AACHP Bylaws

 

The name of this organization shall be the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology (hereafter referred to as the Academy).

 

The purpose of the Academy shall be to:

 

A. Support the functions of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (ABCHP); 

 

B. Function as the membership organization of ABCHP; 

 

C. Function as an “internal” academy of ABPP, as described by the ABPP corporate bylaws (May 2014); this signifies that:

 

 1. The Academy’s finances will be maintained for all legal and tax purposes by ABPP.

 

2. The Academy’s operations will function independently, except as restricted by these bylaws or formal affiliation/partnership agreements with ABPP, ABCHP, the Council of Presidents of Psychology Specialty Academies (CPPSA), or others.

 

3.  Formal affiliation/partnership agreements shall be separately maintained as an addendum to these bylaws.  In case of a discrepancy between these bylaws and any such addendum, the bylaws shall supersede; efforts shall be made to correct such discrepancies. 

 

D. Participate as a member organization of the Clinical Health Psychology Specialty Council for the American Psychological Association (APA) Council of Specialties; 

 

E. Advance excellence in the science and practice of Clinical Health Psychology through continuing education; 

 

F. Recruit prospective candidates to pursue board certification in Clinical Health Psychology; 

 

G. Maintain a mentorship program to assist prospective candidates in the pursuit of board certification in Clinical Health Psychology;

 

H. Provide opportunities for professional development, collaboration among current and prospective members of the Academy, and maintenance of certification (MOC); 

 

I. Engage in other activities that are deemed appropriate by the Academy.

 

A. There are two categories of Academy membership:  Fellows and Emeriti.

 

FELLOWS:  Fellows are psychologists, board certified by the ABCHP, are in good standing with ABPP, ABCHP, and the Academy.  Candidates who successfully complete the requirements for board certification in Clinical Health Psychology automatically become Academy Fellows upon notification of successful completion.  No additional application shall be necessary.  Active Fellows shall have all rights and privileges of membership, including the right to serve on the Board of Directors, chair and serve on committees, and vote on all matters submitted to the membership.

EMERITI:  Emeriti are established Fellows in the Academy, in good standing with ABPP, who have declared their retirement from paid professional work by written notification to the President of the Academy.  The privileges conferred to Emeritus Fellows are the same as those conferred to Fellows, with the addition that Emeritus Fellows are exempt from annual membership dues.  Eligible Fellows, upon appropriate notification to the Academy, automatically become Emeriti.  No additional application shall be necessary. 

 

B. Termination:  Fellows or Emeriti may voluntarily terminate association in the Academy by written notification to the President, resignation/loss of ABPP board certification, or non-payment of annual dues by April 1 of each calendar year (when applicable).  Fellowship and affiliation in the Academy is not a right, but a privilege that may be terminated for cause.  Termination for cause requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.  Fellows or Emeriti may be terminated for cause from the Academy for: 

 

a. Suspension or revocation of member’s license to practice psychology;

 

b. Failure to maintain good standing with ABPP or ABCHP;

 

c. Egregious violation of the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct as determined by the APA Ethics Committee or a state/provincial/territorial psychological association;

d. Suspension or revocation of membership from another professional organization due to a documented violation of professional ethics or behavioral standards;

 

e. Suspension from Medicaid/Medicare or other third party payer due to egregious pattern of improper billing or business practice; or

 

f. Conviction of a felony.

 

A. Dues and Assessments:  The Executive Committee of the Academy may institute annual dues in an amount needed to sustain the Academy.  The Executive Committee may also recommend special assessments for extraordinary, non-recurring expenses, which must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. 

 

B. Payment of Dues:  Dues are payable in advance of the first day of the membership year, which begins on January 1.  Renewal notices shall be mailed and/or emailed at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the membership year.

 

a. Fellows shall be exempt from paying dues in the first calendar year they are board certified in Clinical Health Psychology.

 

b. Emeriti shall be exempt from paying dues. 

 

C. Delinquency:  Fellows shall be delinquent if dues are not paid by April 1 of each calendar year.  A Fellow who is delinquent in Academy membership requirements, annual ABPP attestation, or ABPP maintenance of certification (if applicable) is not in good standing with the Academy and may be denied rights and privileges of membership.  Fellows may request a dues waiver for one calendar year due to extenuating circumstances.  These requests will be reviewed by the Academy President and granted on a rare, case-by-case basis.  A fellow who has been granted a dues waiver shall not be considered to be delinquent for the time period of the waiver.  

 

D. Reinstatement: A delinquent member can request membership reinstatement in the Academy.  To qualify for reinstatement, the delinquent member will be required to pay all dues and/or special assessments for the current year.  Reinstatement must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

A. The Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board) shall be the chief governing body of the Academy and shall have full power and authority over the affairs and funds of the Academy within the limitations set by these bylaws, ABPP bylaws, and law.  The Board shall establish policies and directives governing business and programs of the Academy.  

 

B. The Board shall consist of no less than four (4) and no more than seven (7) members who shall supervise, direct, and manage the activities of the Academy.  Four members shall be Officers of the Board and the remainder (if any) shall be Members-at-Large.  

 

C. All members of the Board shall be Fellows of the Academy in good standing.

 

D. The Board will strive for diversity in gender, ethnicity, cultural background, ability status, sexual orientation, and professional background in its representation. 

 

E. Appointments: Board members shall be appointed by the President of the Academy, except for the President-Elect/Secretary position.  The President-Elect/Secretary shall be appointed by the President of the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (ABCHP) from a slate of candidates provided by the Academy.  Academy members shall be notified of upcoming vacancies on the Board in order to provide opportunity to express their interest to serve.  

 

F. Terms of Office:  Board members shall hold office for a term of two (2) years, beginning January 1 and ending December 31.  Board member terms shall be staggered when possible.  No Board member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive two (2) year terms, with the exception of the presidential succession, which shall be sequential two (2) year terms as President-Elect/Secretary, President, and Past-President.  In cases of vacancy of a board position, interim terms of less than two (2) years may be established to provide for continuity of membership on the Board.  A board member completing a partial term shall be allowed to serve two (2) additional, consecutive terms (including the presidential succession, if applicable). 

 

G. Resignation:  Each Board member shall have the right to resign at any time upon written notice thereof to the President.  Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof, and the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. 

 

H. Removal:  Board members are expected to act in accordance with these bylaws.  The Board may remove any Board member for cause by two-thirds (2/3) vote during any regular meeting of the Board, provided that a statement of the reason(s) for removal shall have been mailed by registered mail to the Board member proposed for removal, and to the other Board members, at least thirty (30) days before any final action is taken by the Board.  This statement shall be accompanied by a notice of the time when, and the place where, the Board is to take action on the removal.  The Board member shall be given an opportunity to appear and be heard by the Board at the time and place stated in the notice (including by accessible technological means, such as telephone conference).  The only grounds for removal of a Board member shall be:

 

a. Loss of qualifying credentials leading to revocation of ABPP Board Certification;

 

b. Termination of Academy membership for any cause.

 

c. Nonfeasance of office or of duties as a member of the Board; or

 

d. Malfeasance of office as a member of the Board.

 

I. Board Compensation:  The Academy is a volunteer organization and members shall receive no compensation for their services; members may, however, be reimbursed for expenses incurred in behalf of the Academy to the extent approved by the Board and within the limits of available resources.

 

A. Officers:  All officers shall have the following specific functions in addition to their general governance responsibilities:

Per ABCHP bylaws (10/1/14), the President serves on the ABCHP Board of Directors as a voting member; the President can appoint another Academy Board member to represent the Academy on ABCHP, if desired.  The two (2) year term of President is sequentially preceded by a two (2) term as President-Elect/Secretary and followed by a two (2) year term as Past-President. 

 

b. PAST PRESIDENT:  The Past-President shall contribute advice and counsel drawn from his or her experience to the Board.  The Past-President also is responsible for determining the slate of candidates for President-Elect/Secretary; the preferred method is election.  The Past-President shall act as President in the absence of, or upon request of, the President.  

 

c. PRESIDENT-ELECT/SECRETARY:  The President-Elect/Secretary shall record and preserve the minutes of the meetings of the Board and all committees of the Board, and shall cause notices and agendas of all meetings of the Board and committees to be given, and shall perform other duties as directed by the Board or the President.  The President-Elect/Secretary shall be appointed by the President of ABCHP from a slate of candidates provided by the Academy. 

 

d. TREASURER:  The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of the organization and shall make reports to the Board as requested by the Board.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for mailing notices for annual dues and special assessments, collection of dues and assessments, disbursements of funds for reimbursement of expenses approved by the Executive Committee, and maintenance of accurate and timely records of the finances of the Academy. The Treasurer will also be responsible for routinely updating and maintaining the Academy listserv. 

 

e. EARLY CAREER PSYCHOLOGIST: At least one (1) early career psychologist (ECP) shall serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors.  Per ABPP corporate bylaws (5/22/14), an ECP is defined as 10 years or less after receipt of the psychology doctoral degree.  An ECP may hold any office in the Academy.  If an ECP is not appointed or elected to a Board Office position, the President shall appoint at least one ECP as a Member-at-Large.  If no willing/qualified ECP is available to serve on the Board, another member shall be appointed to be responsible for ECP activities.   

 

f. MEMBER(S) at LARGE:  The President may appoint member(s) at large who shall function at the direction of the President of the Academy for special projects. 

 

B. Executive Committee:  The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Past-President, President-Elect/Secretary, and Treasurer.  The Executive Committee shall be responsible for conducting Board affairs in the intervals between meetings and dealing with matters of urgency that may arise between Board meetings.  The Executive Committee shall meet at the discretion of the President.  A quorum shall consist of three Executive Committee members.  If at any time a Board vote results in a tie, the vote of the President shall be the deciding vote.  

 

C. Additional Committees:  The Board shall, as needed, organize and operate standing and/or ad-hoc committees.  The President shall appoint the chairs and/or members of the committees except as otherwise directed by the Board.  Unless it has been delegated authority to act, a committee shall not act for the Board, but shall report to the Board. Non-Board members may be appointed to any committees at the discretion of the President.

 

A. The Academy shall have at least one (1) Annual Meeting to be held in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Psychological Association (when possible).  The purpose of the Annual Meeting shall be to receive reports from the President and Treasurer, announce the election/appointment of new officers and transact other business as needed.  

 

B. Additional Board meetings may be held in person or via electronic medium at such time and place as shall be determined by the President.  

 

C. Notice:  All members of the Board shall be notified thirty (30) days in advance of scheduled meetings, when possible.  

 

D. Quorum:  A majority of all incumbent members of the Board, present or via electronic medium, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at regular or special meetings of the Board.  If a quorum is not physically present, enough Board members must vote via e-mail, facsimile, telephone call, videoconferencing, or other method by which Board members can reasonably and effectively participate to obtain the necessary quorum.  A majority vote of the quorum will be necessary to carry such a motion.  If at any time a vote results in a tie, the vote of the President shall be the deciding vote. 

 

E. The following applies to Board members’ presence at meetings:

 

a. The President may authorize an unscheduled conference meeting (via telephone or other technology) of the Board when deemed necessary, and at least ten (10) days advance notice of such a call shall be given to each Board member, when possible.

 

b. Should an item of business require urgent attention and action by the Board, a conference meeting may be called without previous notice, as long as all members of the Board have been contacted.  A majority of the Board (51% or more) vote will be necessary to carry a motion presented during such an urgent meeting.

 

c. Even without an urgent timeline, members of the Board, or of any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in this manner shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. 

 

F. Minutes:  Minutes shall be taken at all Board meetings, Executive Committee meetings, committee or taskforce meetings, and special meetings.  In the event the President-Elect/Secretary is unavailable, the President shall appoint a member to act as Secretary at each meeting.  The President-Elect/Secretary, or the member appointed to act as Secretary, shall prepare minutes of the meetings which shall be delivered to the Academy.  Minutes shall be reviewed, updated if necessary, and approved by a majority of Board members prior to being placed in the minute books of the Academy.

 

G. Parliamentary Procedures:  The Board shall be governed by these bylaws.  All official meetings of the Academy shall be conducted according to Keesey’s Modern Parliamentary Procedure (1994; published by the American Psychological Association).

 

These bylaws may be amended in whole or in part at any regular or special meeting of the Board upon the receipt of the written proposed Amendment by all the Board members at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed Amendment is to be voted on.  Upon approval of an action by the Board, a ninety (90) day advance notice will be given prior to implementation.  The approval of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the incumbent Board is required to adopt any Amendment.  Following approval and adoption of amendments, the President will circulate the amended document to the Academy.

 

The undersigned, the duly appointed and acting President of the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology, hereby certifies that the aforesaid bylaws were duly approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Clinical Health Psychology via electronic vote, effective on the 31^st day of December, 2014.