The most important tasks of the new APA are to advocate for our patients and our profession and to develop policy relevant to our advocacy efforts. When someone with less training than our members denies medically appropriate care, when an insurer returns decision making to all physicians except psychiatrists, when psychiatric care is not covered at the same level as other medical care, APA must be in a position to act quickly and strategically. In order to be in this position, we must have a strong and relevant organization. We cannot maintain relevance unless we have the participation of our members. In addition to dues reductions for early career members, we must look at dues reduction with multiple memberships to psychiatry subspecialty organizations.
Dues structure, however, is only one component of recruitment and retention.
Retention is dependent on the perceived value to the membership. Communication is also key to an informed leadership. The leadership of APA must be sensitive to the needs of the diverse patient populations served by its members. We must ensure that we operate in the most efficient and effective manner possible. I also bring experience on both the national and district branch levels.