November 2008

Minutes / Highlights from October 10, 2008,
Board of Directors Meeting

Cheryl Jacques, Psy.D.
MBPA Secretary
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
831-768-7681

Members Present: Junell Silver (President), Jenny Kaupp (Past President), Andy Carman (Treasurer), Cheryl Jacques (Secretary), Cheryl Bowers (Government Affairs), Michele DeAntoni (Prescription Privileges), Diane Bridgeman (Disaster Response Co-chair & Public Service), and Jon Girvetz (Social Forums Co-chair)

MINUTES of 7/18/08 were approved.

OLD BUSINESS: MBPA dues will increase to $85/year for full member psychologists and $50/year for associate members. Effective now. The end date for renewal will be the New Year’s party on January 17, 2009.

NEW BUSINESS: Cheryl Bowers reported that other chapters have taken a no position on Prop 8. Discussion ensued whether or not chapters can make endorsements regarding candidates and propositions. Andy Carman mentioned that we could host a dialogue regarding issues that we consider important, such as Prop 8. Diane Bridgeman mentioned that mental health issues are significant in people who have been stigmatized. John Girvetz mentioned that the Issues Forum could take up this matter soon.

I&R REPORT: By letter, Pam Kangas recommended a procedural change to appoint the I & R committee chair and officers each January. Jon Girvetz proposed that the I&R might negotiate with insurance companies regarding fees, will research this issue, check with CPA’s Chuck Faltz, and report back at the MBPA planning meeting in December.

DIRECTORY: Junell [Silver], Jon [Girvetz], Diane [Bridgeman] and Cheryl [Bowers] have distributed directories to many sources in the community. Thank you.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Andy Carman provided the Board with a statement of the current balance and expenses, not counting the next workshop or incoming dues before 1/1/09.

NEWSLETTER and TECHNOLOGY: Jenny Kaupp reported that the newsletter is now on line. The Board discussed guidelines and a new fee structure for advertisements in the newsletter, as well as a members’ only classified ad section on the MBPA website at www.mbpsych.org. A classified section may be redundant, and we will discuss this at our planning meeting. The board decided to make the online newsletter accessible to the public, rather than a ‘members’ only’ item. The upcoming newsletter will be emailed and appear online.

WINTER PARTY: The MBPA holiday Party, traditionally held in December, has been moved to January 17, 2009 – a celebration of the New Year. The location is tentative. A raffle for a free MBPA membership will be held.

CEU REPORT: By letter, Jim Beckett stated that the upcoming workshop with Shane Hill is expected to go well, though MBPA workshops continue to lose money. The Board is interested in a committee to help with workshops.

PRESIDENT-ELECT REPORT: By letter, Jim Beckett proposed that the Board yearly planning meeting take place on Friday December 5, 2008, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Junell Silver’s home. The Board agreed with Jim that this event is important for reflection and planning for the upcoming year. Jim asks for assistance in finding a president-elect, who likely will come from either past officers or Board members. Discussed the possibility of a shared Presidency.

CPA BOARD: Junell Silver proposed an alternate for the CPA Representative position on the next ballot. Cheryl Bowers is interested in this role.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS: Cheryl Bowers – parity bill has passed but was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.

MEMBERSHIP: MBPA membership renewals are going out soon. The committee is working on getting Paypal up and running so that members can renew and pay dues on line.

SOCIAL ISSUES FORUM: Jon Girvetz shared a letter from APA to President Bush that denounces participation in torture by any psychologist (see p. xxx).

RX PRIVILEGES: Michele DeAntoni noted that 13 preceptorships in psychopharmacology are assigned, supervised by psychologists who are already authorized to prescribe. We are in support of the proposed scope of practice regulations in licensed California health facilities related to psychologists' practice. To read a sample letter, go to this web sight below and click to view: http://www.cpapsych.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=202.

DISASTER RESPONSE: Diane Bridgeman reports that her committee has been busy this summer with the three local fires, then with sending out, training and follow up with volunteers returning from disaster mental health assignments in the Gulf States. The combined ARC Disaster Mental Health Committee composed of MBPA Disaster Response, County Mental Health, and CAMFT members recently attended her training on Foundations of Disaster Mental Health. Now more local DMH professionals are available both locally and nationally, though more volunteers are needed for the Gulf Area disasters. Contact Diane if you are interested and available.

PUBLIC SERVICE/EDUCATION/OUTREACH: Diane Bridgeman and her volunteers continue to offer pro bono presentations to local community organizations. Please let her know if you are interested, or available, to make a presentation. The committee is also looking for volunteers to offer time-limited pro bono counseling. If interested, please contact Anita Whalen at (831) 539-3192.

Motions approved and carried:
1) July minutes approved.
2) Dues increase to $85 for psychologists, and $50 for associate members, effective now.
3) The Board has approved a “no” vote on Prop 8.

The next Board meeting is 12/5/08, the yearly planning meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Jacques, Psy.D.