Bylaws

April 4th, 2009

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this association shall be Alpha Psi Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta.  It shall be governed by the Bylaws and Procedures of Pi Lambda Theta and by the articles which follow herein.

 

ARTICLE II – PURPOSES

Pi Lambda Theta is an honor society and professional association in education.

 

As an honor society, its purpose is to recognize persons of superior scholastic achievement and high potential for professional leadership.

 

As a professional association, its purpose is to stimulate independent-thinking educators who can ask critical questions to improve educational decision making.  To this end, it seeks to:

  • Foster leadership among educators;
  • Endeavor to improve the status of educators;
  • Foster creativity and academic excellence at all educational levels;
  • Support, extend, and interpret the function of education in a democracy;
  • Demonstrate the power of competence in the body of knowledge unique to the profession;
  • Stimulate, conduct, and utilize research;
  • Accept responsibility for evaluation and improvement of the profession of teaching;
  • Contribute to the solution of educational, social, and cultural problems of national and international concern;
  • Promote professional interaction and cooperation as a means to positive action.

 

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Definition of a Member

A member is good standing is a person who has met prescribed entrance qualifications, has had conferred by a chapter or by the executive director and two members of the International Board of Directors the right to wear the key of Pi Lambda Theta, and has paid current dues and fees.

 

Section 2. Qualifications

A person shall meet the general qualifications listed in Article III, Section 3 of the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws and also the specific qualifications for student candidates or professional candidates as set forth in Article III, Sections 4 and 5, of the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws.

 

Section 3.  Types of Members

  1. A chapter member in good standing (hereinafter referred to as a “chapter member” or a “member”) is one who holds membership in a campus or area chapter, either by initiation or official transfer, and who has paid appropriately assessed international dues and chapter dues and fees.  An international life member shall pay only chapter dues and fees.
  2. An honorary member is a member who is not eligible for active membership, but who has rendered notable service to education, evidenced service to Alpha Psi Chapter, and exhibited a commitment to the purposes of Pi Lambda Theta.  Such a member shall be one whose membership will be of value and continuing honor to the association.  The chapter shall pay any required required fees; the honorary member shall pay no dues or fees.

 

Section 4.  Privileges and Responsibilities

  1. A chapter member shall be entitled to receive all international, regional, and chapter publications and membership mailings; attend international, regional, or chapter meetings and hold office at all levels; vote at chapter meetings; participate in all association activities; and wear the key.
  2. An honorary member shall be a nonvoting member, privileged to receive regular international, regional, and chapter publications; to attend international, regional, and chapter meetings; and to participate in all activities of the association except those of holding office and representing the chapter at Biennial Council.

 

Section 5.  Eligibility and Initiation

  1. The membership committee shall certify the eligibility of all candidates for membership and intiation
  2. No vote shall be taken in any procedure establishing eligibility.
  3. The chapter shall not refuse membership to a candidate unless the candidate fails to meet one or more of the stated qualifications for membership.
  4. The membership chair shall establish procedures for initiation of candidates.  There shall be a minimum of at least two (2) initiation ceremonies during the biennium for conferring the right to wear the key.
  5. No candidate identified for membership by a chapter shall become a member without being present at an initiation ceremony.

 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1.  Officers

The elected officers of this chapter shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Chair, an Historian, and a Publicity Chair.

 

Section 2.  Qualifications

An officer must be a chapter member in good standing at the time of election and throughout the term of office.

 

Section 3.  Term of Office

  1. Officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year or until their successors are elected and assume office.  No officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office except the treasurer who may serve more than two terms.
  2. The term of office shall begin at the end of the meeting at which installation is held.  If installation has not been held by June 1, the incoming officers shall assume office by that date.

 

Section 4.  Vacancy in Office

In the case of a vacancy in office the Executive Board shall appoint a member in good standing to complete the unfinished term.

 

Section 5.  Nomination of Officers and Delegates

  1. A nominating committee (the Executive Board) shall meet in December to prepare a list of nominees for office.  They shall report at the next general meeting.  Nominations shall be taken from the floor at the time of election.  No name shall be placed in the nomination without the written consent of the nominee.
  2. The nominating committee, at the same time, shall submit to the chapter nominees for delegate to Biennial Council and regional conference.
  3. The Executive Board shall consult the Dean of the Charter College of Education at California State University – Los Angeles for recommendations for faculty advisor(s).

 

Section 6.  Election of Officers

  1. Election of officers shall be by voice at the meeting following the presentation of nominees.  A majority of votes cast shall elect.
  2. The installation of officers shall take place at the May meeting.
  3. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all new officers shall be reported to the international office by June 1.
  4. Officers may be re-elected.  Faculty Advisors may serve another term by decision of the Executive Board.

 

Section 7.  Duties of Officers

  1. President.  The president of the chapter shall:
    1. Be responsible for the prompt conduct of chapter business;
    2. Be responsible for the fulfillment of all international obligations (as set forth in Article 4, Sections 6 and 7, of the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws) and of all chapter obligations;
    3. Preside at all meetings of the chapter and of the executive committee;
    4. Certify with the secretary the election of the delegate and alternate to Biennial Council and the chapter’s ballot for international officers;
    5. Be responsible for keeping these bylaws up to date with the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws as amendments are made to the latter;
    6. Serve as a member ex officio of all committees;
    7. Appoint, with the approval of the excecutive committee, the chairs and members of all standing and special committees except those otherwise provided for in these bylaws;
    8. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or as assigned by the chapter or the executive committee;
    9. Attend to the chapter newsletter;
    10. In the newsletter notify all members at least seven days prior to meeting;
    11. Send names, addresses, and phone numbers of officers (Chapter Officer List) to the international office by June 1.  Notify the executive director of any changes as they occur during the year;
    12. Send two (2) copies of the chapter program to the international office by October 15.
  2. Vice President.  The vice president shall:
    1. Perform all the duties and be vested with all the powers of the president in the absence of the president;
    2. Perform such duties as are delegated by the president;
    3. Succeed to the presidency if that office is vacated;
    4. Shall serve as program chair;
    5. Shall meet with the executive board each June to plan programs;
    6. Shall have set the programs by July in order for the president to send out the August/September newsletter;
    7. Shall serve as social and reservations chair.
  3. Secretary.  The secretary shall:
    1. Record the minutes of all meetings of the chapter and of the executive committee;
    2. Certify with the president the election of the delegate and alternate to the Biennial Council and submit such names to the executive director by April 15 in the council year;
    3. Certify with the president the chapter’s ballot for international officers;
    4. Send to the executive director all required records, except those for which other officers are assigned responsibility by these bylaws;
    5. Keep a record of attendance of all regular and special meetings of the chapter and executive board;
    6. Have available for reference at all meetings a current copy of the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws, the regional bylaws, the chapter bylaws, and a list of officers, committee chairs and committee members;
    7. Have custody of all documents belonging to the chapter;
    8. Perform such other duties as are requested by the president;
    9. Conduct and send all correspondence as directed by the president;
    10. Report to the executive director a member’s change of address or name change;
    11. Keep a current list of members names and addresses.
  4. Treasurer.  The treasurer shall:
    1. Send to the executive director, at the designated times, all fees and financial reports as required by the Bylaws and Procedures of Pi Lambda Theta;
    2. Receive all monies due the chapter and deposit them in a bank approved by the chapter’s executive committee;
    3. Keep a proper set of books; retain documentation for audit such as receipts, paid invoices, etc.;
    4. Pay by check all bills provided for in the budget, upon presentation of a proper statement or receipt;
    5. Give a financial statement at each meeting;
    6. Render a complete financial report at the final meeting of the year;
    7. Send a copy of the audited chapter financial report to the international office by July 1.  An annual audit of the accounts of the chapter shall be conducted immediately following the annual meeting;
    8. Serve on the finance committee when such a committee is appointed by the president.
  5. Historian
    1. Shall be in charge of all historical records and files of Alpha Psi Chapter.
  6. Public Relations Chairperson
    1. Shall be responsible for all the news releases pertaining to the Alpha Psi Chapter.
  7. Membership Chair
    1. Shall be responsible for contacting faculty advisors;
    2. Shall receive recommendations for nominees and check qualifications;
    3. Shall notify prospective members;
    4. Shall serve as chair of the initiation committee;
    5. May have a co-chair if there is an initiation tea.
  8. Faculty Advisor (see Article X for description)
    1. Shall serve on the Executive Board.
  9. All Officers

All officers shall perform other duties as assigned from time to time.  Within ten (10) days of the expiration of their respective terms of office, they shall deliver to their successors or to the president all handbooks and official materials in their possession.

 

Section 7.  Removal from Office

Any officer may be removed by the chapter membership under procedures developed by the chapter’s executive committee whenever its best interests and those of Pi Lambda Theta will be served thereby.  The executive board shall appoint a member in good standing to complete the unfinished term until the next election.

 

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1.  Meetings

  1. Regular meetings, Service Projects, Leadership Conferences.  A chapter must conduct at least four (4) regular meetings or at least one (1) service project or leadership conference of educational value during each fiscal year, and a minimum of two (2) initiation ceremonies during the biennium.  Dates of all meetings shall be determined by the chapter’s executive committee and announced at the first meeting of the year.  Seven (7) days’ notice shall be given of a change of date.
  2. Executive Committee Meetings.  Executive committee meetings will be called by the president as deemed necessary.
  3. Special Meetings.  Emergencies necessitating a change in a regularly scheduled chapter meeting shall be considered by the executive board, and its decision as to change in date shall be known to chapter members in writing at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting.
  4. Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting shall be held in the month of May and shall include annual reports of chapter executive committee members and such other business as may properly arise.

 

Section 2.  Quorum.

A quorum shall consist of ten active members present at any meeting of which proper notice has been sent. A quorum of the executive committee consists of fifty percent (50%) of its members.

 

ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.  Composition

The chapter’s executive committee shall be composed of the elected officers.

 

Section 2.  Duties

The duties of the chapter executive committee shall be to:

  1. Transact necessary business between chapter meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the chapter;
  2. Present a report at each chapter meeting;
  3. Approve the plans of work of the standing committees;
  4. Appoint an auditor or an auditing committee to audit the treasurer’s accounts;
  5. Review the budget prepared by the chapter’s finance committee for presentation to the membership for final adoption.

 

Section 3.  Meetings

  1. Regular meetings of the executive committee shall be held in December and June.
  2. Special meetings of the executive committee shall be held on call of the president.

 

Section 4.  Quorum

A majority of the officer members of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum.

 

ARTICLE VII – FINANCES

Section 1.  Dues

Each member shall pay annual international dues and/or chapter dues to the international office, when billed.

 

Section 2.  Amount of Chapter Dues and Fees

The amount of the chapter dues and fees shall be approved by the chapter membership upon the recommendation of the executive committee with advice from the treasurer.  Notice shall be sent to each member in the chapter newsletter at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the amount is to be acted upon.  A two-thirds (?) vote of the members present and voting shall be necessary for adoption.

 

Section 3.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall be from June 1 through May 31.

 

Section 4.  Budget

An annual budget shall be prepared by the treasurer for the meeting and presented at the October meeting to the membership.

 

Section 5.  Disbursements

  1. Budgeted Disbursements.  The treasurer shall automatically pay all bills approved by the president and/or executive committee.
  2. Non-budgeted Disbursements.  No indebtedness in excess of up to but not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200) over amounts provided for in the budget shall be incurred unless approved by the chapter membership, with notice being sent to each member at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the amount is to be acted upon.  A two-thirds (?) vote of the members present and voting shall be necessary for adoption.

 

Section 6.  Audit

An audited chapter financial report shall be submitted to the international office by July 1 of each year by the treasurer.  The treasurer’s accounts shall be examined and signed by one other board member and the treasurer.

 

Section 7.  Financial Procedures

Expenditures outside the budget must be approved by the executive board.

 

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

Section 1.  Types of Committees

There shall be two (2) types of committees:  Standing and Special.

  1. A Standing Committee shall be a committee with a continuing existence and function.  The executive committee shall create additional standing committees as the need arises.
  2. A Special Committee shall be a committee created to serve a special need and shall cease to exist when it has completed its task and made its report.  The president may create special committees except those otherwise provided for in these bylaws.

 

Section 2.  Standing Committees

The Standing Committees shall include the Executive Board.

 

Section 3.  Special Committees

Special committees shall include Initiation, Public Relations, Finance, Membership, and are appointed when needed by the president.

 

Section 4.  Appointment of Committees

All committees, except the executive committee, shall be appointed by the chapter president who specifies one of the members to serve as chairperson.

 

Section 5.  Terms of Standing Committees

Chairs and members of standing committees shall serve for a term of one (1) year in office corresponding to the term of the president and may be reappointed at the discretion of the president.

 

Section 6.  Committee Responsibilities

No committee shall act individually to bind the executive committee or the chapter.  All committees shall report on their work as requested by the president.

 

Section 7.  Executive Board

The executive board/committee consists of the duly elected officers and chairpersons.  Chapter business shall be transacted by the executive committee, except where a vote of the entire membership is necessary.  The faculty advisor(s) is also a member of the executive board.  The names of the Executive Board and Executive Committee are interchangeable and are the same members.

 

Section 8.  Nominating Committee

The executive committee shall serve as the nominating committee.

 

ARTICLE IX – DELEGATE TO BIENNIAL COUNCIL AND REGION V CONFERENCE

Section 1.  Election

At the meeting following the December Executive Board meeting preceding the odd-numbered years, the nominating committee shall submit the names of two (2) nominees for the position of delegate to the Biennial Council.  Nominations may also be made from the floor.  The nominee receiving a majority vote shall be named delegate; if there are additional nominations from the floor, a preferential ballot shall be used.  The president is automatically one (1) of the two (2) nominees.

 

At the proper time in even-numbered years the nominating committee shall submit the names of delegate and alternate to the Region V Conference.

 

Section 2.  Responsibilities of Delegate

The delegate shall have the responsibility to:

  1. Become familiar with and ascertain the wishes of the chapter concerning the items to be considered at the Biennial Council and the Region V Conference;
  2. Attend all meetings of the Biennial Council and the Region V Conference or mandate that the alternate attend;
  3. Vote on the basis of the evidence presented during discussion at the Biennial Council and the Region V Conference but with consideration given to the wishes of the chapter;
  4. Submit a report at the first chapter meeting following Biennial Council and the Region V Conference

 

Section 3.  Responsibilities of Alternate

The alternate shall:

  1. Attend the meetings of the Biennial Council and the Region V Conference, should the delegate be unable to do so, and thus then be the accredited delegate for the chapter;
  2. Fulfill all the responsibilities of the delegate in the event of the above.

 

ARTICLE X – FACULTY ADVISOR/SPONSOR(S)

Section 1.  Election

The chapter shall elect/appoint one (1) or more faculty advisor/sponsor(s) for a term of one (1) year.  The faculty advisor/sponsor(s) may be re-elected/re-appointed for an unrestricted number of terms.

 

Section 2.  Duties

The duties of the advisor/sponsor(s):

  1. Shall be to offer suggestions and advice at chapter and executive committee meetings to insure the optimum performance of the chapter in carrying out the needs of the chapter and its responsibilities to Pi Lambda Theta;
  2. Serve as a link between Alpha Psi Chapter and California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State L.A.);
  3. Shall notify faculty chairs at Cal State L.A. about Alpha Psi membership in both the fall term and in January;
  4. Shall present to the membership chair a list of prospective members before each initiation;
  5. Shall maintain an active Alpha Psi bulletin board at Cal State L.A.;
  6. Shall meet with the Cal State L.A. Dean of the Charter College of Education at least once each year;
  7. Has a further description of duties in the International Faculty Advisor Handbook.

 

ARTICLE XI – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The business of this chapter shall be conducted to the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order in all instances in which it is not inconsistent with these bylaws or with the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  Proposal

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by the executive committee.

 

Section 2.  Adoption

Provisions of these bylaws not governed by the Bylaws and Procedures of Pi Lambda Theta may be amended by two-thirds (?) vote at any regular meeting of the chapter, provided notice of the proposed amendments shall have been given at the previous regular meeting or in writing to every member at least thirty (30) days before the meeting at which the amendment is to be acted upon.

 

Section 3.  Approval by Pi Lambda Theta

  1. Two (2) copies of any amendment must be sent to the executive director for review and conformity to the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws.
  2. The executive director shall notify the chapter of
  3. Approval;
  4. Changes that must be made; or
  5. Changes that are deemed advisable.

 

In the first two instances, no further chapter vote shall be required.  In the third instance, the chapter shall adopt or reject the suggested changes and shall notify the executive director.

 

Section 4.  Submissions of Final Document

Within thirty (30) days after adoption by the chapter and approval by the executive director, two (2) copies of the final document shall be sent to the international office for the chapter records.

 

Section 5.  Mandatory Amendments

Any amendment to the Pi Lambda Theta Bylaws or Procedures which necessitates a change in these bylaws shall be made automatically without the necessity of a vote.

 

ARTICLE XIII – DISSOLUTION

In the event that Alpha Psi Chapter ceases to function as a chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, the chapter shall submit to the international office for safe keeping:  the charter, all funds belonging to or administered by the chapter, the property belonging to the chapter, and all chapter records.  All property shall be returned upon evidence of chapter activity or retained in the event of charter revocations.

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