PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF OSPA!

In February of 1974, 45 people met and started the Oklahoma School Psychological Association. They elected Charles Simon, a school psychologist from Yukon, as the first Interim President, and they also appointed the first acting board of the organization. The Constitution for OSPA was developed under the visionary leadership of Dr. Paul Warden from OSU, and its Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State that same year. Dr. Jim Reese, Tahlequah, was elected the first President of OSPA later on in 1974 and served from 1974-1975. The OSPA newsletter and the first OSPA conference began the following year in 1975. Many of the founding members of OSPA are now retired, but their mission to found and sustain a professional organization for school psychologists and psychometrists throughout the state is a legacy not soon forgotten!

To honor all the many people who have help start, maintain, serve, or lead OSPA throughout the 25 years of its existence, the annual Spring Conference this year will have a special luncheon program and celebration to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime "Silver Anniversary" and recognize special people involved in the organization in the past and present. The program will include recognizing these important people:

1) Charter and Founding Members of OSPA who are present

2) Honorary, Lifetime, and Retired Members of OSPA

3) Members of OSPA for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of affiliation

4) Fay Catlett "School Psychologist of the Year" award recipients

5) Past Presidents and Officers of OSPA

A special display of OSPA archival and historical documents and memorabilia at one of the registration tables is also being planned for your browsing and viewing pleasure at the conference!

If you know of anyone else who deserves recognition or if you know the whereabouts of any of the original charter members printed in the insert of this issue, please contact our organization's Executive Secretary, Helen Copp, who is listed inside on page 2 under the Executive Board directory. Also, please take the time to help us verify the membership longevity awards data by seeing if we have your name listed correctly under 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 years of service if you have been a member for that long.

The OSPA Spring Conference this year will be a special time to celebrate the birth of our organization, its maturity and growth over 25 years of service, and its journey into the century ahead as school psychological staff continue to make a tremendous difference in the lives of children! It will also be a rare opportunity to see old and new acquaintances and renew friendships from across the many miles of Oklahoma and the many years of your collective careers! Hope to see you there!!

--Best Wishes, Linda Sanders , OSPA President

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