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?
Reluctance to change is our greatest challenge.
We have spent decades recycling a small group of leaders who perpetuate an outdated governance system that does more to divide us than unite us. As a result, APA is growing less relevant to psychologists and the public we serve.
To build #TheNewAPA, we need:
- Complete accountability and transparency to our most important stakeholders — the membership of the association.
- New leadership that will unite us on goals shared by all psychologists.
- Openness to new ideas through an integration of diverse perspectives in APA.
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?
A robust, diverse membership keeps APA relevant and gives us legitimacy on Capitol Hill.
However, APA's membership continues to decline and APAPO has lost 40 percent of its members over the last 10 years.
I propose the following:
- Build value in APA membership by connecting psychologists, helping us grow our careers and increase psychology's voice in our local communities.
- Create a membership concierge program that will contact members and ask, "What can APA do for you?"
- Reduce APA membership dues to levels consistent with other nonprofit organizations.
- Invite psychology majors to join APA through a new nonvoting public membership category.