Notes on the AGM of the COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (CaSP) Division held at 12h30 to 13h15, Wednesday, 25 September 2013 at Venue Claudius, Emperors Palace, Johannesburg

Welcome

Eduard Fourie welcomed all present and provided a brief overview of the history and current status of the Division.

Apologies

Received from Ronelle Carolissen, Gillian Finchilescu, Kopano Ratele, Sally John and Bronwen Combrink

In attendance

Puleng Segalo, Wiehann Rademann, Nkateko Manabe,  Carmelitia De Bruin, Khonzi Mbatha, Suntosh PIllay, Jennifer Graham, Lavanya Pillay, Eduard Fourie, Nolwazi Somtsewu, Christabella Maluleka, Shahnaaz Suffla and Agenlo Fynn

Towards an agenda

Actions to promote psychological insight and well-being in communities

(proposed by Wiehann Rademan)

-       Intern psychologists and other members to actively recruit blog followers through further awareness raising  - use of existing network contacts

-       The recruitment and contracting of intern project leaders for pilot projects

-       Intern psychologists to be involved in the planning of small scale community projects

-       Intern psychologist and mentors to engage with identified key stake holders in communities and launch activities

-       Psychologists and other interested individuals to consider engagement with forums in communities to introduce positive and healing psycho-educational opportunities and collaboration

Co-creation and sharing of information

The Division’s blog - http://psyssacns.blogspot.com/ - to be further developed and marketed as engagement space for the sharing of community and social psychology projects, training, workshops, events, publications etc.

Registrar of community and social psychology projects and publications

The Division to create a registrar of current community and social psychology projects and publications.

To engage with other PsySSA Divisions, with academic departments and with individuals and community organisations.

5^th International Conference of Community Psychology – September 2014

Conference to be held early September 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. Call for Papers to be posted on the CaSP blog.

20^th PsySSA Congress – September 2014

The Division to identify symposia themes for inclusion in the20th PsySSA Congress to be held in Durban in September 2014.

One proposal is a symposium on prison studies. For more information visit the inside out – outside in prison studies interest group at http://insideoutoutsidein.co.za/

Amendments to the CaSP constitution

(submitted by Wiehann Rademan)

“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? Suggestion that we create more engagement by raising external memberships. How would this effect payment methodology if any?  - to be discussed with Council]

“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.” The Executive Team to be expanded

“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.”  To be revised in order for Team members to participate in the Executive functioning for more than two years.

“A nominated person shall represent CaSP on the council of PsySSA. The executive shall appoint the alternate when necessary.” Chair to give feedback during meetings.

“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? – Follow up with Council.

The revised constitution to be submitted to Council.

Further priorities

Marketing of the Division, Liaise with other PsySSA Divisions, Recruit members for the Division, involvement with the 4^th Southern African Students’ Psychology Conference with the theme ‘community engagement’ to be held in June 2015.

Elections of CASP Exec Members for 2014

Chair: Eduard Fourie

Vice-Chair and Treasurer: Puleng Segalo

Secretary: Wiehann Rademan

Additional members: Nkateko Manabe, Carmelitia De Bruin, Suntosh PIllay, Jennifer Graham and Lavanya Pillay

Minutes compiled by Wiehann Rademann and Eduard Fourie

26 September 2013