This is the first of a series of articles designed to inform the membership of the functions of the Association's various offices, governing bodies, and committees.
How did we arrive at the title, “Central Office?” Since I know that the appellation was never discussed formally, its use having been confirmed through the years by informal consensus, it is of some interest to wonder why we did not evolve into a “Headquarters,” “Business Office,” or “Administrative Office.”
The office that I have administered for the past twenty-five years has always been central to the American Psychoanalytic Association. We have been central for many reasons, mostly determined by the organization and its By-laws and by how analysts in elected and other offices and key positions in the organization manage their responsibilities. The office, with few exceptions, has been both totally involved and instrumental in carrying out policy—in the day-by-day necessary operations of the organization, in communication with members, and in coping with the major issues, problems, and concerns that have emerged through the years.
Twenty-five years ago, when I was employed as secretary to the then Executive Secretary of the Association, all the functions of the Central Office were managed by three staff members. At present, we have a regular full-time staff of ten, and the responsibilities have been almost totally, though not quite, departmentalized. Virginia Reminick, with Evelyn Lloyd, functions as staff support for the Committees on Certification and Membership and generally works on all matters of the Board on Professional Standards and the Institutes. Ellen Fertig, with Marilyn Herleth, is responsible to the Program Committee and the Arrangements Committee in planning for national meetings, including the scientific program and the administrative schedule. They also serve to assist the Committee on Continuing Education. Mary Aberasturi, bookkeeper, is responsible for necessary fiscal controls and reporting, working closely with the Treasurer and the Accountant. Wendy Bell, my secretary, has responsibilities that include assistance to the Secretary of the Association and the Secretary of the Board on Professional Standards in the writing of Minutes. Peggy Currelley is responsible for accurate membership and candidate listings. Maureen McGinley, doubling currently as receptionist, has functioned in the work room for all departments.
I have described broad areas of responsibility for the staff but have not included the myriad other regular and periodic duties which staff members assume and which may be shifted from time to time when reason so suggests. These duties include assistance to all Committees and functions of the organization.
Our office is a handsome one, located on the twelfth floor of a fine old office building in one of New York City's most desirable commercial locations. In our Members' Room, a large and attractive meeting space, our office houses our collection of psychoanalytic classics, which adds lustre to the usual office appointments. Our contacts with all those to whom we report, specifically the officers of the Association and generally the membership at large, is mostly limited to the times of the semi-annual meetings. It is an event when a member chooses to pay us a visit, which we all welcome.
Helen Fischer