PHI THETA KAPPA
UPSILON MU CHAPTER CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE

Article I—Name of Organization

The name of the organization is the Upsilon Mu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa as set down by the Chapter’s charter and the International Constitution of Phi Theta Kappa.

Article II—Philosophy of Organization

The purpose of the Upsilon Mu chapter is to recognize and encourage academic scholarship among Illinois Central College students. Working toward this goal, the organization provides opportunities for the further development and expression of the four Phi Theta Kappa Hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.

Article III—Source of Power

The power of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa to exist is derived from the college board of Trustees, College President, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the Coordinator of Student Activities. They retain the power to veto over any decision made in contravention of the policies, rules, and regulations of Illinois Central College.

Article IV—Membership

Section 1—Eligibility for Membership

1. Must have completed at least twelve cumulative semester hours of college credit courses (110 or above) at Illinois Central College.
2. Must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
3. Must have qualities of good citizenship, moral character, leadership potential, and service to school and/or community.
4. Must be currently enrolled at Illinois Central College and enrolled into a degree of certificate program.
5. Approved application must be on file, participate in orientation and induction procedures, and be administered the oath unless petitioned to be excused by the majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 2—Maintenance of Membership

1. Enrollment at Illinois Central College.
2. Maintenance after induction of at least a 3.25 average. Probation is permitted for one semester. After one semester if maintenance of a 3.25 grade point average is not achieved, the student’s name is removed from membership. To graduate with Phi Theta Kappa status fro ICC, one must maintain or acquire no less than a 3.25 grade point average.
3. Activity records are on file each semester with the Communications Administrator.

Section 3—Eligibility for Provisional Members

1. Must be currently enrolled at Illinois Central College.
2. Must have qualities of good citizenship, moral character, leadership potential, and service to school and/or community.
3. Provisional members may not vote or hold office in the organization.

Section 4—Maintenance of Provisional Members

1. Enrollment at Illinois Central College.
2. Chapter fees shall be paid prior to induction.
3. Activity records are on file each semester with the Communications Administrator.

Section 5—Eligibility for Transfer of Membership

1. Enrollment at Illinois Central College.
2. Member in good standing with a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average.
3. Complete transfer application with chapter advisor.
4. Pay chapter transfer fee and other applicable international fees.

Article V—Meetings

1. Meetings are held regularly each semester at times specified by the Executive Board.
2. A majority of the total number of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
3. Business shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rule of Order.

Article VI—Election of Officers

Section 1—Frequency of Elections

The election of officers shall be held bi-yearly in April and November for open positions. Positions may be held for one year.

Section 2—Candidate Biographies

1. Candidate biographies will be published in the official Upsilon Mu newsletter or in a separate mailing prior to the election.
2. Candidate biographies should be typed and at least 150 words, detailing the following:
   1. Why does the candidate wish to run for office?
   2. What does the candidate hope to contribute to the position desired?
   3. List any particular activities the candidate has participated in and the level of involvement with Phi Theta Kappa since his/her induction.
   4. List any previous or current involvement with outside organizations, clubs, or any special hobbies.

Section 3

The election will be conducted by secret ballot through the office of Student Activities.

Section 4

Election results will be determined by a majority of the members voting.

Section 5

Prior to election, all candidates may be required (unless excused by unanimous decision by the current executive board) to attend a special interview chapter meeting. At this meeting, members will have the opportunity to ask candidates specific questions pertaining to their biographies, and also ask their intentions for the chapter.

Article VII—Officers and Duties

Section 1

The officers of this organization include: President(s); Vice Presidents of Leadership, Fellowship, Service, Scholarship; Communication Administrator; Recording Secretary; Treasurer; Public Relations Administrator; and Newsletter Administrator.

Section 2

Tenure of office for all officers is one year. Official swearing in of new officers shall occur by the end of the each semester.

Section 3

All officers are required to attend all executive board meetings and all general chapter meetings unless excused by fellow officers of the executive board.

Section 4

All officers are required to maintain enhanced membership each semester.

Section 5—Duties of the Officers

A. Duties of the President(s):

1. Represent Phi Theta Kappa at all events unless other arrangements are made.
2. Coordinate Awards Banquet in the spring.
3. To be a liaison between the organization and the college (Inter-Organizational Council and other college organizations.
4. To develop goals for the chapter with the help of other officers and advisors.
5. Set up board meetings and create the agenda for such meetings with the input of the Vice Presidents.
6. Co-chair New Member Inductions.
7. Sit on the Membership committee.
8. Write articles for the newsletter.

B. Duties of the Vice President of Scholarship:

1. Oversee all Honors Study Topic activities, coordinate all Satellite seminars for each semester, encourage academic excellence, and prepare the Scholarship Hallmark Award entry for the Hallmark Awards Program.
2. Co-chair New Member Orientations.
3. Sit on the Scholarship Committee.
4. Write articles for the newsletter.

C. Duties of the Vice President of Leadership:

1. Direct chapter in use of parliamentary procedure for meetings (see Robert’s Rules of Order).
2. Oversee all leadership activities.
3. Prepare the Leadership Hallmark Award entry for the Hallmark Awards Program.
4. Co-chair New Member Orientations.
5. Sit on the Leadership Committee.
6. Write articles for the newsletter.

D. Duties of the Vice President of Service:

1. Oversee the International Service Program activities, encourage volunteerism and community service, and prepare the Service Hallmark Award entry for the Hallmark Awards Program.
2. Chair or co-chair an event.
3. Sit on the Service Committee.
4. Write articles for the newsletter.

E. Duties of the Vice President of Fellowship:

1. Encourage scholarly fellowship at all levels of the organization, oversee all fellowship activities, and implement new ways to increase membership and meeting attendance.
2. Chair or co-chair an event.
3. Sit on the Fellowship Committee.
4. Write articles for the newsletter.

F. Duties of the Recording Secretary:

1. Take minutes of all meetings (board, chapter, etc.)—if unable to attend, make arrangements for another officer to record minutes.
2. Distribute copies of minutes to officers and advisors in a timely manner (prior to next meeting).
3. Keep an inventory of all supplies (office, event, etc.).
4. Summarize chronological list of activities for the Hallmark Essays.
5. Chair or co-chair an event.
6. Write articles for the newsletter.

G. Duties of the Communications Administrator:

1. Maintain records of correspondence with college administrators, community organizations, and other colleges (Phi Theta Kappa Chapters).
2. Maintain all membership lists, mailing lists, and the Upsilon Mu (active chapter) website.
3. Chair or co-chair an event.
4. Write articles for the newsletter.

H. Duties of the Newsletter Administrator:

1. Maintain the Upsilon Mu newsletter.
2. Submit information regarding active chapter to the Harbinger (school newspaper), local papers, and Campus Connections (campus newsletter).
3. Chair or co-chair an event.
4. Write articles for the newsletter.

I. Duties of the Treasurer:

1. To keep a complete record of all monetary transactions (in and out) carried on by the organization (records shall be open to inspection at all times).
2. Handle all monetary requisitions through Student Activities.
3. Keep accurate books and any financial statements.
4. To give financial reports upon request each month for the newsletter and at all Executive Meetings.
5. To be responsible for money at all functions or to appoint a responsible party in his/her absence.
6. To preside over collection of membership dues during the orientation sessions or appoint someone in his/her absence.
7. Chair or co-chair an event.
8. Write articles for the newsletter.

J. Duties of the Public Relations Administrator:

1. Keep accurate records of attendees at events.
2. Maintain records of member status and Enhanced membership.
3. To construct chapter’s yearbook with the assistance of other officers.
4. To act as official photographer of the organization and/or appoint someone to take photos in his/her absence.
5. To keep records of all the chapter’s history—newspaper clippings, pictures, and brochures of different activities.
6. Chair or co-chair an event.
7. Write articles for the newsletter.

Article VIII—Succession of Powers

Section 1

In the event that an officer must resign his/her office, the Executive Board is empowered to select a replacement by a majority vote through secret ballot.

Section 2

If any officer fails to fulfill the duties of his/her office as detailed in Article VII, he/she may be placed on probation for a period of one month. If at the end of the probationary period the officer has not shown significant improvement, he/she may be removed by majority vote by the Executive Board. The Executive Board is then empowered to select a replacement by a majority vote through secret ballot.

Section 3

If any officer falls into academic probation, he/she must resign to dedicate the proper time to his/her education.

Article IX—Advisors

Section 1—Appointment of the Advisors

1. The advisors of this organization shall be members in good standing of the faculty or staff of Illinois Central College.
2. The recommendation of the advisors may be made by the Coordinator of Student Activities and the Phi Theta Kappa President to the College Vice-President for consideration prior to his/her appointment.

Section 2

All advisors are required to attend all executive board meetings unless excused by officers of the executive board and may attend all general chapter meetings and general events.

Section 3

The advisor shall not be a voting member of the chapter.

Section 4—Duties of the Advisors

1. To provide the chapter with its history.
2. To advise the executive board in conducting business.
3. To help promote chapter participation.
4. To fill out all required forms for the International Office.

Article X—Committees

Section 1
The elected officers serve as the Executive Board and conduct the business of the organization at all meetings.

Section 2

All officers and advisors serve on the Membership Committee. This committee determines who shall become members according to Article IV.

Section 3

The Scholarship Committee shall consist of the Advisor, one Phi Theta Kappa Alumni representative, one member of the faculty/staff, and two members (officers) of the chapter who are appointed by the Executive Board. Members of the committee shall abstain from voting on scholarship matters if they are applying for a particular scholarship application being reviewed.

Article XI—Dues

Section 1

New members pay International, Regional, and Chapter dues before their induction.

Section 2

All new/Provisional members shall make dues payable to Phi Theta Kappa through the Phi Theta Kappa office or Student Activities.

Article XII—Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1

Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be distributed to the membership.

Section 2
The constitution shall be reviewed annually by a majority of the Executive Board each and every fall semester. Reviews shall be completed by midterm.

Section 3

Passage of the amendments requires a 2/3 majority if any changes are made and a simple majority for no changes.