Chapter Bylaws

Chapter 1. Name of Chapter
Chapter 2. Purpose
Chapter 3. Membership
Chapter 4. Chapter Advisor
Chapter 5. Officers
Chapter 6. Election of Officers
Chapter 7. Meetings
Chapter 8. Finances
Chapter 9. Amendments and revision

CHAPTER 1. Name of Chapter

The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Sigma Zeta, and it shall be bound by the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution, Bylaws, and Official Policy statements.

CHAPTER 2. Purpose

The purpose Sigma Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Lane Community College shall be the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service, and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students of this college.

CHAPTER 3. Membership

Section 1. Types of membership in Sigma Zeta Chapter shall consist of member, provisional member, alumni member, and honorary member as defined in Article IV, Section 1, of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

A. Member. In addition to meeting membership eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* each candidate for membership must:

1. Have completed twelve (12) quarter credit hours while full time or eighteen (18) quarter credit hours part time of associate degree or transfer program course work,

2. Have a Grade Point Average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale,

3. Adhere to the school conduct code,

4. Possess recognized qualities of citizenship.

Grades for courses completed at other institutions will not be considered when determining membership eligibility. A cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in good standing. Failure to maintain the required cumulative Grade Point Average will result in the member being removed from good standing as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* Article 1, Section 3. Failure to meet good standing requirements as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws* will cause membership and all membership privileges to be revoked.

B. Enhanced Member. Any member in good standing is eligible to participate in the enhanced member program. The program is voluntary and designed to offer members the opportunity to glean maximum benefit from their membership. It encourages participation in activities related to the Society's four hallmarks, as well as offering the opportunity for members to earn additional awards as their participation grows.

C. Provisional Member. In addition to meeting eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1B of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* a student must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.25 on all course work completed in high school, be currently enrolled in associate degree course work at Lane Community College, adhere to school conduct code, and possess recognized qualities of citizenship. Provisional members will pay local chapter dues of $10.00 until they have qualified for full membership.

D. Alumni Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1C of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

E. Honorary Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1D of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

F. Transfer Member. A member from another Phi Theta Kappa chapter may transfer membership to Sigma Zeta Chapter if he or she is currently enrolled at Lane Community College and meets the maintenance eligibility GPA of the chapter.

CHAPTER 4. Chapter Advisor

Section 1. In addition to carrying out the duties as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* Article IV, Section 5, the chapter advisor shall be responsible for overseeing the completion and submission of member names and fees as well as the Chapter Annual Report to Headquarters. The advisor shall be officially appointed by the college administration and shall be a non-voting member of the chapter.

Section 2. The Chapter Advisor shall have final approval with regard to all campus policies and procedures as they relate to Sigma Zeta Chapter.

Section 3. Receive all money and related documentation.

CHAPTER 5. Officers

Section 1. All officers must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing, maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.25, and be enrolled as a credit Lane Community College student carrying a course load of six (6) credit hours per term (fall, winter, and spring).

Section 2. The Sigma Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following officers: President, President Elect, Vice President (2), Communications Officer. The Past President shall serve as an ex-officio officer. Any regional or international officers active in the chapter shall also serve as ex-officio officers. A member of the alumni chapter may serve as an officer. The chapter may appoint additional officers.

Section 3. The duties of the President shall be as follows:

A. Preside over all business meetings.

B. Appoint and establish any necessary committees.

C. Vote only in case of a tie.

D. Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.

E. Present business to the organization.

F. Represent the organization at all times.

G. Appoint a committee to review and/or revise the chapter bylaws annually.

H. Appoint a committee to prepare the Annual Report to be sent to Headquarters each spring.

Section 4. The duties of the President Elect shall be as follows:

A. Perform all duties of the president in the event of his or her absence.

B. Take roll at the meetings.

C. Supervise the activities of the vice presidents.

D. Head the committee reviewing the chapter bylaws and the annual report.

E. Maintain chapter finances and report monthly.

F. Become president in the event the president cannot complete his or her term.

G. Assume position of president in second year of office.

Section 5. The duties of the Vice President(s) shall be as follows:

A. Coordinate activities related to the Honors topic.

B. Provide documentation and other records of Hallmark activities.

C. Coordinate all committees.

Section 6. The Communications Officer shall:

A. Take and distribute minutes of meetings.

B. Maintain records of the meetings.

C. Maintain a file of chapter correspondence.

D. Maintain a complete record of Chapter activities.

E. Serve on the committee to prepare the Annual Report to be sent to Headquarters each spring.

Section 7. Other duties shall be distributed based on individual skills and interests.

CHAPTER 6. Election of Officers

Section 1. In addition to meeting requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 3 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* all candidates for office must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing.

Section 2. Elections must be held before the last meeting during the spring semester of each year.

Section 3. Officers shall hold office from the time of their inauguration to the time of the next inauguration.

Section 4. The process for candidates to follow is:

A. See the advisor to learn expectations of each office.

B. Complete an Application for Officers.

C. Attend the spring induction and an orientation for officers.

Section 5. A simple majority vote shall elect any officer.

Section 6. In any case when an officer must resign his office, an election may be held to elect a new officer. The president shall have the power to make a temporary appointment at his/her discretion until an election can be held.

CHAPTER 7. Meetings

Section 1. All business meetings will follow a written agenda. Additions and corrections may be made at the beginning of each meeting.

Section 2. A quorum shall consist of all active members present with a minimum of two officers.

Section 3. All meetings shall be governed by an adaptation of Robert's Rules of Order.

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

Section 5. Executive meetings will be held at least once a month, and all officers must be notified at least 24 hours prior.

CHAPTER 8. Finances

Section 1. Finances for this chapter will be raised by projects agreed to by the membership and from donations.

Section 2. Payment of the International Membership dues must be received by the chapter advisor before members may be inducted.

Section 3. All members must pay the Chapter dues prior to induction.

Section 4. All members must pay the Rocky Mountain-Cascade Region dues prior to induction.

Section 5. Purchases must be approved by the advisor or authorized officer prior to purchase, and all refund disbursements must be submitted with supporting invoices or statements.

Section 6. Financial records of the chapter shall be periodically audited by the advisor. Summary information will be reviewed by the executive committee.

CHAPTER 9. Amendments and revision

Section 1. The chapter bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at any meeting. Any changes to the bylaws must be sent to International Headquarters for final approval.

Bylaws of Sigma Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa adopted by the membership at a meeting held on October 1st, 2008. Witnessed hereto by the 2008 officers and chapter advisor.:

* Refers to the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution and Bylaws.

Phi Theta Kappa is committed to the elimination of discrimination based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and cultural and religious backgrounds.

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