Bylaws

Chapter Rules of

Nu Alpha Chapter of Texas State Organization of

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

ARTICLE I - NAME OF THE CHAPTER

The name of this chapter as assigned by the State Executive Committee shall be Nu Alpha Chapter of Texas State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

ARTICLE II - OBJECT/PURPOSE

The purpose of Nu Alpha Chapter shall be to promote the Mission, Vision and Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International as found in the Constitution, Article II.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section A. Classes of Membership

The membership of Nu Alpha Chapter shall be composed of active, reserve, collegiate and honorary members in accordance with the Constitution, Article III and International Standing Rules section 3.0. An individual becomes a member when she pays her dues.

• • • 1. An active member is a woman who is or has been employed as a professional educator at the time of her selection. An active member shall participate in the activities of the chapter.

1. Reserve membership is granted by majority vote of the chapter, and only to a member who is unable to participate in chapter activities because of physical disabilities and/or geographic location.

2. An honorary member is a woman not eligible for active membership who has rendered notable service to education or to women, and who is elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service.

3. Collegiate members shall be undergraduate or graduate students who meet the following criteria:

a. Undergraduate student members shall be enrolled in an institution offering an

education degree, have the intent to continue academically and professionally in

the field of education, and be enrolled within the last two years of their undergraduate

education degree.

b. Graduate student members shall have graduate standing in an institution offering an

education degree and have the intent to continue academically and professionally in

the field of education.

c. A collegiate member may participate in the activities of the Society except holding office, although she may serve as parliamentarian since the position is not an elected office.

d. When a collegiate member starts her career as a paid educator, she will pay active member dues and become an active member. If a collegiate member does not pursue a career as an educator, her membership will expire upon graduation or withdrawal from the education degree program.

Section B. New Members

1. Chapter Authority – A candidate for active membership shall be selected by the method established by the chapter’s rules.

2. Recommendations - Recommendations for new members shall be submitted to the Membership Committee at any chapter meeting.

3. Orientation of new members shall occur at least one week prior to the induction ceremony. The membership chairman shall see that nominees receive information through a formal/informal orientation provided by the membership.

4. Selection of New Members

a. Selection of new members may be at any chapter meeting.

b. Selection may be by a vote of one-third of active members.

5. Members may transfer from one chapter to another by notifying Society Headquarters. No vote is taken on incoming transfers.

Section C. Termination of Membership

1. Membership in the Society is terminated for non-payment of dues and fees, resignation, or death.

2. No member may be terminated for non-payment of dues and fees without multiple contacts from chapter members, including a collaboration of the president, treasurer and membership chair.

3. The chapter shall record in the minutes the names of members terminated, including the reason and date of termination.

Section D. Membership Records

A continuous record of chapter membership shall be kept by the treasurer. This includes date of induction, transfer information, date (s) and reason for resignation, and date(s) of reinstatement.

Section E. Reinstatement

A former member shall be reinstated to membership upon written request.

ARTICLE IV - FINANCES

Section A. Governance of Finances

Where applicable, the Constitution, Article IV and International Standing Rules, Section 4.0 shall govern chapter finances.

Section B. Annual Dues

1. The amount of dues and assessment is recommended by the finance committee, and shall include international and state dues and fees as established by the Society and State organization.

2. Chapter dues and any assessments shall be established no later than the first meeting of the fiscal year by a majority vote of those present at the Executive Board Meeting.

Section C. Financial Control

1. The chapter Finance Committee shall submit annually a proposed budget for adoption by majority vote of those present at the first meeting

2. All expenses shall be approved by the president prior to payment.

3. Two signatures shall be required on all checks. The president and treasurer and a designated third person shall be authorized to sign checks on the chapter's account.

4. An annual financial review report shall be submitted by the finance committee to the executive board at the end of each fiscal year

Section D. Special Funds

1. Special funds and/or awards may be established by majority vote of the chapter,

ARTICLE V—ORGANIZATION

Section A. Chapter Rules

1. Nu Alpha Chapter Rules shall be consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, State Bylaws, and State Rules.

2. Updated chapter rules shall be submitted to the state bylaws and rules committee biannually as required by state governing documents.

Section B. Area

The chapter shall participate in the activities of Area 7.

Section C. Coordinating Council

1. The chapter shall participate in the activities of the Williamson County Coordinating Council.

2. The chapter shall send the president and past-president as representatives to the coordinating council.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS AND RELATED PERSONNEL

Section A. Officers

The chapter officers shall be a president, a vice president, a second vice president, a corresponding secretary, and a secretary, all elected by the chapter in accordance with the Constitution, Article VI and International Standing Rules 6.03.

Section B. Related Personnel

The incoming president may select a parliamentarian and the executive board shall select the treasurer.

Section C. Duties

1. Chapter officers shall perform the duties enumerated in the Constitution, Article VI.

2. The chapter president shall attend the State Executive Board meetings and shall represent the chapter as a voting member. If the president is unable to attend, she shall appoint a representative from the membership.

Section D. Nominations and Elections

1. Elections for chapter officers are held in even-numbered years.

2. Nominations for chapter officers shall be made by a nominations committee of at least three members.

3. The nominations committee shall submit the name of at least one nominee for each elective office position. Consent of each nominee must be obtained. The slate with candidate qualifications shall be presented to the chapter members at the March meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee.

4. If there is only one nominee for an office, election may be by voice vote and a majority of the votes cast, elects.

5. If there are two or more nominees for an office, election may be by ballot vote and a majority of the votes cast, elects. The nominations committee shall prepare the ballot and conduct the election.

Section E. Term of office

1. The term of office for chapter officers shall be two years or until a successor is named. No officer except the treasurer may serve in the same office longer than two terms in succession. Officers shall take office on July 1 following their election.

2. The treasurer shall be selected by the executive board each biennium.

Section F. Vacancies

1. If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the first vice president shall become president.

2. If a vacancy occurs in other elective or appointed positions, the president shall name a successor.

ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section A. Members

1. The members of the executive board shall be the elected officers of the chapter and the immediate past president.

2. Members ex officio of the executive board shall be the treasurer, with vote, and the parliamentarian, without vote.

Section B. Duties

The duties of the executive board shall be those specified in the Constitution Article VII, Section C.

Section C. Meetings

1. The executive board shall meet at least twice annually.

2. All board members being notified, matters requiring immediate board action may be voted upon by postal or electronic mail, or in an electronic meeting wherein all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A majority vote of board members shall be required for action.

Section D. Quorum

A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the board.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

Section A. Standing Committees of Nu Alpha Chapter shall be:

1. Society Business:

a. Archives/Research/Chapter Rules - Makes sure the chapter history is sent to the state archives committee each biennium. Informs members of any changes in international or state documents, keeps the chapter rules updated, and submits updated chapter rules to State Bylaws & Rules Committee every 2 years (state biennium) as required. Chair is Past President.

b. Ceremonies/Necrology—Conducts induction and installation ceremonies for the chapter. Chair keeps the chapter ceremonial paraphernalia. Chair (with president) reports death of members by submitting Form 6 as soon as possible to International (mem@dkg.org). Committee conducts a chapter Celebration of Life for departed member and participates in funeral service if requested.

c. Communications and Publicity, Technology - Publicizes chapter events, publishes chapter newsletter, maintains a current chapter website. Chair is Corresponding Secretary.

d. Finance - Assists the treasurer as necessary, creates the budget, reviews the chapter financial records annually and reports to the Executive Board.

e. Membership - Recommends and leads efforts to recruit new members, receives Recommendation for Membership forms, prepares information on prospective members, conducts election of new members according to chapter rules, conducts the orientation for new members, collaborates with ceremonies chair for the induction ceremony. Chair is second vice -president.

g. Nominations - Presents a slate of officers to the membership by March of even-numbered years, obtains permission from each nominee, conducts the election. Chair ensures that the list of new officers with contact information is submitted to state and international as soon as possible after the election.

h. Yearbook - Publishes the chapter yearbook annually, mails a copy to state headquarters for the state archives, and sends copies to other state officials as required.

2. Society Mission and Purposes:

1. Scholarship and Professional Enrichment-- Encourages members to apply for international and state scholarships and grants for personal, professional and classroom needs. Solicits applicants and chooses the recipient of the chapter grant-in-aid and chapter scholarship. Encourages submission to DKG Online Gallery.

2. Programs and Service Projects, - Plans meaningful programs and projects that involve members, enrich their personal and professional lives, and serve the chapter and the community. Chair is first vice-president.

Section B. Selection of Committee Members

1. All committees shall be appointed by the chapter president

2. The president serves as member ex officio with vote on all committees.

Section C. Committee Responsibilities

1. Chapter committees shall be responsible for any work represented by the international committee descriptions in Constitution, Article VIII, Sections B and C.

2. Chapter committees shall refer to State Rules, Section 9.0, for additional responsibilities.

3. Required reports of the work of chapter committees shall be submitted in the format specified by Society Headquarters.

Section D. Voting

All members being notified, matters requiring immediate committee action may be voted upon by postal or electronic mail, or in an electronic meeting wherein all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A majority vote of committee members shall be required for action.

ARTICLE IX - CHAPTER MEETINGS

Section A. Meetings

1. Nu Alpha Chapter will have a minimum of four meetings each year.

2. Meetings dates and times will be established by the executive board and published in the yearbook. Additional meetings/excursions may be scheduled as needed.

3. All members being notified, chapters may meet face to face, through electronic communication, or through a combination of the two, as long as members present may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting.

4. All members being notified, matters requiring immediate chapter action may be voted upon by mail (postal or electronic) that provides a valid receipt of each responding member’s vote. A majority of chapter members shall be required for action.

5. Ratification of all voting by mail (postal or electronic) must be made at the next face to face meeting.

Section B. Quorum

A quorum shall be one-third of the chapter’s active membership.

ARTICLE X - PUBLICATIONS

Section A. Chapter Newsletter

The chapter shall publish a newsletter, The Nu Alpha News, at least five times a year before chapter meetings. It is distributed by email to all members and copies are sent to designated state personnel.

Section B. Chapter Website

The chapter shall maintain a website that is in compliance with the Society.

Section C. Special Publications

Any special publications must be approved by the chapter or Executive Board or president before printing.

Section D. Approval of content

The chapter president shall approve the content of any publication prior to its release.

ARTICLE XI - SPECIAL CHAPTER POLICIES

1. The first vice president is the chairman of the program/projects committee.

2. The second vice president is the chairman of the membership committee.

3. The immediate past president is the chairman of the archives committee.

4. The chairman of the yearbook committee is a member of the program committee.

5. The communications committee will publish a newsletter before the monthly meetings.

6. The Founders’ Day celebration may include the following awards: membership awards in five year increments, perfect attendance awards, recognition of members serving at the international or state level, chapter achievement award, those retiring this year, and scholarship recipients.

ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS

Section A. Provisions for Amendments

The Nu Alpha Chapter Rules may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at a meeting following a thirty-day previous notice of the proposed amendment(s).

Section B. Method of Amending

When an amendment(s) is to be considered, a written amendment shall be presented at the previous meeting and also included in the newsletter prior to the meeting at which voting will take place.

ARTICLE XIII - DISSOLUTION

In the event that it becomes necessary for Nu Alpha Chapter to dissolve, there must be strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution, Article XIX, 3, and the State Rules, Section 16.2.

Last Revised: January 14, 2019