Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 1
North Carolina ABA
By R. M. Duke Schell
The first NCABA conference was held on March 1st, 1990, in Charlotte, North Carolina. During that inaugural gathering of about 50 people, Dr. Fred Keller, Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, was honored with an award for his significant long term contributions to the field of behavior analysis. He told the eager audience, "I feel that you are destined for success-that you will continue to provide for many years an annual meeting for behavior analysts with common interests and similar problems. I hope, however, that you won't become too formal, too expensive, or too large, as sometimes happens." The one-day conference featured eight presentations and a poster session, plus countless conversations by attendees about their experiences at the first official gathering of behavior analysts in the state. Dr. Carolyn Greene, one of the initial founders of NCABA, noted in the first NCABA Newsletter published in July, 1990, that, "I felt as though I had a professional reference group here in North Carolina that I could rely on to assist me in promoting effective behavior change in the agency where I work. I felt enthusiastic that our group would continue to develop and communicate."
Fast forward 20 years. The 2009 NCABA conference was held February 18th-20th in Wrightsville Beach. Over 170 participants enjoyed eight workshops, ten invited addresses and symposia, nine presentations and a poster session. Dr. Murray Sidman gave us an inspiring opening address on "The Analysis of Behavior: Why We Do It?" He began by saying, "I find this one (conference) especially refreshing because there is something here that I have never seen at any other one. There is a kind of personal warmth, mutual affection, quite lovely that's here, that I had not seen at any other conference. It's very pleasant to be in the middle of it." Dr. Bill Heward followed Dr. Sidman and noted, "What a thrill to sit here and listen to Murray Sidman tell us about the science of behavior and what it means, not only (its) potential for the world, helping make the world a better place, but what it can mean for the players: the scientists, the teachers of behavior analysis, and the practitioners." Dr. Judy Favell later remarked, "What a proud tradition NCABA has had and I very much agree with Murray when he said it's the warmest, most wonderful gathering of behavior analysts."
Highlights from the conference, coordinated by Dr. Ruth Hurst of UNC-Wilmington, included outstanding presentations by Murray Sidman, Bill Heward, Judy Favell, Dennis Russo, Andy Bondy, and our NC talent including Carol Pilgrim, Denny Reid, Julie Grimes, Ya-yu Lo, Maureen Schepis, Martin Ivancic, Jeannie Golden, and Fred Spooner. After the student symposium, which is a highlighted event each year at our conference, a special panel of past NCABA Presidents capped the end of the first day of the conference. It was a true walk down memory lane as they described many fond memories during their leadership years with the group. As Denny Reid remarked at the beginning of his invited address, NCABA now includes children and grandchildren of some of the original members either in presenters’ slides or in person. In addition to the daytime offerings the conference also included an evening poster session with awards for best undergraduate, graduate, and professional posters. Of course, the annual conference would not be complete without the presentation of awards to honor people who have promoted behavior analysis in applied research and everyday practice. Dr. Jim Bodfish received the Fred S. Keller Excellence in Behavior Analysis Award, Dr. Fred Spooner received the "Do Things" Award, Jason Cone received the Student Scholarship Award, and Rossana Lecaros received the Technical Utilization Award.
For the past several years with NCABA as both a BACB credentialed ACE Provider and NC Psychological Association approved provider, we have offered both behavior analyst and NC psychologist continuing education opportunities at the conference. Attendees received up to 17 CEs of Type II behavior analyst credits-11 of which were available for only $30. Forty five of our conference participants sought behavior analyst CEs and 114 participants attended conference workshops for behavior analyst and/or psychologist CEs.
Please visit our website at www.nc-aba.com and see additional highlights from the 20th anniversary NCABA conference including links to pictures. At the website you can also see descriptions of our awards and our newly elected officers and find information on becoming an NCABA member. The Board is already planning the 21st annual conference so please come join us in North Carolina!