In 2003, the Council of the American Psychosomatic Society recommended that a special interest group of past officers and council members be formed. The original concept was that this group of experienced leaders of the Society could provide valuable perspectives about many issues, such as the state and direction of the Society, its future goals, and how it might relate to other professional organizations. In 2023, Council updated the charter of the Past Leaders Group.
First, in appreciation to members of this Group and in service to Council and the Society, the president, immediate past-president, and president-elect will host a working meeting of the Past Leaders Group at the Annual Conference. This meeting will be open to current Council members, as well. One purpose of this meeting is to inform the Past Leaders Group of the past year’s activities of Council. A second purpose is to solicit consultation and foster small-group discussions on topics and issues of timely importance to Council, as determined at Council’s meeting immediately prior to the Annual Conference. It is expected that one past leader from each small group provide a summary of that group’s discussion to Council by way of the president. As is feasible and appropriate, consultation may also be solicited by electronic survey to members of the Past Leaders Group who are unable to attend the Annual Conference.
Second, owing to the institutional knowledge and unique capability of the Past Leaders Group to provide guidance and mentorship to other entities of the Society, members of this Group will be called upon as appropriate to offer feedback and consultation on matters ranging from the bylaws, Society initiatives and activities, the journal, and engagements with other professional organizations.
Lastly, communication among members of the Past Leaders Group will be facilitated by use of a Community on the Society’s “Collaborates” platform, which will include a Roster of the Past Leaders Group. Formal communications on behalf of the Past Leaders Group or selected subgroups of past leaders are to be directed as they arise to the current president, immediate past-president, and president-elect.