In order that this incorporated body may have an orderly existence and conduct necessary business in due and legal form, we adopt as our Code of Rules and Bylaws, the following Constitution: CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF DELTA THETA CHI SORORITY ARTICLE I Name This Chapter shall be known as the Delta Theta Chi Sorority. ARTICLE II Purpose This Sorority is a non-profit fraternal corporation. Its purpose is to promote cultural education, to foster personal development and good citizenship, to form a nationwide fellowship, to attain a broader outlook and enjoyment of contact with those of similar purposes and ideals. ARTICLE III Headquarters The principle office shall be located in the city and state of the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer. ARTICLE IV Membership SECTION 1. Membership in Delta Theta Chi shall consist of four classes: Active, Honorary, Member-at- Large and Life. (a) ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall consist of women of the age of eighteen (18) years or older, interested in the promotion of cultural education, the fostering of personal development, good citizenship, and the enjoyment of social contact with those of similar purposes and ideals. Such persons shall become members upon the majority vote of a quorum of members of the local chapter receiving the application, and upon payment of the initial fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) sent to the National Office, the purchase of a Regulation Badge and when they have been initiated. Any member who has resigned in good standing may be reinstated to active membership upon the payment of a fifteen dollar ($15.00) reinstatement fee and prorated National dues in accordance with Article V, Section 2. (b) HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be conferred upon any non-member whom the Sorority may wish to honor because of special services rendered to the Sorority, upon formal request of the majority of 1B
the membership of a local chapter, and upon affirmative vote by a majority of the National Executive Council. Honorary Members shall not be permitted to regularly attend either Chapter, Province, or National meetings of the Sorority, vote or take part in any ritualistic work of the organization, and shall be exempt from the payment of any dues, fees or assessments whatsoever. (c) MEMBERS-AT-LARGE shall be those members whose chapters are no longer in existence. (d) LIFE MEMBERSHIP may be conferred upon any member in good standing who has given at least twenty (20) years service to the Sorority and is unable either financially or physically to maintain active status, upon formal request of the majority of the members of her local chapter, and upon affirmative vote of the majority of the National Executive Council. Recipients of Life Membership would not be eligible to vote or hold office and would be exempt from all dues, fees and assessments. Recipient s chapter shall be responsible for the payment of the ten dollars ($10.00) annual Life Membership fee. In the event that a Life Member s Chapter disbands and she does not transfer to another Chapter, the Life Membership fee shall be waived. The does not apply to Life Memberships awarded prior to the June 2007 National Convention. ARTICLE V Dues SECTION 1. The annual dues shall be thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per member, payable to the local Treasurer on or after January 1 of each year and must be remitted to the National Executive Secretary- Treasurer not later than February 15 of the same year. Dues remitted to the National Office after February 15 shall be thirty-eight dollars ($38.00). SECTION 2. National dues for new members shall be prorated at three dollars ($3.00) per month effective the month in which they sign a contract and said member shall pay the lesser sum between that amount and the thirty-five dollars ($35.00) annual dues. SECTION 3. The annual dues of Member-at-Large shall be thirty-five ($35.00) per member and must be remitted to the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer no later than January 1 of each year. ARTICLE VI Suspension and Expulsion of Members SECTION 1. Any member failing to pay her National dues or assessments to the chapter within thirty (30) days after notice of default by said chapter shall be deemed to be in arrears and shall thereafter stand suspended. SECTION 2. Any member, if suspended for this reason, may be reinstated to membership upon payment of fifteen dollars ($15.00) and prorated National dues in accords with ARTICLE V, SECTION 2, to be remitted to the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer, and upon recommendation of the Committee on Membership of the local chapter to which said member belonged. All local chapter members shall be notified of this recommendation thirty (30) days before a stated meeting. A majority vote of the quorum at this meeting shall be final. SECTION 3. Any member may be suspended for conduct unbecoming a member, or prejudicial to the interests of the Sorority, or for knowingly violating any of the conditions and/or requirements of membership as set forth in this Constitution by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the local chapter. Any member so suspended by a chapter is subject to expulsion by a two-thirds vote of the National 2B
Executive Council at which the charges are to be considered in the first meeting of the National Executive Council following the suspension of the member. SECTION 4. A formal written notice of suspension, prepared by the President and Secretary of the local chapter, shall be sent to the member by certified mail, return receipt requested, at least thirty (30) days prior to a hearing in the local chapter, at which time the member shall have the opportunity for a full hearing prior to a vote by the local chapter. SECTION 5. Any member so suspended by a chapter is subject to expulsion by a two-thirds vote of the National Executive Council in the first meeting of the Council following the suspension of said member. Said member shall have the opportunity to be heard before the Council and shall be notified in writing by certified mail, at least thirty (30) days prior to said meeting. The decision of the National Executive Council shall be final. ARTICLE VII Officers SECTION 1. The officers of this corporation shall be a President, a Vice President, and one member from each organized Province, to be known as Trustees. All shall be members in good standing. These Officers and Trustees shall be known as the National Executive Council. To be eligible for the office of Trustee, she shall have served as a Chapter President and as a Province President. To be eligible for National President or Vice President, she shall have served as Chapter President and Province President and National Trustee. SECTION 2. The President and Vice President shall be elected by ballot at each Biennial National Convention. A majority vote of delegates present and voting shall constitute an election. The President and Vice President shall be elected for a term of two years and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. They shall not hold office for more than two (2) two-year terms, four (4) years successively. SECTION 3. (a) The National Trustees shall be elected by ballot at their respective Province Conventions prior to the expiration of their National Trustee s terms, and prior to the Biennial National Convention. An alternate Trustee shall also be elected in the event the Trustee-elect should be unable to fulfill her term. The Trustee-elect shall be installed at the forthcoming National Convention. Trustees shall be elected to serve a term of four (4) years and shall not hold that office for more than one (1) term of four (4) years successively. (b) A Trustee who has served two (2) years of her term may be eligible for elevation to the office of President or Vice President. (c) The National Trustee shall be invited to attend all Province Board Meetings held within her respective Province. SECTION 4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the National Executive Council and of the Sorority at National Convention; shall sign all written contracts for the Sorority; appoint Standing and Special Committees, a National Parliamentarian, National Sergeant-at-Arms, National Historian and an Editor for the National Pleiad. These appointments shall be made no later than ninety (90) days following a Biennial National Convention and all units so notified. The President shall perform all such duties as are incident to this office. In the absence or disability of the President, her duties shall be performed by the Vice President. 3B
SECTION 5. The Vice President shall serve as National Membership Chairman, performing all duties designated to her by the National Executive Council. She shall supervise the organizational work of new chapters under direction of the National Executive Council. In the absence or disability of the Vice President, the duties of this office shall be filled by one of the Trustees elected by a majority of the members of the National Executive Council. SECTION 6. In the event of the inability of any one of the Trustees to fulfill her term of office, the alternate shall complete the term of office. Should the alternate be unable to serve, the Province Executive Board shall, by a majority vote, elect a Trustee from the same Province to fill out the unexpired term. ARTICLE VIII National Executive Council SECTION 1. The National Executive Council shall consist of the National President, Vice President and Trustees. They shall be charged with the responsibility of furthering the cultural education, good citizenship, and fellowship of Delta Theta Chi Sorority. SECTION 2. The National Executive Council shall be vested with the authority to supervise generally the chapters of Delta Theta Chi Sorority, to manage and control the business property and funds of the Sorority between conventions. SECTION 3. The National Executive Council shall employ a National Executive Secretary-Treasurer, who shall be the administrative head of the National Sorority and an ex-officio member of the National Executive Council, define her duties and fix her compensation. The National Executive Council has the authority to dispense with the services of the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer; shall fix the amount of bond in accordance with maximum amount of monies handled. SECTION 4. (a) The National Executive Council shall meet immediately prior to the Biennial National Convention. (b) There shall be a joint meeting of the retiring members of the National Executive Council and the newly elected members of the National Executive Council immediately subsequent to the Biennial National Convention. (c) There shall be a regular meeting of the National Executive Council in the year following each National Convention. SECTION 5. Special meetings of the National Executive Council may be called by the President, and in the absence of the President, by the Vice President, or by any five members of the National Executive Council. Notice of all special meetings shall be sent by the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer, in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, at leas fifteen (15) days prior to the time for the meeting. SECTON 6. The National Executive Council shall send a copy of the Minutes of each National Executive Council meeting to each Chapter and Province President within sixty (60) days after each meeting has been held. SECTION 7. At the close of each fiscal year, December 31, and not later than April 1 of each year, the National Executive Council, by its National President, shall submit to each chapter a report for the 4B
preceding year, consisting of the general financial condition of the Sorority, action taken, and business transacted, and a like report at each Biennial National Convention. SECTION 8. All National Executive Council Officers, upon retiring from office, shall deliver to their successor all record books, papers, or other property belonging to said office. SECTION 9. All officers of the National Executive Council shall prepare a written report of her term of office to be presented at the Biennial National Convention meeting. ARTICLE IX National Meetings SECTION 1. There shall be a Biennial National Convention of not less than two (2) days duration, during the month of June of each odd year. Said meeting will be held at the place designated at the preceding Biennial National Convention, and the hostess Province shall have the privilege of selecting the exact dates of the Convention in cooperation with the National Executive Council. SECTION 2. Special meetings of the National Sorority may be called at any time by a vote of five of the National Executive Council members at a place to be designated by them. SECTION 3. Notice of the time and place of all Biennial National Conventions and Special Meetings shall be given by the Executive Secretary-Treasurer by written notice, addressed to the President of each Chapter and Province sixty (60) days prior to the meeting. ARTICLE X Voting Body SECTION 1. The voting membership at each Biennial National Convention or Special Meeting shall consist of not more than two (2) votes from each chapter. They shall constitute the legislative voting body. These members must hold proper credentials as delegates, alternates or proxies, and the credentials must be certified by the Credentials Committee prior to the opening of Convention. All voting members must be in good standing. Motions are to be presented by Chapter Delegates only. A delegate may not second her own chapter s motion which was placed on the floor by the other delegate from the same chapter. SECTION 2. Proper forms will be mailed to all chapters from the National Office at least sixty (60) days prior to the Biennial National Convention or Special Meeting and these forms are be submitted to the Credentials Committee prior to the opening of the Convention. The Credentials Committee shall consist of a Chairman and two members appointed by the National President, with the concurrence of a majority vote of the National Executive Council, thirty (30) days prior to each Biennial National Convention. The committee members shall be selected from three different Provinces. In the event of an absence of a member of the Credentials Committee, the National President shall appoint a substitute as soon as practical. They shall certify all delegates, alternates and proxies prior to the opening of Convention. If a delegate cannot be certified, she is to be notified when she signs in with the Credentials Committee. SECTION 3. Credentials for Delegates and Alternates shall consist of a member s current National Membership Card or a photo ID. Credentials for a proxy shall consist of a member s current National 5B
Membership Card or photo ID, plus a proxy form from the National Office, signed by an officer of the chapter requesting the proxy. SECTION 4. The names of all delegates and alternates shall be sent to the National Office by post office, fax or email, and must be postmarked or dated at least thirty (30) days prior to Convention. A National Roster and a list of all Delegates and Alternates shall be prepared by the National Executive Secretary- Treasurer and made available to the Credentials Committee at Convention Registration. SECTION 5. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the accredited delegates, or their alternates or proxies, in attendance at any Biennial National Convention or Special Meeting. ARTICLE XI Insignia SECTION 1. The Recognition Pin may be given upon acceptance of a bid to become a member of Delta Theta Chi Sorority. These pins are to be purchased by the chapter and remain the property of the chapter. SECTION 2. The Pledge Pin is given upon pledging of the member SECTION 3. The Regulation Badge is given upon initiation, at which time the Pledge Pin is relinquished to her chapter, who in turn returns it to the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer. The Regulation Badge is paid for by the member prior to her initiation. SECTION 4. A member who has sponsored a Little Sister and assisted her to understand and enjoy the aims and purposes of Delta Theta Chi Sorority is eligible to purchase a Big Sister Badge. She must present her Little Sister for Initiation. The Big Sister Badge is paid for by the member and becomes her property. The value of the Regulation Badge is deducted from the cost of the Big Sister Badge. SECTION 5. The Special Recognition Badge is awarded for distinguished service to those who have contributed by way of outstanding service to Delta Theta Chi Sorority. Request for the Special Recognition Badge must be made in the form of a petition signed by a majority of the members of the chapter or the Province Executive Board making the request, and sent to the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer. It is awarded upon approval of the majority vote of the National Executive Council. Cost of the Special Recognition Badge is borne by the unit making the request. SECTION 6. The National Executive Council Diamond Recognition Badge shall be awarded the National President and National Vice President who have given at least two (2) years of service. National Trustees shall be awarded this badge upon completion of their term of office, or after two (2) years service by special dispensation of the National Executive Council. SECTION 7. All insignia shall be purchased through the National Office. All insignia returned by members shall be sent to the National Office for refund. ARTICLE XII Standing Committees 6B
SECTION 1. No later than ninety (90) days after the Biennial National Convention, the National President, with approval of the National Executive Council, shall appoint the following Standing Committees: (a) Membership Committee which shall assist the Vice President in membership work. (b) Educational Committee which shall plan and direct the cultural development of the Sorority. (c) Constitution and Bylaws Committee which shall consider all proposed amendments to the Constitution and submit the same to the convention body for vote. (d) Scholarship Committee with duties germane to soliciting and selecting candidates for annual Scholarships. (e) Literacy Committee which shall unite members in giving nationwide support to literacy projects. (f) The President shall appoint such other committees, standing or special, as shall be authorized by the National Executive Council. ARTICLE XIII Elections SECTION 1. National Nominating Committee: (a) A representative and an alternate from each Province shall be elected at the Province Conclave or Convention at least six (6) months prior to the Biennial National Convention to serve on the National Nominating Committee. A Chairman, without vote, shall be appointed by the National President, with the approval of the National Executive Council, at least six (6) months prior to the Biennial National Convention. (b) Each chapter may submit to the President of the Province Executive Board, by December 1, prior to the Biennial National Convention, the Statement of Qualifications of one candidate. Each Province Executive Board shall consider the qualifications of every candidate from chapters within the Province and one (1) candidate offered by the Executive Board, and from them select not more than four (4) candidates. The Ballot and Statement of Qualifications of those selected, together with a covering letter, listing the names and choice of office, shall be sent by February 1 st to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer for transmittal to the National Nominating Committee. At the same time, all other Statements of Qualifications submitted to the Province Executive Board shall be forwarded to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer with a covering letter identifying them as such. The Executive Secretary-Treasurer shall forward the Ballots and Statements of Qualifications of those selected by the Province Executive Boards to the Chairman of the National Nominating Committee, and from these the nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of at least one or more qualified candidates for each elective office. It shall then be the duty of the Chairman of the Nominating Committee to send all Chapters and Province Presidents, through the National Office, the names of al candidates which have been 7B
submitted to the Committee, together with their qualifications, at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Biennial National Convention. (c) Nominations may also be made from the floor. No candidate s name may be presented by the National Nominating Committee or from the floor unless the Statement of Qualifications has been presented to a Province Executive Board. SECTION 2. Tellers Committee The National President prior to the Biennial National Convention shall appoint a Chair and one (1) member from each province to serve on the Tellers Committee. At least two hours prior to the opening of the polls, the Chair of the committee on credentials shall furnish to the tellers of the election, a list of those entitled to vote. If a majority vote is not received by one candidate, a run-off election shall be held immediately between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. SECTION 3. One-Officer Slate In the event of a one-officer slate, the election need not be by secret ballot; and the delegates may instruct the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer to cast an elective ballot for the slate of candidates. ARTICLE XIV Province Organization SECTION 1. Delta Theta Chi Sorority shall consist of seven (7) Provinces as follows: ALCYONE: Consisting of the states of Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Alaska and Hawaii. ELECTRA: Consisting of the states of Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Colorado. TAYGETA: Consisting of the states of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. CELAENO: Consisting of the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. STEROPE: Consisting of the states of Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia. MEROPE: Consisting of the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. MAIA: Consisting of the states of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. SECTION 2. Provinces may regulate their affairs, engage in charitable or other activities, and shall be governed by a majority vote of the members of each Province, subject to the provisions of this Constitution. ARTICLE XV Local Chapters 8B
SECTION 1. Charters shall be granted by a majority vote of the National Executive Council upon receipt of an Application for Charter, together with signed contracts, current National dues, and a remittance form addressed to the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of Chartering. SECTION 2. A newly organized Delta Theta Chi Chapter shall have a minimum of ten (10) charter members, seven (7) of whom must be new or reinstated members. See Procedure 7. SECTION 3. The National Executive Secretary-Treasurer shall notify the Neophyte Chapter or Sponsor that permission to charter has been granted and assigns the correct Greek letter name. SECTION 4. Additional procedures for organizing new chapters shall be under the direction of the National Executive Council. SECTION 5. Local chapters may regulate their local affairs, engage in charitable and other local activities, and shall be governed locally by a majority vote of the members of each chapter, subject to the provisions of this Constitution. SECTION 6. Should any local chapter refuse to abide by the provisions of this Constitution, it may be suspended or expelled by an affirmative vote of five (5) members of the National Executive Council upon a charge being filed in writing against the chapter. Written notice shall be mailed to the President of the local chapter at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing at which the charge is to be presented; said notice to be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. The said chapter shall be entitled to a full hearing prior to the vote of the Council. SECTION 7. A suspended or expelled chapter may be reinstated by a majority vote of the delegates at the subsequent Biennial National Convention upon appeal by the local chapter, in writing to the National President, who shall then be required to place the matter on the agenda for the National meeting. The matter shall be heard in full prior to a vote at the Convention. ARTICLE XVI Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in Roberts Rule of Order, Revised, shall govern this Sorority in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or the special rules of order of this Sorority. ARTICLE XVII Amendments This Constitution may be amended at any Biennial National Convention by a two-thirds vote of the delegates voting, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the National Executive Secretary-Treasurer and the Constitution and Bylaws Committee at least six (6) months prior to the Convention meeting. Copies of such proposed amendment shall be sent to each Chapter and Province President at least ninety (90) days prior to the Biennial National Convention. Any amendments so adopted would become effective immediately and shall be sent to the Presidents of the local chapters and provinces within sixty (60) days after the same has been adopted. 9B