AASP Newsletter - March 2022

Ashwin Patel

With 2021, the Olympics, and AASP’s conference abstract deadline in the rear-view mirror, we can take some time as an association to reflect and focus on the exciting direction the AASP Executive Board is moving for the 2022 financial year. My name is Ashwin Patel, and I am excited to carry on the incredible work that Hillary Cauthen championed as the Secretary-Treasurer over the past three years. On behalf of the Executive Board, I would like to recognize her dedication and aspire to provide the same professionalism and attention to detail that she demonstrated. This financial report will outline some of the key strategic goals and priorities that the AASP Executive Board will be supporting this year to support the various initiatives deemed central to our growth and development as an association. 

Within this report is an end of the year recap on the association’s financial status – based on the final 2021 numbers the 2022 approved budget, a comparison of AASP financial performance over the past 3 years, and the most recent statement of assets.

AASP is very solid financially. Despite the obvious challenges over the past two years with the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to host an in-person conference, we are happy to report three consecutive positive financial years where we have added a total of over $600,000 to our reserves. Due to this surplus, our intent in 2022 is to commit major resources to the following foundational areas:

• Establishing graduate program accreditation for masters and doctoral level training programs in the US and Canada;
• Continuing our branding work with Vermilion to expand our exposure and understanding to external consumers: performers/athletes, parents, coaches, leagues and organizations, colleges/schools, tactical/military, and performance support staff;
• Further development of our Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) certification program;
• Creation of a new 4-year Strategic Plan (2023-2026) to guide the association;
• Offering scholarships to our Diversity and Ethics Distance Courses for early career professional and graduate student members, with preferences given to applicants with marginalized and/or intentionally ignored identities in society (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and/or disabled);
• Funding operations for the Journal for Advancing Sport Psychology in Research (previously supported by the AASP Foundation); and,
• Producing a new edition of the Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology.

We are cognizant that the budgeting for these expenses is going to be reflected in a net loss of approximately $86,000 for the 2022 year. However, we knew that several “large investment” AASP expenses were going to hit this year, and that several of these are one-offs (Vermilion and Strategic Planning). These AASP finances reflect the commitment and responsiveness to our growing membership group that we serve. 

Thank you for your continued investment in the association. I appreciate the opportunity to serve and share our financial growth and goals. Should you have questions, concerns, or suggestions related to the financial activity of AASP, please contact Ashwin Patel, AASP Secretary-Treasurer at ashwin.patel@humber.ca.