How Affiliate Societies Attract New Members
Philip Flores, PhD, CGP, FAGPA

Editor’s Note: The Affiliate Societies work hard to attract new members and retain old ones. While these programs are discussed at the Affiliate Society Assembly, The Group Circle thought the general AGPA membership might be interested as well.

The Atlanta Group Psychotherapy Society (AGPS) maintains a mailing list of all those who have attended its programs over the years, whether they joined or not. Past attendees are invited to all events, and eventually, many have joined the Affiliate. The Arizona Group Psychotherapy has also been successful in gaining new members at its conferences; it holds two per year. 

The Austin Group Psychotherapy Society supports the idea of "living room dialectics." Once every quarter, members meet in a member's home for an informal gathering, usually between 10 and 20 people. The host member selects the topic and leads a discussion. It is a great way for people to get to know each other in a small gathering, and to talk about topics relevant to them. Prospective members are also invited to these gatherings, and it has been a good way to build membership. 

The two-state Carolinas Group Psychotherapy Society (CGPS) is trying to manage the distance problem that makes it difficult for members to stay involved. Members in Winston, about 80 miles from the Triangle of Chapel Hill-Durham and somewhat more distant Raleigh, put together informal get-togethers on Friday after work, with wine and cheese at someone's home. Over time, this format has resulted in a very involved group from Winston-Salem, including three current Board members. In an effort to rekindle the South Carolina connection, CGPS is planning to offer a Core Course there. The CGPS is also offering consultation, training and/or supervision groups in various areas as another way to stimulate membership interest. This allows people to connect on a personal basis. It is particularly helpful for therapists in more isolated settings. 

The Dallas Group Psychotherapy Society (DGPS)has been having monthly socials for networking and fun. For the past two years, the DGPS has focused on strengthening its Board of Directors through various types of training and orientation programs about nonprofit board functions, fundraising, and strategic planning. 

The Houston Group Psychotherapy Society is planning four brown bag luncheon programs next year. It also will be attempting to get enough members to pool their contributions to the local public radio station to begin getting weekly announcements for HGPS.

The Los Angeles Group Psychotherapy Society’s Thanks to its new Treasurer, Barbara Hold, LAGPS reports improved tracking of membership and producing its membership directory.

The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society held a two-day institute, where many of its members join. In addition to sending personal reminders to previous members about rejoining, it is planning to hold a second membership drive. 

The Missouri Group Psychotherapy Society (MOGPS) is exploring establishing “living room dialectics,” an informal way to meet in people's homes to discuss topical issues relevant to group therapy as a way to invite formerly active members to re-engage at a quasi-social level with a minimum of work. The Board is also considering preceding membership and Board meetings by a process group meeting. The Affiliate set up a MOGPS e-list on Yahoo so that Board business and communications could be available to the membership. A notice on the dues statement will encourage members to join the e-list.

One of the greatest incentives that the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society (NCGPS) offers to the potential member is its directory of group therapists in the Bay Area. NCGPS mails its directory to more than 600 agencies each year and get it into the hands of perhaps another 400 agency-based therapists who have a need for a ready resource for groups to which they can refer their patients. This year, the directory is also online, with a link to the AGPA website and a few other locations. NCGPS also conducts a vigorous mid-year membership campaign in conjunction with preparing the directory, which includes letters and phone calls to all members who have not yet paid their dues, reminding them that only paid members will receive the directory’s update form. As a result of this campaign, the NCGPS gained at least 40 additional members. 

The Puget Sound Group Psychotherapy Network (PSGPN) is focusing on quarterly professional meetings, where members with expertise offer an informal program. Additionally, it is helping members connect with each other through peer consultation groups. PSGPN has also recognized the value of a good membership directory. Getting listed in the PSGPN directory has been a major membership recruitment tool, as there is evidence it is used for referrals. PSGPN plans a wider distribution this year.

The Rochester Area Group Psychotherapy Society updated its directory, membership materials, and a brochure. Its growing website (www.ragps.org), an e-mail distribution list to speed communications and a less frequent newsletter help expand communications with the membership. 

A primary goal for the San Antonio Group Psychotherapy Society for the 2002–3 year is to begin a community education outreach project to increase education on group psychotherapy for the San Antonio community-at-large. Initial plans include doing PSAs on public radio. 

The Southwestern Group Psychotherapy Society has planned outreach programs to connect with older members, as well as college and university students. This will include offering to train foreign students who are attending the Texas A&M International University in Laredo.

This article was published in the October/November 2002 issue of The Group Circle