Help EGPS Grow & Thrive: In Honor of Jan Vadell

“People need people - for initial and continued survival, for socialization, for the pursuit of satisfaction. No one - not the dying, not the outcast, not the mighty - transcends the need for human contact.” - Irvin D. Yalom

Since 1955 the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society (EGPS) has been developing successful group leaders, promoting effective group practice, and providing community and belonging to all those with a “love of group.” And EGPS continues to evolve. Most recently we have widened our lens to take a good hard look at what barriers have existed to being inclusive of a larger, more diverse membership and to addressing the socio-cultural oppressive forces that exist in therapy groups as well as society at large.

Our members donate countless amounts of time and energy to produce programs and events that foster skilled group work in institutional and community settings. That’s nearly 70 years of a continued spirit of committed volunteership!

However, EGPS would not be what it is today without the heart and brains of our one and only administrator, Jan Vadell. For the past twenty years, Jan has been the wizard behind the curtain, our unsung hero, the keystone of all that we are and all that we do. She holds the institutional memory of our organization and keeps us thinking about the policy and procedures that keep us from going rogue. At the same time, she is always considering how we might do things better, even when it means more work for her. While many of us are involved with one part or another of EGPS, Jan holds all aspects of the organization in mind at all times. For these reasons, we have chosen this fundraiser to be in honor of our beloved administrator, Jan Vadell.

Please join us in honoring Jan by making a contribution at whatever level you can so that we may continue with our mission of promoting healing through group work through training, scholarship, experiential programming, community building and advocacy. Recognizing that multiple communities have been marginalized and unjustly treated, including within our professions, EGPS aspires to be intentionally anti-oppressive to all people.

Your much appreciated financial contribution will ensure the continuity of funding for the following:

• Financially-based scholarships to our award-winning Training Program and Annual Conference

• Racial Equity rates for all our events

• Consultant fees (e.g., antiracist expertise for removing barriers for inclusion)

• Rental fees for event venues that are accessible to all

• Virtual platforms for hosting hybrid events

• Maintenance of our soon to be launched updated website

• Ongoing support of our fabulous part-time administrator