PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Summer 2008
Strength through Participation:
A Further Blueprint for Division 12
Irving B. Weiner, Ph.D., ABPP
University of South Florida
What I have said and written since first campaigning for the Division 12 presidency should make it clear that I have an agenda. My agenda is not a substantive one, however, even though I do not lack convictions about how assessments should be conducted, interventions provided, research designed, and a variety of issues in psychology resolved. It is rather that my division agenda as president
is organizational, not substantive, and consists of strengthening the Society of Clinical Psychology by making it an enjoyable and rewarding professional home for all clinical psychologists, whatever their theoretical orientation, areas of specialization, or work setting.
In my previous president’s column I stressed diversity as a source of division strength. I noted that bringing together clinical psychologists of differing persuasions broadens our appeal to current and potential new members, extends the scope and increases the value of what we accomplish, and enhances our capacity to influence events both within and outside of clinical psychology. In the present column I want to emphasize participation as a companion source of division strength, vitality, and impact. Participation consists of being involved in the division’s activities and informed about what it is doing. Only with the involvement of informed members can the division reap the full benefits of its diversity. The more participation we have from our members with wide-ranging interests and areas of expertise, the better our prospects for making good decisions, identifying and succeeding in worthwhile projects, and providing effective advocacy for the science and practice of clinical psychology.
There are many ways in which members of our society can become involved in and informed about it. Consider running for office on the Board of Directors and do not hesitate to ask colleagues to nominate you. If being a candidate and serving on the Board do not appeal to you, nominate colleagues you would like to see in division leadership roles. If you opt not to participate in the nomination process, be sure nevertheless to cast your vote when the election ballots are distributed. Along with a Board of Directors, Division 12 has several active committees, the members of which are appointed mainly by the President. Identify some committees of interest to you and make known your wish to be appointed to one or more of them. If you prefer not to have any formal position in the division, you can still involve yourself by writing to me or my successors in the presidency about matters you would like to see addressed or projects pursued.
Division 12 has eight sections, which are listed in this newsletter. If you have not already done so, consider joining and becoming active in one or more of these sections that relate to your interests. To keep informed, read our journal (Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice), look at our newsletter (The Clinical Psychologist), and sign on to our listserv (div12APA@lists.apa.org). If you are going to the APA meeting, make a special point of attending our Division 12 Awards Ceremony and Social Hour, which are scheduled for Saturday, August 16, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., in Grand Ballroom B in the Westin Waterfront Hotel—and bring some friends and colleagues along with you. In addition to our offerings of workshops, symposia, papers, and posters, we have two addresses on the APA program: an invited address by Larry Beutler on “Why Science Matters to Clinicians Even If They Don’t Know It,” and my presidential
address on “The Glamour of Assessment Psychology.”
Let me conclude this column with some news about the recent work of three Division 12 task forces. Linda Sobell has chaired a task force concerned with clarifying the division’s identity. Our By-Laws define and describe the field of clinical psychology, but they include only a general statement of our society’s purpose. The identity task force has proposed several mechanisms for extending the division’s outreach and impact and has also worked with the Board of Directors to develop a mission statement that reflects the full breadth of our goals and interests. This mission statement will soon be sent to the membership for approval as an addition to our By-Laws.
A second task force, appointed by Marsha Linehan and chaired by David Klonsky, has outlined various ways in which the Division can strengthen science in clinical psychology, including effective use of our website to disseminate information abut evidence-based assessment and intervention practices. Third, I have appointed John Weinand to chair a task force on educational and conference planning. This task force has been charged with proposing procedures for promoting clinical practice and improving the division’s services to its members, particularly with respect to (a) providing increased continuing education opportunities, both during and separate from APA meetings, and (b) reorganizing our scientific and social programs at APA meetings to enhance their appeal and information value.
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