Starting and Maintaining Your New SASP Chapter

Designate a student representative and faculty member to serve as your chapter’s connection to the national board and Division 16.

1. Determine your chapter’s executive board positions

  • Hold elections
  • Appoint positions such as: President, VP, Treasurer, Membership Chair, Social Chair, Secretary, etc.

2. Make sure this board meets the needs of what you would like your SASP chapter to be

  • Outline general duties for each position
  • Organize committee if necessary in order to achieve goals of your chapter. These could include: Community Service Social Events, etc.

3. Write your chapter charter

  • This should include: positions and duties, procedural instructions for voting, membership, etc., calendar of events, program policies and procedures
  • Once chart is completed and representatives are assigned, complete chapter application and submit charter on SASP’s website

4. Upon chapter approval from SASP

  • Complete Division 16 and SASP individual applications online
  • Join the Division 16 and SASP listserv
  • Join SASP on Facebook & Twitter

5. Consider the following activities for your organization:

  • Community service activities to link graduate students to local organizations
  • Attend state and national conferences
  • Fundraisers to support your organization. Also, look into funding opportunities offered to student organizations through your university
  • Social events such as happy hours, holiday parties, etc. to provide social activities for students and faculty in your program
  • Create a program newsletter
  • Submit proposals to SASP’s Student Research Forum at APA
  • Submit publications to SASP’s student advocacy outlet, The Student Corner
  • Hold workshops for students in your program to learn about internships, current issues in the field, etc.
  • Invite guest speakers to come speak to your program regarding issues in school psychology, research happenings in your program, etc.
  • Support students in your program by providing meetings around comprehensive exams, praxis study sessions, etc.