Constitution and Bylaws
Chapter Rules of Gamma Eta Chapter of Texas State Organization of
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
(Revised March 2019)
Article I
Name of the Chapter
The name of this chapter as assigned by the State Executive Committee shall be Gamma Eta Chapter of Texas State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Article II
Object/Purpose
The objective (or purpose) of Gamma Eta shall be to promote the Mission, Vision and Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International as found in The Constitution, Article II.
Article III
Membership
Section A Classes of Membership
The membership of Gamma Eta Chapter shall be composed of active, collegiate, reserve, and honorary members in accordance with the Constitution, Article III and International Standing Rules 3.0. An individual becomes a member when she pays her dues.
Section B Classification
- An active member shall be a woman who is employed as a professional educator at the time of her election or has been retired from an educational position. An active member shall participate in the activities of the chapter.
- Reserve membership shall be granted only to a member who is unable to participate fully in the activities of the chapter because of physical disability and/or geographic location.
- Reserve status shall be granted by a majority vote of the chapter.
- A reserve member, so requesting, shall be restored to active membership.
- An honorary member shall be a woman not eligible for active membership who has rendered notable service to education or to women and who is elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service.
- Collegiate members shall be undergraduate or graduate students who meet the following criteria:
education degree, have the intent to continue academically and professionally in
the field of education, and be enrolled within the last two years of their undergraduate
education degree.
b. Graduate student members shall have graduate standing in an institution offering an
education degree and have the intent to continue academically and professionally in
the field of education.
c. A collegiate member may participate in the activities of the Society except holding office, although she may serve as parliamentarian since the position is not an elected office.
d. When a collegiate member starts her career as a paid educator, she will pay active member dues and become an active member. If a collegiate member does not pursue a career as an educator, her membership will expire upon graduation or withdrawal from the education degree program.
Section C New Members
- Chapter Authority-The chapter has authority to act in matters of membership.
- Recommendations-Recommendations for new members shall be submitted to the Membership Committee at any monthly meeting.
- Election of New Members
- Selection for new members shall be at the next chapter meeting.
- Selection shall be by written ballot requiring approval by 2/3 of the members voting.
- Orientation of new members shall be conducted by the President and any other officers/members selected by the President prior to induction (or at least one week prior to the induction ceremony) or the President and Membership chairman shall see that nominees receive information through a formal/informal orientation provided by the chapter membership.
- A new member can have a formal induction ceremony at any meeting throughout the year.
- Reorientation of all members shall take place at the April meeting.
- Members may transfer from one chapter to another by notifying Society Headquarters. No vote is taken on incoming transfers.
Section D Termination of Membership
- Membership in the society is terminated for non-payment of dues and fees by July 1, resignation, or death.
- Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the chapter president.
- No member may be terminated for non-payment of dues and fees without multiple
4. The chapter shall record in the minutes the names of members terminated, including the reason and date of termination.
Section E Membership Records
A continuous record of chapter membership shall be kept by the treasurer. This includes names, membership numbers and dates for all current and former members, new initiates, membership status and status changes (ex. from active to reserve), termination with reasons for dropping transfers in and out, and reinstatements.
Section F Reinstatement
A former member shall be reinstated to membership. (A reinstatement fee is no longer required, nor is there a chapter vote).
Article IV
Finances
Section A Governance of Finance
Where applicable, the Constitution, Article IV and International Standing Rules, Section 4.0 shall govern Gamma Eta Chapter finances.
Section B Annual Dues
- Annual dues shall be required of Active and Reserve members at all three levels of the Society.
- Chapter dues shall be established no later than the first chapter meeting of the fiscal year by a majority vote of those at the meeting.
- The amount of dues is recommended by the finance committee and shall include international and state dues as established by these organizations.
Section C Financial Control
- The Gamma Eta Chapter Finance Committee shall submit annually a proposed budget for adoption by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the September/October meeting.
- All expenses shall be approved by the president prior to payment.
- Two signatures shall be required on all checks. The president's and treasurer's signatures shall be required on all checks; however a third person may also be authorized to sign in case of emergency.
- An annual audit report shall be submitted by the auditing committee (finance committee) to the executive board at the September meeting.
- Two dollars per member of the annual dues shall be used as follows: one dollar for Alpha State Scholarship and one dollar for the contribution to ASTEF Scholarship giving Gamma Eta Honor Status.
- An induction fee of $10.00 shall be required of all new members except honorary members.
Section D Special Funds
- Special funds, chapter assessments, and or awards may be established by majority vote of the chapter. The amount of the annual assessment may be amended by a proposal of the Gamma Eta Chapter Finance Committee.
- State Convention Expenses
- Gamma Eta will pay the expenses: gas to and from, registration, room and meals for the President and President-Elect attending the state convention.
- Gamma Eta will pay for the room and registration for State Level Members to the state convention. Four people, including state members may stay in the room.
- Gamma Eta Grant-in-Aid Fund
- A Grant-in-Aid fund of $250 shall be awarded at the discretion of Gamma Eta to encourage worthy women to pursue careers in education.
- Recipients must be legal residents of area covered by Gamma Eta membership, must be enrolled or have reliable plans for enrolling in a division of education of an accredited college or university, and must be at least junior level
- Chapter members shall make recommendations for recipient. A committee makes a final selection and presents to chapter for approval. The committee is responsible for notification, delivery, and follow-up.
Article V
Organization
Section A Chapter Rules
- Gamma Eta Chapter Rules shall be consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, State Bylaws and State Rules.
- Updated chapter rules shall be submitted to the State Bylaws and Rules Committee as required by state governing documents every two years by the chairman of the Bylaws and Rules Committee.
Section B Area
Gamma Eta Chapter shall participate in the activities of Area 12.
Article VI
Officers and Related Personnel
Section A Officers
The officers of Gamma Eta Chapter shall be president, 1st vice-president, 2nd vice- president, recording secretary, and corresponding secretary. All elected by the chapter in accordance with the Constitution, Article VI and International Standing Rules 6.03.
Section B Related Personnel
The incoming president shall appoint a parliamentarian and the executive board shall appoint the treasurer.
Section C Duties
- Chapter officers shall perform the duties enumerated in the Constitution, Article VI.
- The chapter president shall attend the State Executive Board meetings and shall represent the chapter as a voting member. If the president is unable to attend she shall appoint a representative from the membership. The president shall
- act as a presiding officer at regular and called meetings and direct the activities of the organization;
- act as chair of the respective executive board;
- appoint a parliamentarian;
- appoint standing and special committees;
- serve as member ex officio, with vote on all committees except nominations;
- approve for payment all expense claims;
- approve publications;
- fill by appointment all vacancies in office;
- represent the Society at meetings, conferences, and other events; and
- take action, with the advice and approval of the respective executive board, on matters that cannot be deferred until the next meeting.
- Vice-Presidents
- First Vice-President
- The first vice-president shall serve as presiding officer in the absence of the president. In the event of the resignation or death of the president, she shall succeed to the presidency and serve until the next regular election of officers.
- The first vice-president shall perform such other duties as the president or executive board shall assign to her.
- Second Vice-President
- The second vice-president shall serve as presiding officer in the absence of both the president or the first vice-president. In the event of the resignation or death of either the president or the first vice-president she shall succeed to the office of first vice-president and serve until the next regular election of officers.
- The second vice-president shall perform such other duties as the president or the executive board shall assign to her.
- First Vice-President
- Recording Secretary
- The recording secretary shall keep minutes of each meeting of the organization and furnish the president with a copy of such minutes.
- She shall serve as secretary to the Executive Board.
- Corresponding Secretary
- The corresponding secretary shall carry on such correspondence as may be delegated to her by the president.
- She shall read all correspondence to the chapter.
- Treasurer
- shall receive and pay out all moneys belonging to the organization;
- keep an accurate account of receipts and expenditures;
- maintain a record of receipts, bills and bank statements;
- file required tax reports;
- submit for annual audit/financial review the accounts of the organization;
- serve as a member ex officio on the executive board; and
- serve as a consultant in the process of budget development and supervision of finances.
- Parliamentarian-appointed
- The parliamentarian shall act as advisor to the officers and the members of her organization in matters pertaining to interpretation of the Constitution and to parliamentary usage.
- Serve as a member ex officio without vote on the executive board.
Section D Nominations and Elections
- Elections for chapter officers are held in even-numbered years by a majority vote of the members present.
- Nominations committee shall be the four past presidents, with the immediate past president serving as chairman.
- In March, the Chapter Nominating Committee shall submit the name of one nominee for each elective office. Consent of each nominee must be obtained. The slate with candidate qualifications should be presented to chapter members. Nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee.
- If there is only one nominee for an office, election shall be by voice vote and a majority of the votes cast will elect.
- If there are two or more nominees for an office, elections shall be by ballot. The nominating committee shall prepare the ballot and conduct the election.
Section E Term of Office (see Constitution, Article VI, D, 3)
The term of office for chapter officers shall be two years or until a successor is named. No officer except the treasurer may serve in the same office longer than two terms in succession. Officers shall take office on July 1 following their election.
Section F Vacancies
- If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the (first) vice-president shall become president.
- If a vacancy occurs in other elective or appointed positions, the president shall name a successor.
Article VII
Executive Board
Section A Members
- The members of the executive board shall be the elected officers of the chapter and the immediate past president (or other voting members as determined by the chapter.)
- Members ex officio of the executive board shall be the treasurer, with vote, and the parliamentarian, without vote.
Section B Duties of Executive Board
The duties of the executive board shall be those specified in the Constitution Article VII, Section C. The chapter executive board shall
- select the treasurer for the biennium;
- act in matters requiring immediate action and decision;
- recommend policies and procedures for consideration by members; and
- establish rules for budget development and approval and for the super vision of chapter finances.
Section C Meetings
- The executive board shall meet at least twice annually.
- All board members being notified, matters requiring immediate board actions may be voted upon by postal or electronic mail, or an electronic meeting where in all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A majority vote of board members shall be required for action.
Section D Quorum
A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the board.
Article VIII
Committees
Section A Standing Committees of Gamma Eta shall be
- Society Business: Archives, Bylaws and Rules, Ceremonies, Communications and Publicity, Finance, Membership, Necrology, Nominations, Technology, and Yearbook.
- Society Mission and Purposes: Achievement Award, Educational Excellence 1) Global Awareness, 2) Legislation, 3) Music, 4) Personal and Professional Enrichment, 5) Programs and Service Projects, 6) Scholarship, and 7) Research.
Section B Selection of Committee Members
- All committees shall be appointed by the chapter president except the nominations committee.
- The nominations committee shall be the past four chapter presidents with the immediate past president being chairman.
- The president serves as member ex officio on all appointed committees.
- The committees shall meet at a time and any place agreed upon by the committee members.
Section C Committee Responsibilities
- Chapter committees shall be responsible for any work represented by the international committee descriptions in the Constitution, Article VIII sections B and C.
- Chapter committee shall refer to State Rules, section 9.0 for additional responsibilities.
- Required reports of the work of chapter shall be submitted in the format specified by Society Headquarters.
- Guide lines for gifts, remembrances and memorials shall be presented for updating by the Membership committee when deemed appropriate.
- An annual fund-raising event shall be conducted with the proceeds to finance a recruitment grant for a female student who plans to enter the field of education.
Section D Voting
All members being notified, matters requiring immediate committee action may be voted upon by postal or electronic mail, or in an electronic meeting where in all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A majority vote of committee members shall be required for action.
Article IX
Chapter Meetings
Section A Meetings
- Gamma Eta Chapter will have 6 meetings each year as determined by the Educational Excellence Committee.
- Meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Additional meetings/excursions may be scheduled as needed.
- All members being notified, chapters may use electronic meeting wherein all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A quorum must be participating if a vote is taken.
- Ratification of all voting by mail (postal or electronic) must be made at the next face to face meeting.
Section B Quorum
A quorum shall be 1/3 of the chapter's active membership.
Article X
Publications
Section A Chapter Newsletter
Gamma Eta chapter shall publish a newsletter, the Gamma Eta News, prior to each chapter meeting. It is distributed by e-mail or in print to all members and copies are sent to designated state personnel.
Section B Chapter Website
Gamma Eta Chapter shall maintain a website that is in compliance with the Society.
Section C Special Publications
Any special publications (chapter brochures) must be approved by the chapter (or executive board or president) before printing.
Section D Approval of Content
The chapter president shall approve the content of any publication (newsletter, yearbook, brochure, article submitted to a news organization) prior to its release.
Article XI
Special Chapter Policies
- The first vice-president is the chairman of the Program Committee (or Educational Excellence committee).
- The second vice-president is the chairman of the membership committee.
- The immediate past president is the chairman of the nominations committee.
- The chairman of the yearbook committee is a member of the Program Committee and Second Vice-President.
- The communications committee will publish a newsletter each month before the monthly meetings.
- The Founder's Day celebration shall include the following awards: 25 year members ( or 10, 20, 30, etc.), perfect attendance awards, recognition of members serving at the international or state, chapter achievement award, those retiring this year, and grant-in-aid recipient.
- The Membership Committee shall operate by the following guidelines:
- One red rose shall be sent to a member who is ill and confined to the hospital.
- A card shall be sent to a member who is ill one week or more but not confined to the hospital.
- In the event of the death of a husband, child, parent, sibling, or parent-in-law one red rose shall be sent to the member.
- At the death of a member, Gamma Eta can contribute to the recruitment grant in the amount of $25 or send a dozen red roses to the home or the memorial service. The choice shall be left to the discretion of members in the town where the deceased lived.
- The local members of this committee will be responsible for any of the above duties. They in turn will submit a bill to the treasurer. The local members of their committee will also notify the president of Gamma Eta of illnesses, deaths, or any other vital information concerning Gamma Eta members which should be relayed to each of the members.
Article XII
Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of Gamma Eta Chapter in all cases not provided for in the Constitution, International Standing Rules, State Bylaws, State Rules and these chapter rules.
Article XIII
Amendments
Section A Provisions for Amendments
The Gamma Eta Chapter rules may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and voting at a meeting following a thirty-day previous notification of the proposed amendment(s).
Section B Method of Amending
When an amendment(s) is to be considered, a written amendment shall be presented at the previous meeting and also included in the newsletter (or sent to all by e-mail) prior to the meeting at which voting will take place.
Article XIV
Dissolution
In the event that it becomes necessary for Gamma Eta Chapter to dissolve, there must be strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution, Article XIX, 3, and the State Rules, Section 16.2.
Revised September 1992 Margaret Barrett
Revised November 2000 Madeleine Stanford
Revised October 2004 Jean Williams
Revised April 2006 Vivian Morris
Revised November 2007 Vivian Morris
Revised February 2014 Sharon McDougle
Adopted November 2014 Sharon McDougle
Revised December 2018 Donna Anderson
Revised March 2019 Donna Anderson