NDPA - By-Laws of NDPA

THE NORTH DAKOTA PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS

Approved 6/28/2024

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the North Dakota Psychological Association shall be to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare. In fulfilling these purposes, the Association may: promote research in psychology, improve the qualifications of psychologists through continuing education efforts, facilitate the dissemination of research and knowledge by conducting meetings, maintaining professional contacts, and publishing in various formats. Further, lobbying efforts of North Dakota legislators and members of regulatory agencies will be made to protect and advance the interests of psychologists and the people they serve.

 

Article I

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. The North Dakota Psychological Association shall consist of four classes of members:  Members, Associate Members, Life Members, and Student Members.

 

Section la.  Members shall be one or more of the following: 

1. Fellows or Members of the American Psychological Association,
2. A licensed North Dakota Psychologist
3. A North Dakota Psychology Resident,
4. Be eligible for membership in the American Psychological Association.

Members shall reside in or be employed by a state of North Dakota employer and their membership will be approved through a process established by the Board of Trustees. Members shall have all rights and privileges of the Association and the right to vote and to hold elective office.

 

Section lb.  Associate Members shall be those who are either:

1. Eligible for election as Associates of the American Psychological Association
2. Full members of the Board approved allied associations and whose membership is approved by the Board of Trustees.

Approval shall consist of a simple majority of the entire Board of Trustees.  Associate Members may attend all meetings, participate in programs and discussions but may not vote nor hold an elective office.

 

Section 1c. Life Members shall be those who are so designated by the Board of Trustees. The Association may, at its discretion, bestow life membership upon those who are Life Members of the American Psychological Association, members who have reached the age of 65 and have completed 20 years of service as a Psychologist, or any other individuals deemed worthy of such designation. Life Members shall be entitled to vote, hold an elective office, and in general, participate in all functions of the Association. Life Members shall be exempt from Association dues.

 

Section 1d. Student Members shall be graduate students enrolled in a Psychology program or allied field approved by the Board of Trustees and whose membership is approved by the Board of Trustees.

Approval shall consist of a simple majority of the entire Board of Trustees. Student Members may attend meetings and participate in programs and may have such other privileges as may be granted by the Board of Trustees including to be elected to the Board.

 

Section 2. Each nomination for membership shall be made in writing and shall present a listing of qualifications claimed by the applicant. The Board may ask for supporting credentials to confirm qualifications.

 

Section 2a. Each applicant for membership shall affirm a statement indemnifying and holding harmless the North Dakota Psychological Association and its officers for damages resulting from unfavorable action on their application or from disciplinary action or expulsion under the provision of Article II of these By-Laws.

 

Section 2b. Termination of membership in the North Dakota Psychological Association shall require a three-fourths vote of the Board of Trustees. See Article II.

 

Section 2c.  A member may request termination of their membership through submission of a letter of resignation for action by the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 2d. Membership shall be terminated because of non-payment of assessments and/or dues. Dues shall be declared delinquent by March 1 of each year with suspension of membership for non-payment on May 1. At any subsequent time, any membership may be reinstated by paying the current year's past dues and assessments.

 

Section 2e.  When professional activity and residence is transferred to another state, membership may be continued by maintaining current dues.

 

Article II

REMOVAL OF MEMBERS

 

Procedures for dropping a member from membership shall be initiated within one year of the date that the occurrence of one or more of the bases for dropping membership is discovered by NDPA.  If a question as to whether or not a member should be dropped is raised, it will be referred to the President.  The President shall obtain available information, present it to the Board, and the Board shall determine by majority vote whether the matter warrants further review.

 

If such review is warranted, the President shall promptly advise the member in writing of the reason(s) for the possible dropping from membership.  The member will then have thirty days in which to submit in writing any information they desire, or to request to resign from NDPA.  If the member chooses resignation from NDPA, their offer of resignation must be accompanied by acknowledgment of the occurrence of one of the bases for dropping from membership.  Any other resignation will not be accepted.

 

If the member does respond, they must authorize the Board to obtain information concerning the matter from all-appropriate persons and agencies.  Failure to authorize release of such information may be considered as one factor in determining the appropriateness of dropping the member from membership.

 

The member does not have the right to a hearing, to appear personally before the Board, or to call witnesses.  The Board shall consider only information that is submitted in writing.  If the member does not respond within thirty days, the President shall refer the matter to the Board for decision.

 

The Board, in consultation with legal counsel--should the Board choose to seek legal counsel--shall review the available information and shall then decide by a ¾ majority vote whether the member shall be dropped from membership, be permitted to resign, or otherwise.  The President shall advise the member of the decision of the Board and the basis for the decision.  The Board shall keep appropriate minutes or other records of its decisions.  The member shall have no right to appeal the Board’s decision.

 

All information concerning dropping from membership shall be confidential, except that such information may be disclosed: when compelled by a valid subpoena or otherwise required by law; to legal counsel of the NDPA; to staff of the NDPA and to other duly appointed persons authorized by NDPA to assist in carrying out its functions; to the American Psychological Association, Canadian Psychological Association, and any affiliated state, regional, provincial, or territorial association; to any state, provincial, or territorial licensing and certification board; to the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards; to the membership of NDPA; to any party that reported to NDPA an occurrence of one of the bases for the dropping the member; and to other appropriate parties.  The above requirement of confidentiality shall not prevent NDPA from responding to any inquiry regarding the membership status of a member who has been dropped from membership.

 

Records regarding dropping from membership and resignation following the occurrence of one of the bases for dropping membership shall be maintained indefinitely.

 

If a member who has resigned from membership as described above or been dropped from membership reapplies for membership in NDPA, then any decision regarding such reapplication shall be at the sole discretion of the Board.

 

Bases for termination of membership shall include but not be limited to 1) revocation by a board of psychologist examiners of license to practice psychology; 2) revocation of APA membership or resignation of APA membership for cause as described in the APA bylaws and rule of the APA Ethics Committee; 3) conviction of a felony; 4) unethical or unprofessional conduct.

 

 

Article III

OFFICERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

Section 1. The Board of Trustees of the North Dakota Psychological Association shall consist of the following voting members: 

Section 1a. President: The president shall be the person who has just completed their term as the President-Elect unless otherwise specified. It is the duty of the President to assemble and call to order all meetings, to act as the head of the Board, and to supervise the affairs of the Association where needed. They shall obtain approval of the Board and perform other duties that pertain to the office. The President shall assume their duties on the January 1^st of each year. The President’s term shall last 2 years.

 

Section 1b. President-Elect: The President-Elect serves on the Board and fulfills the duties of the President in their absence. They shall perform the duties delegated by the President and succeed the President after their term of office is completed. Further, the President-Elect is responsible for chairing the conference committee to ensure the quality and timeliness of conferences hosted by the Association. The President-Elect’s term shall last two years.

 

Section 1c. Past-President: The Past-President is the most immediately retired President. Their role involves Chairing the Nominations Committee and shall perform other such duties as delegated by the President. They serve to provide historical context to the Association and maintain continuity in leadership. The Past-President’s term shall last two years.

 

Section 1d. Secretary/Treasurer: The duty of the Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person. It is the duty of the Secretary to keep records of the Association and Board and be responsible for ensuring the timely posting of meeting minutes and announcements as appropriate. The Treasurer shall report income and expenses to the Association, providing context to fiscal trends as appropriate. Their role also includes ensuring taxes are completed each fiscal year in a timely matter. They may hire an outside agency or person to complete the taxes should they not feel qualified. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected for terms of three years each.

 

Section 1e. Federal Advocacy Coordinator: The Coordinator aims to facilitate APA legislative efforts with the Association members. They shall keep members and the Board informed of pending legislative and executive actions that may impact the Association. The Coordinator shall be elected for a two-year term.

 

Section 1f. APA Council Representative: The APA Council of Representatives is the legislative body of APA. NDPA’s Representative shall represent the best interests of the NDPA and psychologists practicing in North Dakota. This includes attending APA’s legislative meetings twice a year and special meetings called to order by the APA Board of Directors. The APA Council Representative is elected and serves in concordance with the APA election policies.

 

Section 1g. Members-at-Large: There shall be three Members-at-Large (MAL) who may fulfill various non-specific duties including, but not limited to, sitting on the Nominations Committee and engaging in Portfolios assigned by the President. MAL have the same authority and similar responsibilities as other board members but are more flexible in their roles as the Association finds it necessary. MAL are elected for 3-year staggered terms.

 

Section 1h. Graduate Student Liaison: Facilitate communication with and advocate for early career members of the Association, training programs, and student members of the Association soon to be entering the workforce. Graduate Student Liaison will be elected for two-year terms with any early resignations filled by appointment by the President.

 

Section 2. Terms of office shall begin the first day of the calendar year following the election. See above Board member descriptions for specific terms.

 

Section 3. In the event of a vacancy on the Board of Trustees occurring prior to or immediately following the formal nomination and election procedure of NDPA, the Board of Trustees shall appoint an interim board member to fill the vacancy until the formal nomination and election procedure of NDPA results in the election of a new board Member.

 

Section 4. The specific duties and responsibilities of the Officers of the Board of Trustees of NDPA may be further outlined in a Procedures Manual adopted by the Board of Trustees.  This document may also contain the description of the day-to-day operations of NDPA, the duties and responsibilities of appointed positions within and central office staff of NDPA.

 

Section 4a. Revisions to the Procedures Manual of NDPA shall be made only upon written submission of a proposed revision to the full Board of Trustees. Revisions to the Procedures Manual of NDPA may be submitted by any current officer of the Board of Trustees or the Executive Director of NDPA. Revisions may also be solicited and received from any Member or Life Member of NDPA.

 

Section 4b.  The adoption of any revision to the Procedures Manual of NDPA shall be made only at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees and when a majority of the Board of Trustees have voted in favor of such a revision to the Procedures Manual of NDPA.
 

Section 5.  As long as the Practice Directorate of the American Psychological Association maintains the position of Federal Advocacy Coordinator, NDPA shall choose an individual for this position by popular election. This individual shall serve for three years in the position of Federal Advocacy Coordinator, with the right of succession.

 

 Section 5a.  Elections for the position of Federal Advocacy Coordinator shall be held in conjunction with elections for Officers of the Board of Trustees of NDPA.

 

Section 5b.  The duties of the office of Federal Advocacy Coordinator may be elaborated in the Procedures Manual of NDPA.

 

Section 6: The board shall have permission to obtain legal, financial, tax, or other advisement when deemed necessary.

 

Section 7. It is expected that the Board shall meet quarterly but must meet at least two times per year at the call of the President, who may call a meeting on their own initiative. The President must call a meeting when requested by three members of the Board. A quorum for the purpose of conducting business shall consist of three (3) members of the Board of Trustees. Business may be conducted via email or other electronic means.  In such cases, a decision will require a simple majority of the full Board of Trustees. The President will announce the results of the vote at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees for inclusion in the minutes.

 

 

 

Article IV

ELECTIONS

Section 1. The Members-At-Large of the Board of Trustees, with the Immediate Past President serving as Chairman, shall constitute the Nominating Committee for the North Dakota Psychological Association.

 

Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall circulate a slate of proposed candidates and issue a call for additional nominees to the membership. The Nominating Committee shall determine that all nominees are eligible and willing to hold office prior to mailing the ballot.  Eligible nominees shall be Members in good standing.

 

Section 3. The election of officers shall be by electronic or mail ballot of the voting Members who have paid current dues. The election of officers of the North Dakota Psychological Association shall be closed and completed two weeks prior to the annual meeting.

 

Section 4. The tally of the ballots shall be done by the Immediate Past President with one other member of the Board of Trustees who shall certify the election of officers to their respective offices. Newly elected officers shall be notified before the annual meeting.

 

Section 5.  In the event of a tie vote by the Membership of NDPA for a position on the Board of Trustees, the election of a new Officer shall be decided among the highest vote receiving candidates for that Office by the entire Board of Trustees of NDPA. The candidates receiving the majority of the votes of the Board of Trustees shall be considered duly elected and assume office at the specified time.

 

Article V

COMMITTEES
 

Section 1. The President shall appoint chairs and members of committees as needed to carry out the goals of the organization. The President is responsible for providing committees with a written statement of purpose, specific guidelines, reports due, and budgetary considerations.

 

Section 2. Unless otherwise specified in the constitution, the duties of the various committees shall be outlined by the Board of Trustees. The Board shall request an annual report before the annual meeting from each committee and may request a report prior to a Board of Trustees Meeting.

 

Article VI

STAFF

Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to solicit applications for, evaluate applicants, and hire an Executive Director and/or Executive Administrative Assistant for the Association.

 

Section 2.  The duties of the Executive Director and/or Executive Administrative Assistant of NDPA shall be established by the Board of Trustees and specified in the Procedures Manual of NDPA. The President of NDPA shall oversee the activities of the Executive Director and/or Executive Administrative Assistant to ensure the duties outlined in the Procedures Manual of NDPA are conducted in a satisfactory manner.

 

Article VII

MEETINGS

Section 1. The North Dakota Psychological Association shall hold at least one membership meeting during the calendar year. The dates of such meetings are to be determined by the Board of Trustees, with notice to the members at least 30 days in advance.

 

Section 2. Unless otherwise provided, a majority of the voting members present shall constitute grounds for carrying a ballot in a business meeting.

 

Article VIII

FISCAL YEAR

Section 1. The fiscal year, including the ascertaining of dues, shall be from January through December for each year.

 

Article IX

DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1.  Dues shall be set by the majority of the voting members present at a business meeting of the Association. Changes in dues shall be proposed by the Board of Trustees and voted on by the Association.

 

Section 2. Special Assessments deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees may be enacted by a majority of members voting in an electronic ballot.

 

Article X

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to recommend amendments, deletions or alterations to these By-Laws.

 

Section 2.  Any amendments, deletions or alterations to these By-Laws shall require 30 days’ notice and a vote of a majority of the voting members of NDPA who return their ballots.

 

Section 3. By-Laws shall be reviewed on each decade year and mid-decade year.