Important ACPE-APC Merger Process Update
June 24, 2021
Dear ACPE & APC Members, 
During our legal due diligence process, our attorneys advised us that we could not proceed with our published timeline. According to Illinois state law, where APC is incorporated, any membership vote must include the proposed bylaws and governance structure.
Instead of seeing this legal opinion as an obstruction, we view our current situation as an opportunity to further elicit member feedback. We remain committed to the proposed merger. We believe a merged organization will excel at meeting tomorrow's cultural realities, serving our members and communities, and advocating for the practice of spiritual care and education.
Moving forward, ACPE and APC will select their respective representatives in August for an implementation workgroup. The implementation workgroup will then draft the bylaws, a governance structure, membership categories, and staffing requirements. Throughout their process, the implementation workgroup will maximize opportunities for member engagement and feedback. Before any final vote on the merger, the implementation workgroup will provide members of both organizations with a complete package of the new organization's bylaws and governance so you will have a full picture of the merged organization.
We will publish a more detailed timeline the week of July 6th. In the meantime, we are canceling the joint town hall on June 28th and the July vote until we clarify our next steps. Please continue to submit your questions and comments to president@professionalchaplains.org or ACPE-APCmerger@acpe.edu.
We appreciate your understanding and consideration as we navigate complicated legal and financial requirements. Both organizations aim to provide a transparent and participatory process so we can build our best future possible for professional spiritual care and education.
Thank you,
Melissa Walker-Luckett, ACPE Board Chair
Jon Overvold, APC President
Shawn Mai, ACPE Board Chair-Elect
Jeffery Garland, APC President-Elect