ALPHA TAU UPSILON CHAPTER OF PHI THETA KAPPA BY-LAWS

Revised November 17, 2004

GENERAL BY-LAWS

Preamble

We, the students of Linn-Benton Community College, in order to nurture academic excellence among community/junior college students; to promote leadership training; to imbue an intellectual climate for an interchange of ideas and ideals; and to foster among students a desire to pursue continuing education, dedicate ourselves as fellows of Phi Theta Kappa. Among us, membership is a privilege earned by qualifications, honor, and service. In the conduct of our activities, truth shall be our quest, diligence our staff, and achievement our purpose.

Article I. Name of Chapter

The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Alpha Tau Upsilon.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Linn-Benton Community College shall be to promote scholarship, to develop leadership and service, and to cultivate fellowship among qualified students of this college.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Membership in Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter shall consist of members, provisional members, alumni members, and honorary members.

Section 2. In order to remain members of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, students must meet all requirements set forth by National Society and also those set forth by Alpha Tau Upsilon as outlined in the Operational By-Laws.

Part A. Eligibility: Candidates for membership must have completed twelve term hours of associate degree work with a Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of 3.50, or higher, adhere to the school conduct code, and possess acknowledged qualities of citizenship.

Part B. Membership: A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.33, or higher, must be maintained. If the membersπ cumulative G.P.A. falls below 3.33, he/she shall be placed on probation from Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter.

Part C. Probation: Members have one term to bring the cumulative G.P.A. back up to 3.33, or show continuing improvement until it again is raised to 3.33, or higher. If after one term of probation, the memberπs cumulative G.P.A. is still below 3.33, or has not shown continuing improvement, that memberπs name will be stricken from the local chapter roll, and the Phi Theta Kappa headquarters shall be notified to strike that name from the national roll as well.

Part D. Good Standing: To maintain active membership, students shall maintain cumulative Grade Point Averages of not less than a 3.33, and shall have maintained the standards necessary for membership in Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of the Society: which is based on Societal participation.

Part E. Alumni Members: Alumni members shall be former members of the Society who terminated their active membership in good standing, with a minimum of one yearπs enrollment at the college. Alumni members shall be entitled to all privileges of full members except the right to vote or hold an office.

Part F. Honorary Members: Honorary membership may be granted in this chapter to men and women who have rendered distinguished service to the Society. Honorary members may not vote or hold office.

Article IV. Chapter Advisor

Section 1. The chapter advisor(s) shall be appointed by the President of Linn-Benton Community College. An advisor selection committee will be appointed by the Executive Council to assist the College President in the selection of the advisor(s).

Section 2. The chapter advisors(s) shall be responsible for the guidance of chapter activities and shall act on the behalf of the national Society and official college administration.

Section 3. The chapter advisor(s) shall oversee the completion of the annual report, membership report forms, and membership profile forms required by Phi Theta Kappa Society.

Section 4. The chapter advisor(s) shall not be a voting member of the chapter.

Article V. Officers

Section 1. The Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following officers, which will be jointly called the Executive Council: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Secretary, Fundraising Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, and Membership Coordinator.

Section 2. The duties of the officers shall be as outlined in the Operational By-Laws.

Section 3. Each officer shall have one vote. The chapter president will vote only in the case of a tie.

Section 4. Each officer will receive a tuition grant for their year of service to the chapter. Tuition grants are for the following amounts: the President receives 12 credits and the Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Secretary, Fundraising Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, and Membership Coordinator each receives 6 credits.

Section 5. If a vacancy occurs, it shall be the responsibility of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter President to fill that vacancy through a temporary appointment until an election can be held.

Article VI. Election of Officers

Section 1. All candidates for office must be members in good standing of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter.

Section 2. Elections must be held in May of each year.

Section 3. Officers shall hold office from the time in which they are inducted to the time of the next induction.

Section 4. All interested candidates must fill out an application to run for office and return it by the specified date. Applications will be made available for no less then 2 weeks and no more then 4 weeks before elections.

Section 5. All returned and complete applications will be reviewed by a committee of Linn-Benton Community College staff and faculty as well as the Alpha Tau Upsilon advisor(s). A majority of the votes cast will determine the new officers.

Section 6. If an officer resigns from his or her office, an election will be held to elect a new officer. The chapter president shall have the power to appointment at his or her discretion an officer to fill the vacancy until the next election.

Article VII. Impeachment of Officers

Section 1. If any officer fails to fulfill his or her duties as stated in the Operational By-Laws, he or she shall be removed by the following process:

Part A. A special meeting of the society must be held to discuss the circumstances of the failure.

Part B. A vote of three-fourths of the total membership present is necessary to remove an officer from office.

Section 2. An officer failing to maintain active membership in the Society shall forfeit his or her position.

Article VIII. Amendments

Section 1. The General By-laws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any general meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has been presented at a previous meeting. Any changes to the General By-laws must be sent to National Headquarters for final approval.

Section 2. The Operational By-laws may be amended by a vote of three-fourths of the Executive Council.

Article IX. Meetings

Section 1. All business meetings will follow this general agenda:

Order of Business:

1.0 Preliminary

1.1 Call to order

1.2 Roll Call

1.3 New business to add to the agenda

1.4 Approval of agenda

1.5 Approval of the previous meeting minutes

1.6 Hearing of Guests

2.0 Advisor Reports

3.0 Officer Reports

4.0 Old Business

5.0 New Business

6.0 Announcements

7.0 Adjournment

Section 2. A quorum of 51% of current officers of the Executive Council must be present before any official meeting can be called to order.

Section 3. All meetings shall be governed by an adaptation of Robertπs Rules of Order: Revised.

Section 4. Special committee meeting shall be called by the chair of said committee. Procedures at such meetings are left to the discretion of the chair. Reports of each meeting shall be given to all chapter members at the following general meeting.

Section 5. In the event that a date designated for a general membership meeting is not feasible, the Executive Council shall select a new date for the next meeting. Members shall be notified of the change of the date at the preceding meeting, or by general announcement.

Section 6. The chapter President shall have the authority to schedule special meetings with no less than one weeks notice.

Article X. Finances

Section 1. Funds for this chapter will be raised by projects voted on by a majority of the members present at general membership meetings.

Section 2. Payment for initiate of $70.00, $45.00 to cover national lifetime dues, $10.00 to cover regional lifetime dues, and $15.00 to cover chapter lifetime dues, must be received by the chapter treasurer before members can be initiated.

Section 3. Disbursement vouchers must be submitted with supporting invoices and/or statements attached to the original invoice.

Section 4. Financial records of the chapter shall be annually audited by the advisor(s).

Article XI. Operational By-laws

Section 1. Operational By-laws shall be passed by a three-fourths vote of the Executive Council and shall cover pertinent topics, including interpretation of the General By-laws.

Section 2. A permanent record of the By-laws shall be kept on file by the Secretary and in the Student Programs Office.

Article XII. Initiative, Referendum, and Recall

Section 1. Before circulating an initiative, referendum, or recall petition to members of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the originator of the petition must submit to the Executive Council a signed and dated copy of the petition, and must specify in writing the reason(s) for initiating the petition. The petition must be acknowledged by two members of the Executive Council and the advisor(s) prior to circulation of the petition. The petition must then be circulated to the members of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa for a period of not more then ten school days thereafter.

Section 2. If the circulated petition receives two-thirds of the general membershipπs signatures, the petition shall be forwarded to the Executive Council, which shall call a special election within twenty school days and no sooner then ten school days.

Article XII. Non-Discrimination

The Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall maintain a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in programs, organizations, and activities, without regard to sex, race, color, creed, national antecedents, handicaps, economic need, or sexual preference.

Article XIV. Freedom of Information

OPERATIONAL BY-LAWS

Preamble

Wisdom, courage, goals, and vision - these intangible powers bind the members of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa to the Societal Hallmarks or scholarship, fellowship, leadership, and above all, service. Through scholarship, we earn the privilege of membership. Our privilege opens the door to new and enduring friendships. Together, as friends, we develop the strength to be leaders. As leaders, we exemplify excellence as representatives of Phi Theta Kappa and Linn-Benton Community College. However, service is a vision of the future. Goals achieved through courage for which the reward is fulfillment, truth, and wisdom.

Article I. Executive Council

Section 1. Chapter Requirements

Part A. As per the General By-laws of Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Linn-Benton Community College, the Executive Council shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Secretary, Fundraising Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, and Membership Coordinator.

Part B. The Executive Council shall be charges with the responsibility of engendering member motivation and maintaining chapter momentum.

Section 2. Each officer must actively and ardently embrace the spirit, tenets, and goals of the Society. He/she must have the desire to promote the Societal Hallmarks as follows: excellence in scholarship, wisdom in leadership, diligence in service to the community, and enthusiasm in Societal fellowship activities.

Section 3. Presidential Delegation Power

Part A. The President may appoint or otherwise establish ad hoc committees, as necessary, for consideration and action on special or unusual chapter business and/or concerns.

Part B. The President may appoint an Associate from the general membership.

Part C. The President may empower any subordinate officer with the ability to appoint an Associate and/or establish a standing committee as necessary to expedite chapter operation.

Section 4. Subordinate Officer Power

Part A. Each subordinate officer shall appoint an Associate from the general membership.

Part B. Any subordinate officer who establishes a standing committee must have the discretion to recruit volunteers from the general membership or to appoint fellows to positions on said standing committee.

Section 5. Structure of Ad Hoc and Standing Committees

Part A. Ad hoc committees shall be structured and operated as per the discretion of the chapter President.

Part B. Each standing committee shall meet as often as necessary to accomplish its purpose.

Part C. The chapter President may attend ad hoc and/or standing committees meetings, ex-officio, for advise and/or suggestions.

Part D. The standing committee chairperson shall keep the Executive Council, Advisor(s), and the general membership apprised of their actions and status.

Section 6. Duties of Office

Part A. The President

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Meet once per week with advisor(s), this meeting is in addition to Executive Council meetings;

Lead in the development of goals for the year with the help of advisor(s) and fellow officers;

Submit monthly 5-star report forms to International Headquarters;

Develop & publish all business meeting agendas;

Preside over the business meetings;

Appoint and establish any necessary committees;

Serve as the ex-officio member on all committees;

Vote only in the case of a tie;

Maintain regular communication with the college President and his/her staff;

Act as Moderator of Orientation meetings and Induction ceremonies.

Part B. The Vice-President

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Perform all duties of the President in the event of his/her absence;

Coordinate all committees;.

Initiate and implement the Honorπs Study Topic;

Assist the President and the Membership Coordinator with the organization of Orientation Meetings and Induction Ceremonies;

Part C. The Recording Secretary

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Record the minutes of all business meetings;

Present minutes to members of Executive Board, no later than 72 hours after each meeting;

Maintain record of all business meetings;

Maintain a file of all chapter correspondence;

Assist advisor(s) with preparing the Annual Report which is submitted to International Headquarters;

Part D. The Treasurer

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Maintain the account of chapter funds;

Receive and record all monies from fundraising activities, donations, grants, loans, new initiate fees, and/or general membership dues. Susan Shythe in the Dean's office maintains the school records;

Present financial report at every business meeting;

Maintain a set of books tracking the chapter expenditures and income;

Lead the executive board in setting a budget for the year. This needs to be done fall term;

Enter all financial records in the official chapter files at the end of the academic year.

Part E. Public Relations

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Maintain an annual chapter yearbook for local and regional meetings. Yearbook will contain articles, photos and records of chapter activities, and as per the Executive Council may be submitted in competition at the Annual Regional Convention;

Maintain a record of all chapter functions as related to scholarship, honors, fundraising, social activities, service projects, orientations, and inductionπs of new members.

Prepare and submit press releases which cover all chapter functions/activities worthy of note to the college newspaper, marketing office, local newspapers, and local radio stations.

Oversee the distribution of flyers, brochures, and other announcements which are used to publicize chapter activities.

Part F. The Fundraising Coordinator

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Devise methods of raising funds that will be submitted to the Executive Council for approval or suggestions regarding further action or investigation;

Determine, with the assistance of the Treasurer, the amount of money needed to cover the current yearπs expenses, while leaving sufficient funds for the succeeding Executive Council to begin subsequent operation of the chapter;

Ensure that the general membership and the college are advised of all fundraising activities;

Maintain records of all fundraising activities including amount raised;

Supervise all fundraising activities, included getting coverage for event and collecting proceeds;

Thank each donor, personally and publicly, whenever the chapter receives a gift or contribution;

Present the chapter Treasurer with all funds raised for recording and deposit.

Part G. The Activities Coordinator

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Plan and organize all fellowship socials in the current year for the general membership;

Coordinate and supervise the annual chapter service project;

Arrange travel for chapter members attending local and regional Society functions.

Part H. The Membership Coordinator

Attend Executive Council meetings held once per week;

Be an active part in all chapter functions and activities;

Oversee the preparation the prospective member invitation and information letter mailing each term. Carol in counseling will run the letter, chapter members may need to stuff envelopes and prepare the mailing;

Assist the President and Vice-President in organizing and supervising the Orientation Meetings each term;

Assist the President and Vice-President in organizing and supervising the Induction Ceremony each;

Organize and supervise telephone trees for reminding members of upcoming activities;

Maintain the general membership list for the term. Carol in the counseling center will run this list.

Part I. Every Executive Council member shall be of service and support to his/her fellow officers whenever possible.

Part K. Every Executive Council member shall be charged with the responsibility of orientating his/her succeeding officer to perform his/her duties with conviction, diligence, and respect.

Article II. General Membership

Section 1. Invitation and Orientation

Part A. The students eligible for membership in the Society shall receive a prospective membership mailing at the beginning of Winter and Spring terms. This mailing shall include a formal letter of invitation to a chapter orientation from the College President and a Society Brochure. Students desiring membership shall obtain and submit a Membership Profile Form and an Instructor Recommendation along with the required fees prior to the date designated by the chapter each term.

Part B. The chapter orientation shall cover the history of the Society, the Hallmarks by which members are bound, the benefits of membership and the requirements necessary to maintain good standing in Alpha Tau Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

Section 2. Induction An induction ceremony shall be held for eligible students desiring membership in Winter and Spring terms. The ceremony shall be conducted in a manner prescribed by the Society and adopted by the chapter.

Section 3. Maintenance of Good Standing

Part A. Every member of Alpha Tau Upsilon is bound to maintain his/her G.P.A. as stated in the General By-laws. Disregard of this requirement shall result in probation. Lack of improvement shall result in the striking of the memberπs name from the local, regional, and international rolls.

Part B. Any member who is found guilty of any felony offense shall be immediately expelled from the Society.