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American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, Inc.
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors
Held at the Palmer House in Chicago, Illinois on 10 December 1994.
1. The minutes of the previous regular meeting of 11 August 1994 were reviewed and approved.
2. The Minutes of the Special Planning meeting of 27 October 1994 were reviewed and approved.
3. The President reported that the most important issue discussed in the Planning Meeting was the formation of an Academy.Resolution #l was presented by the President. In ABPP, all the specialty boards except ABCN have established a separate Academy. While we remain in technical compliance with the ABPP bylaws, we lack a structure to separate the membership from the ABCN Board of Directors (BoD). That is, our membership is considered an unidentified academy.
It was proposed that the purposes of the said Academy be:
a. To promote clinical neuropsychology as a profession for the benefit of the society and the profession;
b. To articulate the nature of clinical neuropsychology to the public, including other professions, institutions and the government;
C. To advocate for clinical neuropsychologists and the profession of clinical neuropsychology;
d. To support those activities of other organizations that bear on the mission of the Academy and whose goals are similar to those of the Academy;
e. To provide advanced educational programs for clinical neuropsychologists;
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Minutes of the ABCN Board of Directors 10 December 1994
g. To stand ready to assist in the evaluation of programs that are engaged in the evaluation and accreditation of programs in clinical neuropsychology;
h. To Conduct such other activities that in the opinion of the Academy are to the benefit of the public and clinical neuropsychology.
It was noted that the above purposes "d” through "h" are activities that would require funding.
4. Dr. S. Mattis proposed that ABCN designate the Academy to propose a slate of members from which the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology's Board of Directors would select replacements to the Board.
5. Dr. Chelune questioned whether the maintenance fees and membership dues would be reconciled or if one would be deleted.It was noted that according to the model the Academy would collect membership dues which, in turn, would support the ABCN.
6. Dr. R. Adams asked what would be the relation between the Academy and the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Dr. S. Mattis explained that according to the model, there would be none. That is, according to the its new structure, ABPP must be separated from any membership organization. Diplomates would continue to pay maintenance fees to ABPP.In turn, ABPP would continue its obligation to maintain the integrity of the diplomate status which is the basis of the maintenance fee. This organizational structure is in close parallel with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). However, the ABMS raises its operating funds by charging capitation fees to its individual boards.
7. Dr. Chelune questioned which organization would be in the position to define competency. It was noted that the ABCN would do this for the Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology in conjunction with the general standards of ABPP. However, it would be possible for the Academy to propose such a definition for other purposes.Thus, in principle it would be possible for the Academy and the ABCN to come into conflict over this and other issues. This is precisely the type of independence that the standards of practice for credentialing agencies are intended to protect and ensure.
8. Dr. K. Adams suggested that the Academy should consider more than one class of membership in the Academy, e.g., a category of associate membership or affiliate. This could provide a conduit to others (non-diplomates), including students, who
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Minutes of the ABCN Board of Directors 10 December 1994
9. Resolution: It was moved by Dr. Hammeke and seconded by Dr. Heaton: That an Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology be founded.
In discussion, Dr. Haaland questioned whether there was a need for yet another organization and, if so, what would be the advantage of becoming a member of a competency based professional organization in clinical neuropsychology. It was noted that without an Academy there would be no organization or recognized spokesperson to speak for or on the behalf of Diplomates in Clinical Neuropsychology. Dr. Fennel1 stressed the importance of communicating to the present members of ABCN what action was being proposed and why this was being undertaken.
The motion unanimously passed.
Dr. Heaton suggested that when informing the ABCN membership of this change, it is explained that all the specialties under ABPP, not just Clinical Neuropsychology, is complying with the new structure. Dr. Mattis noted that the new, advocacy Academy would be an organization with a loose relationship to ABCN as the board certifying agency. Dr. Rourke stated that ABCN would have to explain to members why we wish there to be an Academy.It was proposed that ABCN first constitute itself as an academy then separate ABCN from the Academy, with the provision that ABCN will be supported by the Academy.
10. It was moved by Dr. Hammeke and seconded by Dr. Bomstein that: ABCN will redefine itself as the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) , and in light of this, vote as an Academy to separate itself from the ABCN.
In discussion it was proposed that the first vote of the action of the board of AACN be to separate the credentialing body. Dr. Adams suggested that ABCN should obtain appropriate legal advice before taking any potentially precipitous action.
This motion was withdrawn.
11. It was moved and approved that ABCN will inform the membership that we must and will split into two separate but related organizations and that ABCN will present bylaws for both organizations to be voted upon at the Seattle meeting.
12. Revisions in the format of the Oral Examinations: Dr. Hamsher reported that at the October 1994 Oral Examinations, the Work Sample and Ethics Examinations were combined such that an examiner who conducted the Work Sample Examination in
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Minutes of the ABCN Board of Directors 10 December 1994
Motion: It was moved an unanimously approved that the Work Sample and Ethics Examination continue to be combined in this fashion.
13. Planning Meeting Point #7: The President announced that the Board took action to offer new examinations to the four persons who complained how they were treated.
14. Cadre of Examiners. Motion: It was moved by Dr. Heaton and seconded by Dr. Haaland that a set of 15 examiners be identified for 5 year appointments.
In discussion it was agreed that these individuals should be experienced examiners. It was noted that by establishing a cadre of examiners, this will facilitate setting up the examiners for the Oral Examinations. It was noted that by establishing a cadre of examiners that this could affect the selection of new board members which, in the past, was based in part on the individuals' experience as examiners. It was agreed that ABCN bear this in mind when making new nominations to the Board.
The motion was unanimously approved.
15. The President ordered the Examination Committee to put together a proposed slate for the cadre of examiners. The Examination Committee is to generate a list of 20 examiners all of whom agree to make a commitment of time to their potential appointment, if so made. This slate will then be reviewed by the Executive Committee to make the final selection. This proposed slate is due by the Seattle meeting of the Board (8 February 1995).
16. Dr. Hamsher announced that a new procedure was created such that the Chair of each Examining Committee at the Oral Examinations first sends to Dr. Hamsher for review their letter to ABPP, reporting the outcome of the examination. This change creates a new oversight function for the Chair of the Examination Committee to better assure that the letters to ABPP, portions of which are shared with the candidates, conform to the standards of ABCN.
17. At the ABCN Planning Meeting on 10 December 1994, Drs. Cripe and Ivnik were charged with proposing changes in training procedures for examiners to be submitted to the Chair of the Examination Committee. Dr. Hamsher reported that there had been no further communication from Drs. Cripe and Ivnik to date.
18. Dr. Hamsher distributed and reviewed a draft of a definition of competence as a Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology as discussed at the ABCN Planning Meeting of 10 December 1994. The President and Dr. Heaton agreed to review and revise the wording of this draft document.
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Minutes of the ABCN Board of Directors 10 December 1994
20. Dr. Hamsher reported he had received a request to obtain the mean and standard deviation for scores on the ABCN Written Examination. It was the unanimous opinion of the Board that no further information about the test, beyond the annual passing rate, will be released for public consumption.
21. Formation of an appeals committee. The ABPP continues to want ABCN to establish its own Appeal Committee.Other specialties have created an appeals committee within the specialty while maintaining a final appeal at the ABPP level. It was decided that our current procedures are desirable. In our literature for candidates, we will state that appeals are brought directly to ABPP.
22. Planning Meeting Resolution #3. It was announced that ABCN is preparing documents to address these concerns. Dr. Steve Putnam will be invited to write a paper on the importance of the diplomate.
23. Planning Meeting Item #l0. Motion: Dr. Howieson moved and Dr. Hammeke seconded that ABCN should establish standard dates on which it will hold the Oral Examinations. The motion was unanimously approved. The target dates for the Oral Examinations will be the 3rd Friday and Saturday of the months of May and October, with the examiner preparation meeting being held on the immediately preceding Thursday.
24. The President proposed that by the Seattle meeting, ABCN will investigate the legal issues and propose a mechanism for the establishment of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN). ABCN will consult with ABPP and its legal services and other appropriate persons. The proposed new bylaws will be begin with a statement as described above, viz., that the AACN will be responsible for the financial support of ABCN. The membership shall be invited to have input into the bylaws in the interim period. Thus, at the ABCN meeting in February 1995, ABCN intends to put into place these two structures for the benefit of neuropsychology as a profession. The proposal was unanimously approved.
The President, Secretary and Executive Director will obtain a copy of the bylaws of the American Academy of Neurology. ABCN will distribute these to all members of the BoD of ABCN. This executive committee also will review the bylaws for the American Academy of Forensic Psychology.
It was suggested that Diplomate members of the AACN be accorded the status of a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology and be authorized
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Minutes of the ABCN Board of Directors 10 December 1994
25. Information item. It came to the attention of ABCN that a Diplomate of both Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology was solicited to sit on the examining committee of a candidate in Clinical Psychology because the candidate was a clinical neuropsychologist.”ABCN's representative to ABPP was directed to take up this matter with ABPP.It is ABCN's position that no other board should examine in the area of clinical neuropsychology. ABPP will be informed that extreme action could be taken by ABCN if this were to happen again.
26. The next meeting of the BoD of ABCN will be held on Wednesday, 8 February 1995 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., in conjunction with the North American Meeting of the INS in a room to be announced.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerry deS. Hamsher, Ph.D., Secretary
American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology
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