August 23rd, 2011

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I hope this letter finds you enjoying the last few weeks of a relaxing summer.

It seems hard to believe but, in less than a month, my term as president will come to an end. Before it does, I want to make sure that you're aware of several important things going on.

First, our election process and membership renewal process are well underway. If you haven't already sent in your renewal, please stop reading. Go now. Download the renewal form that was posted on the ListServe. Jot down any new info you want included on the website. Sign and date your name in a bunch of places. If there's a topic you'd like to learn about, write it on the renewal form. If there's a topic you'd like to present on, jot that down too. Write out a check for an incredibly low amount of money (e.g. $0 if you're 70 or older, $30 if you're early career, and $60 if you're like the rest of us!). Vote on the nominees and the referendum. Stick the whole thing in an envelope. Address it to our beloved secretary, Dr. Barbara Burns, throw a stamp on it, stick it in your outgoing mail pile, and you’re done! When-- not if -- you do it today, then you won't have to burden yourself with having to remember to do it tomorrow.

Second, we are actively seeking to expand our membership. We are 75 members strong, but we want to grow larger. We all have a lot to gain by expanding our network to include colleagues who are affiliated with major institutions in the Hudson Valley. And we know that there are many, many licensed psychologists in our area who are still unaware of membership's benefits. Let them know why you joined HVPA and what you got out of it this year. Please make it your personal goal to bring in at least one new member.

Third, mark your calendar now for our next get together: Sunday, September 18th, 2011. On that beautiful fall day, from 1-4 pm, we will convene on the gorgeous Oakwood Friends School campus, located at 22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, for our Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers. The Board invites all Members to come for a "Free Lunch." Take advantage of this opportunity to relax and socialize with fellow members. You never know when you can make a new friend! As always, family members are welcome (the only thing we ask is that you make a $15 donation for each additional adult, $5 for each child). After lunch, we'll have an opportunity to put our minds together as our President-Elect Dr. Rebecca Rooney leads us in thoughtful and energetic discussion about what we'd like to accomplish in the coming year. Your opinion counts! It also will be a time when I get to thank you all for making this year a fabulous experience for me. The outpouring of member support and participation by a record number of us has been nothing short of exhilarating. So, Please Come. I'd like to thank you in person.

Warmly,
Lenore Strocchia-Rivera, Ph.D.
HVPA President