APS positions are represented by the APS statements. Members, committees, and APS’s elected leadership all take part in the robust process that crafts and maintains APS statements. All of APS’s advocacy activities are authorized through these statements.
APS Statements articulate the enduring positions of APS on topics relevant to our community. They guide the organization's future actions and activities. APS Statements authorize the activities of the organization, such as advocacy to the federal government.
The APS Panel on Public Affairs (POPA) is the body responsible for creating, editing, and archiving APS Statements. All APS statements have gone through a thorough process of drafting, commenting and approval that calls for input from APS committees, leaders, POPA, Board and Council, and the full membership.
APS Statements are revised every five years and active until archived.
The process from proposal through adoption for an APS statement can take up to a year, and not every proposed statement is ultimately adopted by APS Council. For clarification on any of the steps in the APS Statement process, contact Government Affairs.
Step One: Initiation
Step Two: Drafting
Step Three: Council and Board Review
Step Four: Membership Comment/POPA Review
Step Five: APS Board Vote
Step Six: APS Council Vote
APS Board Statements provide an expedited pathway to create a temporary, one-year policy position in response to current events. APS Board statements engage the APS Board, Council, leadership, POPA, and PPC. APS Board Statements may be considered by POPA as candidates to become APS Statements.
Any member can suggest statements or activities. Before doing so, we ask members to consider the following questions:
Proposed statements and activities can be submitted via email. Please refer to APS GA's proposal submission guide
Related resources on APS leadership: