2024 Division 49 Board Meeting Notes
June 5th, 2024 Online – Zoom.us/j/9034648376
Attendees Present:
- Francis Kaklauskas, President
- Joe Miles, President-Elect
- Rita Rivera, Student Representative
- Debra O’Connell, Treasurer
- Stacy Graves, Membership Committee
- Kayla Wang, Domain Representative, Early Career Psychologist (ECP)
- Jill Paquin, Domain Representative, Group Practice
- Vinny Dehili, Program Chair
- Kristin Miserocchi, Incoming Program Chair
*Voting member per division bylaws
**Voting member only in the case of a tie per division bylaws
8:00-8:15 AM: Dr. Kaklauskas (Welcome and Orientation)
Dr. Kaklauskas welcomed attendees, and everyone introduced themselves. Special attention was given to welcoming Kristen Miserocchi as the incoming conference chair. Dr. Kaklauskas shared some history of his time in the division and offered advice on how to make the most out of being in a division leadership position.
8:15-8:30 AM: Agenda Item 1 – Website
Attendees discussed the proposal to introduce a new website for the division beyond the APA-required formal page and the Evidence-Based Group Therapy (EBGT) page. This new website would allow us to share more articles in “The Group Psychologist,” offer more resources, and have sole control over the content. This also allows the EBGT website to focus primarily on its own content without needing to work across the current division’s website. After discussion, all attendees unanimously agreed on the proposal.
8:30-8:45 AM: Agenda Item 2 – Update and Discussion on Hiring David Devito of AMCsourse as Executive Administrator for the Division
While the hiring of this position had been approved at the mid-winter meeting, details of the contract were shared with attendees. This position costs the division $65 an hour. The goals for this position include improving the continuity of communications and procedures across the division’s rotating leadership structures. This position is available to support the division, such as communication with membership, the conference, and membership chairs, and addressing emergent needs. This position reports to the President. All attendees were excited about this addition to the division.
8:45-8:55 AM: Agenda Item 3 – Updates on Awards
Dr. Miles updated attendees about the awards processes for the coming year. There was a question about whether someone would need to reapply each year or be able to use an application from a previous year. Dr. Paquin suggested that award nominees should apply each year, and all attendees unanimously agreed with this process.
8:55-9:00 AM: Close of Meeting
Attendees closed the meeting with goodbyes and expressed excitement about the upcoming convention and future work of the division.