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Alpha Zeta Tau - By Laws

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Constitution

BY LAWS

OF THE ALPHA ZETA TAU CHAPTER OF PHI THETA KAPPA INTERNATIONAL
AT THE TARPON SPRINGS CAMPUS OF ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE

REVISED on 07/28/2006
All changes will be reflected henceforth within the contents of this document.

ARTICLE I: Name of Chapter

The name of this Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Alpha Zeta Tau.

ARTICLE II: Mission Statement

We the members of Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall continually strive to promote the four Phi Theta Kappa Hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.

ARTICLE III: Membership in the Chapter

Section 1: The Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter shall consist of standard member, enhanced member, provisional member, probationary member, and transfer member as defined in Article IV, Section 1 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and By Laws. Prospective members must meet the orientation requirements before induction.

A. Standard Member: In addition to meeting membership eligibility requirements as stated in article IV, Section 1 of the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution and By Laws, each candidate for membership must meet the following requirements before induction:

  1. Have completed 12 semester hours of coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Submit a completed application packet which may include but is not limited to a completed application form, and membership fees.
  3. Be currently enrolled at the Campus of St. Petersburg College for at least two classes, or minimum of (6) credit hours.

B. Enhanced Member: An Enhanced Member shall be a member who meets all criteria for a Standard Membership, however may not have the time to commit to the chapter to complete the requisite service.

  1. Any persons holding an official office within Alpha Zeta Tau and by completing their term of one year in office shall have their Phi Theta Kappa tassel and stole paid for by the Chapter.
  2. Any member completing 50 service points or more in service for the Chapter shall have their Phi Theta Kappa tassel and cords paid for by the chapter.
  3. Any excess points beyond the maximum points may be used toward additional awards, recognition programs, and academic and travel scholarships.

C. Provisional Member: A Provisional Member is any member who is waiting to meet full eligibility. A Provisional Member shall be a student who has shown an active interest in the Chapter, who wishes to serve the Chapter in some capacity, but who does not meet full requirements for active membership. A provisional member shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or to represent the Chapter at meetings.

D. Probationary Member: A Probationary Member is any member whose grade point average falls below the requirement of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the semester. In accordance with Artile I, Section 3 of the Phi Theta Kappa Internation Constitution and By Laws, when a member is no longer in good academic standing, it is his or her responsibility to notify the Contact Advisor. A Probationary Member has one semester to re-establish the required grade point average. If the member fails to do so, Society Membership will be revoked.

E. Transfer Member: A Transfer Member is a member from another Phi Theta Kappa Chapter who wishes to trasfer membership to Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter. He or she must be currently enrolled at St. Petersburg College and must meet the membership eligibility GPA.

ARTICLE IV: Chapter Advisors

Section 1: In addition to carrying out the duties as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution and By Laws, Article IV, Section 5, the Chapter Advisors shall be responsible for but not limited to:

  1. Appoint a co-advisor if needed.
  2. Attend regularly scheduled meetings and initiations.
  3. Coordinate officer elections.
  4. Oversee the completion and submission of Membership Report Forms, Student Profile Forms, and fees to International Headquarters.
  5. Responsible for filling out the Annual Report and submitting to International Headquarters.
  6. Be responsible for the guidance of Chapter Activities and Officers.
  7. Uphold rules and regulations of St. Petersburg College as described in the Official Handbook.
  8. Insure all new members meet the eligibility requirements.
  9. Oversees Chapter Funds; all purchaces and expenses.

ARTICLE V: Officers

Section 1: The Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter shall have the following elected officers: President, V.P. of Service, V.P. of Leadership, V.P. of Scholarship, V.P. of Public Relations, V.P. of Fellowship, V.P. of Chapter Success, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Historian. These officers shall constitute the Executive Board. The Chapter may elect additional officers.

Section 2: All officers must be:

  1. Standard Members of the Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter, in good standing.
  2. Must be carrying a minimum course load of six semester hours during the fall and spring semesters.
  3. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25.
  4. Must not hold office in another club or organization.

Section 3: The duties of the President shall be as follows:

  1. Prepare meeting agendas.
  2. Lead Chapter Meetings.
  3. Appoint and establish necessary committees.
  4. Vote only in the case of a tie.
  5. Develop goals for the Chapter with help form other officers and advisors.
  6. Oversee Chapter projects.
  7. Oversee award preperation.
  8. Skillfully motivate the Chapter members.
  9. Conduct executive board meetings on a regularly basis. No less than monthly.
  10. Conduct new member orientation and coordinate new member induction.
  11. Make sure the Chapter volunteer efforts are completed.
  12. Represents the Chapter at Regional Meetings and events or appoints a designee.
  13. Represents Chapter at International Convention compliments of Chapter funds (provided 50 service points have been earned) or appoints a designee who has achieved the service points.

Section 4: The duties of the Vice Presidents shall be:

Fellowship:

  1. Encourage scholarly fellowship at all levels of the Society.
  2. Implement strategies to increase membership both on campus and off campus to prospective and new students.
  3. Enroll the Chapter as a participant in the Pinnacle Scholarship Award program.
  4. Conduct new member orientations and coordinate new member induction.
  5. Coordinate all Chapter membership programs.
  6. Assume presidential duties in the absence of the President, V.P. of Leadership, V.P. of Service, and V.P. of Scholarship.
  7. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

Service:

  1. Report the Chapter to Headquarters as a Chapter of Service.
  2. Develop activities that promote volunteerism and community service using the International Service Program.
  3. Coordinate the preparation of the Service Hallmark Award entry.
  4. Assumes presidential duties in the absence of the President, V.P. of Leadership, and V.P. of Scholarship.
  5. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

Scholarship:

  1. Oversee all Honors Study Topic activities.
  2. Coordinate the Chapter's participation in the Honors Satellite Seminars.
  3. Encourage academic excellence through academic honesty campaign, Phi Theta Kappa tutoring program.
  4. Coordinate the preparation of the Scholarship Hallmark Award entry.
  5. Assumes presidential duties in the absence of the President, and V.P. of Leadership.
  6. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

Leadership:

  1. Direct the Chapter in the use of parliamentary procedure for meetings.
  2. Implement and oversee all Chapter leadership activities.
  3. Encourage the development of leadership skills.
  4. Coordinate the preparation of the Leadership Hallmark Award entry.
  5. Assume presidential duties in the absence of the President.
  6. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

Chapter Success:

  1. Directs all aspects of fund raising for Chapter.
  2. Researches new and innovative ways to contribute to the funding including but not limited to graduation regalia, officer, acknowledgement, Chapter Scholarships, etc...
  3. Presents Chapter's financial records at business meetings.
  4. Coordinates with Advisor all income and expenses.
  5. Files all financial records in the Chapter's official files at the end of each academic term.
  6. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

Public Relations:

  1. Promotes the Chapter at all levels of the organization.
  2. Write and submit articles to campus and community newspapers.
  3. Produces flyers to promote Chapter activities.
  4. Produces letters or invitations to Chapter events (as needed).
  5. Produce at least (2) issues of the Chapter newsletter.
  6. Oversee the development and updates to the Chapter website.
  7. Work with the Historian to include photographs of all Chapter events in publications.
  8. Regularly forward Chapter newsletters to the Chapter Programs Coordinator at Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters.
  9. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

Section 5: The duties of the Secretary shall be to:

Recording Secretary:

  1. Take and present minutes at each Chapter meeting and if unable to attend, make arrangements for another officer to record minutes.
  2. Send copies of minutes via e-mail to all Chapter officers and members.
  3. Take and present minutes at each E-board meeting.
  4. Post minutes via hard copy and electronically.

Corresponding Secretary:

  1. Maintain Alpha Zeta Tau notification area and website.
  2. Sends out meeting reminders.
  3. Maintains officer and member mailboxes in office.
  4. Distributes all Chapter mail.
  5. Maintains the historical records book of Chapter events which may include photos, flyers, and description of Chapter events in the Chapter Record Book.

Section 6: The duties of the Historian shall be to:

  1. Place all records in the Chapter Record Book at the end of each academic year.
  2. Takes photographs at all Chapter meetings, activities, and events.
  3. Record all Chapter activities.
  4. Produce a scrapbook of Chapter events which may include photos, flyers, and descriptions of Chapter events.
  5. Work closely with V.P. of Public Relations to include photos and Chapter activities in newsletter.
  6. Work closely with Chapter Corresponding Secretary to ensure the historical record is kept in the Chapter Record Book at the end of each academic year.
  7. Appoint and establish special committees as needed.

ARTICLE VI: Election and Appointment of Officers

Section 1: In addition to meeting requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 3 of the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution and By Laws, all candidates for office must be members of the Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter, in good standing.

Section 2: Elections shall be held annually.

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: Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of voting membership.

Section 5: Chapter officers may not hold executive board positions in other organizations while serving on the Executive Board of this Chapter.

Section 6: Any officer who resigns for any reason must wait one full term before running for another position.

Section 7: A three-fourths majority of the voting membership by secret ballot shall be necessary to remove an officer from office.

Section 8: An officer failing to maintain active membership in the society shall forfeit the office at the request of the Advisors and Executive Board.

Section 9: Vacancies in any Executive Board office shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII: Meetings of the Chapter

Section 1: Meetings

A. All meetings will follow the general agenda:

  1. Call to order
  2. Roll call
  3. Approval of the minutes
  4. Financial report
  5. Committee Reports
  6. Old business
  7. New business
  8. Announcements
  9. Adjournment

B. All meetings shall be governed by an adaptation of Roberts Rules of Order or a consensus of the group.

ARTICLE VIII: Finance of the Chapter

Section 1: Membership fees in Phi Theta Kappa represent Chapter, Regional and International fees. Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter fees shall be fixed by a majority vote of the membership.

Section 2: An annual budget shall be prepared as deemed necessary by the elected officers and advisor(s).

Section 3: No financial obligation shall be incurred by an officer or committee except as authorized within the annual budget, or under authority of special action, approved by majority vote of the Executive Board and authorized by one advisor.

Section 4: At the last Executive Board meeting of the academic year, the V.P. of Chapter Success shall present a statement of the financial condition of the Chapter and shall report the financial operations of the preceding year. The Executive Board shall review and approve this report.

ARTICLE IX: Amendments and Revision

These By Laws may be amended in the following manner:

  1. Amendments shall not alter the purposes of this Chapter.
  2. No amendment shall be proposed which is contrary to the Phi Theta Kappa International Constitution and By Laws or the policies and proactices of Tarpon Springs Campus of St. Petersburg College.
  3. The Chapter By Laws 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 By Laws must be sent to Headquarters for final approval.

Article X: College Policy Compliance
In the interest of complying with all college policies as enumerated in the Board of Trustee rules and regulations the following rules shall be followed by the chapter:

College Hazing Policy (B.O.T. 6Hx23-4.331)

  1. The college shall not tolerate hazing, as defined below, at or on any college property or at any college-sponsored or college-affiliated event, on or off any campus or center.
    1. Hazing means any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of the college, hereinafter referred to as a "college organization."  Such term shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual, and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.  For purposes of this rule, any activity as described above upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with a college organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be a "forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.
  2. This rule shall apply to students and to college organizations, including acting through other persons associated with a college organization who are not students.
  3. Violations of this rule by individual students shall be enforced in accordance with the college's disciplinary rule, 6Hx23-4.35.
  4. Violations of this rule may subject an individual student to the following penalties:
    1. Minor violations - disciplinary probation; and
    2. Major or repeated minor violations - dismissal.
  5. Any college organization, as an organization or through any person associated with a college organization, which authorizes or participates in hazing in blatant disregard of this rule shall be penalized as follows:
    1. Minor violations - probation from operating as a college organization; and
    2. Major or repeated violations - rescission of the authority for such organization to operate on college property or operate under the sanction of the college.
  6. Organizational violations shall be handled by the appropriate provost or center administrator.  In addition, hazing may subject an individual or organization to criminal penalties under Florida law.
  7. In determining whether a hazing violation is "minor" or "major" in scope, the primary consideration will be the presence of or potential for serious physical or emotional harm to the victim of the hazing.
  8. All college organizations are required to include the above anti-hazing rule in the by-laws of such organization.
  9. The college shall provide each student with a copy of the college's anti-hazing rule and penalties by publication in the student handbook or college newspaper.