In Brief
During its 2002 legislative year, APA's Council of Representatives approved submission of the following proposed bylaw amendments. Council also voted not to send pro/con statements with the proposed amendments.
The ballot for these issues will be sent to APA members with the Apportionment Ballot on Nov. 1. Below are the proposed bylaw amendments; bracketed text is to be deleted and underlined text is to be added.
Proposed Amendment to the APA Mission Statement--Article I
The proposed bylaw amendment will add the word "education" to APA's Mission Statement.
BYLAW ARTICLE I, Objects, Section 1
1. The objects of the American Psychological Association shall be to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health, education, and human welfare by the encouragement of psychology in all its branches in the broadest and most liberal manner; by the promotion of research in psychology and the improvement of research methods and conditions; by the improvement of the qualifications and usefulness of psychologists through high standards of ethics, conduct, education, and achievement; by the establishment and maintenance of the highest standards of professional ethics and conduct of the members of the Association; by the increase and diffusion of psychological knowledge through meetings, professional contacts, reports, papers, discussions, and publications; thereby to advance scientific interests and inquiry, and the application of research findings to the promotion of health, education, and the public welfare.
If approved by the membership, the changes will go into effect immediately.
Proposed Amendment--Two-Year College Teacher Affiliates--Article II
The proposed bylaw amendment will remove language which had the unintended effect of excluding the majority of community college faculty from joining APA in the affiliate category.
BYLAW ARTICLE II, Membership, Section 15
15. There shall be a class of Two-Year College Teacher Affiliates who are not Members of the Association and who shall not represent themselves as such. They shall have such privileges as may be granted by Council, including special rates for subscriptions and publications. [2-Year College Teacher Affiliate status is limited to individuals who are not otherwise eligible for APA membership, although any APA member who teaches in a 2-year college is welcome to participate in 2-Year College Teacher Affiliate activities.]
If approved by membership, the changes will go into effect immediately.
Proposed Amendments APAGS Voting Member of Council and Non-Voting Member of the Board of Directors--Articles V and VII
The proposed bylaws amendments will provide for an APAGS voting member of Council and a non-voting member of the Board. (Amendments to Articles V and VII will be voted on as a package.)
BYLAW ARTICLE V, Composition of the Council of Representatives, Sections 1 and 2
1. Council shall be composed of Representatives of Divisions, Representatives of State and Provincial Psychological Associations, members of the Board of Directors, [and] the Officers of the Association (the chief staff officer shall serve without vote), and the APAGS Representative....
2. The APAGS Representative shall begin his or her term on Council in January of his/her term as Chair of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students Committee and will serve for a term of one year.
(Note: Current sections 2 through 8 of Article V will be renumbered.)
BYLAW ARTICLE VII, Board of Directors, Section 1
1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, the Presi-dent-Elect, the Past President, the Recording Secretary, the Treasurer, the chief staff officer (without vote), the APAGS Representative to the Council of Representatives (without vote), and six others elected by a preferential ballot by those Members and from those Members holding seats on Council during the year immediately preceding the election. Directors not serving ex officio shall serve for staggered terms of three years. All members of the Board of Directors shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify.
If approved by membership, the APAGS Chair will serve as the APAGS member of Council and the Board of Directors beginning in January.
