Chapter Bylaws

The name of this chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall be Theta Omega.

The purpose of Theta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Wilbur Wright College shall be the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students of this college.

Section 1

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Types of membership in Theta Omega Chapter shall consist of provisional member, candidate for induction, standard member, enhanced member, alumni member, and honorary member as defined in Article IV, Section 1, of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws. *



1. PROVISIONAL MEMBER : A provisional member of Phi Theta Kappa shall be a student who, in the opinion of the Theta Omega Chapter, has shown an active interest in the affairs of the Society and who serves the Society in some special capacity, but who does not meet the full requirements for standard membership in the Society and has not yet been inducted. A provisional member shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or to represent the chapter at meetings of the Society. A student must have earned a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 on all course work completed in high school (if no college semester credit hours have been earned) or a minimum GPA of 3.2 at Wright College on all semester hours of associate degree course work. A student must be currently enrolled in associate degree course work at Wright College, adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of citizenship. Provisional members are not required to pay the international, regional, local chapter, and induction fees until they have qualified for full membership.


2. CANDIDATE FOR INDUCTION : In addition to meeting membership eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV and Chapter 1 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws, * each candidate for induction must have completed 12 semester hours of associate degree course work, with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of citizenship. Grades for courses completed at other institutions will not be considered when determining membership eligibility. A candidate for induction has met all requirements of membership and has not yet been inducted.


3. STANDARD MEMBERS : A standard member has been inducted into Phi Theta Kappa but has not yet met the requirements of an enhanced member. A cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.2 must be maintained to remain in good standing. Failure to maintain the required cumulative Grade Point Average and/or failure to meet good standing requirements as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws * will cause membership and all membership privileges to be revoked. (Above requirements apply to both part-time and full-time students.)


4. ENHANCED MEMBERS : An enhanced member of the chapter is an active member. Being an active member is strongly encouraged but not required. A member can become an enhanced member by meeting the requirements stated in Chapter VII Section 1 during the course of an entire year from the date of one Phi Theta Kappa International Convention to the next.


5. ALUMNI MEMBER : An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1C of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws. *


6. HONORARY MEMBER : An individual must meet eligibility requirements as stated in Article IV, Section 1D of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws. *


7. TRANSFER MEMBER : A member from another Phi Theta Kappa chapter may transfer membership to Theta Omega Chapter if he or she is currently enrolled at Wilbur Wright College and meets the 3.2 GPA requirement of the chapter.

In addition to carrying out the duties as stated in the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws, * Chapter IV, Section 5, the chapter advisor shall be responsible for overseeing the completion and submission of Membership Report Forms, Student Profile Forms and fees to Headquarters. The advisor shall be a non-voting member of the chapter.

Section 1 .

All officers must be members in good standing of Theta Omega Chapter have a Grade Point Average of at least 3.2 and must be carrying a course load of at least 1 semester hour.

Section 2 .

The Theta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa shall have the following officers: President, Vice President, Accounts Executive, Public Relations Officer, Recording Secretary, Historian, Journalist, and America Reads Officer.

Section 3 .

The duties of the President shall be as follows:


1. Prepare agenda and preside over all business meetings.
2. Appoint and establish necessary committees; act as a consultant to all committees.
3. Develop the five-star program and monitor its progress.
4. Develop goals for the chapter with the help of the advisors and other officers.
5. Present business to the organization.
6. Represent the organization at all times, and specifically during functions.
7. Conduct all induction ceremonies.
8. Set a deadline for each mailing and contribute to monthly mailings materials related to any of the four hallmarks. Must deliver all materials to the P. R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
9. Meet with advisors and officers weekly to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
10. Fulfill office hours and monitor officers' office hours.
11. Oversee Hallmark Awards Program preparation and ensure that all necessary materials are submitted for entry, in conjunction with an advisor.

Section 4 .

The duties of the Vice-president shall be as follows:


1. Perform all duties of the president in the event of the president's absence.
2. Attend all business meetings and present business related to the Scholarship Hallmark.
3. Chair Scholarship Hallmark /Honors Study Topic programs.
4. Must implement a “comprehensive honors program” as indicated in the Five-Star Chapter Development Program Guide before the Hallmarks deadline. During the officer's term, at least one Honors Study Topic forum must be presented before the Hallmarks deadline.
5. Assist the president with all induction ceremonies.
6. Must contribute to monthly mailings materials related to the Scholarship Hallmark, addressing the Honors Study Topic, and encouraging participation in all scholarship projects. Must deliver all materials to the P. R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
7. Plan and coordinate the annual election and at least one used book sale.
8. Meet with the scholarship advisor, officers, and scholarship team leader at least once every other week to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
9. Fulfill office hours.
10. Submit the chronological list, essay, and supporting materials for the Scholarship Hallmark.

Section 5 .

The duties of the Accounts Executive shall be as follows:


1. Responsible for all chapter money matters in cooperation with at least one advisor.
2. Record and keep an updated record of all financial transactions; prepare and present monthly financial reports at all Executive Board meetings.
3. Attend all business meetings and present business related to the Service Hallmark and chapter funds.
4. Chair Service Hallmark/International Service Project programs.
5. Must implement a “comprehensive service program” as indicated in the Five-Star Chapter Development Program Guide before the Hallmarks deadline.
6. Prepare and send members Membership Enhancement Points Reports twice per semester in the mailing in cooperation with the P. R. Officer.
7. Participate in all induction ceremonies.
8. Must contribute to monthly mailings materials related to the Service Hallmark, addressing the International Service Project, and encouraging participation in all service projects. Must deliver all materials to the P. R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
9. Maintain membership attendance records of all events.
10. Meet with the service advisor, officers, and service team leader at least once every other week to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
11. Fulfill office hours.
12. Submit the chronological list, essay, and supporting materials for the Service Hallmark.

Section 6 .

The duties of the Public Relations Officer shall be as follows:


1. Maintain an updated mailing list; set a monthly deadline for all mailing
2. materials to be submitted; gather all materials from officers and advisors to ake the necessary copies to mail out to members by the deadline set by the president.
3. Attend all business meetings and present business related to the Fellowship Hallmark.
4. Chair Fellowship Hallmark programs.
5. Must organize at least two major fellowship activities before the Hallmark deadline.
6. Coordinate the Founder's Day event.
7. Participate in all induction ceremonies, and in cooperation with the Recording Secretary, assist in materials for all induction ceremonies such as writing and sending out invitations to inductees and guests.
8. Must contribute to monthly mailings materials related to the Fellowship Hallmark, attending, coordinating and encouraging participation in all fellowship events, and encouraging membership participation in at least two sister chapters' fellowship activities.
9. Meet with the membership advisor, officers, and Fellowship team leader at least once every other week to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
10. Fulfill office hours.
11. Submit the chronological list, essay, and supporting materials for the Fellowship Hallmark.

Section 7 .

The duties of the Historian shall be as follows:


1. Document all events in visual and written form by taking photographs of every event.
2. Prepare a chapter yearbook before the Hallmarks deadline and complete the annual chapter yearbook for the International Convention. Also, design and maintain a chapter scrapbook during the year.
3. Maintain bulletin boards, trophy areas, and new designs for the kiosk. Post all meeting notices. Maintain correspondence with other schools.
4. Attend all business meetings and present business related to the Leadership Hallmark/Eichling yearbook.
5. Chair Leadership Hallmark/regional campaign programs.
6. Must organize at least two major leadership projects before the Hallmark deadline.
7. Prepare and submit monthly Chapter Update Form.
8. Participate in all induction ceremonies.
9. Must contribute to monthly mailings materials related to the Leadership Hallmark, addressing the campaign for regional office, and encouraging participation in all leadership projects and yearbook committee. Must deliver all materials to the P. R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
10. Meet with at least one advisor, officers, and leadership team leader at least once every other week to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
11. Fulfill office hours.
12. Submit the chronological list, essay, and supporting materials, for the Leadership Hallmark.

Section 8 .

The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be as follows:


1. Record and maintain an updated record of all business meeting minutes.
2. Prepare and at every Executive Board Meetings present minutes to be corrected for permanent filing.
3. Must attend all business meetings and present business related to the Membership Drive.
4. Chair the Membership Drive.
5. Coordinate at least two orientations, fifteen class presentations, phone trees, and information table to recruit potential members and increase membership.
6. Participate in all induction ceremonies and, in cooperation with the P.R. Officer, assist in materials for all induction ceremonies such as creating induction programs.
7. Must contribute to monthly mailings materials that are related to the membership drive, addressing the Journey Challenge, encouraging participation in all membership drive activities. Must deliver all materials to the P. R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
8. Meet with membership advisor, officers, and membership team leader at least once every other week to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
9. Fulfill office hours.

Section 9 .

The duties of the Journalist shall be as follows:


1. Coordinate and create monthly and/or annual chapter newsletters documenting past, present, and future chapter, regional, and international events and news.
2. Maintain an updated record of publicity information.
3. Prepare and submit information on all chapter, regional, and international events for the school/community newspaper.
4. Maintain correspondence with Diversity and community newspapers to publish as many articles as possible to be used for the Hallmarks Awards Program.
5. Attend all business meetings and present business related to the chapter newsletter and publicity.
6. Assist all officers in designing flyers, posters, and invitations for events.
7. Participate in all induction ceremonies.
8. Must contribute to monthly mailings by submitting the monthly newsletter and encouraging participation in the newsletter and publicity committees. Must deliver all materials to the P. R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
9. Meet with at least one advisor, officers, and publicity team leader at least once every other week to accomplish objectives and goals.
10. Fulfill office hours.

Section 10 .

The duties of the America Reads Officer shall be as follows:


1. Must implement a “comprehensive America Reads program” consisting of at least four activities that promote literacy in the chapter, on campus, and in the community.
2. Develop America Reads goals for the chapter with the help of the advisors and other officers.
3. Chair America Reads programs.
4. Represent the organization at all America Reads activities.
5. Attend all business meetings and present business related to the America Reads program.
6. Participate in all induction ceremonies.
7. Must contribute to monthly mailings materials related to the America Reads project addressing literacy and encouraging participation in all America Reads projects. Must deliver all materials to the P.R. Officer before the mailing deadline.
8. Plan and coordinate the Theta Omega Tutoring Program at Harriet Beecher Stowe and Canty Elementary Schools.
9. Meet with the America Reads advisor, officers, and America Reads team leader at least once every other week to accomplish chapter objectives and goals.
10. Fulfill office hours.

The Alumni Advisor shall be the former chapter President. If the previous chapter President is not interested or unable to serve as an Alumni Advisor, then the current officers shall elect an alumni advisor. The Alumni Advisor may receive chapter travel funds to attend regional and international conventions of Phi Theta Kappa.

Section 1 .

ENHANCED MEMBERS: Enhanced members of the chapter are active members. Being an active member is strongly encouraged but not required. A member can become an enhanced member by meeting the requirements during the course of an entire year from the date of one Phi Theta Kappa International Convention to the next.

1. Each star level is completely independent of the other levels.
2. Any recipient of Enhanced Membership will receive the highest recognition at the highest level attained by the deadline.
3. Must stay at each meeting for at least an hour to receive credit.
4. Must stay at each function for at least an hour to receive credit.
5. A maximum of 50 independent Membership Enhancement Points may be accepted. A signed letterhead memo describing volunteer service and the number of hours served must be attached to the Membership Enhancement Form with the name and phone number of the supervisor for verification by stated deadline.
6. 2 MEPs (Membership Enhancement Points) will be given for each General Membership Meeting attended. (Must stay at each meeting for at least an hour to receive 2 points.)
7. 2 MEPs will be given for each Phi Theta Kappa related function attended. (A service activity and meeting will not meet the requirement of a function. Must stay at each function for at least an hour to receive 2 points.)
8. 2 MEPs will be given for each hour that a member volunteered for a service activity.
9. MEPs will not be given for international nor regional meetings.
10. Members must be registered for at least one credit hour at Wright during the semester of the regional or international convention and must meet all requirements to be enhanced members by the stated deadline in order to be eligible to attend a regional or international convention.
11. Members must fill out a Membership Enhancement Form with the appropriate supervisors' signatures and return it to the Accounts Executive by the stated deadline.
    
    

Section 1 .

Phi Theta Kappa's Provisional Membership Program recognizes high-achieving students early in their two-year college career while they still have time to take advantage of the full benefits of membership as active members. This Provisional Membership Program introduces students to Phi Theta Kappa and its programs while they are waiting to meet full eligibility requirements.


1. Requirements:
   1. First semester students at Wright College must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 on all course work completed in high school.
   2. Second semester and beyond students at Wright College must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.2 on all associate degree course work earned at Wright College.
   3. A student must be currently enrolled in associate degree course work at the Wright College, adhere to the school conduct code and possess recognized qualities of citizenship.
2. NOTES:

   1. Provisional members have the opportunity to earn Membership Enhancement Points from active participation in chapter meetings, functions, and service activities. However, to receive the benefits of Phi Theta Kappa and Theta Omega's Enhanced Membership Program, provisional members must meet all requirements of membership (cumulative 3.5 GPA, 12 transferable credit hours, and inducted into Phi Theta Kappa).
   2. Provisional members shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or to represent the chapter at meetings of the Society.
   3. Provisional members may not wear the Golden Key lapel pin; however, they may wear a chapter pin denoting the Greek letters of Phi Theta Kappa.

   
   

Section 1 .

In addition to meeting requirements as stated in Chapter IV, Section 3 of the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution and Bylaws, * all candidates for office must be members in good standing of Theta Omega Chapter or must be candidates for induction.

Section 2 .

Elections must be held during the spring induction rehearsal meeting.

Section 3 .

Officers shall hold office from the time of their inauguration to the time of the next inauguration.

Section 4 .

Nominations from the floor can be made at the same meeting as the election.

Section 5 .

Plurality of the votes cast will determine the new officer.

Before the chapter submits the letter of intent to run for international or regional office, the Executive Board must decide what office to campaign for, discuss the duties and responsibilities related to the office, and the majority vote will decide what office the chapter will campaign. The Executive Board will elect by a majority vote a qualified officer to represent the chapter during international and regional campaign, meetings, and activities.

Section 1 .

All Executive Board meetings will follow the general agenda:

Order of Business
1. Call to order
2. Approval of minutes
3. Officers' report
4. Advisors' report
5. Unfinished business
6. New business
7. Adjournment

Section 2 .

A quorum of one officer over 50% of the Executive Board, excluding officers excused for other school functions, must be present before any official meeting can be called to order.

Section 3 .

The procedural rules governing the meetings of the chapter shall be Robert's Rules of Order, except as specified and set forth herein.

1. VOTING: The persons allowed to vote at the meetings of the Society shall be as follows:
   
   1. International Convention. Each active chapter shall be entitled to one vote at the International Convention. This vote shall be cast by the official chapter delegate, who is present and recognized at the International Convention. The executive board will elect the voting delegate by a majority vote. If the chapter delegate is unable to attend, the officers present at the event shall elect a new voting delegate from among them.
      
   2. Regional Meetings. Each active chapter shall be entitled to one vote at the regional meetings. This vote shall be cast by the official chapter delegate, the chapter President, who is present and recognized at the regional meeting. If the chapter President is unable to attend, the officers present at the event shall elect a new voting delegate from among them.
      
   3. Special Meetings. Each active chapter shall be entitled to one vote at any special meeting of the Society, to be cast by the official chapter delegate (chapter President) who is present and recognized at that meeting. If the chapter President is unable to attend, the officers present at the event shall elect a new voting delegate from among them.
      
   4. Chapter Meetings. Each officer shall be entitled to one vote; however, an officer must be present at the meeting to have their vote counted. The chapter President may vote only in case of a tie.

Section 4 .

Special committee meetings shall be called by the chairman of said committee. Procedures at such meetings are left to the discretion of the chairman. Reports of each meeting shall be given to the members at the following chapter meeting.

Section 1 .

Finances for this chapter will be raised by projects voted on by a majority vote of the Executive Board.





Section 2 .

All monetary sponsorships must be discussed and voted on by a majority vote of the Executive Board.





Section 3 .

Payment of the International Membership fee must be deposited into the chapter account in the college's Business Service Department. Receipt must be received by the chapter advisor and Accounts Executive.





Section 4 .

All members must pay the local fee prior to induction.





Section 5 .

All members must pay the regional fee prior to induction.





Section 6 .

Disbursement vouchers must be submitted with supporting invoices and/or statements attached to the original invoice.





Section 7 .

Financial records of the chapter shall be annually audited by at least one advisor. The auditor(s) should report the results to the Executive Board no later than the October Executive Board Meeting.

Section 1 .

HONORARY MEMBERS: An honorary member shall be a person who, in the opinion of the local chapter, has rendered distinguished service. Honorary membership shall be conferred at the discretion of the Executive Board of the Theta Omega Chapter. The Executive Board nominates the potential honorary members, opens the floor for discussion, and makes the final decision by a majority vote. Note: Only a maximum of one honorary member per semester.





Section 2 .

All awards given by Theta Omega Chapter must be discussed and approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board officers.

Nominees for this scholarship must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 grading scale) and should expect to graduate with an associate's degree between stated deadline. Nominees are judged on academic skills, leadership, and community involvement. The top four officers with the highest grade point average (must include grades from other institutions attended within the past four years) will submit supporting materials (chapter, school, and community involvement) to the advisors (all advisors must vote) who will nominate the top two officers for the All-USA and All-Illinois Academic Team.

Section 1 .

RESIGNATION: If an officer or officer-elect decides to resign from office, he/she must submit a letter of resignation to all officers and advisors of the Executive Board.

Section 2 .

REMOVAL: An officer or officer-elect failing to maintain active membership in the Chapter shall forfeit the office, and a three-fourths vote from the Executive Board shall be necessary to remove any officer.

1. Any Theta Omega officer may open the floor for discussion to remove an officer at a special meeting if an officer:
   1. Misses more than one meeting per semester and/or fails to meet any of the officer's duties listed in Chapter V, Section 3 –9.
   2. An officer-elect may be removed from office if he or she fails to attend the annual Theta Omega Leadership Seminar.
      



Section 3 .

REPLACEMENT: If an office becomes vacant, the remaining officers elect a new officer from among them. In a case when an office becomes vacant and none of the remaining officers is interested in the office, an election shall be held to elect a new officer. Nominations shall be made from the floor and will be made at the first meeting following the resignation of the officer. The election will be held at the first meeting following nominations. A plurality of the votes cast will determine the new officer. The president shall have the power to make a temporary appointment until an election can be held. In case of an emergency, the Executive Board may appoint a regular or enhanced Phi Theta Kappa member to the office. A plurality of the Executive Board votes will determine the new officer.

The chapter bylaws may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment has been presented at a previous meeting. Any changes to the bylaws must be sent to Headquarters for final approval.

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