| Article I Name The name of this organization shall be the Alpha Chapter of Pi Delta Chi. Article II Objective This chapter shall be conducted as a service sorority under the provisions set forth in the Constitution and by-laws of Pi Delta Chi Local Service Sorority and the regulations of Carthage College governing student organizations. The purpose of this sorority shall be to assemble the women of Carthage College in the spirit of service to humanity. It shall serve to develop friendship among women of all races and creeds. Article III Membership Section 1. Active membership shall be open to all undergraduate women students of Carthage College who: A. Are in good standing at Carthage College defined by the college as having a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. B. Meet all school regulations governing participation in student organizations where applicable. C. Demonstrate their willingness to serve as evidenced by their pledge records. D. Perform a minimum of eight service hours during the pledge period, between a pledge class service project, a fund-raiser, and at least one other service project. Money raised during pledge process shall not be used to fund socials. E. Has been formally pledged and initiated in official ceremonies. F. Has paid local dues. G. Perform one hour of service with your sorority mother. Section 2. Active members shall: A. Each have the right to one vote during motions. Voting by absenteeism shall not be permitted. B. Be entitled to hold office or committee chair. C. Perform a minimum of ten hours of service per half academic year. Service hours must be submitted to the 1st Vice President no later than one week prior to the last day of classes for each semester. No more than half of the required service hours can be earned in a service project at one time and no more than 3 hours can come from items that are donated. D. Pay local dues by date determined by executive committee or set up a payment plan prior to due date or a dollar fine shall be assessed each week until dues are paid. E. Attend chapter meetings according to the attendance policy stated in Article IV. F. Recommend that each member perform a minimum of 1hour of service at a monthly donation institution per academic year. G. Participate in at least 1 group service project each academic year (groups of 4+). Section 3. Suspension and expulsion of active members: A. Subject to review by executive committee in regards to delinquency of service hours and chapter dues. B. An active member who has not completed and turned in required service hours or dues by two weeks prior to the last day of classes for the semester will be given notice and will have two weeks to explain her situation to the officers. In the case of an invalid explanation or no explanation, the member will be expelled. C. Any member who falsely submits service hours. Section 4. Inactive membership A membership status granted to an active member by both the executive committee to those sisters who are unable to devote full time to chapter activities, but wish to maintain a personal interest. A. Shall notify the executive committee in writing that they want to become inactive within the first thirty days of the beginning of classes for the semester. B. A member can remain inactive for a maximum of one semester. C. Shall have the privilege of attending all chapter functions and receiving minutes from meetings. D. Shall not be entitled to vote or hold office, nor will they be allowed to have a pledge daughter. E. May become an active member by notifying the executive committee in writing within the first thirty days of the beginning of classes for the semester and by meeting the requirements of active members, and attending the following semesters activities may reactivate membership. Section 5. Alumnae membership A. Upon graduation or honorable separation from Carthage College and Alpha Chapter of Pi Delta Chi while still a member in good standing, a sister automatically becomes an alumnae member of Alpha Chapter of Pi Delta Chi. She is entitled to the privileges of alumnae membership (which includes the right to attend social functions and activation) but no longer has the right to vote or hold office in her chapter. Section 6. Honorary Members A. May be elected at the discretion of the chapter. A two-thirds vote will be required for someone to become an honorary member. They shall be considered honorary members of Pi Delta Chi which has conferred the honor, but shall not have the right to vote or hold office. Article IV Attendance Section 1. If, for any reason, a member cannot attend a previously established meeting, that member must, in written form, supply the secretary at least 24 hours in advance with the circumstances concerning this potential absence or it will be considered un-excused. Section 2. In an academic term, every un-excused absence will result in a fee of $1 to be payable within two weeks of the unexcused absence. Section 3. In an academic year, a maximum number of two un-excused absences, determined by the executive committee, will be grounds for suspension. Article V Meetings Section 1. There shall be a minimum of one meeting per month during the academic year (excluding J-termno meeting that month). Section 2. A quorum at sorority meetings shall be a majority of the active members. Article VI Officers Section 1. There shall be a minimum of seven officers elected by the membership. Section 2. The elected officers shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Social Chair person. Section 3. To be eligible for an office, a sister must have been an active member for at least half an academic year. Candidates for President must have served at least one semester on the executive committee. However, in cases in which there are no eligible candidates which have served on the executive committee for at least one semester, candidates for the office of President must have a minimum of one year of service in Pi Delta Chi. Section 4. Each officer shall serve a term of one academic year or until her successor is installed. No officer shall serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same office. Section 5. Annual elections shall be held during the month of December. Officers shall assume their duties immediately following the formal initiation ceremony. New and old executive committee will meet together for a sufficient training period. Section 6. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot vote. If there is only one candidate for an office, the ballot may be dispersed by a unanimous vote of the members present and the secretary ordered to cast one vote on behalf of the chapter. A simple majority vote of the members present and voting is required for election. Voting by absenteeism shall not be permitted. If a tie occurs the outgoing President will make the deciding vote. Section 7. Should a vacancy occur in an office, the executive committee shall automatically fill the position within two weeks after that vacancy occurred. Section 8. Officers may be impeached for un-fulfillment of duties. Charges may be submitted in writing to a committee consisting of three non-officers and two executive charges shall be submitted to the sorority. A two-thirds vote of the members shall be required to remove the officer. Article VII Duties of Officers All officers shall train their successors and turn over all records in up-to-date condition. Section 1. President A. Serves as presiding officer at all regular and special chapter meetings. B. Coordinates the functions of all chapter officers and committees. C. Appoints the committees and chairman necessary for efficiency in carrying out the programs of the chapter. D. Serves as ex-officio member of all committees. E. Sees that the chapter is operating in conformity with the policies set forth in the Constitution and By-laws. F. Perform other duties as her office may require. Section 2. First Vice-President A. Co-ordinates the chapter service program. B. Supervise the chairmen of projects. C. Performs presidential functions in the absence of the President. D. Becomes the President automatically upon the permanent absence of the President. E. Carries out other assignments that the President may prescribe. F. Keeps records of service hours. G. Keeping an ongoing log of service opportunities. Section 3. Second Vice-President A. Serves as the Pledge Trainer. B. Co-ordinates the pledging activities C. Performs all presidential functions in the absence of both the President and the First Vice-President. Section 4. Recording Secretary A. Keeps an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings. B. Records attendance of each member at chapter meetings. C. Keeps a permanent file of membership. D. Notifies all members of the time and place of meetings and issues all special invitations, excluding those sent by the Pledge Trainer. Section 5. Treasurer A. Receives all moneys of the chapter and keeps an accurate record thereof. B. Deposits funds in the chapter account. C. Upon proper authorization, makes all payments of the chapter accounts. D. Has the financial books in proper order at the close of her term before turning them over to the newly elected treasurer. Section 6. Historian/Public Relations A. Writes a detailed and accurate history of the chapter covering the period of her office including projects, a list of officers elected, humorous happenings, and accounts of all social activities. B. Maintains a scrapbook containing photos and newspaper clippings pertaining to chapter activities. C. Assumes the chairmanship of all regular chapter publicity. Section 7. Social Chairman A. Assumes responsibility for all aspects of the social events of the sorority. B. Prepares for initiation and activation of the pledges and installation of officers and advisors. Article VIII Executive Committee Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers. Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the chapter before meetings. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one. Section 3. The Executive Committee shall meet before the regularly scheduled meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or by petition of four members of the committee. Section 4. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee shall be to: A. Plan and evaluate chapter meetings and other activities. B. Create committees when deemed necessary. C. Approve appointments made by the President. D. Fill vacancies among the officers by special election. E. Approve and authorize expenditures for social events without the consent of the sorority members up to seventy-five cents per head. F. Consider requests for inactive members. G. Have no un-excused absences per semester from Executive Committee meetings. Article IX Committees Section 1. All committees shall be created and dissolved as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Section 2. The chairman of every committee shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee unless the committee chooses to vote on the chairman. Article X Advisors Section 1. The chapter shall have advisor(s) in accordance with the schools regulations concerning advisors of student organizations. Section 2. The advisor shall serve as long as she desires or until the sorority decides that she is no longer needed. Article XI Finance Section 1. The necessary expenses of this chapter shall be met from funds secured through chapter membership dues, fees and assessments, and funds acquired through chapter activities conducted in keeping with the activity and financial policies of Carthage College. Section 2. All funds of the chapter from whatever source and for whatever use shall deposited into the credit of the chapter. Section 3. Dues A. Active members shall pay dues by date determined by executive committee or set up a payment plan prior to due date or a dollar fine shall be assessed each week until dues are paid. B. The chapter dues shall not exceed $30.00 per year. The exact amount of dues will be determined by a vote of the members, subject to annual review. Article XII Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in these By-laws shall govern this sorority in all cases to which they are applicable. Prior to any voting, the floor will be open to discussion. Article XIII Ratification and Amendment Section 1. These by-laws shall be ratified and go into effect upon approval of the members. This ratification shall invalidate all previous chapter constitutions and by-laws. Section 2. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the total active members, a quorum being present, provided that the amendment has been submitted to the membership at the previous regular meetings. |
