MCPP Board of Directors Meeting  October 2025 Minutes

 

Virtual Meeting, October 19, 2025, 9am-10:30am

 

Present: David Freiband, Shil Sengupta, Tamra Frei, Alex Houseknecht, Marissa Keep, Linda Young, Robert Cohen, Joe Hull, Karen Weber, Lisa Larson

 

President: D. Freiband

• Board has made contingency plans to have Shil Sengupta running the next meeting, and Linda Young being secretary in case Freiband has adverse effect from medical procedure prior to the meeting.
• Board decided to have next Board meeting start at 11am in light of 1pm start to the subsequent presentation.
•  Voted to approve Sengupta’s September 2025 Minutes, factoring in the feedback that he has received on corrections from Freiband as well as other members of the Board. Young seconded. Board passed unanimously.
• Reservations are being made for the 26-27 academic year for professors visiting from out of state.  If the funds aren’t used, we will get refunded.

 

Funding for Recent Social Function:

• Freiband moved that we approve the use of $150 of MCPP's funds for MCPP's Fall Coffee Hour social event scheduled for Saturday, October 11th, at the Ann Arbor Public Library. Sengupta seconded.
• Motion passed. nine voting in favor and none opposing or abstaining.

Treasurer: T. Frei

• Total net worth increased approximately $10k since last report.
• Major difference was due to Schwab investment account increasing by $11K.
• No significant changes to accounts otherwise.

Co VP of Programs:  Alex Houseknecht

• In the process of getting  2026-27 schedule ready. 
• Compiling list of people to contact including Nancy McWilliams, Jessica Benjamin, Galit Atlas, Dodi Goldman (leading authority on Winnicott), Daniel Shaw (traumatic narcissism), Valerie Frankfeldt (on AI),
• Negotiating with Roy Barsness regarding length of presentation (potential In person workshop approach) as well as corresponding financial compensation.
• Previous speakers have accepted $1000, but Alex will inquire whether speakers he’s contacting find this fee acceptable, or whether they are expecting more.
• Young explored question of fee structure for speakers: whether we maintain rigid fee structure, or increase depending on prominence of the person.
• Cohen defended the idea of paying more for speakers who are prominent because they may attract national attention, and may lead to more advertising for the organization.
• Freiband added possibility of Alex contacting Karin Ahbel-Rappe (who had previously facilitated Nancy McWilliams.
• Freiband suggested Keep run a poll to see the variation of hybrid, in person only, etc. presentations that could be done and how popular each of the formats are

Website:  Karen Weber

•  Had difficulty with Google connecting certificate to the survey, but this was resolved.
• Hull has been made part of the list-serv (and also on the website as member at large).
•  Got rid of extra fees for analysts (which has also greatly simplified registration process for Weber).

 Co VPs of Membership:  Linda Young and Lisa Larson

• will be sending out renewal letters in November.

Social Liaison:  Marissa Keep

Report on social gathering Saturday, 10/11, at Ann Arbor Public Library

• Felt like this event was a huge success: with event being attended by 6 people not on board, 2 people who were early career professionals who were excited and provided positive feedback.
• In process of getting contact information for one particular person who attended, but whose contact information we don’t have.
• For next event specify exact location within larger venue more clearly.
• Issue was discussed about whether to have combined social and clinical events in the future or to keep social events isolated (given that we already provide monthly clinical discussions).
• Keep’s idea for next social event is to have it in the early winter (early January), in order to navigate Holiday season during which time many would be out of town.
• Freiband suggested that, in order to avoid having to vote for each event, that we commit to up to $400 per event (ahead of time) w/ assumption that we don’t have to pay this maximum amount every time.
• Bob moved that the board approve spending up to $400 for each future social member event. Houseknecht seconded. Board voted unanimously.

Discussion of Board Positions

• Need for new secretary as of September, 2026
• From standpoint of accreditation, we may need to have someone who is officially a secretary.
• Let’s revisit this as we get closer to requiring one.
• Cohen suggested talking to and keeping people in mind for this position.

 

Discussion About PSIAN Affiliation:  Linda Young

• Was contacted by Howard Moore to be affiliated with this organization
• The cost to us for this affiliation would be  $250/year
• Recent conference corresponding to this organization outlined how therapies of depth have been marginalized.
• The organization has been extremely successful in adding on people.
• Organization has had a lot of impact and stands for values connected to all of us on the Board.
• Young asked the Board to look up the website to decide for ourselves whether affiliating with this organization seems like a good opportunity.
• Freiband suggested coming back to this issue the next meeting when we have more time.

Freiband motioned to adjourn the meeting, Frei seconded. Board passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned.

 Next MCPP Board Meeting will be held virtually on November 16, 11 a.m.