Bylaws
Updated July 29, 2005 and under review by Phi Theta Kappa International Headquarters submitted August 17, 2005.
Article I: Preamble
Article II: Name of Chapter
Article III: Purpose
Article IV: Membership
Article V: Chapter Advisor
Article VI: Officers
Article VII: Election of Officers
Article VIII: Removal of Officers
Article IX: Meetings
Article X: Finances
Article XI: Bylaws
Article XII: Amendments and Revisions
ALPHA PI OMICRON CHAPTER BYLAWS
Preamble
We the members of Phi Theta Kappa, in the chapter of Alpha Pi Omicron, hereby establish these Bylaws uniting our
chapter in scholarship, fellowship, leadership, and service.
Article I: Name of Chapter
The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Alpha Pi Omicron.
The purpose of Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Cuyamaca College shall be the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among students of this college.
Section 1: Membership in Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter shall consist of standard member, enhanced member, super-enhanced member, provisional member, alumni member and honorary member.
A. Qualifications of membership: Each candidate for membership must have completed 12 semester units of associate degree work, with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50, adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of upstanding character. None of the twelve semester units may be obtained in credit/no credit classes. Remedial classes and classes not specifically leading to a degree may not be counted in the original twelve units or in the computation of GPA. A GPA of 3.25 must be maintained. If a member's cumulative GPA falls below 3.25, they have one semester probation period in which to bring the average to 3.25. If the member fails to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.25 after one semester, the member shall have his/her name stricken from the local chapter roll and the Phi Theta Kappa International Headquarters shall be notified to strike the name from the international roll as well. Members may achieve the following levels:
1. Standard Member: Each candidate for Standard Member must fulfill all requirements of Qualifications of membership and hall also:
a) Attend two meetings (general or board) per semester.
b) Assist with an orientation meeting other than the member's own.
c) Participate in one Hallmark (Service, Fellowship or Leadership) event.
d) Pay semester dues as per Article IX: Section 3.
2. Enhanced Member: Each candidate for Enhanced Member must fulfill all requirements of a Standard Member and shall also:
a) Participate in two additional Hallmark events.
3. Super-Enhanced Member: Each candidate for Super-Enhanced Member must fulfill all the requirements of a Enhanced Member and shall also:
a) Assist with an Induction Ceremony other than his/her own.
Section 2: Other membership shall consist of Provisional, Alumni, and Honorary.
A. Provisional Member: A Provisional Member of Phi Theta Kappa is a student who, in the opinion of this chapter, has shown an active interest in the affairs of the society. And, serves the society in some special capacity, but who does not meet the full requirements for membership in the society. Chapter requirements for admission as a provisional member shall be academic excellence as defined by a GPA of 3.50 on all credits taken in high school and/or 3.50 GPA in at least 12 semester units at another college recognized by the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges (or another college with full accreditation). In order to become a provisional member of the Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter, a student must be enrolled in an associate degree program at Cuyamaca College, adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of upstanding character. Provisional members will not be affiliated with the national organization of Phi Theta Kappa, cannot hold office and cannot vote on chapter, regional or national matters. Provisional members will pay local dues, but are not required to pay national dues until they have qualified for full membership.
B. Alumni Member: Alumni members shall be former members who terminated their active membership in good standing at Cuyamaca College or upon graduation. Alumni members shall be entitled to all the privileges of full members except the right to vote or to hold office.
C. Honorary Member: Honorary membership may be granted in this chapter to anyone who has rendered distinguished service. Honorary Members may not vote or hold office. The executive board will appoint honorary Members.
D. Members and Provisional members must be current Associated Students of Cuyamaca College cardholders!
Section 3: Transfer membership:
A. A student wanting to transfer into Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter, must achieve the following:
1. Was a full member in good standing at another Phi Theta Kappa Chapter.
2. Currently enrolled in at least one class in an associates degree program at Cuyamaca College.
3. Qualified for membership described in Article III: Section 1, A.
Section 4: Membership is open to all qualified students without regard to race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin, provided member has all rights of citizenship in the country of residency.
Section 1: The executive board shall recommend a chapter advisor for approval by the administration of Cuyamaca College.
Section 2: The chapter advisor shall be responsible for the guidance of chapter activities and shall act on behalf of the national society and Cuyamaca College Administration.
Section 3: The chapter advisor shall oversee the completion of the annual report, membership report forms, and membership profile forms required by the National Phi Theta Kappa Society.
Section 4: The advisor shall not be a voting member of the chapter.
Section 5: The advisor shall be responsible for all duties as set forth in the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution.
Section 1: All chapter officers must be members in good standing of Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter, have a cumulative GPA of 3.25, be currently enrolled at Cuyamaca College and be an ASCC cardholder.
Section 2: The Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following elected officers: President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and other officers deemed necessary to fulfill the society's objectives. The Executive Committee shall consist of the advisor and elected officers. Each of the elected officers shall have a vote at Executive Committee meetings, except for the President who will vote only in the event of a tie.
Section 3: If the Executive Committee determines another elected office is necessary to fulfill the objectives of the society, the position may be created by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. The current positions are: Vice President of Fellowship, Vice President of Fundraising, Vice President of Leadership, Vice President of Scholarship, and Vice President of Service.
Section 4: The duties of the President shall be as follows:
A. Preside over meetings.
B. Serve as a member of and preside over meetings of the executive council.
C. Vote only in the event of a tie.
D. Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees, except in the case of the nomination committee.
E. Present business to the organization.
F. Represent the organization at all times.
G. Be responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report to be sent to the National Headquarters at least thirty days prior to the National Convention.
H. Perform other such duties as may be required.
Section 5: The duties of the Executive Vice President shall be as follows:
A. Perform all duties of the President in the event of the President's absence.
B. Shall become president in the event the president cannot complete his/her term.
C. Coordinate all committees with the Vice Presidents responsible for those services.
D. Chair the committee reviewing the annual report.
E. Perform other such duties as may be required.
Section 6: The duties of the other officers deemed necessary to fulfill the society's objectives shall be as follows:
A. Be members of the Executive Committee and attend all its meetings.
B. Preside over meetings of and plan society functions related to his/her respective committees. The society functions are to meet the criteria and recommendations for the hallmark or objective as set forth in the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Officers Manual.
C. Report the minutes of each of these meetings to the Executive Committee.
D. Arrange guests for College hour and coordinate programs
E. Perform other such duties as may be required.
Section 7: The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:
A. Act as liaison between district accounting department, Student Activity Coordinator and the Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
B. Deposit funds into the district account and request checks as needed for chapter use.
C. Collect dues and issue receipts.
D. Keep a set of books for Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter which may be used to verify correct posting of district records.
E. Conduct a review of chapter books with Chapter Advisor, New Treasurer, Old Treasurer and Recording Secretary prior to relinquishing office.
F. Make a report of finances at each business meeting.
G. Serve as ex-officio member of any budget or finance committees
H. Coordinate with Vice President of Fundraising for deposit and disbursement of funds.
I. Perform other such duties as may be required.
Section 8: The duties of Recording Secretary shall be as follows:
A. Take roll call at the meetings.
B. Take and read minutes of the meetings.
C. Notify members to be placed on academic probation.
D. Maintain records of the meetings.
E. Maintain a file of chapter correspondence.
F. Report recommendations and actions of the executive committee to members.
G. Chair the committee reviewing the chapter bylaws in the absence of a Vice President of Leadership.
H. Keep copies of current bylaws.
I. Keep record of suggested revisions to the chapter bylaws in order to submit to the bylaws review committee upon their convening.
J. Perform other such duties as may be required.
Section 9: The duties of the Public Relations Officer shall be as follows:
A. Maintain and publish a newsletter and calendar of events.
B. Coordinate with ASCC for use of Cuyamaca College Marquee, bulletin boards, and other media.
C. Place publicity in the glass case in the main corridor.
D. Assist with preparation and/or staffing of table at all club day functions.
E. Maintain chapter web site.
F. Submit to Regional Coordinator reports of chapter activities or in advance of important events every other month on the appropriate form. This duty may be waived if any member of Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter is nominated to Regional or International Office.
Article VI: Election of Officers
Section 1: All candidates for chapter office must be active members in Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter, and
in good standing as defined by Art. 3 Sec. 1.A and Art. 5 Sec. 1 of the Alpha Pi Omicron Chapter bylaws.Section 2: The procedure to elect officers of this chapter shall be as follows.
A. The elections committee shall consist of non-candidates.
B. The elections of officers shall be held in the first meeting following induction each semester unless otherwise directed by the chapter advisor or president.
C. Nominations may be made from the floor, provided the nominee is qualified, is present, or has given consent to serve if elected.
D. The installation meeting shall be held at the first meeting following each election.
E. Elections shall be by ballot, except where there is one nominee for an office, at which time the vote for that office may be by voice.
F. In the event of a ballot vote, the ballots will be collected, and given to the chapter advisor who will tally the votes.
G. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
H. Any member who cannot physically attend the meeting in which ballots are cast can, by prior arrangement with the executive board, vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be turned in to the advisor prior to the commencement of elections. That member can later choose to attend the meeting where ballots are cast but cannot participate in the election.
a) In the event of a tie, the executive board shall vote to select an officer by secret ballot. If another tie exists the executive board shall select an officer by lot.
Section 3: Terms of office.
A. The term of office of the President and Vice President shall be one academic year.
B. All other officers shall be elected to serve one semester.
C. Officers shall hold office from the time of their installation, which shall be at the first meeting following their election, to the time of the next installation.
D. Unlimited multiple terms is authorized for all offices.
Section 4: Vacancies.
A. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by a special election held at the meeting following the announcement of vacancy with the exception of the office of President. In this case the Executive Vice-President shall automatically become President and the office of Executive Vice-President shall become vacant.
B. The President shall have the power to make a temporary appointment at their discretion until a meeting may be held.
Article VII: Removal of Officers
Section 1: A chapter officer will be removed from office if they cannot or will not fulfill the requirements of the office, or by petition that any such officer be removed.
Section 2: Requirements.
A. A special meeting of the chapter must be held to discuss the problem.
B. A vote or petition of 3/4 of the active membership is sufficient to remove an officer from office.
Section 3: Removal from office does not bar this member from seeking re-election unless prohibited from membership under the terms of Phi Theta Kappa National By-laws, Chapter 1, Sections 1 or 6.
Section 1: All business meetings will follow the general agenda: Order of Business.
A. Call to order.
B. Roll call.
C. Reading and approval of the minutes.
D. Treasurer's report.
E. Committee reports.
F. Old business.
G. New business.
H. Announcements.
I. Adjournment.
Section 2: A quorum of two-thirds of the executive committee and the faculty advisor must be present before
a board meeting may be called to order. Quorum may be waived/combined for split meetings. Executive committee meetings are open to all members in good standing.Section 3: At least one general meeting is to be held each semester. General meetings are open to all members in good standing. Voting at a general meeting will be determined by a simple majority of members present.
Section 4: All meetings shall be governed by an adaptation of Robert's Rules of Order as modified by the board.
Section 5: Special committee meetings shall be called by the chairperson of said committee. Procedures at such meetings are left to the discretion of the chairperson. Report of each meeting shall be given to the members of the Executive Committee for review or advisory only prior to the next chapter meeting.
Section 1: Finances for this chapter will be raised by projects approved by the Executive Committee.
Section 2: No member will obligate the chapter to any debt. The Executive Committee will approve expenditures.
Section 3: The chapter treasurer must receive Payment of the National Initiation Fee before members can be initiated.
Section 4: All active members must pay local dues determined at the first general meeting of the semester.
Section 5: The treasurer will retain Coffee and associated receipts. Other receipts will be forwarded to the district accountant; ASCC or business services where applicable.
Section 6: A joint audit of chapter books will be made annually by the chapter treasurer and appointed college representative.
Section 1: By-laws shall be passed by a simple majority vote of the membership and shall cover pertinent topics including interpretation of the existing bylaws.
Section 2: The secretary shall keep a permanent record of all by-laws on file.
Article XI: Amendments and Revisions
Section 1: Revision of the bylaws must be approved by a majority of the members present at any general meeting. Any revision to the by-laws must be sent to the National Headquarters for final approval.
Section 2: The bylaws may be amended by a vote of a simple majority of the members present at any general meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has been presented at a previous meeting. Any changes to the bylaws must be sent to the National Headquarters for final approval.
Section 3: The Vice President of Leadership shall chair The Bylaws Review Committee. In the event that position is eliminated or not filled, the committee shall be chaired by the Executive Vice President. The committee shall consist of the Executive Vice President, the Recording Secretary, and three chapter members.
Contact
Phi Theta Kappa Office
Student Center - I-124
Phone: 619-660-4371
