Because of the printer's deadline, this is being written in mid-November. Whatever official actions may occur at the December meetings of Board and Council are still in the future — probably just as well for me, since I need not editorialize about the unknown; and for you, since you are probably tired of reading summary arguments about issues that have long been under discussion.
Suffice it to say that we have, as reported in the last Newsletter, moved as rapidly as possible to bring the membership issue to a point where it should be possible for the Council to make a decision and for subsequent implementation of a mail vote by the membership, if indicated. If that should occur, expect a final summary “wrap-up” before the mail vote. Meanwhile, all thanks to Herb Gaskill and his committee, Central Office staff, and Association counsel for hard work and a job well done.
It does not look as though the issue of training for nonmedical candidates will be settled in December. Dick Isay and his committee did an excellent job in their deliberations and had their report ready for discussion at the October meetings of the Coordinating Committee and Executive Committee. Based on these discussions, Homer Curtis and I together plan (if the Board and Council concur) to ask a joint Council and Board group to prepare a joint proposal for definitive action by both the Board and Council. Is it too optimistic to hope for May? In any event, we are working together on both issues, and that, as I indicated earlier (interview in July 1982, Newsletter), constitutes my personal priority.
Meanwhile, the world keeps turning and spinning off problems. The lease for the Association headquarters will terminate at the end of September 1984. In anticipation, Alex Kaplan's Long Term Planning Committee, along with its Housing Subcommittee and the Executive Committee, have, for some time now, been working on plans for dealing with this difficult situation. Faced with general uncertainties about the economy (and, more specifically, the future course of the real estate market), we decided to obtain consultation from a prominent northeastern real estate consulting firm. (Medicine is not the only field with increasing subspecialization.) It was a wise move.
The consulting officer of that company met several times with the staff and officers of the Association and finally with the combined Executive and Housing Committees to discuss and answer questions about the data and recommendations contained in their final written report. We now have detailed, authoritative, and reliable data (including tax, management, depreciation, etc.), concerning relative fiscal advantages, disadvantages, and risks of buying or renting, as well as data about various types of properties, locations available and their associated costs, security features, etc. Based upon this information and advice, we are actively negotiating with our present landlord and exploring alternate properties. All of this will be reviewed at the Executive Council meeting in December.
I have appointed a new Committee on Psychoanalysis and Legal Issues and Legal Review, composed of Jay Katz, Chairman, Jerome S. Beigler, Robert A. Burt, Kenneth T. Calder, Paul R. Friedman, John J. McGrath, George J. McMahon, Shelley Orgel, and Mervin S. Stewart. Its charge is to be available to the Executive Committee for advice on psychoanalytic/legal problems, to continue to organize workshops on legal issues when indicated, to keep the Executive Committee alert to legal issues, and to advise the Executive Committee when a matter concerns relationship with legal counsel.
Finally, good news — unmistakable signs of health and vigor in psychoanalytic scientific activities (a matter close to my heart). Applications to the Fund for Psychoanalytic Research and to the Committee on Research and Special Training are up.
Morton F. Reiser, M.D.
President