The New Zealand Psychological Society
Revision of the New Zealand Psychological Society Rules

Dear Member

The following is an outline of the revision process and the proposed changes to the Society's Rules. For a copy of the existing and the changed Rules, click here. Revised Rules. If you have any comments you would like to make on the proposed changes please make contact with Pamela Hyde executivedirector@psychology.org.nz  by Friday 9 May. Please see the March edition of Connections for information on the ballot process.

Dr Pamela Hyde
Executive Director

- An Overview

1.   The Executive resolved that this revision of the Rules should be essentially a tidying up exercise rather than an exercise going back to first principles.
2.   Part of the revision was to bring the Rules up to date with current practice, especially in the way that Membership matters were actually handled. The revision also incorporates the status of Emeritus Fellow established by a resolution of an AGM but not in the existing Rules.
3.   Some minor changes have been made to the criteria for Fellowship/Associate Fellowship in the hope that these will encourage Members to apply. Otherwise, no substantive changes have been made to Membership criteria.
4.   The revised Rules now provide formally for the appointment of a Kaumatua, and the role of the Kaumatua in relation to the Executive has been established.
5.   The Rules were largely silent about the role of the Executive Director. That has been changed, and the revised Rules now make the role and functions of the Executive Director clear.
6.   As part of this clarification, the employment relationships between the Society (represented by the Executive), the Executive Director, and the staff have been clarified, and it is clear that the Executive Director is responsible for the employment of other staff.
7.   No substantive changes have been made to the Powers and Duties of the Executive. In some places less prescriptive and more general language has been used. It is envisaged that specific details about Standing and other committees will be given in various schedules, rather than incorporated specifically in the Rules.
8.   The Council has been abolished. This entity has never functioned as the existing Rules state, and its absence has not apparently adversely affected the successful operations of the Society. For the Council to operate as the Rules currently provide would add considerable costs to the Society, which did not seem justified by any cost-benefit analysis. Most functions ascribed to Council have been assigned to the Executive.
9.   Objections to membership, Complaints against members and disciplinary action: Changes have been made here at the suggestion of the Society's lawyers. They have been designed to ensure that the Society's procedures meet the requirements of natural justice and procedural fairness.
10.   There is a new duty imposed on members to advise the Society about any complaints and/or disciplinary actions against them. Further, in joining, Members give the Executive Director permission to disclose information about Membership status to legitimate enquirers (e.g., the Health & Disciplinary Commissioner).

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This page last updated 21/4/2008