The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and regional officers.
May 2000 Issue
Board of Directors Mandate Changes to Constitution Bylaws, Policy Statement
Changes in Phi Theta Kappa's International Constitution's Bylaws were enacted by the Society's Board of Directors at their winter meeting. The Board also issued a clarification of an existing policy statement. An addition to the Bylaws' Chapter II on Finance, now requires that all new members of Phi Theta Kappa pay regional fees prior to their induction; also, the Society's regional organizations must petition the Board of Directors for approval to increase the amount assessed for regional fees.
In Chapter I, Section 3, entitled “Good Standing,” the responsibility of notifying International Headquarters when a member has failed to maintain the chapter's maintenance GPA has been moved from the chapter secretary to the chapter advisor. Furthermore, while advisors are strongly encouraged to monitor grades of members for membership maintenance compliance, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the chapter advisor immediately regarding his or her non-compliance with maintenance standards. The advisor in turn notifies Headquarters that the student is to be removed from the rolls.
Finally, in a revision of a Policy Statement issued in 1988, the Board affirmed “No chapter of Phi Theta Kappa may deny privileges of membership guaranteed by Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters to any Phi Theta Kappa member.” The Board also confirmed that “This statement should be understood to mean that chapters may not deny such membership privileges and benefits as wearing the honors stole, tassel and/or cord at graduation, based on the member's grade point average, their participation in chapter activities, or on any other factor, provided that the member is in good standing with the chapter. This policy should also be understood to mean that no member may be dropped from the membership roll due to lack of participation in chapter activities.”
Access the full revised text of Phi Theta Kappa's International Constitution and Bylaws. For information, contact Executive Director Rod A. Risley, ext. 518.