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American Psychological Association

APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 146,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its member

The Division/APA Relationship

As outlined in the APA Bylaws and the Association Rules, divisions are autonomous in all matters within their fields that are not reserved to the association and the Council of Representatives by APA Bylaws or Rules. As noted in the Article V of the APA Bylaws, each division has the right to determine:

  • Who, among the division members, shall have the right to vote in divisional matters.
  • Qualifications and method of electing a required President and Secretary and other such officers needed to carry out the division’s business.
  • Its own bylaws and rules of procedure within the framework of the APA Bylaws.
  • The appointment of such committees and adoption of such regulations for the conduct of its business (except that its committee and governance structure is subject to review by the Board of Directors of APA).

In 1988 APA legal counsel considered the relationship between APA and its divisions to determine the applicability of the APA ASME Guidelines to divisions. These principles were adopted by the Board of Directors to protect APA from imposition of antitrust or other liability. APA was advised by counsel that “at the very least, divisions are integral components of APA” and thus “the actions of the divisions can, therefore, be imputed for litigation purposes to APA… divisions are just as liable as the parent organization if they engage in activities that create the potential for liability.” Thus, each division should acquaint its officers, staff and members with the principles included in the APA ASME Guidelines and incorporate these precautionary measures into activities of the divisions. (The “ASME Guidelines” were approved by the Board of Directors in 1985 and revised in 1992.)

 

Additional Resources 

About APA

About SCRA’s Relationship to the APA

About APA Council