There are about 250 listservs across all the APA divisions and 40 division groups in the APA Community. The following are reminders to help everyone better understand how APA division listservs and groups work.
1. The division listservs can be found in the alphabetical list on the Listserv site
On the Listserv site, many begin with “div” and then the division number. If you would like to reach the owner of a listserv, send an email to the name of the listserv followed by “-request@lists.apa.org”, for example, div1announce-request@lists.apa.org. (The APA Community division groups can be found under the Groups heading, in the APA Divisions section.)
2. The APA Division Engagement Office (DEO) tracks one or two main listserv administrators for each division
This person is our main contact. We share emails with important information and resources around the first of each month and ask this person to share with others in the division as needed. (DEO keeps track of the group leaders and shares information for them in the APA Community section in the Division Digest and in their group.)
3. Everyone should be familiar with and follow the APA Listserv rules
The APA Listserv rules were updated in July 2025. Some divisions add their own rules, so check with your division. Divisions may not modify the APA rules. (Be sure to check out the APA Community Rules.)
4. Listserv owners/administrators are expected to monitor the activity on their listservs and make sure the rules are followed
Review the section of Listserv Owner/Administrator Responsibilities at the top of the APA Listserv rules and APA Division List Administrator Responsibilities for more information. (Division group users may report concerns or issues via the link in the upper right corner of a post.)
5. The APA division Listserv moderator training recording, along with other resources, helps with addressing harm and discrimination
This was based on reports of discrimination and microaggressions, including antisemitism, racism, Islamophobia, and other harmful behaviors on APA division listservs. View the training on the APA Division Listserv moderator training on addressing harm and discrimination webpage.
6. APA and the membership and listserv systems do not add new members or remove nonrenewed members
The membership and listserv systems are separate, and listservs are not updated when people join or change their email address. If you want new members added (to an “announce” listserv) or lapsed members removed, you will need to do it manually. Instructions are on the secure page for listserv administrators. (The new APA Community is linked to the membership system and therefore all members automatically have access to the division's community group.)
7. Many divisions have an “announce” listserv, where the division leaders can add new members and send out news, and a “discussion” listserv, where people can sign up if they want to participate in discussions
An announce listserv must be moderated and the messages limited so that members are not overwhelmed. People are free to remove themselves from listservs and should not be added back. (In the APA Community, division groups allow for various forums.)
8. Divisions may request a new listserv through the listserv request form
Complete the Division Listserv Request Form to request a new division Listserv. Divisions may set up new forums in their division groups as desired.
9. APA shares several articles to help users
- How to create a Listserv login, change your email address, and join APA-hosted Listservs
- How to find a Listserv, address a message, use the archives, and send a question to the manager
- Troubleshooting Listserv difficulties
10. APA provides listserv help text for divisions to share with members
Your listserv administrator can access this via their secure page. (Articles to help with the division groups can be found in the APA Community section at Division Leader Resources.)
If you have any questions about listservs, please contact your Division Engagement liaison.