Bylaws

Article I - Name and Purpose

1. The name of this organization shall be: Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues: A Division of the American Psychological Association (SPSLGBI).
2. The purpose of this organization shall be: (a) to advance the contributions of psychology as a discipline to the understanding of lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues through basic and applied research; (b) to promote the education of psychologists in matters of lesbian, gay, and bisexual concerns, including the special issues associated with psychotherapy with lesbian women, gay men, bisexual women, and bisexual men, and (c) to inform psychologists, and the general public, of current research, educational, and service activities in this area.

Article II - Membership

1. There shall be four classes of members in the Division: Fellows, Members, Associates, and Affiliates. The requirements for these classes shall be as provided by the Bylaws of the American Psychological Association except as noted below. All applicants for admission shall demonstrate, in a manner satisfactory to the Division membership, participation or sustained interest in furthering the goals of the Division.
2. Affiliates shall be persons who are not members of the American Psychological Association but who are professionals from disciplines bearing on the central interests of the Division.
3. Members, Associates and Affiliates of the American Psychological Association who apply for Division membership in the same status held in the American Psychological Association may be admitted to the Division by vote of the Membership Committee subject to the approval of the Division at its annual business meeting.
4. Members nominated for Fellow status in the Division must provide evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions in the area of psychology related to lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues. Following the initial selection of Fellows, all candidates for Fellow must be endorsed by at least one Fellow of the Division.
5. Voting in the Division shall follow the criteria established in the Bylaws of the American Psychological Association.
6. The minimum membership dues are set by the Council of Representatives and are paid to the Division by the Association from the members’ annual dues payments. Additional dues or assessments may be imposed by vote of the Division.
7. Membership in the Division shall not be restricted on any basis other than psychological interest and qualifications outlined above.

Article III - Officers

1. The officers of the Division shall consist of a President, a President-Elect, Past-President, and a Secretary-Treasurer. Each shall perform the usual duties of the respective office and specific duties provided elsewhere in these Bylaws or assigned by the Executive Committee. The President shall serve for a one-year period and the Secretary-Treasurer for a three-year period.
2. There shall be Divisional Representatives to the Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association in numbers permitted by the Bylaws of the American Psychological Association. Representatives shall be elected for a three-year term of office, their terms being staggered in such a manner as to provide continuity in representation to the Council.
3. Candidates for office in the Division shall be Fellows or Members of the Division. Officers and Divisional Representatives shall be elected by preferential mail ballot to members.

Article IV - Committees

1. The Committees of the Division shall consist of such standing committees as may be provided by these Bylaws and such special committees as may be established by the Executive Committee. In accordance with Article V, Section 7 of the Bylaws of the American Psychological Association, all committees shall be subject to a review by the Association’s Board of Directors.
2. Executive Committee. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Division, consisting of the President, the President-Elect, the immediate Past-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Divisional Representatives, and three Members-at-Large. Members-at-Large shall be elected by Divisional membership and shall serve terms of three years. In order to effect staggered terms, the tenure for Members-at-Large elected at the first election shall be planned accordingly. The other members of the Executive Committee shall serve for the duration of their terms of elected office. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Division, performing the duties and abiding by the limitations specified in these Bylaws. Actions of the Executive Committee affecting Divisional policy are subject to approval by majority vote of the members voting. The voting for such matters shall be conducted at an annual meeting or by special ballot, as decided by the Executive Committee.
3. Membership Committee. There shall be a membership Committee appointed annually by the President. It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to secure and review evidence concerning the qualifications of all candidates for membership or changes in membership status in the Division.
4. Fellowship Committee. The Committee on Fellows shall consist of three Fellows of the Division appointed by the President. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Fellows to receive all nominations for Fellowship, to collect and consider such supporting materials as are necessary, and to recommend nominees for Fellow status in the Division, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Division and the American Psychological Association.
5. Election Committee. The Election Committee shall consist of the Past-President as Chairperson and two other members appointed by the President. The Election Committee shall nominate at least two persons for each office for which election is being held, taking care to assure broad representation in the administration of the Division. The Election Committee shall ascertain whether the nominees are qualified and willing to serve if elected. The list of nominees shall be reported to the APA Central Office for inclusion in the election ballot issued by the Association by a date specified by the Association.
6. Program Committee. The Program Committee shall be chaired by the President-Elect of the Division, with at least two other members appointed annually by the President. This committee shall plan the convention program of the Division.

Article V - Activities

1. The annual meeting of the Division shall take place during the annual convention of the Association, and in the same locality, for the transaction of business, the presentation of scientific papers, and the discussion of professional matters in the field of the Division’s interest. The Division shall coordinate its programs with, and participate in, the program of the Association.
2. The Secretary-Treasurer of the Division, directly or through the Central Office, shall notify new members of the Division of their election immediately after the annual meeting.
3. The Division may issue a newsletter for purposes of coordinating and disseminating news or for other purposes.

Article VI - Amendments

1. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or by a majority vote of the members present at any annual meeting. Ratification of the amendment proposed requires a two-thirds majority of those members voting by mail ballot.

Revised May, 1998