Traditions, Transitions & Trends

by Paul D. Kaiser, IPMAAC President-Elect

Tradition has it that each year, at the October Board meeting, the IPMAAC gavel is ceremoniously passed from the strong right arm of the President into the trembling hands of the President-Elect. With her well-known charm, and a sly smile, Marianne Bays let me have it. Jim Johnson stood by chuckling. In the few weeks since this rite of passage took place, I've discovered that "passing the gavel" is a euphemism. "Bringing down the hammer" would be a more accurate expression.

The interests of the IPMAAC membership are broad and deep. Their commitment to the organization and the profession is strong. My desk is littered with scraps of paper, my 'urgent pending' file is stuffed with notes, my e-mail cacophonously pings announcing new messages. Each paper, each note, each message contains an inspiration for a new program, a suggestion to improve an existing service, an idea for adding value. I'm a happy boy!

As I get a clearer view of the mosaic that is IPMAAC, my amazement at the accomplishments of Marianne Bays continues to grow. Those who know Marianne well appreciate her intelligence, initiative and organization savvy. The fact that she was program chair, served as President-Elect, held a full time job and finished her doctorate simultaneously exemplifies her typical (rather than maximal) intellective capacity. IPMAAC benefitted greatly from her efforts. The list of concrete accomplishments during Marianne's all too brief tenure (my perspective, not hers) is long -- the Boston conference was wonderful; our training program is finally getting on track; the ACN and the ECN are premier vehicles for communication with and among the membership. Using her knowledge of organization structures, processes and systems she has laid the foundation for IPMAAC's future. Last year, Marianne stated that Jim Johnson would be a 'tough act to follow.' The act keeps getting tougher and tougher. On behalf of the membership, I offer our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Marianne.

Past President Jim Johnson is poised to accept that most coveted of roles -- IPMAACer emeritus. Finally, he'll be able to offer expert advice and guidance without actually having to do most of the work himself. Jim has long been the person I call when I need to know what's really going on in the profession or how to approach a seemingly irresolvable problem. Over the years, Jim has been a mentor and a friend. My only regret is that IPMAAC doesn't have a position of Past, Past President -- that way we could keep Jim at the helm a little longer. Fortunately, as Jim will find out, he's only a phone call away.

After nine consecutive years, Kaye Evleth retires from the Board. In its wisdom, IPMAAC prevailed upon Kaye to serve in every possible leadership role in the organization. She's done them all, there are no more. As she is wont to gleefully say, "Been there. Done that." Kaye pointed us in the direction, Jim blazed the trail, Marianne increased the stride, I'll follow along.

The committee chairs for 1997 are already toiling mightily. T.R. Lin has worked hard to increase students' awareness of IPMAAC and encourage them to showcase their work at the conference. Conference program chairs Mike Willihnganz and David Dye are reviewing presentation proposals and confirming invited speakers. Host chair Mabel Miramon has lined-up festive and entertaining social activities. (Realtors stress that the three most important things are location, location, and location -- for the Newport Beach conference we have location, program and party.) Training committee chair Kristine Smith is exploring training alternatives to increase the professional development opportunities IPMAAC offers to its members. A series of monographs and technical reports are planned.

The next few years promise to be exciting for personnel professionals. The concepts of privatization, outsourcing, decentralization and dissolution may threaten our very livelihood. The new APA Standards will fundamentally change assessment practice. Many predict that legal challenges will rise again to the levels experienced in the 1970's. With your help, IPMAAC will continue to assist its members in meeting these challenges.