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Psi Chi Chapter Bylaws

BYLAWS OF PSI CHI
UW-LA CROSSE CHAPTER


ARTICLE I: NAME & PURPOSE
Section A: Name – The name of this organization shall be the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Psi Chi Chapter.
Section B: International Affiliation – This organization is a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology. The rules and regulations of the international constitution shall be followed when not inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Section C: Purpose – The purpose of this organization shall be:
1. To advance the science of psychology; and to encourage, stimulate, and maintain scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology.
2. To give the opportunity to attend and present research at national and regional conventions held annually in conjunction with the psychological associations.
3. To provide service to the local community appropriate to developing and maintaining positive psychological well-being


ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP & DUES
Section A: Eligibility – Minimum qualifications for active student membership shall be as follows:
1. Completion of nine credits in psychology and forty-five credits overall. A GPA of at least 3.00 and in the upper 35% of their class (for UW-L the cut off is 3.33 in psychology).
2. Registration for major or minor standing in psychology.
Section B: Restrictions – All members will be UW-L students enrolled for a minimum of one semester hour of credit. Induction ceremonies shall be held only once per year. Any student who wishes to become a member after the induction must wait until the following year to be inducted. The extension of membership and all membership privileges, including voting and eligibility to hold office, shall be given to all students without regard to age, ethnicity, gender (except as otherwise permitted by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), disability, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Section C: Active Members – Active members are those who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who are faculty members or students in an institution where a chapter is located, or who are alumni members who have been admitted to active membership by a chapter. They shall have high standards of personal behavior. Election to membership shall be by a two-thirds vote at a regular meeting of the chapter. If assessed, active members shall pay chapter dues.
Section D: Dues – Each person inducted as an active member shall pay to the Psi Chi central office a one-time fee as decided by the national office for a lifetime membership. An additional chapter fee, to be decided upon by the officers, will be paid annually. The current fee for chapter membership is $10 annually or $7 per semester. By accepting membership in the Society, members accept the Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of Psi Chi.
Section E: Faculty Members – Members of the faculty may be elected to active membership by the chapter.
Section F: Graduate Students- Shall be enrolled in the graduate program in School Psychology or in Student Affairs Administration (if undergraduate degree was in psychology) with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses shall be admitted
Section H: Privileges of Membership – All members of the Society may wear the key of Psi Chi.
1. Active members shall have the right to attend chapter meetings, to vote, to hold Society office, to be elected or appointed to committees of the Society and the chapters to which they belong, to receive the Psi Chi newsletter, and such other privileges as the Board of Directors may determine. Only active student members shall have the right to hold chapter office.
2. Alumni members shall have all the rights of active members except the right to vote and to hold office. They may receive the Psi Chi newsletter upon payment of the subscription fee.
3. Distinguished members shall have all the rights and privileges of active membership. They pay no dues or fees of any kind.
Section I: Resignation – A member desiring to resign from the Society shall submit such resignation in writing to the Executive Officer.
Reinstatement – Any member having resigned from membership may be reinstated upon application to the Executive Officer and upon meeting such uniform terms and conditions as may be established by the Board of Directors.
Section J: Suspension or Termination – Membership in the Society may be suspended or terminated by the Board of Directors for just cause. Sufficient cause for such suspension or termination of membership may be violation of this Constitution or any lawful rule or practice adopted by the Society or other conduct deemed by the Board of Directors to be prejudicial to the best interests of the Society. A statement of the charges shall be sent by registered mail to the last recorded address of the member, accompanied by notice of the time and place of the meeting at which the charges are to be considered. At least thirty days’ notice shall be given, and the member shall have the opportunity to appear in person or to be represented by counsel and to present any defense to such charges before action is taken by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules as may be necessary to ensure due process to the member. The decision for suspension or termination shall be by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. A member suspended or terminated for just cause shall not be entitled to remittance of dues or fees.

 

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
 Section A: Officer Positions – The officers shall include: Psi Chi & Psychology Club President, Psi Chi & Psychology Club Vice-President, Psi Chi Secretary, Psi Chi Treasurer, and Psi Chi & Psychology Club Public Relations Officer.
New Officer Positions – New officer positions may be created after the position has been named and a set of responsibilities has been created. All positions must be approved by a majority vote of the chapter membership. The responsibilities must be added as an amendment to this document after the approval of the new officer position. The amendment must satisfy the sections of Article VIII.
Officer-elects – Officer-elects are winners of elections prior to them taking official office. Officer-elects have the privilege of sitting in on officer meetings. They have no Executive Committee voting privileges. Officer-elects may speak at officer meetings with permission from a member of the Executive Committee.
Section B: Eligibility – All officers shall be full-time University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students (12 undergraduate credits) and members of Psi Chi. To be eligible to be President, a candidate must have served previously as an officer in Psi Chi or the Psychology Club. In the event that none of the previous officers wish to run for the position, this rule will be suspended.  Non-Psi Chi members are eligible to run for the overlapping positions of Psi Chi & Psychology Club Vice President and Psi Chi & Psychology Club Public Relations Officer.  In order to run for an officer position, members must be in good standing and must have paid their current chapter dues.
Section C: Election – The officers shall be elected by ballot at a meeting early in the spring semester by a majority of the vote. Members may only run for one officer position per election, but if they are not elected to that position they may run for positions later in the voting schedule. The Vice-President is responsible for organizing the nomination and election of officers. In the event the Vice-President is unable to do so, the responsibility shall shift to the President. The President only votes in case of a tie.
Election Procedure – The election of new officers shall proceed as follows:
1. Members of the Psi Chi chapter will declare their candidacy and the office which they choose to run for.
2. Candidates will be given two minutes to say why they would make a good officer and/or want to be an officer. The other candidates will leave the room while one candidate is speaking and answering questions.
3. Members will have two minutes to ask questions of the candidates in addition to the first two minutes given to the candidates.
4. The Vice-President shall hand out the ballots to vote once each candidate has had a chance to talk.
5. The members will vote for one candidate per position.
6. The Vice-President shall collect the ballots and tally the results.
7. The President shall be present at the counting of the ballots. The candidates or one representative for each candidate may be present at the counting of the ballots. In the event of a tie, the President will vote to break the tie.
8. The Vice-President shall announce the results.
9. The winners will be checked by the Vice-President to make sure they are members of Psi Chi. If an officer-elect is found to not be a member of Psi Chi, another election shall be held to fill the position.
10. At the next meeting following the election, the Vice-President will entertain a motion to approve the election results. If seconded, members will vote to approve the election results. A majority vote is required to approve the results.
Section D: Term – The officers shall be able to serve as many terms as they are elected. One term is equal to one year. Officers assume the position in which they are elected the day after the end of the semester except in the case of an election to fill a vacancy.
Section E: Vacancy – If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term, and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a special election. If an officer position becomes vacant as a result of a special election another election shall be held immediately to fill the newly vacant position.
Section F: Duties – Listed below are the duties as they to pertain to each officer position.


Psi Chi & Psychology Club President
- Schedule, plan, and lead monthly general and officer meetings

- Maintain active e-mail correspondence with current members and alumni

- Supervise chapter Facebook page and website (coordinate with Public Relations Officer)
- Secure list of eligible inductees from the faculty advisor
- Make sure officers are making progress on assigned tasks and will meet deadlines
- Submit end of the year chapter report
- Keep up to date on current objectives and deadlines
- Make sure officers know what is expected of them
- Provide role model of enthusiasm, integrity, and fairness
- Organize volunteer activities, speakers or presenters from relevant organizations for chapter meetings and events, and special training workshops for members
- Ensure that the chapter participates in Society elections
- Take on any other tasks that come up
- Meet with campus leadership and offer the club’s support at least once a school year (Student Association President, Dean of Students, and Chancellor)

- Psi Chi President will automatically assume the responsibilities of Psychology Club President, providing active leadership to both student organizations.


Psi Chi & Psychology Club Vice President
- Assist the President in planning and scheduling monthly general and officer meetings
- In absence of president, or at request of president, perform president's duties

- Assume central responsibility for coordinating and supervising special member committees
- Organize nomination and election of chapter officers, preferably at the end of fall term or beginning of spring term to allow new officers to work with incumbent officers and become familiar with duties of office
- Make sure adequate supplies (e.g. refreshments or markers) are available for each event (coordinate with Psi Chi Treasurer and/or Psychology Club Treasurer)
- Work with President and Secretary to submit chapter reports
- Maintain or create a relationship with as many faculty and staff as possible to publicize events
- Reserve facilities for events and meetings

- Assist other officers with various tasks
- Take on any other tasks that come up

Psi Chi Secretary
- Take attendance at all chapter meetings and events.  Maintain detailed attendance records for all Psi Chi members and coordinate the presentation of Chapter Awards
- Keep minutes at every meeting (with the cooperation of the Psychology Club Secretary)

- Maintain records of members who have and have not paid chapter dues
- Manage chapter mailing list.  Remove mailing addresses of graduated seniors in a timely fashion and update list with new members.

- Assist other officers with various tasks
- Take on any other tasks that come up

Psi Chi Treasurer
- Visit bank with newly elected Psi Chi Treasurer in order to transfer account authority

- Responsible for any charges on behalf of the chapter.  Examples include paying for Student & Faculty Dinners and snacks at chapter meetings.

- Responsible for ordering Psi Chi cords and medals for graduates from the Psi Chi website

- Responsible for ordering t-shirts for the chapter and Psychology Club (with the cooperation of the Psychology Club Treasurer)

- Deposit checks in a timely manner
- Collect receipts for various Psi Chi expenses and maintain accurate accounting records
- Work on end of the year financial report and submit it to the national chapter
- Collect all fees and dues. All Society registration fees should be collected and deposited in time for one check or money order to be obtained and sent to the Central Office no later than three weeks before the induction of new members is to take place.
- Report to chapter on a regular basis, including an end-of-the-year report. The financial records should be kept up to date and readily available for observation by advisors, officers, and members of the chapter. Because of the importance of keeping these records accurate and safe, always keep them in a secure location in the department or chapter office. They should not be taken home or carried about casually.
- Assist other officers with various tasks
- Take on any other tasks that come up

Psi Chi & Psychology Club Public Relations Officer
- Promote chapter meetings and events within the Psychology Department and around the entire university campus- --  - - When necessary, engage the on-campus press (The Racquet, Second Supper) or the La Crosse area press (Tribune) on behalf of the chapter- Maintain and continually update chapter website
- Take pictures during all events
- Keep thorough records of all chapter activities
- Do a write up of Psi Chi events, officers, and member stories
- Maintain Psi Chi traditions and pass them on to next year
- Promote awareness of anniversaries and past events and successes
- Create an end of the year presentation to maintain continuity and develop new leadership within the organization- Assist other officers with various tasks
- Take on any other tasks that come up

 

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS
 Section A: Meetings – Regular meetings shall be held a minimum of 1 time per semester with an ideal of 3-4 times per semester (approximately 1 meeting per month). The Executive Committee shall meet at least once between each regular meeting and shall remain open to any interested members of the organization.
Section B: Special Meetings – Special meetings may be called by a member of the Executive Committee and shall be posted on the Psi Chi bulletin board with time, purpose, and place designated.
Section C: Quorum – A quorum shall consist of a majority.

  

ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 Section A: Responsibility – Management of this organization shall be vested in an Executive Committee responsible to the entire membership to uphold these bylaws.
Section B: Membership – The committee shall consist of the officers as listed in Article III and the faculty advisor who must be both a member of Psi Chi and the American Psychological Association.
Section C: Meetings – The committee shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the organization to organize and plan future activities.
Section D: Quorum – A quorum of this committee shall consist of two-thirds of the members.
Section E: Duties – All officers must be involved in planning, decision-making, and general organization of Psi Chi.
Section F: Committees – The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committees, with the approval of the executive committee, from time to time as needed.
Section G: Notice – The Executive Committee shall be responsible for posting the meetings date, time, and place at least one week prior to the next regular meeting.
Section H: Expenditures – All expenses shall be approved by the Executive Committee and require the signature of the President and Treasurer prior to the finalization of any plans. Only the expenses allocated for at the time of the approval of the Executive Committee are allowed unless further approval has been given by the Executive Committee upon request for additional funds.

  

ARTICLE VI: FACULTY ADVISOR
 Section A: Selection – There shall be at least one faculty advisor who shall be selected each year by the previous year’s Executive Committee.
Section B: Duties – The responsibility of the faculty advisor shall be to:
1. Advise and stimulate interest in the organization.
2. Provide guidance in the development and implementation of programs and activities.
3. Serve as liaison between the University and the organization, and interpret if necessary.
4. Attend the induction.
5. Generate the list of potential inductees in accordance with FERPA regulations.

 

ARTICLE VII: CHAPTER REQUIREMENTS
 Section A: Minimum Number of Officers – A chapter must have at least three officers representing the functions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian elected from among its active student members.
Section B: Annual Report – Each chapter, through its officers, shall make an annual report to the Central Office.
Section C: Registering New Members – Each chapter shall register new members at least once each year with the Central Office.
Section D: Advisor – Each chapter shall have a Chapter Advisor who is a member of Psi Chi, chosen from the faculty by the chapter. If the chosen faculty advisor is not a member, he/she will need to be inducted into Psi Chi at the cost of the local chapter.
Section E: Bylaws – Each chapter shall have chapter bylaws. The Psi Chi Constitution shall take precedence over chapter bylaws, and no provision in the bylaws of any chapter shall be contrary to this Constitution. Each chapter shall have full charge of its activities within the limits of the Constitution.
Section F: Name – The name of the chapter shall be the name of the college or university where the chapter is located followed by the words "Psi Chi Chapter."
Section G: Dues – Chapter dues shall be determined by the chapter.
Section H: Remaining an Active Chapter – To remain an active chapter, a chapter must induct members on an annual basis, shall file all required reports with the Executive Officer, and shall be current in all financial obligations to the Society. Chapters failing to comply will be placed on the inactive list and will lose all privileges of active status, including the right to vote.


ARTICLE VIII: AMMENDMENTS
Section A: Vote – These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the chapter membership.
Section B: Notice – All members shall receive advance notice of the proposed amendment at least 5 days before the meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX: CHAPTER AWARDS

Section A: Annual Awards

1. Silver Status Award - Attend 3 meetings & participate in 2 sanctioned activities
2. Gold Status Award - Attend 5 meetings & participate in 4 sanctioned activities

Section B: Graduation Awards

1. Psi Chi Honor Award - Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above in psychology courses
2. Psi Chi High Honor Award - Maintain GPA of 3.8 or above in psychology courses

Section C: Special Awards

The officers may also present a special “Outstanding Service Award” to members each semester who personify the values of Psi Chi beyond their expectations.  Consideration should be given to members who have been active in special committees.