Perspectives: One CAPP member's take on APAPO news
It’s already been a great journey for me to serve on APAPO CAPP. I was so honored and excited to learn in October I had been elected by APAPO members—the first time ever CAPP representatives have been elected directly by the membership! The experience challenged me to reach out to APAPO members and other professional psychologists, hear their concerns, and share my experiences. This blog, APAPO Insider, is my way of continuing to communicate with APAPO members about APAPO activities and the inner workings of CAPP. It is not an official APAPO communication, and the perspectives and opinions contained within the blog are my own. I am impressed that APAPO is interested in such transparency, and energized by the terrific work they are doing.
And so now as I watch the snow falling out my window, I’ve just finished my first few weeks on CAPP. It’s an interesting time to be a new member as there are many changes taking place for CAPP. First, as mentioned above, there are three new CAPP members who were elected directly by the APAPO membership: myself, Traci Cipriano from Connecticut, and Peter Oppenheimer from Rhode Island. This new process gives APAPO members direct input into leadership which empowers and enhances the voice of membership.
Secondly, CAPP just held its first meeting of the year in a web format for the first time ever, eliminating an in-person meeting in D.C. to save costs. Why is CAPP trying to cut costs? This first CAPP meeting focused on a significant budget deficit and the steps APAPO is taking to balance the organization’s budget. Namely, there has been a significant decrease in membership (-35%) and thus dues revenue. Although anticipated, the deficit was larger than expected, with $1.55 million in expense reductions needed. The steps that have been taken to reduce expenses include eliminating APAPO Legislative Grants to states and instead maintaining an emergency fund for legislative issues. State organizational grants continue at this point. Other cuts include reimbursement for some State Leadership Conference attendees (division Federal Advocacy Coordinators, Presidents etc.), hiring freeze, eliminating temporary staff positions, and eliminating one of the in-person CAPP meetings.
To say the least, it's a challenging time to take on leadership in the APAPO. I am impressed, however, with the approach of moving forward, hopefully increasing future APAPO membership and restoring services. APAPO is really focused on how to better serve its membership and better communicate all that it does for psychologists. CAPP is well organized and has great leadership at both the staff and committee member level, including Kate Brown (chair) and June Ching (chair-elect). I was quickly matched with roles on CAPP including membership, recruitment, and SPTAs. The SPTA subcommittee reviews organizational grant requests. These often come from small states who need help from APAPO to help run their state/territorial psychological associations—covering executive director or management salaries, funds for a lobbyist. It’s great to see how APAPO supports these smaller state organizations—find out if your state association gets support from APAPO for this local help—over half of the SPTAs do benefit.
I also participated in my first Communications subcommittee call. The big news is that APAPO is launching a brand new listserv to help communicate with its members! It is so key for psychologists to know the current national issues and share their ideas with each other and APAPO to help the profession of psychology thrive. This new listserv will launch in late February, so keep your eyes posted! Some of the ideas for topics include: asking for membership feedback and ideas on building a “dream practice”, summary of APAPO reports to APA Council, introducing APAPO staff and CAPP members, updates from State Leadership Conference, and letting you know as an APAPO member what APAPO is doing for you every day. Hopefully the listserv will serve as a two way communication tool between APAPO and members to increase engagement and value of membership.
Next up is State Leadership Conference February 26-March 1st. What an amazing event! I’m serving two roles as CAPP member and Committee of State Leaders. I know it will be energizing, and I can’t wait to share my experience with all of you in my next blog and in the moment on twitter: @stress_doc
