Constitution of the Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students

Approved 9/24/2010

Article I

The Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students shall be governed firstly by the policies and regulations of Texas Tech University and secondly by the following By-Laws:

Article II – Goals/Purpose

The Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students exists for the following purposes:

1.      To serve as an advocate for members (e.g., present concerns to faculty, make suggestions to the department about the program, appoint student advisory board representative, act as representative to faculty)

2.      To serve as an information source for members (about jobs, training, educational information, etc.)

3.      Integrate students socially into the program (coordinating mentor program for incoming Counseling Psychology students)

4.      To fund opportunities for professional development (e.g., funding for conference attendance)

5.      To aid in the recruitment of new graduate students to the Psychology department

6.      To promote the reputation of Texas Tech University (e.g., through professional memberships, volunteer work)

Article III – Membership

All graduate students admitted to the Counseling Division of the Psychology Department at Texas Tech University are eligible to be members of this organization. Students who have paid their yearly dues are considered members. However, all counseling psychology students are welcome and encouraged to participate in Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students events. 

 Article IV – Officers

Section 1

The Co-presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer shall be elected at the end of the Fall semester of each year by a simple majority vote by members done via secret ballot.

Section 2

Candidates for offices should have the following qualifications:

1.   At least 50% attendance at meetings/fundraisers/volunteer projects/outreach projects of the previous year or semester if in the first year of graduate training

2.    Payment of dues for the semester of election

3.   Good academic standing

4.    For the Co-president positions only, one Co-president must have a first or second year status, and the other must have a third year and beyond status

The presence of these qualifications will be determined by the current officers and/or the faculty advisor. Any of these qualifications may be waived by the faculty advisor or the current officers if they deem it necessary or in the best interests of the organization.

Section 3

The entities of the Officers of the Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students will include the following responsibilities:

1.      The Co-presidents will be responsible for:

a.       Supervising/overseeing the work of the other officers and ensuring that they function together as an effective team

b.      Acting as spokespeople/representatives/external liaisons for the organization

c.       Scheduling and running officer organization meetings

d.      In the absence of volunteers, identifying committee chairs

2.      The Secretary will be responsible for:

a.       Recording and distributing pertinent information, including meeting minutes, upcoming events, and opportunities to all members

b.      Handling all organizational correspondence

c.       Maintaining organizational files and records including internship information

3.      The Treasurer will be responsible for:

a.       Reporting regularly, to organizational officers and members, the status of the organization’s financial situation

b.      Managing day-to-day financial transactions, recording and paying bill reimbursements, depositing/withdrawing funds

Article V –Meetings

Section 1

The stated meetings of the organization shall be held on the last Friday of each month, during the long semesters. Additional meetings may be held at any time deemed necessary by the officers, following at least a three-day public notice displayed by usual means in the Psychology Department at Texas Tech University.

Section 2

A quorum shall consist of at least 70% of the average number of members in attendance at the previous three regular meetings.

Article VI – Relations to Other Local, State, or National Organization

There are no present or intended relations of the organization to any other local, state, or national organizations.

Article VII – Proposed Activities

Travel Funding

Section 1

In the event that the organization elects to allocate funds for travel, the funds will be distributed as follows:

Section 2

Students who will be traveling to conventions must submit an application for travel funds at least four weeks prior to travel. The student application for travel funds is available on the Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students’ website: http://www.orgs.ttu.edu/gocops/webpages/rforms.htm.

Section 3

The allocation of the travel funds will be based on meeting/fundraising/   outreach/volunteer attendance (50% or higher) and payment of dues for the current semester. Student applications shall be reviewed and prioritized by the executive committee (established by Article VIII) prior to organization approval. Successful travel funding applicants will receive funds based on the allotted budget constraints of each fiscal year. The executive committee will make current travel fund allotments – based on yearly budgetary figures – known during regular organization meetings.

Outreach/Volunteer Projects

The organization will participate in at least one outreach or volunteer project per semester. The outreach or volunteer project will be determined by the executive committee.

Article VIII – Committees

The executive committee shall be composed of the Co-presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. Additional offices may be created by vote of membership. All officers shall serve a 12-month term beginning with the Spring semester.

The elections committee shall be composed of two members who are not running for the offices of co-president, secretary, or treasurer.

The composition and duties of the travel funding committee has been described in Article VII.

Article IX – Advisor

The Director of the Division of Counseling Psychology, Texas Tech University, Department of Psychology, shall serve as the faculty advisor. The faculty advisor shall provide advice and counsel on all matters concerning this organization.

Article X – Accepting Rules of Order

Robert’s Rules of Order – Newly Revised will be the rules of order governing the meetings of this organization.

Article XI – Amendments

Any addition, substitution, revision, or correction to these By-Laws must be proposed by a member of this organization, voted on, and passed by a majority of the quorum.

By-Laws

The Graduate Organization of Counseling Psychology Students annual or semester dues must be paid prior to the execution of voting privileges on any matters regarding financial expenditures.