The Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter of KDP!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

KDP at Cazenovia College

Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter Bylaws

Updated: 3/9/2021

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

Article I. The chapter

Section 1. Name

Section 2. Purpose

Section 3. Chapter Year

Section 4. Authority

Article II. Membership

Section 1. Qualifications

Section 2. Chapter Membership

Article III. Finances

Section 1. Responsibility

Section 2. Local Dues

Section 3. Initiation Fee

Article IV. Initiation

Article V. Chapter Officers

Section 1. Qualifications

Section 2. Election

Section 3. Vacancies

Article VI. Chapter Counselor(s)

Section 1. Qualifications

Section 2. Selection of Counselor and Associate Counselor(s)

Section 3. Notification of Counselor Appointment or Change

Section 4. Removal of Counselor from Office

Article VII. Committees

Section 1. Executive Committee

Section 2. Standing Committees

Article VIII. Active Chapters

Section 1. Meetings and Quorum

Section 2. Chapter Online Presence

Section 3. Dissolution of Chapter

Article IX. Amendments

Chapter Bylaws

Instructions: To complete your chapter bylaws easily, simply fill in the blanks as noted. If your chapter wants to note operational nuances specific to your chapter, attach additional sheets with article and section number(s).

Bylaws for the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education

Article I – The Chapter

Section 1. Name

The designation for the Cazenovia College Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter.

Section 2. Purpose

The purpose of the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi shall be to promote excellence in and recognition of outstanding contributions to education. Kappa Delta Pi shall endeavor to maintain a high degree of professional fellowship among its members, to quicken professional growth, and to honor achievement in educational work. To these ends, it shall invite to membership persons who exhibit commendable professional qualities, worth educational ideals, and sound scholarship, without regard to race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual identity, or disability.

Section 3. Chapter Year

The chapter year shall begin on July 1 and end on June 30.

Section 4. Authority

In all matters of organization and procedures, the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rituals of the International Society of Kappa Delta Pi shall have precedence and should be consulted.

Article II – Membership

Section 1. Qualifications

Membership in the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and other professional educators affiliated with Cazenovia College. Invitation to membership in an active chapter at an institution shall be dependent upon fulfillment of the following qualifications without regard to race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual identity, or disability.

1.1 General Qualifications

1.11 Demonstration of worthy educational ideals.

1.12 Expression of the intention to continue in the field of education (except for honorary membership).

1.13 Manifestation of desirable professional qualities.

1.14 Evidence of leadership attributes.

1.15 Exemplify commitment to equity.

1.2 Degree-Seeking Undergraduate Students

When seeking membership as an undergraduate student, a candidate must:

1.21 At least eighteen (18) semester hours (or the equivalent) earned prior to initiation;

1.22 demonstrate that they have a cumulative GPA ranking in the upper quintile of the institution, school, or college, or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (out of a 4.0 scale if a grade-point system is used) or higher for all coursework completed; and

1.23 have at least six (6) hours (or the equivalent) of professional education courses programmed, in progress, or completed.

1.3 Graduate Students

When seeking membership as a graduate student, a candidate must:

1.31 full graduate standing at Cazenovia College;

1.32 At least six (6) or more semester hours of graduate work at Cazenovia College where the student is enrolled earned prior to initiation;

1.33 have at least six (6) hours (or the equivalent) of professional education courses programmed, in progress, or completed; and

1.34 have a cumulative grade-point average on all graduate work undertaken of at least 3.25 (out of a 4.0 scale if a grade-point system is used) or within the upper 18.75% of the institution, college, or school (the schools of education and respective colleges from which candidates are selected).

1.4 Faculty and Educational Support Staff

The number of faculty/staff initiated at any one initiation ceremony shall not exceed the number of other initiates. When seeking membership as a faculty member, a candidate must:

1.41 be a faculty or educational support staff member of Cazenovia College; and

1.42 give evidence of support for the Chapter and its programs.

1.5 Professional Members

Qualifications and limitations include:

1.51 meet qualifications for graduate students listed in 1.3; or

1.52 hold a Master’s or other advanced degree; or

1.53 obtain two letters of recommendation from two supervising administrators or provide evidence of a distinguished performance record consistent with the ideals of Kappa Delta Pi.

1.6 Honorary Members

Qualifications and limitations include:

1.61 Record of distinguished service in the cause of education.

1.62 Honorary membership is not open to a person eligible for another membership category or one who holds a degree in education.

1.63 No chapter may elect more than two (2) persons to honorary membership during any one Society year.

1.64 A person approved for an honorary membership shall be initiated according to appropriate ritual.

1.7 Students Seeking Alternative Certification and/or Licensure

When seeking membership as an alternatively-certified or alternatively-licensed teacher, a candidate must:

1.71 Hold a baccalaureate degree, or hold an associate degree in the field of education;

1.72 At least three (3) semester hours (or the equivalent) of the alternative certification work earned prior to initiation; and

1.73 demonstrate a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25 (out of a 4.0 scale).

Section 2. Chapter Membership

Invitations into membership should be offered to any candidates who meet the above qualifications.

2.1 Local Chapter Requirements

The Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter may increase requirements for eligibility for membership above what is required by the international Society bylaws if, and only if, specified in the bylaws.

· All applying members must write a minimum of 500 word essay pertaining to why they want to be involved in Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter. Included in the essay must be a list of, at least five activities or events for our chapter to host.

2.2 Active Chapter Membership

A person who has become a member of Kappa Delta Pi can always be an active member of the Alpha Kappa Mu chapter and the Society as long as Society and local chapter dues are paid. A member may not pay chapter dues only. An active life member of the Society is an active chapter member as long as local chapter dues are paid.

2.3 Transfer of Membership between Chapters

An active member of the Society may transfer membership from one chapter to another with appropriate notification to the Society Headquarters. Multiple chapter memberships are permissible.

2.4 Initiation

All candidates for chapter membership shall be duly initiated using the official Society ritual.

2.5 Involuntary Suspension of Individual Members

A member may be suspended for cause. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the chapter executive committee is required for suspension of chapter membership, and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive council is required for suspension of Society membership.

2.6 Eligibility to Wear regalia

A member who is affiliated with a chapter shall meet standards set forth by the chapter, if specific, in this document.

Article III – Finances

Section 1. Responsibility

The Chapter Treasurer—with the assistance of the Counselor—shall keep accurate records of the assets and the liabilities of the Chapter and shall receive and expend Chapter monies as the Executive Committee directs.

Section 2. Local Dues

Annual local dues for the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter shall be determined by a majority vote of active members present at a regular Chapter meeting and submitted to Headquarters on the Annual Financial Report. Annual local dues are not to exceed annual Society dues.

· Local dues: $7

· Total due: $57

Section 3. Initiation Fee

A one-time initiation fee for new members of the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter shall be determined by a majority vote of active members present at a regular Chapter meeting and submitted to Headquarters on the Annual Financial Report. A one-time initiation fee—if charged—is used to pay for initiation materials or pieces of the ceremony.

Article IV – Initiation

All candidates for membership in the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter shall be duly initiated according to the prescribed Society ritual. Members initiated previous by another chapter of the Society may be formally received into the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter according to the official Society reaffirmation ritual. The Chapter, when applicable, shall remit to the Society Headquarters required information for each initiate—along with required fees—within two weeks of initiation.

Article V – Chapter Officers

Each chapter executive committee shall include a minimum of President and Treasurer, but it is recommended that each chapter reference the Society bylaws (Article V, Section 4. Election and Installation of Chapter Officers) for the responsibilities of all possible officer positions. All officer positions that have a role on the chapter’s executive committee will be indicated and defined in the chapter bylaws as an additional attachment, and all officers will be properly elected by the chapter membership.

Section 1. Qualifications

All candidates for officer positions must be active members of both the Society and the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter.

Section 2. Election

Officers shall be elected and installed a minimum of once each academic year and be reported to Headquarters no later than two weeks after elections are completed. Chapter officers for the ensuing term shall be elected during any regular meeting of the chapter, through a ballot sent to all active members, or through a combination of both methods. A majority vote of active members participating in the vote shall be required for election.

Section 3. Vacancies

Should a chapter office become vacant because of resignation, neglect of duty, or other causes, the Counselor and/or President may call a special meeting for the purpose of filling the vacancy. The procedure for filling the vacancy shall be the prerogative of the chapter and will be described in these bylaws.

Article VI – Chapter Counselor(s)

Each Chapter must have a minimum of one Counselor with the possibility of adding any additional Co-Counselors or Associate Counselors as needed.

Section 1. Qualifications

The Chapter counselor must be a member of the college/university faculty or staff—if an institutional chapter—and an active member of both the Society and the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter.

Section 2. Selection of Counselor and Associate Counselor(s)

Each active institutional chapter shall have a Chapter Counselor selected from the faculty or staff of the institution. In such chapters where there is no Counselor, the Dean or designee will be asked to perform the duties of Counselor after appropriate consultation with the members. In addition to Counselor, each chapter may select one or more Associate Counselors. All provisions applicable to the Chapter Counselor shall apply to Associate Counselors. However, the Associate Counselor(s) need not be a faculty or staff member.

Section 3. Notification of Counselor Appointment or Change

The name of the Counselor shall be forwarded to the Chapter Services Department at Society Headquarters within two weeks of appointment or change. A certificate confirming the appointment shall be forwarded to the new Counselor.

Section 4. Removal of Counselor from Office

The Executive Council may—with cause—declare the office of Chapter Counselor vacant. Should this happen, representatives from the Society will work with the institution to appoint a replacement.

Article VII – Committees

Each chapter should maintain the following committees that consist of active members of both the Society and the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter.

Section 1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the current officers of the chapter including the Counselor and Associate Counselor(s), where there are such officers, and may include the immediate Past-President. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to supervise the general activities of the chapter, serve as the official agency for communication, act in emergencies between meetings of the chapter, conduct initiations, and ensure the completion of all required reports.

Section 2. Standing Committees

The following committees shall be appointed annually and led by members of the aforementioned Executive Committee:

2.1 Membership Committee

The Membership Committee shall lead the recruitment efforts by receiving names of candidates suggested for membership, obtaining a list of valid candidates from the Chapter Counselor, Associate Counselor, designated faculty member, or appropriate college/university staff administrator, etc.

2.2 Program Committee

The Program Committee shall be responsible for planning programs for the chapter.

2.3 Fundraising Committee

The Fundraising Committee shall be responsible for planning fundraising projects for the chapter and/or for external organizations the missions of which are consistent with Kappa Delta Pi. This committee is also responsible for coordinating donations/gifts to Kappa Delta Pi as a part of the Chapter Challenge.

Article VIII – Active Chapters

Section 1. Meetings and Quorum

The Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter shall hold at least two meetings during the Society year. At least one meeting shall include an initiation of new members. A quorum shall be defined in the local chapter bylaws; a simple majority of the voting membership in good standing of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum. Quorum for the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is nine.

Section 2. Chapter Online Presence

The Chapter Online Presence shall:

2.1 Support the ideals, mission, and goals of the Society.

2.2 Not conflict in any way with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Society.

2.3 Contain the following disclaimer:

The opinions and comments expressed via this electronic forum do not necessarily reflect the views of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education.

Section 3. Dissolution of Chapter

The process for elective dissolution of a chapter can be found in the Society bylaws (Article V, Section 9. Dissolution of Chapter).

Article IX – Amendments

The bylaws of the Alpha Kappa Mu Chapter may be amended at any regular meeting of the Chapter by a 2/3 vote of active members present, provided that a copy of the proposed amendment(s) has been sent to all active Chapter members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Chapter bylaws must be reviewed at least every two years and ratified by the chapter membership.