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Constructivist Chronicle
NAPCN Ponders NAPCN: Will a Name Change Better
Communicate What the Network Stands For?
You Be the Judge!
By Jonathan D.
Raskin, NAPCN President
Vol. 6, Issue 2 (Fall 2002)
What’s in a name?
That was the subject of much discussion at this summer’s Vancouver
conference. Many members expressed uncertainty that the name NAPCN
allows us to recruit new members and keep the organization growing.
In fact, recent years have shown a decrease in membership even while
constructivism as an area of interest in psychology and related
disciplines has exploded exponentially. Thus, at the business
meeting in Vancouver, it was decided that the Steering Committee
should solicit suggestions from the membership for renaming NAPCN as
part of an effort to more clearly convey to potential members who we
are and what we offer, should they opt for membership.
In other words, our name is central to who we are as an organization
and how we wish to be seen by others. Given our loose affiliation
with the European and Australasian PCP organizations, much
discussion has centered upon how to identify ourselves as an
organization of the Americas. Further, to what extent do we want our
name to reflect PCP, constructivism, narrative, and constructionism?
What we call ourselves will influence who sees the organization as
relevant to them and their interests. As you ponder possible names
for the organization, these are some issues to keep in mind.
The Steering Committee will be soliciting names until January 31,
2003. Please email potential names to Stephanie Lewis Harter at
steph.harter@ttu.edu. After all names have been submitted, the
Steering Committee will be charged with narrowing the list and
putting the final choices before the entire membership for a vote.
The final choices will appear in an upcoming issue of the newsletter
along with voting instructions. We look forward to your ideas!
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