Tau Chapter Bylaws
| Bylaws |
BYLAWS
of the Tau Chapter
of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority
ARTICLE I.
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Tau Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority.
ARTICLE II.
Object
The object of the Tau Chapter shall be to assemble students of the Pennsylvania State University in the spirit of service to humanity and to develop friendships among students of all races and creeds. This chapter shall be conducted as a service organization under the provisions of the Bylaws of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority and the regulations of the Pennsylvania State University governing student organizations.
ARTICLE III.
Members
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be open to all students of the Pennsylvania State University.
Section 2. Any student in academic good standing as defined by having a cumulative GPA of 2.0 shall be eligible for membership, provided that such student meets campus regulations governing participation in student organizations, performs a minimum of twenty (20) hours of service each Fall semester and a minimum twenty-five (25) hours of service each Spring semester and pays chapter dues and National membership fees. A person meeting the criteria set forth in this section shall be activated into this chapter according to its official ceremony.
Section 3. Active members of this chapter shall have the right to vote and be entitled to hold office. An active member must perform a minimum of twenty (20) hours of service each Fall semester and a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of service each Spring semester; attend all meetings of this chapter with exception of four unexcused absences per semester permitted and pay chapter dues and National membership fees.
Section 4. National membership fees shall be $60 per academic year. Chapter dues shall be $40 per academic semester. National and Chapter dues for the fall semester shall be payable by the second chapter meeting of October. Chapter dues for the Spring semester shall be due by the last meeting of February. The Treasurer shall notify members seven (7) days in arrears, and those members will be placed on probation. Those members whose dues are not paid by the end of the semester may be expelled from membership in this chapter.
Section 5. Inactive membership status may be granted to a member by a majority vote of the Executive Board to those who are unable to fulfill the requirements for an active member. An inactive member must pay all National membership fees but is not required to pay that semester’s chapter dues. An inactive member shall have none of the obligations of membership in the chapter but shall be entitled to all privileges except those of making motions, of voting, of mentoring a member-in-training, and of holding office.
Section 6. A member may be placed on probation from this chapter by accumulating three unexcused absences at chapter meetings, service projects or mandatory events or nonpayment of chapter dues. If a member on probation incurs an additional unexcused absence or continues to fail to pay dues, the member may be expelled by a majority vote of the Chapter. Any violation of the sorority’s policy regarding hazing or violation of college or university rules or policies may result in expulsion from the sorority. A member who fails to complete the semester’s required service hours will be placed on probation for the following semester and will remain on probation until that semester’s service hours are completed. Failure to complete the following semester’s required service hours may result in expulsion from the chapter.
Section 7. Any member desiring to resign from the chapter shall submit a resignation in writing to the Corresponding Secretary, who shall present it to the Executive Board for action. Resigning from a chapter also removes a member from national membership.
ARTICLE IV.
Officers and Duties
Section 1. The officers of this chapter shall be a President, a Service Vice President, a Membership Vice President, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, a Financial Secretary, a Public Relations Coordinator, an Alumni Liaison, a National Representative and a Parliamentarian, all of whom, except the Parliamentarian, are elected by the membership. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by this chapter.
To accommodate small chapter numbers, a member may hold more than one or the above positions; with the exceptions being that the President & Parliamentarian cannot be combined, and the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer may not be combined.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint committees, enforce a due observation of these bylaws and perform other duties as directed by the chapter.
Section 3. The Service Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President, coordinate the service program of this chapter and maintain records of service hours.
Section 4. The Membership Vice President shall be responsible for the pledging activities of this chapter.
Section 5. The Corresponding Secretary shall notify members of the time and place of meetings and shall handle all correspondence for the chapter.
Section 6. The Recording Secretary shall record and distribute minutes of meetings and record the attendance of members at meetings. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for sending, via mail or electronic mail, all meeting minutes at least once a month to the appropriate members of the National Board of Directors.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintenance of the chapter's financial records, the receipt and disbursement of chapter/colony funds and the collection of chapter/colony dues and national membership fees. At the end of each term, an independent person shall review the financial records of the chapter.
Section 8. The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for collecting all monies and providing receipts. After recording all income, deposit all monies into the Chapter bank account.
Section 9. The Public Relations Coordinator shall maintain a history of the chapter, coordinate its public relations program and serve as reporter for the chapter to Perspectives & national website.
Section 10. The Alumni Liaison shall maintain address files for all alumni of this chapter, coordinate communications with alumni and promote alumni membership in Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority.
Section 11. The National Liaison is responsible for ensuring a communication link between the chapter and the National Board of Directors and Staff, takes primary responsibility for representing the chapter at conferences and Convention, and arranging a yearly chapter evaluation with the District Director and is a permanent member of the chapter Bylaws and/or Standing Rules Committee(s).
Section 12. The Parliamentarian shall advise on all parliamentary issues at meetings and as issues arise. The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President. The Parliamentarian is a non-voting member of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V.
Nomination and Election of Officers
Section 1. At a meeting at least three weeks prior to the date set for elections, a Nominating Committee of no more than two (2) active members per pledge class shall be organized. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate a candidate for each office to be filled at the election.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall report at a regular meeting of the membership at least one week prior to the election meeting.
Section 3. Election of officers shall be conducted at meetings of the membership held during the second to last week of the semester. Additional nominations from the floor at the election meeting shall be permitted.
Section 4. Only members who have been active members of the chapter for one (1) semester shall be eligible for election to office.
Section 5. Officers shall serve for one (1) semester or until their successors are elected and their term of office shall begin immediately following the adjournment of the election meeting or the installation ceremony.
Section 6. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, except as outlined in Article IV, Sec. 1, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office, with the exception of the Membership Vice President, who may serve no more than one (1) term.
Section 7. Election of officers shall be by ballot except when there is a single nominee for an office, the vote may be conducted by voice.
Section 8. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Service Vice President. A vacancy in all other offices shall be filled by a vote of the membership.
ARTICLE VI.
Removal from Office
Section 1. Officers and chairs may be removed from office for misconduct or non‑performance of duties. Charges must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board.
Section 2. All charges shall be investigated by the Executive Board and following the investigation, the Executive Committee shall present the charges to the membership. A two‑thirds vote of the membership shall remove an officer from office.
ARTICLE VII.
Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held every Sunday of the academic year with the exception of the University breaks unless otherwise ordered by the chapter or by the Executive Board.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board and shall be called upon the written request of 1/2 of the members of the chapter. The purpose of the meetings shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency at least seven (7) days' notice shall be given.
Section 3. A majority of the active members of the chapter shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VIII.
Executive Board
Section 1. The elected officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the chapter, and shall perform such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws. The Executive Board shall be subject to the orders of the chapter and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the chapter.
Section 3. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Board regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held on every Sunday of the academic semester with the exception of University breaks. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President and shall be called upon the written request of three members of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX.
Committees
Committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as the chapter or the Executive Board shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the chapter. The President shall be an ex‑officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE X.
Advisors
Section 1. One or more persons shall serve as advisor to the chapter in accordance with applicable campus regulations for student organizations.
ARTICLE XI.
Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules or order the chapter may adopt.
ARTICLE XII.
Amendment of Bylaws
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the chapter by a two‑thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
Section 2. Any amendments to the bylaws of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority affecting these bylaws shall be recorded automatically as amended hereto.
Section 3. A copy of the current chapter bylaws, standing rules, and member-in-training policies will be forwarded to the National Parliamentarian for approval by January 31 of each year.
As adopted on November 8th, 2009
by Tau Chapter
Signature: Kimberly A. Attardo
President
=====================================================================
Approved
______________________________________________________________________________
National Membership Director Date
______________________________________________________________________________
National Parliamentarian Date
of the Tau Chapter
of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority
ARTICLE I.
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Tau Chapter of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority.
ARTICLE II.
Object
The object of the Tau Chapter shall be to assemble students of the Pennsylvania State University in the spirit of service to humanity and to develop friendships among students of all races and creeds. This chapter shall be conducted as a service organization under the provisions of the Bylaws of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority and the regulations of the Pennsylvania State University governing student organizations.
ARTICLE III.
Members
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be open to all students of the Pennsylvania State University.
Section 2. Any student in academic good standing as defined by having a cumulative GPA of 2.0 shall be eligible for membership, provided that such student meets campus regulations governing participation in student organizations, performs a minimum of twenty (20) hours of service each Fall semester and a minimum twenty-five (25) hours of service each Spring semester and pays chapter dues and National membership fees. A person meeting the criteria set forth in this section shall be activated into this chapter according to its official ceremony.
Section 3. Active members of this chapter shall have the right to vote and be entitled to hold office. An active member must perform a minimum of twenty (20) hours of service each Fall semester and a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of service each Spring semester; attend all meetings of this chapter with exception of four unexcused absences per semester permitted and pay chapter dues and National membership fees.
Section 4. National membership fees shall be $60 per academic year. Chapter dues shall be $40 per academic semester. National and Chapter dues for the fall semester shall be payable by the second chapter meeting of October. Chapter dues for the Spring semester shall be due by the last meeting of February. The Treasurer shall notify members seven (7) days in arrears, and those members will be placed on probation. Those members whose dues are not paid by the end of the semester may be expelled from membership in this chapter.
Section 5. Inactive membership status may be granted to a member by a majority vote of the Executive Board to those who are unable to fulfill the requirements for an active member. An inactive member must pay all National membership fees but is not required to pay that semester’s chapter dues. An inactive member shall have none of the obligations of membership in the chapter but shall be entitled to all privileges except those of making motions, of voting, of mentoring a member-in-training, and of holding office.
Section 6. A member may be placed on probation from this chapter by accumulating three unexcused absences at chapter meetings, service projects or mandatory events or nonpayment of chapter dues. If a member on probation incurs an additional unexcused absence or continues to fail to pay dues, the member may be expelled by a majority vote of the Chapter. Any violation of the sorority’s policy regarding hazing or violation of college or university rules or policies may result in expulsion from the sorority. A member who fails to complete the semester’s required service hours will be placed on probation for the following semester and will remain on probation until that semester’s service hours are completed. Failure to complete the following semester’s required service hours may result in expulsion from the chapter.
Section 7. Any member desiring to resign from the chapter shall submit a resignation in writing to the Corresponding Secretary, who shall present it to the Executive Board for action. Resigning from a chapter also removes a member from national membership.
ARTICLE IV.
Officers and Duties
Section 1. The officers of this chapter shall be a President, a Service Vice President, a Membership Vice President, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, a Financial Secretary, a Public Relations Coordinator, an Alumni Liaison, a National Representative and a Parliamentarian, all of whom, except the Parliamentarian, are elected by the membership. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by this chapter.
To accommodate small chapter numbers, a member may hold more than one or the above positions; with the exceptions being that the President & Parliamentarian cannot be combined, and the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer may not be combined.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint committees, enforce a due observation of these bylaws and perform other duties as directed by the chapter.
Section 3. The Service Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President, coordinate the service program of this chapter and maintain records of service hours.
Section 4. The Membership Vice President shall be responsible for the pledging activities of this chapter.
Section 5. The Corresponding Secretary shall notify members of the time and place of meetings and shall handle all correspondence for the chapter.
Section 6. The Recording Secretary shall record and distribute minutes of meetings and record the attendance of members at meetings. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for sending, via mail or electronic mail, all meeting minutes at least once a month to the appropriate members of the National Board of Directors.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintenance of the chapter's financial records, the receipt and disbursement of chapter/colony funds and the collection of chapter/colony dues and national membership fees. At the end of each term, an independent person shall review the financial records of the chapter.
Section 8. The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for collecting all monies and providing receipts. After recording all income, deposit all monies into the Chapter bank account.
Section 9. The Public Relations Coordinator shall maintain a history of the chapter, coordinate its public relations program and serve as reporter for the chapter to Perspectives & national website.
Section 10. The Alumni Liaison shall maintain address files for all alumni of this chapter, coordinate communications with alumni and promote alumni membership in Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority.
Section 11. The National Liaison is responsible for ensuring a communication link between the chapter and the National Board of Directors and Staff, takes primary responsibility for representing the chapter at conferences and Convention, and arranging a yearly chapter evaluation with the District Director and is a permanent member of the chapter Bylaws and/or Standing Rules Committee(s).
Section 12. The Parliamentarian shall advise on all parliamentary issues at meetings and as issues arise. The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President. The Parliamentarian is a non-voting member of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V.
Nomination and Election of Officers
Section 1. At a meeting at least three weeks prior to the date set for elections, a Nominating Committee of no more than two (2) active members per pledge class shall be organized. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate a candidate for each office to be filled at the election.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall report at a regular meeting of the membership at least one week prior to the election meeting.
Section 3. Election of officers shall be conducted at meetings of the membership held during the second to last week of the semester. Additional nominations from the floor at the election meeting shall be permitted.
Section 4. Only members who have been active members of the chapter for one (1) semester shall be eligible for election to office.
Section 5. Officers shall serve for one (1) semester or until their successors are elected and their term of office shall begin immediately following the adjournment of the election meeting or the installation ceremony.
Section 6. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, except as outlined in Article IV, Sec. 1, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office, with the exception of the Membership Vice President, who may serve no more than one (1) term.
Section 7. Election of officers shall be by ballot except when there is a single nominee for an office, the vote may be conducted by voice.
Section 8. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Service Vice President. A vacancy in all other offices shall be filled by a vote of the membership.
ARTICLE VI.
Removal from Office
Section 1. Officers and chairs may be removed from office for misconduct or non‑performance of duties. Charges must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board.
Section 2. All charges shall be investigated by the Executive Board and following the investigation, the Executive Committee shall present the charges to the membership. A two‑thirds vote of the membership shall remove an officer from office.
ARTICLE VII.
Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held every Sunday of the academic year with the exception of the University breaks unless otherwise ordered by the chapter or by the Executive Board.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Board and shall be called upon the written request of 1/2 of the members of the chapter. The purpose of the meetings shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency at least seven (7) days' notice shall be given.
Section 3. A majority of the active members of the chapter shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VIII.
Executive Board
Section 1. The elected officers of the chapter shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2. The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the chapter, and shall perform such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws. The Executive Board shall be subject to the orders of the chapter and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the chapter.
Section 3. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Board regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held on every Sunday of the academic semester with the exception of University breaks. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President and shall be called upon the written request of three members of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX.
Committees
Committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as the chapter or the Executive Board shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the chapter. The President shall be an ex‑officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE X.
Advisors
Section 1. One or more persons shall serve as advisor to the chapter in accordance with applicable campus regulations for student organizations.
ARTICLE XI.
Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules or order the chapter may adopt.
ARTICLE XII.
Amendment of Bylaws
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the chapter by a two‑thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
Section 2. Any amendments to the bylaws of Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority affecting these bylaws shall be recorded automatically as amended hereto.
Section 3. A copy of the current chapter bylaws, standing rules, and member-in-training policies will be forwarded to the National Parliamentarian for approval by January 31 of each year.
As adopted on November 8th, 2009
by Tau Chapter
Signature: Kimberly A. Attardo
President
=====================================================================
Approved
______________________________________________________________________________
National Membership Director Date
______________________________________________________________________________
National Parliamentarian Date
