ARTICLE I — NAME, STATUS AND IDENTITY

1.1 Name and legal form

The organization shall be known as the European Psychological Society (“EPS” or “the Society”). EPS shall operate under the legal form and registered constitutional instruments of [full registered entity name] in [jurisdiction]. These Bylaws are subordinate to mandatory law and any superior registered articles or constitution.

1.2 Office, reach and independence

The registered office shall be [address]. Changes shall be approved and registered where required. EPS is European in orientation and may welcome international participation, subject to eligibility and law. EPS shall not claim to be a statutory regulator or to represent all European psychologists unless lawfully authorized.

1.3 Principles

EPS promotes scientific integrity, responsible professional conduct, transparency, accountability, academic freedom, non-discrimination, human dignity, evidence-based practice, international cooperation, data protection and public benefit.

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ARTICLE II — MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

2.1 Mission

EPS advances psychology as a scientific discipline and professional field through research, education, ethical practice and international collaboration.

2.2 Objectives

EPS aims to: (a) strengthen research quality and reproducibility; (b) support lifelong learning and competence; (c) organize conferences, educational events and publications; (d) promote ethical research and practice; (e) connect universities, practitioners, students and institutions; (f) improve public understanding of psychological science; and (g) contribute evidence-informed perspectives to public discussion.

2.3 Activities and restrictions

EPS may undertake lawful courses, research collaborations, journals, digital initiatives, professional directories, grants and quality-recognition activities. Every accreditation, certification or register programme shall have separate eligibility rules, evaluation procedures, appeals and explicit limitations of recognition. Assets and revenues shall be used in accordance with EPS’s lawful purposes and legal form; charitable or tax-exempt status shall not be assumed.

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ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ADMISSION

3.1 Categories

Student Membership is for individuals enrolled in a recognized psychology degree programme. Regular Membership is for holders of at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a degree EPS accepts as equivalent. Institutional Membership is for established organizations active in psychological science, education, research or related evidence-based work.

3.2 Application and verification

Applicants shall provide complete, truthful information, comply with EPS rules and submit reasonably requested proof of enrolment, qualification, identity or institutional status. Admission is approved by the Board or delegated Membership Committee under published, fair, non-discriminatory criteria. Membership begins after written acceptance and satisfaction of applicable payment requirements.

3.3 Register and changes

EPS shall maintain a secure internal membership register with appropriate status, contact, category, dates, eligibility and payment records. Individual membership is non-transferable. Institutional members shall appoint authorized representatives. Members must notify material eligibility changes; category changes may be approved on documented terms.

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ARTICLE IV — MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS

4.1 Participation

Members in good standing may participate in eligible Society programmes, receive relevant communications, access benefits for their category, submit proposals and complaints, and receive fair consideration of membership decisions. Some programmes require independent acceptance or payment.

4.2 Proposed voting model — subject to legal confirmation

Each Regular Member in good standing has one vote at General Meetings. Student Members may attend and contribute but do not vote on constitutional or financial resolutions unless rights are formally extended. Each Institutional Member has one vote through an authorized representative. No person may cast duplicate votes through multiple categories. Actual rights must match EPS’s statutory member/shareholder arrangements.

4.3 Designations and limitations

Members may accurately identify their current EPS category but must not imply licensing, clinical qualification, accreditation or endorsement. Membership confers no automatic employment, grants, publication, specialist certification, register inclusion or unlimited paid-service access.

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ARTICLE V — MEMBERSHIP DUTIES

5.1 Conduct

Members shall respect human rights, privacy, professional boundaries and applicable regulation; avoid discrimination, harassment and exploitation; disclose professional status accurately; and uphold scientific honesty, including rejection of plagiarism, fabrication and falsification.

5.2 Compliance and payments

Members shall use EPS branding only as authorized, cooperate reasonably in valid organizational proceedings, disclose relevant conflicts and pay properly disclosed charges. Membership is never a substitute for national professional registration or a licence to practise.

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ARTICLE VI — GENERAL ASSEMBLY

6.1 Functions

Subject to the registered corporate constitution and law, the General Assembly elects eligible governors, receives annual and financial reports, considers strategy and member resolutions, approves constitutional amendments where empowered, and considers dissolution or reorganization.

6.2 Meetings and notice

An Annual General Meeting should occur once per financial year. Extraordinary meetings may be called by the Board or by a lawful member requisition; a proposed request threshold is 10% of voting members if permitted. Give at least 21 clear days’ notice unless law stipulates another period, including date, format, business and resolutions.

6.3 Quorum, votes and records

Proposed quorum: 10% of eligible voting members or five members, whichever is greater, capped at all eligible voting members. This must be checked against the corporate constitution. Ordinary motions pass by a simple majority of valid votes cast unless a higher threshold applies. Electronic or hybrid meetings are allowed only where lawful, with secure identification and voting. Minutes shall be kept.

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ARTICLE VII — GOVERNING BOARD

7.1 Constitution and terms

The proposed Board consists of five to nine persons, including President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer and additional Board Members. Election eligibility and appointment must conform to company, association or charity law as applicable. Proposed elected terms are three years, with two consecutive terms in the same role.

7.2 Powers and oversight

The Board sets strategy, oversees budgets, membership, policies, staffing, risk, safeguarding, scientific integrity, quality programmes, legal compliance, records and reporting. Legal directors or trustees retain responsibilities notwithstanding operational delegation.

7.3 Meetings and decisions

The Board meets at least quarterly; a majority of current members constitutes the proposed quorum unless law requires otherwise. Decisions are by simple majority of eligible votes. Vacancies, removals, interim appointments and conflicts shall follow lawful documented procedures, including fair notice where applicable.

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ARTICLE VIII — OFFICERS

8.1 President and Vice-President

The President chairs meetings where designated, provides strategic leadership and represents EPS within delegated authority; the role has no unrestricted power. The Vice-President supports and, under succession arrangements, temporarily substitutes for the President.

8.2 Secretary-General and Treasurer

The Secretary-General oversees notices, minutes, governance records, resolutions and administrative processes. The Treasurer oversees financial reporting, approved budgets, accounting records, controls and audit coordination.

8.3 Delegation

The Board may delegate specified tasks to committees, personnel or contractors through written mandates; delegation does not remove ultimate statutory accountability.