Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania Chapter Constitution of Delta Omega – Tau Beta Sigma Revised on this date of Tuesday, the 21st day of March in the year Two Thousand Five Article I: Name Section I: The name of the organization shall be Delta Omega chapter of Tau Beta Sigma Sorority, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania: By the authority of the National Tau Beta Sigma Sorority, Honorary Band Sorority for college and university band persons. Article II: Purposes Section I: Be it known that Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Sorority for members of the college band, is an organization operating exclusively in the field of the college and university bands, for the following purposes: 1. To promote the existence and welfare of the collegiate bands and to create a respect and appreciation for band activities and achievements among the listening public everywhere. 2. To honor outstanding members of the band through privilege of membership, in the sisterhood, extended in recognition of musical achievement, demonstrated leadership, and an enthusiastic approach to band activities. 3. To develop leadership through active participation with the band, and through it, to strengthen those traits of conduct, thought, and idealism which characterize the responsible membership of the band. 4. To encourage a close relationship between collegiate bands and promote a high average of attainment by the performance of good music and selection of worthwhile projects. 5. To provide a meaningful and worthwhile social experience for all engaged in collegiate band work, and to cooperate with other musical organizations and societies in every manner consistent with our mutual purposes and those of the institution at which chapters are located. Article III: Mission Statement Section I: Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority provides service to collegiate bands, encourages the advancement women in the band profession, and promotes and enriches an appreciation of band music through recognition, leadership development, and education of its members. Article IV: Membership Section I: Membership categories shall be Active, Active Probationary, Conditional, Inactive, Alumni, Life-Member, and Honorary. The chapter shall not recognize membership until all initiation fees have been paid, and the initiation, as prescribed by the ritual, completed. Section II: Member Candidateship may be offered to regularly enrolled members of the Maroon and Gold Band holding at least a 2.2 cumulative average, if one or more semesters have been completed. If the student is in their first semester, he/she may be offered Member Candidateship on a probationary basis providing he/she obtains a 2.2 at the end of the semester. Member Candidateship cannot be offered to a person who is on disciplinary probation at Bloomsburg University. They shall be of unusually good character a nd shall possess outstanding qualities of leadership, chosen without respect to race, national origin, sex, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, or marital status. A five-dollar ($5.00) educating fee pertaining to the purchase of education materials must be paid and turned in along with a written acceptance letter stating why the person would like to be in Tau Beta Sigma. For proposing a name for member candidateship, refer to articles 6.611 and 6.612 of the Tau Beta Sigma National Constitution. A second vote shall take place IMMEDIATELY prior to the second-degree ritual as prescribed in the National Constitution. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total active membership shall be required to allow the education period for each membership candidate to continue as scheduled. In the event any membership candidate does not receive the required vote, the advisor and the total membership shall meet, discuss and decide on what changes in the education period are necessary to allow the membership candidate(s) to meet membership requirements. A final vote of greater than two-thirds (2/3) of the total active membership is required to elect a membership candidate to membership. This vote shall be taken following the end of the prescribed educating period and prior to initiation. Section III: Active members of the Sorority shall be regularly enrolled members of the Maroon and Gold Band (marching or concert), who have been formally initiated after the completion of their candidateship in the Sorority. Active members of the Sorority shall be enrolled members of the Maroon and Gold Band for at least one semester of the academic year. All annual dues and fees must be paid up to date and active members must maintain an overall 2.2 cumulative average. All members who must student teach, have internships, clinical experiences, etc. for a semester are permitted to be active for the entire academic year, as long as their dues are paid. If this situation is in the local area, the member is permitted to take a little or hold an office at the discretion of the chapter and the advisor. This member must also attend all Tau Beta Sigma functions regularly. Section IV: Academic probation is defined as a member who does not meet the active member GPA requirement of 2.2. The member will possess voting privileges, but will not be permitted to hold office or take on a little sister. After one academic semester if the required GPA is not met the member in question will than be placed under Conditional status with the chapter. After two (2) consecutive semesters (one as active one as conditional) of academic probation the member in question must become active, inactive or alumni. Section V: A member who becomes delinquent in any obligation(s) to the chapter or who displays conduct in violation of National, District, or Chapter policies may be placed on probation. The chapter Executive Board shall consult with the Chapter Sponsor before placing a member on probation. A member may be placed on probation by a majority vote of the chapter’s Executive Board. A member of the Executive Board shall inform the member of the probationary status and prescribe the terms and conditions (as prescribed by the Executive Board) necessary to remove the probationary status. The Chapter Sponsor and District Counselor shall be notified within ten (10) days of any disciplinary action. A member on probation shall not have a vote. Terms of Active Probation shall be set by the current Executive Committee to correspond with the delinquent actions of the member in question. Section VI: A member on probation who does not successfully make restitution or any member who violates any policies or procedures of the National, District or local Chapter may be placed on suspension. Prior to a vote to suspend a member, the Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and said member shall be informed in writing of the reasons for the disciplinary action. A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the chapter’s total eligible voting membership shall be required to place or lift a suspension. A suspended member shall have no active membership privileges. Once a member has been suspended, the member shall be notified in writing of the obligations to be fulfilled and a specified time period to fulfill them. The District Counselor and the National Headquarters must be notified within ten (10) days of the placement and lifting of any suspension. Section VII: A suspended member who does not successfully meet the obligations specified pursuant to Section VI, or any member who repeatedly violates the National, District, or local Chapter policies or procedures, may be expelled. In order to expel a member a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the total eligible voting membership is required. Prior to a vote on expulsion, the member has a right to a hearing before the active chapter membership and Chapter Sponsor. At least one (1) week prior to the expulsion hearing, the member, Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and National Headquarters shall be notified of the reason for the disciplinary action. The vote on expulsion shall be by secret ballot and the member will be informed of the vote totals. Having been expelled, the member shall return to the chapter all regalia and property of the Sorority being held, and the expulsion shall be noted on the Master Chapter Roster at National Headquarters. Section VIII: Conditional status may be requested by an Active member, in writing, from the chapter when conflicts arise because of work or class schedules and thus prevent the student from fulfilling the requirements for active membership. Conditional members may attend all meetings and functions; however they are ineligible to hold office or vote. Members who meet these criteria shall be granted conditional status contingent upon payment of the current year’s Member Dues. If after one (1) cumulative academic year, the member has not reclaimed active status or become an Alumni or Life member, the member will be classified as inactive with the chapter. Section IX: Former active members who are enrolled in school but do not pay membership dues will be classified as inactive. Inactive members are not considered in good standing and therefore, have no active membership privileges. Section X: In recognition of outstanding ability, accomplishment, or devotion to the best interest of the Sorority, a person can be given Honorary Membership by a chapter. This shall be the highest honor, which can be conferred by a chapter. Undergraduates are ineligible for this recognition. Section XI: Active or Conditional members become Alumni members of the sorority when they complete their education or terminate their affiliation with their college or university. If an alumni member wishes to reactivate, the alumnus must be a student, be enrolled in the university’s band, and meet the requirements as an active member of the local chapter. Section XII: Alumni or senior members, upon payment of Life Membership fees together with an application to the National Headquarters, shall be entitled to Life Membership privileges in the Sorority providing their addresses are available at the National Headquarters. If application for Life Membership is requested within two (2) years of graduation, it must have chapter approval. Purchase of a Life Membership by a senior does not exempt a person from payment of annual membership dues during the senior year. Section XIII: Further details of membership procedures are to be found in the National Constitution of Tau Beta Sigma for definition and clarity. Article V: Advisor Section I: The advisor shall be one of the directors of bands, as appointed by the University. Section II: The advisor shall help the chapter coordinate its activities with the goals and programming of the music department. Article VI: Officers Section I: The officers of the chapter shall be President, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Service, Secretary, Treasurer, Alumni Secretary/Historian, and the Webmaster. All chapter officers shall be active members of the Maroon and Gold band. For officer guidelines refer to article 6.203 of the Tau Beta Sigma National Constitution. All active members of the Maroon and Gold Band Front are permitted to be officers of the chapter for the entire academic year, even though they are in the Maroon and Gold Band for only one semester. The only exception to this policy shall be for the office of Vice-President of Membership, where the officer must be enrolled in both semesters of band. Section II: To hold the offices of President, Vice-President of Membership, Vice-President of Service, and Treasurer a member must be active and in good standing with the Sorority for at least one full academic semester. This does not include the semester in which the student was a candidate for membership. All other offices are open to any active member of the chapter. Section III If the President cannot hold the office for any reason, the Vice-President of Membership has the option to become President or may remain Vice-President and arrange a new election. All members are eligible to be nominated for that re-election except for those who have not been active for one full semester. All other offices that have not been filled or are vacant for any reason are open to nomination and elections. If this situation does arise, a person who has already been elected to an office has the option to run for another office. If they are not elected to the other office, then they are able to maintain their present office. Article VII: Duties of Officers Section I: Duties of the Officers shall be those ascribed to them by the Constitution of the National Sorority. All officers shall be expected to advance the purposes of the Sorority by promoting the work of the chapter as performed by its members and committees. Section II: The President shall preside at all meetings of the chapter. He/she shall be a member ex-officio of all chapter committees, which he/she shall appoint the chair, in addition to the position of Parliamentarian. Jointly with the Vice-President of Membership he/she shall appoint the position of the Ritual Guard. He/she shall be designated as the official representative of the chapter whenever such representation is required. Acting as said representative; he/she may sign all contracts and other instruments of business incurred by the chapter. He/she will check the GPA of each member to be sure that it meets the chapter’s set requirement. The President shall also be the interpreter of the constitution and shall be expected to have a current issue of the chapter’s constitution and National constitution at every meeting. He/she shall also prepare and send semester reports of all chapter activities to the National Executive Director. Section III: The Vice-President of Membership shall, in the absence of the President, preside at meetings of the chapter. He/she shall advance the purpose of the Sorority by promoting the work of the chapter as performed by its several officers and committees. He/she shall be responsible for the membership education, training, and initiation of all members of the chapter. The Vice-President of Membership shall also be responsible for maintaining a written record of all active family traditions. Jointly with the President, he/she will appoint a Ritual Guard. The Vice-President of Membership shall not be expected to take on a little during their office, unless absolutely necessary for the chapter. Section IV: The Vice-President of Service shall be responsible for organizing and coordinating all service and/or social functions of the Sorority. He/she shall be expected to prepare and present any schedules and/or ideas related to social or service events to the chapter at large. The Vice-President of Service shall also be responsible of any/all joint projects with Kappa Kappa Psi. If the need should arise, the Vice-President of Service has the option to open elections on the floor for the position of Social Chair. Should there exist a Social Chair, the Vice-President of Service will still be responsible for all joint events excluding social projects. Section V: The Secretary shall record and e-mail the minutes of all meetings of the chapter, and to take role at all meetings and activities. He/she shall maintain a permanent record of all members and prospective members of the chapter; including name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, membership class, and instrument played. He/she is responsible for checking both the on campus and off campus mailboxes of the chapter as well as participating in all intra and inter – chapter correspondence. The Secretary is also responsible for reserving any rooms needed of the chapter and organizing the membership candidacy schedule with the Vice-President of Membership. Section VI: The Treasurer shall control the receipts and disbursements of all monies of the chapter, and shall submit recommendations concerning the financial policies of the chapter as may be required. It shall be required that the Treasurer report monthly all financial records to the President for review. It shall also be the duty of the Treasurer to collect the fees, fines, and dues of the members and initiates of the chapter. He/she will also be the Director of Fundraising who is responsible for the planning and carrying out of all fundraisers in a timely and organized manner. Section VII: The Alumni Secretary/Historian will be responsible for corresponding with all Alumni. He/she must maintain up to date alumni information. He/she shall also be responsible for communicating with the Alumni Secretary/Historian of the Zeta Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi in all manners concerning the annual alumni dinner and any other alumni functions. His/her duties also include maintaining a written and pictorial record of the activities of the chapter and interactions with the Maroon and Gold Band. Section VIII: The Webmaster shall be expected to maintain and update the chapter’s website and to keep an up to date and accurate representation of the chapter’s members online. The Webmaster shall also keep track of committee membership, and is responsible for the Sister of the Month program. Section IX: Each officer, with the exception of the President, shall have one vote at the meetings of the chapter. The Parliamentarian and President shall be responsible for counting all votes. Article VII: Position Executives Section I: The positions of the chapter shall be the Parliamentarian, Mediator, and Guard. If deemed necessary by the Vice-President of Service, Social Chair will also be a position of the chapter. All chapter position executives shall be active members of the Maroon and Gold Band in either or both academic semesters. Article VIII: Duties of Position Executives Section I: The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the president, with the agreement of the chapter. He/she is responsible for maintaining Roberts Rules of Order during chapter meetings. Along with the President, the Parliamentarian’s duties include counting any and all votes conducted by the chapter. He/she will also act as the guard of the chapter at any joint ceremonies. Section II: The chapter at large elects the Mediator. He/she is to act as a third party voice in any manner needed by members of the chapter. Section III: The Ritual Guard is a position appointed by both the President and Vice-President of Membership of the chapter. The duties of the ritual guard shall be those ascribed to them in the Tau Beta Sigma National Ritual Books. Section IV: At the discretion of the vice-president of service, the chapter at large can elect a Social Chair. His/her duties entail organizing any and all social events within the chapter itself and/or with Kappa Kappa Psi. Article IX: Elections Section I: Nominations for officers and positions shall be held at the last regular meeting in March. Elections will be held the following week. Officers and Position Executives will take office in conjunction with the previous officers immediately upon election until the end of the semester. Should the situation arise, and the chapter deems it necessary, elections could be held at an earlier date. In this situation, new officers and position executives will not be able to take office until the second regular meeting of April. Section II: The voting shall be by secret ballot with a two-thirds (2/3) majority to carry the election. If the vote of two-thirds (2/3) majority has not been reached after three (3) consecutive votes, a simple majority will then carry the election. In the event that a tie cannot be broken the president will cast the deciding vote (president will then vote twice). Article X: Removal of Officers/Position Executives Section I: If concerns of a member should arise about an elected official/position executive, a written complaint must be presented to the President. In the event that the officer in question is the President, then the complaint must be presented to the Vice-President of Membership. In this written complaint, concrete examples must be presented to show that the officer/executive in question is not fulfilling their duties as ascribed in the constitutions. Section II: In the case that an officer or position executive does not fulfill their duties as stated in the chapter and/or national constitutions, the member will be subject to review by members of the executive committee. After which the member in question will have a two (2) week probationary period. During said period he/she is expected to ensure that the duties of his/her office/position are fulfilled to the extent of the constitutions. After the two (2) week probationary period the member than will be expected to stand before the executive committee to review any changes in actions. If changes are met the probationary period will be over and no further action will be required. Although, if the same officer is subjected to review for a second time they shall be immediately be brought before the chapter at large. Section III: If changes have not been met to the executive committees expectations the member in question will than be brought before the chapter at large. At this time he/she, as well as one (1) member of the Executive Committee, has the opportunity to state their case before the chapter. A secret ballot vote with a two-thirds (2/3) majority will decide if the officer/executive will be removed from their office/position or would be given a second probationary period. After which, if changes are not met the member in question will immediately be removed from their office/position. Section IV: Nominations of a new officer/position executive will be held immediately upon removal from office/position. Elections will be held at the next meeting of the chapter. In the event that the President is impeached, refer to article VI, Section III of the chapter’s constitution. If removal shall take place before a ritual, the Vice-President of Service will read as the President, no other changes should be made to the ritual. Article XI: Committees Section I: Each member of the Sorority shall be expected to participate in at least two (2) committees, with the exception of the president. Failure to do so will result in a fine of five dollars ($5.00). In the event that a member fails to attend two (2) meetings of a committee without an acceptable excuse it will result in the member’s expulsion from the committee. Section II: The quorum of the Executive Committee shall be six (6) persons; the President, Vice-President of Membership, Vice-President of Service , Secretary, Alumni Secretary/Historian, and Treasurer. This committee shall meet as necessary during the academic year to plan policy. This committee does not fulfill the required two (2) committees for the chapter. Section III: The Committee on Service shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for assisting the Vice-President of Service in organizing and coordinating any and all service or social projects. This committee will be available to help decorate before activities and to clean up afterwards. The Vice-President of Service, an elected official, shall be the chair of this committee. Section IV: The Committee of Membership shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for assisting the Vice-President of Membership. The committee shall include at least one (1) member from each membership class, excluding the President and Vice-President of Membership from this count. It shall be the duty of the membership committee to decide membership activities. The Vice-President of Membership, an elected official, shall chair this committee. Section V: The Committee on History shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for assisting the Alumni Secretary/Historian in compiling and maintaining an accurate history of the chapter. The Alumni secretary/Historian, an elected official, will be the chair of this committee. Section VI: The Committee on Ways and Means shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for choosing and implementing all fundraisers for the chapter. The committee shall also be responsible for maintaining an up to date and accurate budget. The chair of this committee shall be the Treasurer, an elected official. Section VII: The Constitution Committee shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for amending the constitution as needed. The chairman of this committee shall be responsible for providing updated copies of the constitution to all active members. The President shall be the chair of this committee. Section VIII: The Committee on Ritual and Regalia is a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for maintaining all ritual objects. This committee is also responsible for adjusting rituals within the national guidelines as they see fit. The President shall appoint the chair of this committee. Section IX: The Music Committee shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for organizing all music for the Maroon and Gold Band. The President shall appoint the chair of this committee. Section X: The Committee of Public Relations shall be a standing committee of the chapter and shall be responsible for the writing of all possible honorable media news or information designed to inform the public for the benefit of the chapter, Sorority or band. The chair of this committee shall be the Secretary, an elected official. The Webmaster should also be a member of this committee. Article XII: Dues and Fines Section I: The Treasurer shall handle all monetary issues of the chapter. All expenditures shall be made by check drawn on the Husky Fund or Tau Beta Sigma checking account. The fiscal year of the chapter shall be from June 1 to the succeeding May 31. Section II: A request for a deadline extension for the payment of the chapter dues may be submitted in writing to the Treasurer, for consideration by the Executive Committee. Fines may be levied by the chapter for delinquent payments of dues. The amount of said fines shall be set by the chapter. Section III: A fine of five dollars ($5.00) shall be assessed on any member who is absent without an acceptable excuse from three (3) or more mandatory functions. These functions include meetings, membership education activities, service projects, and any social functions deemed necessary by the President, Vice-President of Service or the chapter at large. An additional five-dollar ($5.00) fine shall be assessed on any member for each additional absence without an acceptable excuse. Acceptable excuses shall be considered personal, family illness/death, academic and emergencies. Questionable excuses shall be handled by the Executive Committee and voted on accordingly. For absence from a regular meeting, function or membership education activity, the President must be notified twenty-four (24) hours in advance before the meeting, function or membership education activity, except in the case of an emergency. Section IV: Members with outstanding fines have a period of three (3) weeks to reconcile his/her monetary discrepancy with the chapter. After the set amount of time, if the payment is not met or financial arrangements made, the member in question must stand before two (2) members of the Executive Committee, one being the President or Treasurer (preferably both). After which the following consequences will take effect: removal from any office held and voting privileges revoked. Article XIII: Meetings Section I: A regular meeting of the chapter shall be held at least once a month during the regular academic year (September through May). Meetings may be held more frequently as deemed necessary by the president or by vote of the chapter members. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be observed at the meetings. Special chapter meetings may be called at the discretion of the president, but must be approved by fifty percent (50%) vote of the officers. Section II: In general the order of business at all chapter meetings shall be: A. Opening Ceremonies B. Reading of the Minutes C. Report of Chapter Officers D. Report of the Outstanding Committees E. Unfinished Business F. New Business G. Closing Ceremonies When deemed advisable, the President may change the general order of the meeting. Article XIV: Quorum Section I: Fifty percent (50%) of all active members of the chapter, together with at least two (2) officers shall constitute a quorum at all meetings. Article XV: Amendments Section I: This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members of the Sorority present at a meeting and the vote of the chapter advisor. Also, all amendments are subject to the approval of the Committee on Student Organizations and Faculty Advisor.