CONSTITUTION
I. PURPOSE.
The Gamma Beta Phi Society is an honor and service organization for students in colleges and universities in the United States. It is non-secret, non-profit, and co-educational; and, membership therein does not exclude a student from membership in any other organization.
II. NAME.
The name of the organization shall be Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society, hereafter referred to as the “Society.” The name is derived from the initial letters of the three Greek words for education, life, and friendship. It signifies that education and friendship constitute the basis of a full and happy life.
III. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership in Gamma Beta Phi is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are committed to excellence in education, to good character, and to service.
(b) A student must have completed at least twelve to fifteen credit hours of college work and have a scholastic ranking within the top 20% of his or her class.
(c) Members of a Gamma Beta Phi chapter must be enrolled in programs which lead to the associate, bachelors, or graduate degree. Undergraduate members of Gamma Beta Phi may continue their membership as a graduate student if there is a chapter located at the institution where the member pursues graduate studies.
(d) To become a new member of Gamma Beta Phi, a graduate student must have completed at least twelve credit hours of graduate work.
(e) All eligible students will be invited into the society in the spring quarter of the year he or she becomes eligible.
IV. FEES, DUES, AND ASSESSMENT
(a) Each new member pays a one time national member fee of $50.00. Of this amount, Headquarters returns $2.50 to the Louisiana state treasury, and $3.70 per new member to the appropriate Chapter Advisor.
(b) Each member must pay annual dues of $15.00 to the local chapter to remain in good standing. These dues must be received by the end of fall quarter to avoid being put on probation.
V. ELECTED OFFICIALS
Section 1. Officers.
The officers of Gamma Beta Phi shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Point System Secretary, Inductions Chair, and Web Director.
Section 2. ELECTION PROCEDURE.
Elections shall take place every Spring Quarter, except in the event of a vacancy. The exact date of the election shall be decided by the Executive Council.
(a) Nominations for every office shall be accepted during the April monthly meeting of the society.
(b) After speeches, each officer shall be elected by a simple majority secret ballot vote of the society. If no candidate receives simple majority vote on the first ballot, a runoff shall be held between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes.
(c) Candidate speeches may be no longer than two (2) minutes.
(d) The order of officer elections shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Point System Secretary, Inductions Chair, and Web Director. Candidates who fail to be elected to an office may be nominated for a following office.
Section 3. TERM.
Elected officials shall assume their position at the annual Spring Induction Ceremony and shall serve one year unless asked to resign for reasonable cause by the President (or Vice-President in the event of the President) as advised by the Executive Council.
Section 4. VACANCY.
If an elected officer vacates the position, the Society shall vote for a newly elected officer to fill the position according to Article V, Section 2.
Section 5. VACANCY FOR MEMBERSHIP FREEZE
In the event an elected officer freezes his or her membership for a quarter, the person must forfeit the position.
VII. MEETINGS.
Section 1. REGULAR MEETINGS
The Society shall meet once a month as decided by the Executive Council.
Section 2. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
All meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, revised.
Section 3. QUORUM.
Quorum shall be one-half plus one majority of the total voting membership.
Section 4. VOTING.
Unless stated otherwise, a simple majority vote shall be required for the passage of any business. The President shall vote only in the case of a tie.
VIII. COMMITTEES.
Section 1. COMMITTEES.
The work of the society shall be done by standing and special committees.
Section 2. STANDING COMMITTEES.
The standing committees of the society shall be Fundraiser, Phone, Publicity, Scrapbook, Service, and Social.
Section 3. SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
A special committee may be formed by the President when necessary.
Section 4. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES.
Each member of the society, except executive officers, must be assigned to at least one committee.
Section 5. JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
The Judiciary Committee shall consist of the evaluation committee and the faculty advisor(s). This committee shall meet whenever necessary to discuss and decide upon ambiguous areas of the Gamma Beta Phi constitution. Any decisions made by the committee may be appealed, by the members of the Society, to the Student Organization Committee within two weeks of the decision.
IX. COMMITTEE HEADS.
Section 1. COMMITTEE HEADS.
The committee heads of the society shall consist of Fundraiser, Phone, Publicity, Scrapbook, Service, and Social.
Section 2. ELECTION PROCEDURE.
Elections shall take place every Fall Quarter, except in the event of a vacancy. The exact date of the election shall be decided by the Executive Council.
(a) Nominations for every office shall be accepted during the September monthly meeting of the society.
(b) After speeches, each officer shall be elected by a simple majority secret ballot vote of the society. If no candidate receives simple majority vote on the first ballot, a runoff shall be held between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes.
(c) Candidate speeches may be no longer than two (2) minutes.
(d) The order of committee head elections shall be as follows: Service, Social, Scrapbook, Fundraiser, Publicity, Phone.
Section 3. TERM.
Elected officials shall assume their position as of the time of their election and serve for one year unless asked to resign for reasonable cause by the President as advised by the Executive Council.
Section 4. VACANCY.
If a committee head resigns, the Society shall vote for a newly elected officer to fill the position according to Article IX, Section 2.
Section 5. MEMBERSHIP FREEZE.
In the event an elected committee head freezes his or her membership for a quarter, the person must forfeit the position.
X. CONDUCT.
Section 1. Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and its members agree to uphold and abide the rules and regulations of Louisiana Tech University.
Section 2. Hazing in any form is not allowed by the organization or its individual members.
XI. AMENDMENT.
This constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Society, provided the motion to amend was made at a previous meeting. These amendments must be approved by the Committee on Student Organizations before they become effective.
XIII. RATIFICATION.
This constitution, having been hereby submitted to the Society and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Society, and having been approved by the Committee on Student Organizations, shall hold precedence over any previous constitution of the Society.
BYLAWS
I. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 1. TYPES OF MEMBERS.
(a) Voting member
1. Member who meets all qualifications for membership
2. Member who is not on probation or on membership freeze.
(b) Probationary member
Member who did not fulfill point requirements for the previous quarter or who has not paid membership dues by the end of Fall Quarter.
(c) Inactive member
1. Member who receives a leave or absence for one quarter due to personal or school purposes.
2. Permission for receiving inactive status may be granted on a quarterly basis by the recording secretary.
3. A member may not receive membership freeze status more than two (2) times during his/her membership, except under extenuating circumstances, as judged by the recording secretary.
Section 2. DURATION OF MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Upon being inducted into the society, membership is retained until a resignation is submitted, membership is forfeited, or the member’s education is completed from Louisiana Tech University.
(b) Membership is forfeited when:
1. A member is on probation for a second quarter.
2. A member resigns from Louisiana Tech University.
3. A member remains on membership freeze for more than two (2) quarters.
(c) Any member who intentionally vandalizes, destroys, or shows any disregard for the Society, Tech, or any other property associated with the Society through either negligence or action will be considered for dismissal by the Evaluation Committee.
Section 3. RESIGNATION.
(a) A member who resigns from the Board must submit a typed letter of resignation to the Recording Secretary.
(b) The Evaluation Committee may, upon a simple majority vote, require the resignation of a member who is proven to be detrimental to the Society and who fails to meet attendance/participation requirements.
Section 4. APPEAL.
A member who is asked to resign by the Evaluation Committee may appeal to the Evaluation Committee by submitting the appropriate form to the recording secretary. Such an appeal must be approved by a simple majority vote of the evaluation committee. A member whose appeal is accepted will be on probation for one quarter. After this period, upon a favorable evaluation by the evaluation committee, the member will again be taken off probation.
II. DUTIES.
(a) The duties of the President shall be to:
1. Call and preside at the meetings
2. Appoint committees
3. Guide the activities and administer the policies laid down in the national constitution and in the chapter bylaws
4. Be the official representative of this chapter when necessary or desirable
5. File with Headquarters the year-end Chapter Report.
(b) The duties of the Vice-President shall be to:
1. Preside at meetings when the President is absent
2. Assume the duties of the presidency should the president be unable to serve
3. Head all committees of the Society
4. Assist in administering the affairs of the chapter.
(c) The duties of the Treasurer shall be to:
1. Collect, safeguard, and disburse the funds of the chapter
2. Keep a complete and accurate record of all financial transactions
3. Complete the year-end Financial Report
4. Order and disburse items for members such as T-shirts, jewelry, etc
5. Pass on to the treasurer succeeding him/her all funds remaining in the treasury and to give to the Advisor all financial records.
(d) The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be to:
1. Keep the records of membership
2. Prepare and keep an ongoing record of minutes of the meetings
3. Insure that the membership is aware of the time and place of each meeting.
(e) The duties of the Corresponding Secretary shall be to:
1. Carry on the general correspondence of the chapter
2. Maintain contact with Headquarters at all times
3. Contact Headquarters for diploma seals
4. Work with the induction committee
5. To maintain records for and contact with transfer students; to keep National Headquarters informed about all changes in membership and reasons therefore.
(f) The duties of the Point System Secretary shall be to:
1. Keep record of each member's points earned throughout the year
2. Notify members if they are considered "not in good standing" and need to become more active with the chapter.
(g) The duties of the Inductions Chair shall be to:
1. Obtain a list of the students who are eligible for inductions, to order the induction materials from National Headquarters.(invites, envelopes, info cards, facts sheet)
2. Plan and conduct the membership information meetings in a thorough and efficient manner
3. Plan the induction ceremony completely
4. Prepare the invitations for mailing
5. Accept completed membership cards from the students who have been invited
6. Prepare and send a computer disk, print out, and application for membership of the new members to be inducted (from secretary), along with a check for national dues (from treasurer) to National Headquarters. By doing this, they are ordering induction materials such as info packets and certificates.
(h) The duties of the Web Director shall be to:
1. Maintain the content for the website of the Louisiana Tech Chapter of Gamma Beta Phi
2. Manage the email notification system
3. Distribute any information regarding Gamma Beta Phi through electronic communications.
III. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Section 1. CHAIR.
The Executive Council shall be chaired by the President or by the Vice-President in the absence of the President.
Section 2. MEETINGS.
The Executive Council shall meet at least once a month, preferably before the monthly chapter meeting. Quorum shall be a majority of its members.
Section 3. VOTING.
Each member of the Executive Council shall have one vote. A simple majority vote shall be required for the passage of any business. The President shall vote only in the event of a tie.
Section 4. DUTIES.
The duties of the Executive Council shall be to:
(a) Decide issues in matters requiring immediate attention when the Society is not in session or can not be convened. Such decisions require a unanimous approval.
(b) Make all arrangements for all Society trips taken.
IV. EVALUATION COMMITTEE.
Section 1. CHAIR.
The Evaluation Committee shall be chaired by the President or by the Vice-President in the absence of the President.
Section 2. MEETINGS.
The Evaluation Committee shall meet as necessary. Quorum shall be a majority of its members.
Section 3. VOTING.
A simple majority vote shall be required for the passage of any business. The President shall vote only in the event of a tie.
Section 4. DUTIES.
The duties of the Evaluation Committee shall be to:
(a) Exert disciplinary measures when any member’s actions are proven to be detrimental to the Society.
(b) Evaluate a member’s absences.
(c) Assist the Inductions Chair in the orientation of new members.
V. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
To serve as an executive officer, a member must be in good standing with the society.
VI.. COMMITTEE HEADS.
Section 1. QUALIFICATIONS.
(a) To serve as a committee head, a member cannot already hold a position on the executive council.
(b) To serve as a committee head, a member must be in good standing with the Society.
Section 2. DUTIES.
The duties of the elected committee heads shall be to:
(a) Inform the Vice-President of all committee business
(a) Contact his/her committee at least once a month
(b) Attend at least three-fourths (3/4) all committee head meetings
(c) Attend any social event that requires the involvement of his or her committee
(d) Attend two-thirds (2/3) all chapter meetings.
VII. COMMITTEES.
Section 1. MEETINGS.
Each committee shall meet at least once a month. Quorum shall be a majority of the committee’s members.
Section 2. VOTING.
A simple majority vote shall be required for the passage of any business. The committee head shall vote only in the event of a tie.
Section 3. DUTIES.
The duties of the committees shall be to assist the committee head in the fulfillment of duties concerning his/her committee.
VIII. POINT SYSTEM.
All members, including executive officers, shall participate in the point system.
Section 1. ATTENDANCE.
Roll shall be taken for all Society meetings, events, and projects with attendance records kept including both absences and tardies.
Executive officers and committee heads must attend all social events unless excused by the President. Failure to do so will result in their evaluation, which may require resignation from their position.
Section 2. POINT REQUIREMENTS.
Each active member is required to earn at least six (6) points per quarter. These points may be earned by attendance at regular meetings, participation in service projects, attendance at social events, or service work done outside the society.
Section 3. POINT IMMUNITY.
An active member earns point immunity by earning at least twelve (12) points in one quarter. Any member earning at least twelve points in one quarter is immune from the point system the following quarter. Points only rollover for one quarter.
Section 4. POINT OPPORTUNITIES.
(a) Each executive officer shall receive three (3) points per quarter if he/she fulfills the duties set forth in Article II.
(b) Each committee head shall receive two (2) points per quarter if he/she fulfills the duties set forth in Article VI, Section 2.
(c) Each member must earn one point from attendance at a monthly meeting.
(d) Each member must earn one point from participation in a service project.
(e) Each member may earn their remaining points from either attendance at montly meetings or participation in social events or service projects.
Section 5. EVALUATION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE HEADS.
(a) Excuses for absences must be turned in to the President on the proper form within one week from the time of absence or tardy.
(b) Absences and tardies shall be evaluated by the evaluation committee according to the guidelines established and set forth quarterly by the Evaluation Committee.
(c) Two (2) unexcused absences in one quarter by any officer or committee head may result in evaluation requiring an officer or committee head resignation.
(d) Three (3) excused absences in one quarter by any officer or committee head may result in evaluation requiring an officer or committee head resignation.
(e) Upon request of the President, any excused absence must be accompanied by the appropriate form i.e., doctor’s excuse, teacher’s excuse, University excuse, etc.
(f) Any officer/committee head who has two unexcused absences may be asked to resign from his or her position, but may remain in good standing with the Society if he or she fulfills the point requirements for active members.
IX. AMENDMENTS.
These Bylaws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Society provided the motion to amend was made at a previous meeting. These amendments must be approved by the Committee on Student Organizations before they become effective.
X. RATIFICATION.
These Bylaws, having been here submitted to the Society and approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Society, and having been approved by the Committee to Student Organizations, shall hold precedence over any previous Bylaws of the Society.