I am writing this, my final president’s message, while participating in the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards’ (ASPPB) mid-year meeting in Boston, MA. In this meeting I’ve learned much about the high stakes entrance to practice exams, EPPP1 & 2; everything from item development, and testing to post-test evaluation and test security has been on the agenda. Our Registrar and Executive Director, Dr. Tony DeBono spoke about our excellent succession planning policy at the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) to an audience seeking to apply this information in their own jurisdictions. And, at the end of each meeting day, I found myself enveloped by American history in a city that is identified as the birthplace of the American Revolution. The American poet and abolitionist, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) immortalized the contribution of one revolutionary Bostonian when he penned, Listen, my children, and you shall hear, Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere…
Longfellow was joining a long tradition of writing about the accomplishments of individuals in his poem. Yet, this week, I also learned for the first time that Paul Revere did not ride alone, and he did not ride solely for his own purposes. Revere rode with others in service to a group plan and the larger societal good. So, my Listen, (my colleagues), and you shall hear statement today is telling of the commendable work that each Council, Committee and staff member has accomplished during my presidency. I observed Council members fulfilling their role of visioning and planning for the public good, Committee members debating and decision making, and hard-working staff carrying out the actions that bring ideas to fruition. Our agenda has been full, with action plans and task responsibilities at times becoming daunting. In three short years, this team of participants has created and implemented a new strategic and financial plan; developed a white paper focused on the discontinuation of Master’s level registration; implemented equity, diversity and inclusion work at the College; updated our professional standards of practice; undertaken training in governance review and right touch regulation practices; initiated an evaluation of registration examinations; and perhaps most impressively, completed the foundational work for the launch of the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario on July 1, 2024.
» I have confidence in those who will continue to “build” the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) in the days ahead. »
I am further reminded of another famous phrase attributed to Longfellow who penned that “today is the block with which we build”. I am proud of what the College of Psychologists of Ontario team has accomplished each day of my tenure and want to thank each member for their dedication to this work. I have confidence in those who will continue to “build” the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) in the days ahead. I wish the best to each of you, Psychologists, Psychological Associates and Behaviour Analysts as you take the opportunity to “build” daily toward your personal goals, while also being part of a larger professional community and society that benefits from your individual contribution.
Wanda Towers, Ph.D., C.Psych.
President