The Society for Media Psychology & Technology

Our Bylaws

Revised September 25, 2012

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ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.01 – Name
The name of this Division shall be THE SOCIETY FOR MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY, henceforth referred to in this document as “the Society.”

Section 1.02 – Purpose
The purposes and objectives of this Society are to enhance psychologists’ roles in the research, application, training, teaching, and practice of both traditional media and newer information and communication technologies. Traditional media technologies include radio, television, film, video, and print media. Newer information and communication technologies include Internet, telehealth, distance learning, virtual reality, and new developments utilizing the interface between the human mind and machine, including robotics and various forms of brain signal communication and other evolving technologies. The specific objectives of the Society are:

  1. To encourage the development of a set of theoretical and practical frameworks for the study and practice of media psychology, the new technologies, and their interface/interaction with psychology and with psychological issues.
  2. To support research on the effects of traditional and newer media technologies on the public, and on the effectiveness of traditional and newer media in transmitting psychological information to the public.
  3. To assist psychologists and APA Divisions to use traditional and newer media technologies, and to transmit psychological knowledge to the public regarding psychological services for effecting behavior change to those individuals seeking to improve their quality of life physically, emotionally, and environmentally.
  4. To train psychologists to more effectively use all forms of media, for the transmission of information to the public about the science and profession of Psychology, and to educate the public and psychologists about the impact of the newer technologies on human behavior and interactions.
  5. To collaborate with APA in media training activities, in the Media Referral Service, and with projects in the public education domain.
  6. To collect and contribute to information on telehealth, nanotechnology, humanoid robotics, new technologies and other issues pertaining to media psychology.
  7. To encourage adherence to the ethical standards and guidelines of the APA in conducting research on the media and in the use of media for transmission of psychological information and services to the public.

ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
Section 2.01 – Classes of Membership
Membership in the Society shall consist of six categories: Fellows, Members, Life Members, Associate Members, Affiliate Members, and Students. Wherever “Member” appears in these Bylaws, it is intended to include “Members,” “Fellows” and Life Members, unless otherwise specified. Only full members of APA and the Society may vote and hold elected office in the Society.

Section 2.02 – Definition and Qualifications for Members
To be eligible for membership, one must be a full member, associate, or student member of the American Psychological Association (henceforth referred to as APA). An Affiliate member shall be a non-APA member who has a substantial professional interest in psychology, communications, and the media.

  1. “Fellows” and “Members” shall be those who are also Members or Fellows of APA and who are elected as Society Members in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of Article 11 of the APA Bylaws.
  2. “Associate Members” shall be those who are also Associate members of the APA and who are elected as Associate members in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of Article II of the APA Bylaws.
  3. “Affiliate Members” shall be members who, by reason of their competence in media and/or media psychology, wish to participate with the Society in the attainment of its objectives, but who do not hold membership in APA. Eligibility for affiliate membership shall generally require a post-graduate degree from a recognized institution in a field related to the interests of the Society.
    This category will be comprised of members of the mental health sciences or professions, communications departments, media-related departments, or those in the entertainment field whose work and/or interests address the various media technologies. Affiliate members must meet those qualifications established by the professions or institutions with which they are associated, and where applicable, must be licensed in their respective professions.

Section 2.03 – Qualifications for Fellow Status
To be eligible for nomination by the Society to APA Fellow status a person must:

  1. Meet the minimum standards for Fellow status established under the APA Bylaws;
  2. Have been a Member of the Society for at least two years;
  3. Have made a significant contribution to the research, theory, leadership or practice of Media Psychology;
  4. Be actively engaged in advancing the goals of the Society; and
  5. Be endorsed by three APA Fellows, including two Fellows of the Society
  6. In cases of those who already hold APA Fellow status, if they meet the Society’s criteria they can be elected to Fellow status by the Society Board without the requirement of endorsement by the three Fellows.

Section 2.04 – Qualifications for Life Member Status
“Life Members” shall be members who are age 70 or over, who have maintained themselves in good standing in APA or the Society for 25 years, and whose Society dues will therefore be waived. They shall have all the rights and privileges of full membership.

Section 2.05 – Qualifications for Student Member Status
“Student Members” shall be APA student members and shall submit proof of full-time study in an accredited graduate program. Student members have all the privileges of regular membership, but may not hold office or vote.

ARTICLE III
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Section 3.01 – Place and Time of Annual Membership Meeting
There shall be one meeting per year that is designated as the Annual Membership Meeting, which will be held at the annual convention of the APA. There shall be two meetings of the elected Board of Directors – one, to be held in February or March, and one, to be held at the APA Convention. The Mid-year meeting may, by the President’s decision, be held by conference call.

Section 3.02 -Special Meetings

  1. Special meetings of members may be called at any time by a majority of Board of Directors, the President, or ten percent (10%) or more of the members.
  2. If a special meeting is called by members other than the President or the Board of Directors of the Society, the request shall be submitted in writing by such members, specifying the exact nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail to the President, President-Elect, or the Secretary of the Society. The officer receiving such a request shall cause notice to be promptly given to the members entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws. If a majority of members of the Society approve a special meeting, the date of such a meeting will be announced to the full membership within 20 days of approval.
  3. Special meetings shall require 30% of voting members be present to constitute a quorum and transact business. When a special meeting is called, it may deal only with the matter for which the meeting has been called, and no other business may be transacted.
  4. Special Executive Committee and/or Board of Directors meetings may be convened, at any time needed by the President. These may consist of telephone conference calls or Internet group meetings.

Section 3.03 – Conduct of Meetings

  1. Keesey’s Modern Parliamentary Procedures will be followed in the conduct of meetings, where not covered by these Bylaws.
    2 A quorum at all board meetings is 50% of the elected members of the board.

ARTICLE IV
VOTING
Section 4.01 – Eligibility to Vote

  1. Persons entitled to vote at any meeting of members shall be Members, Fellows and Life members.
  2. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members represented at a Board or Membership meeting, entitled to vote and voting on any matter, shall constitute the act of the members.
  3. Resolution of a tie vote: On any matter properly put before the membership for a vote, including the election of officers, the President may exercise a single, tie-breaking vote where the matter would otherwise go unresolved due to the same number of votes having been cast for competing alternatives.
  4. Votes of the Board and/or membership may be conducted by mail ballot, telephone or electronically.

ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.01 – Powers of the Board of Directors
All business of the Society for Media Psychology and Technology shall be conducted by the Board of Directors with as much input as possible sought from the Chairpersons of Society Committees and other Society members.”

Section 5.02 – Number, Qualification, and Election of Directors
5.02a. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers of the Society: President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, APA Council Representative(s), and 6 Members-at-Large. All Directors shall assume office on the first day of the calendar year after they have been duly elected by the membership.
5.02b The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer and Council Representative.
5.02c. The annual election shall be held each year, in conjunction with all APA Division, State, Provincial And Territory elections. Winners for President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and APA Council Representative shall be the nominees who obtain a simple majority if two candidates are vying for the position in question, or a plurality if there are multiple candidates for said position. For the Member-at-Large positions, those candidates shall be elected who receive the largest number of votes, in descending rank of number of votes received depending on the number of positions open.
5.02d. The term of the offices of President, President-Elect, and Past President shall be for one year each, with the President-Elect succeeding to President and Past President with no additional election needed, unless for any reason that person is unable to fulfill this three year succession.
5.02e. The terms of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be for three years.
5.02f. The Society’s APA Council Representative(s) shall be elected in accordance with APA requirements.
5.02g There shall be six Members-at-Large, each serving three year terms.

Section 5.03 – Duties of the Officers and Representatives
5.03a. President: The President shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the Society. S/he shall preside at all meetings of the members of the Board of Directors and shall serve ex-officio on all standing committees.
5.03b. President-Elect: The President-Elect shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the latter and shall serve as Chairperson of the Nominations Committee. In addition, the Pres-Elect shall have such additional duties as may be designated by the President or Board of Directors.
5.03c. Past President: The immediate Past President shall serve as Chair of the Awards Committee and shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and President-Elect.
5.03d. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and maintain all corporate records. S/he shall serve as archivist and see that copies of all records are available as the need arises. The Secretary will send minutes to Board members in a timely manner and handle other correspondence as necessary, and work with the Society President and APA central office staff.
5.03e. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall work in careful coordination with APA Division Services. He or she shall serve as custodian and shall be accountable for all Society funds and financial issues, as the Society’s chief financial officer. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Society Finance Committee. The Treasurer will work with the President and President-Elect to prepare a projected annual budget, which will be presented to the Board for approval at the Mid-winter meeting. The Treasurer shall present semi-annual summaries of the financial standing of the Society to the Board. Together with the Finance Committee, the Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the Society’s reserve funds.
5.03f. APA Council Representative(s): The Society’s Representative(s) to the APA Council of Representatives shall be a member of the Society’s Board of Directors and is expected to attend all official meetings of the Division 46 Board, as well as all meetings of the APA Council of Representatives. The Council Representative(s) shall represent Division 46 at all APA Council of Representative meetings and shall report regularly to the Division 46 Board of Directors about important issues relating to the Society The Council Representative shall write reports on the Council meetings that shall be included in the Newsletter and posted on the website for Society members.
5.03g. Members-at-Large: The six Members-at-Large are each expected to chair or cochair a major committee or task force.

Section 5.04 – Unfulfilled Officer/Director Terms.
In the event of the resignation or death of an elected officer or director, the President shall appoint a successor to fulfill the unexpired term of that person, with the approval of the remaining Board members.

ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
Section 6.01 – Standing Committees, Chairs, and Functions
All Committee Chairs (and co-chairs) are appointed annually by and serve at the pleasure of the President with the Board. A co-chair as used in this paragraph is subordinate to the chair. One of the co-chairs should be an ex-officio member of the board. Committee Chairs who are not Members-at-Large shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors, but shall not have voting rights. Each Committee Chair is expected to make semi-annual reports to the Board of Directors on its goals, activities, and progress. Each committee chair shall strive to have a committee of at least three members. A committee chair or co-chair and/or its members may be removed by a majority of the board. The membership may vote to propose a new standing committee. The board of directors may propose a new standing committee that should be validated by the voting membership.

Section 6.02 – Ad Hoc Committees and Task Forces
Ad Hoc Committees and Task Forces may be appointed at the discretion of the president.

Section 6.03 – Missions of Standing Committees
The following standing committees have been appointed and approved and these are their duties:

  1. Membership Committee
    The Membership Committee oversees all Society membership issues. It is responsible for changes to the membership brochure, devising strategies for gaining new members and retaining current members, as well as dealing with any procedural issues related to membership. It is expected to coordinate closely with APA Division Services. Its specific charge is to add to the Society’s membership numbers. The membership Committee will strive to recruit members of diverse populations.
  2. Fellows Committee
    The Fellows Committee shall deal with all issues and procedures related to selecting Division 46 Fellows. The Committee is responsible for soliciting Fellows nominees, evaluating their qualifications, verifying that they meet APA Fellows criteria, and then recommending them to the Board for final approval. The Fellows Committee Chair is responsible for all communications between the Committee and the nominees.
  3. Nominations and Elections Committee
    The Nominations and Elections Committee shall be responsible for all Society elections. The Committee shall consist of the President-Elect who shall serve as Chair, and the Committee members shall be the other officers serving on the Executive Committee. Any Committee member who is an active candidate for any Society office must disqualify himself/herself from service on the Committee in the year of that individual’s candidacy. The Chair is responsible for issuing a call for nominations so that it reaches Society members in a timely fashion. The Nominations Committee will strive to recruit members from diverse groups to stand for election. The call for nominations will appear in the Amplifier or may be sent by special mailing and/or electronically to all Society members. The Chair will forward the names of the nominees to APA following Board approval of all candidates at the Midwinter meeting. After the election, the Chair shall be responsible for notifying the candidates and members of the Society of the election results.
  4. Awards Committee
    The Awards Committee shall coordinate all issues and procedures related to awards, The Chair of the Awards Committee shall be the Past President. If a Committee Member is also the candidate for an award, that person must disqualify himself/herself from the Committee for the year in which she/he is nominated. Each year, the call for awards will be published in the Amplifier in a timely manner and/or on the Internet to all Society members so that the membership has an opportunity to participate in the process. The committee shall review and approve all awards given, including those given by committees, and shall appoint individuals to present the awards. All such awards are subject to approval of the President and the board and costs for the award should be approved during the regular budgeting process.

4.01. Media Watch Committee
The Media Watch Committee shall monitor media portrayals of mental health professionals in TV, film, electronic media and books. The Committee shall nominate and present to the Board for approval, candidates for the Shirley Glass Golden Psi award.

4.02 News Media, Public Education, and Public Policy Committee
The News Media, Public Education and Public Policy Committee shall promote excellence in the dissemination of psychological information and research via the news media, particularly as it relates to social issues. In addition, the News Media, Public Education, Public Policy Committee developed the News Media Recognition Award for excellence in the reporting of psychological information and research. It is the responsibility of the Committee to nominate and accept nominations of candidates, to determine the recipient with the approval of the board.

  1. Ethics Committee
    The Ethics Committee shall provide general education to psychologists regarding how to work with any form of the media in a responsible, professional manner. To aid in this endeavor, the committee shall compile, regularly review, update, and distribute educational materials, documents and books, and also offer APA convention presentations and more direct opportunities for questions and guidance. The Ethics Committee will endeavor to respond to inquiries from psychologists and students regarding ethical questions in Media Psychology.
  2. Program Committee
    The Program Committee shall have the responsibility of planning the Convention Program and Social Hour for the Annual APA Convention, as well as for any other meetings the Society may hold which involve program presentations. The chair shall be appointed by the president-elect for his/her presidential year and perform duties in accordance with APA rules and regulations.
  3. Editorial Policies & Guidelines Committee
  4. The Editorial Policies and Guidelines Committee will, with Board Input and approval, establish, codify, and implement Society policies, procedures, and guidelines about all editorial matters, broadly defined, related to Society-sponsored media. The Committee serves as advisor to the Amplifier Editor, and the Website and Listserv Administrator, as needed. The Committee regularly reports its activities and deliberations to the Board, and brings to the Board’s attention any relevant matter, for deliberation and approval.
  5. The Committee shall consist of the Chair, the Amplifier Editor, the Website & Listserv Administrator, the Publications Committee Chair, at least one elected Board member (if not already represented), and at least one Society member who is not on the Board.
  6. The Committee’s recommendations will be presented to the Board for review, discussion, and approval. The Committee serves an advisory function to the Board. The Board establishes the Society’s editorial policies and guidelines.
  7. Finance Committee
  8. The Finance Committee will assist the Treasurer in preparing the Annual Budget, with input from Committee Chairs, monitor and make changes in the Society’s reserve funds investments, and, in general, advise the Board about any matter involving finances, investments, disbursements, or Society income.
  9. The Committee shall consist of the Chair (who is a Member-at-Large) appointed by the President, Treasurer, President, Past President, and the President-Elect.
  10. The Committee will inform the Board about its deliberations, and present recommendations to the Board. The Committee serves an advisory function to the Board, which must establish the Society’s financial policy and guidelines.
  11. Publications Committee
    The Publications Committee shall oversee the Society’s publications, including journals, newsletters and books. The Chair of the Publications Committee may be a Member-at-Large of the Board. The President may appoint a Chair for the Publications Committee who is not a member of the Board. In such cases the Chair would serve an ex-officio member of the Board and not have voting rights. The Publications Committee shall make semi-annual reports to the Board concerning its activities.
  12. Telehealth and New Technologies Committee
    The Telehealth and New Technologies Committee shall educate and update the Society membership and other psychologists regarding the impact of new technologies on developments in telehealth as they relate to the Media. The Committee shall advise the Society membership and other psychologists regarding such areas as robotics, interactive modalities, and other new developments as they relate to psychology and media.
  13. Student Committee
    The Student Committee shall provide input regarding any matter that is student-related. This Committee deals with all interactions with APAGS. The Chair of this Committee will serve as the Society’s official representative to the APAGS Student Representative Network.
  14. Strategic Planning Committee
    The Strategic Planning Committee shall work toward clarifying a vision and mission for the Society looking ahead five years. The Committee will report its findings annually. The Strategic Planning Committee may ask the Board to consider specific agenda items generated by the Committee to reflect special priorities having importance for the year in question.
  15. Newsletter Editor and Website Administrator
    The Newsletter Editor and Website Chairs shall be appointed by the President and serve as ex-officio members of the Board, without voting rights. These individuals are responsible for the routine dissemination of information to the membership via print and electronic means. They shall make semi-annual reports to the Board about their ongoing activities and progress.
  16. Listserv Committee
    The Listserv committee shall be appointed by the listserv administrator with the approval of the president. This committee shall oversee the listserv postings and ensure that they adhere to the listserv guidelines of both APA and the Society.
  17. Bylaws Committee.
    The Bylaws Committee shall be a standing committee consisting of a chair and co-chair who are ex-Presidents of the Society. The mission of the Bylaws Committee shall be to monitor changes in both Society policies and APA policy and to ensure that the bylaws address applicable changes. If the chair or co-chair of the Bylaws Committee believes that a major revision to the bylaws to be mad, s/he will notify the Society President and request that the Committee be temporarily expanded. The Committee will also request input for the Society membership if substantative changes are being recommended. Housekeeping changes may be made by a vote of the current board but will be sent out for ratification by the membership at the next time substantative revisions are proposed.

ARTICLE VII
RECORDS AND REPORTS
Section 7.01 – Maintenance and Inspection of Records

  1. Records
    The Society shall keep adequate and correct books and records of accounts; minutes of all meetings of the Board, membership, and committees; and a record of its members containing their classes of membership, names and addresses.
  2. Place of Maintenance
    The accounting records, and minutes of all annual membership, Board and Committee meetings shall be kept by the Secretary. All Society records are to be transferred to the next Secretary, upon conclusion of a term of office.
  3. Inspection
    All Society records except those containing confidential information shall be open to inspection on written demand by any Society member, for a purpose reasonably related to the Society’s interests and appropriate for member inspection. The member seeking inspection shall give reasonable notice of at least 2 business days from the time of the request for the records to be made available. The inspection may be made in person or by an authorized agent or attorney of the member, and shall include the right to make a copy and make extracts of said material. A member of the Board shall be present at said inspections. If the record is found to be inaccurate, the Board may be petitioned to officially change the record.
  4. Inspection by Directors
    Every Member of the Society Board of Directors shall have the right to inspect all books, records, and documents and the physical properties of the Society.

ARTICLE VIII
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS
Section 8.01 – Payment of Dues: Time
The annual dues shall be payable on or before January 1st of each year and shall cover the period from January 1st through December 31st. Members joining during the year will pay full dues through August, and no dues for that year, if joining after August 31. Dues shall be paid in accordance with APA procedures.

Section 8.02 – Review and Determination of Dues
Dues will be reviewed and recommended annually to the Board of Directors by the Membership Chair, in consultation with the President. Members, Fellows, and Associate members will pay one hundred percent (100%) of the annually determined dues. Life Members will be dues-exempt. Student members will pay fifty percent (50%) of the annual dues. All decisions regarding dues, initiation and reinstatement fees and assessments are subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, following review and recommendations by the Finance Committee.

Section 8.03 – Non-Payment of Dues
Members in any dues-paying category who have not paid their dues and late payment fee prior to the date required by APA for payment of dues will be considered as having resigned and will immediately be dropped from membership. Members in any category who have resigned from participation through non-payment of dues may be reinstated only upon payment of the current year’s dues.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 9.01 – Amendments and Ratification
Proposed Bylaws amendments shall be passed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors before being submitted to the membership for a vote. All changes to the Bylaws will be in writing, and and/or email, mailed to the voting members.

Section 9.02 – Required Votes
Bylaws may be amended and when ratified, the amendment shall have the force of Bylaws. Written approval of a two-thirds majority of the members voting is required for amendment or repeal of a Bylaw. Alternatively, the Board of Directors may also make minor changes to the Bylaws with a unanimous vote. The dissent of one Board member would then require a membership vote, in order to approve a change in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE X
PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
Section 10.01 – Type and Scope of Activities
The Society for Media Psychology and Technology may undertake such programs of research, sponsorship of publication, and other appropriate activities as approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 10.02 – Authorization

  1. The Board of Directors of the Society shall appoint special committees as necessary to oversee or carry out such projects.
  2. Any member of the Society may submit a proposal for research, publications, or other activities to the Board of Directors of the Society. The Board shall also have the authority to initiate suggestions. Publications requiring APA approval shall be submitted to the appropriate body by the Society’s Board of Directors.
  3. The Board may recommend such proposals as it deems appropriate for sponsorship, along with the supporting budgetary allocations, to the Association for approval.

ARTICLE XI
USE OF THE NAME OF THE SOCIETY
Section 11.01 – Limitations

  1. No member, committee, or subgroup of members of the Society may take any action or issue any statement in the name of the Society without prior Board approval. The Board of Directors may authorize a committee, member or subgroup to take actions or issue a statement in its name.
  2. Participation or membership in the Sis not to be construed as evidence of qualification or competence to practice Psychology or to provide services to the media.