous newsgrams are maintained on the Division 42 website at Current InTouch.

Next Steps

The Division 42 Bylaws state (Article VII B):

“The Board of Directors shall conduct a review of its priorities, the elements of its extant governance structure, and the relationship of its structure to its intended functions no less often than every five (5) years. As part of said review, the Board may require that each element of the governance structure in existence during the year of the scheduled review provide the Board with a recommendation that it be terminated or with a petition and rationales for its continuation.”

In line with these bylaws, the next five year review should occur in 2006. During the two years remaining within the current plan, the priorities, as defined by the Board in 2001, should provide guidance to the Executive Committee, Board and other governance. It is clear in reviewing the existing recommendations that a number of those recommendations have been incorporated and appropriate action taken. The review in 2006 should include an assessment of the priorities, the extent to which the division was guided in its activities by the priorities and the development of new goals and strategies as needed.

Submitted by:

Task Force Members:

Jeffrey Barnett

Jean Carter – Co-Chair

Bonnie Markham

Michael Murphy – Co-Chair