The Committee on Division/APA Relations (CODAPAR) and the Division Engagement Office are grateful to have met with division presidential trio representatives during the spring cohort series in May and June 2023. These cohort meetings happen in the spring and fall of each year.
The spring topic of interdivisional collaboration was selected by divisions, and we had a fruitful discussion.
A few common themes arose:
- interdivisional collaboration/breaking down silos,
- need for better communication amongst divisions and how best to coordinate/collaborate,
- challenges engaging volunteers and with follow-through, and
- interest in exploring topics such as AI & media literary together.
One of the most important things to keep these cohort meetings beneficial to all are the next steps and outcomes that happen as a result of these discussions. There were loads of ideas shared, and both CODAPAR and staff have identified several action items to follow through on in the near term, such as:
- evaluating technology and other solutions for enhanced collaboration and communication,
- data to divisions on where their membership overlaps with other divisions,
- redo 2021 division survey on top interest areas and distribute to divisions,
- meet with the Board of Convention Affairs to discuss collaborative opportunities at Convention for divisions, and
- CODAPAR hosted collaboration breakfast for division representatives at Convention with topics based on division input from cohort meetings.
Both CODAPAR and staff will continue discussing what other ways we can help support interdivisional collaborations.
Thank you to those divisions who participated in our cohort series this time around. You all have reported that these opportunities to connect are extremely valuable, and they are to APA as well. As such, we look forward to continuing these conversations and in the fall. Please keep an eye out for more information for another opportunity to connect, engage and strengthen the APA/division relationship through these sessions.