SEPA began when a few people started talking, in 1981, about the need for and benefits of having an organization for those working in the variety of Educational Psychology positions across Saskatchewan. At the time Sask. Education was piloting the Shared Services idea as a way to help the many students in rural areas who were having learning difficulties. Ed Psychs were to be moved out of the Regional Sask. Ed offices and contracted by clusters of School Divisions in rural areas.

With the anticipated increase in Ed Psych stalf for rural areas, along with those already working in Saskatoon and Regina (Public & Catholic) school board offices, an organization for Ed Psychs to call their own made sense. The primary purpose of this association would be to provide quality educational opportunities for people working as Educational Psychologists in Saskatchewan.

A formal meeting was held in April 1982, at the U. of S. where some of the faculty of the Ed. Psych. Department in the College of Education hosted the gathering. Walt Pawlovich, Don Saklofske and Hugh Savage were involved along with Dr. Henry Jansen, from the U. of A. who was the guest speaker.

At the April meeting a steering committee was formed. It included Keith Powell (School Psych), Judy Curry (School Psych), Mary Jean Chisholm (MacNeill Clinic), Garnet Davis (School Psych), Dr. Len Haines (Ed Exceptional Dept., U of S), Dr. Harold Miller (Ed Psych Dept., U of R), Dr. Don Saklofske (Ed Psych Dept., U of S), Dr. Ray Ramayya (Special Ed -Dept. Northern Sask., L~onge) and Rik Cherland (ECP). Bylaws to incorporate the Association were drafted and a sub-committee planned the first professional development event.

The 1st formal conference we held was called "The Intelligence Affair" and it took place at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon.  Our speaker was none other than Dr. Allan S. Kaufman.

The first issue of News & Views' Volume 1, No.1, was sent out at the start of November, 1982. In it Garnet Davis, Co-Chairperson of the steering Committee, outlined objectives for SEPA. that were the rational on which we were wanting to build our association.