Psi Chi Holds Meeting for New Membership
Southeastern Louisiana University’s Chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, held a membership meeting on Monday, Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m. in room 208 of White Hall.
As the first meeting of the semester, its focus was welcoming new members and informing them of the organization’s purpose and practices. The meeting began with the 15 people present introducing themselves. Psi Chi President Karyn Moore began her presentation with the origin of the group. “It was established in 1929 with the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology.”
Moore listed the requirements for membership in Psi Chi: “Students are required to major or minor in psychology, have completed nine credit hours of psychology, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and to pay $55 national dues and $10 chapter dues.” They must also participate in volunteering activities and donations, for which points are awarded.
The group participates in several fundraisers, donations and charitable events each semester. One of the upcoming events is the spring’s easter basket donation, scheduled for April 18. This event was started by Vice President Savannah Hays. For this event, easter baskets are donated to children. “It’s three points if you’re there,” Hays detailed.
Donations also include an annual suicide walk, which is yet to be scheduled. For this event, participants walk around campus to recognize suicide. It will be free to walk; the goal of the event is to raise money, with those raising at least $100 earning a t-shirt.
Several more donations were discussed including a donation of old cell phones in March and a book donation for prisoners. It was requested that all donations be paperback.
April 5–7 will host a trip to the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) in Albuquerque, NM. Moore described the trip as a “Great opportunity to network with psychologists and to learn more about things you may be interested in!” Members who attend must pay $500 plus a $70 registration downpayment, due by March 15.
Secretary Elizabeth Manuel noted each member’s fundraising will go toward the SWPA payment. “It will be less than $500 if you put forth effort.” An additional meeting for those interested in the SWPA trip was held immediately afterwards.
The staff announced the spring induction will be May 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jacmel Inn. Seniors will receive their cords and new members will receive certificates and new member cards.
Psi Chi will continue to meet on the third Monday of every month with its next meeting scheduled for Monday, March 18. At this meeting all dues will be paid and the topic will be “Careers in Psychology.”
Moore concluded the meeting with some final encouragement to sign up for volunteering events and to check their emails for updates.
