Constitution

Recognising that counselling and psychotherapy has become universally established as an approach to the solution and management of individual, couple and family problems, issues and concerns related to mental wellness; recognising that counsellors are members of many different professional groups with different training standards and techniques; and committing ourselves to the goal of assisting other human beings to achieve greater psychological well-being, it is decided to form an Association.

The name of the Association shall be the Singapore Association for Counselling. The place of business shall be at 151 Chin Swee Road #03-12 Manhattan House Singapore 169876, or at any other address decided by the Executive Committee, subject to the approval of the general membership and the Registrar of Societies.

The general purpose of the Association is to provide a common professional base for the advancement of counselling in Singapore. Its specific professional aims are to promote the professional practice of counselling; encourage the development and advancement of professional counselling as a mental health discipline in Singapore; promote and assist research on counselling theories and practice; promote and reinforce high standards in education and training, professional ethics, competency and growth; promote and enhance public awareness of the profession; and foster co-operation and sharing of information among professionals of different counselling approaches and specialties.

The Association consists of Fellow, Master Clinical, Clinical, Provisional Clinical, Allied, Student and Associate Members. Fellow, Master Clinical and Clinical members have voting rights at Annual General Meetings and are eligible to hold office in the Executive Committee and to chair boards and sub-committees. Provisional Clinical and Allied members have voting rights but may not hold office or chair boards. Student and Associate members have no voting rights and may not hold office or chair boards. All members are eligible to be appointed to serve on boards and sub-committees.

Full criteria for each category are set out on the Membership Categories page.

The Association organises and maintains the SAC Register of Counsellors, overseen by the Register of Counsellors Board appointed by the Executive Committee. Registrants must be Clinical Members in good standing, must be graduates of an accredited institute of higher learning with recognised counselling training of a minimum of 300 contact hours, and must complete 600 hours of counselling within a minimum of two and a maximum of three years. Registrants are entitled to use the post-nominal letters RegCLR.

Registration is renewed every two years, requiring 50 hours of continuing professional development and a declaration of at least 400 hours of clinical work. All registrants must show evidence of professional indemnity coverage on new registration and at renewal.

The rights and privileges of every member are personal to that member and are not transferable.

Subscriptions are prescribed at the Annual General Meeting from time to time. Membership is automatically terminated where a subscription falls into arrears after due notice. Terminated membership may be reinstated at the discretion of the Executive Committee on repayment of arrears and an admin fee, provided the request occurs within the calendar year up to the succeeding year of termination.

Supreme authority is vested in a General Meeting of the members, whose decisions are final. The Annual General Meeting is convened once a year, not later than 30 June, and may be held onsite or by electronic means. Notice, agenda, annual report and accounts are sent to all members not less than fourteen days beforehand. The quorum is one quarter of voting members or thirty voting members, whichever is smaller.

The office bearers are the President, 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents, Honorary Secretary, Assistant Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Assistant Honorary Treasurer, and two to four Committee Members. All hold office for a term of not more than two years and are eligible for re-election. Members of at least one year standing are eligible to stand for office.

Members at Annual General Meetings may establish Standing Committees and delegate powers and duties to them. The Executive Committee may establish ad-hoc committees or working parties, which are automatically dissolved once their purpose is completed.

The Association keeps proper books of accounts of receipts, expenditure, assets, credits and liabilities. The books are kept by the Treasurer and are open to inspection by members. Profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and the Auditor’s Report are sent to all members entitled to notice not less than fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting.

Accounts are examined annually by one or more properly qualified auditors who are not members of the Committee. Auditors may hold office for two years and may be re-elected. The financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Income and property are applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Association. Gambling is forbidden on the Association’s premises. Funds may not be used to pay members’ court fines. The Association may not interfere with trade or prices, engage in trade union activity, indulge in political activity, or hold any lottery.

If the Association acquires immovable property, it is vested in trustees subject to a declaration of trust. Provisions govern resignation, removal and the filling of vacancies, with results notified to the Registrar of Societies.

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of total votes cast at the Annual General Meeting, provided notice was given in writing at least one month beforehand, and does not come into force without the prior sanction of the Registrar of Societies. Dissolution requires the decision of three-fifths of members present, with three months written notice.

Disputes among members are tabled for resolution before an Extraordinary General Meeting. If unresolved, members first attempt mediation before considering bringing the matter before a court of law.