In the June meeting disputatious issues of bylaw amendments, reorganization, and membership were once again prominent on the agenda. In this light, Eric Nuetzel, BOPS chair, opened the meeting with this appeal: “You can readily appreciate that the Association is in a state of flux. It is a challenging time, but also a time of opportunity. As we participate in these discussions today, we have the opportunity to influence our educational system for the better for decades to come. So I hope we can put aside old prejudices…and see what we can do to make things better.”
Beth Seelig presented a draft advisory opinion statement on the proposed bylaw amendment regarding certification and “local option” for discussion. She pointed out that the proposed amendment, if passed, would prevent BOPS from requiring certification for training or supervising analyst appointment. There was discussion with some revisions to the position statement and the motion to issue the advisory opinion was passed with a vote of 43 in favor, 5 opposed, and 2 abstentions.
Prudy Gourguechon presented the details of two amendment proposals from the MRRC, which carries out the routine functions of admitting new members and reviews and proposes methods for expanding the membership base. The first amendment proposed that IPA graduates be automatically eligible for membership. The MRRC saw this amendment as housekeeping because IPA members are already members of APsaA. After lively discussion, a motion to approve was easily passed (35 to 4, with 3 abstentions). Nuetzel and Seelig were delegated to draft an advisory statement, after consideration and action by the Executive Council.
The second proposal was intended as a correction of an injustice. Academic candidates are privileged to vote, however, when they graduate, they become Academic Associates and lose the franchise. This amendment would change the designation of Academic Associate to Academic Member, and would restore their right to vote. While there was much support for the need to rectify the inequity, as the discussion progressed, it became clear that the designation of Academic Associate covers many different categories, including those graduates who had been clinical candidates but opted to graduate without completing clinical work or supervision requirements. The motion to table the discussion pending further deliberations was narrowly passed (25 to 21).
Stephanie Smith reported that the TFOR has adopted a resolution: APsaA shall be a professional membership organization of psychoanalysts and students in psychoanalytic training that qualifies individuals for membership. The members of the task force have expressed a commitment to one class of membership with equal rights and are struggling with the associated implications.
Harriet Wolfe reported that the focus of the TFEMC has been on the equivalency model as a vehicle for offering membership to qualified analysts as individuals who have trained in programs that are different from those currently accepted by APsaA or IPA. The TFEMC has attempted to develop methods that are transparent, credible, and user friendly. The discussion revolved around the focus on the fulfillment of training requirements, consistent with those already endorsed by APsaA, and on the use of letters of sponsorship rather than tests of current clinical competence.
Of the 10 first-time applicants and two returning applicants, six were certified. Both returning applicants were certified.
Cal Narcisi voiced concern that the fee for certification, which has been unchanged for many years, is too low to cover the extensive costs. He recommended that the fee be raised immediately to $250 and again in three years to $500. The proposal was passed unanimously.
Ruth Karush, in her final report to BOPS, said that her tenure as chair has been one of the most satisfying positions she has had the privilege to hold. After thanking her committee and many others she has found helpful and supportive, she said she was proud of the brochure, “All about Children and Adolescents,” the pilot programs for child focused separate tract training, and the repository on the Web of curricula to be shared. She also reported the establishment of the COCAA Research Project that will hopefully demonstrate the efficacy of child and adolescent analysis. COCAA's new chair will be Phyllis Tyson.
Larry Interbitzen, in his farewell remarks, challenged BOPS to give issues of teaching and learning a higher priority rather than maintaining an “overwhelming preoccupation” with standards and certification. “I am convinced,” he said, “that learning about learning process can be transformational and could cast some of our most vexing problems, like certification, marketing, and maybe even psychoanalysis itself in a new light.” Robert Michels will be the new chair.
Julio Calderon, the incoming president of the Affiliate Council requested the help of at least one faculty member from every institute in an Affiliate Membership drive. Even though the first year of membership is free, and the procedure for joining is simple, only 61 percent of new candidates have initiated membership. Invitation letters to new candidates will be mailed from the National Office just before October 15. The goal is to recruit 100 percent of the new fall 2005 candidates reported to the National Office.