Our bylaws were last updated in 2011 and no longer reflect some of the changes at APA or in the Division. The Board of Directors of APA's Division 51 voted late in 2019 to proposed changes to the Bylaws, and this is now out for voting by the full membership. According to our bylaws all Members and Fellows, and Associates with 5 or more years of membership can vote, and you will have 30 days for voting. A 2/3 vote of those responding is needed for approval. The deadline for you to vote is May 27, 2020, at 11:59 PM Eastern US time. Please check your email for the ballot.

Below are (1) a link to a copy of the 2011 version showing the tracked changes, (2) link to a final (clean) copy of the new 2020 version, and (3) a summary of, and rationale for, the significant changes.

 

Rationale for the two ballot items:

 

Item 1 – Terms of Governance: We are proposing moving from our current January 1-December 31 timeline to coincide with the annual APA convention. This is consistent with many other APA divisions, particularly those in which we work most closely. This has been discussed for several years now, and the change will help facilitate better transitions between board members at the annual convention.

 

Item 2 – Other significant changes to the Articles:

• Reflect Division name change from “Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity” to “Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities” (already voted on my membership several years ago but not changed in bylaws)

• Updated with gender-inclusive language for pronouns

• Updated Program Committee verbiage to reflect co-chair model in use for APA convention planning

• Updated Student Affiliate language to reflect new APA policy on grad student rights

• Updated Finance Committee verbiage to reflect new practices

• Added teleconferencing and web-based ballot options to reflect current practices

• Per recommendation by APA Division Services, reduce the length of the bylaws by removing redundant language and moving items reflective of policies and procedures to our existing Governance Handbook