Documents

Ψ 1 NAME

The Psychological Association of Namibia

Ψ 2 AREA

The Association shall have legal capacity to work and function within the borders of Namibia

Ψ 3 AIMS

3.1 to advance the theory, practice and professional exercise of Psychology as a science, and to stimulate research;

3.2 to further contact between Psychology and other disciplines and professions;

3.3 to counter abuses in the area pertinent to Psychology as a science;

3.4 to gather and distribute relevant information;

3.5 to act as mouthpiece for members of the Association.

Ψ 4 EFFECTING OF AIMS

The Association shall pursue its aims through:

4.1 holding congresses, discussions and gatherings; instituting investigations; publishing scientific information; and performing such actions as are considered desirable;

4.2 striving for effective training through contact with universities and other institutions;

4.3 formulating a code of ethics and promoting its observance among members;

4.4 continuously evaluating relevant legislations, recommending alterations and initiating new legislation to advance Psychology as a science;

4.5 promoting and making known psychological services; and

4.6 promoting and advancing the interests of members.

Ψ 5 LEGAL PERSONALITY

The Association is not formed with the intention of making profit; may institute and defend legal claims; acquire, use and dispose of property; use and control funds; pay out salaries, honoraria and awards and make gifts; and may perform all such acts as are in accordance with its aims and which are required for their execution. The Association exists in all respects as an independent legal person.

Ψ 6 STRUCTURE

The Association is composed of members as determined in this constitution.

Ψ 7 MEMBERSHIP

7.1 General rules of membership

7.1.1 A person must apply for membership of the Association on a prescribed form and pay the prescribed registration fee. Should membership be refused, an applicant may appeal, provided that the appeal is received by the executive committee within 30 days of membership being refused and is brought to the vote at the next general meeting.

7.1.2 All members must pay the prescribed membership fee annually. A member who fails to pay the prescribed fee by the date prescribed by the executive committee may have this membership terminated.

7.1.3 A member may terminate *his membership by written notice to the Secretariat of the Association.

*In this constitution the pronoun ‘he’ is used routinely for reasons of convenience. The inequity of the traditional use of the masculine pronoun is however acknowledged.

7.2 Classes of membership

The Association makes provision for five classes of members: full members, associate members, student members, emeritus members and honorary members.

7.2.1 Full members

Full members must have at least an Honours degree or an equivalent qualification in psychology, industrial Psychology or Educational Psychology.

7.2.2 Associate members

Associate members must have at least a B.A. degree with Psychology as a third year subject,

or an equivalent qualification.

7.2.3 Student members

Students may join the Association. They must be registered as students in psychology or Industrial Psychology at a recognised university.

7.2.4 Emeritus members

Full members of the Association may upon retirement apply to the Association for emeritus membership. Emeritus members shall be exempted from paying the subscription fee and may enjoy life-long claim to all the rights and privileges of full members.

7.2.5 Honorary members

The Association may invite persons to become honorary members of the Association. Honorary members will be exempted from paying membership fees and will enjoy all the rights and privileges of full members.

7.3 Voting rights

Full members have two votes on any issue. Associate members have one vote on any issue. Student members have no voting rights; they do, however, receive all publications of the Association.

Ψ 8 THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association appoints an executive committee to give effect to its particular requirements on the following broad principles:

8.1 Composition of the executive committee.

8.1.1 The executive committee shall consist of a President, a Vice-president, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and two Additional members. The President and the Vice-president must be registered psychologists; all members of the executive committee must be full members of the Association.

8.1.2 The executive committee may at its discretion co-opt members of the association to serve on the executive committee.

8.1.3 The executive committee is elected annually by members of the Association in accordance with voting procedures determined by the President.

8.2 Functions

8.2.1 The broadening and strengthening of the discipline of Psychology through attention to training, research, and practice.

8.2.2 The transmission to the Association of relevant subject-related proposals and suggestions.

8.2.3 The acquiring of a say on, and the transmission of suggestions and proposals to, the Professional Council for Psychology and other relevant entities in such matters as, for instance, training, registration, practice, and fees.

8.2.4 The publication of a newsletter or newspaper.

8.2.5 The raising of such additional funds as may be necessary, and the determining of membership fees.

8.2.6 The conducting of any other matters relevant to furthering the interests of Psychology.

8.2.7 The presentation to the Association annually of a report detailing the activities of the Association and providing an audited statement of the Association’s finances.

8.2.8 The constituting of day committees for such matters as fun raising, organising, attending to members’ affairs, etc.

8.2.9 Developing and maintaining contact with governments and statutory bodies and with other scientific societies, both local and international.

8.3 Election of executive committee.

8.3.1 The executive committee shall be elected annually at the annual general meeting of the Association according to voting procedures determined by the meeting.

8.3.2 Vacancies that occur in the executive committee shall be filled by co-optation in accordance with the majority vote of the executive committee.

8.3.3 The executive committee may co-op advisory members: such members shall have no voting rights.

8.3.4 Retiring members may be re-elected for a maximum of three consecutive terms.

8.3.5 The nomination of a member of the Association where the member will be unable to attend the annual general meeting, must be made in writing by the proposer and the seconder, and the nomination must be accompanied by the written acceptance of the nominee.

8.3.6 Only members of the Association who have paid their membership fee may be elected to the executive committee.

8.4 Powers of the executive committee.

The executive has the power and right to:

8.4.1 grant membership of the Association to any person who has distinguished himself in the field of Psychology;

8.4.2 act on behalf of the Association in all matters relevant to achieving and furthering the aims of the Association;

8.4.3 appoint officers, determine their duties, and dismiss and replace them;

8.4.4 elect or appoint members of the Association to such permanent or ad hoc committees as are considered necessary to promote the Association’s activities in any field. The executive is empowered to determine and confer upon such permanent and ad hoc committees the rights and obligations necessary for the effective conduct of their affairs;

8.4.5 conclude agreements and contracts to the benefit of the Association;

8.4.6 receive and administer fees and donations on behalf of the Association.

Ψ 9 ADMINISTRATION OF FINANCES

9.1 The financial year of the Association is from 1 April to 31 March.

9.2 The Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Association, and shall keep proper account in a manner prescribed by the executive. In making any payment, and in the receipt and custody of any funds, the Treasures shall act under the instructions of the executive.

9.3 All cheques and withdrawal slips shall be signed by any two of the following members of the executive: the President, the Vice-president, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and any Additional member empowered to sign.

9.4 The Treasurer shall draft a statement of income and expenditure and a balance-sheet, both of which, duly certified by the accountant appointed by the Association, he shall produce at the annual general meeting for the notice and approval of the members of the Association.

Ψ 10 GENERAL MEETINGS

10.1 A general meeting of the Association shall be held at least once a year to discuss matters of common interest. The meeting may coincide with the annual congress. The executive committee shall determine the date and venue of the meeting.

10.2 The President of the executive committee may convene an extraordinary general meeting should he consider it necessary, or should he be requested to do so in writing by at least 8 members.

10.3 Members must be given at least 10 days’ written notice of a general meeting.

10.4 The quorum at annual general meetings and at extraordinary general meetings is 25% of the membership of the Association. Should the members at a meeting be insufficient to form a quorum a reconstituted general meeting shall be held within 14 days at which the members present shall form a quorum.

10.5 Decisions at general meetings shall be carried by majority vote.

10.6 Only members of the Association, and only those who in terms of this constitution have a right to vote, may vote.

10.7 There shall be two rounds of voting if voting on an issue is tied. If, after the second round the voting is still tied, the President shall have a casting vote.

10.8 The officers of the executive committee are also the officers at a general meeting.

10.9 The President of the executive committee, or in his absence the Vice-president, shall be chairpersons at meetings. In the absence of both, the meeting shall elect a chairperson.

10.10 Motions affecting the Association may be dealt with at an annual general meeting only after their tabling has been accepted by the executive.

Ψ 11 DISCIPLINARY AND OTHER MEASURES

The Association can, through the executive, institute disciplinary or censure measures agains  a member. Such member shall have the right to appeal to the annual general meeting against the executive’s decision.

Ψ 12 ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION

12.1 Any proposal to alter the constitution shall be lodged with the executive and with the consent of the executive shall be raised at a general meeting.

12.2 Written notice of any such motion shall be given to members by the secretariat at least 30 days before the general meeting at which the motion is to be proposed.

12.3 To effect any change to the constitution the proposed change must be referred by the general meeting to all members of the Association for decision by postal vote. A simple majority of the postal votes received shall decide the issue.

Ψ 13 DISSOLUTION

13.1 The Association shall dissolve if a proposal to this effect is carried in accordance with the procedures of Section 12 above.

13.2 In the event of the Association’s dissolution all assets shall be donated to an approved entity recommended by the executive. Until such donation, all assets and liabilities of the  Association shall remain the responsibility and for the joint benefit of the persons who were members of the Association at this dissolution.