 The last two years went so quickly! As I prepare to finish my term as ARP President, I’m delighted with the work we’ve done, but remain well aware of the work that’s left to do. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, ARP is approaching important challenges and opportunities. As an organization, we are entering a developmental stage similar to adolescence: one in which identity issues come to the fore, relationships between ARP and other organizations increase in importance (and will no doubt influence our organizational identity), and the mature infrastructure that will guide us in the years to come solidifies. I am confident that we have the potential to navigate our adolescence successfully, but our success will depend on commitment to both specific endeavors and to the broader goals and commitments upon which ARP was founded.
We have made substantial strides towards building infrastructure in the past two years, and that work continues as I write. Brent Roberts agreed last year to serve as ARP’s first Executive Officer, and Sanjay Srivistava took on the role of Treasurer, and they have worked hard with Chris Fraley, who continues as webmaster. All of the current members-at-large are committed to the organization, and will be continuing their terms for at least one more year, which will provide valuable continuity as our efforts move forward. We are updating our by-laws, and we have launched (thanks Brian Little!) a newsletter.
Once again our dedicated program committee, chaired by Lynne Cooper, has prepared a dynamic preconference (see Lynne’s column in this newsletter) that I’m sure will engage you, and I hope to see you all in Albuquerque for that exciting event. The ARP preconferences have been exceptionally interesting throughout these past years, and provide a great opportunity to talk with friends and colleagues.
Indeed, the pre-conferences have been so successful that, after this year’s preconference, we are ready to extend ARP’s reach beyond the one evening plus one day format to a more ambitious adventure. Having a pre-conference attached to SPSP worked well during ARP’s early years. It was relatively low-risk, as we could take advantage of the organizational resources and fiscal clout of SPSP to help with hotels arrangements and meeting logistics; and we were able to begin to build group identity among the membership. The membership survey we did in 2006 made clear, however, that the pre-conference could not continue adequately to serve our members’ needs. Relying solely on a meeting prior to SPSP did not work well for those members who would not normally attend SPSP, while members who do normally attend SPSP are often drawn to other pre-conferences that focus on particular research in which they are involved. Most importantly, we need a “real” conference that is long enough to allow our members to submit their own work for consideration and to diversify and extend the program we provide.
Thus, it brings me great joy to report that we will have our first freestanding ARP Conference during the summer of 2009. You will hear much more about the details of this meeting when we gather in Albuquerque, and in communications to come. Having our own meeting is an important step toward maturity, and not surprisingly, it involves risk. My hope is that our first “real” conference (I’m committed enough to the adolescence metaphor that I find myself thinking of it as our senior prom…) will serve not only as a showcase for our best research products, but also as a showcase for our best professional selves: open-minded, curious, collaborative, and eager to learn from our colleagues. That’s where the commitment comes in: ARP will thrive to the extent that collectively we can see an opportunity for personality research in general—beyond our personal agendas-- to be enriched by the strength that comes from a cohesive organization.
There is much more in the works, including ongoing efforts to build a relationship with the European Association for Personality Psychology, as well as other national and international groups; membership drives, fundraising activities, and discussion of publishing venues and other opportunities we might offer to our members in the future. ARP may be a bit awkward and unsure of itself as we work through the details of our transition and development, but in this gangly, striving organization I can see an impressive, emerging “grown-up” organization, of which I am proud to be a member. Bill Revelle will take over as President at the end of the Albuquerque meeting, and I have complete confidence in his experience and judgment. Come to Albuquerque to learn more, and I look forward to seeing you “at the big dance” in 2009!
Julie Norem
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