message from the pRESIDENT:

I would like to thank my many colleagues in Division 22 for their vote of confidence in my ability to assume this important leadership position.  As I begin my term as President, I am acutely aware of the many challenges to our Division, primarily its continued financial health and growth of Division membership.  To address these challenges, I have worked closely with Dr. Callahan, Past President, and Dr. Neimeier, President Elect, to plan a three year succession of “arcing” presidential initiatives. The presidential initiatives of my year will continue to focus on Onboarding, Rewarding and Affording.    

Onboarding refers to the process by which new members are formally welcomed into a new group, informed of its values and practices, introduced to other members and helped to develop a sense of professional identity and engagement with a larger group of like-minded individuals.  In short, Onboarding aims to make newcomers “feel at home” in the Division. To this end, an Onboarding Task Force will continue with focused outreach to students and early career professionals…the future of our Division membership!  Specialty track presentations, breakfast round tables, reduced student fees, sessions about the process of obtaining an ABPP (RP), and structured opportunities to meet with senior division members will continue to be priorities within our Annual Rehabilitation Psychology Conference.   

Rewarding refers to delivering ongoing value for existing members, reinforcing their dedicated involvement and continually providing answers to the question “why am I here and why should I remain a member”.  Current rewarding activities will continue to showcase an extremely active Listserve that keeps our entire membership in constant communication with each other for consultation, guidance, recruitment options, patient referrals and news about fellow colleagues. The Rehabilitation Psychology Messenger (RPM), a list serve communication alert system developed by Dr. Callahan, will be continued as a means of alerting members to issues of professional interest/concern. The biggest reward of membership is receiving our division APA journal,  Rehabilitation Psychology!

Affording refers to allotting financial and personal resources to things that really matter to the membership. The Division, while financially sound, has limits on funds and needs to carefully invest these funds for maximal gain and long term security of its members. I will focus on updating the Division’s strategic plan to guide our next steps in ensuring long term financial security for the Division.

Positive results have already been noted as a result of each initiative:

• Division membership has remained stable over the past year despite decline in overall APA membership
• The number of student and early career professionals participating in our Annual Conference continues to increase
• Membership fees have remained stable
• Attendance at our Annual Conference reached a high this year!
• Productive exchanges and communication afforded members in our Listserv and during our Annual Conference has enhanced the Division’s research and practice prowess  

My focus will be to ensure that these gains continue for the Division in the upcoming year!

In closing, I am reminded that “no (wo)man is an island”.  I will be relying on feedback, support and guidance from my many colleagues in Division 22 in the upcoming year.  I warmly encourage students and early career practitioners to consider making the Division your professional home.   I look forward to, and encourage, all of you to contact me with concerns or questions at Mary.Hibbard@nyumc.org. Looking forward to hearing from you! 

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