Executive Committee Mid-Year Meeting
American Psychological Association
Division 20: Adult Development and Aging
Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018
7 - 9 a.m.
Boston Marriott Copley Place (Berkeley Conference Room)
In attendance: Michael Marsiske, Joann Montepare, Naomi Meinertz, Lauren Stratton, Jennifer Bellingtier, Nancy Sin, Gloria Luong, Patrick Hill, Susan Whitbourne, Grace Caskie, Jennifer Margrett, Walter Boot, Becca Levy, Lisa Hollis-Sawyer, Tina Silva, Neika Sharifian, Courtney Polenick, Pat Parmelee, Julie Blaskewicz Boron
On Phone: Jessica Brooks
Guests: Deborah DiGilio, Pat Kober
In place of regular committee reports, it was decided to focus the meeting around Div. 20 initiatives and related efforts and goals, as outlined below.
Education Committee Initiatives
(combined education and continuing education committees).
Survey of 140 respondents indicated that Div. 20 members were most interested in obtaining information about Teaching Tips, syllabi, films and textbooks. Less interest was found for webinars and guides to graduate study. Open-ended questions drew attention to varied educational issues, prompting questions about AGHE relationship (which is now the GSA Academy for Gerontology Higher Education). Discussion noted that there is a great deal of overlap for many Div. 20 members between APA and GSA/AGHE. Therefore, Div. 20 might consider what is unique about APA affiliation and focus more on those member needs. For example, a focus on CE opportunities might be of particular value for APA members.
Social Media and Communication Initiatives
(combined website, social media, newsletter teams).
Working toward combined media and communication efforts would have a number of advantages, but would require a coordination plan. As well, several newsletter components need to be reconsidered (e.g., assessment of focus and content, new name such as “Div. 20 News Blast,” search capability, elimination of PDF version, need to include meeting minutes versus upload them our webpages or distribute via the Listserv). The need for a plan to archive other Div. 20 materials (reports, notes, directories, etc.) was also noted.
For the division’s social media, Facebook presently has 182 members, 283 LinkedIn followers. and 285 Twitter followers. The need to post “strategically” was noted (e.g., announcements to Facebook, job notices to LinkedIn, etc.). Questions to consider moving forward included:
- What other media venues might be of value (e.g., Instagram)?
- How do other divisions use social media?
- Should we develop a new member “list of resources and rules” to be more welcoming and promote our communication platforms?
Consideration was given to how Div. 20 could use social media in novel ways such as using “Facebook Live” to feature Baltes winners and other featured conference speakers.
Early Career Teams
(early career, postdoctoral, and graduate student teams, working together).
Mentoring and career development initiatives have been moving forward, but there is opportunity for refinement. For example, what new members might be of special interest to recruit, such as award winners. Given feedback about connecting over summer months, efforts will be divided across two phases (February-May, September-December). A survey is being planned to gather feedback. The possibility of a social event (Meet & Greet) at APA convention is also being considered. A proposal for an interdivisional collaborative program with Div. 40 was submitted.
The motion was made to join all of the mentoring and career development efforts together as part of the Div. 20 EC structure rather than as a task force. All agreed. The recommendation was also made that a GSA Interest Group be explored.
Fund for Div. 20
To date, a total of $35,000 has been committed, with $50,000 promised. The need for a more “noteworthy” announcement or kick-off event at the upcoming APA conference was raised. The suggestion also was made to reach out to aging-focused organizations for support, as well as families of Div. 20 members who have passed (to make a contribution in their memory).
Relationship with APA/Division Services
A new credit card option has been developed. To this end, Div. 20 users will notify APA of the charge request a few days in advance with details. APA will then contact the vendor and submit payment.
Information was requested about the history of the unbundling of Div. 20 and psychology and aging.
Progress in Soliciting Program Submissions, Fellows, Awards
Elections this year will reflect the positions of treasurer, president-elect, Council Representative and two members-at-large. In addition to making members aware of Div. 20 awards, the suggestion was made to encourage members to nominate colleagues for APF and Psi Chi awards. Fellows nominations continue to be low and slow.
CONA
The need to expand collaborative efforts was explored (e.g., utilize Div. 20 liaison; work with CONA on a blog). The APA Stand for Science Campaign that connects scientists with members of Congress through local congressional district offices or research laboratory visits was described. Div. 20 can support this initiative not only by participating (identifying teams), but also by being available to provide informational support on hot aging-related topics such as dementia.
Additional Notes
2021 is an anniversary year. Div. 20 should consider how to use this opportunity to host a signature event not only to celebrate its history and accomplishments, but to also advance the Fund for Div. 20, promote membership and launch any new initiatives.
The History Initiative needs to find a repository. Suggestion also was made to develop a special past Presidents archive project.
Membership was down slightly, but renewals are coming in. Coordinating student award deadlines with abstract acceptance notification is needed.
Meeting was adjourned at 9 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joann M. Montepare
Div. 20 Secretary
Director, RoseMary B. Fuss Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studies
Lasell College/Lasell Village