One of the more irritating things I had to do recently is register with the ND Secretary of State office to declare any possible conflicts of interest in my role on the ND Psychology Regulatory Board.

Even though I moved out of state in October, the Board’s attorney from the AG’s office said I would remain on the Board for six months, as that is how long it takes to establish residency after a person moves. I still find that hard to understand, but, oh well. We heard from the Secretary of State’s office in early January that we had to declare any financial or other conflicts of interest that could sway our votes on the Board by January 31. Anyone running for office, holding office, or appointed by the Governor to boards and commissions had to get this done by January 31 or face fines.

I understand why this is important, but I only have three more months on the Board. There are very few fiduciary conflicts for Psychology Board members that would sway our decisions regarding ethical complaints against the professionals we license. I think a greater conflict of interest is that there are so few of us psychologists in ND that we generally know all the licensees, and we might go softer or harder on folks depending if we do or don’t like them! In my 10 years on the Board I haven’t seen that happen, though.

Well, last week I printed off the 41 pages of instructions for filing my conflict of interest declarations on-line and got the deed finished. I had no conflicts to declare, of course. Between doing that and making sure any entity needing to send us tax documents had our change of address, I have been somewhat irritable and anxious. I shall be glad when May arrives, I am officially no longer on the Board, and all taxes are filed.

How comfortable are you doing business on-line? What’s irritated you lately?