MINUTES
OPA - Section of Students in Psychology
Meeting May 2, 2000
Time: 7:00 - 9:30
Location: OPA office

Chair: Steve Biggs
Secretary: Kim Gordon
Treasurer: Allan Eng
Present: Esta Moustacalis, Hazlon Schepmyer 
Regrets: Sandra Jackson, Kim Watson

1.0 	ADOPTION OF AGENDA
2.0 	SOSIP TREASURY REPORT:
 Allan provided a financial statement for 1999 and the year to date.  We
 have enough funds to consider financing some initiatives.

3.0  MEMBERSHIP
3.1  Renewals March 31, 1999 = 187, Current Renewals as of April 5, 2000 =
    138.  
    - This decline in membership is consistent with a general decline in
	OPA membership
    - brainstormed various initiatives to help increase membership - ideas
      include:
    3.2  ORIENTATION VISITS 
  	- for those schools to which we cannot send a student 
	representative, send brochures that can included in their general
	orientation package, and/or, encourage the OPA regional
	representatives to attend.
 	- package to be distributed at these information sessions to
	include: the general brochure and application form, a brochure
	describing the activities/initiatives of OPA, SOSIP newsletter.
	Mentorship information to follow after join.
 	- newsletter could include information about practicum/research
	opportunities.  Have one section that focuses on different areas of
	interest (e.g., developmental, clinical, IO)
 	- emphasize that involvement in OPA is making an investment in
	one's future as a professional psychologist.  
 	- present/send information to undergraduate psychology
	associations as well
	-  offer some funds to student representatives in regions outside
	of Toronto to host their own information session
 
    3.3 INTERNSHIP BOOKLET
  	- Given that Accredited schools will have access to information
	about Internship settings, it was suggested that it may be more
	useful to focus on developing a resource base of practicum
	settings.  
 	- Perhaps have access to this listing via the web.  Also,
	practicum supervisors and students could add new listings
 
 
    3.4 SOLICIT MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK
 	- Post a message on the ListServ, asking members what they want
	from their membership in OPA 
 
    3.5 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
  	- (e.g., "An evening with a representative of the College").  
 	- Have money available for members who want to organize such
	events outside of Toronto.  Could videotape the events to then
	make available to other members.  
 
    3.6	 MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
 	- Steve reported that our preliminary feedback from past mentors
	and mentorees suggests that there may be less student interest in
	this initiative than we assumed.  
 	- Need to be explicit about what mentorship involves.  Have a
	meeting to introduce new matches and to explain the mentorship
	relationship.  
 	- Workshop for mentorees - what to ask, what to do, what to expect
	of this	relationship e.g., invite Maria to talk about her experience (Allan will
	speak to Maria to see if she would be interested/willing to do such an
	event) Steve will draft a 1 page guide for mentors and students.
 
 	- in order to be better able to communicate with our membership,
	we need to receive an updated membership list on a regular basis
	(perhaps quarterly)

4.0 	RELATIONS WITH THE COLLEGE
We will now receive information from the college directly.

5.0 	OPA Auto Insurance Task Force
Steve presented materials on behalf of the above named task force.  They
are looking for comments on the material provided.

6.0	NOMINATIONS FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT	
Steves term ends in February of 2001.  We need to give some thought to who
will take this position and come to a decision soon.

PRIORITIES:
1)  Complete the information package
2)  Attend orientation meetings in the Toronto area, approach OPA regional
    representatives to attend other meetings
3)  Prepare a meeting with someone from the college

ACTION:
1)  Allan will ask Maria if should be willing to share her experience in
the mentorship programme during a Mentorship workshop.
2)  Steve and Haze will prepare some information regarding expectations of
the mentorship relationship.
3)  Kim will develop the brochure regarding OPA initiatives.  Estes will
provide initial feedback.

Next meeting: Wednesday June 14, 6 p.m. OPA offices (unless hear
otherwise).