Beta Lambda Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Taft College

Bylaws of Beta Lambda Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Taft College

• CHAPTER 1. Name of Chapter
  The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Beta Lambda Zeta.
• CHAPTER 2. Purpose
  The purpose of Beta Lambda Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Taft 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, provisional member, alumni member, and honorary member as defined in Article IV, Section 1, of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*

  1. 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, with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, 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 3.0 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. Members shall pay a one-time dues. This fee shall pay for local, regional, and national dues.
  2. Provisional Member. In addition to meeting eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1B of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws,* a student must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 on all course work completed in high school. A student must be currently enrolled in associate degree course work at the two-year college, adhere to school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of citizenship. Provisional members will pay local chapter dues of $5.00 per semester, but are not required to pay the international and regional induction fee until they have qualified for full membership.
  3. Alumni Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1C of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*
  4. Honorary Member. An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1D of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws.*
  5. Transfer Member. A member from another Phi Theta Kappa chapter may transfer membership to Beta Lambda Zeta Chapter if he or she is currently enrolled at Taft College and meets the membership eligibility of the Taft College (Beta Lambda Zeta) chapter.
• 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 3.0 and must be carrying a course load of six semester hours (or equivalent).

  Section 2. The Beta Lambda Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following officers: President, Vice President, Vice President of Fund Raising, Vice President of Activities, Treasurer, and Secretary.

  Section 3. 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. Appoint a committee to review and/or revise the chapter bylaws annually.
  8. Appoint a committee to prepare the Annual Report to be sent to Headquarters each spring.
  9. Serve as the Phi Theta Kappa liaison for the Taft College Associated Student Body.
  10. Serve on the monthly Associated Student Body Interclub Council

  Section 4. The duties of the vice president shall be as follows:

  1. Perform all duties of the president in the event of his absence.
  2. Take roll at the meetings.
  3. Coordinate all committees.
  4. Head the committee reviewing the chapter bylaws and the annual report.
  5. Act as program chair.

  Section 5. The duties of the Vice president of activities shall be as follows:

  1. Perform all duties of the president in the event of absence of both the president and vice president.
  2. Coordinate all chapter related activities.

  Section 6. The duties of the vice president of fund raising shall be as follows:

  1. Perform all duties of the president in the event of absence of the president, vice president and vice president of activities.
  2. Coordinate all fund-raising activities.

  Section 7. The treasurer shall:

  1. Open and/or maintain a bank account for the Society (if allowed by college).
  2. Receive all money and write all checks.
  3. Keep a set of books which shall be audited by the chapter advisor and notarized before the office is relinquished.
  4. Make a report of finances at each business meeting.
• 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 and have been a member for a minimum of one semester.

  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 or prior via email.

  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

  1. Call to order
  2. Roll call
  3. Reading of the minutes
  4. Treasurer’s report
  5. Committee reports
  6. Old business
  7. New business
  8. Announcements
  9. 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 chair of said committee. Procedures at such meetings are left to the discretion of the chair. 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.

  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.