Statute of the Polish Social Psychological Society

 

(Consolidated text)
adopted by the PSPS General Assembly of Founders on
October 1, 2004, with amendments adopted on January 22, 2005, and amendments adopted by the PSPS General Assembly of PSPS Members on September 14, 2009, September 10, 2010, September 17, 2016, September 19, 2024.

 

Chapter 1

General Provisions

Article 1

The Society adopted the name Polish Social Psychological Society, hereafter referred to as the Society.

Article 2.

The Society may operate in the territory Republic of Poland, and its Board’s registered office is in Warsaw.

Article 3.

The Society shall operate in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and on the basis of the Act of April 7, 1989 “Law on Associations” (Journal of Law of the Republic of Poland, No. 20, item 104, as amended) and has legal personality.

Article 4.

The Society may establish its sections under the rules outlined in this Statute.

Article 5.

The Society may become a member of local and foreign associations.

Article 6.

The Society uses a stamp with the following content: Polish Social Psychological Society.

Article 7.

  1. The Society operates on the activity and community service of its members.
  2. The Society may hire employees to pursue its tasks.
  3. The Society may engage in business activities.

Chapter II

Objectives and forms of activity

Article 8.

  1. The purpose of the Society is to create conditions for the development of scientific social psychology and the integration of the community of social psychologists.
  2. The Society realizes its mission through:
    1. Publishing periodicals and books on social psychology issues,
    2. Organizing conferences and seminars,
    3. Supporting young researchers,
    4. Popularizing social psychology in the media,
    5. Working toward the improvement of teaching programs in higher education,
    6. Conducting research, consulting, training, giving expertise,
    7. Giving opinions on legislative changes and events related to science and its applications

Chapter III

Membership in the Society and the rights and obligations associated with it.

Article 9.

Members of the Society may have the status of:

  1. A regular member,
  2. A junior member,
  3. An honorary member,

Article 10.

Regular membership may be granted to a person who:

  1. Is a founding member of the Society,
  2. Holds a doctoral degree and has a scientific track record in the field of social psychology, who presents two recommendations from individuals with regular membership and is approved by the Board,
  3. Is a junior member after obtaining their doctoral degree.

Article 11.

  1. Junior membership may be granted to a person who has completed their second year of higher studies, who presents two recommendations from individuals with regular membership and is approved by the Board.
  2. Junior membership automatically expires in the calendar year following the attainment of a doctoral degree. Junior membership also ceases upon resignation from pursuing a doctoral degree.
  3. A person holding junior membership should promptly inform the Board of attaining a doctoral degree or of their resignation from pursuing the doctoral degree. Regular membership is automatically granted starting from the next calendar year following the attainment of the doctoral degree.

Article 12.

  1. An honorary member may be a legal or natural person who has made notable contributions to the development of social psychology and is recommended by the PSPS Board and approved by the General Assembly.
  2. An application for the granting of honorary membership may be submitted to the Board by a group of at least five individuals holding regular membership.
  3. Honorary membership may also be granted to an individual holding regular membership. In this case, the individual is not subject to the restrictions arising from Article 16 (1).

Article 13.

  1. The decision to grant regular and junior membership is made by Main Board of the Society upon the application of the interested person. An application for regular membership is not required from a person who has obtained a doctoral degree within five years of acquiring junior membership.
  2. The General Assembly decides to grant honorary membership at the request of the PSPS Board.

Article 14.

  1. In the event of a negative decision of the PSPS Board, as referred to in Article 13(1), the applicant has the right to appeal to the General Assembly of the PSPS.
  2. A resolution of the General Assembly of the Society is final.

Article 15.

A person holding regular membership has the right to both active and passive electoral rights.

They have the right to:

  1. Participate in all forms of statutory activities of the Society,
  2. Use of scientific, advisory and legal assistance of the Society,
  3. Develop individual activities according to their competence and following the Statute of the Society.

Article 16.

  1. An honorary member has all the rights and obligations of a regular member, except for the active and passive voting rights for the authorities of the Society.
  2. An honorary member is exempt from paying membership fees.
  3. A junior member has all the rights and duties of a regular member, except for the passive electoral rights. Their membership fees shall be half of the regular members’ fee.

Article 17.

Individuals holding regular or junior membership are obliged to:

  1. Comply with the provisions of the Statute, and the regulations and resolutions of the Society’s authorities,
  2. Actively participate in the implementation of the Society’s statutory objectives,
  3. Adhere to the principles of professional ethics and care for the welfare and human rights
  4. Pay membership fees regularly.

Article 18.

  1. Membership of regular and junior members ceases as a result of:
    1. a voluntary withdrawal reported in written form to the PSPS Board,
    2. a removal executed by the PSPS Board based on an evasion of membership obligations,
    3. an exclusion resulting from a decision of the Peer Court.
  2. Removal from the list of members by the PSPS Board occurs in the event of:
    1. unexcused lack of membership fee payment for two years,
    2. death of a member.
  3. In the event of termination of regular or junior member statuses for the reason specified in paragraph 1(2), their reinstatement can occur only after payment of dues to the Society.
  4. A decision of the Board regarding expulsion may be appealed to the General Assembly of the Society within 14 days from the date of receipt of the resolution in writing.
  5. A resolution of the General Assembly of the Society is final.

Article 19.

Honorary membership ceases as a result:

  1. a voluntary withdrawal reported in written form to the General Board,
  2. a removal of the honorary member by a decision of the General Assembly in the event of failure to fulfill the membership obligations.

Chapter IV

Authorities of the Society

Article 20.

  1. The authorities of the Society are:
    1. the General Assembly of the PSPS members,
    2. the PSPS Board,
    3. the PSPS Audit Committee,
    4. the PSPS Peer Tribunal.
  2. The term of office of the PSPS Board, the PSPS Audit Committee and the PSPS Peer Tribunal is three years, and their election is by secret ballot.
  3. Members elected to become authorities of the Society may serve the same function for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
  4. Resolutions of the Society’s authorities are adopted by a regular majority of votes in the presence of at least half of the members with voting rights unless the Statute states otherwise.

The rules and procedure of the election campaign

Article 21.

  1. Elections to all authority positions of the Society are held at the General Assembly.
  2. Candidates must agree in writing to run for positions of authority.
  3. Elections are held by secret ballot.

General Assembly of the PSPS members

Article 22.

  1. The highest authority of the Society is the General Assembly of the PSPS members, hereafter referred to as the “General Assembly”.
  2. The General Assembly has the right to adopt resolutions regardless of the number of people with voting rights present.
  3. The General Assembly may be ordinary or extraordinary.

Article 23.

  1. Members with a casting vote shall attend the Annual Meeting of the Society. This refers to:
    1. Regular members,
    2. Honorary and junior members of the Society – with the limitation of Article 16.
  2. The General Assembly of the Society may be attended by guests invited by the PSPS Board in an advisory capacity.

Article 24.

  1. The General Assembly takes place annually at a time and place designated by the Board.
  2. By decision of the Board, the General Assembly may be held using electronic communication tools that enable:
    1. Real-time transmission of the meeting proceedings;
    2. Two-way real-time communication, allowing members of the Society to speak during the proceedings and participate in votes.
  1. The Board notifies the members of the date, place, format (in-person or online), and agenda of the General Assembly at least 30 days before the designated date. In the case of online proceedings, the notice includes a detailed description of how to participate and vote.

Article 25.

The powers of the General Assembly include:

  1. Determining the directions of substantive and financial activities of the Society,
  2. Handling of reports on the activities of the PSPS Board, the Audit Committee and the Peer Court,
  3. Handling of the application of the Audit Committee regarding the discharge of the outgoing members of the PSPS Board,
  4. Electing the Society’s President, Chairman or Chairwoman of the Peer Court, as well as the members of the PSPS Board, the Audit Committee, the Peer Court and the Ethics Committee; nominations to which are submitted during the General Assembly by regular, junior and honorary members,
  5. Approving the bylaws of the PSPS Board, the Audit Committee and the Peer Court,
  6. Granting – at the request of the PSPS Board – an honorary membership of the Society,
  7. Determining the amount of membership fees,
  8. Adopting amendments to the statute,
  9. Passing a resolution on the Society’s dissolution
  10. Deciding on the requests of the PSPS Board, the General Audit Committee and the Delegates,
  11. Deciding on the appeals against the decisions of the PSPS Board,

Article 26.

  1. The PSPS Board may convene an Extraordinary General Assembly on its own initiative or at the request of the Audit Committee or at least 1/5 of regular members.
  2. The Extraordinary General Assembly shall be convened within no more than six weeks from the date of the request and shall deliberate primarily on the matters for which it was convened.
  3. Regular, honorary and junior members participate in the General Assembly with a casting vote, except for the restrictions described in Article 16.
  4. By decision of the Board, the Extraordinary General Assembly may be held using electronic communication tools that enable:
    1. Real-time transmission of the meeting proceedings;
    2. Two-way real-time communication, allowing members of the Society to speak during the proceedings and participate in votes.

The PSPS Board

Article 27.

  1. The General Assembly elects the President of the Society and PSPS Board members by secret ballot.
  2. Membership in the Board during the second term does not require a vote. If the members of the previous Board do not agree to extend their term, the General Assembly shall elect a full Board of four to six members.
  3. In the event of resignation, death, or situations specified in Article 18(1) of the Statute during the term of office of a person elected by the General Assembly, the Board has the right to fill its composition:
    1. The new members are elected by secret ballot,
    2. During the term of office, by co-option, the PSPS Board may change no more than one-fourth of its composition elected by the General Assembly.
  4. If the situation referred to in paragraph 2 applies to the President of the Society, the Vice President shall perform this function until the end of the term.
  5. Members of the Board do not receive remuneration for activities performed in connection with their position.

Article 28.

  1. Only the individuals elected to the Board participate in the proceedings of the Board with voting rights.
  2. Individuals invited by the Board, as well as the chairpersons or representatives of the following, may participate in the proceedings of the Board with an advisory vote:
    1. Representatives of the PSPS Peer Court,
    2. Representatives of the PSPS Audit Committee
    3. Representatives of the PSPS sections and separate facilities.

Article 29.

The powers of the PSPS Board include:

  1. Representing the Society and acting on its behalf,
  2. Directing the overall activities of the Society following the provisions of the Statute and the resolutions and recommendations of the General Assembly,
  3. Adopting substantive activity plans, budget estimates, and budget,
  4. Approving the balance sheet and other financial reports,
  5. Managing of assets and funds of the Society,
  6. Adopting resolutions on the acquisition, disposal, and encumbrance of real property of the Society,
  7. Establishing and dissolving sections, establishments, committees, groups of experts and advisors for the settlement of substantive issues of the Society,
  8. Appointing editors-in-chief of journals and approving their proposed editorial board compositions,
  9. Adopting regulations for the activities of the PSPS Board and other internal regulations,
  10. Adopting resolutions on membership in national and international associations,
  11. Appointing Editorial Committees of the Society’s publications and journals.

Article 30.

  1. The PSPS Board manages Society’s activities in between meetings of the General Assembly.
  2. Resolutions of the PSPS Board are approved by a simple majority vote in the presence of at least half of the Board members, including the president or vice-president. In case of a voting tie, the chairman of the meeting shall have the casting vote.
  3. The President of the Society shall convene meetings of the PSPS Board as often as necessary, but at least once a year. The meetings shall be chaired by the President or Vice President of the Society.

Article 31.

The PSPS Board elects a vice-president, a general secretary and a treasurer of the Society from among its members.

PSPS Audit Committee

Article 32.

  1. The General Assembly elects the members of the PSPS Audit Committee through a secret vote.
  2. PSPS Audit Committee consists of three individuals holding regular membership, who elect a chairperson and a deputy chairperson from among themselves.
  3. In the event of resignation, death, or situations specified in Article 18(1) of the Statute during the term of office of a person elected to the Audit Committee, the Board has the right to fill the vacant position. In such a case, Article 27(3) of the Statute applies accordingly.

Article 33.

  1. The Audit Committee oversees the activities of the Society.
  2. The overseeing tasks of the Audit Committee are carried out as needed, at least annually.
  3. The Audit Committee approves the annual reports on theSociety’s financial and business activities.
  4. The Audit Committee shall report to the General Assembly on the Society’s authorities activities and submit a discharge proposal.
  5. The Audit Committee has the right to apply to the PSPS Board and other entities of the Society with issues arising from the audit findings.
  6. Representatives of the Audit Committee may participate in meetings of the PSPS Board in an advisory capacity.

Article 34.

The detailed scope of the activities of the PSPS Audit Committee is determined by the regulations approved by the General Assembly.

Peer Court

Article 35.

  1. The Peer Court of the PSPS is a single-instance body.
  2. The General Assembly elects the members of the Peer Court through a secret vote.
  3. The Peer Court consists of five individuals holding regular membership, who elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary from among themselves.
  4. The procedure before the Peer Court is defined by a regulation approved by the General Assembly upon the request of the Peer Court.
  5. In the event of resignation, death, or situations specified in Article 18(1) of the Statute during the term of office of a person elected to the Peer Court, the Board has the right to fill the vacant position. In such a case, Article 27(3) of the Statute applies accordingly.

Article 36.

  1. The PSPS Peer Court is established to:
    1. settle disputes arising between the members of the Society,
    2. review members’ complaints regarding the activities of the PSPS statutory bodies,
    3. granting warnings to members in the case of violating the Statute of the Society and other norms promoted by the Society.
    4. decide on exclusions of regular and junior members.
  2. Exclusion of regular and junior members occurs in the case of:
    1. acting to the detriment of the Society,
    2. violating the provisions of the Statute and resolutions of the Society’s authorities,
    3. a gross violation of the Ethical principles of the code of conduct of the Polish Psychological Society (PTP).
  3. Parties have the right to file a cassation complaint against the decisions of the Peer Court to the General Assembly within 30 days from the date of delivery of the decision of the Peer Court. The Board then appoints an extraordinary appeal committee.

Chapter VI

PSPS Sections

Article 37.

A minimum of 10 members of the Society form specialized sections in social psychology. The Establishment of such sections requires the approval of the PSPS Board.

Chapter VII

Assets and funds

Article 38.

The assets of the Society are real estate, movable property, and funds.

Article 39.

The Society’s funds consist of:

  1. Contributions from membership fees,
  2. Income from the real estate and movable property held by the Society,
  3. Grants, subventions, donations and bequests,
  4. Contributions from training, consulting & expert services; research, publishing and other activities falling under separate regulations.

Article 40.

Funds collected from the sources specified in Article 40. shall be used by the PSPS Board for the purposes described in the Society’s Statute.

Article 41.

Any decision of the authorities of the Society aimed at depleting the real estate assets requires the approval of two-thirds of the members present at the General Assembly.

Article 42.

The signatures of the president or vice-president and the secretary or treasurer are required to validate the Society’s letters and property documents.

Chapter VIII

Amendments to the Statute and Dissolution of the Society

Article 43.

  1. Amendments to the Society’s Statute and the dissolution of the Society shall be adopted by a resolution of the General Assembly by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Society present at the General Assembly.
  2. The resolution on the dissolution of the Society should specify the method of liquidation and the purpose for which the Society’s assets are to be used.

Chapter IX

Final provisions

Article 44.

  1. The first bylaws of the Society are created by the authorities and approved by the General Assembly as temporary and valid.
  2. The first two General Meetings are held one and three years after the Society’s registration.
  3. In cases not regulated by this statute, the provisions of the Act of April 7, 1989 “Law on Associations” (Journal of Law of the Republic of Poland, No. 20, item 104, as amended) shall apply.