Constitution Alpha Psi Omega Alpha Gamma Theta Cast 5/30/2017 Article I - Name of Organization The official name of this organization shall be Alpha Psi Omega. Article II - Purpose of Organization The purpose of this, the Alpha Gamma Theta Cast of Alpha Psi Omega, is to encourage involvement in all aspects of theatre at James Madison University. By inducting students into this organization, Alpha Psi Omega acknowledges their academic achievement. In addition, Alpha Psi Omega provides outreach to the student body and local community. Article III - Membership Section 1. Membership in this organization is open to all James Madison University students and will not be restricted on the basis of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, color, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation or political affiliation. Section 2. To be eligible for active membership in the Alpha Gamma Theta cast of Alpha Psi Omega the student must be enrolled in James Madison University. Section 3. In order to be eligible for active membership, the candidate must have at least two semesters of experience in theatre production at James Madison University, must have worked in at least two of the performance spaces under the auspices of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. These spaces include the Wayland Hall performance space, the Mainstage and Studio Theatre, the Concert and Recital Hall, and the Earlynn J. Miller dance space.must have worked in at least two areas of theatre production, and must meet the requirements of the point system established by the national organization and the Alpha Gamma Theta cast. Said point system will be set by the officers at the beginning of their term in office. Section 4. Candidates will be expected to be in good standing with the university and have at least a 2.8 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 major GPA. If a potential member is a non-theatre and Dance Major, the cumulative GPA will be the deciding factor. Section 5. Active members will be required to attend scheduled meetings, participate in society activities, demonstrate leadership and good character, pay dues, and continue to be active in the theatre program at James Madison University. A. Scheduled Meetings a. All members are required to attend all scheduled meetings. The chapter shall meet regularly twice a month, on Monday. If a member is not able to attend, they must submit their reason no later that 24 hours before the meeting. Accepted absences with notifications after 24 hours are as follows: sickness, health emergencies, family emergencies, or similarly related crises. B. Society Activies a. Members are required to participate in service-oriented society activities, including studio theatre clean-up, assistance with changeovers or strikes, etc. Members are not required to
participate in society activies that have an associated fee, or are social activies, though participation is strongly encouraged. b. If an inducted member is graduating in the semester they are inducted, they are still required to pay dues, or they will not recieve graduation cords or be considered an official member of Alpha Psi Omega. C. Service Hours a. Members are required to perform no less than ten service hours per semester. Service hours may be earned by volunteering with various JMU shops, Stratford Players/USITT events, responding to paint calls, focus calls, and other calls for additional hands, or submitting a request for service hours outside of JMU. In the event that outside hours are requested, the board must recieve documentation that the work was performed, and the signature of the person who supervised or coordinated the hours. Section 6. If requirements are not fulfilled, or if a member s actions are deemed inappropriate, membership to the Alpha Gamma Theta cast may be considered for revocation or suspension through a simple majority (greater than 50%) vote by active members. The final decision will be made by a majority vote of the officers. Grounds for a vote of suspension or revocation are as follows: a. A member has missed more than three meetings, with unexcused absences. b. A member has missed more than three society activities with unexcused absences. c. The person commits acts that, while legal, are opposed to the morals and values of Alpha Psi Omega while wearing their letters. 1. Inactive members of Alpha Psi Omega are members who have left the organization in good standing. Inactive members are welcome to attend meetings and participate in events and outreach, including inductions. Inactive members will not be eligible to vote. Inactive members may not take a little. Current members may not become inactive, but they make take a semester of leave. If an active member in good standing wishes to pursue a single semester of leave during their collegiate career, then a letter must be submitted to the President by the end of the second week of the semester. The member will be reinstated at the beginning of the next semester. Members may not take a semester of leave in their first full semester as members. A. Suspended members of the Alpha Gamma Theta cast of Alpha Psi Omega are members who have failed to meet the requirements of active membership or have displayed inappropriate behavior. Suspended members are still required to attend meetings, events, and outreach. Suspended members will not be eligible to vote, cannot wear letters for the duration of their suspension, and will not be permitted to attend or participate in inductions. B. Active Membership of a suspended member will be reinstated if a member s behavior and participation have improved. This will be determined by a majority vote of the officers at the end of the semester. If behavior and
participation have not improved, dismissal from the Alpha Gamma Theta cast will be determined by a majority vote of the officers. Article IV Officers Section 1. Officers will be elected by a majority vote of the chapter. Their term will extend for one year. Officers for the following year will be elected at the end of the previous academic year. Members seeking office must be nominated, either by themself or by a fellow member. When voting for officers, candidates have the right to speak on their own behalf before voting occurs. If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run-off election will be held within the top two candidates that received the most votes. Members interested in becoming an officer must meet the GPA requirements of the Alpha Gamma Theta cast. All officers shall comprise the Executive Committee of the organization. The Executive Committee shall meet in addition to regular organization meetings. At least two officers must be Nuts and Bolts certified. The officers and individual duties shall be: A. President Preside over all meetings Keep up with any changes in national guidelines and notify the local cast at James Madison University Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by James Madison University and the Office of Student Activities & Involvement (OSAI). This includes but is not limited to: a. Maintaining an updated, ratified constitution on file, as well as with OSAI b. Updating OSAI with changes in officers, adviser, etc. c. Returning completed forms (i.e. Hazing awareness) to OSAI Cosign organization checks with Treasurer Maintain communication with organization adviser Before September 15 th of each new school year, with the officers, review the point system for new potential members Preside over votes, and may only vote as a tie breaker B. Vice President Preside over meetings in the absence of the President Schedule meetings/events with appropriate University offices Keep a record of potential members points Keeps a record of members service hours Oversee the mailing of documents and dues to the national office Distribute pledge cards as well as membership cards and certificates Distribute graduation cords C. Secretary Keep minutes at each meeting and email a copy of these minutes to members and adviser within 24 hours after each meeting Maintain current membership directory Name, APO pledge name, e-mail address, phone number, current address, graduation year Correspond when necessary with University administration and other recognized organizations
Contact current active and suspended members with information about meetings and updates about the organization Maintain and update APO social media assets alongside the Historian D. Treasurer Maintain accurate records of organization transactions Collect dues from inductees on or before the day of inductions Dues will be determined at the beginning of each academic year as specified in Article VII The 2014-2015 dues have been determined to be $40 Cosign organization checks with President Solicit additional funding if needed from the Student Government Association in conjunction with the President Create and manage fundraising opportunities and monetary outreach E. Historian Coordinate Theatre and Dance tours to be given by APO officers and members. Maintain APO Alumni relations, including but not limited to: Up-to-date list of APO alumni and their current contact information Document APO events and outreach to be given to the Fiscal Technician of the School of Theatre and Dance at the end of each academic year. Should the Historian not be able to attend an event or outreach, it is his or her duty to designate another officer to document the function Maintain and update APO social media assets alongside the Secretary Create a new APO poster for the student activities board in the Forbes Center, to be completed by the end of September in the respective academic year Section 2. Officers may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers and simple majority of the general membership if their actions are deemed inappropriate. The officer is permitted to speak before the Executive Committee and the general membership about the charges made concerning his or her performance. The officer is not permitted to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding the charges. Article V - Adviser Section 1. The adviser shall be a full or part time faculty or staff member at James Madison University. The adviser will assume those responsibilities as outlined in this constitution and/or found in University Policy No. 3101 entitled Faculty Advisers to Student Organizations. Advisers not fulfilling responsibilities or abiding by the organization s purpose may be removed from the position by a ½ vote of the Executive Committee. Section 2. In the event that a new adviser needs to be chosen, he or she will be elected by a ½ vote of the Executive Committee. Officers will nominate candidates and evaluate their eligibility prior to the vote. Officers will inform the cast of their final decision. Article VI - Meetings The organization shall hold meetings as scheduled during the academic term except when holidays, examination periods, or other events make meeting impractical. Organization meeting day and time will be determined by the Executive Committee. Attendance at organization
meetings is required. If a member must miss a meeting, correspondence with the secretary is required at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Three unexcused absences per academic year without formal, prior notification will be cause for suspension consideration. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership plus two officers. Robert s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern all meetings. Article VII - Finance The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all inductees at or prior to the induction of new members. The dues for the 2016-2017 inductees shall be $45. Inductees shall not be considered active members until dues have been paid in full. The amount of the dues will be determined in the beginning of the academic year by the Executive Committee and presented to the general membership for a simple majority vote. It is recommended that dues remain $10 above the national requirement. The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records and shall cosign with the President for all organization transactions. Inductees who are unable to pay their dues at the time of inductions should speak with the Treasurer as soon as possible. Article VIII - Hazing Alpha Psi Omega, in keeping with James Madison University s expectations for a positive academic and social environment, unconditionally opposes hazing. No individual member of our cast or the cast as a whole may engage in or plan any activity that may be defined as hazing. Alpha Psi Omega opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule to its members or potential members. In addition, no individual nor recognized organization may by physical or mental stress or by subtle or covert technique, impair, make captive, or destroy an individual s freedom of thought and choice. Hazing, under Virginia law, is defined as activities for the initiation or induction into an organization which include calisthenics or other strenuous physical activity; exposure to inclement weather; consumption of food, liquid, beverage, drug or other substance; confinement in any room or compartment; spraying, painting or pelting with any substance; burying in any substance; burning, branding or tattooing or another activity which may result in physical injury or endanger the health or life of the individual being hazed. J17-101 Section 18.2-56 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, which declares hazing illegal, establishes conditions for civil and criminal liability and outlines the duties of the university when a student has been found guilty of hazing. It is hereby incorporated as part of this constitution and will serve as a guide for action by the university and Alpha Psi Omega if there is an instance of hazing by this organization or any of the members of this organization. It will be the duty of the officers of Alpha Psi Omega to educate the membership of this policy. Any member who is found guilty of hazing within the
organization or within the membership of another organization presents grounds for a vote of suspension. Article IX - Amendments Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the organization. Said amendment(s) will be voted on at a subsequent meeting. In order to adopt the amendment, a vote of 2/3 of the general membership is necessary. Article X - Ratification This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership. Ratified constitutions must be submitted to the Office of Student Activities & Involvement within 10 days for final approval. The constitution and points for membership shall be revisitied and ratified no later than the third meeting of the fall semester.