President El McCabe here with some updates on the 5 initiatives I proposed during APA 2024. Many members of the division have been excited to volunteer for these efforts, so a big shout out to everyone who has helped start to make these goals into a reality.
Get more ECP involved in leadership roles
A survey went out a few weeks ago to ask Early Career Psychologists across APA if they are interested in learning more about Division 44 or becoming involved in Division 44 leadership roles. The goal is to build a bigger coalition of psychologists who identify Division 44 as their professional home, and thus feel invested in carrying it forward for many more generations. As of 10/9/24, 26 ECPs have filled out the survey and about 40 percent are interested in getting more involved. I am also asking for a list of open committee positions across 44, so we can connect ECPs with co-chairs more seamlessly.
Grievances towards LGBTQ+ people workgroup
I have put together a work group of motivated individuals to help create a document highlighting harms perpetuated by APA and the field of psychology at large towards our community. This workgroup is currently compiling examples of harms committed through research, clinical practice, assessment, policy, et cetera; and will turn these harms into a grievances document. Once the grievances are finalized, outgoing APA President Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD, and incoming President Deborah Kawahara, PhD, will put out a call for allies across APA to apologize for these grievances.
Improve organization and communication within the division
Members of the Executive Committee have been hard at work on this goal by consolidating documents, identifying holes/contradictions in the Division 44 Policy & Procedures (P&P) manual, updating rosters, and streamlining Executive Committee and Board meetings. A large portion of the Mid-Winter Meeting will involve discussions and editing of the P&P.
Celebrate 40 years of 44
The Executive Board recently passed a proposal allocating a budget of $5,000 for "swag" celebrating this Division 44 milestone. These items will be distributed at the APA 2025 convention in Colorado. Members who are unable to attend convention can opt to cover the shipping of these items and still receive them. Stay tuned for the unveiling of these cool items! There will also be some oral history of Division 44 shared on our social media and listserv platforms as the convention gets closer.
Social Justice Action Items
This one remains a work in progress, but the goal is to send out actionable items to the listserv for members to get involved in every 1–2 months.
Note: The Mid-Winter Meeting will be held January 31–February 2, 2025 in Philadelphia.
The final 2024 Division 44 awards are in!
Please help me in congratulating these winners who were not listed on the previous list of winners:
Lou Lindley – Maylon Smith Award
Terry Stancin, PhD, ABPP – Presidential Citation Award
Manuel Teran Hernández – Dr. Richard A. Rodriguez student travel award