In the recent TAP poll on meeting preferences, more than 80 percent of analysts living outside the Northeast indicated they would like to see meetings of The American located more equitably around the country. In general, respondents (see Table One) indicated a preference for change: more than two-thirds prefer to shorten one of the meetings from its current weeklong duration to an extended weekend, Thursday through Sunday. More than 70 percent of respondents want to change the current arrangement that sites the December meeting in New York each year and ties the location of the May meeting to that of the American Psychiatric Association. Smaller majorities—around 60 percent—indicated a wish to move the December meetings away from the immediate preholiday period and favor greater experimentation with alternative arrangements (smaller cities, less expensive hotels, resorts, universities, meeting centers, family-oriented sites).
Responses were received from around the country from analysts ranging from candidate to very senior status. Most had attended at least some meetings of The American over the past two years; many had attended all four.
Approval rates were calculated based on all ballots cast; if abstentions on given questions were deleted, the percentage of those approving change was even greater: 74 percent to shorten one meeting, 73 percent to redistribute sites, 65 percent to move away from the immediate preholiday period, and 60 percent to experiment with new arrangements.
When the results are examined based on respondents' geographical location, some interesting differences emerge. While those in the Midwest, South, Southwest, and West are in essential agreement, there are notable differences between those in the Northeast (especially New York City) and the remainder of the country (see Table Two). Those who find the location convenient show less inclination for change of any sort; however, despite this tendency, the majority of those in the Northeast still prefer to shorten one meeting (56 percent) and to reconsider the fixed schedule of locations (57 percent). Only analysts from New York prefer to maintain the status quo. Among those who want to modify the location of meetings, most indicated a preference for at least one meeting per year to be held in the Midwest, South, Southwest, or West. Opinion was split on whether the other meeting should be held regularly in New York City or should rotate throughout the Northeast.
Respondents indicated cost as the most significant deterrent to attendance, followed by the related loss of time from practice. The scientific program was cited by a significant majority as the major reason for attending meetings; maintaining contact with other analysts was the second most cited reason. Fewer than 12 percent indicated sightseeing, dining, and theater opportunities as major factors. One analyst captured the feeling about attending or not attending: “Location, location, location.”
Although recent meetings in Miami and Puerto Rico were not well attended, many respondents indicated an interest in having meetings in resort settings. Many also requested less expensive hotels and indicated that they consider New York City overpriced. There was some interest in having meetings in university settings and smaller cities, but relatively little enthusiasm for meeting centers and family-oriented locales.
At the meetings in Philadelphia last May, the Task Force on Membership and Organizational Issues conducted a similar survey of members who attended meetings of Board and Council and their committees. The task force wanted to determine whether those who attend administrative meetings favor two extended weekend meetings (one scientific and one administrative) over a single week-long meeting. Questionnaires were distributed at the meetings of Board and Council, and to chairs of committees, with the request that they be completed during the meetings. Approximately two-thirds of those in attendance returned the questionnaire (see Table Three), of whom a small majority (53.3 percent) indicated their preference for a change. As with the TAP poll, those from other sections of the country were more in favor of the change than were those living in the Northeast (59 percent vs.46 percent).
In reviewing the results of the Philadelphia poll, the Task Force concluded that some of the opposition was to the addition of a third meeting and not to the proposal to shorten one of the currently scheduled meetings. For this reason the newest proposal was crafted to combine both scientific and administrative sessions in a single four-day weekend format.
Based on its ongoing discussions and the results of the Philadelphia survey and the TAP poll, the task force plans to make the following proposals:
That one meeting a year be of an abbreviated format (Thursday through Sunday).
That one meeting a year be held in the Northeast (whether exclusively in New York City or rotating to other cities to be determined later), the second to be held in another area of the country on a rotating basis. The long and short meetings would be rotated regionally.
These recommendations would come into play only after current contractual obligations have been met. The challenge will be to design a schedule to encompass the many activities within a shorter time frame. Undoubtedly some meetings will have to be streamlined, and at times attendees will be forced to choose between scientific and administrative meetings.
Richard Fox, M.D., chairs The American's Task Force on Membership and Organizational Issues.