NLPA Bylaws

 

CONSTITUTION of THE NATIONAL LATINA/O PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (NLPA)

 

Article I. MISSION

The mission of the National Latina/o Psychological Association is to generate and advance psychological knowledge and fosters its effective application for the benefit of the Hispanic/Latino population.

Section 1. The Association will promote and support the work of Latina/o psychologists and mental health professionals as well as those Latina/o professionals who are not Latina/o but are valuable contributors to the field of Latina/o psychology.

Section 2.The Association will work to promote the educational and professional advancement of Latina/o psychologists by endorsing training programs that prepare Latina/o psychologists and facilitate cooperation among them.

Section 3. The Association will promote open communication with members of Latina/o communities at all levels for our mutual education.

Section 4. The Association will promote an awareness and understanding of issues that Latina/o psychologists and mental health professionals might have as related to their educational and professional experiences.

BYLAWS

of

THE NATIONAL LATINA/O PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (NLPA)

 

Article I. PURPOSES

Section 1. The Association shall encourage and assist in the advancement of scientific psychological knowledge, research, and service that educates citizens, informs, and influences public/institutional policy that is relevant to or affects Latina/os at the national, regional, state, and local levels.

Section 2. The Association shall hold meetings, issue publications, and other materials that provide information on the psychological issues facing Latina/os, and perform activities necessary or pertinent to implementation of the Association’s objectives, including the raising of funds through gifts, dues, bequests, or other activities.

Section 3. The Latina/o Psychological Association is a nonprofit professional organization operating exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding section of any future Federal tax code).

Section 4. Except for the distribution of information and other business expenses, no part of the assets of the Association shall be used for the personal benefit of its members or Officers. Reimbursement of expenses properly incurred may be paid to members and Officers in furtherance of Section 501(c)(3) purposes.


Article II. MEMBERSHIP and QUALIFICATIONS

Section 1. Professional Member. Persons with a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology, mental health, health, or related field and/ or professionals whose work and interests are consistent with the purposes of the Association may apply for professional membership status and submit payment of dues to the Treasurer.

a. Professional Members may also be members of other professional organizations, whose interests are primarily psychological in nature. These include Fellows, Members, and Associates of the American Psychological Association, the American College Personnel Association, the American Counseling Association, and other such organizations as designated by the Association’s Executive Committee.

b. Professional Members may also be persons who have retired from the professional psychology workforce.

Section 2. Student Member. Any person enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in psychology, counseling, mental health, or any related field may apply as a Student Member by submitting the necessary student membership information and payment of dues to the Treasurer.

Section 3. Institutional Member. Institutional Members include, but are not limited to, national, local, and educational organizations interested in the purposes and objectives of the Association. Such organizations may apply for membership by submitting the necessary application materials and dues as set forth by the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Lifetime Member. Any NLPA member may pay Founding Lifetime Membership dues set forth by the Executive Committee.

Section 5. Community Member. Any individual who has interests in Latina/o psychology from other disciplinary backgrounds and/or who wishes to support the mission of the Association may pay Community Membership dues set forth by the Executive Committee.


Article III. RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, and PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Qualifications. Membership in the Association is not based upon race, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or religious conviction. All individuals who wish to join the Association must demonstrate and interest in, or concern for, people of Latina/o ancestry and heritage.

Section 2. Rights. The rights of all members, regardless of type of membership, shall be the same. Rights include eligibility to vote on Association matters (with Institutional Members having limitations as below stated), eligibility to hold office in the Association (with limitations for Institutional Members and Student Members), eligibility to work on special projects with in the Association by approval of the Executive Committee, and the right to express opinions or ideas.

a. Student Members shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of the Association, and may be elected to serve as Student Representative. They may also hold appointed offices, serve on Section committees and task forces, and may be eligible to vote in Association elections.
b. Institutional Members shall not hold voting rights.

Section 3. Responsibilities. The responsibilities of members shall include the adoption and practice of professional ethics and values. These include, but are not limited to:

Ethical Principles of Psychologists (American Psychological Association),

Ethical Standards (The American Counseling Association)

Guidelines on Multicultural Education, Training, Research, Practice and Organizational Change for Psychologists (American Psychological Association)

Code of Ethics for Mental Health Counselors (National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors),

Ethical Standards (American College Personnel Association),

Principles of Medical Ethics, with Annotations Especially Applicable to 
Psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association), and

Code of Ethics (National Association of Social Workers).

Section 4. Privileges. Association members are entitled to receive Association newsletters and/or other Association correspondence at no cost. Members are entitled to purchase Association publications at members’ rates.

Section 5. Voting Privileges. All members in good standing shall have voting privileges and shall be eligible to hold offices. All elected officers shall have voting privileges in Executive Committee business matters.

Section 6. Creation of Chapters and Divisions within NLPA. Chapters and divisions of NLPA may be created following the “Guidelines for Creation of Chapters and Divisions” as set forth by the Association.

Section 7. Re-organization. In the event that the Association decides to become a constituent part of another organization, differing rights and responsibilities may be established for different categories of Association members.


Article IV. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Ethically inappropriate or Unlawful Activities. Termination of membership shall occur when it has been substantiated that a Professional Member, Student Member, or Institutional Member is/ has engaged in activities inconsistent with the purposes of the Association, has been charged with ethically inappropriate or unprofessional conduct, or is convicted of illegal activities. Termination of membership of any person shall be decided by the affirmative majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Failure to Pay Dues. Termination of membership shall occur when any member has failed to pay dues for one year. That individual will be notified at the end of the year that s/he will be automatically dropped from membership if payment of dues is not received within one-month of notification. The individual will resume all rights and responsibilities of Association members and will be re-enrolled upon payment of current dues. Should the NLPA member or institution decide to withdraw from the Association, no reimbursement of dues will be provided.


Article V. ELECTED OFFICERS

Section 1. Composition. The President, President-Elect, Past-President, Secretary, and Treasurer are Association officers elected by the membership.

Section 2. Duties of the President. In performing the duties of the office, the President shall:
a. conduct the business of the Association between meetings of the Executive Committee; 
b. be an ex-officio member of all committees and chair of the Executive Committee meetings;
c. represent the Association in business matters with other organizations, agencies, or governmental bodies;
d. act for the Association in any particular business matter, provided that prompt reports are furnished to the Executive Committee, and that the action is not opposed by a majority of the Executive Committee, and that the action is consistent with the Association By-Laws;
e. delegate some of his or her duties to other members at his or her discretion;
f. serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 3. Duties of the President-Elect. In performing the duties of the office, the President-Elect shall:
a. represent the organization when the President is unable to do so or at the request of the President; 
b. identify new institutional members;
c. chair the biannual, national conference; 
d. assume the role of President should the President become unable to serve;
f. serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 4. Duties of the Past President. In performing the duties of the office, the Past-President shall:
a. aid the Executive Committee with continuity of officer transition;
b. oversee the biannual election of officers and orientation of new officers;
c. assist the Association with special projects;
d. communicate with state NLPA organizations two times per year;
e. serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 5. Duties of the Secretary. In performing the duties of the office, the Secretary shall:
a. collect and maintain archival items of that Association including but not limited to NLPA publications (newsletters, monographs, journals, convention proceedings), convention programs, and other items of historical significance;
b. document summaries of Executive Committee meetings and other Association meetings of historical significance when so directed by the Executive Committee;
c. compose election materials for the newsletter and collect ballots;
d. serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 6. Treasurer. In performing duties of the office, the Treasurer shall:
a. receive payment of member dues and maintain financial records related to dues payment;
b. receive and distribute Association funds;
c. maintain records of financial transactions and tax documents;
d. ensure that association expenditures are within budget as approved by a majority of the Executive Committee;
e. correspond and work with an accountant on annual Association tax returns;
f. perform other financial duties relevant to the work of the Association;
g. serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office. 
h. maintain and update membership lists, member data base, and/ or member directories;
i. coordinate annual membership renewal and payment of dues;
j. oversee the fund raising committee’s activities to support awards and scholarships for Student Members and Professional Members of the Association;

Section 7. Student Representative. In performing duties of the office, the Student Representative shall:
a. assist with identification of new student members;
b. contribute a column to the association newsletter; 
c. bring to the Executive Committee interests and concerns of student members;
d. serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 8. Duties of the Executive Committee In performing duties of the office, the Officers shall:
a. assume specific duties and responsibilities as directed by the President and as specified in the bylaws;
b. act as liaisons to other national or international organizations whose purposes or actions will benefit the Association and its purposes;
c. assist in soliciting corporate donations and other fund raising activities to carry out the objectives of the Association, including awarding of student scholarships;
d. serve for no more than two (2) consecutive terms of two years each.


Article VI. APPOINTED OFFICERS

Section 1. Composition. The President shall appoint individuals in appointed positions with approval by the Executive Committee. These individuals will serve on the Executive Committee Members.

Section 2. Duties of the Membership Chair(s). In performing duties of office, the Membership Chair(s) shall:
a. conduct correspondence concerning membership;
b. help solicit new members;
c. perform other duties relevant to Association member services;
d. serve a two-year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 3. Duties of the Newsletter Editor(s). In performing duties of the office, the Newsletter Editor(s) shall:
a. be responsible for the production, publication, and the distribution of the Association Newsletter to members and other interested persons or organizations;
b. delegate some of these duties to other Association members if necessary;
c. correspond with the Membership Officer regarding updated membership lists and/ or otherwise determine persons or organizations who/ which receive Newsletters;
d. serve a three year term of office, the first as editor-designate, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 3.5 Duties of the Newsletter Associate Editor. In performing duties of the office, the Newsletter Associate Editor shall:
a. assist in the production, publication, and the distribution of the Association Newsletter to members and other interested persons or organizations;
b. correspond with the Membership Officer regarding updated membership lists and/ or otherwise determine persons or organizations who/ which receive Newsletters;
c. serve as the Editor if the Editor is unable to perform her/his duties; 
d. assist with seeking nominations and appointments of the editorial board; 
e. serve a three year term of office or until a successor assumes the office. 
Section 4. Duties of the Student/Professional Development Coordinator(s): In performing duties of the office, the Student/Professional Development Coordinator(s) shall:
a. design programming to recruit, retain, and ultimately assist with the graduation and professional advancement of Latina/o students, faculty, and staff in higher education pursuing the field of psychology;
b. establish and maintain working relationships with higher education institutions to develop academic opportunities for Latina/o undergraduates, graduates, and faculty and staff;
c. establish and maintain partnerships with local Latina/o communities and agencies to develop internship/employment opportunities for Latina/o students;
d. serve a two-year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 5. Duties of the APA Liaison: In performing duties of the office, the APA Liaison shall:
a. serve as a communication interface between the American Psychological Association and NLPA, providing updates as needed;
b. on behalf of NLPA, coordinate business for the Council of National Association of Presidents of Ethnic Minority Interests;
c. serve at the discretion of the President;

Section 6. Duties of the Electronic Communications Manager: In performing duties of the office, the Electronic Communications Manager shall:
a. hold responsibility for maintenance and regular update of the association’s listserv;
b. respond to inquiries via the listserv as appropriate;
c. serve at the discretion of the Executive Committee or until a successor assumes the office.

Section 7. Duties of the Public Relations Coordinator(s): In performing duties of the office, the Public Relations Coordinator(s) shall:
a. disseminate information about NLPA activities (e.g., conferences, accomplishments of members) through professional associations and public media channels;
b. establish contacts with Spanish-language media outlets nationally, regionally, and wherever else is possible on a local level;
c. oversee the annual revisions to a NLPA press kit;
d. coordinate with the Webpage Coordinator to provide quarterly updates to the website.

Section 8. Duties of the Webpage Coordinator: In performing duties of the office, the Webpage Coordinator shall:
a. maintain and update the association web page in a timely manner;
b. identify links to other relevant associations.

Section 9. Duties of the Historian: In performing duties of the office, the Historian shall:
a. archive all association records;
b. communicate with association founders to insure that the history of their contributions are recorded;
c. communicate with national archive site to insure that association records are protected and updated;

Section 10. Duties of the Fund Raising Coordinator(s): In performing duties of the office, the Fund Raising Coordinator(s) shall:
a. coordinate fund raising for organization in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and NLPA treasurer;

Section 11. Duties of the Awards and Recognition Chairperson: In performing duties of the office, the Awards Recognition Chairperson shall:
a. coordinate biannual awards to coincide with the association’s national conference;
b. in consultation with the Executive Committee, identify five members to serve on the Awards and Recognition Committee;
c. in consultation with the Awards and Recognition Committee members, identify annual award categories;
d. announce awardees in the association newsletter, web page, listserv and at the national conference.

Section 12: Duties of E-Journal Editor: In performing duties of the office, the E-journal Editor shall:
a. oversee the processing and distribution of manuscript submissions to the E-journal;
b. select (in consultation with the Executive Committee) and oversee the duties of the Associate Editor and Editorial Board Members;
c. make final decisions on the status of submitted manuscripts based on reviewer and Associate Editor feedback;
d. write an editorial section for each E-journal issue;
e. serve a 3-year appointment.

Section 13: Duties of Associate Editor: In performing duties of the office, the E-journal Associate Editor shall:
a. maintain the daily workings to ensure timely publication of the E-journal;
b. make recommendations to the E-journal Editor regarding submitted manuscripts;
c. serve a 3-year appointment under the appointing Editor.

Section 14: Duties of E-Journal Editorial Board Members: In performing duties of the office, the E-journal Editorial Board Members shall:
a. provide timely manuscript reviews to the E-journal Associate Editor via email
b. serve either a 2 or 3-year appointment, or until a successor assumes the office.


Article VII. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Composition. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Elected Officers (i.e., President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Student Representative) and Appointed Officers (i.e., Membership Chairs, Newsletter Editors, Student/Professional Development Coordinators, APA Liaison, Electronic Communications Manager, Public Relations Coordinators, Webpage Coordinator, Historian, Fund Raising Coordinators, Awards and Recognition Chairperson, E-journal Editor, E-journal Associate Editor, E-journal Editorial Board Members).

Section 2. Responsibilities. The Executive Committee, chaired by the President, shall:
a. have full authority to act for the Association;
b. recommend a budget;
c. set forth policies and activities consistent with these By-Laws or its Amendments;
d. conduct an annual business meeting, and conduct other meetings as deemed necessary;
e. establish and maintain a central office for the Association.

Section 3. Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet, either in person or by teleconference, at least three times per year, during which time a majority of the Officers and Committee Members must be present before official business can take place. If a majority is not present, all other Executive Committee members not present must be contacted and given an opportunity to vote on matters raised at the meeting before such matters have become official business. If a meeting cannot be convened during a particular year, the President must submit to the Executive Committee a written report of old and new business so that the Executive Committee members shall be given a opportunity to raise business matters and to vote on official business.

Section 4. Parliamentary Procedure. The conduct of all meetings shall be guided by Parliamentary Procedure. All elected officers shall have voting privileges in Executive Committee meetings. Passage of any motion shall be made by majority vote of the Executive Committee. In the case of tie votes, the President’s vote shall resolve the issue.

Section 5. Notice to Members. An Annual Report, summarizing all the activities of the Executive Committee, will be published in the Newsletter and posted on the Association’s website.


Article VIII. TIMING OF ELECTIONS, TRANSITION OF OFFICERS, AND TERMINATION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. Elections. Elections of Officers shall be as follows:
a. The President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Student Representative shall be elected every two years;
b. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected on alternating years;
c. Each year, two Executive Committee Associates shall be elected for two-year terms. In any one year, there shall be two new Executive Committee Members who shall be serving their first year and two Executive Committee Members who shall be serving their second year of their two-year terms;
d. Election will be held no less than six months prior to the end of the calendar year.

Section 2. Appointment of Officers.
a. All appointments of Officers are made by the President in consultation with and with approval by the Executive Committee.
b. In the event that an Incumbent Officer is unable to complete her/his term of office, the President, with a majority approval of the Executive Committee, shall appoint an Association member to complete that term of office.

Section 3. Transition of Officers. 
a. New Officers will assume their duties on January 1 following the election. 
b. If an incumbent Officer is unable to complete her/his term of office, the Executive Committee shall appoint an Association member to complete the term of office of the vacated position, or appoint a member to a one-year term. This type of appointment to office shall not apply to the President.

Section 4. Termination of Office. An individual elected or appointed to office shall be 
terminated for:
a. failure to discharge responsibilities;
b. failure to act in accordance with any Association By-Laws or Amendments;
c. substantiated charges of unethical or unprofessional conduct;
d. conviction of an illegal act;
e. non-payment of membership dues for one year.

Section 5. Termination Procedures. The termination of an officer requires 2/3 of a vote of the Executive Committee and the notification of termination will be made by the President of the NLPA. The officer in question will be provided due-process before the decision and vote of termination is conducted. Announcement of the officer’s termination of duties made public on the NLPA membership listserv .. If an officer is terminated from office for any of the above reasons as identified in Section 4 of Article VIII of the NLPA bylaws (with exception of failure to discharge responsibilities and/or nonpayment of membership dues for one year), the membership of the individual will also be terminated.

Article IX. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS PROCEDURES

The election of new Officers should occur no less than five months prior to the Annual American Psychological Association Convention or NLPA Conference to enable a smooth transition between the outgoing and incoming Executive Committee.

Section 1. Elections Chairperson. The Past-President will oversee the nominations and elections process. The Chairperson may appoint two other Association members to serve with him/ her as the Nominations and Elections Committee. Anyone serving on this Committee shall not be a candidate for Officer in the forthcoming election.

Section 2. Call for Nominations. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall issue a call for nominations to be published in the Newsletter and posted on the NLPA listserv and web page. In rare instances, a call for nominations shall be communicated by special letters sent to all members for this explicit purpose.

Section 3. Nominations and Willingness to Serve. Members may nominate themselves or other members by writing to the Chairperson in response to the call for nominations. All nominees shall be dues current members of the Association. The willingness of nominees to serve shall be ascertained by the Chairperson and/or committee members. Section 4. Publication of Nominees Statements and Slates. Names, descriptions, statements from nominees, and the slate of final nominees shall be published in the Newsletter and posted on the NLPA listserv and web page, or through a special mailing for that purpose.

Section 5. Member Ballots and Votes. Members shall vote for nominees by returning completed ballots to the Nominations and Elections Committee Chairperson or the Secretary. The closing date for return of ballots shall be 30 days or no more than thirty (45) days after the announcement via the NLPA listserv and web page of the ballot containing the approved and final list of nominees.

Section 6. Counts and Tie Votes. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall count completed ballots. The nominees who receive the greatest number of votes shall be elected. In the event of a tie vote, the decision of a majority of the Executive Committee shall resolve the tie.

Section 7. Publication of Election Results. Names of newly elected Officers and Directors shall be published in the next Association Newsletter and announced on the NLPA listserv and web page,

Section 8. Insufficient number of nominees. When there is an insufficient number of nominees for elected positions (i.e., if the number of nominees falls short of the number of positions), the Executive Committee shall submit names of additional nominees for those positions provided that the number of nominees does not exceed the number of positions.

Section 2. Excess number or nominees. When there are more than five (5) nominees for any Officer position or more than four (4) times the number of nominees for available positions.


Article XI. ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Lobbying and Political Activities. No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on partisan political activity or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, unless specifically identified by the Executive Committee that if falls within the realms of the mission of the Association. The Association shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

Section 2. Prohibited Activities. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 5. Dissolution. Upon dissolution of this Association, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or corresponding section of any future federal tax code) or shall be distributed to the federal, state or local government for a public purpose.


Article XII. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUION AND BY-LAWS

Section 1. Initiation of Amendments. Amendments may be initiated by a majority of the Executive Committee, by a petition submitted by any member and approved by a majority of the Executive Committee, or through a petition submitted by twenty-five (25) or more members to the President.

Section 2. Publication and Balloting on Proposed Amendments. Amendments, properly initiated and proposed, shall be published and ballots provided in the Newsletter, NLPA listserv, or in special mailings. The closing date for return of ballots shall be two weeks, or no more than thirty (30) days after the mailing date of the Newsletter, posting on the NLPA listserv, or of the special mailing to all members.

Section 3. Adoption of Amendments. An Amendment is adopted if at least 25% of the membership votes, and if a majority of the voting members approves it. If less than 25% of the membership votes, and if the majority of the voting members approves it, the Amendment is adopted only if a majority of the Executive Committee approve it.