Q3: APA has been grappling with a number of recent challenges. What is the single greatest challenge facing the association and how would you address it during your presidency?
Trust. Trust can be regained via two primary initiatives. First, honesty and transparency to the maximum extent possible must become APA's standard operating principle. All governance aspects that can be posted on the web or otherwise shared, will be. Some (e.g., ethics deliberations, personnel matters) obviously cannot be. Second, there must be a better funding arrangement for APAPO. Most health-related psychological practitioners rely on the work of APAPO, but it has been continually underfunded. Some balance must be gained through a different budgeting and membership model. I would charge the Finance Committee, Membership Board and CAPP to address this issue.
Q4: What plans do you have to increase membership as well as engagement of APA members and/or help them receive benefits from their membership?
Membership and engagement will increase with an increase in member-perceived services. Membership from three groups has declined: scientists, faculty members and state psychological association members. APA's life-blood must be new members, and faculty must recruit them. We must address the concerns of these groups to bring them back. While my first priority as president would be membership, as it must be in any professional association, focusing on membership without enhancing services to attract and retain members will not succeed. I will ask all boards and committees to address these issues and propose solutions, and the Membership Board will integrate suggestions.