Thursday 26 September 2013

A quick update on the Division’s AGM held on Wednesday, 26 September 2013

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you to all who have attended and participated in the annual meeting held during the PsySSA Congress yesterday.  We have received apologies from a number of members of the Division and have been joined by a number of new members. 

We will soon post more details about the points of discussions. For now, I want to welcome Dr Nkateko Manabe, Carmelitia de Bruin, Suntosh Pillay, Lavanya Pillay and Jennifer Graham who have joined Wiehann Rademan, Puleng Segalo, and myself, Eduard Fourie, on the Executive Team of the Division.

We hope and trust that the blog will continue to develop into a vibrant interactive space for sharing community and social psychology activities, projects, training, publications and more. Watch this space and contribute!

Eduard
fourime@unisa.ac.za

Monday 23 September 2013

Ideas for consideration at the CaSP AGM scheduled for 12h30 to 13h15 on Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Dear Colleagues and Members

The Community and Social Psychology Division's mission is to promote an understanding of the fields of community and social psychology.  Work in this area through the advancement of scientific research, professional education and formal conversations proofed to be valuable. A further aspect of the mission is social collaboration. The goals derived from the mission are amongst others to be achieved in cooperation with the general public or communities. To gain further background of the above aspects, the series of round table discussions on Scholarly Development at 19th PsySSA Congress in September 2013 should be closely followed.

I would like to suggest that we consider building on CaSP’s mission by interacting directly with communities and engage in specific projects and activities. The following actions to promote psychological insight and well-being in communities can be considered and discussed at the divisions’ yearly AGM:

1.     Intern psychologists and other members to actively recruit blog followers through further awareness raising  - use of existing network contacts
2.     The recruitment and contracting of intern project leaders for pilot projects
3.     Intern psychologists to be involved in the planning of small scale community projects
4.     Intern psychologist and mentors to engage with identified key stake holders in communities and launch activities
5.     Psychologists and other interested individuals to consider engagement with forums in communities to introduce positive and healing psycho-educational opportunities and collaboration

b.    Regarding constitutional matters, the following:
i.        “Full members shall be persons who are either registered students in psychology, at a recognised university at the undergraduate, Honours or Masters Level, and registered interns; or persons with a degree in any registration category in Psychology; or persons with an interest in or working in communities or who are involved in social interventions, social change or policy development.” Are we sure of the latter, can members of public be members of CaSP? I suggest we do create more engagement by raising external memberships? How would this effect payment methodology if any? 
ii.        “CaSP will consist of a group of 6 people who will decide who will take responsibility for different tasks related to its functions and will be referred to as an organisation committee.” Shall we try and expand the committee? As indicated before, we should consider building capacity. Furthermore, should we recommend regional representatives?
iii.        “The term of office of all members is two years. Office bearers shall not hold office in the same position for more than two consecutive terms.”  I suggest we open for discussion.
iv.        “A nominated person shall represent CaSP on the council of PsySSA. The executive shall appoint the alternate when necessary.” Chair to give any feedback of meetings
v.        “The division shall submit an audited income and expenditure statement to council for purposes of financial control.” How do we administer possible sponsorships and the like (income) from community members in the future?
vi.        Finally I suggest we consider if any amendments to the constitution are needed.

Compiled by Wiehann Rademan

Saturday 21 September 2013

Invitation to attend the Community and Social Psychology Division's AGM on Wednesday 25 September 2013

Dear Colleagues,

Hope to see you at the PsySSA Congress during the upcoming week. If you are going to be there please join us at the Community and Social Psychology Division's AGM on Wednesday, 25 Sept from 12h30 to 13h15 in Room Claudius.

For a copy of the programme of this year's congress, go to http://www.psyssa.com/

You are also welcome to contact me at fourime@unisa.ac.za

Kind regards
Eduard

Community and Social Psychology Divisions' Contribution to the PsySSA Annual Report

Community and Social Psychology Division
2013


·         Structure Composition:      
Chair:                                     Prof Eduard Fourie
Executive members:            Dr Puleng Segalo, Mr Wiehann Rademan & Mr Sydney Butler

·         What were your structure’s priorities for the year?
The Community and Social Psychology (CaSP) division’s aim was to continue the process of establishing and maintaining an online communication space to share ideas and information about upcoming events and conferences, new publications, to track the history of local publications and conference presentations, to hear how different universities define community psychology and approach the teaching of community and social psychology. The division’s blog address is http://psyssacns.blogspot.com/. The blog is intended to serve as a bulletin board and general community nexus for both members of the division and practitioners in both of these interrelated fields. To submit material to the blog, send your submission to Eduard Fourie (fourime@unisa.ac.za) or Puleng Segalo (segalpj@unisa.ac.za).
  

·         What are your structure’s priorities for next few years?
We will continue to explore ways to highlight the work of South African Community and Social Psychology Practitioners and grow the division. ICP2012 as well as other national and international conferences provided us with the opportunity to network within the division, but also with the broader psychology community. The online space will continue to develop and to provide an interactive and engaging space.

·         Meetings of your Executive
Executive members of the division continue to engage electronically.

·         Meetings of Members
Members of the division as well as other interested parties were invited to let us know whether they wish to receive email notifications of new posting on the blog, and the response was very positive.

·         Other Meetings

·         Workshop/Seminars/Symposia/Panel Discussions/Lectures/Presentations
Members of the division team attended and presented at the IVth International Community Psychology Conference in Barcelona in June 2012, at the Third Southern African Students’ Psychology Conference as well as various other Congresses.

·         Other Activities (including outreach and community interventions)
Members of the Division played a central role on hosting and presenting at the Third Southern African Students’ Psychology Conference in June 2013. Together with the PsySSA Student Division, a series of round table discussions on scholarly Development is included in the 19th PsySSA Congress to be hosted in September 2013.

·         Recommendations to the PsySSA Executive
Let’s continue to make online communications and interactions more vibrant and active. In doing so, more people can participate and engage in activities, projects, and decision making processes.

 Complied by Eduard Fourie and the Division Executive Members
July 2013

Monday 16 September 2013

PsyTalk Issue 3- 2013

The link to PsyTalk Issue 3- 2013:

 Please click here to download the latest PsyTalk Issue 3 – 2013 

PsyTalk is a newsletter of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA). Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of PsySSA. Inclusion of any material (whether editorial or advertisement) does not imply PsySSA endorsement.


Inside out outside in - South African prisons interest group

Inside out outside in - South African prisons interest group

Inside-out outside-in is a loose, inter-disciplinary grouping of South Africans interested in issues relating to prisons. The group is not involved in any projects, but exists to share knowledge and experiences about projects, organisations, research, and theories.

This interest group seeks to apply community psychology approaches and perspectives to the diverse communities that exist in and around correctional systems. We are particularly focused on initiatives that cross the boundaries between the inside and outside of prisons and deals with the connections and inter-dependencies between inside and out. Examples are the development of tertiary education opportunities for prisoners, issues of social reintegration and recidivism after release, issues relating to the families and relatives of prisoners, and the collaborative generation and dissemination of knowledge about prison experiences and circumstances.

Currently we have a whatsapp group, an email list, a website - http://insideoutoutsidein.co.za/ - and we host periodic presentations.

For more information write to Carien du Plessis at admin@insideoutoutsidein.co.za.