What Has Been Accomplished

As this is being written, the results of the election of new APS officers are not yet known. But the slates are strong ones, and it is comforting to realize that whatever the outcomes, the Society will be in good hands — and that they will be handed a thriving organization.

Although regretful about the lengthy set of events that made its formation necessary, I am proud of having been the first President of APS and even prouder of what has been accomplished in the first nine months of its existence. Starting with no money and no support except for the largely volunteer labors of its supporters (most particularly, members of the Steering Committee, in addition to the officers), the Society has already grown to nearly 6,000 full and student members. It has a score of affiliated organizations, and among other activities, has held a successful leadership conference, is about to hold a convention with an impressive and impressively full program, has its journal, Psychological Science, in addition to the Observer, well underway and will shortly be establishing a permanent office that will permit the Society to expand its activities. The past nine months have been hectic, challenging, sometimes frustrating, but always gratifying.

Under these circumstances, it seems particularly appropriate to thank a number of people — among others, The Convention Committee (Nancy Anderson, Judith Goggin, Roger Mellgren, and Virginia O’Leary); Publication Committee (Milton Hakel, Chuck Kiesler, Sandra Scarr, Marilynn Brewer, and Dorothy Eichorn); Nominating Committee (Kay Deaux, Dorothy Eichorn, Dan Ilgen, and Al Riley); Membership Committee (Kathy Grady and Norman Kagan); our Logistics Coordinator, Logan Wright; Steven Hayes, as Secretary-Treasurer and Editor of the Observer, Paul Thayer as Chair of the Finance Committee, and members of the Steering Committee (Robyn Dawes, Kitty Katzell, Bruce Overmier, Pam Reid and Bonnie Strickland).

There are many others who deserve mention, of which, the individuals who have acted as the Society’s representatives in recruiting members from their own institutions or professional organizations have our special gratitude. We have yet to take advantage of the services that many others of you have offered, but expect to be able to in the future.

From the number of program participants and pre-registrants, we know that a substantial number of Society members plan to attend the June convention (so many, in fact, that its site had to be moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to accommodate us).

I look forward to seeing you there.