The Association should begin to emerge from its current period of financial austerity by January 1, 1987. A previously predicted “cash flow” problem arose temporarily from the purchase of a commercial condominium to house the Central Office and was compounded by the unexpected costs of legal action. Necessary pension plans for several senior employees added further expenses. The usual activities of the American, including its educational, scientific and organizational functions, have not been affected by the economic difficulties.
According to the report of Treasurer, Bernard L. Pacella, M.D., “the condominium is now valued well in excess of a million dollars.” Office and maintenance costs are approximately $50,000 annually as compared with the Association's previous rent of approximately $200,000 per year.
In order to deal with the temporary financial gap, revenue was increased and expenses were decreased. At the Annual Meeting in May, 1985, provision was made to raise dues in 1986 by $50 for all members. It should be noted that there had been no increase in dues during the preceding four years despite the gradual increase in expenses during that time. In addition a small registration fee was established for members at Meetings. Members have also been asked to make tax deductible voluntary contributions to the Association's Building Fund and a Scroll of Honor will be maintained in the new Members' Room to honor the donors. Contributors of $1,000 or more will be specifically listed as Benefactors of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Finally, at the December, 1985, Meetings, the Executive Committee recommended and the Executive Council approved a mandatory assessment of $150 for Full and Associate Members and $75 for Affiliate Members.
The austerity program, according to Association President Edward D. Joseph, M.D., dealt primarily with the elimination of frills. Breakfasts and lunches, for example, which had been traditionally supplied to a number of committees were eliminated at the Meetings. In addition the implementation of two projects will be delayed until 1987. One is an extensive project in public relations organized by the Committee on Public Information which was chaired by Aaron H. Esman. The other is a survey of private practice activities by the Committee on Psychoanalytic Practice. In the latter situation, Committee Chairman, Theodore J. Jacobs has organized a small pilot study which the Committee will undertake.
Dr. Joseph was particularly pleased that a number of new projects were continuing to be funded. Among them is the work of the Committee on University and Medical Education, formerly co-chaired by Robert S. Wallerstein, M.D. and Robert Michels, M.D. and now entirely under the direction of Dr. Michels. The Committee was awarded $5,000 to $10,000 annually by the Executive Council to support a Visiting Psychoanalyst Lecturer program at medical schools in geographic areas underserved by psychoanalytic educators.