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By-Laws of the Latina/o/x Mental Health Association of New Jersey

 

ARTICLE I.  NAME

The name of the organization shall be The Latina/o/x Mental Health Association of New Jersey (LMHANJ), formerly known as The Latino Psychological Association of New Jersey, hereinafter referred to as the Association.  

 

ARTICLE II.  OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this Association shall be to serve as an advocacy group with regard to the education of mental health professionals in the advancement of mental health research, training and treatment relevant to Latinas/os/x in the State of New Jersey.  To support the mission, the objectives of the Latina/o/x Mental Health Association of New Jersey are to:

 

  1. Generate, promote, and advance Latina/o/x mental health in New Jersey and the United States;
  2. Cultivate relevant and effective science, practice, education, and training in order to build knowledge, foster research, and/or promote culturally competent delivery of services;
  3. Promote and encourage the efforts of professionals that have demonstrated a sustained commitment and dedication to Latina/o/x mental health through exceptional research, practice, and/or education and training efforts that have contributed to the mental health disciplines and/or to the health and well-being of Latina/o/x communities;
  4. Cultivate and promote open communication with members and leaders of Latina/o/x communities, organizations, institutions, and society at large for our mutual education and understanding;
  5. Promote awareness and understanding of issues and concerns that Latina/o/x mental health professionals  and/or students might have related to their personal, educational and/or professional experiences;
  6. Encourage and assist in the advancement of science, knowledge, research, practice, education, service, and training that educates, informs, and influences public knowledge and awareness of Latina/o/x mental health as well as public/institutional policy-makers that may be relevant to and/or affects Latinas/os/x at the state and local levels.

 

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

  1. The Association shall consist of the following classes of members:

a)      Professional: Any individual who possesses a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure (e.g., Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Professional Counselor, Social Worker) and is committed to advancing the field of Latina/o/x mental health.  Professional Members may vote on all relevant matters and serve as elected officers and committee members. 

b)      Early Career Professional (ECP): Any individual who possesses a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure (e.g., Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Professional Counselor, Social Worker) and is within the first two years of their career.   Early Career Professional Members may vote on all relevant matters and serve as elected officers and committee members.

c)      Affiliate:  Any individual who is committed to advancing the field of Latina/o/x mental health, but who does not meet the requirements for Full Membership (i.e., BA, BS, BSW, MA/MS degrees not leading to licensure).  Affiliate members may vote on all relevant matters, serve as elected officers in the Offices of Secretary and Treasurer, and serve on committees.

d)      Graduate Students: Any individual currently enrolled in a graduate program in mental health (e.g., counseling, human services, nursing, pre-medicine, psychology, social work) and who is committed to advancing the field of Latina/o/x mental health.  Graduate student members may vote on all relevant matters, serve as an elected officer in the Office of Student Representative, and serve on committees. 

e)      Undergraduate Students: Any individual currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in mental health (e.g., counseling, human services, nursing, pre-medicine, psychology, social work, etc.) and who is committed to advancing the field of Latina/o/x mental health.  Undergraduate student members may vote on all relevant matters, serve as an elected officer in the Office of Student Representative, and serve on committees.

f)       Lifetime Members: Any individual who possesses a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure (e.g., Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Professional Counselor, Social Worker) and is committed to advancing the field of Latina/o/x mental health.  Lifetime members pay one price and enjoy the membership benefits for a lifetime.  Lifetime members may vote on all relevant matters and serve as elected officers and committee members.

  1. All individuals holding membership status in the Association, regardless of membership category, are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the highest caliber of culturally competence, ethical practices and standards. Moreover, it is the duty and responsibility of each individual to be familiar with, understand, agree to adopt, and practice such Ethical Codes and Standards that govern the individual’s profession, organization, institution, foundation, and/or community.
  2. A member may be dropped from membership for conduct which in any way is unethical or tends to injure the Association or to adversely affect its reputation, or which is contrary to, or destructive of its objectives.  A member must report to the Executive Board immediately if they are convicted of a felony, expelled from a professional organization on ethical or professional grounds, or who have lost a license to practice.  The Executive Board will ensure confidentiality to the extent possible in all procedures and decision making processes related to the incident reported.     
  3. The Association may not admit as a member any individual who has been convicted of a felony, expelled from a professional organization on ethical or professional grounds, or who has lost a license to practice. An individual whose application for membership has been denied for any of these reasons may petition the Executive Board for admission to the Association as a member by following the established appeal process provided by the Executive Board.  The Executive Board has sole discretion to grant or deny such an application for membership.   Final decisions would require a simple quorum of the Executive Board.  The Executive Board will ensure confidentiality to the extent possible in all procedures and decision-making processes related to the incident reported.   
  4. Non-payment of dues by designated deadlinewill result in termination of membership.  Such members may be reinstated by vote of the Executive Board after payment of an administrative fee and the current year’s dues.

 

ARTICLE IV.  DUES

1.   Dues, and any changes in dues, shall be proposed by the Executive Board whenever necessary and shall be voted upon in the same manner as provided for the amending of these By-Laws.

2.   If a member is unable to earn a normal living in their profession because of disability, unemployment or extreme hardship, the Executive Boardmay reduce orwaive payment of dues.  The Executive Board shall review each such case annually upon the assessment of the dues for the coming year.

3.   On request, the Executive Board may reduce the annual dues of a member who has fully retired from professional employment and who, at the time of retirement, was a member in good standing of the Association.

4.   A new member must validate membership by the payment of dues.

 

ARTICLE V.  CONTENT & CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

1.   The conduct of the Executive Board and general membership meetings shall be in accordance with standard parliamentarian procedures.

2.   The order of business shall be that which is customary to good parliamentary procedures.

3.   At the discretion of the Executive Board, when a significant issue is to be presented at the general membership meeting, the nature of the issue will be announced by electronic mail to the membership at least ten days in advance of the business meeting.

 

ARTICLE VI.  QUORUM

1.   The voting members present at a regular business meeting of the general membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  If those present constitute less than one-fourth of the voting membership, any action taken at such a meeting could be presented for reconsideration by electronic mail ballot to the voting membership providing there is a written request to the Executive Board by at least five percent of the voting membership within thirty days following the meeting.

2.   A simple majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business.  In exceptional circumstances, where a simple majority is not reached, those present may review the items on the agenda and make recommendations to the Executive Board via electronic mail.   

 

ARTICLE VII.  AFFILIATE GROUPS

1.   The Executive Board shall have the authority to affiliate with other organizations. 

 

ARTICLE VIII.  AMENDMENTS

  1. The By-Laws may be amended (a) at a regular business meeting of the general membership by a favorable two-thirds vote of the voting members present, providing written notice of such amendments have been emailed to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting, or (b) by electronic ballot provided a favorable vote is received from two-thirds of the respondents within thirty days of the date of the mailing to the voting members.

 

ARTICLE IX.  OFFICERS

  1. The officers of the Association shall be:  President-Elect, President, Immediate Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Early Career Professional Representative, and Student Representative.  The President-Elect, President and Past President shall each serve a 1-year term and the other Officers shall serve two year terms.   Should a vacancy occur, the President shall appoint an interim officer with approval of the Executive Board.

a)      Office of the President: Must possess a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure, has served on the Executive Board for at least one year, and is a member in good standing.  This person will have a well-established reputation as a leader and advocate for Latina/o/x mental health.  The President shall:

i)       Serve a one year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Represent and be the primary/official spokesperson for the Association;

iii)   Develop agendas and priorities for the Association with the advice and consent of the Executive Board and ensure that all Association activities, initiatives, and/or projects are clearly defined, accomplishable within designated time-frames, are the responsibilities of specific persons and are effectively implemented;

iv)   Authorize, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board, the development, production, and presentation of an Annual Report of the Association to the membership;

v)      Negotiates and enter into contracts with external vendors with the advice and consent of the Executive Board;

vi)   Appoint all relevant committee chairs.

b)      Office of the President-Elect: Must possess a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure, has served on the Executive Board for at least two years or has comparable experience on a related board, and is a member in good standing.  This person will have an established reputation as a leader and advocate for Latina/o/x mental health and/or issues or concerns relevant to Latina/o/x health psychosocial well-being, education, training, etc. Although it may be useful for candidates to be fluently bilingual (Spanish and English), it is not required.  In performing the duties and executing the responsibilities of the office, the Association President-Elect shall:

i)       Serve a one year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Assume the duties and responsibilities of the Association President, should the

President be unable to do so;

iii)   Be available (by telephone or electronic access) on a regular basis to the Association President and/or Executive Board for consultation, cooperation, and/or collaboration on current and/or developing issues/concerns that may affect the Association;

iv)   Manage and coordinate those activities, projects, and initiatives identified/assigned by the Association President;

v)      Coordinate and facilitate the Association's visibility and presence on groups, task forces, and commissions established by other organizations, institutions, foundations, and/or government agencies examining or addressing issues/concerns of relevance or interest to the Association;

vi)   Manage and coordinate the effective transition of officers in consultation and collaboration with the Past President.

c)      Office of the Immediate Past President: Must possess a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure, has served on the Executive Board for at least some portion as President, and is a member in good standing.  In performing the duties and executing the responsibilities of the office, the Immediate Past President shall:

i)       Serve a one year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Serve as the Executive Board’s primary contact regarding the transition of officers to include preparation and delivery of orientation education and training, requesting and receiving reports from outgoing officers, and the regular review and maintenance of the Association’s Policies;

iii)   Coordinate, manage, implement, and report official results of the annual election of officers;

iv)   Develop a proposal to the Executive Board for the establishment of a working group or committee to assist with routine activities and tasks associated with the development, implementation, and reporting of results of the annual election cycle;

v)      Be available (by telephone or electronic access) on a regular basis to the Association President and/or Executive Board for consultation, cooperation, and/or collaboration on current and/or developing issues/concerns that may affect the Association;

vi)   Manage, coordinate, and assess special projects and initiatives identified/assigned by the President, with advice and consent of the Executive Board and as deemed necessary;

vii) Serve as the Executive Board’s primary liaison to regional/state-level mental health associations and maintain regular contact, as often as deemed necessary and prepare and submit a report to the Executive Board as needed;

viii)           Responsible for the creation and maintenance of departing officers’ reports in the Executive Board’s Policies and Procedures Manual no less than 30 days after newly elected officers assume their duties. In addition, the immediate Past-President shall be responsible for the management and routine maintenance of the Executive Board Policies and Procedures Manual, with the advice and consent of the Executive Board.

d)      Office of the Secretary: Must possess a terminal degree in a mental health field and is a member in good standing.  In performing the duties and executing the responsibilities of the office, the Secretary shall:

i)       Serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Serve as the Executive Board’s primary/official recorder of Executive Board meeting deliberations, discussions, and actions, as well as prepare official summaries of deliberations and discussions for other meetings and/or gatherings when so directed by the Executive Board;

iii)   Provide and submit approved copies of meeting minutes and/or summaries to the electronic folder;

iv)   Collaborate with the Past-President in preparation of election materials for posting on the Association website.

e)      Office of the Treasurer: Must possess a terminal degree in a mental health field and is a member in good standing.  This individual ideally will have experience in accounting and budgeting. In performing the duties and executing the responsibilities of the office, the Treasurer shall:

i)       Serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Receive payment of member dues and maintain financial records related to dues payment;

iii)   Receive and distribute Association funds;

iv)   Maintain records of financial transactions and tax documents;

v)      Ensure that association expenditures are within budget as approved by a majority of the Executive Board;

vi)   Correspond and work with an accountant on annual Association tax returns and filing of said reports;

vii) Perform other financial duties relevant to the work of the Association;

viii)           Monitor annual membership renewal to insure that the payment of dues is consistent with the membership numbers, in coordination with the Membership Chair;

ix)   Manage and coordinate the fundraising committee’s activities to support awards and scholarships and other funds. 

f)       Office of the Early Career Professional Representative: Must possess a terminal degree in a mental health field that leads toward licensure, is a member in good standing, and is within three years of the receipt of their degree. In performing the duties and executing the responsibilities of the office, the Early Career Professional Representative shall:

i)       Serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Assist with identification of Early Career Professional members;

iii)   Contribute a column to the association newsletter;

iv)   Bring to the Executive Board interests and concerns of Early Career Professional members (e.g., research, practice, training, etc.);

v)      Serve as a Professional Development Coordinator for Early Career Professional members, assisting with conference programming and other professional development efforts (e.g., licensing, post-doctoral opportunities, etc.);

vi)   Chair the Early Career Professional members committee;

vii) Along with a committee, identify awards for ECPs and bring to attention of the membership;

viii)           Along with a committee, establish priorities for the next two years.

g)      Office of the Student Representative:  Must be pursuing a terminal degree in a mental health field and is a student member in good standing.  In performing the duties and executing the responsibilities of the office, the Student Representative shall:

i)       Serve a two year term of office, or until a successor assumes the office;

ii)     Serve as the official liaison between the Executive Board and Student Committee bring interests, issues, and concerns of the student members (via the Student Committee) to the Executive Board;

iii)   Develop a student committee to be approved by the Executive Board;

iv)   Coordinate with the membership committee to recruit and retain new student members;

v)      Contribute a column to the association newsletter;

vi)   Serve on the student scholarship committee;

vii) Coordinate social media efforts. 

 

ARTICLE X- ELECTION OF OFFICERS

  1. A slate of candidates for elective office shall be prepared by the Elections Committee for the review of the Executive Board at its Septembermeeting and emailed to the voting membership no later than October 1st. 
  2. The Elections Committee will disseminate an electronic ballot to the general membership.
  3. The Elections Committee shall forward the results to the Executive Board and the results will be announced to the general membership no later than December 15.
  4. The Election Committee members shall be the Immediate Past President and at least one association member.
  5. No members of the Election Committee shall be a candidate for office.

 

ARTICLE XI-COMMITTEES

  1. The Executive Board shall provide for the following standing committees:  Finance, Membership, Elections, and Program

a)      The Finance Committee shall be responsible for the development of the annual budget.  Members shall be the President, President-Elect, and the Treasurer, who shall serve as chair.

b)      The Membership committee is responsible for providing monthly membership reports as well as engaging in ongoing activities to recruit and retain members.  Members shall be an Executive Board member, who shall serve as Chair and at least one Association member.

c)      The Elections Committee will oversee all association activities requiring an official vote, including officer elections.  Members shall be the Immediate Past President, who shall serve as Chair, and at least one Association member.

d)      The Program Committee is responsible for planning the annual conference as well as ongoing programs in consultation with the Executive Board.  Members shall include an Executive Board member, a Program Chair, and at least one Association member.  The Program Chair needs to attend Executive Board meetings and maintain active communication with the Board.                

e)      The President shall appoint all committee chairs, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.  Any committee chair may be suspended or removed by a majority vote of the Executive Board, with or without cause.

 

 

Excerpts of these bylaws were adopted or adapted from the bylaws of the American Psychological Association, the National Latinx Psychological Association and the New Jersey Psychological Association

 

Approved May 29, 2019