Start An Interdisciplinary Association: A Successful Practice Development Program for Mental Health Professionals by James J. De Santis, Ph.D. Copyright © 1998 by James J. De Santis, Ph.D. Book Review Kyle Dennis, MSW Secretary, Missouri Chapter, American Mental Health Alliance St. Louis, MO, June 1999 I have just finished reading through the ‘Start An Interdisciplinary Association' manual. It took me only one hour to thoroughly read the history and philosophy, then skim all ideas and forms used in running the association. WOW! What a goldmine this manual is! Having founded and been involved in all aspects of running the St. Louis Eating Disorders Network since 1987, I know exactly how useful this manual can be....Those of us involved as volunteers in mental health organizations could use this manual as a resource for just about everything we usually do--boards, events, newsletters, membership, PR, etc. De Santis emphasizes simplicity, which is evident in every phase of their history. Although the manual is written in great detail, the actual organization is very streamlined. For example, the bylaws are THREE PAGES. If there is an easy way to do something, they have figured it out. Dues are $50, period. No categories, no fancy stuff. However, they are very organized and that makes things seem to go smoothly. The Board is small, no unnecessary meetings. Nobody folds, stuffs, stamps. They hire a bulk mail service. They use their computer newsletter template. They use the AOL website builder...for free. A second idea, something they consider crucial, is that you always emphasize events. The organization is primarily for networking, so if there is an excuse for a networking event, with or without program, they do it. Even from the very beginning of the organization, they were holding frequent events, building up a mailing list, and recruiting as they go along. "Another tactic is that they are very generous with their resources. They literally give away the directory and the newsletter to all takers. It appears that plenty of organizations want their directory. They even found outside sources of funding so they can publish even more. [In response to the potential contention that many organizations for mental health professionals already exist, the book] addresses this in their membership brochure (printed in black and white on Kinko's fancy brochure stationery...a real money saver and very professional looking): 'Instead, we propose granting equal membership status to all these mental health disciplines. Creating a distinctive niche, this innovation avoids an inherent weakness of existing professional associations by restructuring the professional association concept to more accurately reflect real-world patterns of networking and clinical referral--which readily cross disciplines. An interdisciplinary association also capitalizes on the financial strength of pooled resources. By organizing all mental health disciplines in a local geographic area, robust economies of scale are produced. The cost of marketing overhead is reduced considerably because actual expenses are shared.' None of our local professional organizations really focuses on marketing. This would be what would attract people to us. [To address those professionals who feel discouraged and burned out] the manual is encouraging. There is so much direct payoff to one's practice due to the exposure you get from this organization, that it seems people would be motivated to put time into it. Also, it appears that they just forged ahead with good ideas, good organizational sense, and very little money required. They are not hampered by any kind of anti-managed care stance, because anyone can join and they avoid that issue completely. They are into strengthening their practices in the traditional way: networking and publicity. Yet they offer themselves as a resource in a climate where our practices are being challenged by managed care. Click here to order now.

Book Review