Sample Bylaws
Lambda Sigma Society
____________ Chapter
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Lambda Sigma Society, ______________chapter.
ARTICLE 11. PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization shall be to foster leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and
the spirit of service among college students; to promote leadership among second year students;
and to serve the interest of the college or university and community in every way possible.
ARTICLE 111. MEMBERSHIP
There shall be three classes of chapter membership: active, alumni, and honorary.
SECTION 1. Candidates for membership shall be considered in the spring term/semester
of their first academic year. They shall have completed at least one academic term/semester
at this institution and have shown promise of leadership and service during their first year.
These members shall be active during their second year.
SECTION 2. Alumni members shall be students who have completed their year of active
membership in Lambda Sigma.
SECTION 3. Honorary membership may be conferred by unanimous vote of the chapter
to a person who has given distinguished service to the college, university or Lambda Sigma
provided the request has been approved by the chapter advisor(s). Honorary members
may have all privileges except voting in chapter matters.
SECTION 4. The chapter shall establish attendance and participation policies, approved
by the national board, for maintaining good standing within the chapter. These shall be
provided to each member along with the dismissal procedures for failure to abide by the
policies.
SECTION 4. Members may be dismissed if they fail to meet the obligations of
membership with a majority vote of the chapter with final approval of the chapter
advisor(s).
ARTICLE 1V. SELECTION OF LAMBDA SIGMA MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. To be eligible for membership a first-year student must have an overall grade
point average of a ______ or higher and must have shown promise of leadership during his or her
first year.
SECTION 2. The selection of members shall be in accordance with the processes and
rituals established by the national organization. (Explain your selection process)
SECTION 3. New members shall be informed of the organization in a ritual known as the
Gift of Acquaintance. They will be apprised of their membership in a ritual known as the
Gift of Colors. They shall have the opportunity to accept membership through the Gift of
Choice and shall, through the Gift of Knowledge, show evidence of understanding the nature
of Lambda Sigma membership. New members shall be initiated in a ceremony known as the
Gift of Fellowship.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS.
SECTION 1. After selection and before initiation, the chapter shall elect the following officers:
president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. (Other officers as deemed necessary may be
elected or appointed).
SECTION 2. (Describe the specific nominating and election process approved by the national
board)
SECTION 3. Vacancies in chapter offices shall be filled by a new election as soon as possible
after the vacancy occurs.
ARTICLE V1. DUTIES
SECTION 1. The president shall preside over all meetings of the chapter and the executive
committee, and shall perform the ordinary duties pertaining to the office. The president
must also attend the National Presidents Conference held in the fall of each year and oversee
the submission of all required reports. Required reports completed by the president
include the Mid-Year Status Report and President’s Annual Report.
SECTION 2.The vice-president shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the president
whenever the president is unable to perform the duties of the office and serve as an ex officio
member of all committees. (List other responsibilities).
SECTION 3. The secretary shall keep the minutes and records of attendance of all meetings,
including the points accumulated as part of the chapter's point system if utilized.
SECTION 4. The treasurer shall keep a financial record of the organization and pay its
accounts. The year-end Treasurer’s Report along with national dues for each new member,
the Initiate List, and the conference assessment fee must be sent to the National Executive
Secretary at the close of the school year.
SECTION 5. (DUTIES OF ANY OTHER OFFICER)
ARTICLE V11. STANDING COMMITTEES
The chapter shall have the following standing committees: membership, ritual, service, and social.
(Include others if needed)
ARTICLE V111. ADVISORS AND DUTIES
SECTION 1. The chapter shall have at least one and preferably two faculty or
administrative advisors from the university or college.
SECTION 2. The faculty and/or administrative advisor shall meet with the chapter,
supervise the preparation for electing new members, advise the chapter officers, and
perform any function deemed necessary for the welfare and progress of the chapter. The
Advisor’s Report must be submitted at the end of the year. One advisor must co-sign the
Mid-Year Status Report, President’s Report and Treasurer’s Annual Reports.
SECTION 3. The chapter shall have one currently enrolled alumnus as an advisor who shall
advise the chapter officers as needed. (Explain how selected or appointed)
ARTICLE 1X. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
SECTION 1. The executive committee shall consist of the elected positions, the alumni
advisor(s), and the chapter advisor(s). This committee shall set the agenda for each meeting
and transact any emergency business. Reports shall be made at each Lambda Sigma meeting of
all executive council meetings.
SECTION 2. The executive committee shall meet at least twice a month while school is in
session
ARTICLE X. MEETINGS
SECTION 1. The chapter shall meet at least twice a month when school is in session.
SECTION 2. The chapter shall be called a special meeting whenever the president or the advisor
deems such a meeting necessary.
ARTICLE X1. DUES
The initiation fee shall be ________, which includes national and local dues. (Include anything
else such as a t-shirt). All dues must be paid in full before a member is initiated during the
Gift of Fellowship.
ARTICLE X11. AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting or special meetings of the chapter by
a _________________ vote of the _________present. Any bylaw revision shall be binding
immediately upon national board approval.
Revised _________