Bylaws
ARTICLE I
NAME AND AFFILIATION
The name of the organization shall be the Troy University Dothan Campus Chapter
of the Gamma Beta Phi Society. This chapter is an integral part of the national
organization of The Gamma Beta Phi Society and shall adhere to the policies laid
down in the national constitution. Its Coat of Arms, Motto, Watchwords, Colors,
and Emblem shall be those of the national organization.
ARTICLE II
NATURE AND PURPOSE
This chapter shall be a non-secret, non-profit, scholastic honor, educational
service organization for students at Troy University Dothan Campus. The
membership therein shall not be excluded by, nor excluded from membership in any
other social, academic, or fraternal organization. Membership therein shall not
be restricted by race, sex, or creed. The purpose of this chapter, as of the
national organization, is exclusively educational within the meaning of section
501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. It shall not engage in
activities not permitted a 501(C) (3) organization or an organization's
contributions to which are deductible under section 170(C) (2) of that Code (or
the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of its members, officers,
or other private persons, except that it may make reasonable compensation for
services rendered and make distributions in furtherance of its purposes. No
substantial part of the chapter's activities shall involve political propaganda
or campaigns, or the attempt to influence legislation. The objectives of the
chapter are to recognize and encourage educational excellence, to promote the
development of leadership ability and character in its members, and to foster,
disseminate, and improve education through appropriate service projects. This
chapter shall implement these objectives by procedures consonant with the local
situation and in cooperation with the faculty and administration of Troy
University Dothan Campus.
ARTICLE III
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Students invited into membership in this chapter of The Gamma Beta
Phi Society shall be students at Troy University Dothan Campus and must be
committed to excellence in education, to good character, and to service. Any
undergraduate student, full or part-time, who has completed 12 semester hours of
work at Troy University Dothan, excluding any pass-fail work or hours earned due
to placement tests or tests such as CLEP or CEEB, is eligible for membership
provided he or she meets the other requirements. A graduate student who has
completed 12 hours of graduate level courses is eligible for membership provided
he or she meets the other requirements. Any student, including graduate
students, whose cumulative grade point average ranks within the top 20% of his
or her class, meets the scholastic requirements for membership. Transfers to
Troy University Dothan Campus who were members in good standing of the Gamma
Beta Phi Society at their former college or university are automatically
welcomed as members at Troy University Dothan Campus and do not again pay the
national fee. Each member must pay the one-time national membership fee set by
the National Senate. The local dues of the chapter shall be set by the executive
committee; with a majority of the members voting to concur with guidelines set
by the national organization and must be paid no later than the regularly
scheduled meeting in April. Each inductee must take the membership pledge. A
member in good standing may continue active membership following graduation. He
or she is welcome to participate in all chapter activities; however, he or she
will not be able to vote or hold an office. Sometimes it is necessary for a
member to leave a chapter (i.e., sickness, wait for money, and many other
reasons). That member may want to become active again in the chapter, and the
executive committee has the authority (after determining that the member was “In
Good Standing” when he or she had to leave the chapter) to accept / reject the
member’s request to return to active status. Section 2. Starting with the Spring
Quarter of 1983, the Troy University Dothan Campus Chapter of Gamma Beta Phi
shall employ an activity point system. It is not the purpose of the system to
overburden any member. The purpose of this system is to insure that every member
maintains a reasonable level of participation in the activities of the chapter.
In this way, the members will benefit by their involvement and the chapter will
be better able to accomplish its purpose- the promotion of service, scholarship,
and character. Beginning the semester of his/her induction, a member must earn
eight activity points per semester. If any member fails to earn the required
eight points, he/she will be placed on probation for one semester. During this
probation semester, the member must make up the deficient points from the
previous semester plus the current semester's required eight points. Any member
failing to do so will be declared permanently inactive and not in good standing
with the chapter. A member must actively participate in at least two service
projects each year in order to remain an active member. Any member who earns no
points during a two-semester period and who has not notified the chapter
executive committee either in person or in writing of his/her reason(s) for lack
of participation and has not been excused by the executive committee from
participating during said semesters shall immediately and without notification
be dropped from membership and declared not in good standing with the Society.
Activity points may be earned by participating in any of the following: 1/2
Point Each: * For each half-hour of participation in a fund raising or service
project which is divided into specific time slots. * For bringing refreshment to
a meeting. One Point Each: * Participating in fund-raising project. *
Contributing articles to newsletters, scrapbooks, etc. * Independent work for
GBP such as addressing newsletter, putting up posters, making phone calls, etc.
Two Points Each: * Attending a regular monthly meeting of Gamma Beta Phi. *
Serving on an active committee. * Participating in a service project. Three
Points Each: * Serving as a project chairperson. * Serving as an active
committee chairperson. * Attending a state convention. * Attending annual
induction ceremony. Four Points Each: *Attending a national convention. NOTE:
Additional point totals may be awarded to members of the Society for work or
service contributions when it has been voted on and accepted by the general
membership. Any member who expressly promises or agrees to aid Gamma Beta Phi by
serving as a committee member or participating in an event sponsored by Gamma
Beta Phi shall be committed to serving in such capacity as formerly agreed upon.
Any failure to meet this duty shall be considered a breach of Gamma Beta Phi
ideals of worthy character, unless notification is given to the executive
committee, or a member thereof, no later than 48 hours after the conclusion of
said event. The executive committee may place members who chronically fail to
meet their commitments on probation and if the member does not improve, the
member will be suspended. An activity point system will be maintained for each
member. Cumulative point totals shall have an influence on the decisions for
awards given to outstanding members. In accordance with the nature and purpose
of The Gamma Beta Phi Society, members are expected to participate in the
projects, meetings, and other activities of the chapter. A member may be dropped
from membership for failure to meet the activity standards established by/for
the chapter. It shall be one of the duties of the chapter executive committee to
insure that enough ways of making points are provided so that sincere members
will be able to make their points without undue hardship. Members in danger of
coming up short are encouraged to contact the executive committee for
suggestions. Any member has the right to appeal to the executive committee if
the member feels he/she has been treated unfairly. A member dropped from
membership may appeal the decision of the chapter executive committee to the
State advisor, and then, if desired, to the Executive Director whose decision is
final. The name of any member dropped from membership shall be sent to the
Executive Director immediately, along with the reason for the action. A student
dropped from membership may later be reinstated by action of the chapter
executive committee, if the committee is satisfied that the student now meets
the standards of membership. A member so reinstated will not again pay the
national membership fee, but notification of the reinstatement shall be sent at
once to the Executive Director.
ARTICLE IV
LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
A member of the Troy University Dothan Campus chapter of The Gamma Beta Phi
Society may be dropped from membership for failure to pay his/her dues by the
designated date each April. A member must retain a ranking within his/her class
on no less than the top 30%. If a member should drop below that, he/she will be
allowed one semester of probation to regain such ranking. If after that
semester, he/she does not meet the retention standard, he/she will be suspended
from membership until his/her ranking is again within the top 30% of his/her
class. A member on the “Not In Good Standing” list (Article III, Section I) will
be transferred to permanent inactive status one calendar year after being placed
on the temporary list unless the member requests, in writing, an extension. The
executive committee will decide whether or not to grant the request. A member of
this chapter may be dropped from membership for failure to meet the requirements
of the activity point system (as detailed in Article III, Section II) or upon
executive committee's screening of the inactive membership list and deciding, on
a case-by-case basis, which inactive members are to be dropped. Any member
dropped from membership may appeal in writing or in person to the executive
committee. Further appeal may be made to the State Advisor and then to the
Executive Director whose decision is final A student dropped from membership may
later be reinstated by action of the chapter executive committee if the
committee is satisfied that he/she now meets the standards for membership. A
member so reinstated will not again pay the national membership fee. A record of
the reinstatement shall be immediately sent to the Executive Director.
ARTICLE V
INDUCTION OF MEMBERS
Induction of new members shall take place two times per year, Spring & Fall
semesters. The induction ceremonies shall be a dignified occasion. There shall
be no hazing of an inductee-either that which would result in physical
discomfort or that which would cause mental embarrassment. The National Office
shall be sent immediately the Application for Membership form, the information
card and the national fee for each new member.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
The elected officers of this chapter of the Gamma Beta Phi Society shall be: a
president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, a public relations
director, a historian, a special projects director, and a website officer. The
duties of the president shall be: to preside at all meetings, to appoint all
committees and all committee officers, unless such officers are selected
otherwise; to guide the activities and administer the policies laid down in the
national constitution and the chapter by-laws; to complete and file with
National Headquarters the year-end report; and to be the representative of this
chapter when necessary or desirable. The duties of the vice-president shall be:
to preside at meetings when the president is absent; to assume the presidency
should the president be unable to serve; to assist in administering the affairs
of the chapter; and to chair committees as appointed by the president. The
duties of the secretary shall be: to carry on the general correspondence of the
chapter; to order and properly disburse material from headquarters; to record
and prepare the minutes of each meeting; to keep current records of the members
and their standing, points wise as well as their service project status, within
the organization; and to keep National Headquarters informed about all changes
in membership and elected officers membership and reasons for such. The duties
of the treasurer shall be: to collect and safeguard the funds of the chapter; to
keep complete and accurate records of all financial transactions; to complete
and send to National Headquarters a year-end financial statement; to order and
disburse to members items such as jewelry and clothing; and to pass on to the
treasurer succeeding him/her all funds remaining in the treasury and to give the
advisor all financial records. The duties of the public relations director shall
be: to publicize all chapter activities (meetings, fund-raisers, and service
projects primarily); to serve as editor of the chapter newsletter, when one is
deemed necessary, and be responsible for having the newsletter printed and
mailed to all active members, Advisors, state officers, and national officers.
The public relations director shall also serve as the chair of the publicity
committee, when such a committee is formed, and ensure that the duties of the
committee are fully and properly accomplished. The duties of the historian shall
be: to prepare a scrapbook of the chapter's activities for the school year. A
scrapbook committee may be appointed to assist. When such a committee is deemed
necessary, the historian shall chair that committee. The duties of the special
projects director shall be: to present fund-raising projects to the membership,
to coordinate service projects, and to plan social activities. The special
projects director will also chair the projects committee, when such a committee
is formed, or any special committee upon appointment by the president. The
duties of the website officer shall be: to maintain the chapter's website. The
website officer will keep the website up to date with chapter activities. The
website officer will email members a reminder of upcoming meetings. The officers
of this chapter shall be nominated at a Spring semester meeting of the chapter.
The executive committee with the membership concurring will set the date of this
meeting. The membership, by a simple majority vote, may suspend nominations
until the next regular meeting and then hold elections or elections may be held
at the nominations meeting. Officers will be elected by written ballot and shall
be installed at the end of that meeting at which time they shall assume their
respective duties. It shall be the duty of all officers, whether elected or
appointed, to create an atmosphere conducive to the betterment of the chapter
and to work toward a spirit of cooperation among one another.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
The standing committees of this chapter shall be: the executive committee, and
the membership-induction committee. The executive committee shall be composed of
all elected officers. The president shall chair the committee. In addition, all
elected officers from previous years are ex-officio members of the executive
committee. The Advisor and Associate Advisor will be invited to all meetings of
the committee and their counsel shall be sought and considered. The duties of
the committee shall be: to see that the standards of membership are maintained,
to handle all disciplinary matters; to plan general policies and activities for
presentation to the membership and to insure that only qualified persons are
allowed into membership. The president shall appoint the membership-induction
committee and the chairman. Its duties shall be to acquire a list of prospective
members and data on the grade-point cutoffs for the active and prospective
members from the advisors, to issue the invitations and acceptance letters for
the Spring semester membership drive, to organize the Spring semester Induction
ceremony, and to monitor the chapter's standards. In addition to these two
standing committees, the president may appoint special committees to attend to,
and/or report upon any specific matter involving the chapter. Also, the
president may establish any temporary committee deemed necessary by the
president, the executive committee, or the general membership.
ARTICLE VIII
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Procedures for special election(s). Section 1. The organization shall have the
power by a two-thirds majority of all members voting to remove any elected
officer for failure to carry out his/her duties as stated in Article VI, and
after charges have been preferred by a duly appointed committee. The president
shall appoint said committee referred to in Section 1. In such case, if the
president should be under investigation, an advisor or the organization shall
appoint the committee. The committee shall consist of eight impartial members,
none of whom shall be members of the executive committee. The president, in
agreement with the executive committee, shall have the right to request the
resignation of any appointed officer who fails to fulfill his/her
responsibilities. Section 2. In the event that an officer is unable to fulfill
his/her duties, or is removed from office according to Section 1, paragraph 1, a
special election shall be held according to procedures, as follows: a.
Nominations shall be taken from the floor at the next regular meeting applicable
to the situation. b. Within a fourteen day time period from the date of the last
regular meeting, the president may call a special meeting in accordance with
Article IX to fill the office in question. c. The person receiving the majority
of the votes shall be elected to the respective office provided there is a
quorum present. He/she shall assume the duties of that office immediately. In
the event a quorum is not present, the election will be postponed until the next
regular meeting.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
Normally, the chapter shall meet at 2:30 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month
except June and July, with November-December meeting being combined and held on
a date set by the membership as a result of discussion and vote, with a simple
majority sufficient to set the date. The membership, by a simple majority vote,
may change the date of any regular meeting. The president may call a special
meeting after consultation with, and approval of, the executive committee and
the advisor. All members are to be sent notification of the special meeting and
its purpose for being called. Only the business for which the meeting is called
will be transacted, unless the membership of the chapter determines otherwise by
a vote of 2/3 of the active membership. Executive committee meetings will be
held at 1:30 p.m. before every regularly scheduled meeting. The president may
call executive committee meetings at times other than, and in addition to, the
regularly scheduled time and/or place.
ARTICLE X
QUORUM AND PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
A quorum of this chapter shall be constituted by 25 percent of the active
membership. No action may be taken which is binding upon the membership unless a
quorum is present. The parliamentary authority for this chapter shall be the
most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
ARTICLE XI
ATTENDANCE TO STATE AND NATIONAL CONVENTION
The Troy University Dothan Campus chapter will make every effort to send the
appropriate voting delegates to both State and National Conventions. All members
are encouraged to attend both State and National Conventions and the local
chapter will make every attempt to alleviate the cost incurred to the member.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDING AND TRANSMITTING THE BYLAWS
The bylaws of this chapter may be amended by a majority vote of the members at
any meeting at which a quorum is present, provided such proposed amendment in
written form has been placed before the membership at a previous regular
meeting, or has been provided to the membership at least two weeks prior to the
meeting at which the vote on such measure(s) shall be taken. Both the Executive
Director of the Gamma Beta Phi Society and the appropriate administrator or
committee at Troy University Dothan Campus shall be sent immediately a copy of
these bylaws and of any subsequent amendments of alterations. Each member will
be provided with a copy of the most recent bylaws.
ARTICLE XIII
DISSOLUTION
In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of this organization will be
turned over to the National Executive Committee to use as it sees fit.