A PsaA treasurer Newell Fischer from Philadelphia was chosen president-elect of the American in the recent elections. He was elected over Allan Compton from Los Angeles. Robert Glick and Ruth Fischer were elected councilors-at-large. At the December 16 meeting of the Executive Council, Compton was elected by the Council to complete Fisher's unexpired treasurer's term.
In a separate ballot, by-law amendments were passed that affected the functioning of the Board on Professional Standards. The new by-laws extend BOPS voting privileges for new training facilities, grant voting privileges to provisional institutes, and clarify that BOPS sets standards of training for psychoanalysis.
“I want to sincerely thank the membership for the opportunity to serve as president-elect.” Fischer commented. “I hope that in the years ahead I will prove deserving of your confidence and goodwill.”
Fischer has had extensive experience on the American's Executive Committee, serving in his second term as treasurer. He served for eight years as a BOPS Fellow. He has had extensive executive experience in various organizations in Philadelphia. He was president of the Philadelphia Psychoanalytic Institute, the Medical Staff Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Margaret S. Mahler Psychiatric Foundation, and was founder and first president of the Philadelphia Psychoanalytic Foundation. He has published thirty-five papers and is a valued teacher and clinician.
Following his election Fischer wrote to the membership,
One of the concerns I have about an electoral system that has only a win/lose outcome, is that the Association might be deprived of the energies and creativity of those candidates who were not successful in their bids for office. I think it is important that we the membership be sure that these colleagues remain vigorously involved with the Association.
His wish bore fruit when the Executive Council in executive session elected his opponent Compton to become treasurer. Compton ran against Mary Scharold and Jonah Schein. Compton has been very active in the American, serving as councilor-at-large, chairing several committees of both Board and Council, and currently a member of the Budget Committee. In May 2000, Richard Fox will become the new APsaA president when current president Robert Pyles completes his term. At that time Fischer becomes president-elect and Compton treasurer.
In the election for the two positions of councilor-at-large, Robert Glick of New York and Ruth Fischer of Philadelphia were selected over Mary Scharold and Peggy Huston. They will replace Ralph Engle and Betsy Comstock, who complete their terms in May.
In a separate ballot, 87 percent approved by-law changes that increase voting representation on the Board. Provisional institutes now will have two votes instead of one, the same as approved institutes. Four new training facilities now will have one vote. The membership approved by 93 percent the by-law change that specifies BOPS duties, included setting standards for psychoanalytic training.
In the election for officers, 55 percent of the eligible membership cast votes — an improvement over last election, when only 47 percent voted. There was a large number of voided ballots for councilor-at-large. Some members were confused by the system that required ranking the four nominees. Only 37 percent of the membership voted in the by-law amendment vote, perhaps because neither by-law amendment was controversial.