Passing On (or Getting) the Gavel

Susan Krauss Whitbourne

President, Division 20

In Division 20, we have an interesting tradition of presenting the President with a gavel at the end of the term of office rather than at the outset. I think I might have been one of the people involved in getting this tradition started, and as I recall, there was no deliberate attempt at communicating any particular symbolic message associated with stepping down rather than stepping up as President. However, now that this tradition is well-established, there is no reason not to make attributions as to the wisdom and brilliance of this gesture, and its symbolic meaning within Division 20. So I will.

The success of any professional organization depends as heavily on its members as on its leaders. Wearing my other hat as Faculty Advisor to the psychology honors society at UMass, I have had ample opportunity over the years to observe what happens when the members of a particular group either do or do not contribute to the overall welfare of the organization. When it works, it's great and when it doesn't, well, you start planning for next year. Fortunately, in my year as President of Division 20, it did work, and many people contributed in a number of specific and important ways to projects that will have impact for years to come. The pages of this Newsletter are filled with the accomplishments and plans of these people. The truism "I couldn't have done it without you" was never more true.

And it may be in this fact that the real meaning of the gavel metaphor lies. This is not a "President-centric" organization, it is "member-centric". The fact that the President has no gavel during the term of office serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing (not diffusing!) responsibility, keeping in mind the needs of the members, and turning to the membership for guidance in planning and steering the organization's direction. The gavel that I will pass on to John Cavanaugh will indeed have that symbolic value. For instance, I have turned to various members of the Executive Board for input on a number of important decisions this year, such as the creation of the web page, the nominations of members to APA Boards and Committees, and, most recently, in the appointment of members to the newly created APA Committee on Issues of the Older Adult. I am also hopeful that John's gavel will preside over a larger membership. We are always looking to increase the scope and range of Division 20 members, and particularly important emphasis for the future should be on bringing in more student affiliates. With so much to offer, Division 20 cannot help but grow, but we current members can foster this growth by spreading the word about the many opportunities and activities available to members.

As this fiftieth birthday year of Division 20 kicks off, we also recognize the accomplishments of the distinguished researchers, educators, and clinicians who have contributed to the growth of the substantive base of the psychology of aging. At the Social Hour and boat cruise planned for the APA convention (see details inside), we will honor all Distinguished Contribution Award winners of Division 20. In the fifty years of the Division's existence, these individuals have built the solid base on which our current advances in the field are being made. Many of us owe both personal and professional debts to our distinguished contributors, all of whom have been dedicated teachers and mentors in the field as well as outstanding scholars. I hope you will be able to join me at the celebration of our 50th birthday in Toronto, to honor those who have made our first fifty years so successful and set the stage for our continued achievements as a Division.

To direct comments about the information contained in these pages, please write to marsiske@ufl.edu