Bylaws of. Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

Transcription

1 Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority Adopted June 26, 2010 Revised June 24, 2016 The information contained in this document is proprietary to Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. No part of this document may be used by or shared without the express written permission of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Alpha Sigma Tau Headquarters 3334 Founders Road Indianapolis, IN

2 Table of Contents Article I. Name... 5 Article II. Purpose... 5 Article III. Members... 5 Section 1. Classification Section 2. Qualifications for Membership Section 3. Good Standing Section 4. Disciplinary Procedures Section 5. Dismissal of a Member Section 6. Resignation of Membership Section 7. Reinstatement Article IV Divisions... 8 Section 1. Collegiate Colonies Section 2. Collegiate Chapters Section 3. Alumnae Interest Group Section 4. Alumnae Associations and Alumnae Chapters Section 5. Districts... 9 Section 6. Other Divisions Section 7. Authority to Function Section 8. Discipline of a Colony, Collegiate Chapter, Alumnae Interest Group, Alumnae Association or Alumnae Chapter Section 9. Dissolution of a Colony, Collegiate Chapter, Alumnae Interest Group, Alumnae Chapter or Alumnae Association Section 10. Relinquishment of a Charter Section 11. Effect of Closure Article V Elected Officers of the National Council and Nominations Committee; Appointed Officers, Volunteer Personnel, and Advisors Section 1. Elected Officers Section 2. Appointed Officers Section 3. Volunteer Personnel Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

3 Section 4. Advisors Article VI Convention Section 1. Time, Place, Call to Convention Section 2. Voting Body Section 3. Quorum Section 4. Voting Section 5. Postponement Section 6. Special Meetings Article VII National Council Section 1. Composition Section 2. Authority Section 3. Duties of the National Council Section 4. Meetings Section 5. Voting Section 6. Action without a Meeting Article VIII Committees Section 1. Standing Committees Section 2. Board of Trustees Section 3. Duties of Standing Committees Section 4. Special Committees Section 5. Ex-Officio Membership Section 6. Electronic Meetings Article IX Finances Section 1. Dues Section 2. Fees and Assessments Section 3. Fiscal Year Section 4. Budget Section 5. Financial Review Section 6. Investments Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

4 Article X Administrative Operations Section 1. Headquarters Section 2. Executive Director Article XI Parliamentary Authority Article XII Amendments Article XIII Dissolution Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

5 Article I. Name The name of the organization is Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Article II. Purpose The purpose of the Sorority is to promote the ethical, cultural, and social development of its members, specifically: Section 1. To develop the character of each member through a study of ethics so that she will show in all her relationships, sincerity, honesty, love, and understanding; and Section 2. To help each member enjoy the cultural advantages in life so that she will know how to select those things which are most worthwhile; and Section 3. To develop in each member the social graces to the extent that she will be able to take her place in life with true dignity and poise. Article III. Members Section 1. Classification. Alpha Sigma Tau shall have the following membership classifications: A. New Member A new member is a woman enrolled at an institution where a chapter or colony is located who has accepted an invitation to membership but has not yet been initiated. B. Collegiate Member A collegiate member is an initiated woman enrolled at an institution where a collegiate chapter is located and is required to be a member of the chapter as provided in the standing rules. C. Alumna Member An alumna member is an initiated woman who is not enrolled at an institution where a chapter or colony is located, has graduated, or not required to be a collegiate member as provided in the standing rules. A woman is also an alumna member if she transfers and does not affiliate with the Alpha Sigma Tau chapter on her campus. Section 2. Qualifications for Membership. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

6 A. Qualifications to Become a New Member A chapter or colony may only offer membership to a woman who meets the requirements provided in the standing rules. A woman who has been initiated into another National Panhellenic Conference Fraternity is not eligible for membership in Alpha Sigma Tau. B. Qualifications for Initiation as a Collegiate Member A new member qualifies for initiation when she has met the academic, financial, and new member education requirements as provided in the standing rules and is in good standing. C. Qualifications for Initiation Other than a Collegiate Member A woman qualifies for initiation if she has not been initiated into another National Panhellenic Conference Fraternity and meets the requirements in the standing rules. A woman initiated in this process shall become an alumna member. Section 3. Good Standing. A. Qualifications for Good Standing as a New Member A new member is in good standing if she has met all academic and financial requirements and is not on probation. B. Qualifications for Good Standing as a Collegiate Member A collegiate member is in good standing if she has met all academic and financial requirements and is not on probation. C. Qualifications for Good Standing as an Alumna Member An alumna is in good standing if she has met all her financial obligations and is not on probation. Section 4. Disciplinary Procedures. A. Member Probation; Just Cause A member shall be placed on probation for not meeting academic and financial requirements. A member may be placed on probation when just cause exists. Just cause is defined as but not limited to the following: 1. Engaging in conduct deemed unlawful in accordance with University, federal, state or local governance. 2. Engaging in conduct which is in violation of the governing Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

7 documents, standards and Ritual Ceremonies established by the members of the Sorority. 3. Consistently failing or refusing to fulfill duties and obligations of the Sorority. 4. Acting in a manner that discredits the Sorority. B. Placing a New or Collegiate Member on Probation Collegiate chapters or colonies may place a new member or collegiate member on probation if they determine that just cause exists. A new member or collegiate member shall be reinstated to full membership privileges upon the termination or expiration of the probation(s). C. Direct Action by National Council The National Council may take direct action in an emergency situation or if the chapter or colony fails to act and place a new member or collegiate member on probation if the National Council determines just cause exists. National Council has sole authority to determine an emergency situation. A new member or collegiate member shall be reinstated to full membership privileges upon the termination or expiration of the probation(s). D. Placing an Alumna Member on Probation The National Council may place an alumna member on probation if they determine that just cause exists. An alumna member shall be reinstated to full membership privileges upon the termination or expiration of the probation(s). Section 5. Dismissal of a Member. A. Authority to Dismiss a New or Collegiate Member A chapter or colony has the authority to dismiss a new member or a collegiate member from membership if just cause exists. The chapter or colony shall follow the procedures as provided in the standing rules. B. Direct Action By National Council The National Council may take direct action in an emergency situation or if the chapter or colony fails to act and dismiss a new member or collegiate member from membership if the National Council determines that just cause exists. The National Council has sole authority to determine an emergency situation and shall follow the procedures as provided in the standing rules. C. Authority to Dismiss an Alumna Member The National Council may Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

8 dismiss an alumna member from membership if the National Council determines that just cause exists and shall follow the procedures as provided in the standing rules. D. Effect of Dismissal Upon dismissal, the member shall forfeit the privilege of wearing the Sorority insignia and regalia, and shall surrender all Sorority materials, including her Sorority badge, which she has in her possession to the chapter, colony or National Headquarters. Section 6. Resignation of Membership. A. Resignation of a New or Collegiate Member A new member or collegiate member wanting to resign from the Sorority must submit her resignation in writing to the chapter through the chapter president who shall present it at a regular business meeting. B. Resignation of an Alumna Member An alumna member wanting to resign from the Sorority must submit her resignation in writing to the National Headquarters. The Executive Director shall present it at a National Council meeting. Section 7. Reinstatement. A former member who has resigned may request reinstatement. If she would qualify for collegiate membership, she shall submit her request for reinstatement in writing to the chapter. The chapter shall follow the procedures provided in the standing rules. If she would qualify for alumna membership, she shall submit her request for reinstatement in writing to the National Headquarters. The National Headquarters shall follow the procedure in the standing rules. Article IV Divisions Section 1. Collegiate Colonies. A. Authorization of a Colony A colony is a potential collegiate chapter authorized to be formed by the National Council to achieve collegiate chapter status, where an invitation has been extended and accepted. A colony shall exist until it is installed, as provided in the standing rules, or dissolved by the National Council. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

9 B. Naming of Colonies Colonies are named in the order of the Greek alphabet. Section 2. Collegiate Chapters. A collegiate chapter is chartered by the National Council. A collegiate chapter is composed of new members and collegiate members. Section 3. Alumnae Interest Group. An alumnae interest group is a group of alumnae seeking to achieve alumnae association or alumnae chapter status. An alumnae interest group shall exist until its petition to become an alumnae association or alumnae chapter is approved, as provided in the standing rules, or dissolved by the National Council. Section 4. Alumnae Associations and Alumnae Chapters. A. Alumnae Associations Alumnae associations are recognized by the National Council as provided for in the standing rules. An alumnae association is composed of alumnae members. B. Alumnae Chapter Alumnae chapters are chartered by the National Council as provided in the standing rules. Section 5. Districts. Districts are groups of collegiate chapters the boundaries of which shall be determined by the National Council in order to provide for their efficient administration and supervision. Section 6. Other Divisions. The National Council is authorized to create other such divisions as needed in order to provide efficient management of colonies, collegiate chapters, alumnae associations and alumnae chapters. Section 7. Authority to Function. The authority under which all divisions of Alpha Sigma Tau shall function is vested in these bylaws and such standing rules as have been adopted. Any rules adopted by a division in conflict with the foregoing authority shall be void. Section 8. Discipline of a Colony, Collegiate Chapter, Alumnae Interest Group, Alumnae Association or Alumnae Chapter. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

10 A. Placing a Colony or Collegiate Chapter on Probation; Just Cause A colony or a collegiate chapter may be placed on probation by the National Council or Executive Director when just cause exists. If such action is taken by the Executive Director, it shall be ratified at the next meeting of the National Council. Just cause is defined as but not limited to the following: 1. Failure to conform to the administrative, membership and fiscal standards and requirements of the Sorority. 2. Failure of the colony s or collegiate chapter s members to maintain satisfactory academic requirements. 3. Collective conduct or the condoning of individual conduct that constitutes just cause for disciplining members under Article III. B. Placing an Alumnae Interest Group, Alumnae Association or Alumnae Chapter on Probation; Just Cause An alumnae interest group, alumnae association or alumnae chapter may be placed on probation by the National Council or Executive Director when just cause exists. If such action is taken by the Executive Director, it shall be ratified at the next meeting of the National Council. Just cause is defined as but not limited to the following: 1. Failure to conform to the administrative, membership and fiscal standards and requirements of the Sorority. 2. Collective conduct or the condoning of individual conduct that constitutes just cause for disciplining members under Article III. Section 9. Dissolution of a Colony, Collegiate Chapter, Alumnae Interest Group, Alumnae Chapter or Alumnae Association. A colony, collegiate chapter, alumnae interest group alumnae chapter or alumnae association may only be dissolved for just cause with the permission and under the direction of the National Council. The National Council shall follow the procedures as provided in the standing rules. Section 10. Relinquishment of a Charter. A collegiate or alumnae chapter wanting to relinquish its charter must submit its request in writing to the National Headquarters. The Executive Director shall present the request at a National Council meeting for consideration. Section 11. Effect of Closure. A. Records and Ritual Materials Returned When a colony, collegiate chapter, alumnae interest group, alumnae association or alumnae Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

11 chapter is closed, all Sorority records and ritual materials shall be returned to the National Headquarters. B. Property and Funds Following payment of all debts, including any outstanding loans from the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc., the property and funds of a closed colony, collegiate chapter, alumnae interest group, alumnae association or alumnae chapter shall be disposed as such, any funds remaining from the sale of property and funds accumulated over the years, including the Housing Savings Account, shall be submitted as directed by the Executive Director for deposit in the Escrow Fund. C. Funds Held in Escrow The funds shall be held in the Escrow Fund for a maximum of 20 years. If the colony, collegiate chapter, alumnae interest group, alumnae association or alumnae chapter is not re-established within that time period, the funds shall revert to the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority general operating account. Article V Elected Officers of the National Council and Nominations Committee; Appointed Officers, Volunteer Personnel, and Advisors Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers shall be a president and five vice presidents. Of the five vice presidents one position shall be for a collegiate member at the time of election and four positions shall be for alumnae members. A. Eligibility To be eligible to be elected president an individual shall be an alumna member. All elected officers shall be members in good standing. B. Nominations and Elections. 1. Nominations Committee Composition, Eligibility, and Term. a. A Nominations Committee of four alumnae members, one collegiate member, and two alternates (one alumna alternate and one collegiate alternate) shall be elected by ballot during each convention. A plurality shall elect. The members of the Nominations Committee shall elect their own chair. b. To be eligible to be elected and serve as a member of Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

12 the Nominations Committee an individual shall be a member in good standing. An elected officer shall not serve on the Nominations Committee during her term of office. c. Each term shall begin at the close of the convention at which the member of the Nominations Committee is elected and shall end upon the close of the next convention or until her successor is elected. A member of the Nominations Committee shall not serve more than three consecutive terms with the exception that any portion of a term served by a member filling a vacancy shall not count toward the consecutive terms limitation. 2. Duties of the Nominations Committee. The Nominations Committee shall consider the qualifications of all candidates for elected officers proposed by any member. Names recommended to the committee shall be accompanied by a statement of qualifications and submitted to the committee by January 15 th of the election year. The Nominations Committee shall nominate a slate of at least one name for each elected officer position. 3. Committee Report. The report of the committee shall be made available to the membership no later than March 1 st of the election year and shall be read at the first business meeting of the convention. 4. Nominations from the Floor. Following the report of the nominations committee, additional nominations may be made from the floor provided that the individual to be nominated has consented in writing to serve if elected and that the nomination has been submitted to the Nominations Committee no less than seven days prior to the opening day of convention along with verification of eligibility and a statement of qualifications. 5. Election of Officers. Officers shall each be elected by a majority vote of the convention. The elections shall be by ballot, except in those offices where the number of nominees equals the number of positions available, the nominee(s) shall be declared elected. C. Term of Office The elected officers shall assume office at the close of the convention at which they are elected. These officers shall serve until the close of the next convention or until their successors are elected. No individual shall serve more than three consecutive terms as vice president or president with the exception that any portion of a term served by a Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

13 member filling a vacancy shall not count toward the consecutive terms limitation. D. Vacancies In the event an elected office becomes vacant between conventions, the National Council shall fill the vacancy as provided in the standing rules. E. Duties of Elected Officers 1. President. The President shall preside at all National Council meetings and National Conventions. She shall perform other such duties as associated with the office, as required by the governing documents, or as assigned by the National Council or the voting body of the convention. 2. Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall perform such duties as required by the governing documents, or as assigned by the National Council or the voting body of the convention. The Vice President who is a collegiate member shall remove herself from any National Council vote that directly affects her own chapter while she is still a collegiate member. F. Temporary Absence of the President At their first meeting following convention, the National Council shall appoint a Vice President to perform the duties of the President in the President s temporary absence. G. Removal Any elected officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the National Council if just cause has been determined as is outlined in Article III Section 4, Subparagraph A. Section 2. Appointed Officers. The appointed officers shall be the Secretary, Treasurer, National Panhellenic Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegates. A. Eligibility To be eligible to be appointed National Panhellenic Conference Delegate or an Alternate Delegate an individual shall be an alumna member in good standing. B. Appointment and Removal 1. The Executive Director shall serve as the Secretary and Treasurer. 2. The National Panhellenic Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegates shall be appointed by the National Council. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

14 3. Any appointed officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the National Council. C. Term of Office for the National Panhellenic Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegates The National Panhellenic Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegates shall be appointed no later than July 1 st in even numbered years and shall serve a two year term or until her successor is appointed and shall complete her duties through the Fall National Panhellenic Conference Meeting following the end of her term. The National Panhellenic Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegates may serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms. D. Vacancies In the event an appointed office becomes vacant, the National Council shall fill the vacancy as provided in the standing rules. E. Duties of Appointed Officers The duties of appointed officers shall be those as assigned by the National Council as provided in the standing rules. Section 3. Volunteer Personnel. The volunteer personnel positions shall be a Chaplain and Historian. Other volunteer personnel shall be those individuals selected to fulfill volunteer roles related to the strategic advancement of the Sorority. A. Eligibility 1. To be eligible to serve as Chaplain or Historian a member must be in good standing. B. Appointment and Removal 1. The Chaplain and Historian shall be appointed by the National Council. They may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the National Council. 2. The volunteer personnel selected to fulfill volunteer roles related to the strategic advancement of the Sorority shall be appointed by the Executive Director through the process outlined in the standing rules. Volunteer personnel, other than the Chaplain or Historian, may be removed for just cause, as defined in Article III, by the Executive Director. C. Term of Office 1. The Chaplain and Historian shall be appointed no later than September 1 st in even numbered years and shall serve a two year term or until her successor is appointed. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

15 2. Volunteer personnel shall not serve more than three consecutive terms in any one position with the exception that any portion of a term served by a member filling a vacancy shall not count toward the consecutive terms limitation. D. Vacancies 1. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Chaplain or Historian, the National Council shall fill the vacancy as provided in the standing rules. 2. In the event of a vacancy of a volunteer personnel position other than the Chaplain or Historian, the Executive Director shall fill the vacancy as provided in the standing rules. E. Duties of Volunteer Personnel The duties of volunteer personnel shall be those as assigned by the National Council as provided in the standing rules. Section 4. Advisors. There shall be advisor positions as provided in the standing rules to advise each collegiate chapter and colony. A. Eligibility To be eligible to serve as an advisor, a member must be an alumna member in good standing. Non-members may be eligible to serve the Sorority as an advisor if they have a particular interest or skill set that assists in the advancement of a collegiate chapter or colony. B. Appointment and Removal Advisors shall be appointed by the Executive Director through the process outlined in the standing rules. They may be removed for just cause, as defined in Article III, by the Executive Director. C. Term of Office Advisors may serve a two year term or until his/her successor is appointed and may serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms. The appointment schedule shall be provided in the standing rules. D. Vacancies In the event of a vacancy of an advisor position, the Executive Director shall fill the vacancy as provided in the standing rules. E. Duties of Advisors The duties of advisors shall be those as assigned by the National Council as provided in the standing rules. However, any duties related to ritual items and services shall be reassigned to an initiated member. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

16 Article VI Convention Section 1. Time, Place, Call to Convention. The regular meetings of the Sorority, known as the National Convention, shall be held at least once every two years. The official call to convention shall be sent not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the opening date of the convention. Section 2. Voting Body. The voting body of the national convention shall consist of the National Council, National Panhellenic Delegate and Alternate Delegates, Past National Presidents, Volunteer Personnel, chairs of standing committees, one delegate from each eligible Colony, one delegate from each eligible Collegiate Chapter, one delegate from each eligible Alumnae Chapter, one delegate from each eligible Alumnae Association, and one advisor delegate from each Collegiate Alumnae Advisory Board. A. Colony, Collegiate Chapter, Alumnae Chapter and Alumnae Association Delegates and Alternates Each eligible colony, collegiate chapter, alumnae chapter and alumnae association shall be entitled to elect a delegate and one alternate delegate for the convention. They shall be elected from among the members of that colony, collegiate chapter, alumnae chapter or alumnae association who are members in good standing. The alternate delegate shall act and vote in the place of the delegate when the delegate is absent or otherwise unable to act. To be eligible, a Colony, Collegiate Chapter, Alumnae Chapter or Alumnae Association shall not be on probation as determined by the National Council. Alumnae Associations shall meet other such requirements for eligibility as provided in the standing rules. B. Chapter Advisory Board Delegates and Alternates Each Chapter Advisory Board shall be entitled to select an advisor to serve as its delegate and one advisor to serve as its alternate delegate for the convention. The alternate delegate shall act and vote in the place of the delegate when the delegate is absent or otherwise unable to act. Section 3. Quorum. Two-thirds of the voting body in attendance at convention shall constitute a quorum. Section 4. Voting. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

17 No member or delegate shall vote in more than one capacity. Any new member, collegiate member, or alumna member who is not considered to be in good standing shall not be entitled to cast a vote. There shall be no absentee voting or voting by proxy. Section 5. Postponement. In the event of a national emergency, or where other conditions are indicative of the undesirability of a regularly scheduled convention, the National Council, by a two-thirds vote, may postpone a convention. All members shall be notified of the postponement in a manner determined by the National Council. Section 6. Special Meetings. A special meeting may be called by a two-thirds vote of the National Council with a call sent to the members at least forty five days prior to the meeting. If a majority of the collegiate chapters, colonies, alumnae chapters and alumnae associations deliver to the National Council a demand for a special meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held, then within thirty days the National Council shall give notice to the members of the place, date, and time of the meeting. Quorum at a special meeting shall be a majority of the total number of the collegiate chapters, colonies, and alumnae chapters and associations. Article VII National Council Section 1. Composition. A. National Council Composition The National Council shall consist of the President, the five Vice Presidents and the Executive Director. B. Executive Director s Membership of the National Council The Executive Director shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the National Council. The Executive Director shall attend all meetings of the National Council and shall not be excluded, except for times when the Executive Director s performance or compensation shall be discussed or any other times as decided by a majority vote of the National Council. Section 2. Authority. The National Council shall have full power and authority over the affairs of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority between conventions, except as otherwise provided in these Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

18 Bylaws or by statute. The National Council may adopt rules to govern its own proceedings. Section 3. Duties of the National Council. The duties of the National Council shall be as follows: A. Fulfill all provisions in the governing documents B. Provide strategic planning vision/direction/prioritization C. Hire, supervise, discipline, and terminate the Executive Director D. Provide proper financial oversight E. Establish policy; define and uphold values and customs F. Enhance the Sorority s internal and public image G. Determine and monitor the organization s programs and services H. Ensure adequate human and financial resources I. Evaluate itself, the organization s outcomes, and the Executive Director at least annually Section 4. Meetings. A. Regular Meetings The National Council shall meet at least once a year. Notice of all regular meetings shall be sent to each member of the National Council at least two weeks prior to such meetings. B. Special Meetings Special meetings of the National Council may be called by the President and shall be called upon written request of three members of the National Council. Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be sent to each member of the National Council at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. National Council members may waive notice, and attendance at a special meeting shall constitute waiver unless a National Council member attends for the purpose of objecting to the meeting because it was not lawfully convened. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

19 C. Electronic Meetings A member of the National Council may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all National Council members participating in the meeting can simultaneously hear each other. A member participating in a meeting by such means shall be considered present in person at the meeting. D. Summaries Written detailed summaries of all Council meetings shall be available to the members of Alpha Sigma Tau within 10 business days of the approval of the minutes. Section 5. Voting. The National Council shall transact all business by a majority vote of the members present and voting, unless dictated otherwise by the governing documents or the parliamentary authority. Section 6. Action without a Meeting. Any action that may be required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the National Council may be taken without a meeting if all members of the National Council consent to the action in writing or by electronic transmission. The consents shall be filed with, and the action shall be reported in the minutes of the next regular or special meeting of the National Council. Article VIII Committees Section 1. Standing Committees. Standing committees of the Sorority shall be Board of Trustees, Sorority Advisory, and Governing Documents. The National Council shall appoint the members and chairs of the standing committees except as otherwise provided in these bylaws. Section 2. Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is an advisory committee which functions to preserve the purpose, ideals, standards, and historical integrity of the Sorority. A. Membership - The committee is composed of at least 5 but not more than 7 alumnae members in good standing. The committee has the authority to appoint its members. B. Procedures - The committee shall establish its procedures. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

20 C. Duties - The committee shall perform the following duties: 1. Review and render opinions to the National Council on proposed amendments to these Bylaws. 2. Receive and hold in confidence the minutes of the National Council. 3. Review publication drafts as requested. 4. Respond to questions and concerns by any member. Section 3. Duties of Standing Committees. The standing committees shall perform such duties as provided in these bylaws and the standing rules. Section 4. Special Committees. Special committees may be created as necessary by the voting body of the convention or the National Council. The National Council shall appoint the members and chairs of special committees. Section 5. Ex-Officio Membership. The National Council shall appoint National Council members as ex-officio members of each standing and special committee, except the Nominations Committee. Section 6. Electronic Meetings. Standing and special committees are authorized to meet by telephone conference or through other electronic communications media so long as all the members may simultaneously hear each other and participate during the meeting. Article IX Finances Section 1. Dues. A. Annual Dues Annual dues shall be as set forth in the standing rules. B. Dues Adjustment Dues may be adjusted as follows: 1. Adjustments that are less than or equal to the rate of inflation, as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index Urban released by the U.S. Department of Commerce between January of the year in which the last dues increase occurred and January of the year in which the adjustment is proposed, shall require a two-thirds vote of the National Council. 2. Adjustments that are greater than the rate of inflation, as defined in paragraph 1 of this section, shall require a two-thirds vote of the Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

21 convention. 3. Proposed dues adjustments requiring approval of the convention shall be noticed to the membership by March 1 st or 120 days prior to Convention, whichever occurs earlier. Section 2. Fees and Assessments. The National Council shall determine all fees and assessments and shall notify the membership of any changes. Section 3. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year shall be from June 1 st through May 31 st. Section 4. Budget. The National Council shall approve the annual budget. No expenses shall be incurred in excess of the budgeted amounts without prior approval of the National Council. Section 5. Financial Review. An independent certified public accountant shall be retained by the National Council to perform an annual review of the Sorority s financial statements. Section 6. Investments. The funds of the Sorority shall be invested in accordance with the policy established by the National Council or by a committee appointed by the National Council for such purpose. Article X Administrative Operations Section 1. Headquarters. The Headquarters shall be located at a place as determined by the National Council. Section 2. Executive Director. A. Accountability The Executive Director shall be hired by the National Council under such terms as it sees fit. The Executive Director shall be accountable to the National Council. B. Duties The Executive Director shall be responsible for overseeing the dayto-day operations of the Sorority, and implementing such policies as may be adopted by the National Council. The Executive Director shall have the Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

22 authority to hire, supervise, discipline, and terminate all employees, and perform other such duties as required by the governing documents or as assigned by the National Council. Article XI Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the current edition of Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of Alpha Sigma Tau in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, any special rules of order that the Sorority may adopt, and any statutes applicable to the Sorority that do not authorize the provisions of these bylaws to take precedence. Article XII Amendments Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting body at any Convention provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Governing Documents Committee no later than January 15 th prior to the Convention and has been made available to the membership by March 1 st prior to the Convention by the Governing Documents Committee. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee by the National Council, a division or committee, or a member of the Sorority in good standing. Section 2. Any amendments to the Ritual shall be adopted only by a two-thirds vote of the initiated voting delegates of the convention body provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Governing Documents Committee no later than January 15 th prior to the Convention and has been made available to the membership by March 1 st prior to the Convention by the Governing Documents Committee. Proposed amendments to the Ritual may be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee by the National Council, a division or committee, or a member of the Sorority in good standing. Article XIII Dissolution The Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority shall not be dissolved except by a 90% written vote in the affirmative by the members of the Sorority in good standing at that time. If the vote is conducted by mail, the number of members used to calculate the necessary 90% shall be the number of ballots sent by First Class mail to the last Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority

23 known address of each member in good standing, minus the number of ballots which are returned as undeliverable. If the vote is conducted at Convention, the number of members used to calculate the necessary 90% majority shall be the number of members in good standing who are present at that general session. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the affairs of this Sorority, the National Council, after providing for the payment of all obligations, shall distribute any remaining assets to the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc. If for any reason the Alpha Sigma Tau National Foundation, Inc. no longer exists, the National Council shall, within its discretion, distribute the assets to any other nonprofit tax exempt organization. Revised June 24, Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority