What is I-O?

A number of SIOP members have been appointed to APA committees and task forces. These include Rich Klimoski (Licensing Board), Dierdre Knapp (observer, Ethics Task Force), Ben Dowell (Committee on Executive Coaching), Wayne Camara (Board of Professional Practice, CAP), Jack Kennedy (nominated for APA Education Workshop Committee), Angelo DeNisi (CODAPAR), and Bob Ramos (Committee On Urban Initiatives).

Financial officer Ray Johnson reviewed the proposed budget for 20002001. Although we are in the black, he pointed out that continued increases in operating expenses have put us in a position where our operating expenses currently outstrip our operating income. He led an extended discussion of strategic choices about expenditures that are most likely to help the Society meet its goals.

The Scientific Affairs Committee provided a number of comments that had an impact on the final form of the APA Test User Qualifications document, which was recently approved by APA Council and is in the process of publication.

The online JobNet system is nearing completion, with an anticipated start date in Fall 2000. This system will be used for nonconference placement activities.

Bill Macey described a proposed technology-oriented series of sessions for the SIOP Annual Conference, to be presented during a time block on Sunday morning. There was also some discussion of the implications of dedicating Sunday exclusively to technology-related sessions.

Gary Carter presented the joint recommendations of the Visibility Committee and the Electronic Communications Committee about directions the Society should take regarding the use of Web sites and other electronic communications to increase society visibility to nonsociety constituencies. In addition, Ann Marie Ryan described some of the work that LRP has done to consider the broader issue of SIOPs general communication policy.

There was an extended discussion of proposed fee increases for the annual workshops. It was agreed that the Long Rang Planning Committee would consider this issue further before any action is taken.

In order to increase the visibility of the research and activities of SIOP members and of SIOP as an organization, the Visibility Committee has solicited self-nominations of SIOP members who are willing to speak to the press. They have begun to develop relationships with the media, and they are developing a process for preparing press releases.

Debra Major will be the new editor of TIP (beginning with the July 2001 issue) when Allan Church completes his term as editor.

Rich Klimoski reported information about his participation on the APA National Commission on Licensing. Although the Commission is primarily concerned with the education and training of clinical psychologists, the outcome of their discussions will be recommendations for changes to APAs Model Licensing Act. Changes in the model licensing act can have great implications for the ability of I-O psychologists to be licensed. There was an extended discussion about the desirability of SIOP taking a strong position about what we want with regard to licensing and the implications of maintaining our current stance. In particular, it raises the question of whet-her we are prepared to make statements about who we are, what our competencies are, and what kinds of training experiences I-O psychologists should have.

Irene Sasaki reported data that indicate a drop in membership renewals and described a proposal by the Membership Committee that we replace the New Member Social at the annual conference with a year-round buddy system for pairing new people with SIOP members. In keeping with the goal of better responding to new-member needs, Beth Chung presented a draft of a survey that focuses on new-membership issues, new ethnic member issues, and ethnic student issues.

Geoff Reed from the Board of Professional Affairs at APA joined the meeting to describe the concerns that have been raised about rampant increases in executive coaching activity. Concerns include supporting the ethical expansion of qualified psychologists into this set of activities, and protecting the public from intrusions by unqualified providers of this service. In discussion, it was noted that I-O psychologists may have great reason to be concerned about having a voice in the way that credentialing proceeds. If executive coaching is defined fairly broadly, in a way that includes parts of the I-O domain, we risk being excluded from continuing to provide services that we currently provide. Vicki Vandaveer spoke about her involvement in the College of Professional Psychology and described her perspective on concerns that have emerged about executive coaching.

The Executive Board approved a name for the new Professional Practice monograph series. The name for the monograph series will be the HR Solution Series.

Paul W. Thayer reported that the SIOP Foundation has decided to fund a Small Grants proposal. The Foundation will also provide seed money to begin working on a proposal focused on educating the public.

APA has recently issued a call for proposals for CE workshops that would be of interest to I-O people. It was suggested that we provide APA with a list of some of the workshop titles from our annual conference in prior yearswith particular attention to those that might have broad appeal.

The Administrative Office moved into their new space at 520 Ordway Avenue, Bowling Green OH 43402 on October 26. The P.O. box and telephone/fax numbers remain the same.

If you have questions or comments, I encourage you to contact me directly e-mail Janet.Barnes-Farrell@uconn.edu; phone (860) 486-5929.