Committees
GLGPS is a non-profit organization. As such, it runs on the hard work of volunteers. Our volunteers are usually folks who have participated in one of our programs and came away feeling the wish to become more involved in the organization. If you have been enriched by our offerings, and wonder how to participate more, there are many opportunities to add your voice. Several of our committees have openings for new members. Read on to see if there is a committee that might fit your particular interests or skills. We’d love to have you!
The Program & Training Committee
This committee is the lifeblood of GLGPS. P&T, as it is affectionately known, develops all programming offered to our membership. This committee has a great deal of influence over topics to offer and presenters to invite which, in part, defines the values and priorities of the organization. This is a wonderful committee to join for those who have a knack for event planning. It is also the committee that offers the most professional exposure to other professionals in the field.
If you are interested in learning more P & T, reach out to the current chair, Kevin Newhall.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is the warm welcome and “HR department” of the organization. It is charged with attracting new members to GLGPS and maintaining our current membership. There are several roles on this committee suited to different strengths. Some positions are more personal, such as attending to needs of the membership. Others are more technical or administrative, as when dues payments need to be tracked and membership renewals need to be sent out.
If you are interested in learning more about this committee, please contact Shawn Flynn.
Marketing Committee
The marketing committee is the public voice of GLGPS and its mission is to develop and maintain an image that bolsters the organization’s reputation. By solidifying a credible brand, the marketing committee enhances the organization’s ability to attract members, increase engagement with the organization, and procure funding to promote the mission of the GLGPS board. The marketing committee consists of many up front and behind-the-scenes roles including content writing, social media management, website maintenance, newsletter management, development of promotional materials, community outreach, etc…
Reach out to Chris Carpenter if you’d like to know more.
The Scholarship Committee
The scholarship committee creates and maintains a written policy for granting scholarships from the Hylene Dublin and the Ariadne Beck funds. The Hylene Dublin fund provides financial help for participating in GLGPS events and the Ariadne Beck fund provides assistance participating at the annual AGPA meeting. The committee is encouraged to seek ways of maximizing the potential benefit to both the applicant and the society by establishing agreements which encourage greater participation in the society, on the grantees’ part. Joining this committee allows for engagement with the organization with a minimal time commitment.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact Marvin Evans or Barney Straus.
Social Committee
The social committee brings the fun! For those who love gathering people to socialize, this is the committee for you. This group organizes holiday gatherings, post-conference dinners, coffee chats after GLS events, and coordinates our affiliate dinner at the national AGPA conference. Social committee participation invites creativity and big ideas as you develop relationships with other like-minded folks.
I first learned of GLGPS (then IGPS) more than 15 years ago. I joined the organization thinking it would just be another place to market my group, but it became clear after the first conference I attended that there was much more to be gained here. The passion and wisdom of the presenter and participants alike, sparked a new interest in group therapy. The energy and sense of connection in the room was unlike any professional event I had ever been to. I was also humbled to learn how little my graduate program taught me about all the complexities of running therapy groups. I had much to learn and now I had a welcoming, non-judgmental place to do that!
After attending several events, many of the faces became familiar and relationships started to evolve and deepen. Through these relationships, I became more and more involved in the organization. I have enjoyed contributing to the advancement of group therapy and being involved in group therapy training, while making good friends in the process.
After serving on the Programming and Training Committee for many years, I became Chair of the Marketing Committee and am now sitting on the board so that I can be more directly active in shaping the future of GLGPS. I’m so excited to see what this next chapter brings. The best is yet to come!