Chaucer’s famous phrase that time and tide wait for no (one) is often used to motivate us to action; reminding us that we need to engage rather than wait. However, one of our most common, shared human experiences is being in a position where we must wait. Everyone can readily think of a range of life circumstances that required them to wait, and sit with the uncertainty of doing so. Sometimes, we wait for news that could be undesired, while other times we may be waiting for opportunities.
I can’t recall all I thought about during the hotel hallway wait at the end of my oral examination for registration with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Yet, I can still muster good recall of the tension I felt as I waited to hear if this professional opportunity would be mine. Minutes felt like hours until I received the feedback that I had passed. I can confirm that waiting with uncertainty for a desired opportunity for even a short time can be tense.
As I write this, the countdown clock is ticking toward the proclamation of the new College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario on July 1, 2024. That’s about 250 days away. That’s 250 days to wait for an opportunity.
I anticipate that those who work in the field of applied behaviour analysis have questions about the impact that regulatory oversight will have on their professional lives. Like I did many years ago when I registered as a psychologist, you will complete your application and wait for the final feedback from the College confirming if you are now a registered behaviour analyst. Members of the public and employers also find themselves seeking information that will help them understand the impact of a profession’s self-regulation for the public’s protection on their interactions with behaviour analysts. I trust that all of the materials available on the College website and presented during past and future town hall meetings will be helpful in the months ahead.
I appreciate that some of our current psychologist and psychological associate members who engage in the practice of applied behaviour analysis also have questions about how they will define themselves and their professional roles following the proclamation of the new College. If you fall into this group, your questions are helpful as College staff and the Applied Behaviour Analysis Working Group formulate specific responses to each new scenario that arises.
Council members, with the support of College staff and working groups are also moving forward to systematically make necessary amendments to our By-laws in advance of the proclamation of the new College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario. We are currently waiting for our next scheduled Council meeting where this will be a priority on our agenda. Council members’ necessary process of governance review takes time and will include membership consultation. So, you as members of the College, are also waiting for this opportunity to consider and provide feedback on proposed By-law amendments in the months ahead.
I anticipate that we can benefit from recognizing this common, shared experience of actively waiting for this new, desired governance opportunity to become a reality.
Wanda Towers, Ph.D., C.Psych.
President