Committees

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Have you been thinking about becoming involved with the various committees that the Oregon Psychological Association has available?  Listed below are the committees that are available to members to participate in.  If you are interested in joining one of the committees, please contact the OPA office via email at [email protected] or by calling 503.253.1955 or 800.541.9798.

To see more about what activities some of the specific OPA committees are involved in, please see the navigation menu at the top of the page.

Confidential Peer Support Committee

The Confidential Peer Support Committee (CPSC) works to provide support and avert impairment to members; they provide members with consultation on: conflicts with colleagues, clinical concerns, potential complaints or lawsuits, venting, concern about impairment, client suicide, colleague behavior, family conflicts, problems in the business of psychology and any distress affecting the capacity for work. The committee consults with members about an approach to the problem as well as resources and referrals. The committee coordinates any other programs approved by the board of directors.

Conference Committee

The conference committee develops and coordinates all of the continuing education programs for the conference. They also develop and coordinate all social activities associated with the conference. In addition, they work with the OPA staff to assess and then select the conference site; operate the conference at the budget amount determined; attend the conference; and coordinate any other programs approved by the board of directors. The conference committee is chaired by the president elect.

Want to submit a presentation for future Conferences and CE? Click here for more information .

Continuing Education Committee (CE)

The continuing education (CE) committee develops and coordinates speakers and topics of continuing education for OPA’s workshop program. The committee operates the continuing education programs at the highest revenue rate possible; coordinates the maintenance of the APA Sponsor Approval Program; monitors the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners policies on CE; and coordinates any other programs approved by the board of directors.

Want to submit a presentation for future Conferences and CE? Click here for more information .

Diversity Committee

This committee addresses the many issues of diversity that affect the practice of psychology. The goals of the Diversity committee include: provide support and networking opportunities for psychologists who are of diverse backgrounds and/or who work with individuals of diverse backgrounds; foster awareness and knowledge about diversity, multicultural competence, and psychological practice; ensure that CE workshops reflect a commitment to integrate information about diversity into the education of psychologists; help OPA stay informed and be responsive to ongoing challenges and opportunities presented by diversification; ongoing review of social and community concerns, healthcare, and community and statewide mental health services; provide advocacy support for minority psychologists and/or psychologists working with underserved populations, and community members and increase recruitment, retention, mentoring and participation of diverse members within OPA.

Ethics Committee

The ethics committee advises, educates, and provides confidential consultations regarding concerns about the professional conduct of members. They adopt rules and procedures governing the committee; make recommendations to the OPA board of directors regarding ethical concerns, and coordinate any other programs approved by the board of directors. *The ethics committee requires an application process and is a size limited committee.

Federal Advocacy Coordinator (FAC)

The Federal Advocacy Coordinator (FAC) provides analysis and review of relevant federal legislative activity to the board of directors to obtain recommendations for support or opposition; keeps the membership informed on federal legislative matters that affect the association; recommends to the board of directors actions on federal legislative matters; serves in conjunction with OPA’s legislative committee and lobbyists when necessary; serves as liaison with APA; works within the guidelines and policies set forth by APA, meets on behalf of OPA with federal legislators when necessary and approved; attends the APA State Leadership Conference and coordinates any other programs approved by the board of directors.

Legislative Committee

The legislative committee provides analysis and reviews of relevant legislative activity to the board of directors to obtain recommendations for support or opposition; they keep the membership informed on legislative matters that affect the association; they recommend to the board of directors actions on legislative matters; they coordinate the submission of legislative bills at the approval of the board of directors; they coordinate the keeping of a legislative network; work with OPA’s lobbyists; testify on behalf of OPA when necessary and approved; work in conjunction with the OPA Federal Advocacy Coordinator (FAC); and coordinate any other programs approved by the board of directors.

Membership Committee

The Oregon Psychological Association (OPA) Membership Committee is composed of the OPA Secretary (OPA Membership Chair), student committee representatives, and general OPA members who show interest in involvement. We extend an invitation to members who want to be a part of inclusive membership communities, and are willing to attend and participate in our meetings and activities. We set intentions to recruit diverse groups of licensed psychologists, students, and psychologist trainees. For information on how to join the Membership Committee please email:

Newsletter

The newsletter committee publishes a quarterly newsletter within their budget allotment; develops content that is relevant and current to the membership on psychology and other relevant issues; develops and coordinates style and design issues with the publication; assists in advertising promotion and sales; coordinates with the newsletter editor on the editing of the newsletter; and coordinates any other programs approved by the board of directors. The chair of the newsletter committee is the editor of the newsletter.

Nominating and Awards

The nominating committee acts in accordance with Article VII of the OPA bylaws; selects a slate of candidates for election; reports its slate to the board of directors for approval; coordinates the notification of elections to the membership; organizes the selection and presentation of OPA’s awards program; makes recommendations regarding OPA’s awards program to the board of directors; and coordinates any other programs approved by the board of directors. The nominating committee and awards program is chaired by the immediate past president.

Professional Affairs Committee

The professional affairs committee monitors business guideline issues, insurance and reimbursement issues, regulatory and licensing issues, and practice procedures and issues; they monitor and review standards issues; make recommendations to the board of directors on any professional affairs issues; and coordinate any other programs approved by the board of directors.

Public Education Committee

The public education committee (PEC) promotes the understanding of the field of psychology to the public; facilitates access to information about psychologists; serves as media contacts when appropriate; provides interaction between the public and psychologists; and coordinates any other programs approved by the board of directors.