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The Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM) is organized as a 501(c)(3) section of the American Society for Public Administration. The mission of ABFM is to advance the science, processes, and art of public administration as it relates to budgeting and financial management through professional development, cooperative relationships, publications and communications, forum to discuss policy issues, and research. advance the study and practice of public budgeting and financial management. ABFM hosts an annual conference, publishes a quarterly peer-reviewed journal (Public Budgeting & Finance), hosts events that support doctoral students, and publishes a periodic newsletter. ABFM is governed by an executive committee of 13 voting members elected by the membership, including nine at-large members each serving a staggered three-year term. The membership annually elects a vice chair who serves for three years – vice chair in the first year, chair-elect and conference chair in the second, and chair in the third. The association hosts an annual meeting of the membership during the annual conference. ABFM officers and members are served by a secretariat that provides operational support to the association’s activities. ABFM membership is open to anyone with an interest in public finance; membership requires payment of annual dues either through ABFM or through annual section dues to ASPA.

Founded in 1971 as a section of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), COMPA was created to provide a forum for leadership and professional development for minority students, public servants, administrators, and governmental officials. With over 50 years of dedicated service, COMPA has proudly established itself as one of America's leading national public service organizations.

Our mission is to serve and assist public administrators, students and other professionals involved in public service. Furthermore, we seek to advance the science, processes, technology and arts and image of public administration by providing leadership in the elimination of discriminatory practices against all minorities.

SWPA is one of the largest and most active ASPA Sections with a growing membership and full range of activities and programs for its members. We welcome women and men to work together on projects and programs that promote participation and recognition of women at all levels and areas of the public sector.

SWPA members and leaders have developed the following Action Agenda which focuses on key membership priorities:

• Enhance the value of SWPA membership to promote membership retention
• Attract and engage new members
• Continue diversity and inclusion efforts in both membership and member resources
• Provide excellent, relevant career and leadership experiences (such as the Transitions program)
• Accelerate outreach to ASPA Chapters, Sections, and national organizations to increase SWPA impact and networking opportunities for members
• Emphasize issues of significance to women and minorities with supportive resources and advocacy

The Section on African Public Administration (SAPA) aims to advance the science, processes, and art of public administration on the African continent, and the equality of opportunity of all persons through public administration. SAPA provides systematic analysis, commentary, and articulation of on-the-ground plight of public service in the context of UN 2030 and Africa 2063 development goals; it encourages opportunities for joint pracademic research and exchange between global and African public administration scholars and practitioners with an active interest in the continent's public service and development; it collaborates actively with ASPA and the National Council on advocating for "diverse and inclusive representation" in Africa's public service organizations. SAPA promotes the sense of "ethical responsibility," focusing on the exploration of professional, democratic, constitutional, and human values.

Section on Chinese Public Administration (SCPA) of American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) was established in April 2006. It consists of scholars and practitioners around the world who are interested in researching Chinese public administration and comparative studies. It is one of the largest professional and scholarly organization in the field of Chinese public administration and public affairs in the U.S.

Within the broad aims and purposes of ASPA, the Section on Complexity and Network Studies will promote the professional development of studies on complexity, systems, and networks in the public sector as it relates to both the scholarly and practical needs of the field. Embracing both theoretical and practical concerns, CNS addresses issues in empirical theory building and the knowledge base of the field as well as practical findings, which help meet challenges faced in public administration.

The Section on Complexity and Network Studies may undertake the following activities: organizing panels, discussion groups, and workshops on complexity, systems, and network studies at ASPA’s national and regional conferences as well as providing a forum for the discussion of current complexity, systems, and network studies and findings of concern to public administration.

Promoting constructive, just and democratic social change through teaching, research, practice, conferences, and publications. The Section on Democracy and Social Justice (DSJ) is the exclusive owner of the Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration (JSEPA), a peer-reviewed, open access journal that examines issues of social equity in public administration, public policy, and governance.

The Section on Emergency and Crisis Management (SECM) seeks to improve the quality of emergency management in the public sector. Within the context of numerous statutes, regulations, and ordinances, emergency management can be defined as the process of developing and implementing policies concerned with mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

The Section on Environmental and Natural Resources Administration (SENRA) is known for sharing knowledge and information to protect, inform and manage challenges facing natural resources and environmental quality administration.

The Section on Ethics and Integrity in Governance (SEIGov) promotes the empowerment of ASPA members “to choose the ethical way and generate a public service culture committed to ethical excellence.” This Section affirms the spirit of professionalism in both technical competence and moral character by involving the membership at large in a sustained, self-supporting effort to cultivate ethical issues pertinent to the field, nationally and internationally for both government and the non-profit sector. The Section offers benefits including a subscription to Public Integrity (an ASPA-owned journal that is published by Taylor & Francis/Routledge), newsletter and sponsors panels, workshops and symposia at regional and national conferences.

SHHSA is an association of academics and practitioners interested in the design, implementation and management of health care and human services organizations in the public, nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

Members of SHHSA work across boundaries of academia and practice, collaborating on research, sharing information on new and innovative practices in support of practitioners and interacting at sponsored panels at ASPA's Annual Conference.

The Section serves as a forum for the study, understanding, and improvement of federal systems and other forms of intergovernmental relations wherein national, state, and local governments address policy and management issues.

SICA will bring you together with ASPA members committed to introducing an international and comparative perspective into public administration practice and academic endeavors. SICA is comprised of practitioners and academics that are involved in, or interested in, international or overseas pubic administration activities. The section is concerned with promoting research and communication of public administration with an international and comparative focus. SICA is also interested in development management.

SKPA expands understanding of public administration between the U.S. and Korea. It facilitates relationships between U.S. and Korea public administration academics and practitioners at both institutional and individuals levels. SKPA collaborates with both the Korean Association for Public Administration (KAPA) and the Korean Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), and cooperate with schools of public affairs and administration (and policy) in South Korea and their counterparts in the U.S.

Within the broader purposes of ASPA, the Section on Nonprofits (SNP) seeks to foster the development of theory, understanding and practice related to nonprofit, voluntary and nongovernment organizations and their roles in policy development and implementation, cross sector collaboration, and the creation of civil society, and to foster professional growth and communication among academics and practitioners on these topics.

The SNP provides a forum for an ongoing dialog within ASPA regarding the special environment and challenges facing nonprofit organizations. It encourages nonprofit managers, staff, and volunteers to join ASPA and to participate as active members. It facilitates ASPA to seek collaborative opportunities with other complementary associations related to nonprofit organization issues. It promotes research in all aspects of the nonprofit field including, but not limited to volunteer management, board development, financial management, transparency and accountability and the relationship(s) between nonprofit organizations and government.

Created in 1979, the Section on Personnel Administration and Labor Relations (SPALR) of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) promotes the importance of human resource management and labor relations in public service organizations.

ASPA's Section on Procurement and Contract Management is one of 32 special interest groups associated with the American Society for Public Administration. The section was established in 2016 and offers benefits such as its scholarships, networking opportunities, research opportunities, panels, workshops and symposia at regional and national conferences.

The ASPA Section on Professional and Organizational Development (SPOD) aims to advance the professional development of individuals involved in public administration. SPOD was developed to “advance the professional development of individuals involved in public administration and to foster improvement in the performance and design of public sector organizations.” To accomplish these purposes, SPOD outlined five key objectives:

1. Establish networks with persons and organizations.
2. Provide professional and organizational development and learning opportunities.
3. Provide primary resources for personal and organization development, career planning and counseling, and learning theories and methodologies.
4. Stimulate research and evaluation of training and educational efforts.
5. Provide criteria for professional development experiences in public administration events.

The Section on Public Administration Education (SPAE) focuses on teaching in public administration by providing resources, learning opportunities, and network connections for our members. SPAE hosts the annual Teaching Public Administration Conference (TPAC), a teaching-focused conference that began in 1978. In addition, SPAE also increases awareness of public administration educational issues through workshops and webinars. We also provide a forum for information exchange among members on social media and gathering at professional conferences. Members who are currently teaching, or aspire to be teaching, will enjoy membership in this group.

The Section on Public Administration Research (SPAR) promotes the professional development of research in the public sector as it relates to both the scholarly and practical needs of the field. Embracing both theoretical and practical concerns, the section addresses issues in empirical theory building and the knowledge base of the field as well as practical findings, which help meet challenges faced in public administration.

The Section’s mission is to share insight on contemporary governance challenges and solutions among both advanced systems (e.g., OECD countries) and emerging democracies alike and foster networking within this community to help engage practitioners, researchers and other applied academics, trainers, and management consultants.

The Section on Public Performance and Management (SPPM) promotes the advancement of management and productivity in public and non-for-profit organizations. SPPM facilitates the exchange of experiences and research about a broad range of public performance and management topics and issues through hosting and coordinating panels and workshops at international, national, and regional conferences. The Section sponsors (or co-sponsors) regular and ad hoc publications and workshops to offer outreach and networking opportunities to Section members (e.g., SPPM Newsletter, Marc Holzer Public Performance Symposium).

SSTIG’s goal is to assist academics and practitioners in learning more about the uses and limitations of science and technology in government. By promoting awareness of research involving science and technology, SSTIG facilitates the use of this research to improve governmental efficiency and effectiveness.

SSTIG and its members are interested in a broad range of topics from environmental science to information technology to science innovation policies and everything in between. These are dynamic and exciting subject matters, which government continues to grapple with and needs researchers and practitioners to explore.

The goal of the Section on Transportation Policy and Administration (STPA) is to organize a focus on transportation. STPA spotlights transportation within ASPA at a national, regional, and chapter level. The section similarly develops information to assist federal, state, and local policymakers, so that they might better administer transportation policy. Members receive the section-sponsored quarterly journal - Public Works Management and Policy - the section's electronic newsletter, as well as special studies and reports.

The unique purpose of the South Asian Section for Public Administration will be to take the activities and networks of ASPA National to the South Asian region, while simultaneously allowing for South Asian scholars and practitioners to get involved in ASPA activities in the United States. The idea is to ultimately build a free-flowing professional network of scholars and practitioners in South Asia and scholars and practitioners in the United States interested in South Asian public administration.

The Students and New Administration Professionals Section (SNAPS) of ASPA is dedicated to supporting students, early-career professionals, and emerging scholars in public administration. Our mission is to provide a dynamic platform for networking, mentorship, and professional development, helping members navigate the transition from academia to practice.

SNAPS offers webinars, workshops, and conference sessions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by students and new professionals in the field. We foster mentorship programs that connect early-career members with seasoned public administration professionals, facilitating knowledge exchange and career growth.

As a community-driven section, SNAPS actively promotes collaboration, research, and leadership opportunities, encouraging members to engage in meaningful discussions on public service, governance, and policy implementation. Through ASPA communications and events, we highlight member achievements, share insights, and build connections across the profession.

Whether you are a student exploring public administration, a recent graduate entering the workforce, or a new professional looking to expand your network, SNAPS provides the resources, support, and connections needed to thrive in the field. Join us and become part of a vibrant community shaping the future of public service!

The ASPA LGBT Advocacy Alliance exists to provide a safe space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and allied community, or LGBTQIA+ community, within the field of Public Administration.

The mission of the LGBT Advocacy Alliance Section is to provide a safe & supportive environment within ASPA & its partners by:

• Focusing on equal rights, diversity & workplace issues
• Providing policy assistance through research and education on critical/relevant issues
• Being a clearinghouse for information, resources & materials
• Facilitating & supporting community engagement/development & coalition building
• Increasing awareness of cultural competency