Constitution & Bylaws


	The Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy

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AAGT PREAMBLE

These By-Laws provide rules, as specified by and in compliance with the Articles of Incorporation, for the governance of the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (also herein referred to as the Association, and by its initials, AAGT), and for the functioning of the Association's Board of Directors (also herein referred to as the Board) which shall develop and set, consistent with the mode of functioning of this organization, all Association policy, and for the Association's Executive Council (also herein referred to as the Council, or as the Officers of the Association, or as the EC) which shall provide leadership for the Association and carry out the decisions of the Board to the best of its ability.

The Association is organized and certified as a non-stock, non-profit corporation entitled to engage in any lawful act or activity exclusively for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes except that no part of the activities of the Association shall consist of the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to intervene in any of these Articles, nor otherwise engaging in activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3), or by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE I: Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name:
The name of this professional organization is the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy, also referred to by its initials, AAGT, and also, herein, as the Association.

Section 2. Purpose:
The purpose of the Association shall be to support the professional and personal associating and advancing of persons interested in participating in a forum committed to the preservation and advancement of the philosophy, theory, practice, and research of Gestalt therapy and its various applications.
In furtherance of this purpose, AAGT shall encourage the development and application of principles and practices in the organization consistent with the following tenets:

That an organization can be created, rather than imposed, and that it will grow out of our contacting; and
That a structure will emerge in response to our shared needs, interests and concerns; and
That by believing in the unity of theory and practice, an organization which so creates itself, is itself an experiment, an on-going organic process of Gestalt formation and destruction, in which old forms are destroyed and new figures emerge through contact that is bright and lively, energetic, graceful and fluid; and
That such an organization provides the ground for the enrichment, articulation and support of the constantly emerging figure that is Gestalt Therapy!

ARTICLE II: Registration, Offices and Agents

Section 1. Association Registration
The Association is registered as a legal entity with The Secretary of State in the State of Delaware and is filed accordingly with The Register of Deeds in Delaware as a non-stock and non-profit corporation

Section 2. Permanent Address
The permanent address of the Association is that of the Association's "Registered Office" which is located at 201 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801; Telephone # (302) 575-0440; FAX # (302) 575-1346.

Section 3. Registered Agent
The "Registered Agent" of the Association is The Company Corporation, which is located at the above address of the registered office.

Section 4. Working Office
The "Working Office" of the Association is that office where Association archives and records are maintained which shall be located at the home office of the Founding Secretary, 511 Beryl Drive, Kent, Ohio 44240, until such time that other suitable location(s) may be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III. Constituency, Membership and Privileges

Section 1. Constituency
The Association is a voluntary organization of individuals expressing their interest(s) in Gestalt Therapy. Participation shall be open to persons of all nations in the world, who shall be treated with respect and without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability. The Association shall undertake and encourage activities and may also develop programs which have as their goal the amelioration of conditions that may restrict members from full participation in the Association.

Section 2. Membership
There are two classifications of membership in AAGT – Individual and Organizational. Members of the Association shall be persons interested in the history, development, preservation, and/or advancement of the Gestalt approach who pay an annual membership fee (the amount of which shall be designated by the Board of Directors and paid to the Treasurer by each member annually) and who otherwise meet the standards prescribed by these By-Laws. The designation Member, as used in these By-Laws, shall be deemed the preferred classification of all persons and organizations belonging to the Association, although at some time it may also include various other categories of membership such as "Honorary Fellow", "Charter Member", "Emeritus Member", or "Sustaining Member”, or any other categories so recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership at a general meeting of the Association. Within the Individual Membership category, AAGT has determined to provide a reduction in annual dues for certain groups such as couples, students, and retired members. Membership may be terminated by the Membership Committee or by the Executive Council for non-payment of dues and for other criteria to be determined by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership.

Section 3. Membership Privileges Members shall have the right and be encouraged to express their individual opinions and convictions, to secure fair consideration, to vote at Annual Meetings, to hold office (providing prerequisites are met), and to have their voices be heard in this Association. Membership in the Association is not credentialing nor is it intended to imply or to convey that members have met any minimum standards of training, any criteria for certification, any level of knowledge, nor the mastery of any skill as a Gestalt therapist.

ARTICLE IV: Meetings, Conferences and Conveyances

Section 1. Annual Meeting
There shall be an Annual Meeting for members of the Association, presided over by the President, for the purpose of including members in the activities of the Association. This shall include but not be limited to the election and appointment of Officers and Board of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the membership. The time and place of Annual Meetings shall be decided by the Board of Directors. Members shall be notified in the AAGT Newsletter by the President or his/her designee as to the time, place and tentative agenda of Annual Meetings.

Section 2. Other Meetings
The Board of Directors may call special meetings or hold special conferences at locations, for the furtherance of the purposes of the Association and shall give notice of said meetings to the members in the AAGT Newsletter.

Section 3. Meetings as Form, Forum and Process
The form and forums of all meetings shall be based on Gestalt Therapy principles of organismic self-regulation, good figure/ground formation, quality contact and respect for the functional resistance necessary for structure that supports sufficient flexibility to provide nourishing ground for personal and professional integrity, meaningful interpersonal interaction, inclusionary decision-making, personalized networking, and professional development among the members of the Association.
In accordance with the Gestalt principles which precipitated and guided the inception and development of this Association, the form and forum for the decision-making process of the Association shall be concerned with the human and decisional processes as well as with the outcome and products of those decisions. Community Meetings were developed for the presentation and discussion of issues pertinent to the Association. The Association's founders placed a high priority on major decisions being made in an open forum where face-to-face contact is possible and where consensus is sought, rather than voting as accorded by "Robert's Rules of Order." Consensus encourages the expression of feelings and dissenting opinion, whereby both majority and minority views are aired openly on the decisional issue before the body. If time permits, each member shall have a voice if s/he so wishes to express it, providing it pertains directly to the task/issue at hand. After a consensus has been reached there shall be an attempt to include the minority/dissenting part into the whole. In situations or cases wherein consensus cannot be reached or time constraints do not permit the full expression and articulation of the opinions and feelings of all present, the act of a majority of members present in the meeting shall be the treated as the act of the Association unless otherwise precluded by law or these By-Laws.
Because Gestalt therapists encourage, respect and support alternative voices, value non-confluent relationships by owning and expressing differences, engage with resistances as "the energy, not the enemy," identify and work with polarities in the field, and honor dialogical processes as the heart and soul of Gestalt methodology, the "Covenant of Community" was developed and approved at AAGT's 2002 Gestalt Conference. This was done to provide supplemental guidance for and a commitment to creating and sustaining dialogue in our Gestalt community. The "Covenant of Community" invites AAGT members to subscribe to the following dialogical processes, particularly when encountering dramatic differences:

We will undertake and encourage one another to engage in ongoing dialogue with one another and to remain open and in contact when choosing to withdraw temporarily from dialogue.
We will undertake to recognize, acknowledge and own our projections, to check out our assumptions, and to encourage one another to do so.
We will undertake to maintain community through patience and understanding.
We will undertake to support the needs of the members of our community.
We will undertake to stay with even difficult dialogue, acknowledging the need for space and refreshment when hungry, tired and frustrated, but not abandoning one another.
We will undertake to get and remain interested in the impact our behavior, words and intentions have on one another.
We will undertake to put our desire for and interest in power (in whatever form) out on the table along with being honest and direct in other arenas.
We will undertake to attend carefully to language or other communication that objectifies the other.

Notice: Ninety days notice is to be given to the membership via e-mail and regular mail for any item to appear on the agenda of any meeting open to the membership and at which a vote of the membership is required. This does not restrict the right of any member to add a new issue to the agenda at any meeting of the membership.

Section 4. Conveyances and Publications
The Association may publish and distribute such materials, newsletters, journals, tapes, films, or other matter that may be of interest to the membership as may be authorized by the Executive Council and/or Board of Directors. The official publication for the conveyance of information relative to the functioning of the Association shall be the AAGT Newsletter to be published on a regular basis and edited by the Director of Publications, an appointed member of the Board of Directors. Endorsements appearing in any publication of the Association shall be approved by the Executive Council. The Administration and direct management of AAGT publication activity shall be under the auspices and direction of the Director of Publications in consultation with the President and/or his/her designee from the Board, and/or member(s) of the Association with expertise in editing and publication.

ARTICLE V: Organizational Structure and Governance

Section 1. Board of Directors
The activities and affairs of the Association shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors (Board), a body of Association members determined by these By-Laws to include an Executive Council and other Board Members. Only members of the Association shall be eligible to serve on the Board. The Board is expressly authorized, in accord with the AAGT Articles of Incorporation, to make, alter or repeal Association decisions within the constraints provided by Delaware law pertaining to non-profit, non-stock corporations, to wit, "the Board of Directors shall not exercise any power of authority conferred herein or by Statute upon the members." To facilitate the smoother functioning of the Association, the Board may delegate to the Executive Council all the powers of the Board necessary to carry on the management of the Association's activities and affairs.

A. Composition of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of:
1. The Executive Council (Association Officers)
The Executive Council (EC) is part and parcel of the Board of Directors and shall be composed of five (5) Association Officers -- the President, the Vice President (who shall be the President-Elect one year and the Vice/Past President during the year succeeding the president's two year term), the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Continuing Education Officer.
2. Additional Members of the Board of Directors
Composition of the Board of Directors shall be determined at the Association's Annual Meetings. In addition to the Executive Council, people elected or appointed to the following offices shall constitute the Board of Directors: the Director of Publications, the Treasurer-Elect, the Membership Chairperson, the Association Archivist, the OM (Organizational Members') Representative, the RCP (Regional Contact Persons') Representative, and the Coordinator of Interest Groups.

C. Election Procedures
Officers and other Board members shall be elected or appointed (as designated in these By-Laws) at the Annual Meetings of the Association by those members present. As with other decision-making processes described in these By-Laws, the election or appointment to positions on the Board shall be by consensus of members present at the Annual Meetings unless consensus is impossible or improbable within the time constraints of the meeting; in which case, a majority vote (over 50%) of those present shall suffice to determine the outcome of the election. The Vice President shall be responsible for the preparation and organization of the election, including the recruitment and presentation of nominees. If an Elections Committee is to be utilized, it shall be the responsibility of the Vice President to organize such a committee as an ad hoc group for the purposes of recruiting and nominating members who meet the requirements of the office as stated herein and who are willing and able to serve AAGT as leaders on the Board of Directors. Fair notice of open positions on the Board and the terms of office shall be announced in the AAGT Newsletter prior to the Annual Meeting; such announcement being the responsibility of the Vice President. Members interested in running for office should notify the Vice President or a Board member and shall be invited submit a position paper in the AAGT Newsletter and/or at the Annual Meeting. Election of officers shall be by a majority vote of members in good standing at the annual meeting at which elections are held.

D. Terms of Office
In order to maintain optimal levels of awareness, organizational interaction and vital contact, the terms of office on the Board shall be for terms varying from 1 to 3 years, with terms of office being as follows:
1. Executive Council

President - 2 year term	The By-Laws changes in 2004 provide for election during the Annual Meeting at Biennial Conferences. [Next due in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, etc.]
Vice President / Past-President - 1 year term	Continues after Presidency as Vice President until next Annual Meeting.
Vice President / President-Elect - 1 year term	Elected at the Annual Meeting during Biennial Conferences.
Secretary - 2 year term	Elected at Annual Meeting during Biennial Conferences beginning in 2004 [Next due in 2006, 2008, 2010, etc.]
Treasurer - 2 year term	Elected at Annual Meeting in 2004 [Next due in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, etc.]
Continuing Education Officer - 3 year term	Originally appointed in 1997 [Next due in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, etc.]

2. Additional Board Members

Treasurer-Elect - 1 year term	Elected at Annual Meeting preceding expiration of Treasurer's term.
Interest Groups Coordinator - 3 year term	Elected at Annual Meeting, originally in 1992 [Next 1995, 1998, 2001, etc.]
Membership Chairperson - 3 year term	Elected at Annual Meeting, originally in 1995 [Next 2004, 2007, 2010, etc.]
Publications Director - 3 year term	Originally appointed in 1993 [Next 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, etc.]
Association Archivist - 3 year term	Originally appointed in 1994 [Next 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, etc.]
OM Representative - 1 year term	Originally elected in 2004 [Next 2005, 2006, 2007,2008, 2010, etc.]
RCP Representative - 1 year term	Selected annually by and from amongst fellow RCPs. [2003, 2004,2005, etc.]

E. Board Quorum
It shall be necessary to have a majority (over fifty percent) of the Board members involved in the consensus and/or voting process, to constitute a quorum.

F. Manner of Acting as a Board and AAGT Decision-Making Process
In accordance with the Gestalt principles which precipitated and guided the inception and development of this Association, the form and forum for the decision-making process of the Board shall be the same as that of the Association; namely that it shall be concerned with the human and decisional processes of the Board as well as with the outcome and products of those decisions. Board decisions will be made preferably through consensus-seeking rather than by majority vote, whereby protocol encourages the expression of feelings and dissenting opinion; and whereby both majority and minority views are aired openly on the decisional issue before the body. Each member shall have a voice if s/he so wishes to express it, providing it pertains directly to the task/issue at hand. After a consensus has been reached there shall be an attempt to include the minority/dissenting part into the whole. In situations or cases wherein consensus cannot be reached or time constraints may not permit the full expression and articulation of the opinions and feelings of all present, the act of an absolute majority of the Board members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board except where otherwise precluded by law or these By-Laws.

G. Official Board Minutes
The Secretary shall keep a copy of the Official Minutes of all meetings of the Executive Council and Board. A copy of the minutes shall be distributed as appropriate by the Secretary to members of the Board and be published in the AAGT Newsletter within a reasonable length of time following each meeting.

H. Board Vacancies
Vacancies on the Board, which occur between annual meetings, may be filled by presidential appointment, with the approval of the Board.

Section 2. Executive Council
The Executive Council, also referred to variously as Council, Association Officers, and EC is constituted by and empowered to function in behalf of the Board of Directors and the Association. The Association designates to the Executive Council all the powers of the Board necessary to carry on the management of the Association's activities and affairs. It shall consist of AAGT's President, Vice President Elect (which shall be either the Past-President or the President-Elect, except in 2004-2005 when both are active members of the EC), Secretary, Treasurer, and Continuing Education Officer. Succession of all offices shall take place during the Association's annual meeting. In the event of illness, absence, or any other reason causing inability of an officer to serve, the Board of Directors may act to fill the office until the next regular election or until the officer is able to return to her/his office. The officers and their duties are as follows:

A. President
Becoming the Association's President involves a four-year commitment. The first year of a President's term is as President-Elect and is equal to the year succeeding the Past-President's presidency. The President-Elect is Vice-President in the year before taking office as President (i.e., the 2nd year of the previous presidency), and in the year after his/her Presidency (i.e., the 1st year of the next presidency) the Past-President is again a Vice-President; thus, a four-year block committed to the leadership of the Association.
As the Presiding Officer of the Association the President shall preside over and provide leadership for the Executive Council, the Board of Directors and the Association of members. It shall be the responsibility of the President to perform the following duties:

Chair all meetings of the Executive Council, Board and Association.
Oversee and exercise general administration of the affairs of the Association.
Unless someone else is so designated, affix the signature of the Association to all papers, conveyances, obligations, and instruments in writing that may require the same.
Supervise, subject to the control of the Board, all officers, agents, and employees of the Association.
Assist the Treasurer with the preparation of an Annual Budget for the Association.
After consultation to seek consensus with other members of the Board, appoint members of ad hoc and advisory committees, associate editors, and other Association representatives.
Be the representative of the Association, or so designate a Board member who is agreeable to all parties, to coordinate the Association's Annual Meetings and activities pertaining thereto with the conference coordination personnel.
Network with other Gestalt organizational leaders regarding Gestalt therapy within the global community.
Serve as Vice President of the Association and member of the Executive Council during the year immediately following service as President.

B. Vice President Elect and Vice/Past President
The Vice-Presidency provides for involvement in the leadership of AAGT both as an "intern" (as President-Elect) and as an experienced mentor (as Vice/Past President). The first year in office as President-Elect is equal to the year succeeding the Past-President's presidency, serving as Vice-President in the year before taking office as President (i.e., the 2nd year of the previous presidency). In the year following his/her Presidency (i.e., the 1st year of the next presidency) the Past-President is again a Vice-President.
The President-Elect shall be elected at the Annual Meeting during AAGT's Biennial Conferences for a one (1) year term and shall serve in this office on the Executive Council and Board of Directors with the intent of it being a "presidential internship," while simultaneously fulfilling the role of Vice President, prior to assuming the duties of President. It shall be the responsibility of the Vice-President to perform the following duties:

Consult and collaborate with the President and Board members in developing short and long-term goals for the Association.
In the absence of the President, or due to her/his inability to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the President.
Serve as the Chairperson for Elections. If an Elections Committee is to be utilized, it shall be the responsibility of the Vice President to organize such a committee as an ad hoc group for the purposes of nominating members who meet the requirements and who are willing and able to serve AAGT as leaders in the Executive Council and/or on the Board of Directors. An important role is the recruitment and nomination of prospective members for offices, which may necessitate considerable dialogue to communicate the essence of any open position on the Board. Being responsible for the election also necessitates the preparation of an announcement of available offices for the AAGT Newsletter well ahead of the Annual Meeting. If a ballot vote is to be cast, it shall be the Vice Presidents' responsibility to prepare a ballot of nominees for each office due for election, and present the nominees to the membership at/or prior to the Annual Meetings.

C. Secretary
The Secretary shall be elected to a two (2) year term of office, beginning in the year 1992 and in the even-numbered years thereafter, and shall serve as a Member and Secretary of the Executive Council, of the Board of Directors, and of the Association. The Secretary shall:

Keep a record, called "Minutes," of the proceedings of and persons in attendance at meetings of the Executive Council, the Board of Directors, and the AAGT Annual Meetings, and shall provide copies of said Minutes to the Board and membership in a timely manner.
Assist the President and Board with official correspondence for the Association.
Provide a copy of all pertinent Association records, minutes, and documents to the Association Archivist.

D. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be elected to a 3-year term of office beginning in 2004 and every third year thereafter. S/he shall serve as a member of the Executive Council and the Board of Directors and serve the Association as Treasurer with the following responsibilities and duties:

Be in charge of, maintain custody of, and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Association.
Maintain an accurate record of all members' dues payments; this being done in cooperation with the Membership Chairperson.
Receive, safely keep, and give receipts for all funds and moneys due and payable to the Association from any source whatsoever and deposit such moneys in the name of the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy in a federally insured bank or in such savings and loan or trust companies or depositories as shall be specified by the Board.
Keep all financial records in a manner designated by a Certified Accountant and file all forms required by the Internal Revenue Service and any other Tax Boards as necessitated by law.
Make timely payments of all bills and maintain records of all payments, ascertaining that the annual requirements of a not-for-profit corporation are met and all documents filed with proper authorities in our “Registered Office” with the Company Corporation in Delaware.
Report as needed to the Board the status of the treasury, showing bank balances, program expenses, income from dues and conferences, and administrative expenses.
Prepare an Annual Financial Report, including a summary of revenues, outlays, and bank balances, and present it to the Board of Directors and to the Membership at our Annual Meetings.
Prepare, with the President, an Annual Budget to be presented to the Association at the Annual Meeting, which shall include ideas or plans for fund raising during the ensuing year.
When transferring books from one Treasurer to another, the President shall approve of an independent, qualified agent to assist in auditing of the books.
The Board may require the Treasurer be bonded for the faithful discharge of these duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board determines is warranted; and
In the event of resignation, incapacity, death, or removal from office the President shall designate one of the members of the Association to act in the Treasurer's stead and shall follow the procedures designated in duty number six (Item # 6. above).

F. Continuing Education Officer
The Continuing Education (CE) Officer shall be appointed by the Board (based on review of qualifications and recommendations by the Executive Council) to a three (3) year term of office, commencing in the year 1998, to serve as a member of the Executive Council and Board of Directors. His/her duties and responsibilities shall include:

Direct, administer and coordinate AAGT's Continuing Education (CE) activities, including such things as completing Applications for Provider Approval, filing Annual Reports to approval boards and keeping files of CE Programs and Participants as required by approval boards.
Formulate CE policies for approval by the Board as necessitated to maintain providerships in the various professional societies whose advocacy and involvement we desire in our programs.
Implement, operationalize and oversee the functional aspects of CE Provider Agreements with regard for policies of the Association in such a manner that is in keeping with ethical practices of professional societies.
Prepare the necessary forms and materials for CE registration at conferences and programs, including the preparation and dissemination of Certificates of Completion and Certificates of Attendance for patrons not enrolling for continuing education credit.
Serving as Chair of the Association's Advisory Committee for Continuing Education; and

Section 3. Additional Members of the Board of Directors and their Duties
In addition to the Executive Council, other Members of the Board shall include members fulfilling the following offices and duties:
A. Treasurer-Elect
This office was created to provide the opportunity for someone interested in becoming the finance officer of the Association to serve the maximum of a one-year internship in order to “learn the ropes” of the office of Treasurer. While not yet a member of the Executive Council, the person fulfilling this role shall participate in as many monthly conference calls as possible and attend to the following responsibilities that involve becoming knowledgeable of the financial responsibilities of the Association, including but not limited to obtaining knowledge of:

How to establish and maintain an Association checking account.
How to deposit and withdraw monies from the bank.
How to maintain the necessary forms and payments as a not-for-profit educational corporation.
How to process financial information on the Internet.
How to process the receipt and prompt payment of accounts payable.
How to process and obtain payment of Annual Membership Dues.
How to engage in contractual relationships with vendors, regional representatives, hotels, etc.
How to handle projects involving supplemental income such as Continuing Education Fees, Conference Fees and Conference Auctions.

B. Director of Publications
The Director of Publications shall serve as the Editor of the AAGT Newsletter and other association publications, being appointed by the Board of Directors (based on a review of qualifications and recommendation by the Executive Council) to a three (3) year term of office, commencing in the year 1993 and every three years thereafter, and shall serve on the Board of Directors with the following duties and responsibilities:

Provide guidance in the development of publication efforts of the Association.
Formulate and recommend publications and editorial policies for approval by the Executive Council and/or Board.
Implement, operationalize, and oversee the functional aspects of editorial and publication decisions and policies of the Association in such a manner that is in keeping with ethical journalistic practices of professional societies.

C. Membership Chairperson
The Membership Chairperson shall be elected to a three (3) year term of office, commencing in the year 1995 and every third year thereafter, to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Her/his duties and responsibilities shall include:

Prepare membership brochures, fliers and other promotional materials.
Actively engage in the recruitment and maintenance of members.
Communicate monthly with the Association Treasurer regarding the collection of membership dues for new members.
Work cooperatively with the RCP Representative and Interest Groups Coordinator to facilitate interest in joining the Association.
Communicate as often as necessary with officers, members of the Board and any other key persons in the Gestalt community regarding the opportunities available through membership in the Association.
Facilitate the development of an active Advisory Committee on Membership to assist in membership activities.
Create and distribute an Annual Report on Membership to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association and any other reports as deemed essential by the Executive Council; and

D. Association Archivist
There shall be an Association Archivist appointed by the Board of Directors (based on a review of qualifications and recommendation by the Executive Council) to a three (3) year term of office, commencing in the year 1994 and every three years thereafter, and shall serve on the Board of Directors with responsibilities for the following duties:

Maintain the library of AAGT's history and archival information, including, but not limited to, copies of the Association Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and By-Laws, minutes of meetings, notes on proceedings, newsletters, tapes, films, and any other Association documents.
Chair the Advisory Committee for the Constitution, By-Laws, History and Archives.
Serve as liaison archivist between the Association and the Frederick and Laura Perls' Special Collections and Gestalt Therapy Archives maintained for posterity and on-site research in the Kent State University Library, Kent, Ohio.
Serve as the liaison person between AAGT and the publishers/producers of Gestalt materials of interest and of historical value to the Association, particularly with
- Gestalt Review, The Gestalt Journal, British Gestalt Journal, Australian Gestalt Journal, International Gestalt Journal;
- Gestalt Journals and Publications from other countries and nations;
- GICPress, Gestalt Institute Press, Sage Publications and similar publishers that may now or in the future create materials of particular interest to Gestalt Therapy; and

E. Organization Members' (OM) Representative
The person elected to serve on the Board as the representative of Gestalt Institutes and other Gestalt organizations shall serve a one-year term of office commencing at our Annual Meetings. His/her duties and responsibilities shall include:

Represent the interests of Gestalt institutes, trainers, consulting firms and other affiliated organizations on the Board of directors.
Serve as a liaison between the Association and affiliated Gestalt organizations.
Foster interest amongst Gestalt organizations to submit workshop proposals for our conferences.
Coordinate communications and activities among the Organizational Members, such as surveys and research projects.

F. Regional Contact Persons' (RCP) Representative
The Representative of Regional Contact Persons (RCPs) shall be selected annually by and from among the Regional Contact Persons to a one-year term of office commencing in the year 2004 and every year thereafter to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Her/his duties and responsibilities shall include:

Coordinate the development and maintenance of a network of Regional Contact Persons (RCPs) for regions in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other nations and regions throughout the world for the purpose of communicating the goals of AAGT to those interested in the Gestalt approach.
Develop and maintain regular communications with RCPs and facilitate discussion of matters of importance to the Board and likewise, communicate the interests of the Board to RCPs.
Serve as a liaison by providing input to the Association regarding the wants and needs of RCPs and as the conduit of information from the various regions to the Board of Directors.
Provide the names and biographical data to the Board on persons volunteering or being nominated as RCPs and obtain Board approval of nominees willing to serve as RCPs.
Create and distribute an Annual Report on RCP Activity to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association and any other reports as deemed essential by the Board; and

Regional Contact Persons (RCPs) [For clarification role and function, not as Board members.]
Members of the Association who share common professional interests involving Gestalt Therapy and/or the Gestalt Community may desire to organize into Regions, each of which shall have an RCP (Regional Contact Person). The number of Regions in the Association shall be determined by geography and the interest generated amongst the membership. RCPs may be self-nominated/volunteers, or selected by constituents in their respective regions. RCPs may be removed for cause, and may be so done by the majority vote of the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the RCP Representative. The duties of RCPs shall include, but not be limited to the following

Serve as the RCP of said Region which includes, but is not limited to, chairing meetings in the Region and providing leadership and direction in the creation, development and implementation of goals appropriate to the Association's purpose and By-Laws.
Participate on all RCP Conference Calls that are feasible and work cooperatively with the RCP Representative in the formulation of ideas of interest to the AAGT membership.
Prepare and submit to the RCP Representative items of interest that can serve as publicity in the AAGT Newsletter and an Annual Report about the activities in the region, plus any additional reports that may be requested by the President or Executive Council.

G. Interest Groups' Coordinator
The Coordinator of Interest Groups shall be elected to a three (3) year term of office, commencing in the year 1992, and every three years thereafter, to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Her/his duties and responsibilities shall include:

Assist the President with creating and formulating ideas and development of guidelines for Interest Groups and committees that facilitate creative possibilities in the organization.
Be responsible for the recruitment, assignment and nurturance of Chairpersons for Interest Groups.
Provide guidance and leadership for Interest Group Chairpersons, including, but not limited to, developing short and long-term goals with vision of what is possible to accomplish in each area of interest and being a catalyst for creative problem solving in their implementation of goals.
Provide assistance to the President and discharge such other duties as may be called for by the Council and Board.

A. AAGT Interest Groups
1. General Information about the AAGT Interest Groups
Much energy, life and commitment have been dedicated to making AAGT a worldwide force. There is enormous involvement in AAGT formation to a commitment of having members keep Gestalt principles of inclusiveness and commitment to dialogue as they grow. To these ends Interest Groups have been set up as vehicles through which individuals can share their ideas, talents, and concerns about Gestalt Therapy. Active participation in the Interest Groups can facilitate further networking and communication among the AAGT members. Interest groups are intended to provide a supportive forum for collegial contact, discussion, and organizing among AAGT members who have a serious interest in a particular domain. The Interest Groups offer AAGT members an invitation to become more involved with the Association. The number and types of Interest Groups in the Association shall be determined by the interest(s) generated amongst the membership.
2. Chairpersons of Interest Groups
Once organized, each Interest Group shall have a Chairperson. Chairpersons shall be selected by their respective Interest Groups at annual meetings. Chairpersons may be removed for cause and may be done so by the Executive Council upon the recommendation of the Coordinator of Interest Groups. The duties of Interest Group Chairpersons shall include, but not be limited to the following:

Serve as the Chairperson of said Interest Group which includes, but is not limited to, chairing meetings of the Interest Group and providing leadership and direction in the creation, development and implementation of goals appropriate to the Association's purpose and By-Laws.
Work cooperatively with the Interest Groups Coordinator in the formulation of ideas of interest to the AAGT membership.
Perform such other duties as may be requested by the Interest Groups' Coordinator.

3. Names and Descriptions of AAGT Interest Groups
Philosophy, Purpose and Structure of AAGT
This Interest Group serves as one of the forums within AAGT for creating and following the form and development of the Association. We attend to the process of shaping our community, supporting the lively desire to base our associating on principles consistent with Gestalt theory. We are concerned with safeguarding self-regulation and voting practices that allow for all voices to be heard and to matter. We are concerned with how AAGT approaches membership and ongoing and emerging tasks in order to maintain a non-hierarchical, diverse, inclusive structure, based on the Gestalt Therapy principles we have written into the By-Laws of the Association.

AAGT Watchdog and Braking Group
From the beginning AAGT has been committed to having members involved in “watching and protecting” our processes of “associating” and of "creating." This Interest Group assumes the responsibility for watching -- telling our story, watching our process, and also saving our theory together. We remind members to be respectful of differences, to take time to stay with conflict, to attend to and respect members' individuality, reminding one another that our traditional style of decision-making is preferably by consensus, and carrying along the traditions in our communications through storytelling of history and of the rituals of contact. Our aim is to come back again and again in the experiencing of our theory in our present contacting. The group will endeavor to see that AAGT maintains the value of honoring many people's input, attempting to include everyone in its process, facilitates hearing diverse views, and following a design that honors consensus.

Gestalt Theory Development and Philosophy Interest Group
This Interest Group is devoted to the exploration of numerous issues in the theory of Gestalt Therapy and undergirding philosophies. Some members have participated with each other in theoretical dialogues through written correspondence and Internet exchanges, while others have preferred to participate by observing these dialogues.

Gestalt Community Development and Networking Group
The aim of this Interest Group is to come back again and again to experiencing Gestalt theory in our present contacting. In the on-going process, we are careful in setting philosophical ground firmly and solidly. We are concerned with building enough safety into the structure to keep the design shaped yet open to new possibilities. We work at creating excitement, including everyone in the process, sharing diverse views, and supporting members' quality contact.

Gestalt Therapy in Academia and Higher Education Interest Group
This is a Gestalt network for students and faculty in colleges and universities. Our goal is to build a foundation for Gestalt teaching and learning within academic settings. Major projects of this group are the compilation of a directory of Gestalt faculty, courses and programs at institutions of higher education, collecting teaching materials, course outlines and handouts used in Gestalt-oriented courses, and the building of a network of graduate and undergraduate students interested in Gestalt Therapy.

Integrative Psychotherapies and Gestalt Therapy Interest Group
This Interest Group is devoted to discussing and examining key concepts in other theories of counseling and psychotherapy with the aim of potentially integrating them into Gestalt Therapy theory and practice. Beginning with Fritz and Laura Perls and Paul Goodman, the tradition in Gestalt Therapy is to integrate parts of other theories to create a more effective "whole."

Gestalt Training Institutes Liaison Interest Group
This Interest Group provides opportunities for AAGT members to exchange ideas about the various ways in which training programs are organized and what teaching approaches are used. The underlying question is, "What relation may these models and approaches have to the theory and practice of Gestalt Therapy?" We are also interested in laying the groundwork for “inter-institute” communication and cooperation, and for having regional training conferences. Chief among the concerns of the Interest Group on Training Institutes Liaison is to see whether structured programs are consistent with the philosophy and practice of Gestalt Therapy theory itself, with its organismic and self-regulating base. Other key issues that have been identified are the need for inter-communications among Gestalt training programs in the U.S.A. and other countries; and the trend toward normalization of Gestalt institutes vis-à-vis the larger society, including state licensing. Concerns and attendant limitations to be addressed include the question of state control, legal issues, and entrance and exit requirements. This Interest Group recently gained a presence on the Board and hopes to promote further dialogue among training programs around the world.

Gestalt Applications to Diversity and Special Populations Interest Group
The aim of this group is to work on the issues of Diversity and Special Populations. The word "diversity" leaves out the power issue and labeling. It is a powerful thing to label someone else as different and give him/her a pre-configured social identity; or for an individual to take on a pre-configured social identity in compliance or defiance. When working with certain populations considered "diverse" or "special", the therapist must be concerned with what is implied as "norm" or "regular." The social, political, and cultural norms become inextricably parts of the social self of personal gestalten in each individual client down to the level of language and body space. They affect personality (self-image), the style of contacting, the course of therapy, the illusion of authority, and the necessity of aggression. We are committed to extending this knowledge into the Gestalt community.

Gestalt Therapy and Social Change Interest Group
The focus of this group is on the theme of personal support in the field of social change. This group is comprised of people from diverse communities who are sharing some of their personal experiences and activities in social action. There are folks involved in alternative schools, teaching singing, community work with other people, group treatment with men who abuse / assault women, and many other activities especially with voluntary and non-government groups and organizations. There is something about Gestalt Therapy and the experimental relationship between the organism (individual, social group, class, etc.) and the environment that speaks fundamentally to a process of social change.

Gestalt Dreamwork Interest Group
This Interest Group is open to anyone who has special interest in and experience with dreams and dreamwork. We are interested in exploring how dreams can be useful in single dream consult, dream groups, or workshops, and in enhancing and illuminating the on-going therapy process. We also share our ideas and experiences in working with dreams from a Gestalt perspective and from other theoretical perspectives relevant to Gestalt theory and practice.

Gestalt Therapy with Children and Adolescents Interest Group
This Interest Group is for members interested in using Gestalt concepts and methods with children. This is an opportunity to bring solidarity to the efforts being made by the Gestalt community in behalf of AAGT's aims to discuss the use of Gestalt therapy with children who may be suffering the effects of loss and/or divorce, substance abuse, neglect and abuse, poverty, and academic and/or behavioral disorders. Ideas on such topics as the theoretical relevance of Gestalt Therapy with children, how self-regulation can be promoted to enhance the developing construction of the self, the effect that learning behavior disorders have on these functions, and how effective Gestalt experiments can be created based on the developmental level of children. We want to establish a networking system among those who work with children to establish, nationally and internationally, Gestalt Therapy as a serious theoretical approach in child treatment will be established.

Women's Issues in Gestalt Therapy Interest Group
In this Interest Group we explore ways in which Gestalt Therapy and feminism enhance one another. Instead of only interpreting our experience through the lens of Gestalt Therapy theory, we look at our theory and practice through the lens of our lives as women. We serve as a voice for these concerns in the organization.

Men's Issues in Gestalt Therapy Interest Group
Our aim is to offer a forum and network for members -- both men and women -- who are interested in male development and identity, masculinity as a ground schema, and the construction and deconstruction of gender role, to explore these issues through a Gestalt theoretical lens, and to dialogue about them from a Gestalt perspective. We propose the idea that rigid gender roles in current society act mostly as limiting ground conditions for contact, placing constraints on self-experience, empowerment, relationship, intimacy, and growth (for both genders). The field which is structured in these constricting ways is not "our world" (to use Goodman's phrase) and does not support robust and healthy self-process on the individual, relational, or community level. Our focus is on the use of the Gestalt model to support new self-definition for ourselves and our clients, as well as new relational and community forms and structures in support of a freer, more connected and more passionate employment of ourselves and each other. We particularly seek diversity of age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, professional activity, and (of course) gender in our membership.

Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues Interest Group
This Interest Group meets regularly at our International Conferences and maintains an active interest in the welfare of AAGT. We attempt to provide a forum for members to: 1.) Develop awareness, understanding, and sensitivity within the AAGT membership and among the broader Gestalt community to Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual concerns. 2.) Increase clinical competence in working with people across the span of sexual orientation, with particular interest in the application of Gestalt Therapy theory and practice with the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual populations. 3.) Consider how issues of interest to the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual community may be included in AAGT programming and actively represent these ideas and seek inclusion through participation in the AAGT organizational structure. 4.) Provide a supportive and organizing context for collegial contact, discussion and socializing among AAGT members with special interests in Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual issues.

Ecological Dimensions of Gestalt Therapy Interest Group
The goal of this Interest Group is to facilitate formal and informal exchanges about our ecological elaborations of Gestalt Theory and our experimenting with earth-centered Gestalt work.

Somatics and Gestalt Therapy Interest Group
Body-based work is integral to our theory, but not always addressed in Gestalt therapy training programs. With so many somatic modalities now available and being used by Gestalt therapists, it is important to develop a picture of how we integrate these techniques in our work. We exist to provide support and contact, help identify clinical issues particular to bodywork, articulate Gestalt somatic theory, and advocate for its importance in the larger Gestalt community. By pooling our efforts and experiences we can help the evolution of this dimension of Gestalt Therapy.

Internet Involvement and Utilization Interest Group
The Internet is a powerful tool. It is an amazing, global network of individuals from diverse fields of interest, cultures, and nationalities. People in this Interest Group work on ways of investigating and appropriating the resources of the internet to enhance the AAGT and to facilitate training and practice, to build community, and to satisfy our curiosity about the world in which we live. We're interested in going beyond the AAGT mailing list to explore how tools of the Net can enhance, hinder, or change contact and communication on a global level. A variety of Internet projects have already evolved from our Interest Group.

Spirituality and Gestalt Therapy Interest Group
This interest group is for persons interested in the spiritual dimensions of Gestalt therapy, including transpersonal psychology and meditative practices that have religious and sectarian origins. Interests center on the animating forces of “spirit” that provide inspiration for transformation – taking us to higher levels of development. Spiritual and Gestalt therapy practices are both designed to foster and effect transformation.