During the 2022 legislative year, APA’s Council of Representatives voted to approve sending three proposed Bylaws amendments to the membership for a vote and include statements in favor of and against adopting the amendments. The first amendment updates the mission of the Membership Board to be in alignment with current practices. The second amendment gives Associate members voting privileges after one year (instead of five years) for elections for President-elect, Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors, Council of Representatives and Apportionment and Bylaws Amendment ballots. The third amendment adds a Graduate Student member on the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, Board of Convention Affairs, Board of Educational Affairs, Board of Professional Affairs, Board of Scientific Affairs, Membership Board and Policy and Planning Board.
In accordance with APA’s Association Rules, 1) a maximum of three authors were selected by the Council Leadership Team to prepare each of the statements below and 2) the names of the authors are not identified on the statements but will be provided upon request after the vote.
Proposed Amendment to Update the Mission of the Membership Board to be in Alignment with Current Practices
The Council of Representatives vote was 148 in favor of and 13 against in approving to send the Bylaws amendment to the membership for a vote.
Explanation of Proposed Bylaws Change
These proposed Bylaw amendments are intended to reflect the roles and responsibilities of the Membership Board more accurately. One portion of this amendment removes specific responsibilities that are not conducted by the Membership Board and provides more general and accurate language regarding the Membership Board’s role in APA membership. The other portion of this amendment removes the Membership Board summit meeting, which has only happened once since the creation of the Membership Board.
Statement in Favor of Adopting
The amendment brings the mission statement of the Membership Board into alignment with current APA structure and practices.
- The revision recognizes that the Membership Board has not had responsibility for “the oversight of membership recruitment and retention activities” since APA established and staffed the Membership Office and removes this phrase.
- The revision clarifies the mission of the Membership Board to provide guidance about membership issues and adds a phrase specifying this.
This revision provides a clear and more accurate reflection of the current function and structure of the Membership Board.
Statement Against Adopting
The Bylaws as currently written gives the Membership Board “oversight of membership recruitment and retention activities for the Association.” The change proposed would have them become an advisory board, which relinquishes responsibility for what the Membership office does. The amendment does not say who will be responsible for these functions in the future. Likely, the responsibility has been already assumed by the APA Membership Department staff without approval of this amendment. This reflects an ongoing effort to increase the influence of staff in directing the policies and activities of the Association and reducing the influence of APA’s membership. For these reasons we urge you to reject this amendment. The Membership Board should maintain its current role and function as stated in the Bylaws.
Full Text of the Bylaws Amendment
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Article XI. Boards and Committees
2. The Membership Board shall consist of no fewer than eight Members and one Affiliate of the Association. At least two of the members shall be Fellows of the Association. The remaining members shall be selected to represent the diverse membership of the Association. Members of the Board shall serve for staggered terms of three years each, except when filling a vacancy on the Board. The Board shall [
have responsibility for the oversight of membership recruitment and retention activities for] provide guidance regarding membership engagement in advancing the mission of the Association. The Board shall have the authority to elect qualified persons to initial Member, Associate member, or Graduate Student member status. The Membership Board is responsible for establishing and regulating the APA criteria that the Fellows Committee uses to review and to recommend member nominees for election to Fellow status. The Board shall receive nominations from the Fellows Committee and shall forward recommendations without alterations or comments to the Board of Directors.
Proposed Amendment for Associate members to Have Voting Privileges After One Year (Instead of Five Years)
The Council of Representatives vote was 107 in favor of and 58 against in approving to send the Bylaws amendment to the membership for a vote.
Explanation of Proposed Bylaws Change
This proposed Bylaws amendment reduces the amount of time needed for Associate members to achieve voting privileges in APA elections* from five years to one year. This amendment is intended to create parity between Associate members and Graduate Student members regarding voting privileges as graduate students, through the passage by the Membership of a 2020 Bylaw amendment, were granted voting rights after one year of membership.
* Includes Elections for President-elect, Members-at-Large of the Board of Directors and Council Representatives and Apportionment and Bylaws Amendment Ballots.
Statement in Favor of Adopting
This amendment does not determine if Associate members are allowed to vote, as that has long been established, but rather when. Passing this amendment ensures long-time voters within the association would have equivalent voting rights to Graduate Student members who were granted voting rights after 1 year of membership through the passage by the Membership of a 2020 Bylaw amendment.
Associate members are dues paying members who deserve enfranchisement. They are qualified to influence psychology via APA because they have substantial training in psychology (specifically, 2 years of graduate work in psychology including required core training classes or a master’s degree). Members represent graduates of master’s level programs in psychology, not the CACREP accredited programs.
Women and other marginalized identities are better represented at the master’s level. Fortifying their voting rights will increase representation and enhance APA.
The current change does not influence masters level practitioners’ scope of practice and concerns regarding practice should not be conflated with voting rights within our organization which advocates for psychology broadly.
Lastly, Members, a category that requires a doctoral degree, will retain the most influence on APA. Associate members already have voting rights and comprise just 5-10% of voters in APA elections.
Statement Against Adopting
The American Psychological Association has two critical and equally important functions. First, it speaks for and about psychology to the public. Second, it represents the needs and interests of the profession. Those needs and interests should be decided by those in the profession, the doctoral level membership. While the involvement of Associate members and students is necessary and valued, major decisions about the association, psychological science, and the profession should be made by those currently in the profession. They should ensure that the future of the profession continues to grow more diverse and engaged. Nonetheless, it is critical that the doctoral perspective is maintained in setting APA policies and bylaws. We recommend defeat of the amendment.
Full Text of Bylaws Amendment
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Article II. Membership
6. Associate members shall be persons who are interested in the advancement of psychology as a science and as a profession and who have met the requirements described below. Associate members may not vote or hold office in the Association, but shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Association not specifically denied them in these Bylaws. Associate members shall achieve voting privileges after [
five consecutive years] one year in the status of Associate membership.
Proposed Amendment to Add a Graduate Student member on the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, Board of Convention Affairs, Board of Educational Affairs, Board of Professional Affairs, Board of Scientific Affairs, Membership Board and Policy and Planning Board
The Council of Representatives vote was 135 in favor of and 29 against in approving to send the Bylaws amendment to the membership for a vote.
Explanation of Proposed Bylaws Change
In August 2022, APA’s Council of Representatives voted to approve Association Rules changes that would add a graduate student seat to 7 boards and 12 committees. Yet, creation of student seats on the 7 boards requires additional amendments to the APA Bylaws that must be approved by the Membership. Council voted to send the proposed Bylaw amendment to the Membership for a vote (81.8% in favor). The official vote count of Council was 135 in favor – 29 opposed, with one abstention.
In addition, the Board of Directors, Council Leadership Team, and 17 of APA’s boards and committees recommended that the Council of Representatives approve sending these Bylaws amendments to the Membership for a vote. If approved by the membership:
- Graduate students would be slated for seats in 2024 and take their seats on the included boards in 2025.
- To maintain consistency, graduate students would serve the same length term as other members of the board on which they serve.
- Consistent with current practice and the APA Bylaws, the Council of Representatives would elect the Graduate Student members of the 7 boards from a slate prepared by each board.
Boards would have the freedom to slate graduate students who are best suited for their board composition, including the graduate student’s area of expertise, years of education, or any other criteria they deem important that year (e.g., identity groups, subdiscipline in psychology).
Statement in Favor of Adopting
Graduate Student members represent one-fifth of the Association but are currently only represented on 3 boards or committees, including the Board of Directors. Graduate students who have served on these 3 groups have demonstrated excellence over the years. Being immersed in cutting edge scholarship, graduate students bring a wealth of expertise in practice, research, and advocacy. They possess first-hand perspectives on the day-to-day implications of systemic policies. As a body, 43% of Graduate Student members identify as being from historically excluded racial and ethnic backgrounds, compared to only 15% of full members. Evolving graduate student bodies represent a wide diversity of personal and professional identities, and non-traditional career paths. The present item enacts APA's EDI Framework and Resolution on Dismantling Systemic Racism by diversifying APA leadership. It will also drive forward the APA Strategic Plan to “prepare the discipline and profession of psychology for the future.” The item is endorsed by the Board of Directors, Council Leadership Team, and 17 boards and committees. It would allow graduate students to get involved and stay involved in APA leadership and other service roles that advance our field. A vote in favor would be a vote for increased diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement.
Statement Against Adopting
Students are the future of psychology. APA should engage and support their participation in the association. Student liaisons to the boards and committees with one-year terms would be a better way to incorporate student input to the association. It is not practical to expect graduate students to make a multi-year commitment. Board and committee members are supposed to represent the expertise of the profession. Input from students, associates and the public is appreciated, but decisions about the profession and policies of APA should be made by professional psychologists. Therefore, we recommend voting against this amendment.
Full Text of Bylaws Amendment
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Article XI, Boards and Committees
2. The Membership Board shall consist of no fewer than [
eight] nine Members one of which shall be a Graduate Student member, and one Affiliate of the Association. At least two of the members shall be Fellows of the Association. The remaining members shall be selected to represent the diverse membership of the Association. Members of the Board shall serve for staggered terms of three years each, except when filling a vacancy on the Board. The Board shall have responsibility for the oversight of membership recruitment and retention activities for the Association. The Board shall have the authority to elect qualified persons to initial Member, Associate member or Graduate Student member status. The Membership Board is responsible for establishing and regulating the APA criteria that the Fellows Committee uses to review and to recommend member nominees for election to Fellow status. The Board shall receive nominations from the Fellows Committee and shall forward recommendations without alterations or comments to the Board of Directors.4. The Board of Convention Affairs shall consist of not fewer than six Members and one Graduate Student member of the Association, three or four to be elected every other year for a term of not less than four years. The President may each year appoint to this Board one or more Members of the Association for terms of one to four years at his/her discretion. It shall be the responsibility of this Board to recommend policies and procedures to be followed in planning the Annual Convention, to coordinate the programs of Divisions and other organized groups within the Association, and to arrange for programs of general interest at the time of the Annual Convention.
7. The Policy and Planning Board shall consist of not fewer than nine Members and one Graduate Student member of the Association, three or four of whom shall be elected each year and each of whom shall serve for an initial term of not less than three years. The Policy and Planning Board shall be selected to represent the range of active interests within the Association. No person shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms. The Policy and Planning Board's function shall be the consideration of current and long-range policy. As a continuing body, it shall recommend to the Members, Board of Directors, and Council such changes in existing policy and such extensions or restrictions of the functions of the Association, its Divisions, or State/Provincial/Territorial Psychological Associations as are consonant with the purposes of the Association. The Policy and Planning Board shall report annually by publication to the membership. It shall review the structure and function of the Association as a whole in every fifth year and shall make recommendations by written report to Council and by publication to the Association.
9. The Board of Educational Affairs shall consist of not fewer than [
twelve] thirteen persons, at least eleven of which shall be Members of the Association, one of which may be an APA Teacher Affiliate member, and one Graduate Student member, who shall serve for terms of not less than three years each. It shall have general concern for all educational and training affairs which transcend more than one Division or group of psychologists. Members of the Board of Educational Affairs shall be selected to represent the range of interests characteristic of psychology in all its aspects.10. The Board of Professional Affairs shall consist of no fewer than nine Members and one Graduate Student member of the Association, who shall serve for terms of three years each, except when filling a vacancy on the Board. The Board of Professional Affairs shall be responsible for developing recommendations for and monitoring the implementation of APA policy, standards and guidelines for the profession of psychology, maintaining relationships with other professional organizations and groups appropriate to its mission, recognizing contributions to the profession of psychology through awards and honors, proposing to the Association ways to enhance the profession of psychology, and fostering the application of psychological knowledge in order to promote public welfare. Insofar as possible, members of the Board of Professional Affairs shall be elected to represent the range of interests characteristic of the profession of psychology.
11. The Board of Scientific Affairs shall consist of not fewer than nine Members and one Graduate Student member of the Association, who shall serve for terms of not less than three years. It shall have general concern for all aspects of psychology as a science, including the continued encouragement, development, and promotion of psychology as a science; scientific aspects of the program at the Annual Convention; and psychology's relations with other scientific bodies. It shall have particular responsibility for liaison with agencies giving financial support to scientific projects, for awards and honors in recognition of scientific achievement, and for seeking new ways in which the Association can assist scientific activities. Members of the Board of Scientific Affairs shall be selected to represent the range of interests characteristic of psychology in all its aspects.
12. The Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI) shall consist of not fewer than [
ten]eleven members elected for three-year terms. Nine of the members must be Members of the American Psychological Association, and one of the members must be a Graduate Student member of the Association. The [tenth]eleventh member shall be a public member appointed by BAPPI for up to a three-year term. The mission of the Board shall be to encourage the generation and application of psychological knowledge on issues important to human well-being. It shall have general concern for those aspects of psychology that involve solutions to the fundamental problems of human justice and that promote equitable and just treatment of all segments of society. BAPPI shall encourage the utilization and dissemination of psychological knowledge to advance equal opportunity and to foster empowerment of those who do not share equitably in society's resources. The Board shall be concerned with increasing scientific understanding and training in regard to those aspects that pertain to, but are not limited to, culture, class, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability. The Board shall support improving educational and training opportunities for all persons in psychology and continue the promotion of culturally sensitive models for the delivery of psychological services. The Board shall be sensitive to the entire range of APA activities as they pertain to the mission of this Board and make recommendations regarding ethically and socially responsible actions by APA when appropriate. The composition of the Board shall reflect diversity in terms of ethnic minorities, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and religion, as well as the range of interests characteristic of psychology in all its aspects.