The entire 2020 APA convention is going virtual. So, the August council meeting will be a virtual meeting. Last month, APA held a webinar for council members. We were informed that APA is working on the logistics of how to have a virtual meeting of the size and function of council. As I write this on July 5, council members are still waiting for the schedule, agenda, and format of the meeting. A preliminary list of potential agenda items includes resolutions on exotic animals as pets, ageism and COVID-19, and the creation of a psychologist general for the United States.
I expect that the Professional Practice Guidelines for Evidence-Based Practice in Health Care Psychology will be presented for approval. The preliminary draft was narrowly focused with a bias towards CBT based interventions. It reflects APA’s desire to create guidelines that comply with the standards of medical guidelines so APA guidelines can be included in medical guideline databases. However, by doing that APA is neglecting the importance and relevance of our broader psychological science and practice.
At the last council meeting, the members agreed to the formation of a Council Leadership Team lead Council Effectiveness Workgroup to explore problems and concerns members (including me) have raised about council’s role following the implementation of the Good Governance Project. Typical of APA governance process, no information about the group has been shared with council members or the membership. It is unclear what will be the product of the group, and if and how it will be shared. I would like to see the workgroup report to council in August.
Council members are expressing concern about the state of APA finances following the announcement of the termination of 50 employees and the removal of another 50 unfilled positions. Some council members have expressed concern that information provided by the BOD and management regarding the finances was not complete and it did not include discussions of the options considered by the management. Many council members expressed concern for the future of the employees who were abruptly terminated.