FIG1It's that time again! You
may have already received your ballot by e-mail blast or by paper mail to vote
for APA's next leaders in the Association's 2008 election. (By the way, do we
have your current e-mail address on file? If not, please see the note at the
end of this column.)
APA's election provides an opportunity for each APA member to participate
in choosing officers and members of the Board of Trustees. While many other
groups such as the AMA endorse indirect elections (in which a smaller group of
previously elected individuals meet and choose their leaders), APA believes
that direct individual voting provides a unique opportunity for members to
shape the directions of the Association.
I came of voting age in the late 1950s, when apathy was the norm. My
parents were diametrically opposed politically and often threatened that both
could stay home, since they cancelled each other out, but I suspect they never
quite trusted the other would not vote. They reminded me that if I didn't
vote, I was not contributing and had no right to complain. I have never missed
an election, but educating myself about issues and candidates is
demanding.
The APA election process consumes considerable time and resources, both for
the Association and for the candidates. The cost of paper (mailed) ballots is
not inconsiderable, nor is the staff and member labor in support of the
process. Candidates, too, expend effort to interact and inform, traveling to
district branch and subspecialty meetings and sharing their background and
experience, positions, and priorities.
Being a candidate is only the beginning. Serving also demands time and
energy. Some years ago, members with salaried positions in academia,
hospitals, or community settings could easily make time for APA business, and
many used administrative and secretarial support from their institutions; not
so for those in private practice. Now, most institutions require that
volunteers take leave and provide minimal institutional support, so almost
everyone experiences some financial impact. As president-elect, I spent more
than 1,900 hours away from the office on APA business (yes, I kept count), and
that figure doesn't include countless hours of reading, preparation,
conference calls, and similar activities. As president, the figure so far is
800 "away" hours. The time demands have meant cutting my
private-practice hours considerably, as well as discontinuing work as an
organizational/institutional consultant. Of course the president,
president-elect, speaker, and speaker-elect receive some compensation for
their major time commitment, but individuals in all of the other positions,
including other officers, are not compensated (other than reimbursement for
travel expenses according to APA guidelines). Why do we do it? The key is love
of our profession and the desire to work for it and for our patients.
Consequently, when fewer than one-third of eligible voting members actually
cast a ballot in APA's election, the leadership is deeply concerned. Why don't
more APA members exercise that right? What does their silence mean?
Some members view this lack of participation as a reflection of
dissatisfaction. They see the glass as half empty and fear that low
participation means that APA is not providing value, that there aren't real
differences between candidates. A second group is just too busy taking care of
patients. Doing the work to make an informed choice does not represent a
positive cost benefit to them. Still another group sees the situation in a
more positive light. They too are busy, but they trust and are willing to
delegate the process to those most involved and active in APA. All of these
may be accurate, but may be insufficient. Please write me at
carolynrobinowitz@usa.net
to express your thoughts about the election process.
What should we consider when voting? Obviously there are many issues
including specific experience, focus, and style.
This year's candidates represent a diversity of interests, backgrounds, and
affiliations. All are leaders in their communities and profession. Read their
biographical and candidacy statements in the December 7 issue of
Psychiatric News or online at<http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/vol42/issue23/>
and go to the candidates' Web sites; discuss the issues with colleagues.
Ballots must be received by e-mail or snail mail by 5 p.m. EST on February
5, 2008. Please bring your voice to action and VOTE.
To add or update your e-mail address online, go to Members Corner
and click on "Update Your Membership Profile Now" in the Spotlight
Section; to do so by phone, call APA's Answer Center at (703)
907-7300. ▪