When faced with COVID-19, Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, went online. We didn’t just provide online resourcesopens in new window for our members, which we have always done, but our Central Office Staff went online as well. Like so many students and professors faced with online learning for the first time, the Psi Chi Central Office Staff went totally remote. And like so many students and professors who are now online, we are making it work.
Being a society that, on a typical year, welcomes 20,000–22,000 new members per year, we are faced with challenges that arise like how to best serve all our chapters, both large and small. In reaction to COVID-19, Psi Chi harnessed all its online resources like those we provide on the Psi Chi websiteopens in new window. Under the leadership of our director of communications, Susan Iles, we also created an online induction ceremonyopens in new window. This ceremony, narrated by myself and Psi Chi’s executive director, Martha S. Zlokovich, PhD, includes all the ritual ceremony components of a typical Psi Chi induction ceremony, like the Platonic Myth.
Psi Chi found that resources such as this were not only valuable for chapters during COVID-19, but also valuable for some of our semi- or totally online schools. Even Psi Chi Leadership got involved. Regan A. R. Gurung, PhD, Psi Chi’s 2019–20 president, took part in several school’s ceremoniesopens in new window. This use of technology to serve and connect with our chapters was necessary but also educational. It raised the question: In the future, how can we harness technology to serve all Psi Chi chapters?
For the foreseeable future, Psi Chi continues to work remotely. Staff such as Ayana Edwards, merchandise coordinator, are working from home.
In this photo, you’ll see Ayana shipping items like our graduation regaliaopens in new window to members. This adaptable format is critical during a time like COVID-19 and hopefully a sign that Psi Chi is dedicated to its members, even during difficult times.
We are proud of the fact that a Psi Chi membership is a lifetime one. And, many resources are always available to members. We’d like to remind members to continue to take advantage of their lifetime membership with Psi Chi at the various stages of their education and career.
Resources like our job boardopens in new window remain valuable to our members. While networking posed a unique challenge this spring, many regional psychological conferences were virtual, however, and Psi Chi held a booth for online chats. Many students inquire about how to get into graduate school. Resources like our new eBook, “An Eye on Graduate School: Guidance Through a Successful Applicationopens in new window,” can be found on our online store and contains invaluable information on navigating that process.
Whether an undergraduate member or a graduate student member or a psychology faculty member, you qualify for our awards and grantsopens in new window. Scholarships are also available for application to our undergraduateopens in new window and graduate student membersopens in new window. And many chapters apply for awards like our Model Chapter Awardsopens in new window or our Ruth Hubbard Cousins Chapter Awardopens in new window to further their local chapter.
A lifetime membership is a long commitment: both for the society and for the member. When one takes their oath during the induction ceremony, it may not be entirely clear how much value that membership truly holds. But during trying times or more normal times, Psi Chi continues to dedicate resources to our members. It is our hope that, during COVID-19 and beyond, a Psi Chi membership is one that members can rely upon. Our commitment to excellence shows in our members. And, we hope to honor that in whatever way we can.
About the author
Cynthia Wilson is the director of membership and development with Psi Chi. She is a nonprofit professional and holds an MPA as well as the distinction of a Certified Fund Raising Executive certification. In her spare time, she loves to experiment in her kitchen. And when times allow, to travel to new and exciting places with her husband, John.
