When SPS was born in 1994, it brought a zest and vitality into the Twin Cities psychoanalytic community. It immediately began to sponsor high quality professional conferences as did when it first presented Dr. Frank Lachmann its fITst year of service. This energy was then channeled into monthly Fireside Meetings where poignant psychoanalytic topics were
presented by local therapists and analysts. Participants often numbered as
high as 65 to 70 and came from virtually all corners of the psychoanalytic
community. Then, as now, all participants are welcome to SPS activities,
functions and membership.

Alongside conferences and Fireside Meetings, SPS has sought to contribute to the psychoanalytic community in other ways as well. It has offered opportunities for those who saw themselves on the beginning end of understanding psychoanalytic concepts when it set up the series entitled: Psychoanalysis for Very Smart Skeptics. SPS has also offered the
opportunity to examine psychoanalytic concepts vis a vis films. Various
films were shown and then discussions were led by SPS members.

SPS began its career as the Minnesota Society for Contemporary
Psychoanalytic Studies. It is a local chapter of the Division of
Psychoanalysis (Division 39) ofthe American Psychological Association.
Division 39 is one of the biggest and most active in the AP A. It serves as an ongoing resource to SPS. SPS sends a designated representative to the
Annual Meeting of Division 39 each year. Here ideas are exchanged and
assistance is gained for all participating local chapters.

SPS has remained an active element within the Twin Cities psychoanalytic
community. Its membership has remained stable and inviting to all
professional disciplines and lay people alike. It is constantly looking for
ways to better serve the community and is open to input from its members.