Bylaws

Chapter Bylaws- Beta Pi Kappa Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Preamble:
 As fellows of Beta Pi Kappa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of the Two Year College we commit ourselves to the highest standards of ethical and academic excellence; that an intellectual climate may be promoted for an interchange of ideas and ideals; and that our scholars may be imbued with desire for continuing education and life long learning.  Among us membership is a privilege earned by qualifications, honor and service. In the conduct of our activities, truth shall be our quest, diligence our staff, and achievement our purpose.

Article I—Name of Society and Chapter:
The name of this society shall be Phi Theta Kappa. The name of the Los Angeles City College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Beta Pi Kappa.

Article II—Purpose of Chapter:
The purpose of shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among Los Angeles City College students. To achieve this purpose, Beta Pi Kappa shall provide opportunities for the development of scholarship and service; for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals; for lively fellowship for scholars; and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

Article III—Insignia of Chapter


Section I. Emblem:
The emblem of this chapter shall be a golden slab, keyed at the top and the bottom. Across the center of the slab is a black enamel band upon which three Greek letters appear, which are the initials of three mystic Greek words symbolizing Beta, Pi, Kappa.

Section II. Colors:
The colors of the Chapter shall be blue, for scholarship, and gold, for purity. These are the same colors used for the society.

Section III. Seal:
The official seal of the chapter shall be the same general seal as the emblem. This is the same seal as the society.

Article IV—Membership of the Chapter

Section I. Types of Membership:
The chapter shall consist of active and provisional members.

Active Members
An active member of Beta Pi Kappa shall be a student who has met the requirements for membership set forth in Article IV, Section 2 of these bylaws, and who has been duly initiated into the chapter; and who maintains the standards required for good standing for active members.

Provisional Members:
A provisional member of Beta Pi Kappa shall be a student who, in the opinion of the chapter, has shown an active interest in the affairs of the chapter and who serves in some special capacity, but does not meet the full requirements for active membership in the chapter. A provisional member shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or to represent the chapter at meetings of the society. Provisional members may elect to be members of Beta Pi Kappa Club and have full rights as determined by the ASO of Los Angeles City College.

Section II. Eligibility for Membership: To be eligible for membership in Beta Pi Kappa, a student must:

Be enrolled in The Los Angeles City College, and in good standing both academic and financial at the time of application.

Have accumulated 12 credit hours at the Los Angeles City College. Transfer credits from other colleges/universities are not accepted.  

Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above.  The 3.5 g.p.a. shall not consist of any remedial college work.  No Math courses lower than 115 and no English course work lower than 101 shall be accepted.

Be of good moral character and possess recognized qualities of citizenship of their respective country.

Students who transfer membership from another existing chapter must meet the Beta Pi Kappa chapter maintenance membership eligibility criteria of 3.25 g.p.a. to become an active member of the chapter.

Membership shall be of invitation only.  All students at the Los Angeles City College that meet the Beta Pi Kappa eligibility requirements shall be sent an invitation for membership.

Section III. Active (Maintenance) Membership:
To maintain active membership, a student, at the end of each academic term (as defined by the college) shall have maintained a grade-point average of 3.25 and shall have maintained the standards necessary for membership in the chapter.

Section IV. Revocation of Membership:
In the event that a member fails to re-achieve the requirements for membership stated in Article IV, Section 3, of these bylaws after his or her probation period, his/her name shall be removed from the chapter membership rolls.  The probation period shall be one semester.

Article V—Executive Board and Executive Committee


Section I. Executive Advisory Board: Beta Pi Kappa shall have an Advisory Executive Board. The Executive Board members shall be the Director, Scholars Program, The College Transfer Counselor, The Beta Pi Kappa Faculty Advisors, and any other members from the College as the Advisory Board shall see fit. The role of the Advisory Board is to make substantive recommendations to the Beta Pi Kappa Executive Board and to approve any and all changes in membership requirements and guidelines of Beta Pi Kappa By-Laws. 

Officers of Beta Pi Kappa Executive Board:
The Executive Board shall consist of eight officers: a president, vice president of leadership, vice president of fellowship, vice president of service, vice president of scholarship, recording secretary, and treasurer.  The Beta Pi Kappa Executive Board shall seek approval for any changes in membership from the Executive Advisory Board. 

Responsibilities of Officers:
The responsibilities of the of the Executive Board officers shall be listed in the chapter’s bylaws.

Terms of Office:
No member of Beta Pi Kappa shall serve as an Executive Board officer for more than two school years. A years shall consist of Fall, Spring and Summer.

Election of Officers: Officers on the Executive Board shall be elected by a majority vote of the assembled members in the meeting held for the purpose of electing Executive Board members.

Removal of Officers:
 Officers of the Executive Board may be removed at any time by a three-fourths vote from the assembled members of any meeting.

Resignation of Officers: In any case when an officer must resign from office, an election shall be held to elect a new officer. Nominations shall be made from the floor and will be made at the first meeting following the resignation of the officer. The election will be held at the first meeting following nominations. Plurality of the votes cast will determine the new officer. The president shall have the power to make a temporary appointment at his/her discretion until an election can be held.

Section II. Duties of the Executive Board:
Duties of the president, vice president of leadership, vice president of fellowship, vice president of service, vice president of scholarship, recording secretary, public relations secretary, and treasurer.

President
The duties of the president shall be as follows:
1. Preside over all business meetings.
2. Appoint and establish any necessary committees.
3. Vote only in case of a tie.
4. Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.
5. Present business to the organization.
6. Represent the organization at all times.
7. Submit all reports of five star status to the regional coordinator and international headquarters.
8. Appoint a committee to annually review the chapter bylaws.
9. Appoint a committee to prepare the chapter annual report.
10. Assist officers with individual award entries for international and regional award competitions.

Vice President of Leadership: The duties of the vice president of leadership shall be as follows:
1. Head all committees relating to leadership activities.
2. Keep record of all leadership activities of chapter members.
3. Report current status to chapter members and advisor.
4. Perform all duties of president in the event of his/her absence.
5. Assist President with maintaining information for five star updates and hallmark award entries.
6. Complete leadership award entry for international and regional competitions.

Vice President of Fellowship:
Duties of the vice president of fellowship shall be as follows: 
1. Head all committees regarding fellowship activities.
2. Maintain records of completed projects to complete award submissions.
3. Complete fellowship hallmark award entries for international and regional Award competitions. 
4. Assist president with maintaining information for five star updates and hallmark award entries.
5. Report current status to chapter members and advisor.
6. Oversee new member recruitment tables on campus.

Vice President of Service:
The duties of the vice president of service shall be as follows:
1. Research current volunteer opportunities in the Los Angeles Community College District.
2. Responsible for recruiting volunteers for projects.
3. Responsible for reporting progress to the chapter officers.
4. Head of all committees regarding service projects.
5. Complete service hallmark award entries for International and Regional Award competitions.
6. Assist president with maintaining information for five star updates and hallmark award entries.

Vice president of Scholarship
The duties of the vice president of scholarship shall be as follows:
1. Head all committees Honors Study Topic.
2. Report all activities and progress to the chapter members and advisor. 
3. Arrange for Honor Study Topic activities.
4. Recruit members to assist with projects.
5. Complete scholarship hallmark award entries for international and regional award competitions.
6. Assist president with maintaining information for five star updates and hallmark award entries.

Recording Secretary
The duties of the recording secretary shall be as follows:
1. Take and read all meeting minutes.
2. Maintain records of all meetings.
3. Maintain a file of chapter correspondence.
4. Serve on the committee reviewing the chapter's annual report.
5. Assist chapter officers in the completion of individual hallmark award entries.

Treasurer
The duties of the treasurer shall be as follows:
1. Serve as fundraising chairperson.
2. Organize all fund raisers, on and off campus.
3. Recruit members to assist with fund raisers.
4. Track financial status of the chapter.
5. Report progress to the Executive Board and chapter members.
6. Assisting chapter officers in the completion of individual hallmark award entries.

Article VI. Chapter Advisor
The chapter advisor shall be appointed by the Los Angeles City College Scholars Program Director. In addition to carrying out the duties as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa constitution and bylaws, Chapter IV, Section 5, the chapter advisor shall be responsible for overseeing the completion and submission of membership report forms, student profile forms, and fees to headquarters. The advisor shall be a non-voting member of the chapter.

Article VII—Meetings and Procedures

Section I.
Their should be such meetings of the chapter as deemed necessary and proper as provided for within in this section.

Chapter Meetings:
The local chapter shall meet once a month.

Special Meetings:
The president of the chapter with the approval of the Executive Board may convene any special meetings of the chapter, or any sub-group thereof, as may be deemed necessary and proper for the resolution of the business of the chapter, or for any other purpose not contrary to these bylaws.

Section II. Procedure:
The procedural rules governing the meetings of the chapter shall be Roberts Rules of Order, except in regards to voting. The chapter rules on voting shall be fixed by the chapter’s bylaws.

Article VIII—Finance

Section I. Tax Exemption:
The chapter shall be operated exclusively for educational purposes and shall be exempt from taxation under Section 501 @ (3) in the Internal Revenue Code. No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private individual except that reasonable compensation shall be paid for services actually rendered.

Section II. Fees:
Chapter dues shall be $25.  The Chapter shall have the right to determine chapter dues. 

Section III. Expenditure of Funds:
All fees, donations, grants, and other types of financial income shall be expended for the purposes of this chapter.

Section IV. Salary:
No member of Beta Pi Kappa will receive a salary.

Section V. Financial Obligations:
No financial obligation shall be incurred by any active or provisional member of Beta Pi Kappa.

Section VI. Costs Incurred:
Any member incurring any cost while representing Beta Pi Kappa in a way acknowledged by the chapter advisor shall be reimbursed by a signed voucher from the treasurer of the chapter.

Section VII. Membership Fees: All members must pay chapter, regional and international fees prior to induction.

Article IX. Amendments:

Section I. Bylaws:
The bylaws of Beta Pi Kappa may be amended at any time in the following manner: Written amendment will be submitted to the president of the Chapter.

The amendment shall then be read to the general assembly on two different occasions before it is voted on.

The amendment shall then be voted on by the general assembly. A two-thirds affirmative vote by the assembled members shall approve the amendment.

Section III. Prohibition of Amendments:
Amendments shall not prevent the chapter from operating exclusively for non-profit educational purposes and in a manner which makes the chapter tax-exempt nor prevents the deduction of donations from taxable income to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

Article X—Implied Powers:
In the event that a situation of importance arises which has not been explained in these bylaws, the president may act in any way he/she sees fit, after he/she has consent from the rest of the Executive Board and chapter advisor.

Article XI—Ratification:
These by-laws shall be ratified by the Executive Board.  Upon ratification, these bylaws will be submitted to international headquarters for approval. Upon international headquarters’ approval, these bylaws will become effective. 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 and religious backgrounds.



http://www2.ptk.org/advisor/forms/sampchapbylaws.htm
September 2012