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Article IV

ARTICLE IV - CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION

SECTION A - Members in good standing shall maintain an active fulfillment of the requirements for their category of membership.

SECTION B - Members in good standing shall maintain a responsible and mutually accountable relationship to their religious endorsing body and shall participate in a local religious community.

SECTION C - Failure to comply with the requirements of Sections A and B of this Article IV shall provide grounds for suspension of membership services or termination of membership by the Association.

SECTION D - All members shall renew their membership annually by paying dues and by submitting annual reports required by Association policy. Failure to pay dues annually and to submit annual reports shall be grounds for suspension of membership services or termination of membership. The name of a member from membership shall be removed from the official Directory of the Association and the certificate of membership shall become null and void.

SECTION E - Institutional Members (Service Centers, Training Programs), Institutional Candidates, and Institutional Affiliates shall renew their membership/affiliation annually by paying dues and submitting annual reports required by Association policy. Failure to pay dues annually and submit annual reports shall be grounds for suspension of membership services and termination of membership.

SECTION F - Members who have resigned or whose membership has been terminated may seek reinstatement through following those procedures determined by Association policy. Reinstatement of certified or recognized specialty status shall require consultation with the appropriate Regional Certification Committee.

SECTION G - A charge against a member of unethical conduct or unprofessional practice of pastoral counseling or supervision, as defined in the Code of Ethics or the policies of the Association, must be specific and must be made in writing to the Ethics Initial Response Team.

SECTION H - AAPC members agree that any claim or dispute, other than ethics complaints brought under the Code of Ethics, by and between AAPC members, or members and AAPC, or members and centers affiliated with AAPC, shall be settled by mediation, and, if necessary to resolve the dispute, by legally binding arbitration. Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court otherwise having jurisdiction. Violation of this provision may result in the offending member's dismissal from the Association. If for any reason the applicable insurance coverage is voidable by the insured's use of mediation or arbitration, then the insurer shall be invited to participate in the process or consent to its use without loss of coverage. If coverage affected by the claim will be lost by resort to mediation or arbitration, then this requirement to mediate/arbitrate shall be deemed ineffective and inapplicable to resolve the claim or dispute.

SECTION I - AAPC members are encouraged, but not required, to resolve claims and disputes with clients and all others by mediation and, if necessary to resolve the dispute, by legally binding arbitration.