Over the past few months, I’ve been reflecting on how Division 20 can amplify our voice to better convey the message that issues related to adult development and aging are vital to the conversations that occur across a wide variety of platforms, but especially within APA itself. What are the strengths that we have as collective group of psychologists with shared interest in adult development and aging? How can we come together in more visible ways to promote the aims of our division?
Among the 54 APA divisions, Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging) is not the largest division, but we are also not the smallest. We currently have 971 members, which consists of 502 regular members (of whom 234 are dues-exempt), 142 fellows (of whom 93 are dues-exempt), 20 professional affiliates, 19 associate members (of whom 10 are dues-exempt), 11 international affiliates (of whom 2 are dues-exempt), and 277 student affiliates (204 of whom are enjoying their first year of membership free of charge). We are also truly a lifespan division with members ranging from 20 years old to 80+ years old.
Imagine what we could do if all 971 members of Division 20 engaged actively with the mission and purpose of our division! So many important issues and tasks clamor for our attention these days that “doing it all” is just not possible. But, we can make strategic choices as Division 20 members to highlight the importance of studying and understanding adult development and aging.
One example is the APA apportionment ballot process. This year, only 308 of the Division 20 members eligible to vote cast their ballot --- imagine what we impact we could have and what we could accomplish if we could even double the number of Division 20 members participating in the apportionment!! Specifically, Division 20 has been successful for many years at maintaining our two seats on the Council of Representatives, but with more of us taking the 5 minutes necessary to complete the apportionment ballot (and ideally, give all 10 votes for Division 20!), we might even secure a third seat, which would increase our opportunity to bring adult development and aging into important conversations and decision-making processes at APA. Recently, our council representatives Maggie Syme was instrumental in ensuring that the new guidelines for practice with older adults were passed by Council.
Another example is Division 20 members volunteering to serve, or be nominated to serve, on more APA committees, boards, etc. Their presence ensures that the voice of aging is included when important issues are being discussed. For example, Division 20 members currently do and should continue to serve on the Committee on Aging (CONA). Importantly, CONA reports to the Council of Representatives, on which we are expertly represented by Division 20 members Maggie Syme and Bill Haley, through the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI). Groups like Council and BAPPI consist of APA members with a wide range of interests, and some may not have considered how aging may intersect with their discipline. Highlighting the intersection of aging with other identities and constructs is key to our success.
Finally, mentorship brings new individuals and new voices to Division 20. Division 20 members have many places and causes that they can choose to support financially. To support the future of those who study adult development and aging, I encourage you again to support our mentoring efforts by contributingopens in new window to the K. Warner Schaie Memorial Fund for Adult Development and Aging to help us complete the necessary fundraising by the end of 2024. Also, you can support D20 by encouraging your students to join D20 and – importantly – retain their Division 20 membership after the first free year and by volunteering to participate in the Mentor Match program.
Division 20’s strength lies in our numbers --- our 971 members! --- but also in our ability to show others how aging intersects with so many other issues. By working strategically, we can amplify our division’s voice within APA.