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The representatives acknowledged that while APA dues increases at the national level have been limited to the annual inflation rate for several years (though 1997 dues in each member category were frozen at 1996 levels), many members are enduring reduced incomes due to changes in the health care delivery system in the U.S. and maintain that APA dues levels should reflect that reality.
To give members an opportunity to provide APA leaders with input on the dues-setting process, the Assembly urged the Board of Trustees, which approves the Association's budget each December, to enact a moratorium on dues increases through 1999. District branches set their own dues rates, and the Assembly is also encouraging them to consider a similar step.
If the Board endorses a two-year moratorium on dues increases, the total loss of income to the Association over the next 10 years would be approximately $5.4 million; a one-year freeze would lead to a loss of $2.9 million.
The move to reform district branch member transfers stemmed from several problems, including a lack of standardization of procedures and paperwork among the district branches, long processing delays at some district branches, financial losses to some members and to their district branches from transfer holdups, and advancement obstacles, all of which have led to resentment by transferring members directed at APA and occasionally to resignation from the Association. Whatever the problem, transferring members have felt resentment at APA and occasionally have resigned their membership.
If supported by the Committee on Membership, the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws, and the Board, all transfers of members in good standing would be processed by the APA Office of Membership, which would apply a standard procedure for all district branches.
Under the new procedure, the member's new district branch will accept the transferring member on a provisional basis for 90 days. If neither of the district branches involved in the transfer raises an objection in that period, membership in the new district branch will be automatic. If one branch objects--for example, when past ethics violations come to light--the transfer can be held up until the issue of concern is resolved.
Regarding the advancement issue, the Assembly's proposal would have the APA Office of Membership automatically send an application for advancement to members-in-training "whose APA records indicate a probable completion of training." The upgrade would take effect once the district branch receives the resident's application and verifies that he or she has successfully completed training.
(Psychiatric News, June 20, 1997)