Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 2 | 2010 | Number 2
Affiliated Chapters Board Report
By Gordon Bourland
The past year has been one of transition for the ABAI Affiliated Chapters Board. A new Coordinator, Gordon Bourland (Trinity Behavioral Associates) was appointed at the end of 2009. He followed Pamela Osnes, whose work in the position is gratefully acknowledged. Additionally, six new chapters have been organized and approved by the ABAI Council. The newest ABAI affiliated chapters are Association Francaise de l’ABA, in France; French Association for Behavior Analysis; Hong Kong Association for Behavior Analysis; Kentucky Association for Behavior Analysis; Lone Star Association for Behavior Analysis, which represents the Houston area of Texas; and Utah Association for Behavior Analysis.
As a result of activities over the past year, ABAI now has 71 affiliated chapters, 39 in the United States and 32 in other countries. This is an increase from 37 chapters in the United States and 31 non-U.S. chapters the previous year. The chapters reported a total membership of over 13,000 in 2010. Chapters currently are located in 30 U.S. states and in 23 other countries. Each affiliated chapter includes members of ABAI and additionally persons interested in behavior analysis who are not members of ABAI (typically as affiliate members and student members). At present, the majority of the chapters represent behavior analysts in the United States, though clearly not every state where behavior analysts live has an affiliated chapter. Some chapters in the United States represent regions encompassing several states (e.g., Four Corners ABA, Southeastern ABA) or portions of a state. A strong evidence of the international development of behavior analysis is that at least 26 chapters are national in scope. A few international chapters incorporate members from several different countries (e.g., Asociacion Latinoamericana de Analisis y Modificacion del Comportamiento). Interestingly, within the next couple of years, the number of international affiliated chapters could outnumber those in the United States.
The affiliated chapters report having engaged in a number of activities during the past year. Most sponsored conferences and other training activities. Other frequently occurring chapter activities included maintaining websites, addressing legal and regulatory issues (e.g., licensure of behavior analysts, insurance coverage of applied behavior analysis services), and also producing newsletters and other publications. Some affiliated chapters also incorporate special interests groups (e.g., Texas has two autism special interest groups).
The Affiliated Chapters Board of ABAI organized three major training activities this year. The first was a training meeting in Chicago in January, 2010, that was held in conjunction with the ABAI Autism Conference. The training addressed strategies for development and effective operation of chapters. Twenty-two representatives from a number of affiliated chapters, including two international chapters, participated in the meeting. Participants reported very positive evaluations of the training. Presenters and presentations included William Heward's "Overview of ABAI Chapters"; Leo Goddeyne's (counsel to ABAI) "Legal and Governance Issues for ABAI Affiliated Chapters"; Maria Malott's "Planning a Successful Conference"; Gordon Bourland's "Tips for Successfully Developing Chapter Memberships"; Michael Weinberg's "Addressing Licensure Issues at the State Level"; Michael Dorsey's "Advocacy: Developing a Legislative Advocacy Toolkit—Putting Your Plan Into Action"; Tom Zane's "Legislation Updates: Review of Actions, Challenges, and Successes in Various States"; and Doreen Granpeesheh's "Insurance Coverage for Behavior Analysts."
Two major events were provided for affiliated chapters during the ABAI Annual Convention in San Antonio. Friday evening, May 28, featured training to assist persons interested in establishing new affiliated chapters. The Affiliated Chapter Coordinator and ABAI staff provided assistance regarding preparation of the necessary application and establishing chapter policies and operations. This is the first time this type of assistance has been provided at the convention. A second major affiliated chapters event held during the convention occurred on Saturday morning, May 29. This event provided training for chapter leaders on issues indicated by attendees of previous chapter trainings as of major importance. Particular emphasis was placed on development and management as well as on policy making and advocacy. Invited presentations and presenters included "Overview of ABAI Affiliated Chapters" by Gordon Bourland, ABAI Affiliated Chapters Coordinator; "Influencing Policy Making in the U.S." by John W. Scibak, Massachusetts State Representative; and "ABAI Direction and Developments" by Raymond G. Miltenberger, ABAI President. "Managing Affiliated Chapters" featured speakers from three ABAI affiliated chapters who shared their experiences as well as growth and management strategies. New, mid-sized, and large chapters were represented, as was an international chapter. Talks presented in this section of the training were "Starting From Scratch: Critical Tips for Managing Small Chapters" by David Pyles (Charter ABA); "Strategies for Positive Growth and Maintenance of Vibrant, Mid-Sized Chapters" by Jim Todd (Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan); and "Organizational Strategies for Large Chapters and How to Disseminate Behavior Analysis" by Shigeki Sonoyama (Japanese ABA). Also, a policy making work session was included. During this session participants were divided into groups by chapter size and region and given an opportunity to get hands-on experience advocating on behalf of important regional policy issues.
Throughout the past year, a couple of other activities pertaining to ABAI’s affiliated chapters have occurred. One activity involves the ABAI Council and staff working to clarify the criteria for local, regional, state, and national chapters. Clarification of these criteria is especially necessary in states that are represented by multiple affiliated chapters. Such multiple representations potentially engender confusion over official statements regarding behavior analysis and inadvertently undermine efforts to promote the field. Another activity has begun, in part reflecting the issue just mentioned, revision of the Affiliated Chapters Handbook.
During the coming year, further transitions are anticipated. We hope to facilitate the establishment of new affiliated chapters in a number of states and in numerous other countries where none currently exist. Supporting and strengthening relatively new and small international chapters, as well as facilitating development of new ones, is of particular interest. Additionally, we hope to assist all existing chapters in enhancing their effectiveness and visibility in representing behavior analysis. This assistance is expected to include developing new support materials and procedures for new and small chapters as well as linking chapters with sources of valuable information. A completed revision of the Affiliated Chapters Handbook is expected son. Information and training will be provided regarding the changes. As always, every reasonable effort will be made to keep the affiliated chapters' information on the ABAI website up to date.