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2021 Bylaws Vote

The Board of Directors recently voted to approve several changes to the Society bylaws. These revised bylaws are now being presented to eligible voters (full, retired, and early career members with a doctorate in psychology that have paid dues through 12/31/2021) for approval. There are three initiatives on the ballot you will be asked to vote.

Initiative 1: Right to Vote and Hold Office

The Nominations & Elections Committee, Student Committee and Board of Directors would like to recommend that the SPSP bylaw, Article II Membership section defining the graduate student member type, be amended to allow the privilege of voting and to hold office. It is important that SPSP continues to incorporate our inclusivity initiative across all aspects of the organization. The graduate student member represents the future of the psychology field. It is necessary to ensure this membership group has the ability to voice their opinions, and be engaged throughout the society.

Allowing graduate students voting privileges will further solidify students’ commitment to SPSP and the field, it brings greater diversity to our eligible voters and aligns with our academic graduate training approach of apprenticeship. This change demonstrates SPSP’s commitment to the development of future psychologists which supports our purpose to mentor the next generation.

  1. GROWTH: Graduate students is the largest SPSP membership type and has been for the last 3 years. Allowing voting privileges and the right to hold office will show that the organization acknowledges the influence these members will have in the field over the coming years.
     
  2. SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AGREE: Counterparts such as the American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association and the Society for Educational Research and Development all specifically mention allowing graduate students the privilege to vote.
     
  3. BROADER MEMBER VOTING POOL: Allowing graduate student voting rights will double the current voting eligibility pool. This will enable SPSP to continue to be relevant to students pursuing a psychology career. 

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article II. Section 5):

4. Graduate Students shall be students enrolled in a graduate psychology program with interest in the field of personality or social psychology. Graduates will have all the privileges of membership, save including the right to vote and hold office.

Initiative 2: Number of Board Members

Adjusted number of board positions from a set 12 to a range of 10-15 to allow flexibility moving forward if needed for less or more members based on Society strategic priorities. Per legal review, SPSP must have at least three (3) so having this range is in compliance with the legal requirement. 

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article IV. Section 1):

The Board of Directors shall consist of 10-15 members: the four officers (the President, the President-Elect, the Past President, and the Treasurer), the Division 8 American Psychological Association Council Representative with most seniority duly elected in accordance with established procedures of the American Psychological Association, and seven to ten At-Large Members of the Board of Directors. Additional persons may be invited to participate but not vote in Board of Director meetings. The Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member of the Board with voice but no vote.

Initiative 3: Legal Adjustments and Editing for Organizational Alignment

  • The purpose of the organization is outlined in the articles of incorporation (not needed in the bylaws per legal review).

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article I. Section 3):

The purposes for which this corporation is formed are purely educational and not for financial gain, and no financial gain shall ever accrue to any member of this Corporation, nor any other person or institution, in the conduct of same identified in the Articles of Incorporation.

  • Early career and retired members were not previously included in the bylaws. Both of these classes are part of the SPSP membership structure though and are now outlined in the bylaws to ensure organizational alignment.

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article II):

Early Career Members shall be members who have earned their doctorate degree in psychology within the last 6 years. Early Career Members will have all the privileges of membership, including the right to vote and hold office.

Retired Members shall be retired members with past experience in the social and personality psychology fields. Retired Members will have all the privileges of membership, including the right to vote and hold office.

  • Per legal review, remove detailed job description for Treasurer and align more closely with descriptions of the other elected officers in the bylaws. Additional details for job duties are in the Board of Directors job descriptions. Also, removed the responsibility of Secretary from the Treasurer as those responsibilities have been a part of staff functions. SPSP is not required to have a designated Secretary.

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article III. Section 6):

The Treasurer shall be a Full Member of the Society who is elected by the Full eligible voting Members of the Society. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Society, and to maintain the finances and ensure the financial stability of the Society. responsibility of the Treasurer, in conjunction with the Central Office staff, to keep records of all meetings of the Society; to file and hold subject to call and to direct the publication of such records, reports and Proceedings as are authorized by these Bylaws and by vote of the members of the Society at any duly constituted meetings; to bring to the attention of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and of the Society such matters as deemed necessary; to conduct the official correspondence of the Society; to issue official call and notices of meetings; to notify new members of their election, to sign such checks or other drafts upon the funds of the Society as may be necessary to execute, seal, and deliver any contracts, deeds, instruments, or other documents which shall be required on behalf of the Society by the Bylaws or by vote of the Society; to have custody of all funds and securities and to deposit same in the name of this Society in such bank or banks as the Society may direct; to have custody of all other property of the Society not otherwise expressly provided for by these Bylaws and to hold them subject to the order and direction of the Society; to collect dues and other debts due the Society by any persons whatsoever. The Treasurer shall, at any reasonable times, exhibit the books and accounts to any members of the Society upon written request, and in general shall perform all such duties as may be incident to the office or as properly may be required by vote of the members of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee at any duly constituted meetings.

  • Clarified a quorum at any Board meeting will be a majority which is at least half of the Board of Directors.

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article IV. Section 1):

Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time on the call of the President or Treasurer. A quorum at any meeting shall consist of a majority (at least half) of the Board of Directors. Decisions shall be made by a simple majority of the Board of Directors members present at a meeting, except as specifically provided in Section III.10 of the by-laws.

  • Removed reference to he/she and adjusted to they.  

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article V. Section 5):

If a person who is already a member of the Board of Directors is elected to another position by which he or she they become becomes an officer or member of the Board of Directors, he or she they must resign one of these positions.

  • Removed reference to mailing ballots/sending mail (all business to be conducted electronically).  

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article V. Section 2 and Article IX):

A call for nominations shall be issued by mail or electronic distribution for the office of President-Elect each year; Council Representative every year of eligibility; Treasurer, and At-Large Members as necessary to maintain the Board of Directors at a size of ten to fifteen members.

Voting on amendments to or repeal of these Bylaws may take place at any time and will be accomplished by means of a mail or electronic ballot of eligible voting Full members.

  • Per legal review, the Annual Business Meeting is not required and may be held.

Actual Bylaws Change to Approve (Article VI. Section 1):

The Annual Business Meeting of the Society shall may be held at the time and place of the Annual Conference of the Society, the exact time and place to be set by the Board of Directors.