Minutes Section for Students in Psychology (SOSIP), OPA Date: Tuesday, August 03, 1999 Time: 7:00 - 9:30 Location: Steve Biggs house Chair: Steve Biggs Secretary: Kim Gordon Present: Allan Eng, Sandra Jackson Regrets: Karen Fergus, Alberta Pos, Pavla Reznicek, and Kim Watson 1) SOSIP TREASURY REPORT: Allan submitted our treasury statement (Sept. - Dec. 98) to Ruth Berman, and provided a balance for the year to date. 2) ELECTRONIC MEDIA 2.1 Kim Watson has obtained a SOSIP members e-mail list for the Listserv. There are more than 100 members with e-mail addresses (of course some people do not have one). 2.2 Steve proposed, and it was agreed, that we should include a copy of the minutes and treasury reports on our web site. 3) MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: 3.1 Using Maria's package of information, Kim Watson prepared a mail merge data base of students who indicated an interest in being mentored, and a list of psychologists who were mentors in the past. 3.2 Steve will write a letter for the P.O about mentorship as a means of recruiting mentors. 3.3 Kim Gordon will write a letter to be sent to past mentors asking for their feedback about the program. They will also be asked whether they are still interested in being involved, and if they can recommend another psychologist who may be interested in being a mentor. 4) HORIZONS NEWSLETTER 4.1 Allan has completed a copy of the next edition of the newsletter. He would like to add a couple of tips that individuals who attended the Rorschach workshop learned, as well as a blurb on the thesis contest. The Newsletter is sent out about two times a year, and will be mailed out as well as posted on the web site. 5) SOSIP RECRUITING AND ORIENTATION DAYS 5.1 We brainstormed possible locations for visits and potential speakers. It was suggested that if Ruth is unable to attend both OISE and York's meetings that John Vandeursen (OPA past pres.) could be approached as an alternate. Ian Nicholson (pres. elect) offered to talk at Western, and Don Rudzinski at Windsor. Allan offered to go as a student rep. to Windsor and Laurentian and Sandra offered to speak at Ottawa. Steve offered to go to Guelph OISE Adult Program: Sept 15 Allan Ruth OISE Child Program: Sept 16 ? York: Steve (&/or other York reps) *Windsor has a strong undergraduate psychology student connection that could be used to facilitate a meeting at the graduate level. 5.2 The information/promotion package may include: brochure, application, OPA internship booklet and after students join SOSIP they would receive a mentorship letter. 5.3 we brainstormed the purpose of these meetings and decided that it is primarily to recruit both: a) members, and, b) a student representative. The student rep has the important function of providing a clear contact with the university. Sandra suggested that we will need to have some kind of package to provide student reps. Allan noted that students are likely to volunteer to be reps at the meeting, but that it would be important to follow up with them shortly after to ensure that the contact is made. Functions of the rep would include: - meeting with students a couple of times a year to provide an update on SOSIP activities and to solicit student feedback on these initiatives, as well as their suggestions for future directions. - to organize functions in his/her area through SOSIP (e.g., to run a workshop). SOSIP, as it is able, will make funds available to support initiatives for which a proposal has been submitted and approved. We can also help to find an appropriate speaker through the OPA membership. (NOTE: we will need to establish our own criteria to guide funding decisions) 5.4 Recruitment meetings will occur before Christmas. In order to pick specific dates, we will need to co-ordinate our schedules, with that of the OPA representative and the site. 5.5 The question of whether we need a protocol for the talks was raised. It was suggested that we could use the brochure as a form of protocol. Each representative will become comfortable with the information contained in it, and can elaborate on areas which are of particular interest/expertise for him/her. 5.6 We will need to have a group prepare the information packets for these meetings. Priority will be given to York and OISE as these two will likely be met with first. 5.7 Sandra suggested that we develop a brochure that highlights (in bullet form) the recent initiatives of OPA (e.g. Insurance coverage), and issues that are to be addressed in the future. This would provide a quick and dirty way to describe to students (and remind ourselves and OPA members in general) just what OPA does for us, as psychologists. This brochure could be included in the information package. 5.8 Allan also suggested that we could obtain corporate sponsorship and have coupons for various relevant products included in the information packet as another enticement to join SOSIP (e.g., Caversham). 5. 9 In further brainstorming it was pointed out that we also need to highlight that one of the important advantages of OPA membership is the ability to network with other psychology professionals within your area. It was suggested that another article for the Horizons could be about the importance of networking, and how to schmooze at a Conference. PRIORITIES: 1) Steve will complete the article on mentorship and submit it to the PO. 2) Steve will submit a blurb on mentorship for Horizons and submit to Allan. 3) Steve will review Horizons and fax feedback to Allan. 4) Allan will complete Horizons, have it printed off (either through OPA or someplace cheap), and have it mailed through OPA. Also, bring an electronic version of the newsletter to the next meeting so that Steve can put it on the web site. 5) Sandra will work on developing criteria for funding proposals and think about what will be required of student representatives. 6) Kim Gordon will finish the letter to be sent to past mentors. 7) Steve will add the membership to the Listserv. Next Meeting: 7:00, Wednesday Sept. 08, OISE - to be confirmed.