Alpha Theta Xi Chapter By-Laws

I. ELIGIBILITY

A. Member

At least 12 college level credit hours must be successfully completed by a degree seeking student in courses at Pellissippi State Technical Community College, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above for a student to be eligible for membership in the Alpha Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Grades earned at other institutions will not be considered when calculating membership eligibility.

B. Transfer Member

A member from another chapter of Phi Theta Kappa may transfer membership to Alpha Theta Xi Chapter if he or she is currently enrolled at Pellissippi and meets the maintenance GPA requirement of the chapter (3.25).
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II. GOOD STANDING

A. Grade Point Average

To remain a member in good standing, a member of the Alpha Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. It is a member’s responsibility to notify the advisor when he or she is no longer in good academic standing (below 3.25), but a one-semester probation is allowed in which to bring his/her cumulative GPA back up to the 3.25 minimum.

B. Membership Fee

The membership fee is a one-time charge. A transfer member will be expected to pay the local chapter fee when joining Alpha Theta Xi.
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III. INDUCTION

Induction will be held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Invitations for membership in Phi Theta Kappa will be issued to each inductee by the President of Pellissippi State.
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IV. CHAPTER OFFICERS

All officers of Alpha Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be elected annually by the membership. Nominations for office will be conducted during the spring orientation(s). The official vote will be held prior to the spring induction ceremony. All members wishing to vote must be present.

A. Executive Board

The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice-President of Hallmarks, Vice-president of Blount County, Vice-president of Division Street, Vice-president of Membership, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Executive Board shall attend and support a majority of Chapter activities.

1. President:

Shall serve as presiding officer; conduct proceedings of meetings in accordance with parliamentary procedure; attend President's Cabinet at the College meetings; appoint committees when necessary; serve as ex-officio member of all committees; vote in case of a tie; represent the Chapter as necessary; meet regularly with the Chapter advisor; design a five-star plan for Chapter development. Head the team that will maintain the chapter’s web site.

2. Vice-President of Hallmarks:

Shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President; serve as chairperson of the Hallmark Committee and other committees as deemed necessary by the President; assist the President when called upon; coordinate the implementation of the Honors Study Topic in the development of Chapter projects; organize and promote activities recognizing academics and scholarship; assist in the organization of all awards relating to scholarship; and complete required activity reports.

3. Vice-President of Blount County:

Shall organize and preside over meetings at the Blount County campus; communicate information between the Executive Board, Executive Committee, and Blount County. Will head the manning of events such as Club Access, Fall Fest, and Spring Fling on the Blount County Campus.

4. Vice-President of Division Street:

Shall organize and preside over meetings at the Division Street campus; communicate information between the Executive Board, Executive Committee, and Division Street. Will head the manning of events such as Club Access, Fall Fest, and Spring Fling on the Division Street Campus. Will help the Division Street Advisor with the weekly pizza sale.

5. Vice-President of Magnolia:

Shall organize and preside over meetings at the Magnolia Center campus; communicate information between the Executive Board, Executive Committee, and Magnolia Center. Will head the manning of events such as Club Access, Fall Fest, and Spring Fling on the Magnolia Center Campus.

6. Vice-President of Membership:

Shall organize and coordinate orientation and induction with the President and Advisors. Will organize a Founder's Day promotion of the chapter during the week of November 19th; will maintain service records for the membership.

7. Secretary:

Shall record and report minutes of the Chapter, Executive Board and Executive Committee meetings; handle correspondence for the Chapter. Help with the maintenance of the chapter’s web site in the capacity of supplying a brief newsletter of current events.

8. Treasurer:

Shall act as banker for the Chapter by collecting and dispersing funds in cooperation with the College business office; keep records of funds received as membership fees, fund-raising projects, etc.

B. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall include the Executive Board, Fund-Raising Coordinator, Historian, Public Relations Coordinator, and the Hallmark Committee. The Executive Committee shall attend and support a majority of Chapter activities.

1. Public Relations Coordinator:

Shall report Chapter activities to the student newspaper, local newspaper, Regional Newsletter Coordinator, and international headquarters; be responsible for on-campus publicity; report to the President .

2. Historian:

Shall take pictures of all events, programs and activities of the Chapter; compile and record Chapter documents and memorabilia; prepare a yearbook for the Chapter; report to the President

C. Hallmark Committee

The Vice-President of Hallmarks and the Vice-presidents of Leadership, Scholarship and Service shall constitute a standing committee for the purpose of meeting their hallmarks. All members of the Hallmark Committee shall report to the Vice-President of Hallmarks.

1. Vice-President of Leadership:

Shall provide programs and/or activities promoting leadership skills for members, officers, fellow students, and the community; assist in the organization of all awards relating to leadership; participate in the Phi Theta Kappa leadership program; attend all Student Government Association (COSA) meetings and act as liaison for communication between the COSA and the Chapter; design and implement leadership programs for the chapter, chair the committee responsible for the College Project; complete required activity reports.

2. Vice-President of Service:

Shall promote the Annual Service Project and provide services to the College and community through projects that focus on activities, impressing upon others the value of providing service; assist in the organization of all awards relating to service; complete required activity reports.

3. Vice-President of Scholarship:

Will coordinate and head the committee to implement the Honors Study Topic; promote scholarship on campus and in the community by developing programs for the chapter; complete the required activity reports.
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V. ADVISORS

The Chief Advisor shall be appointed by Pellissippi State administration and act as a consultant to the Chapter so as to ensure that the College standards, rules, and regulations are not violated in Chapter meetings and activities; provide training for new officers; participate in the selection and preparation of awards for Chapter competition on both regional and international levels; attend most Chapter meetings and activities; advise officers in completion of necessary forms and Chapter paperwork; and act as Chief budgetary official.
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VI. VACANCIES AND RESIGNATIONS

A. Officer Vacancy

Any officer position vacated before the next scheduled election, excluding the presidency, shall be filled as follows; the President shall take nominations from the Chapter and the Executive Committee will elect a replacement to complete the term. A member must be in good standing to be elected. The election of a replacement officer can be conducted via email or phone.

B. President Resignation

In the event of the resignation of the President in the absence of a Vice-President of Hallmarks, the new Presidential position will be filled ad hoc by a vote of two-thirds of the officers currently filled by the Executive Committee.

C. Office Neglect
Should it be determined by a majority of the executive officers that an office is suffering from extreme neglect, the Executive Committee may set impeachment procedures into motion. A letter shall be sent to the officer in question and a meeting shall be set at a time of mutual convenience for both the officer and a majority of the Board within five school days of the official receipt of the letter. The officer in question shall have full opportunity to state his/her defense against any accusations and a secret ballot shall then be held by the Board to determine final impeachment. A majority vote of the active officers is necessary to remove the officer.
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VII. MEETINGS

A. General
Chapter meetings shall be held twice a month on the Parkway campus and once a month on the satellite campuses. Meetings can be called at other times by the President, Vice-President of Hallmarks or Vice-president of a satellite campus.

B. Executive Board
The Executive Board shall meet once a month or as needed when called by the President or Vice-President of Hallmarks.

C. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall meet once a month or as needed when called by the President or Vice-President of Hallmarks.

D. Hallmark Committe
The Hallmark Committee shall meet once a month or as needed when called by the President or Vice-President of Hallmarks.
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VIII. MONIES

A. Money
All money except petty cash must be kept in the Treasury as set up by the College.

1. Deposites
All funds belonging to and collected for Phi Theta Kappa must be deposited into the Phi Theta Kappa account within five (5) working days and receipts given to the Treasurer.

2. Withdrawals
All withdrawals from Phi Theta Kappa's deposited funds must bear the signatures of the person making the withdrawal, either the Treasurer or the President, and the Chapter Advisor. If the purchaser is one of the above named officers or Advisor then the request for withdrawal must be signed by the other persons and receipts returned within ten (10) working days. The Advisor, during emergencies, has the authority to be the sole signer on any withdrawals.

3. Petty Cash
Petty cash can be kept in the Advisor’s office, but not to exceed $30.00. Any time funds are withdrawn from petty cash, the person making the withdrawal must leave an I.O.U. for the amount taken and a receipt must be turned in along with any change. After a receipt is turned in, the I.O.U. shall be removed.
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IX. BY-LAWS REVIEW

By-Laws shall be reviewed and updated as necessary, but at least every two years.
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X. AMENDMENT PROCESS

A. Initiating an Amendment

Any member in good standing may initiate an amendment proposal by presenting the amendment, in writing, to the Executive Committee.

B. Presenting an Amendment

Written copies of a proposed amendment must be sent to each Executive Committee member at least ten (10) days prior to voting.

2.
Amendments may be voted on if they were presented at a previous Executive Committee meeting.

C. Amending the By-Laws
Amending the By-Laws shall require a vote of two thirds of the offices currently filled by Executive Committee. Voting may be done by e-mail or in person.
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XI. EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

These By-Laws are considered to be a guide by which to conduct Chapter affairs. In the event that a situation arises that must be addressed and is not covered within the By-Laws, then a vote of two thirds of the offices currently filled by the Executive Committee will carry whatever action deemed appropriate. The By-Laws do not need to be revised to account for this special situation unless such a revision is called for by the Chapter.
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XII. ALUMNI

No alumni member shall hold office or vote as per national By-Laws.
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