PREAMBLE

The following bylaws are consistent with the bylaws of the Society. In all matters not specifically covered in these chapter bylaws, the Society bylaws shall serve as the final authority for Youngstown State University Chapter 143. The members of Chapter 143 do hereby adopt the following bylaws for our governance.

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ARTICLE I— Name and Objectives

A. Name

The name of this chapter shall be the Youngstown State University Chapter 143 of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

B.  Purposes

The primary purposes of this organization are to promote the pursuit of excellence in all fields of higher education; to recognize outstanding achievement by students, faculty, and others through election to membership and through various awards for distinguished achievement; and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.

C.  Governing Regulations

Chapter 143 shall be governed in accordance with the Bylaws of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Inc., as adopted by the Biennial Convention on August 7, 2012, and by the provisions of these chapter bylaws with amendments, if any, that may be made from time to time.

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A.   Membership in Chapter 143 is open to qualified scholars with integrity and high ethical standards, from all academic disciplines without regard to a person’s race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or sexual orientation.

B.  Persons initiated into membership remain members of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi even if they do not maintain active membership either in this chapter or in the Society.

C.  The following membership categories are authorized:

      1.   Active Members

            a.   Active members of the Society are those who have paid Society dues for the current year; those who pay both Society dues and chapter dues are also active members of the Society and the chapter.  Members who fail to pay Society dues for the current year are inactive members who do not enjoy the privileges of voting, serving on committees, or serving as chapter or Society officers.

      2.   Active Members: Life

            a.   Active-for-Life. They have been invited and initiated, and have paid the Active-for-Life membership fee or have been accorded this status by action of the Board. To maintain active status in this chapter, they must pay chapter dues; otherwise they will be classified as inactive. Active-for-life memberships are $300.00, or $225.00 for members age 62 years and older. Chapter 143 has an active-for-life chapter membership available for a one-time fee of $150.00.

            b.   Distinguished. They are members of Phi Kappa Phi who have served the Society in an outstanding manner. Distinguished members have been nominated and have had this membership category funded by Chapter 143, and have had this status approved by a Board subcommittee appointed by the Society President. These individuals receive an Active-for-Life membership in the Society as well as in this chapter.

            c.   Honorary. Nonmembers (not an alumnus, alumna, employee, or student of YSU) who have achieved eminence in some academic, creative, intellectual, or other career endeavor. Honorary members must have been nominated and have had this membership category funded by Chapter 143 and have had this status approved by a Board subcommittee appointed by the Society President. These individuals receive five years’ paid membership dues in the Society as well as the chapter. A chapter may choose to honor a member by purchasing an Active-for-Life membership in the Society as well as the chapter.

      3.  Inactive Members

            a.   They have not paid Society dues for the current year.

            b.   Such members shall be returned to active status when Society dues are paid for the current year. 

D.  Eligibility for membership in this chapter of the Society shall be confined to the following groups. Eligibility of students is determined separately for each college at Youngstown State University.

      1.   Undergraduate students who have completed at least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, in Youngstown State University and

            a.   who, in their junior year after completing at least 63 semester hours or the equivalent, rank academically in the upper 7.5 percent of the junior class at the time of invitation, or

            b.   who, in their senior year, after completing at least 94 semester hours, rank academically in the upper 10 percent of the senior class at the time of invitation.

      2.   Graduate students at Youngstown State University, who have made an outstanding record in graduate study as evidenced by ranking academically in the upper 10 percent of all graduate students in this institution, have an outstanding record as evaluated by the Chapter 143 Membership Committee, and meet one of the following requirements:

            a.   Graduate students must have completed at least 15 semester hours at Youngstown State University.

            b.   Are former graduate students who have been awarded an advanced degree by YSU subsequent to the last previous invitation to members in the chapter.

      3.   Alumni who are graduates who received a degree from Youngstown State University at least five years prior to nomination. These should be persons whose achievements since graduation have been outstanding and whose academtic records while in college were high, with an increasing emphasis on the former as the period since graduation becomes longer.

            a.   The number of members initiated in any year by this chapter from the alumni of this  institution shall not exceed 2 percent of the number of undergraduates and graduate students invited by the chapter that year.

            b.   If Chapter 143 invites fewer than 200 students per year, it may initiate a maximum of 4 persons per year from the eligible alumni.

      4.   Members of this institution’s faculty, administration, and professional staff (e.g., research, library, and extension staffs) whose academic records and/or outstanding achievements have rendered them worthy of membership.

            a.   Members of the faculty, administration, and professional staff who do not hold a collegiate degree, but who have distinguished themselves professionally, may be initiated provided prior approval for their initiation is obtained from the Society Board of Directors.

            b.   If Chapter 143 invites fewer than 200 students per year, it may initiate a maximum of 6 persons per year from this institution’s faculty, administration, and professional staff.

            c.   The number of members initiated in any year by Chapter 143 from the faculty, administration, and professional staff of this institution shall not exceed 3 percent of the number of students invited by the chapter that year. 

E.   Invitation to Membership

      1.   All invitations to membership shall be approved either at a regularly called meeting of the chapter at which a quorum is present or by the chapter’s Executive Board. 

      2.   An affirmative vote of two-thirds shall be necessary for the approval of any person for membership.

      3.   Only active members who are faculty, administration, or staff members of Youngstown State University may vote in the election of faculty and staff members.

      4.   All persons who have been selected to membership in the Society shall be notified by the chapter Secretary and, upon acceptance, shall be publicly honored in an appropriate manner.

F.   Membership Privileges

1.   An active member who has paid current chapter and Society dues shall have access to all available benefits offered by the Society and is eligible to:

           a.   Vote in the chapter.

            b.   Hold office in the chapter.

            c.   Serve on chapter committees.

            d.   Serve as a chapter delegate to any Society convention or other meeting.

            e.   Serve on Society committees.

            f.   Hold Society office.

G.  Membership Responsibilities

      1.   Members should conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with integrity and high ethical standards.

      2.   If a member fails to conduct himself/herself in a manner consistent with integrity and high ethical standards, his/her membership may be revoked by the Chapter 143 Executive Board or by the Society’s Board of Directors in accordance with Society policy. 

      3.   If his or her membership is revoked, the former member has the right to appeal this decision to the Chapter 143 President.

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ARTICLE III—The Executive Board

A.   Officers. The elected officers of Chapter 143 shall be a President, a President Elect, a Vice President, two Student Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Public Relations Officer, and two members at large, all of whom shall be active members. With the exception of the Student Vice Presidents, they shall not be students. Additional offices to be held by faculty, administration, staff, students or alumni may be established as the chapter may prescribe. These officers, together with the immediate Past President, Web Manager, and Historian, shall constitute the Chapter 143 Executive Board.

B.   Election of Officers.

      1.   The President Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer, and two Members-At-Large shall be elected at a regularly called meeting of the chapter at which a quorum is present and  shall serve terms of two years. The President Elect shall serve for two years and then become President. The outgoing president shall serve as Past President for two years. The Student Vice Presidents may be elected at this meeting or at another scheduled meeting, shall serve a term of one year, and may be re-elected. 

      2.   Following the election, a new Chapter Officer List shall be sent promptly, and in no case later than June 15, to the Executive Director of the Society.

C.  Duties of Officers.

      1.   President

            The President shall:

            a.   Preside at all meetings of the chapter and Executive Board.

            b.   Endeavor to serve the chapter in a strictly impartial manner.        

            c.   Be familiar with PKP national and chapter bylaws.

            d.   Keep the membership informed of PKP official communications.

            e.   With the advice and consent of the Chapter 143 Executive Board, exercise the Chapter voting rights in election of the Regional Representative and other voting by chapters between conventions.

            f.   Perform other duties appropriate for the Office of President or as may be assigned by the Executive Board.

            g.   Appoint the chapter Web Manager.

            h.   Appoint the chapter Historian.

            i.   Appoint Ad Hoc and Standing Committees.

            j.    Review and report to the Executive Board the signature authorities for the chapter’s financial accounts.

            k.   Succeed automatically to the office of Past President as the conclusion of the term as President.

      2.   President-Elect

            The President-Elect shall:

            a.   Assist the President in all ways.

            b.   Assume the duties and powers of the President in his/her absence.

            c.   Serve as chair of the Membership Committee.

            d.   In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, succeed to the office of President for the unexpired term.

            e.   Succeed automatically to the office of President at the conclusion of the term as President-Elect.

            f.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            3.   Immediate Past President

                  The Immediate Past President shall:

                  a.   Chair the Nominating Committee.

                  b.   Advise the President on matters of chapter governance.

                  c.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            4.   Vice President

                  The Vice President shall:

                  a.   Assist the President and President-Elect in all ways.

                  b.   Assume the duties and powers of the presidency in the absence of the President and President-Elect.

                  c.   Serve as Chair of the Convocation Committee.

                  d.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            5.   Student Vice-Presidents

                  The Student Vice-Presidents shall:

                  a.   Assist as needed with administrative responsibilities of the Chapter 143 Executive Board.

                  b.   Promote the development of a Chapter 143 Phi Kappa Phi student organization for the purpose of engaging in appropriate academic, social, and service activities to further the goals of Chapter 143.

                  c.   Serve as judges for the Gratia Murphy Award.

                  d.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or Executive Board.

            6.   Secretary

                  The Secretary shall:

                  a.   Keep minutes of all chapter and Executive Board meetings.

                  b.   Conduct correspondence of the chapter in accordance with direction of the President and/or the Executive Board.

                  c.   Order chapter supplies as necessary.

                  d.   Prepare certificates and membership packets for new initiates.

                  e.   Coordinate enrollment of initiates and payments for dues and dinners. Within 30 days of Initiation Banquet submit a Transmittal Report to the National Office.

                  f.    Complete the Chapter’s Annual Report and updated Chapter Officer List and forward to the National Office (due June 15).

                  g.   With assistance from an ad hoc committee, revise and produce updated versions of the Chapter Guide to Operations as needed.

                  h.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            7.   Treasurer

                        The Treasurer shall:

                        a.   Have custody of all Chapter funds, making disbursements only as authorized by the Executive Board.

                        b.   Pay all approved bills promptly.

                        c.   Keep the books current, and prepare a detailed report for each Executive Board meeting.

                        d.   Send an annual financial report to the National Office by August 15.

                        e.   File IRS Form 990 by November 15.

                        f.   Arrange for the investment of all funds not required for current operation.

                        g.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            8.   Public Relations Officer

                  The Public Relations Officer shall:

                  a.   Chair the Public Relations/Publications Committee.

                  b.   Coordinate the production and distribution of The Insider, the newsletter of Chapter 143.

                  c.   Prepare news releases as appropriate to publicize Chapter activities.

                  d.   Coordinate the production of the program for the annual convocation.

                  e.   Prepare posters listing names of invitees by college.

                  f.    Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            9.   Web Manager

                  The Web Manager shall:

                  a.   Plan, design, organize, and coordinate information and graphic images for inclusion on the Chapter 143 website.

                  b.   Oversee day-to-day maintenance and updating of website information.

                  c.   Work with the Public Relations Officer to provide Chapter information through the website.

                  d.   Serve as a member of the Public Relations/Publications Committee.

                  e.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

            10. Historian

                  The Historian shall:

                  a.   Collect, organize, maintain, and preserve any records, programs, photographs, or other materials that document significant actions and events of the chapter.

                  b.   Serve as chair of the Bylaws Committee.

                  b.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

D.  At-large Members

      1.   Shall serve one or more Chapter 143 committees.

      2.   Perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

E.   Duties of the Executive Board.  It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to supervise annual and long-range planning of chapter activities, to advise and assist chapter officers and committees, to have jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the chapter but not provided for in these bylaws or in the Society bylaws, to elect delegates to conventions and other meetings of the Society, and, in the event of the loss of any chapter officer by reason of death, incapacity, or resignation, to appoint a temporary officer to serve until the election of new officers.

F.   Fiscal Year

      The fiscal year for Chapter 143 shall be from July 1 through June 30.

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ARTICLE IV—Committees

A.   Standing Committees

      1.   Bylaws Committee

            Chaired by the chapter Historian, the Bylaws Committee will conduct a yearly review of the Chapter and Society bylaws and recommend changes as necessary.

      2.   Convocation Committee

            Under the direction of the Vice President, the Convocation Committee will coordinate the initiation of new members. This will include determining the type of event to be held (e.g., reception, banquet); determining the location, menu, table decorations, and seating assignments; producing name tags; and managing other necessary tasks.

      3.   Membership Committee

            Chaired by the President-Elect, the Membership Committee will:

            a.   Carry out the process of membership selection as outlined in these bylaws.

            b.   Prepare lists of invitees for the Executive Board and chapter.

                        c.   Distribute lists of undergraduate and graduate students to college deans and request that the deans send letters to students encouraging them to accept our invitation to membership.

                        d.   Assist the chapter Secretary in preparing and mailing the invitation letters (e.g., to undergraduates, graduates, faculty, administration, professional staff, alumni, honorary member).

                        e.   Help the chapter Secretary to distribute packets (e.g., certificates, pins, programs) to students who do not attend the initiation ceremony. 

      4.   Nominating Committee

            Chaired by the Past President, the Nominating Committee will keep track of terms of office and seek individuals to run for vacancies that occur on the Executive Board.

      5.   Public Relations/Publications Committee

            Chaired by the Public Relations Officer, the Public Relations/Publications Committee will:

            a.   Publish at least one newsletter per year.

            b.   Maintain the Chapter’s website and display case.

                        c.   Coordinate the production of the annual convocation program and photo session.

                         d.  Send out press releases about events such as luncheons, scholarship selection, and the initiation of new members.

      6.   Scholarship Committee

            The Scholarship Committee will:

                        a.   Solicit applications for the Society Fellowship and the Gratia Murphy Award.

                        c.   Select judges for the Gratia Murphy Award.

                        c.   Recommend to the Executive Board a Fellowship nominee and recipients of the John R. Loch Scholarship, the Mavrigian-Grim Scholarship, Deans' Scholarships, and any other awards.

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ARTICLE V—Meetings

A.  Chapter Meetings.  Chapter meetings will be held upon call of the President, the Executive Board, or the written request of at least ten chapter members. All members shall be duly notified of chapter meetings. At least two or more meetings shall be held each year, at least one of which shall be a public program. Ten active members, including at least a majority of the Executive Board, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special chapter meeting.

B.  Executive Board Meetings.  Hold meetings monthly or as needed. A simple majority constitutes a quorum.

C.  Procedure.  In all matters not specified by these bylaws or the Society bylaws, the procedures set forth in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used.

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ARTICLE VI—Fees, Dues, and Assessments

A.   Initiation Fees.  Each newly elected member prior to initiation shall pay to the Society an initiation fee established by the Society entitling him/her to a membership certificate and an emblem. Also included in this fee are the first year’s Society dues, which entitle the member to a one-year subscription to the Phi Kappa Phi Forum (the Society journal) and numerous benefits. In addition, he/she shall, at the same time, pay an initiation fee established by the chapter, which shall be equivalent to the current year’s chapter dues, such monies to be used to pay expenses incurred by the chapter for initiation ceremonies and other activities. No membership shall be valid unless these fees have been paid.

B.  Active Membership Dues.  All active members other than those newly initiated shall pay to Society Headquarters local annual dues in an amount of $10 and national annual dues in an amount determined by the Society’s Board of Directors. All dues payments shall be made to Society Headquarters in response to the annual dues statement sent to each member.

C.  Chapter Active-for-Life Dues.

      Members of Chapter 143 may become active chapter members for life by paying a one-time fee of $150.00. Distinguished Members and Emeritus Members no longer need to pay chapter dues but remain active members of Chapter 143.

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ARTICLE VII—Obligations to the Society

A.   Reports.  Chapter 143 shall submit by the specified date certain reports to the Society Headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. These include, but are not limited to, the Chapter Officer List (due June 15), Transmittal Report (due June 15 or earlier), Chapter Annual Report (due June 15), and the Chapter Financial Report (due August 15).

B. Society Meeting Participation. Chapter 143 shall send appropriate delegates to Society conventions and other Society meetings. Other officers or active members are encouraged to attend as observers.

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ARTICLE VIII—Amendments

A.   Amendments.  These Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members present and voting at a regular chapter meeting, provided the proposed amendment or amendments have been given to the active members in writing one week prior to the meeting. A copy of the revised Bylaws shall be submitted promptly to the Society headquarters.

B.   Limitations.  All amendments to these Bylaws shall be in harmony with the Bylaws of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Inc.

C.  When Chapter 143 bylaws are updated solely to reflect changes in Society bylaws as approved by the biennial Convention, the chapter bylaws may be amended without a vote of the general membership.

Download National Bylaws (pdf)
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