Run for an Office in the Society of Addiction Psychology!

Run for an Office in the Society of Addiction Psychology!

This is your once-a-year opportunity to get more involved in the Society of Addiction Psychology (SoAP)! This year we are looking to fill three elected positions: (1) President-Elect, (2) APA Council Representative, (3) Member-at-Large (Public Interest). The 3-year terms of these offices start at the close of the SoAP Business Meeting at the APA convention in 2020, with the exception of Council Representative (see term dates below).

You are already devoting considerable time to treating and/or conducting research with individuals with addictive behaviors. Here is your opportunity to have an impact on the field at the national level. Self-nominations are invited and you only need 2.5% of the membership to endorse your nomination in order for you to be placed on the ballot (deadline: mid-January).

If you are interested in running for one of these positions, please email Lauren Hoffman at lhoffman1@mgh.harvard.edu or Christian C. Garcia at christiangarcia@ufl.edu. 

Here’s what will happen:

•  The Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee will solicit nominations through the SoAP listserv.

•  Candidate statements will run in the Spring 2020 issue of TAN.

•  The electronic ballot will be distributed by the APA Central Office in April 2020 (with a June 1st deadline).

All SoAP members and fellows are eligible to run for these open positions.

President-Elect

Term: Aug. 2020 – July 2023

Minimum professional status: Recommended mid-career status or history of extensive involvement with the division.

3 year term. During year 1, you will serve as President-Elect getting oriented to the board activities and responsibilities. You will have the opportunity to participate in various initiatives and contribute to the strategic planning for the division, In Year 2, you will serve as President. You will preside over all in-person and phone board meetings and guides the division in new initiatives. The president performs other duties consistent with the Bylaws, such as appointing committee chairs. The Presidential year ends with an invited Presidential Address at the APA convention. In Year 3, you will serve as Past-President. Your main responsibility is to serve as advisor to the current president.

APA Council Representative

Term: Jan. 2020 – Dec. 2022

Minimum professional status: Recommended established career. 

Division 50 has two representatives who represent the division at the APA Council of Representatives meetings. As a council representative, you will observe APA leadership in action. You will serve as a voice for the division in all major policy decisions made by APA. The council meets twice per year (February in Washington DC and August at the APA Convention). Issues are also handled via conference calls and emails throughout the year. You will also serve as part of the SoAP executive board to report ongoing and upcoming APA activities and policies that may affect the division and its membership.

Member-At-Large (Public Interest)

Term: Aug. 2020 – July 2023

Minimum professional status: Recommended mid-career status or history of extensive involvement with the division.

This senior addiction researcher serves a liaison between SoAP and the APA Public Interest Directorate to keep the board abreast of all addiction-relevant policy matters. Specific responsibilities include grant assignments, articles for SoAP Box, and committee assignments. 

Additionally, we are seeking a new chair for the Nominations and Elections Committee to start in August of 2020, so please contact Lauren at lhoffman1@mgh.harvard.edu if you’re interested.