Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 1
Affiliated Chapters Board Report
By Pamela G. Osnes
ABAI’s affiliated chapters are membership organizations defined by a geographical boundary (i.e., a state, region, or country) that are interested in the dissemination and growth of behavior analysis. Affiliated chapters hold conferences, sponsor lectures, and offer continuing education opportunities. Members receive reduced membership and convention fees. In the U.S., there are 36 affiliated chapters of ABAI with 6,170 members; outside of the U.S., there are 28 chapters with 8,278 members. There has been a steady increase in the number of chapters and members since 1980, when the first affiliated chapters were formed. This year, the Affiliated Chapters Board welcomed three new members: Lone Star ABA, France Association for Behavior Analysis, and L’Assoçiation Francaise de l’ABA.
At ABAI 2009 in Phoenix, the Affiliated Chapters Board hosted a well-attended leadership training session on Friday evening, May 22. Chapters were well-represented, with 48 members in attendance. Dr. Raymond Fuller, Past President and CEO of the American Psychological Association, provided an informative presentation on the opportunities and challenges associated with the licensing of behavior analysts. Dr. Fowler described the benefits of licensure, including the identification of qualified providers, the exclusion of unqualified providers, legal enforcement of standards, and recognition by third-party payers. This instructive session was followed by an open discussion among the attendees, Dr. Fowler, and the ABAI Executive Council. Dr. Michael Dorsey, Chair of ABAI’s Practice Board’s Governmental Affairs Committee, provided advocacy tips for behavior analysts when they are communicating with policy makers. Closing this useful session was a presentation by Dr. Maria Malott on new services for the Affiliated Chapters. An upcoming service that will be provided to members will be a complimentary training on January 22, prior to the fourth Annual ABAI Autism Conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. In addition to this complimentary training, attendees will receive reduced registration for the conference. The ABAI 2009 leadership training presentations of Drs. Fuller, Dorsey, and Malott can be found on the ABAI Web site at http://www.abainternational.org/BA/practice.asp.
This is my first report as the Coordinator of the Affiliated Chapters Board. I look forward to becoming familiar with the members of the Board’s chapters throughout the next years. I hope to have frequent communication with the chapters to learn their goals and objectives, and to assist the chapters in whatever ways possible as they work toward achieving them.