:: Constitution ::

Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education
Bylaws for Zeta Mu Chapter

ARTICLE I – THE CHAPTER

SECTION 1.
Name. The designation for the Texas A&M University - Commerce Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is Zeta Mu Chapter.

SECTION 2.
Purpose. The purpose of Zeta Mu Chapter shall be to promote excellence in and recognize outstanding contributions to education.

SECTION 3.
Chapter Year. The Chapter year shall begin on July 1 and end on
June 30.

SECTION 4.
Authority. In all matters of organization and procedure the
Constitution, Bylaws, and Rituals of the International Society of Kappa Delta Pi shall have precedence and should be consulted.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.

The Executive Committee shall determine the most appropriate
manner by which to offer and receive applications for Chapter
membership. The following minimum requirements shall apply.

• 1.1 Chapter Membership
  Membership in Zeta Mu Chapter is open to undergraduate
  students, graduate students, faculty members, and other professional educators.

• 1.11 Undergraduate. When seeking membership as an undergraduate
  student, a candidate must:
  1.111 have no less than final-term sophomore standing (the
  equivalent of at least 50 semester hours or 75 quarter
  hours earned by the end of the term prior to the time of initiation).
  1.112 have at least 12 hours (or the equivalent) of
  professional education courses completed, in progress,
  or programmed, except in fifth-year credential programs.
  1.113 have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for all coursework completed.
  1.114 exemplify worthy educational ideals.
  1.115 express an intention of continuing in the field of education.
  1.116 give evidence of leadership abilities.

• 1.12 Graduate. When seeking membership as a graduate student, a
  candidate must:
  1.121 have full graduate standing at Texas A&M University - Commerce.
  1.122 have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 for all graduate
  coursework completed.
  1.123 exemplify worthy educational ideals.
  1.124 express an intention of continuing in the field of
  education.
  1.125 give evidence of leadership abilities.
  1.126 have completed six (6) or more semester hours of graduate work at Texas A&M University – Commerce.
  1.127 have at least 12 hours (or the equivalent) of professional
  education courses completed, in progress, or
  programmed except in fifth-year credential programs.

• 1.13 Faculty. When seeking membership as a faculty member, a candidate must:
  1.131 be a faculty member of Texas A&M University – Commerce.
  1.132 give evidence of support for the Chapter and its programs.
  1.133 the number of faculty initiated at any one initiation ceremony shall not exceed the number of other initiates.

• 1.14 Professional Educators. Persons employed as teachers or administrators in local schools may be invited to membership upon the recommendation of the Membership Committee and the approval of the
  Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III – FINANCES

The Chapter Treasurer, with the assistance of the Counselor, shall keep accurate records of the assets and the liabilities of the Chapter, and shall receive and expend Chapter monies as the Executive Committee directs.

SECTION 1.
Initiation Fee. The Chapter shall remit to the Society Headquarters of Kappa Delta Pi required information for each initiate, along with the required fees within two weeks of initiation.

SECTION 2.
Local Dues. Annual dues for Zeta Mu Chapter shall be determined by a majority vote of active members present at a regular Chapter meeting and submitted to Headquarters on the Annual Report.

ARTICLE IV – INITIATION

All candidates for membership in Zeta Mu Chapter shall be initiated according to the prescribed Society ritual. Members initiated previously by another chapter of the Society may be formally received into Zeta Mu according to the official Society reaffirmation ritual.

ARTICLE V – CHAPTER OFFICERS

Officers of this Chapter shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chair, Historian, and Foundation Representative. Additional officers may be elected at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 1.
Qualifications: Officers must be active members of the Chapter at Texas A&M University – Commerce and the Society.

SECTION 2.
Election. Officers for the Society year shall be elected, installed, and reported no later than July 1 of each Society year.

• 2.1 Names of the candidates for office must be submitted to the Executive Committee no later than two weeks prior to the election.
• 2.2 A majority vote of active members present shall be required for election.
• 2.3 Vacancies. Should a chapter office become vacant because of resignation, neglect of duty, or other causes, the Executive Committee may appoint a chapter member to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI – CHAPTER COUNSELOR(S)

Each Chapter must have a minimum of one Counselor.

SECTION 1.
Qualifications. The Chapter Counselor must be a member of the
university faculty, if an institutional chapter, and an active member of the chapter.

SECTION 2.
Selection of Counselor and Associate Counselor(s). Unless
institutional rules or policy direct otherwise, the Counselor and Associate Counselor shall be elected in the same manner as the Chapter officers, except that these persons shall serve two-year terms. The Counselor’s term shall coincide with the Society’s biennium, while the Associate Counselor shall be elected during the odd-numbered years to facilitate Chapter continuity. There is no limit to the number of terms a counselor may serve.
2.31 The Executive Committee of the Chapter shall determine
whether or not there shall be an Associate Counselor.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

At least two (2) chapter meetings, one of which shall include an initiation ceremony, shall be held during each Society year.

SECTION 1.
Quorum. A quorum shall be declared when at least three (3) members of the Executive Committee and five (5) other active Chapter members are present.

SECTION 2.
Notice of Meetings. The Chapter Secretary shall provide written notice of each meeting of the Chapter by posting information at an approved location, or through a mailing to active members.

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

SECTION 1.
Executive Committee. The officers of the Chapter, the Chapter
Counselor, and the Chapter Associate Counselor(s) shall constitute the Executive Committee. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to direct the activities of the Chapter and to act in cases of emergency between regular Chapter meetings. The Executive Committee may call meetings of the Chapter, other than the regular meetings, for the purpose of discussing or acting upon Chapter business. The Executive Committee shall conduct initiations, or appoint a delegate with said authority.

SECTION 2.
The following committees shall be appointed annually:

• 2.1 Membership Committee. The Membership Chair shall chair the Membership Committee. This committee shall have the responsibility of collecting the names of persons eligible for membership. It shall validate and rule on all qualifications for membership for each such person. The Membership Committee shall then present this information to the Executive Committee. The Chapter Counselor shall serve as a regular, voting member of this committee.
• 2.2 Program Committee. The Vice President shall direct the Program Committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare programs for each meeting of the Chapter, and such meetings and Chapter-sponsored events as the Executive Committee may designate.
• 2.3 Other Committees. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to appoint other committees (e.g., Publicity, Bylaws, Nominations, Hospitality, Initiation, Scholarship) as the need for these may arise.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws of Zeta Mu Chapter may be amended at any regular meeting of the Chapter by a 2/3 vote of active members present, provided that a copy of the proposed amendment(s) has been sent to all active Chapter members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.