Welcome to DSPP 1999–2000! On September 15^th, members and friends of our society will convene for a year of analyzing two aspects of the analytic relationship, Authority and Desire. We continue in a tradition of interfacing self and other as begun by past presidents Drs. Robert Aberg and Jim Harris ("Finding and Being Found: Self and Other Through the Life Span" and "One versus Two Person Psychology"). The society is indebted to the leadership these men provided, and I personally thank them for their foresight and contribution. The intention of this year’s program committee is to maintain the spirit of inclusion and community which Dr. Aberg and Dr. Harris began, as well as to continue the pursuit of intellectual and clinical excellence that marked their terms of office.

It is appropriate that our year begin with a lecture reconsidering the Oedipus Complex and its role in the experience of desire and authority. Melanie Klein expanded the Oedipus Complex to include that which Freud called the primal scene, i.e., the sexual relations of the parents as perceived and as imagined by the child. The Oedipal situation thus dawns with the child’s recognition of the parental relationship, is continued by rivalry with one parent for the other, and is resolved by relinquishing sexual claim on the parents by acceptance of their sexual relationship. Bion extended the concept even further by the use of L, H, and K – Love, Hate, and Knowing – designations for the three innate impulses which form potential links between all three members of the Oedipal triangle, and which remain fundamental to all object relationships. In DSPP this year, both the libidinal and epistemophilic aspects of the Oedipal situation can be seen to undergird the presentations and readings – whether about authority and knowing (October), guilt and romance (November), passion (January), negotiating the opposites of intimacy and autonomy (February), gender and language (March), submission/love issues (April), or the ubiquitous urge for power (May). The emotional links of love, of hate, and of knowing – or refusing to know – will be present this year in one combination or another.

It is my persuasion that the Oedipal dynamic has significant social relevance to this society and to our commitment to create a safe space for discussion and discovery. Revisioning the Oedipus Complex as the Oedipal situation by the post Kleinian school infers just this: all new discoveries, all new learning, however modest, evoke again the Oedipus situation of possession of knowledge; thus, "knowing" may evoke anxiety lest retaliation be provoked from a third party. Further, as we live in a social and intellectual context marked by a paradigmatic shift we are no longer privileged to live under the auspices of what Kuhn called "normal science," and consequently, "knowing" if we are "right." Instead, we are pressured by competing theories of different psychoanalytic schools, and experience the destabilization of previously confidently held psychoanalytic paradigms. To speak one’s mind in this public forum necessarily subjects oneself to scrutiny, and tends to increase reluctance to dialogue with one's peers as well as increase our need for affiliation. My hope is that we may continue to capitalize on the openness and receptivity experienced in recent years, and so welcome, enjoy, and enrich one another. I regard this as DSPP’s primary mission, our therapeutic/theoretical dialogue sustained by our relationships.

To this end, we all are indebted to the many volunteer committee persons who have and are contributing to the vitality of this organization. Dr. Melissa Black, chair of the Program Committee, has been the quintessence of reliability, practicality, and support. With the other members, Dr. Robert Aberg, Dr. Marc Rathbun, and president-elect Dr. Pat Wood, the committee has devoted many hours and much energy to create a program worthy of this society’s interest. Thanks to each of you for the intellect, vision, and persistence you brought to the task

Organizing the Membership Committee is Dr. Ken Farr; whose capacity to oversee all the committee projects of our society has resulted in the outstanding membership packets, which you received this summer. These were mailed on July 2 – the earliest ever – an unprecedented feat for which I thank Ken and his co-workers, Sarah and Robert Aberg, Cheryl Martin, Deann Ware, and Audrey King (student member). Dr. Judith Samson is again at the helm of our Arts Committee, providing us with monthly opportunities to be together in relaxed, entertaining, and meaningful programs that touch our "common senses". The Community Relations Committee continues under Bill Gordon’s leadership, and he has added to the committee Cheryl Martin as our gifted webmaster. We are receiving national notice for this outstanding, up-to-date home page, and owe Cheryl a great debt of thanks for the hours contributed to "virtually" moving us into the 21^st century and providing communication never before enjoyed by DSPP. In addition, Cheryl takes over from Pat Wood the monthly production of the DSPP Bulletin. With her assistance to the Education Committee, organized and chaired by John Herman, our classes are again prospering. The classes are now divided into short modules, making it possible for late comers to still participate. Elena Blum will again manage our Continuing Education Committee, guaranteeing those credentialed hours so vital to our work. Serving another term as a most capable secretary is Dr. Deann Ware, who has also graciously accepted the task of Parliamentarian for the newly adopted Keesey’s Procedure. We welcome Dr. Rose Rothmeier as our new Treasurer and thank her in advance for gatekeeping our finances.

Finally, I welcome you all with your diverse talents and interests, and invite the participation of each member. Your creativity and energy constitute the vital resources that keep DSPP alive and well.