(December, 2006)

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I.    PURPOSE.  The Association for Women in Psychology (AWP) is a not-for-profit scientific and educational organization committed to:

A.   Ending the role psychology has played in perpetuating unscientific and unquestioned assumptions about the “natures” of women and men;

B.   Encouraging psychological research on sex and gender;

C.   Fostering feminist psychological research on the effects of oppression on women’s lives (including, but not limited to, sexism, racism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, religious intolerance, and insensitivity to those with disabilities);

D.   Encouraging research and theory concerned with alternatives to traditional gender roles, nonsexist lifestyles and childbearing practices, increasing appreciation for diversity among women, and other topics of concern to feminists;

E.   Fostering the development of psychologies of women that reflect the experiences of women from various racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds;

F.    Expanding opportunities for women to achieve equality within psychology and fostering the participation of underrepresented groups of women so that the discipline reflects the viewpoints of women from diverse backgrounds;

G.   Ending the use of the “mental health” professions and psychotherapy as a means of enforcing sexism and other forms of oppression;

H.   Helping women create individual sexual identities through which they may freely and responsibly express themselves, provided that such expression does not oppress other individuals;

I.    Working to eliminate any oppressive practices and prejudices that divide women from one another;

J.    Educating and sensitizing the psychology profession and the public to the psychological, social, political, and economic problems of women;

K.   Fostering the professional development of feminist scientists, educators, mental health professionals, and activists.

II.  GOVERNANCE.  The Association of Women in Psychology shall be governed by the provisions of these Bylaws.  Changes in these Bylaws may be suggested by any member(s) of AWP.  Proposed changes are voted on by the members in attendance at national business meetings (defined below) and presented for a ratification vote (as described below) in the AWP Newsletter.

III. MEMBERSHIP.  AWP welcomes the membership of any person who agrees with its purposes.  Payment of yearly dues, according to the published sliding fee schedule, entitles a person who agrees with AWP’s purposes to full membership in the organization.  Dues are payable on January 1st of each year.  Members may join or renew their membership when registering for the annual conference.  Any member who is more than one year late with dues may be dropped from membership.

IV.  BUSINESS MEETINGS.  There shall be at least one business meeting yearly, the dates and locations to be announced to the entire membership at least two months in advance.  One will take place at the annual AWP conference and additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Implementation Collective (defined below).  Details of the meetings will be planned by the Collective Coordinator and others working in consultation with the Implementation Collective.  Agenda items for business meetings are collected and organized by the Collective Coordinator.  Members in attendance at the business meetings will review the progress and activities of AWP by means of reports from all the Collective members and the membership at large.

V.   REGIONAL CHAPTERS.  Areas in which there are active AWP members may wish to start local chapters.  To be an AWP chapter, the group must encourage its members to pay AWP’s dues; they may also set additional local dues.  If a local group is running an AWP annual conference, then AWP fiscal policy will be used regarding seed money and distribution of profits.  Aside from these provisions, AWP regional groups are autonomous and may carry out actions as they wish, consistent with AWP’s purposes.

VI.  DECISION MAKING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.

A.   All basic policy decisions of the organization are made by the membership.  Insofar as possible, agenda items for business meetings (including important issues raised by individuals, committees, caucuses, or the Implementation Collective) will be published before the meetings for comments and additions by all members.  New agenda items may also be introduced at the meetings.  Decisions at business meetings are made by a consensus of those present.  Decisions made at the business meetings that concern policy matters, require a change in these Bylaws, or increase dues, will be recorded and published in the AWP Newsletter for ratification by the membership.  Each decision presented for ratification will become effective immediately if approved by a majority of those who have responded to the Recorder/Correspondent (defined below) by the published deadline.  Other decisions (not involving Bylaws changes, policy changes, or dues changes) that are made at business meetings may be implemented immediately by interested members and relevant committees or caucuses.

B.   Implementation Collective.  There is an Implementation Collective to act as a decision-making body to deal with organizational issues that arise between business meetings and are beyond the scope of the standing committees (defined below).  The Collective includes the Collective Coordinator, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Spokesperson, Membership Coordinator, Staffer/Regional Coordinator, Recorder/Correspondent, Women of Color Coordinator, APA Convention Suite Coordinator, and Conferences Liaison.  A quorum shall be six of the persons specified as Collective members.   Terms are three years each.  Ordinarily a person will not serve successive terms on the Implementation Collective.

The Implementation Collective is authorized to spend AWP’s money as outlined in the Fiscal Policy.  In a time of emergency the Collective will have the authority to make policy decisions or expenditures beyond the limits listed below and then present them to the membership for ratification through the newsletter.  Such decisions will involve actions that have a one-time effect.

Functions of the individuals on the Implementation Collective are as follows:

Collective Coordinator – Coordinates and facilitates the work of the Implementation Collective. Organizes the meetings of the Collective, plans the agendas, chairs the meetings (Collective, Business, Feminist Forum), represents and advocates for the organization in its interactions with other organizations, and monitors organizational activities to ensure that AWP's policies and practices are implemented. Maintains regular contact with other Collective members, committees, liaisons, and caucuses. Is attentive to issues to be discussed or acted on by the Collective. Prepares Co-Co Corner Column for each issue of the AWP Newsletter. Welcomes attendees and presents special association awards (e.g., the Christine Ladd-Franklin Award) at the annual conference.

Treasurer – Manages the financial assets of the association. Disburses money to individuals, committees, caucuses, and regional chapters for expenses. Recommends dues structure and amounts to the membership for ratification. Files annual income tax returns. Provides financial payment or reimbursement for association related expenses.

Newsletter Editor –  Prepares three issues of the AWP Newsletter per year. Solicits and edits material from the Implementation Collective and various AWP coordinators/liaisons. Solicits and receives advertising for the newsletter. Creates the newsletter layout via desktop publishing software and works with a local printer to produce the newsletter. Arranges bulk-mailing and non-profit status with post office and facilitates each newsletter mailing.

Spokesperson –Stays abreast of feminist issues/events and communicates the views of AWP to the media and the public via letters to the editor, letters to other organizations, writing press releases, position statements, etc. Maintains a media resource file of members who are willing to provide information to the public on selected topics in feminist psychology.

Membership Coordinator – Promotes membership in the organization. Receives new memberships and renewals, maintains a membership file, and supplies mailing labels for the newsletter and other appropriate mailings.  Supervises membership assistant/database manager.  May distribute and sell the mailing list as described in the Fiscal Policy.  Mails out annual dues notices.

Staffer/Regional Coordinator –Recruits members for Implementation Collective positions, committee chairs, liaisons (designated AWP representatives who communicate with other groups to facilitate professional and feminist cooperation), and regional/state coordinators (persons who serve as chapter coordinators or sources of information about AWP in their cities, states, or regions). Recommends dissolution of or major changes in standing committees. Distributes AWP stationary. Responsible for managing association listservs. Collaborates with Webminder/Webpage Coordinator to maintain website currency.

Recorder/Correspondent - Takes minutes at AWP meetings, provides a record of decisions to the newsletter, prepares updated drafts of the Bylaws as needed, receives and answers requests for information from within and outside AWP.

Women of Color Coordinator – Assures that all AWP policies and procedures are not only nonracist but also reflect the concerns and needs of women of color.  Recruits new members and acts as a liaison between AWP and other organizations that focus on diversity and marginalized populations (e.g., APA Division 45). Coordinates activities for women of color by working closely with all relevant positions, committees, action initiative groups, and caucuses

APA Convention Suite Coordinator –Organizes and makes all arrangements for the hospitality suite that AWP shares with APA’s Division 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women) at the annual APA Convention. Serves as volunteer organizer, membership recruiter, event planner, host, and troubleshooter for suite activities. Manages hotel and suite finances and works closely with the Division 35 liaison. Contacts publishers to donate books for the suite’s half-price book sale. 

Conferences Liaison – Serves as a link between the Implementation Collective and the annual conference committee. Recruits a person annually to serve as Conference Coordinator.  Offers guidance and support in planning annual and regional conferences as needed. Works with hotel locator to negotiate hotel contracts for future conferences.

C.   AWP Positions, Committees, Social Action Initiative Groups, and Caucuses.  As AWP has little centralized authority and no “officers” in the traditional sense, the purposes of AWP shall be implemented primarily by positions, committees, social action initiative groups, and caucuses that specialize in particular tasks, operate autonomously and with the full authority and support of the organization, subject to the Bylaws and Fiscal Policy, AWP's purposes, and decisions made by the membership.

There are two types of positions, committees, or social action initiative groups: Standing and Ad Hoc.  Positions, committees, or social action initiative groups may be formed or recognized by the Staffer/Regional Coordinator to deal with needs that emerge between business meetings.  In order to become a Standing Committee a committee must be ratified, after it is formed by the membership, through a vote in the next newsletter.  If a position, committee, or social action initiative group is no longer serving a useful purpose, the Staffer/Regional Coordinator may recommend disbanding it.  This procedure also applies to major changes in a position, committee, or social action initiative group’s function. Upon receiving such a recommendation the Implementation Collective may decide to disband the position, committee, or social action initiative group, or substantially alter its function.

Once a committee or social action initiative group is formed it will make its own internal rules and policies, plan its own actions, recruit new members, and generally function as an active problem-solving body, subject to review at business meetings.  It may request funds from the Implementation Collective or raise funds directly for its own use.

Caucuses may be formed by groups of AWP members who believe that their interests and needs are not being adequately addressed by the organization as a whole.

Caucuses will follow operating procedures similar to those outlined above for committees.  They will keep the Implementation Collective and the membership informed of recommendations for changes in AWP’s policies and procedures that will increase the organization’s inclusiveness and responsiveness to diverse constituencies.

Committees, social action initiative groups, and caucuses must always remain open to new members.  A coordinator or coordinators may be designated to assume responsibility for, and leadership in, organizing the ongoing work of the committee, social action group, or caucus.  If the responsibility is divided among several members, a contact person must be designated to receive correspondence and communicate with the Implementation Collective and the membership.  The Coordinator of a committee or caucus will ordinarily serve for a maximum of three years.  When possible an apprentice will be prepared to take over as Coordinator.

Positions, committees, social action initiative groups, and caucuses must file annual activity and financial reports with the Implementation Committee.

If a committee, social action group, or caucus decides to disband, the coordinator of the group shall notify the Implementation Collective Coordinator of the decision in writing. If a committee, social action group, or caucus does not meet, file activity reports, or file financial reports, within a three year period, it will be considered inactive. Financial assets of disbanded or inactive caucuses shall return to the national treasury. Disbanded or inactive committees, social action groups, or caucuses may be reactivated by interested members by following the guidelines for establishing the respective group. 

The Webminder/Webpage Coordinator maintains and updates the association website and the general membership listservs in collaboration with the Implementation Collective, committee chairs, and caucus coordinators or their designees.

The AWP Archivist collects, organizes, describes, and preserves association records of historic interest; ensures the physical integrity of those records, which shall include arranging periodic transfers of permanently valuable records to The Archives of the History of American Psychology; and provides regular reports to the Implementation Collective regarding the archives.

VII.  STANDING COMMITTEES  The following AWP Standing Committees have been ratified by the membership:

Conference Committee – Organizes and plans all events associated with the annual AWP conference, including program review and scheduling.  Works with the Conferences Liaison (as needed) and with Coordinators of committees and caucuses to meet the needs of AWP’s constituencies and accomplish the business of the organization.

Distinguished Publication Award Committee – Makes awards in recognition of significant and substantial contributions of research and theory that advance our understanding of the psychology of women and promote the goals of AWP.  From time to time the committee may present a Distinguished Career Award in recognition of a body of work that promotes the goals of AWP.  Awards are traditionally presented at AWP’s annual party in the hospitality suite at APA, and winners are invited to present their work at the next annual AWP conference.

Student Research Prize Committee – Awards prizes for outstanding research papers written by students.  This award is shared with Division 35.  The winners are announced at AWP’s annual party in the hospitality suite at APA and invited to present their research in a special paper session at the next annual AWP conference.

Lesbian Psychologies Unpublished Manuscript Award Committee – Recognizes research or theory that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the psychology of lesbians.  The award is presented at AWP’s annual party in the hospitality suite at APA, and the winner is invited to speak at the next annual AWP conference.

Women of Color Psychologies Award Committee – Recognizes a manuscript (either published or unpublished) that makes a significant contribution toward understanding the psychologies of women of color.  The award is presented at AWP’s annual party in the hospitality suite at APA, and the winner is invited to speak at the next annual AWP conference.

Jewish Women’s Caucus Award for Scholarship Committee – Makes awards in recognition of, and to further the development of, distinguished scholarship in the field of the psychology of Jewish women.  The award is presented at AWP’s annual party in the hospitality suite at APA, and the winner is invited to speak at the next AWP conference.

Feminist Research Committee – Monitors and reports on feminist research, facilities, and resources.  Encourages the development of new research models, collaboration, and networking among feminist researchers.  Seeks out information on educational resources, grants, etc.                                                               

International Committee – Represents AWP at the United Nations, at the U.S. Mission to the U.N., and at various national and international meetings.  Establishes contact between AWP members and feminists in other countries, and supports the expansion of AWP internationally.

Feminist Therapy Practices and Issues Committee – Provides an ongoing forum toward the development and evolution of feminist theory and practice of psychotherapy.   Develops guidelines for the therapy consumer.  May distribute information on feminist internships.

Fundraising Committee – Seeks to raise money to support increased activity for the organization.

If a standing committee does not meet, file activity reports, or file financial reports, within a three year period, it will be considered inactive and may be removed from the list of standing committees. Financial assets of disbanded or inactive standing committees shall return to the national treasury. 

VIII.  DISSOLUTION.  In the event that AWP dissolves, the following procedures will govern the distribution of AWP’s assets.  Four Implementation Collective members (to be chosen out of those available in the order listed below) will (a) divide the assets among the regional groups in proportion to their membership numbers; if this cannot be done, the assets are (b) to be given to feminist organizations that provide direct services to women.  In order, the four Implementation Collective members to be chosen to direct the dissolution are: Collective Coordinator, Treasurer, Spokesperson, Staffer/Regional Coordinator, Women of Color Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, APA Convention Suite Coordinator, Newsletter Editor, Recorder/Correspondent, Conferences Liaison.