|
The Journey
A newsletter for Phi Theta Kappa
chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers. 
Laying Down the
Laws
A Guide to Strong Chapter
Bylaws
Having your chapter's current bylaws
approved and on file at Headquarters is a requirement for every Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
Your chapter's governing document not only helps you govern your chapter today, but it
also provides guidance for future chapter officers and advisors.
Each chapter should operate under bylaws that suit its individual needs. Of course, this
document must be compatible with the college's policies as well as with the Phi Theta
Kappa International Constitution.
Revising your bylaws or resubmitting the document to Headquarters every year is NOT a
requirement and, in fact, is discouraged. Chapter bylaws, like national government
constitutions, should be a permanent document. Therefore, only permanent chapter
information should be included to avoid frequent revisions.
If the chapter advisor(s) and officers determine revisions are necessary, consult your
current bylaws to determine a procedure for amendment. Once the revised bylaws have been
approved by a chapter vote, submit the document for final approval to the Chapter Programs
Department at International Headquarters. Once reviewed, a letter will be sent to the
chapter advisor, indicating the document's approval or need for revisions.
Chapter Membership Eligibility Issues
The International Constitution of Phi Theta Kappa allows chapters flexibility in
determining their membership eligibility standards as long as it meets the minimum
requirements of the Constitution. The majority of Phi Theta Kappa chapters require a 3.5
or higher cumulative GPA on 12 hours of associate degree course work. The maintenance GPA
- or the minimum GPA required in order to maintain membership in Phi Theta Kappa - is
usually set at 3.25. The minimum is 3.0.
Academic Probation
Chapter members whose GPA falls below the maintenance level are given only one term of
probation. If the member's GPA is still below the maintenance GPA at the conclusion of the
probationary period, membership and membership privileges are revoked.
Transfer Credit
A chapter also has the prerogative of allowing grades from other institutions to be
considered when determining membership eligibility. This policy should be stated in your
bylaws and consistently followed. (Students must still complete at least 12 hours of
associate degree course work at the two-year college they are presently attending.)
Enhanced Membership
If your chapter also offers an enhanced membership program, your bylaws can include this
as a type of membership. However, it is not necessary to include the details about the
program in your bylaws. In other words, the enhanced membership requirements and rewards
should be listed separately because these may change from year to year.
Transfer of Membership
Regarding the standard GPA used to determine eligibility of students wishing to transfer
their membership from one chapter to another, Phi Theta Kappa's Board of Directors adopted
this policy statement in October 1998:
"The local chapter may
use either their membership eligibility standard or maintenance standard when determining
eligibility of Phi Theta Kappa members requesting to transfer membership into their
chapter. The standard selected, however, must be used consistently and identified in the
chapter's bylaws."
Advisor Appointment Process and Duties
Advisors must be employees of the college where the chapter is located and must be
officially appointed by the college administration. The minimum duties of a chapter
advisor are outlined in the International Constitution in Chapter IV, Section 5.
Procedures for chapter officer resignations, officer replacement and removal from
office
What happens if a chapter officer resigns? What to do next should be spelled out in your
chapter's bylaws. For example, many chapter bylaws allow the chapter president to make a
temporary appointment until an election can be held. In rare circumstances when a chapter
finds it necessary to remove an officer, the International Constitution requires a ¾
vote. Your chapter may decide if it's a ¾ vote by the chapter members or the chapter
officers.
Chapter Finances
As we all know, a chapter must have funds in order to operate. Some chapters receive
funding from the college or rely entirely on local membership fees and fundraising
projects for their treasury. If your chapter does have a local membership fee,
Headquarters encourages you to set a one-time fee, payable at the time international and
regional fees are collected. Once a student has paid the initial membership fees, a
chapter may not remove any student from membership or abridge any membership rights
because of failure to pay local fees.
Try This
Strong chapter bylaws should include these basic elements:
• name and purpose of chapter
• chapter membership eligibility standards
• advisor appointment process and duties
• procedure for chapter officer elections
• chapter officers and their duties
• procedures for chapter officer resignations and officer replacement
• chapter finances including local membership fees
• procedures for amendments to bylaws
|
