Chapter VI. Organization of APA

This is Chapter VI of the Council Policy Manual, which contains the current policies of the American Psychological Association. The organization of the manual follows the same major subject headings and sequence that is used in the agenda books of the Council of Representatives. Council actions are listed in chronological order with the earliest dated policies coming first. The table of contents of the Council Policy Manual, including all the chapter headings and all the items of the Council Policy Manual, can be found here.

1970

Council approved a recommendation from the Board of Directors that the reports given annually by the Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Executive Officer be in written form.

1985

On the recommendation of the Committee on Structure and Function of Council, Council voted to prohibit smoking in the Council meeting room when Council is in session.

1990

Council voted to instruct the Committee on Structure and Function of Council to schedule a debriefing meeting of all Council members whose terms are expiring and to hold such a session at each August meeting.

1991

That all APA boards established criteria and procedures for periodic evaluation (at least once every five years) of their committees to determine if their usefulness is sufficient to warrant their continued existence.

1994

Staff was instructed whenever possible to make available at all future Council meetings seating and work tables of no less than three linear feet (one meter) per person.

1994

The Council of Representatives reaffirmed APA's ongoing policy to indemnify all APA officers, governance members and staff from litigation and/or associated judgments and costs provided that: (1) the actions on APA's behalf are undertaken in good faith; (2) the actions on APA's behalf do not involve acts of gross negligence or malice; and (3) the persons involved act within the scope of their authority.

2000

Guidelines for Council Resolutions

These guidelines apply to all resolutions submitted to Council for consideration. The following information must be provided: (1) The purpose and rationale for the resolution stated clearly, and documenting its relevance to psychology or psychologists; (2) The issue’s importance to psychology or to society as a whole; (3) Representative scientific or empirical findings related to the resolution; (4) The likelihood of the resolution having a constructive impact on public opinion or policy.

Resolutions approved by Council are understood to reflect what APA values or believes and, in most cases, does not commit APA to any action. If approval of the resolution requires that specific action be taken, the following information must also be provided: (5) Suggestions on how it should be implemented, if it is passed; (6) Breakdown of staff resources or association funds needed to implement the resolution.

In executive session, the Council of Representatives reaffirmed APA's ongoing policy to indemnify all APA officers, governance members and staff from litigation and/or associated judgments and costs provided that: (1) the actions on APA's behalf are undertaken in good faith; (2) the actions on APA's behalf do not involve acts of gross negligence or malice; and (3) the persons involved act within the scope of their authority.