ARTICLE I-NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Stephen F. Austin State University Psi Chi Chapter, a local unit of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, herinafter referred to as the Chapter and the National Society.

ARTICLE II-PURPOSE

The purpose of Psi Chi shall be to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to advance the science of psychology.

ARTICLE III-MEMBERS

Section 1. Active members. Active members are men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who are faculty members of students of Stephen F. Austin State University or are members who have been readmitted to active status by the Chapter. All shall possess high standards of personal behavior. Active members shall be entitled to participate in all chapter meetings and shall have the right to vote.

A. Student Members shall be students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at the time of induction. Only student members shall be entitled to hold chapter office.

Note: Membership requirements must meet the national minimum criteria as stated in the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Society. Any chapter, at its discretion, may establish higher scholastic criteria.

1. Undergraduate Students shall be enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State University, have registered for major or minor standing in psychology or for a program psychological in nature which is equivalent to such standings, have completed at least 30 college hours, have completed 9 semester hours in psychology courses, have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in psychology courses.

2. Graduate students shall be enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State University, and shall have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses, including psychology.

B. Faculty Members of Stephen F. Austin State University and other psychologists who me the current criteria when they were students may become active members of the chapter upon election to membership and induction into Psi Chi. Faculty Members shall not be eligible to hold chapter office.

Section 2. Membership in Psi Chi is open to qualified candidates of any age, sex, sexual orientation, race, handicap or disability, color, religion, and national and ethnic origin.

Section 3. Election to membership shall be by a two-thirds vote at a regular meeting of the Chapter.

Section 4. Prior to induction, each prospective member shall pay an induction fee as determined by the National Society, which shall entitle the inductee to life membership without payment of further dues or assessments to the National Society. All active members shall pay chapter dues as established by the Chapter.

ARTICLE IV-OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of this chapter shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws, the constitution and bylaws of the National Society, and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the chapter, and shall fulfill such other duties and requirements as may be determined by the National Society.

(Note: There must be at least three elected officers representing the above functions. A chapter may also have other officers if desired, such as president-elect, additional vice presidents, recording and corresponding secretaries, editor, historian, etc.).

Section 2. At the regular chapter meeting preceding the meeting at which the election of officers is to be held, a nominating committee of three to five active members shall be elected. The chair shall be a member of the Executive Committee, and at least one member shall be a faculty member of Stephen F. Austin State University. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the regular meeting. Before the election, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.

Section 3. The officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for one year or until their successors are elected, and the term of office shall begin in the month of August. In the event there is only one candidate for an office, the election may be by voice vote.

Section 4. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall serve more than two terms in the same office.

Section 5. Should the office of President become vacant, it shall be filled by the Vice President. A vacancy in any other office shall be filled by the Executive Committee with the approval of the Chapter Advisor.

ARTICLE V-MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings. The Executive Committee and the Chapter Advisor shall determine the number of regular meetings to be held during the year and shall distribute a schedule of these meetings to each active member.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special Meetings can be called by the President or the Executive Committee and shall be called upon the written request of ten active members of the Chapter. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call, and business shall be limited to that which is stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least three days' notice shall be given.

Section 3. Quorum. Those active members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE VI-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the chapter and the Chapter Advisor.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the Chapter between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Chapter, cause all reports required by the National Society to be submitted in a timely manner, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws and the constitution, bylaws and rulings of the National Society.

Section 3. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the President or by any 2 members of the committee.

ARTICLE VII-CHAPTER ADVISOR

Chapter committees shall consist of the chair and at least two additional active members. Standing committees shall be established by the Chapter. Special committees may be established by the President, the Executive Committee, or the Chapter. The Standing Committees of the Chapter shall be:

Section 1. The Public Relations Committee shall promote Psi Chi within the college/university community, especially within the department of psychology.

Section 2. The Membership Committee shall promote membership in Psi Chi to all qualified persons.

Section 3. The Induction Committee shall make arrangements for induction ceremonies.

Section 4. The Program Committee shall select programs and make arrangements for chapter meetings.

Section 5. The Finance Committee shall prepare the budget and make an annual analysis of chapter fiscal management.

ARTICLE IX-PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws, the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Society, and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.

ARTICLE X-AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Chapter by a two-thirds vote, provided the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting or has been submitted in writing to all active members of the Chapter at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which it is to be considered. These bylaws shall not be in conflict with the constitution and bylaws or ruling of the National Society. Any amendment of the constitution and bylaws or rulings of the National Society affecting these bylaws shall cause this document to be amended automatically to concur with such amendment.

Amendments to Bylaws for Psi Chi at Stephen F. Austin State University:

Voted on and supported unanimously Spring 2007: Members who have paid their dues and participated in at least 50% of the planned Psi Chi activities will have their honor cords paid for by the chapter.  Members can upgrade to a medallion or a stole at their own expense.  If they are not capable of participating in activities they must be in contact with officers about why they are unable to participate. Additionally, dues must be current for all semesters.  Officers will have a medallion paid for by the chapter.  They can upgrade to a stole at their own expense.

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