Bylaws of Iota Zeta


CHAPTER 1. Name of Chapter
The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Iota Zeta.
(Assigned by Headquarters upon approval of chartering application.)


CHAPTER 2. Purpose
The purpose of Iota Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Northeast Mississippi Community College shall be the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students of this college.


CHAPTER 3. Membership
Section 1. Types of membership in Chapter shall consist of member, alumni member, and honorary member as defined in Article IV, Section 1, of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

A. Member. In addition to meeting membership eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV and Chapter 1 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* each candidate for membership must have completed 12 semester hours of associate degree course work within a single semester as a full time student not to include nonqualifying hours as specified in the Northeast Mississippi Community College Catalog under the "Honors" section, with a Grade Point Average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5, and adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of citizenship. Grades for courses completed at other institutions will be considered when determining membership eligibility. A cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.25 must be maintained to remain in good standing. Failure to maintain the required cumulative Grade Point Average will result in the member being removed from good standing as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* Chapter 1, Section 3. Failure to meet good standing requirements as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws* will cause membership and all membership privileges to be revoked.

B. Alumni Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1C of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

C. Honorary Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1D of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

D. Transfer Member. A member from another Phi Theta Kappa chapter may transfer membership to Iota Zeta Chapter if he or she is currently enrolled at Northeast Mississippi College and meets the membership eligibility GPA.


CHAPTER 4. Chapter Advisor
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 member names and fees as well as the Chapter Annual Report to Headquarters. The advisor shall be officially appointed by the college administration and shall be a non-voting member of the chapter.

CHAPTER 5. Officers
Section 1. All officers must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing, have a Grade Point Average of 3.25 and must be carrying a course load of 12 semester hours (or equivalent).

Section 2. The Iota Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following officers: President, Vice Presidents of Leadership, Scholarship, Service, and Fellowship, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Historian, and Public Relations Secretary.

Section 3. The duties of the president shall be as follows:
a. Preside over all business meetings.
b. Appoint and establish any necessary committees.
c. Vote only in case of a tie.
d. Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.
e. Present business to the organization.
f. Represent the organization at all times.
g. Appoint a committee to review and/or revise the chapter bylaws annually.
h. Appoint a committee to prepare the Annual Report to be sent to Headquarters each spring.

Section 4. The duties of the vice presidents shall be as follows:
a. Perform all duties of the president in the event of his absence.
b. Take roll at the meetings.
c. Coordinate all committees.
d. Head the committee reviewing the chapter bylaws and the annual report.
e. Act as program chairman for the respective hallmark they represent.

Section 5. The treasurer shall:
a. Open and/or maintain a bank account for the Society. (if allowed by college)
b. Receive all money and write all checks.
c. Keep a set of books which shall be audited by the chapter advisor and notarized before the office is relinquished.
d. Make a report of finances at each business meeting.

Section 6. The recording secretary shall:
a. Take and read minutes of meetings.
b. Maintain records of the meetings.
c. Maintain a file of chapter correspondence.
d. Serve on the committee to prepare the Annual Report to be sent to Headquarters each spring.

Section 7. The public relations secretary shall:
a. Keep a full record of chapter functions.
b. Draft and submit press releases whenever possible to all area newspapers.
c. Prepare and maintain the chapter scrapbook for regional, state, and international meetings and conventions.
d. Submit to Regional Coordinator and Headquarters reports of chapter activities and Five-Star Chapter Update Forms.

CHAPTER 6. Election of officers
Section 1. In addition to meeting requirements as stated in Chapter IV, Section 3 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* all candidates for office must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing.

Section 2. Elections must be held at the meeting preceding the last meeting during the spring semester of each year.

Section 3. Officers shall hold office from the time of their inauguration, which shall be at the first meeting following the election, to the time of the next inauguration.

Section 4. Nominations from the floor can be made at the same meeting as the election.

Section 5. A simple majority vote shall elect any officer.

Section 6. In any case when an officer must resign his 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


CHAPTER 7. Meetings
Section 1. All business meetings will follow the general agenda:
Order of Business
a. Call to order
b. Roll call
c. Reading of the minutes
d. Treasurer's report
e. Committee reports
f. Old business
g. New business
h. Announcements
i. Adjournment

Section 2. A quorum of one member over 50% of the membership, excluding members excused for other school functions, must be present before any official meeting can be called to order.

Section 3. All meetings shall be governed by an adaptation of Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 4. Special committee meetings shall be called by the chairman of said committee. Procedures at such meetings are left to the discretion of the chairman. Reports of each meeting shall be given to the members at the following chapter meeting.

CHAPTER 8. Finances
Section 1. Finances for this chapter will be raised by projects voted on by a majority vote of the members.

Section 2. Payment of the International Membership fee must be received by the chapter treasurer before members can be inducted.

Section 3. All members must pay the local fee prior to induction.

Section 4. All members must pay the regional fee prior to induction.

Section 5. Disbursement vouchers must be submitted with supporting invoices and/or statements attached to the original invoice.

Section 6. Financial records of the chapter shall be annually audited by the advisor.


CHAPTER 9. Amendments and revision

Section 1. The chapter bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has been presented at a previous meeting. Any changes to the bylaws must be sent to Headquarters for final approval.

* Refers to the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution and Bylaws.

Revised September, 2002

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.

Last Modified:8/3/04
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