About APA

Chapter VI. Organization of APA

1991

Policy on periodic review of committees by their parent board

That all APA boards established criteria and procedures for periodic evaluation (at least once every five years) of their committees to determine if their usefulness is sufficient to warrant their continued existence.

1994

Policy on indemnification of officers, governance members and staff

The Council of Representatives reaffirmed APA's ongoing policy to indemnify all APA officers, governance members and staff from litigation and/or associated judgments and costs provided that: (1) the actions on APA's behalf are undertaken in good faith; (2) the actions on APA's behalf do not involve acts of gross negligence or malice; and (3) the persons involved act within the scope of their authority.

2016

Guidelines for Council resolutions

These guidelines apply to all resolutions submitted to Council for consideration. The following information must be provided: (1) The purpose and rationale for the resolution stated clearly, and documenting its relevance to psychology or psychologists; (2) The issue’s importance to psychology or to society as a whole; (3) Representative scientific or empirical findings related to the resolution; (4) The extent to which the resolution is consistent with APA’s guiding principles, and the extent to which it addresses human rights, health and welfare, and ethics; (5) The likelihood of the resolution having a constructive impact on public opinion or policy.

Resolutions approved by Council are understood to reflect what APA values or believes and, in most cases, does not commit APA to any action. If approval of the resolution requires that specific action be taken, the following information must also be provided: (6) Suggestions on how it should be implemented, if it is passed; (7) Breakdown of staff resources or association funds needed to implement the resolution.

Initially adopted by the APA Council of Representatives in August 2000. Amended by APA Council of Representatives in February 2016.

Date created: 2008

About the Council Policy Manual

This is Chapter VI of the Council Policy Manual, which contains the current policies of the American Psychological Association. The organization of the manual follows the same major subject headings and sequence that is used in the agenda books of the Council of Representatives. Council actions are listed in chronological order with the earliest dated policies coming first. For more information, visit the Council Policy Manual table of contents.