Constitution
(Updated at AGM on 26 March 2022)
1.
NAME
The name of the Society is “Singapore Psychological Society”.
INITIALS AND SYMBOL
2.
2.1
2.2
3.
The initials of the Society are SPS.
The symbol of the Society is the Greek letter Ψ (psi).
PLACE OF BUSINESS
The place of business of the Society shall be in Singapore as
decided upon by the Council and approved by the Registrar of
Societies.
4.
AIM
The aim of the Society is to advance psychology as a science and
as a profession in Singapore.
5.
FUNCTION
5.1
To promote and disseminate knowledge in psychology and its
applications for the benefit of the individual and society.
5.2
5.3
To promote psychological research and organise meetings on
matters in particular fields of psychology.
To introduce, encourage and maintain proper standards in the
development, use, evaluation, or standardisation of all instruments,
techniques or devices for use in the practice of psychology in
Singapore.
5.4
5.5
To seek to ensure that psychological tests and equipment are
made available only to persons whom the Society deems
appropriately qualified.
To advocate, set up and maintain high standards of professional
standing and conduct for its members in respect of the teaching,
researching or practicing of psychology.
Constitution
(Updated at AGM on 26 March 2022)
5.6
To disseminate information about opportunities for professional
work, and to make recommendations from time to time to members
and to employers about desirable qualifications and remuneration.
5.7
To safeguard the professional interests of members and to support
all legitimate efforts to extend the knowledge and professional
expertise of members, whether by research, encouragement of the
publication of reports, documents or books on psychology, by
facilitating access to relevant material, or by any other legal means.
5.8
5.9
To liaise with organisations of psychologists elsewhere and with
societies representing other professions, and to foster good
relations with the public.
To lay down requirements for membership of the Society, to
maintain a directory of members with details of their names,
addresses, qualifications, appointments and experience, and to
regulate the practice of psychology by setting the criteria for
practice and by registering qualified practitioners in a Register of
Psychologists practising in Singapore.
5.10
5.11
To collect funds from membership fees; to keep proper account of
such funds and to administer them in accordance with the Society's
aim.
To do all that may be necessary and proper to protect the
individual or general public against unsound practices, and to
restrict the use of the term 'Psychologist' to Full members of the
Society and to those whose qualifications are acceptable to the
Society.
5.12
To exercise such other functions as the Society may from time to
time deem feasible and desirable to realise its aims.
6.
MEMBERSHIP
6.1
The categories of membership are as follows:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Student Members
Affiliate Members
Associate Members
Full Members
Fellows
Honorary Fellows and
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Constitution
(Updated at AGM on 26 March 2022)
g)
Overseas Student / Affiliate / Associate / Full / Fellow /
Honorary Fellow Members
There will be a standing committee called the Membership
Committee to receive, scrutinise and recommend to the Council,
the acceptance or not of application for membership.
The Membership Committee shall be determined annually by the
Council. The Chairperson of the Committee shall sit ex-officio on
the Council. The Committee shall maintain records of its
deliberations, the reasons for its recommendations and list of
members of the Society as required under Section 5.9 of the
Constitution.
6.2
For eligibility to apply, the intending members shall meet the
following requirements:
a) For the Student / Overseas Student Member, the minimum
requirement shall be full time or part time study with one or more
Psychology courses in a tertiary institution.
b) For the Affiliate / Overseas Affiliate Member category, the
minimum qualification is the completion of tertiary education.
c) For the Associate Member / Overseas Associate Member, the
minimum qualification is one of the following:
(c1) Polytechnic diploma in Psychology.
(c2) Graduate and post-graduate diploma in psychology.
(c3) Bachelor’s degree with 50% of curriculum in psychology.
(c4) Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
(c5) Honours degree in Psychology.
(c6) Master’s degree in Psychology.
d) For the Full / Overseas Full Member, the minimum
qualification is one of the following:
(d1) A Bachelor’s degree in psychology or equivalent, or a
Master's degree in psychology or equivalent, recognised
by the Society, with 2 years’ relevant work experience.
(d2) A Bachelor’s degree in psychology or equivalent,
recognised by the Society, together with a further
qualification in psychology which may be a Master's or a
Doctoral degree or equivalent.
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Constitution
(Updated at AGM on 26 March 2022)
(d3) A Master’s or a Doctoral degree or a post graduate
professional qualification in a specialised field in
psychology from a recognised academic institution, such
qualification having entailed supervised practical training
of not less than 400 hours in a variety of settings.
(d4) A licensed, chartered or registered psychologist legally
entitled to practise as a professional psychologist in
one of the following countries or states: an Australian
state, Canada, New Zealand, United States of
America, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, or such other countries as the Council may
from time to time determine.
(d5)
Full
membership
with
an
overseas
national
psychological society recognised by the Society.
e) Overseas Student Member / Affiliate / Associate / Full Members
shall fulfill the requirements as at Sections 6.2a), 6.2b), 6.2c),
6.2d) above, and they reside overseas.
f) Only members appropriately qualified under Sections 6.2d),
6.3 or 6.4 shall be entitled to use the following designations;
Clinical Psychologist; Counselling Psychologist; Educational
Psychologist; Forensic Psychologist, Health Psychologist,
Industrial
or
Occupational
Psychologist,
Neurological
Sports
Psychologist,
Organizational
Psychologist,
Psychologist or any combination of the above terms.
In their professional dealings, Members and Fellows are
allowed and encouraged to use the acronyms MSPS and
FSPS, respectively, to denote their associations with the
society.
6.3
A Fellow / Overseas Fellow must be well-established and has
made substantial original contribution to the advancement of
psychological knowledge or practice. Fellows of the SPS shall
either be proposed by Fellows of overseas psychological societies
or by the Council. Honorary Fellows shall be unanimously invited
by the Council after seeking the counsel of eminent psychologists
within and beyond Singapore.
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Constitution
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6.4
An application for membership shall be supported by two
members, or two letters of recommendation from academic or
work place supervisors.
6.5
The Council is entitled to grant or refuse applications for
membership and reserves the right not to give any reasons for
rejection.
6.6
6.7
Membership of the Society shall not be cited as a professional
qualification.
The Council shall issue guidelines on supervision requirements. An
Associate Member wishing to apply for full membership by virtue of
supervised work experience under Section 6.2(c3) shall seek the
prior approval of the Council.
6.8
In their professional dealings, Full Members and Fellows are
allowed and encouraged to use the acronyms MSPS and FSPS,
respectively, to denote their association with the Society.
7.
FEES
7.1
Application and all membership fees shall be determined by the
General Meeting on recommendation from the Council from time
to time.
7.2
7.3
Apart from Student Members, there will be a processing fee to
be submitted with each set of application forms. Honorary
Fellows will not be required to pay fees. Life Membership
Category was ceased in 2012.
The Council is empowered to revise fees, except application and
all membership fees, as and when necessary. Subject to the
approval of members at a General Meeting, membership shall
lapse if it is not sustained for twelve months after the
commencement of each fiscal year.
7.4
7.5
A prevailing reinstatement fee will be imposed in addition to the
outstanding unpaid membership dues.
Full Members who reside overseas for more than six months in
any calendar year but are domiciled in Singapore shall be liable to
pay the subscription rate for Overseas Members in respect of any
such year.
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Constitution
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7.6
A late payment will be imposed for late submission of SRP PD
Log after six months.
8.
THECOUNCIL
8.1
The Council elected by the members in accordance with the
Constitution governs the Society under the Constitution and in
accordance with the wishes of the members as expressed at
General Meetings.
8.2
8.3
8.4
The Council consists of thirteen Full Members, to be elected by
secret ballot, personal or postal, at the Annual General Meeting,
from the Society by members.
The Council comprises the President, the Vice-President, the
Honorary Secretary, the Assistant Honorary Secretary, the
Honorary Treasurer and eight Council Members.
Council members are elected for a two-year term of office with co-
option by the elected members to fill any interim vacancies or
additionally with co-option of Full Members. The President and
Vice-President must be Singapore citizens or Singapore permanent
residents. Documentary proofs of length of stay and employment in
Singapore may be required.
8.5
8.6
No Council member shall serve for more than four consecutive
terms of eight years; and the Honorary Treasurer shall serve not
more than two consecutive terms of four years.
A quorum of the Council is constituted by one half of its members
providing one President is present and decisions of the Council,
where a consensus has not been reached, shall be taken by a
simple majority of Council members present and voting.
8.7
The Council shall meet at least once every three months, with
proxies allowed, and in a tie, only the President has a casting vote.
9.
DUTIESOFTHECOUNCIL
9.1
The President shall represent the Society in its dealings with
outside persons.
9.2
The Vice-President shall deputise in the President's absence.
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Constitution
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9.3
The Honorary Secretary shall keep all records save financial, and
minutes of all Council and General Meetings, and shall be
responsible for their correctness.
9.4
9.5
The Assistant Honorary Secretary shall deputise in the Honorary
Secretary's absence.
The Honorary Treasurer shall keep all funds, collect and disburse
all monies on behalf of the Society, and shall keep an account of all
monetary transactions and be responsible for their correctness.
9.6
9.7
9.8
The Honorary Treasurer shall present the Annual Financial
Statements at the Annual General Meeting after it has been duly
audited.
The Council Members shall assist in the duties of the Council in
organizing and supervising the daily activities of the Society, and in
making decisions on matters affecting its smooth running.
Council Members shall not absent themselves from two
consecutive meetings without just cause.
10.
SUB-COMMITTEES
10.1
The Society shall, when necessary or feasible, form sub-
committees to promote its own welfare.
10.2
The requirements for and mode of forming such sub-committees
shall be such as the Council shall from time to time determine.
11.
BUSINESS MEETINGS
11.1
The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 31st of
March of the following year.
11.2
11.3
The Honorary Secretary shall give members six weeks’ notice of
the date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting.
Nominations for election to the Council shall be received by the
Honorary Secretary four weeks before the Annual General
Meeting, and shall contain the written consent of the candidate and
signatures of the proposer and of the seconder who shall be
members of the Society.
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Constitution
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11.4
11.5
11.6
The Honorary Secretary shall give two weeks’ notice to members
of the valid nominations for election to the Council.
In the event that no nomination is received for any one post,
nomination from the floor will be accepted.
Resolutions and requests for matters to be put on the agenda shall
be received by the Honorary Secretary four weeks before the
Annual General Meeting, and the Honorary Secretary shall give
members notice of these resolutions and other matters two weeks
before the AGM.
11.7
Upon receipt of a written request of one third of members that a
General Meeting be held for the purpose of transacting stated
business, the Council shall summon a Meeting to be held within
four weeks.
11.8
11.9
The Honorary Secretary shall give members two weeks of notice
of the date, time and place of that meeting, but no business other
than that stated in the notice shall be transacted thereat.
All General Meetings shall require half the total number of
voting members to form a quorum, failing which the Meeting be
adjourned for half an hour with ten voting members as quorum
provided that they shall have no power to amend any part of the
existing Constitution; then if failing, another Meeting shall be
called within two weeks regardless of attendance but no
alteration to the agenda or Constitution shall be made.
11.10
Decisions at General Meetings shall be by simple majority of the
Full Members present, and voting through a show of hands, save
where the President decides on, or one third of Full Members
present request a secret ballot.
11.11
11.12
Amendments to the Constitution shall require a majority of two
thirds of the Full Members present and voting; and in a tie, only the
President has a casting vote.
The Society shall not be dissolved save with the expressed
consent, either in person or by proxy at a General Meeting
convened for that purpose, of three fifth of its Full Members for the
time being residents in Singapore, and notice of the dissolution be
given within seven days to the Registrar of Societies.
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Constitution
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11.13
In the event of a dissolution, all debts and liabilities legally incurred
on behalf of the Society shall be fully discharged and any
remaining monies shall be donated to Institution of Public
Character in Singapore.
12.
FINANCIAL YEAR AND AUDIT
12.1
12.2
The financial year shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
There shall be elected two internal auditors from amongst
members who are not members of the Council.
12.3
A firm of Chartered Accountants (Singapore) shall be appointed as
external auditors by the Council. They will be required to audit the
annual accounts of the Society.
13.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
13.1
The Council is empowered to develop a code of professional
behaviour and shall determine or seek to secure the observance of
professional standards as stated in the Code of Ethics.
13.2
13.3
In the event of any adverse report in writing concerning
professional ethics against any actual or intending member being
received by the Council, the person concerned shall be informed,
and invited to make his representation on the matter upon which
the Council shall determine termination of or exclusion from
membership or otherwise, by a majority vote.
Any person aggrieved at termination of or exclusion from
membership of the Society shall have the right to appeal to a
General Meeting at which any motion to reverse the decision of the
Council shall be admitted and becomes effective upon a majority of
two thirds of the members present and voting by secret ballot,
providing there is a quorum.
14.
CITIZENSHIP
14.1
The Society makes no discrimination over citizenship or residence
of members save Council members shall be residents in Singapore
at the material time.
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Constitution
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14.2
Foreigners suitably qualified on becoming Full members with the
Council's approval shall have full voting rights.
15.
PROHIBITIONS
15.1
Gambling of any kind such as the playing of cards whether for
stakes or not, and the introduction of materials for gambling or
opium smoking and of bad characters into the Society's premises is
prohibited.
15.2
15.3
The funds of the Society shall not be used to pay the fines of
members who have been convicted in Court.
The Society shall not attempt to restrict or in any other manner
interfere with trade or prices, or engage in any Trade Union activity
as defined in written law relating to trade unions for the time being
in force in Singapore.
15.4
15.5
The Society shall not hold any lottery, whether confined to its
members or not, in the name of the Society or its office-bearers, or
members.
The Society shall not indulge in any political activity or allow its
funds and premises to be used for political purposes.
16.
AMENDMENTS TO RULES AND INTERPRETATION
16.1
No alterations or additions to these rules shall be made save at a
General Meeting, and they shall not come into force without the
prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies.
16.2
In the event of any question or matter arising out of any point which
is not expressly provided for in the rules, the Council shall have
power to use its discretion. The decision of the Council shall be final
unless it is reversed at a General Meeting of members.
End of Constitution
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