BY-LAWS
Of
Phi Alpha Honor Society
At
The University of Michigan-Flint
Zeta Lambda Chapter
Chapter 1
Effective Date: 4-10-2015
Officers of the Executive Committee
Section 1. The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms, to be duly elected by a majority vote of the membership.
Section 2. The President shall preside over meetings of the chapter and set chapter meeting agenda; appoint such committees as may be provided for by Chapter Constitution or
By-Laws or by vote of the chapter; call special meetings of the chapter; be responsible for all chapter reports; perform the duties of the ritual chair at initiation ceremonies; and promote the welfare of the Society and Chapter.
Section 3. The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in the latter’s absence or disability and any other duties assigned by the President.
Section 4. The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows: a.
To record and distribute all minutes for Executive Board and Chapter meetings. b.
Fulfill such additional duties as may be required by the Executive Committee or by the Chapter constitution, By-Laws, resolutions, or vote of the Chapter Membership.
Section 5. The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows: a.
To forward to the Treasurer of the National Executive Council the national initiation fee for each student and faculty initiate prior to his/her acceptance into membership. b.
Fulfill such additional duties as may be required by the Executive Committee or by the Chapter constitution, By-Laws, resolutions, or vote of the Chapter Membership.
Section 6. The duties of the Sergeant at Arms shall be as follows: a.
To keep record and make available to Chapter Members the accrual of points for active membership status; to keep order and structure during Chapter meetings. b.
Fulfill such additional duties as may be required by the Executive Committee or by the Chapter constitution, By-Laws, resolutions, or vote of the Chapter Membership.

Section 7. A faculty member in the undergraduate social work program shall serve as the faculty advisor. The faculty advisor shall be responsible for determining academic eligibility for members by checking the GPA of members each semester.
Section 8. If at any time a member of the Executive Committee does not fulfill their duties as outlined in the By-Laws, members of the Executive Committee must speak directly with the Committee member about their behavior. If no change ensues, the Officer will be asked to step down. If the Officer refuses, a majority vote of Officers of the
Executive Committee by anonymous ballot and ratification by a three-fourths anonymous vote of the Chapter membership present is necessary to remove an Officer from his/her position on the Executive Committee.
Chapter II
Organization and Procedures
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms.
Section 2. The Chapter shall meet in official sessions at least twice each year.
Section 3. Standing committees may be appointed by the President with the approval of the
Executive committee.
Section 4. Special Committees may be appointed by the President.
Section 5. The Chapter Year shall begin on the first of May and shall end on the thirtieth of
April.
Section 6. The Chapter shall maintain adequate and accurate records of its membership activities and finances. Such records shall be kept in such a way as to serve as a permanent historical record.
Section 7. Qualified persons shall be inducted into membership at the induction ceremony annually each April.
Section 8. Election of officers shall be held once each year in April and at other times when a vacancy occurs. a.
Nominations shall be held for a period of 2 weeks prior to election date. b.
At time of election, each nominee shall present a two-minute speech answering the following questions
1.
If elected to this position, what will you do to improve Phi Alpha?
2.
What personal attributes qualify you for this position? Or, What do you have to offer to the group in a leadership role?

Chapter III
Membership
Section 1. An undergraduate student is eligible for active membership after achieving the following National minimum requirements and meeting local chapter requirements: a.
Declared Social Work as a major b.
Achieved junior status c.
Completed 9 semester hours of require social work courses d.
Achieved and maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale e.
Achieved and maintain a 3.25 grade point average in required social work courses f.
All members must maintain active status for every semester that they are enrolled in classes by earning seven (7) points. g.
Extra points can be earned through service to the society and shall be awarded by the Executive Committee. h.
Points shall be earned in the following ways:
½ pt.
1 pt.
1 pt.
1 pt.
1 pt.
1 pt.
1 pt.
2 pts.
2 pts.
2 pts.
2 pts.
2 pts.
2 pts.
3 pts.
Section 2. A faculty member may be granted membership by invitation of the Executive
Committee and approval of the Chapter membership.
Section 3. The Executive Committee may offer Student Membership Support for two students per academic year at no chapter or national cost to the student. The chapter shall pay the required $20 national fee at time of induction. This support is designed for students eligible for Phi Alpha membership whose circumstances make it a challenge to pay

membership fees. The student will be asked to submit a one page essay discussing their need and why they want to join Phi Alpha. The Executive Committee shall make a decision to provide the student support by majority vote.
Section 4. The Executive Committee, with the approval of membership, may grant an Honorary
Membership to a maximum of two (2) individuals per year. This recognition is available to persons outside the program who have made significant contribution to the program and/or society. Honorary members shall not be assessed chapter membership dues. Membership certificates for honorary members are provided by the National
Office without cost to local chapter.
Section 5. The method of granting membership shall include a review of the potential member’s academic transcript by the faculty advisor.
Section 6. Any member may be expelled from membership for reason of academic, professional, or personal conduct that violates the values outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics. A member may be expelled by a faculty advisor or by a three-fourths vote of the
Chapter. The Executive Committee and Faculty Advisors shall conduct a thorough investigation. The member so charged shall be granted an impartial hearing before the
Executive Committee and Faculty Advisors. Dismissal from the Social Work program or College/University is cause for automatic recommendation for expulsion and does not necessitate a hearing.
Section 7. Only active members shall be permitted to hold a position of authority, vote in society elections and business, and apply for scholarship opportunities. Members must be active both Fall and Winter Semesters of their Senior year or earn 14 points in Winter semester in order to purchase graduation regalia.
Section 8. Members who have been inactive for one or more semesters shall perform the following in order to become active. a.
Read a self-composed two-page essay that outlines recommitment to the organization at chapter meeting. b.
Obtain a two-thirds majority vote from present active members supporting reinstatement.
Chapter IV
Dues
Section 1. The initiation fee shall be of sufficient amount to include the following: a.
The initiation fee required by the National Society b.
The initiation fee required by the local Chapter.

Section 2. Annual Chapter dues shall be established in accordance with Chapter needs by action of the Executive Committee and a three-fourths vote of the Chapter membership present.
Section 3. Special fees may be levied by the Executive Committee with a three-fourths vote of the Chapter membership present.
Chapter V
Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and upon ratification by a three-fourths vote of the membership.
Diversity Statement
Membership shall be available to all eligible persons without regard to age, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, political beliefs, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
DEFINITIONS
Leadership Team: Taking a lead role in promotion of a Phi Alpha event or initiative. Including volunteering for roles in collaborative projects.
Revised 1/28/15 mvp