This month’s questions focus on increasing APA membership and the association’s role in the public discourse of political, legal and social issues:
Q3: How do you envision increasing and enhancing the vitality of the association’s membership?
APA has more members than my city has residents; groups that size are not agile at change. Instead, it is easier to inspire subgroups; in turn, their spirit can enhance the larger group's vitality. In short, I advocate joining at least one APA division to a) get the most professional investment for your money; b) find like-minded people; c) become involved in this huge organization on a more manageable scale. As divisions increase their vitality, so will go the association. If you want to eat the elephant, take it a bite at a time.
Q4: What role should APA undertake in the public discourse of political, legal and social issues?
As individuals, we often are afforded the option to enter the public discourse or sit silent in relation to any given topic. There is little repercussion for silence. APA, as an organization dedicated to understanding behavior (human, animal, organizational, etc.) is rarely afforded that luxury. We should, must, speak out when the discourse demands a psychological perspective. Of course, we must also be ready to accept the consequences of speaking out. Using one's power or influence for the greater good doesn't always mean winning friends, but what good is our voice if we only want to agree with the majority?