Run for an Office in the Society of Addiction Psychology!

This is your once-a-year opportunity to get more involved in the Society of Addiction Psychology (SoAP)!

This year we are looking to fill 3 elected positions:

(1) President-Elect

(2) Member-at-Large (Public Interest)

(3) APA Council Representative

If you are interested in running for one of these positions, please email Dr. Linda Rinehart at lrinehar@umn.edu (Please email directly, do not reply to this listserv announcement)

Additional details about the open positions and terms for the upcoming election can be found below.

The 3 year terms of these offices start at the close of the SoAP Business Meeting at the APA convention in 2026, with the exception of APA Council Representative which starts in January 2027.

You are already devoting considerable time to treating and/or conducting research with individuals with addictive behaviors. Here is your opportunity to have an impact on the field at the national level. Self-nominations are invited and you only need 2.5% of the membership to endorse your nomination in order for you to be placed on the ballot (deadline: mid-January).

Here’s what will happen:

•  The Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee will solicit nominations through the SoAP listserv.

•  Candidate statements will be shared with SoAP members in Spring 2026 via the SoAP listserv.

•  The electronic ballot will be distributed by the APA Central Office in April 2026 (with a June 1st deadline).

SoAP members and fellows are eligible to run for these open positions.

President-Elect

Term: Aug. 2026 – July 2029

This position is a 3-year term. During year 1, you will serve as President-Elect getting oriented to the board activities and responsibilities. You will have the opportunity to participate in various initiatives and contribute to the strategic planning for the division, In Year 2, you will serve as President. You will preside over all in-person and phone board meetings and guides the division in new initiatives. The president performs other duties consistent with the Bylaws, such as appointing committee chairs. The Presidential year ends with an invited Presidential Address at the APA convention. In Year 3, you will serve as Past-President. Your main responsibility is to serve as advisor to the current president.

Member-At-Large (Public Interest)

Term: Aug. 2026 – July 2029

This Member-at-Large (MAL Public Interest) serves a liaison function between the SoAP and the APA Public Interest Directorate and works closely with the SoAP Advocacy and Policy Committee (APC). The overarching goal of this Member-at- Large is to focus on policy-related matters. This goal is accomplished through frequent communication with APA and through efforts to educate and support members in effective advocacy practices. In particular, this position targets new initiatives, and monitors policy issues.

APA Council Representative

Term: Jan. 2027 – Dec. 2029

Division 50 has two representatives who represent the division at the APA Council of Representatives meetings. As a council representative, you will observe APA leadership in action. You will serve as a voice for the division in all major policy decisions made by APA. The council meets twice per year (February in Washington DC and August at the APA Convention). Issues are also handled via conference calls and emails throughout the year. You will also serve as part of the SoAP executive board to report ongoing and upcoming APA activities and policies that may affect the division and its membership.

Reminder: As of 2023, APA graduate student members have voting rights in division elections.