GrASP Constitution – Graduate Association of Students in Psychology

The GrASP constitution outlines our mission statement, officer positions, and policies. If you’re considering running for a GrASP position or are curious about the organization, please read through the constitution below.

Photo of The Court of Carolinas — Students head to class along the Court of North Carolina. PHOTO BY ROGER WINSTEAD

FORMAL NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION. The official name of this organization shall be the Graduate Association for Students in Psychology (henceforth referred to as GrASP).
MISSION STATEMENT (PURPOSE). The mission and purpose of thisorganization shall be to provide both academic and social support to graduate students in the Department of Psychology at North Carolina State University (henceforth referred to as the Department). Support may take the form of: (a) organizing professional development workshops and seminars, (b) organizing social events for students in the Department, (c) fundraising and/or lobbying for funds to assist students’ attendance at professional/career development events, (d) facilitating communication between faculty, staff, and students, and (e) responding to the needs of students in the Department as they occur over time.
MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION. This organization shall be comprised of graduate students in the five program areas of the Department (PSG, human factors and applied cognition; PSI, industrialorganizational psychology; PSD, lifespan developmental psychology; ASC, applied social and community psychology; and PSS, school psychology) who are currently enrolled for at least 1 credit hour.
NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE. When choosing its members, this organization will not discriminate against anyone for their gender or gender identity, race, age, disability, religious affiliation, national origin, political beliefs, genetic information, or veteran status
OFFICERS. Officers of this organization will serve together as the GrASP Leadership Team (henceforth referred to as the Team). Available offices and corresponding duties are as follows:
1. PRESIDENT. The President’s duties will include:
  1. Schedule and preside over all executive and membership meetings
  2. Represent GrASP and its members at all times
  3. Manage Appropriations and Election processes, as well as organization email
  4. Oversee the actions and duties of all other officers
2. VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice President’s duties will include:
  1. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  2. Represent GrASP and its members at all times
  3. Preside over meetings in the event of the President’s absence
  4. Two year position; Vice-President serves with intentions of becoming President the following academic year
  5. Organize and advertise GrASP events
3. SECRETARY. The Secretary’s duties will include:
  1. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  2. Keep accurate history and records of organization activities and meetings
  3. Write and distribute meeting minutes for each meeting
  4. Assist in Election process
    Students chat between classes outside Park Shops.
4. TREASURER. The Treasurer’s duties will include:
  1. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  2. Keep accurate history and records of organization expenditures
  3. Confer with the Department’s Executive Assistant regarding status of account(s)
  4. Assist in Appropriations process
5. FACULTY LIAISON. The Faculty Liaison’s duties will include:
  1. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  2. Represent GrASP and its members at all times
  3. Attend monthly faculty meetings and report back to the Team with updates
6. GSA REPRESENTATIVE. The GSA Representative’s duties will include:
  1. Attend all GSA meetings or find alternate to attend
  2. Serve on GSA subcommittee
  3. Keep GrASP members informed of all GSA activities
  4. Coordinate between GrASP and GSA as needed
  5. Newly elected representative must attend annual GSA transition meeting with the outgoing representative
7. PROGRAM AREA REP RESENTATIVES (PSG, PSI, PSD, ASC, PSS). Each program area should have ONE (1) Representative, for a total of FIVE (5) positions. The Representative from each program area will hold the following responsibilities:
  1. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  2. Attend program area faculty meetings (if any and if allowed)
  3. Communicate the specific needs of students in their program area to the Team
  4. Communicate relevant information to students in their program areas
  5. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  6. Maintain the GrASP website, Facebook page, and any other digital communications
8. WEBMASTER. The Webmaster’s duties will include:
  1. Attend all executive and membership meetings
  2. Maintain the GrASP website, Facebook page, and any other digital communications
OFFICER TRANSITION PERIOD. Newly elected officers will assume their position responsibilities on the last day of April. Current officers must meet with newly elected officers for a oneonone transition meeting prior to this date. Additionally, current officers must provide some form of written documentation about the position responsibilities. This documentation must also be added to the shared GrASP folder.
NCSU students walk across the Court of Carolinas on a sunny fall afternoon. Photo by Becky Kirkland
DECISION-MAKING MODEL. As a general rule, the GrASP Leadership Team shall use majority vote to make decisions regarding events, programs, and other actions of the organization. Members not present at the time of voting shall relinquish their right to vote.
MEETINGS. Meetings will be held monthly (as scheduled by the President) and are required for all officers. The Team reserves the right to open a meeting(s) to students in the Department.
ADVISOR(S). Because this is an academic organization, the Advisor(s) will be a faculty member(s) who is an instructor in the Department. Advisor duties will be to observe and oversee the efforts of GrASP and assist when necessary. The Advisor does not have voting rights.
FUNDING. GrASP will seek funding from the University Graduate Student Association (GSA). The organization will also hold 12 fundraisers per academic year to bring in additional funding.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. This constitution may be amended by the Team and general membership with a 2/3 vote.
BENEFICIARY ADDENDUM. Should this organization cease to exist, our funds will be donated to the North Carolina State University Department of Psychology.
ENABLING CLAUSE. This constitution was voted on and effective on this day the twentyfifth of March in the year two thousand and sixteen.