Ghana Psychological Association Constitution

Transcription

1 Ghana Psychological Association Constitution ARTICLE I: TITLE Name In this constitution, The Association shall beknown as the Ghana Psychological Association (GPA) herein after referred to as The Association. ARTICLE II: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The Association shall concern itself with all matters affecting professional practice of Psychology and related professional practice in Ghana, and shall take such action with respect there to as may be considered expedient. In pursuance of this, The Association shall seek to: Maximize the impact(s) of practice of the various constituent bodies on the generality of the country as they avail the public of their services. Foster cooperation among members of the different constituent bodies both on intra and inter disciplinary level. Section 4 Promote, support and enhance research activities. Encourage and support the publication of psychological literature Section 5 a. Collaborate with Psychological Council for professional training. b. Be responsible for certification of individuals who seek to apply for membership. c. Be responsible for professional development of members. Section 6 Ensure that the established ethical standards are adhered to in practice.

2 Section 7 Collaborate with Psychological Council to promote and monitor private practice within the confines of the law. Section 8 Enhance productive working relations with Psychological organisations, psychologists and other professional organizations. Section 9 Enhance productive working relations with other non-psychological professional organisations 0 Collaborate with Psychological Council to monitor and provide training for Para-health professionals Article III: MEMBERSHIP The Association shall be open to individuals and constitute bodies. Where there are constituent bodies, registration shall be through them. Membership shall be on the following criteria: i. Professional Membership: Professional membership is opened to holders of a second degree and above and any other level deemed as acceptable in the respective disciplines. ii. Honorary Membership: An honorary membership status, shall be conferred on any person (Ghanaian or otherwise) who has rendered distinguished service in promoting the objectives of The Association. Whoever is to become an honorary member shall be nominated by the Executive Committee of the constituent body for approval and appointment by The Association. iii. Students Membership: This degree of membership is open to all students pursuing post graduate and undergraduate studies in psychology and any other level deemed appropriate in respective disciplines covered by The Association. iv. Associate Membership: Associate membership shall be conferred to 1st degree holders in related areas of psychology or any otherbehavioural sciences deemed appropriate. v. Para-health professionals: This shall comprise of Pastors, Counselors, Health counselors.

3 Section 4 Application/Registration: Qualified members shall be registered and notified by the National Secretary. Such a member shall be given his/ her Certificate of Membership. Section 5 The Association shall maintain a register of approved membership. ARTICLE IV: STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION The Association shall be structured as follows: Constituent bodies comprising sub disciplines in psychology shall have full responsibility of their own respective administration but shall report to the Constituent Assembly of The Association. shall function as: Each constituent body shall have at least the following offices, which a. Chairperson b. Vice Chairperson c. Recording Secretary d. Treasurer e. An Editor Section 4 Each constituent body shall meet at least once a year. The Constituent Assembly of The Association shall comprise three members from each constituent body. These shall include the Recording Secretary. Chairperson and the Section 5 Constituent bodies shall have their own By-Laws. However, these by-laws shall be presented to the Constituent Assembly of The Association for approval. Section 6 following: The Elected National Officers of The Association shall include the

4 a. The National President b. The National Vice President c. The National Secretary d. The National Treasurer e. The National Organizing Secretary f. The National Students Section Representative g. National Public Relations Officer h. President elect i. National Representative for Para-professionals Section 7 Association. The Annual General Meeting shall comprise all members of The ARTICLE V: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE General Functions: The National Executive Council shall be concerned with the implementation of the objectives of The Association and generally with the carrying into effect of the provisions of this constitution, and in particular be responsible for the following matters: a. The administration and management of the affair of The Association. b. Establishment of a system of Licensure for practice. c. Maintenance and publication of a register of qualified psychologists to practice in Ghana. d. Ensuring professional, conduct, etiquette and discipline. e. Ensuring the enhancement of professional practice through lectures, workshops, seminars, research publications etc. f. Ensuring well being and advancement of The Association. g. Controlling the finances and budgetary affair of The Association h. Have discretionary powers in useful and beneficiary matters, which are not overtly provided by the constitutional provisions.]

5 i. Establishing a secretariat and appointing such administrative and other staff as may be required. j. Organizing the Annual General Meeting. k. Arranging for the auditing of The Association s account before presentation at the Annual General Meeting. Functions of Officers a. The President shall: i. preside at all meetings of The Association. ii. direct and co-ordinate all activities for the smooth running of The Association. iii. co-sign with the treasurer or secretary all cheques in connection with the transaction of The Association. iv. have a casting vote b. The Vice President shall: i. act in the absence of the president. ii. perform duties as delegated by the president. c. The National Secretary shall; i. in consultation with the president call meetings of The Association. ii. take and keep accurate minutes of meetings. iii. take care of all correspondence of The Association. iv. prepare the annual report and any report on the activities of The Association. v. be a signatory to The Association s accounts. d. The Treasure shall: i. be responsible for the presentation of a statement on the financial transactions of The Association at the Annual General meeting. ii. be co-signatory to all cheques with the President or the Secretary. iii. keep records of accurate account of all financial transactions iv. handle all finances of The Association. v. collect all dues and notify members whose dues are in arrears. vi. Present an audited account at the Annual General Meeting

6 e. The National Students Section Chairperson shall: i. Represent the students section during the National Executive Council Meetings. ii. Present reports on student section activities to the National Executive Committee. f. National Organising Secretary g. National representative for para-professionals Annual General Meeting: The supreme powers of The Association shall be embedded in the general body of The Association shall be embedded in the general body of The Association expressed in this constitution as Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting shall: a. ratify or sanction the activities of the National Executive Council. The National Executive Council shall remain subordinate in all matters and shall go beyond the explicit wishes of The Association on major issues nor act contrary to it. b. assume responsibility for the maintenance of discipline as recommended by the National Executive Council. c. Fix the date and place of its general meeting (A.G.M). d. Appoint auditors and receive their reports posted to members at least one calendar month before the Annual General Meeting. e. elect (7) member irrespective of constituent bodies to serve in the Constituent Assembly of The Association. f. ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS At the National Executive Council level, the president, the secretary and one other member from each constituent body shall be members of the constituent Assembly of The Association.

7 Any member of the Constituent Assembly elected to the National Executive Council shall be nominated by one (1) member and seconded by two or more members of The Association who are equally eligible for election. All Constituent Body elections shall be held latest a month before the Annual General Meeting. Section 4 by secret balloting. Section 5 and be voted for. Section 6 Unless otherwise decided by The Association, voting shall be Only professional and paid members shall be eligible to vote Election into office shall be by simple majority. Section 7 Constituent Assembly shall fill any vacancy occurring therein between one Annual General Meeting and the next where voting shall be done. Section 8 In the event of a tie, the chairperson shall have a casting vote. Section 9 Tenure of office:the tenure of office for National Officers and members of Constituent Assembly of The Association shall be 2 years. ARTICLE VII : MEETINGS There shall be an Annual General Meeting of The Association in the month of August each year. All members shall have the right to attend the Annual General Meeting. Non-paid up members do not have the right to vote. of the next annual meeting. At the Annual General Meeting shall fix the venue and the date Section 4 The Annual General Meeting shall consider any matters of interest affecting The Association provided they have been presented to the secretary not later than forty (40) days before the next meeting.

8 Section 5 There can be an extra ordinary (emergency) meeting of the general body summoned at the instance of the National Executive Council upon demand in writing signed by not than 20% of paid up members and spread over 20% of the constituent bodies. Section 6 For such a meeting, at least (15) shall reach the members. Section 7 A requisition for extraordinary meeting shall specify to a satisfactory degree the nature of business to be transacted. Section 8 Should the National Executive fail, to convene such a meeting after twenty-one (21) days of its notice being fixed, the requisitioners may themselves convene a meeting of The Association. Section 9 Meeting of National Executive Council: The National Executive Council shall meet at least twice a year. 0 The National Executive Council shall appoint standing subcommittees as it may deem fit. It may also have the power to co-opt other members. 1 The Constituent Assembly of The Association shall meet at least twice a year to discuss among other things: 1. Preparation for next Annual Meeting 2. Report of the Annual General Meeting. ARTICLE VIII: QUORUM The quorum for ordinary Annual General Meeting shall be twenty percent (20%) the qualified members spread over fifty percent (50%) of constituent bodies. The quorum for extraordinary (emergency) meeting shall be not less than 20% of qualified members spread over 25% of constituent bodies. membership. The quorum for the Constituent Assembly shall be (1/3) of it s

9 The quorum for the National Executive Council shall be two-third (2/3) of it s membership of which the President or the Vice, and the Secretary or the Vice shall be present. Article IX Financial provisions The National Executive Council may; subscription as The Association may from time to time. The National Executive Council shall establish and maintain under its management and control accounts into which shall be paid all monies received by The Association. The National Executive Council may invest the funds of The Association in any securities approved by The Association. Section 4 The financial year of The Association commences on the 1st January and ends on the 31st December of the year. Section 5 The annual accounts of The Association shall be audited by professional qualified auditors, appointed by The Association before each general meeting. Section 6 The accounts of the preceding year as audited shall be submitted for approval by The Association at the Annual General Meeting. Section 7 The income and property of The Association shall be applied solely towards the promoting of the objectives of The Association.

10 ARTICLE X REGULATIONS The Association shall have a document named regulation which shall contain admission, and membership procedures, professional practice, disciplinary provisions, and mode of discipline, account keeping and miscellaneous. regulations. All psychologists shall abide by the provisions of the ARTICLE XI CODE OF ETHICS The Code of Ethics of The Association Shall be perceived in the document, Ghana Psychological Association code of ethics. Ethics. All psychologists shall abide by the provisions of the Code of ARTICLE XII General Meeting. AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION Amendment of the constitution shall be tabled at the Annual 1. A proposal for amendment (as with all other resolutions) shall be communicated to the National Secretary. 2. The notification of the proposed amendment shall be communicated to each constituent body at least to the Annual General Meeting. An amendment shall be carried by two-thirds (2/3) majority of members present and voting.