Send Us Your E-mail Address and Sign on to the Benefits

Have you ever made or received a telephone call that began “Hi, this is Dr. _____ and I have about one minute before my next patient arrives,” or possibly, “My patient is late and I have a few seconds to speak with you”?

Often, phone calls between two busy psychoanalysts (or the National Office and a psychoanalyst) can turn into a never-ending game of phone tag. In 2004, having an e-mail address is an invaluable tool for communicating professionally and personally, easing frustration and saving time. As more Americans have e-mail addresses and use e-mail daily, APsaA is on a campaign to make sure we have an e-mail address for all of our members.

One important reason to share your e-mail address with the National Office is to participate in our listservs. Some members may not be aware that APsaA maintains a number of different listservs for different purposes. Members can subscribe to just one, several, or none at all; our members can control which lists they want information from. One of APsaA's listservs provides a forum for psychoanalytic discussion and debate. Another allows for the sharing of professional information, networking, and opportunities for referrals. And yet another provides communication for members of the Executive Council, Board on Professional Standards, and the Affiliate Council. An outline of the many APsaA listservs can be found on the Members-Only section of apsa.org under “Electronic Communication Facilities.”

An even more valuable advantage of sharing your e-mail address with the National Office is that you will receive the latest APsaA information as quickly and efficiently as possible. One of our lists—the Association List—enables the National Office and Executive Committee to share official communications

with you in a timely manner. Over the past year for example, postings to the Association List have included:

• Early registration information and updated session information for the Annual and Winter Meetings

• Updates on the proposed bylaw amendments

• Election nominations and results

• Information on APsaA's reorganization

• The latest on APsaA's privacy lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Through the Association List, APsaA can disseminate psychoanalytic news in the most timely and cost-effective way, controlling expenses by not spending member dollars on increasingly costly postage and printing. Rather, we can focus our limited financial resources on projects important to your professional practice. But we can't do it if we don't have your e-mail address.

Some members have voiced concern about being inundated with e-mail from APsaA. Members will receive, on average, no more than one e-mail a week from the Association List. And that e-mail will contain the most current information from APsaA.

We hope you will provide us with your e-mail address, inform us of any e-mail changes, and consider joining one of our many listservs. Your e-mail address will be safe with APsaA and you always have the option of choosing whether you want it to appear on the APsaA Web site's online members' roster. Be assured, APsaA will never share or sell members' e-mail addresses for marketing purposes.

If you have already provided us with your e-mail address, you might want to verify that we have your current one. To do this, go to the APsaA Web site—. On the left side of the page, click on “Find an APsaA Member.” Enter your last name and see if your correct e-mail address is listed. If we have an incorrect address or if you would like to send us your e-mail address for the first time, simply e-mail the information to Brian Canty at the National Office ().

If you still need to be persuaded, I will be happy to talk with you.