By Donna LaPaglia, PsyD, ABPP

As I reflect on the past year for SCP, 2024 proved to be an amazing year with just the right confluence of factors–collective input from membership, innovative initiatives, and consistent effort aligning to produce positive growth and beauty within our community.

SCP has grown in all membership categories, with the largest increases seen in early career and student membership.  This is something to be excited about!  Our strategic plan prioritized increasing the SCP community with new and diverse members and our SCP conference further focused on building community and creating opportunities to gather and learn from one another.

SCP also focused on a few firsts—this was year one of the strategic plan, the first SCP conference, and the LEAD program.  In addition, the revised bylaws passed and our policy and procedure manual is under revision.  All this work is the result of past efforts by so many of our colleagues who have invested time and care in our division, whose investments over time continue to guide and fortify our priorities for the future.  In addition to the technical workings of SCP the true force behind the work is the dedicated and talented people that carry the spirit of SCP forward and I feel lucky to have served along side you this year.

I need to thank all those who contributed and served on behalf of SCP.  The list is long and it includes our current officers (Jordan Wright, Kim Penberthy, Paul Arbisi, Damion Grasso); our council reps (Helen Coons, Lynn Collins, Nancy Sidun, Randy Salekin); and Member at Large Vivianna Padilla Martinez; our section reps  Clinical Geropsychology (2)-Amy Fiske, Science and Practice (3)-Sue Raffa, Psychology of Women (4)-Elaine Burke, Emergencies and Crises (7)-Marc Hillbrand, Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (8)-Joanna Yost, Assessment Psychology (9)-Paul Ingram, Graduate Students and Early Career (10)- Jill Morris.  It also includes the editor of our journal, Art Nezu; the editor of our newsletter, Lily Brown; Associate Editor Yiquin Zhu, and our website editor Matt Southward. And the chairs of our committees-(Membership, Finance, Awards, Science and Practice, Education and Training, CE, Mentorship, Publications, Elections, and Diversity). I also had the pleasure of working first hand with our section Presidents of 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.  And a major shout out to Tara Craighead, our executive director who works tirelessly on behalf of SCP, linking our past and present in the service of our collective future!

And of note–many of the individuals listed above actually served in multiple capacities rolling up their sleeves and doing whatever needed to be done. They are the best team ever!

As a mostly volunteer organization, it takes commitment to carry forth the mission, as well as new leaders to step up and serve—please consider joining us.  And with that I welcome our incoming president for 2025-Jordan Wright!