The Division Engagement Office created a way for APA staff to solicit division expertise.
Sessions with Division Trio representatives and APA leaders surfaced a desire for a standard way to tap into division expertise to address the following needs:
- Asking all divisions for expertise, thereby not assuming where expertise lies based on division name.
- Using a consistent process as much as possible, therefore you know quickly what is being requested so you can choose whether it is relevant to your division and how to respond.
- Using a visible request process so you can more clearly see the numerous ways APA works to leverage division/member expertise.
- Allowing APA to begin highlighting examples of division expertise being used through Division Digest.
Each call is clearly labeled “Call for Division Expertise.” The call form is open to all APA staff to use, though staff may continue to utilize other avenues to tap into member expertise (whether due to incredibly short deadlines, such as with media requests, or preexisting relationships with experts, etc.) Also, APA will make every effort to utilize relevant expertise, though responding to a call does not guarantee expertise will be used.
We have heard good things about the calls for division expertise from both APA staff and division leaders. If there are any questions or comments, please contact Christine Tipton or your division engagement liaison.