Div. 44 Bylaws

1. The name of this organization shall be The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (SPSOGD): A Division of the American Psychological Association (hereinafter referred to as the “Division”).

2. The purpose of this organization shall be: (a) to advance the contributions of psychology as a discipline to the understanding of minority sexual orientation and gender diversity issues through basic and applied research; (b) to promote the education of psychologists in matters of minority sexual orientation and gender diversity concerns, including the special issues associated with psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming, and queer individuals, and (c) to inform psychologists, and the general public, of current research, educational, and service activities in this area.

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 (hereinafter referred to as the “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 minority sexual orientation and gender diversity 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.

1. The officers of the Division shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Past President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each shall perform the usual duties of the respective office and specific duties provided elsewhere in these Bylaws or assigned by the Executive Board. The President shall serve for a one-year period; and the Secretary and Treasurer each for a three-year period with staggered terms. The President shall be the presiding officer over meetings of the Executive Board. Terms of officers shall commence at the Annual Membership Meeting following their election.

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. Terms of Representatives to Council shall commence in accordance with the procedures of the Association.

3. There shall be three Members-at-Large. Members-at-Large shall be elected by Divisional membership and shall serve terms of three years and their terms shall be staggered. Terms of Members-at-Large shall commence at the Annual Membership Meeting following their election.

4. There shall be two (2) Student Representatives, each elected for two-year terms with one elected each year. The senior Student Representative shall have a vote in Executive Board decisions; if that person is unavailable to vote, the junior Student Representative shall have a vote.

5. With the exception of the Student Representatives, candidates for office in the Division shall be Fellows or Members of the Division. Student Representatives shall be nominated by the Student Committee and elected by the voting members of the Executive Board. All other officers and Divisional Representatives shall be elected by preferential mail or electronic ballot to members.

6. Candidates for offices shall represent gender, racial/ethnic, and gender expression parity whenever possible.

7. Any Officer, or other Official may be removed from office before the expiration of their term by a public two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present at a meeting of the Executive Board if it appears that the best interests of the Society are not being served by the person in question. Missing two consecutive meetings of the Executive Board may constitute a failure to assume the duties of office.

8. Any Officer or Official may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the President of the Division. Such resignation becomes effective upon receipt. Resignation by an Officer or Official shall also include automatic resignation from the Executive Board.

1. Executive Board Authority and Composition: The Executive Board 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 Board affecting Divisional policy are subject to approval by majority vote of the Division members voting in the Annual Meeting. The voting for such matters shall be conducted at an annual meeting or by special ballot, as decided by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall be comprised of all elected officers, Representatives to Council, Members-at-Large of the Division and the Student Representatives, the newsletter editor, the Editor of the Division’s journal, the book series editor, and chairs and co-chairs of all standing committees. Voting members of the Executive Committee shall include all officers, Representatives to Council, Members-at-Large and one Student Representative.

2. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Past President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. The Executive Committee shall be charged with maintaining operation of the Division’s business whenever the Executive Board is not in session, except that all decisions involving substantial budget or financial matters, those involving personnel issues, and those regarding contracts must be presented to the Executive Board for a vote, either at a scheduled meeting or via electronic voting between Board meetings. The President shall preside over the Executive Committee.

3. Executive Board Meetings: The Executive Board shall hold three in-person meetings per year. The first meeting shall be held in conjunction with the Association’s Annual Convention (the in-coming meeting); the second early in the calendar year following the Annual Convention; and the third at the following Annual Convention of the Association (the out-going meeting).

4. The Executive Board is empowered to fill a vacancy caused by resignation, removal, failure to assume office, or death. The officer or Executive Board member so elected by the Executive Board shall complete the term of office of the individual whose place this person was elected to fill.

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 Board. 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. 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.

3. Fellows 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.

4. Nominations Committee. The Nominations Committee shall consist of the Past-President as Chairperson and two other members appointed by the President. The Nominations 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. In the event that two candidates are not available, upon two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Nominations Committee, one candidate and a write-in candidate will be provided on the election ballot. The Nominations 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.

5. Program Committee. The Program Committee shall be chaired by the President of the Division, with at least two other members appointed annually by the President. This committee shall plan the convention program of the Division.

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 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.

4. In accordance with APA Bylaws, Article VI.5, no member, committee, or subgroup of members of Division 44 may take any action or issue any statement in the name of the Division, except through the authorization of the President or on the basis of a majority vote of the Executive Board. The President is authorized to take action or issue statements in the name of the Division, or to authorize others to do so.

1. For Executive Committee meetings, quorum shall be met when at least one half of all voting members are present or participating in the meeting.

2. For Committees, quorum shall consist of the members present or participating in a meeting.

Official meetings of the Division will follow the parliamentary procedures, except as modified by these Bylaws, outlined in Modern Parliamentary Procedure , written by Ray E. Keesey.¹

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by a majority vote of the Executive Board 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 or electronic ballot.

¹ Keesey, R. E. (1994). Modern Parliamentary Procedure . Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association