Bylaws
Of
Sigma Lambda Chapter
Of
PHI Theta Kappa Honor Society
Calhoun Community College
CHAPTER 1.
Name of Chapter
The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Sigma Lambda. (Assigned by Headquarters
upon approval of chartering application.)
CHAPTER 2.
Purpose
The purpose of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Calhoun Community College shall
be the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of
fellowship among qualified students of this college.
CHAPTER 3.
Membership
Section 1.
Types of Membership in Sigma Lambda Chapter shall consist of
member, provisional member, alumni member, and honorary member as defined by Article IV, Section
1, of Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws hereinafter referred to as “Constitution”. It is the
responsibility of all members to notify the Advisor when he/or she is no longer in good academic
standing as stated in Chapter 3, Section 2A.
A. Member. In addition to meeting membership eligibility requirements as
stated in Article IV and Chapter 1 of the Constitution, each candidate for
membership must have completed twelve (12) semester hours of associate
degree course work, with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.5 on a 4.0
scale, and adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized
qualities of citizenship. Grades for courses completed at other institutions
will be recognized when determining membership eligibility. A cumulative
grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained to remain in good
standing. Failure to maintain the required GPA will result in the member
being removed from good standing as stated in the Constitution, Chapter 1,
Section 3. Failure to meet good standing requirements as stated in the
Constitution will cause membership and all membership privileges to be
revoked.
B. Provisional Member. In addition to meeting eligibility requirements as
stated in Article IV, Section 1B of the Constitution, a student must have
earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on all coursework completed in high school.
A student must be currently enrolled in associate degree course work at a
two-year college, adhere to school conduct code, and possess recognized
qualities of citizenship. Provisional members will pay local chapter dues of
twenty ($20.00) dollars but are not required to pay the international and
regional induction fees until they have qualified for full membership.
C. Alumni Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated
in Article IV, Section 1C of the Constitution.
D. Honorary Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as
stated in Article IV, Section 1D of the Constitution.
E. Transfer Member. A member from another Phi Theta Kappa chapter may
transfer membership to Sigma Lambda Chapter if he or she is enrolled at
Calhoun Community College and meets the membership eligibility GPA of
the chapter.
CHAPTER 4.
Chapter Advisor
Section 1.
The duties of the Advisor are as follows:
A. In addition to carrying out the duties as stated in the Constitution, Chapter
IV, Section 5, the chapter advisor shall be responsible for overseeing the
completion and submission of member’s names and fees.
B. Submit Chapter Annual Report to Headquarters.
C. Shall be officially appointed by the college administration.
D. Shall be a non-voting member of the chapter.
E. Open and/or maintain a bank account for the chapter.
F. Receive all money and write all checks.
G. Maintain financial records.
CHAPTER 5.
Officers
Section 1.
All officers must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing,
maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and must be carrying a minimum course work load of three (3)
semester hours.
Section 2.
The Sigma Lambda Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following
officers: President, Vice President of Leadership, Vice President of Scholarship, Vice President of
Service, Vice President of Fellowship, and Vice President of Communications. A chapter may elect
additional officers.
Section 3.
The duties of the President are as follows:
A. Presides over chapter meetings.
B. Oversees and takes a leadership role in formulation and execution of the
College Project and Honors in Action Project.
C. Prepares meeting agendas for officers and member chapter meetings.
D. Opens and closes meetings; keeping meetings on task and orderly; making
sure everyone feels welcome and included.
E. Invite faculty members, staff, or administrators to attend at least one
meeting every month. Welcome and introduce special guests at meetings.
F. Attend Student Leadership Council (SLC) meetings; report chapter projects
and events at such meetings, share SLC meeting information with the
chapter.
G. Serve as chapter liaison with student organization sponsors to establish
volunteer partnership.
H. Appoint and establish any necessary committees and serve as an ex-officio
member on all committees.
I. Head the committee to review and/or revise chapter bylaws annually.
J. Assist with preparing the Annual Report to be sent to Headquarters.
K. Vote only in case of a tie.
L. Represent the organization at all times.
Section 4.
The duties of the Vice President of Leadership are as follows:
A. College Project Manager.
B. Meets with College President to plan and implement the College Project.
C. Develops a partnership with other student organizations, involving them in
the College Project and the Honors in Action Project, for the purpose of
developing leadership roles and conducting leadership development.
D. Coordinate leadership training for chapter members and other student
leaders by presenting a brief leadership lesson at each meeting.
E. Promote the Five Start Chapter and Member programs.
F. Maintain a record of Member’s Individual 5-Star status and report to
Advisor upon Member’s completion.
G. Maintain a record of Provisional High School Member’s membership status.
H. Maintain a record of Provisional High School Member’s Individual 5-Star
status and report to Advisor upon member’s completion.
I. Develop opportunities for chapter members to take leadership roles for
projects and events.
Section 5.
The duties of the Vice President of Scholarship are as follows:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Honors in Action Project Manager.
Lead the investigation and discussion of the Honors Study Topic.
Research consensus on the selection of an issue to focus upon.
Attend seminars and events that will increase understanding of the Topic.
Review suggested articles, books, films, etc., for chapter use in researching
the selected Topic.
F. Present an issue or question for discussion on the Honors Study Topic at
each meeting.
G. Develop opportunities for chapter members to take leadership roles for
Honors in Action events and activities.
H. Encourage collaboration by inviting members beyond the chapter to
participate in the Honors in Action project.
I. Develop partnerships with college faculty, staff and administration by
inviting them to participate in chapter events and asking them to encourage
their students to accept membership.
J. Share with officers and chapter members all scholarship programs available
through Phi Theta Kappa at each meeting, including deadlines of such
scholarship applications.
Section 6.
A.
B.
C.
D.
The duties of the Vice President of Service are as follows:
Honors in Action Project co-manager.
College Project co-manager.
Work with VP of Leadership and VP of Scholarship as volunteer coordinator.
Coordinate community and chapter partnerships for Honors in Action
Project and College Project, initiating and developing communication with
other chapters, high schools, elementary schools, elected officials, Chamber
of Commerce, and civic groups.
E. Invite community representatives and members from other chapters to
attend chapter meetings and special events.
F. Attend civic meetings to encourage community partnerships.
G. Visit school groups to promote civic engagement.
H. Share with officers and chapter members the opportunities for participation
in Honors in Action events and College Project activities.
Section 7.
The duties of the Vice President of Fellowship are as follows:
A. Take attendance at all meetings.
B. Act as official time keeper and recording secretary at meetings.
C. Keep a full record (journal) of chapter activities, events, fundraisers,
volunteer work, and all applicable functions the chapter participates in.
D. Supply and read meeting minutes at each meeting.
E. Email meeting minutes directly to President and Officers and post meeting
minutes on Phi Theta Kappa Sigma Lambda Chapter’s Facebook page on
Calhoun’s Phi Theta Kappa SPACE forum.
F. Assist with planning refreshments for chapter meetings and special events;
help with set up and clean up at chapter meetings and special events.
G. Send hand-written thank you notes to guest speakers, and other special
friends, who help our chapter.
H. Serve on the committee to prepare the Annual Report to Headquarters a
minimum of thirty (30) days prior to International Convention.
Section 8.
The duties of the Vice President of Communications are as follows:
A. Work with college media specialist (i.e. Webmaster) to keep chapter
website current. Post meeting information, chapter news, and event
pictures on website.
B. Administer Facebook page for chapter communication, including but not
limited to adding new members upon verification of eligibility, post meeting
information, chapter news, and event pictures on website.
C. Publicize meetings and event information on Calhoun’s Phi Theta Kappa
SPACE forum and facebook weekly to encourage members to attend
meetings.
D. Draft and submit press releases whenever possible to local media; including
but not limited to a Chapter Officer Press Release each year.
(http://www.ptk.org/OfficerPressRelease/intro.do)
E. Send personal emails to welcome new members to the club, informing them
of the days, time, and location of weekly chapter meetings and where to
find information pertaining to meetings (minutes and agendas) online for
their reference.
F. Up to two weeks before the Meet and Greet/Orientation Event, call and/or
email all potential members and personally invite them to
attend/participate in the festivities.
G. Up to two weeks before the Induction Ceremony, call all students who have
not yet accepted membership. Encourage them to join Phi Theta Kappa and
invite them to attend/participate in the ceremony.
H. Up to one week before the Induction Ceremony, call new members who
have accepted membership and encourage them to attend/participate in
the Induction Ceremony.
I. Work with VP of Fellowship to submit to Regional Coordinator and
Headquarters reports of chapter activities and Five-Star Chapter Update
Forms.
CHAPTER 6.
Election of Officers
Section 1.
In addition to meeting requirements as stated in Chapter IV, Section 3 of
the Constitution, all candidates for office must be members of Phi Theta Kappa in good standing.
Section 2.
Officers shall hold office from the time of inauguration, which shall be at
the first meeting following election, to the time of the next inauguration.
Section 3.
A Letter of Intent, including Office of Interest, and Application should be
submitted to Advisors by April 30 each year.
Section 4.
Interviews will be scheduled with Chapter Advisor(s) and outgoing
Chapter President by the end of the spring semester. The candidates will be notified of their
appointment to office by their Advisor.
Section 5.
In any case an officer must resign his or her office; the selection process
as outlined above, shall be conducted to select a new officer. The President shall have the power to
make a temporary appointment at his/her discretion until a selection can be made.
CHAPTER 7.
Impeachment of Officers
Section 1.
removed as follows:
If any officer fails to fulfill their duties of an office, the officer may be
A. A special meeting among the chapter must be held to discuss the problem.
B. A vote of three-quarters of members in attendance is sufficient to remove
an officer from office.
CHAPTER 8.
Meetings
Section 1.
All chapter meetings will follow an agenda
A. Attendance
B. Reading of last meeting minutes
C. Discuss items of business, service opportunities, Honors Study Topic, College
Project, etc.
D. Announcements
E. Adjournment
Section 2.
A quorum of one member of 10% of the membership, excluding
members excused for other school functions, must be present before any official
meeting can be called to order.
Section 3.
All meetings shall be governed by adaptation of Robert’s Rule of Order.
Section 4.
Special committee meetings shall be called to order by the Chairperson
of said committee. Procedures at such meetings are left to the discretion of the
chairperson. Reports of such meetings shall be given to members and officers at the
following chapter meeting, including VP of Communications so that information can be
posted on the website, facebook page, and/or SPACE account as needed.
CHAPTER 9.
Finances
Section 1.
of vote of members.
Finances for this chapter will be raised by project voted on by a majority
Section 2.
Payment of the International Membership Fee of forty-five (45) dollars
must be received by the Advisor before members can be inducted.
Section 3.
All members must pay the Local Fees of twenty (20) dollars and
Regional Fees of five (5) dollars before initiation.
Section 4.
Disbursement vouchers must be submitted with supporting evidence
(i.e. invoices, statements, etc.) attached to the original invoice.
Section 5.
Advisor.
Financial records of the chapter shall be annually audited by the
CHAPTER 10.
Amendments and Revisions
Section 1.
The chapter bylaws may be amended and/or revised by a vote of twothirds of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has
been presented at a previous meeting. Any changes to the bylaws must be sent to Headquarters for
final approval.
Phi Theta Kappa is committed to the elimination of discrimination based on gender, race, class, economic
status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and cultural or religious beliefs.
Rev. September, 2010