Chapter Rules of Beta Zeta Chapter #54 of the Texas State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
ARTICLE I – NAME The name of this chapter as assigned by the State Executive Committee shall be Beta Zeta Chapter of the Texas State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
ARTICLE II – OBJECT The object of Beta Zeta Chapter shall be to promote the Mission, Vision and Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International as found in the Constitution, Article II.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP Section A. Classes of Membership The membership of Beta Zeta shall be composed of active, reserve, honorary and collegiate members in accordance with the Constitution, Article III and International Standing Rules 3.0. An individual becomes a member when she pays her dues.
An active member is a woman who is or has been employed as a professional educator at the time of her selection. An active member shall participate in the activities of the chapter.
Reserve membership is granted by majority vote of the chapter, and only to a member who is unable to participate in chapter activities because of physical disabilities and/or geographic location.
An honorary member is a woman not eligible for active membership who has rendered notable service to education or to women, and who is elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service.
Collegiate members shall be undergraduate or graduate students who meet the following criteria:
An undergraduate student member shall be enrolled in an institution offering an education degree, have the intent to continue academically and professionally in the field of education, and be enrolled within the last two years of her undergraduate education degree.
A graduate student member shall have graduate standing in an institution offering an education degree and have the intent to continue academically and professionally in the field of education.
A collegiate member may participate in the activities of the Society except holding office, although she may serve as parliamentarian since the position is not an elected office.
A candidate for active membership shall be selected by the method established by the chapter’s rules.
Recommendations
Recommendations for new members shall be submitted to the Membership committee at any of the monthly meetings from September through January 31.
Selection of New Members
Selection of new members may be at the February or March meeting and at other meetings deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.
Selection may be by recommendation of the Membership Committee and 2/3rds vote of members present at the meeting in which voting is held
Orientation
Orientation of new members shall be held at least two weeks prior to the induction ceremony. Section C. Transfers and Reinstatements
Transfers
Members may transfer from one chapter to another by notifying the receiving chapter treasurer. No vote is taken on incoming transfers.
Reinstatements
A former member shall be reinstated to membership by the chapter receiving the request when she pays the current year’s dues and fees. Section D. Termination of Membership
Membership in the Society is terminated for non-payment of dues and fees, resignation, or death.
No member shall be terminated for non-payment of dues and fees without multiple contacts from chapter members, including a collaboration of the president, treasurer, and membership chair.
The chapter shall record in the minutes the names of members terminated, including the reason and date of termination.
Section E. Membership Records A continuous record of chapter membership shall be kept by the treasurer. This includes names, date of induction, membership status and status changes, date and reason for resignation or termination, transfers in or out, and dates of reinstatements.
ARTICLE IV – FINANCES Section A. Governance of Finances Where applicable, the Constitution, Article IV and International Standing Rules Section 4.0 shall govern Beta Zeta finances. Section B. Annual Dues and Fees
Determination of Dues and Fees
The amount of Beta Zeta Chapter dues and any assessments is recommended by the chapter finance committee and shall include international and state dues and fees as established by the Society and Texas State organization.
Membership Year
The membership year is July 1-June 30.
Dues Deadline
A member shall pay annual dues and fees for the upcoming fiscal year as set by the chapter finance committee no later than May 1 each year. The chapter treasurer shall submit international and state dues no later than June 30 for the following fiscal year.
Mid-year inductions, reinstatements, and transfers
Inductees and Reinstatements
Members who join or reinstate between January 1 and March 31 will pay one-half of the designated international and state dues, the required annual scholarship fee, and chapter dues and fees set by the chapter finance committee annually. Members who join after April 1 shall pay dues and fees for the upcoming year.
Transfers
Transfers who have paid annual dues and fees for the current year at another chapter may join Beta Zeta at any time and begin paying all dues through Beta Zeta in the next fiscal year. Section C. Financial Controls
The chapter finance committee shall submit annually a proposed budget for adoption by a two-thirds percentage of those present at the meeting in which voting is held.
All expenses shall be approved by the president prior to payment.
The president and treasurer shall be authorized to sign checks on the chapter's account; however a third person may also be authorized to sign in case of emergency. Two signatures are required on all checks.
The financial records of the chapter shall be reviewed annually by the finance committee and a report submitted to the executive board after the end of each fiscal year.
Section D. Special Funds
Aspiring Educator grants and chapter projects are funded through chapter dues and fundraising events. The designated events and amounts for expenditures are determined annually by the executive board and approved by the chapter.
2. Chapter member scholarships are funded with an annual scholarship fee set by the Society and collected with the annual dues.
ARTICLE V – ORGANIZATION Section A. Chapter Rules 1. Beta Zeta Chapter Rules shall be consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, StateBylaws, and State Rules. 2. Updated chapter rules shall be submitted to the state Bylaws and Rules Committee biannually as required by state governing documents. Section B. Area Beta Zeta Chapter shall participate in the activities of Area 6
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND RELATED PERSONNEL Section A. Elected Officers The elected officers of Beta Zeta shall be a president, a first vice-president, a second vice-president, a recording secretary, and a corresponding secretary all elected by the chapter in accordance with the Constitution, Article VI and International Standing Rules 6.03. Section B. Related Personnel
The incoming executive board shall appoint a treasurer.
The immediate past president shall serve as parliamentarian.
Section C. Official Duties
Chapter officers shall perform the duties enumerated in the Constitution, Article VI.
President
Shall preside at all chapter and Executive Board meetings, appoint standing committees, and fill vacancies in office.
With consent of the Executive Board, may take action on matters that cannot be deferred.
With the treasurer, shall execute authorized legal documents for the chapter.
Shall represent Beta Zeta at state, regional and international conventions.
Shall attend and represent the chapter as a voting member at State Executive Board Meetings.
Shall write a brief summary of her biennium and submit it to the Research/ Archives committee for inclusion in the Beta Zeta chapter history.
First vice-president
Shall serve as presiding officer in the absence of the president and assume her responsibilities automatically if she is unable to perform.
Shall chair the Program Committee.
Shall execute other duties assigned by the president.
Second vice-president
Shall serve as presiding officer in the absence of the president and vice-president and assume their responsibilities automatically if they are unable to perform.
Shall chair the Membership Committee. (Amended Dec. 2, 2019)
Shall execute other duties assigned by the president.
Recording secretary
Shall keep a written record and provide a report to the chapter of minutes and attendance at each chapter and Executive Board meeting.
Corresponding secretary
Shall attend to any chapter communication which may be assigned by the president.
Treasurer
Shall take responsibility for all receipts and expenditures of chapter funds.
Shall keep written account of finances, reconcile bank statements, and report to chapter.
Shall submit accounts for annual review.
Shall keep record of membership inductions, reinstatements, transfers, and terminations.
Shall submit dues and fees annually to International and State by June 30.
Shall submit Form 990-N e-postcard to IRS between July 1 and November 15 annually.
The parliamentarian
Shall ensure that chapter actions be in compliance with the official Society documents of governance: the Constitution, the International Standing Rules, state bylaws, state standing rules and chapter rules.
Shall advise on proper order and procedures at meetings using Roberts Rules of OrderRevised (current edition) as a guide.
Section D. Nominations and Elections
Elections for chapter officers are held in even-numbered years.
Nominations for the chapter offices of president, first and second vice-presidents, and recording and corresponding secretaries shall be made by a nominations committee of at least three members. This committee shall prepare the ballot and conduct the election.
The nominations committee shall submit the name of at least one nominee for each elective office position and at least three names for the new nominations committee. Consent of each nominee must have been obtained prior to nomination.
The slate shall be presented to the chapter members at the February meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee. (Amended Dec. 2, 2019)
If there is only one nominee for an office, election may be by voice vote and a majority of the votes cast, elects.
If there are two or more nominees for an office, election may be by ballot vote. A majority of the votes is required to be elected.
The chairman of the new nominations committee shall be named by the incoming chapter president from those elected to the committee.
Section E. Terms of Office The term of office is for two years or until a successor is named. No officer, except the treasurer, may serve in the same office longer than two terms in succession. Officers shall take office on July 1 following their election.
Section F. Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the first vice-president shall become president.
If a vacancy occurs in other elective or appointed positions, the president shall name a successor.
ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE BOARD Section A. Members Voting members of the executive board shall be the elected officers, the treasurer, and the immediate past president who serves as parliamentarian. Section B. Duties The duties of the Executive Board shall be those specified in the Constitution, Article VII, Section C including:
To select the treasurer for the biennium.
To act on matters requiring immediate action and decision.
To recommend policies and procedures for consideration by members.
To establish rules for budget development and approval and for the supervision of chapter finance.
Section C. Meetings
The executive board meets at least twice a year at meetings called by the president.
All board members being notified, matters requiring immediate board action may be voted upon by postal or electronic mail, or in an electronic meeting wherein all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A majority vote of board members shall be required for action
Section D.Quorum A quorum shall be a majority, one more than half, of the voting members of the executive board.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES Section A. Standing Committees
Society Business
Ceremonies: Conducts new member induction and officer installation ceremonies for the chapter and programs for special events, such as Founders’ Day and the chapter’s birthday;
Communications and Publicity: Publicizes chapter events, publishes chapter newsletter,
maintains a current chapter website. Develops strategies to incorporate technology at the individual and chapter level.
Finance: Assists the treasurer as necessary, creates the budget, reviews the
chapter financial records annually, oversees fundraising, and reports to the Executive Board.
Membership/Necrology: Recommends and leads efforts to recruit new members, conducts election of new members according to chapter rules, conducts the orientation for new members, collaborates with ceremonies chair for the induction ceremony; checks attendance, keeps a file of biographical data, assists with reinstatements and transfers. The chair assists treasurer in contacting members who have not paid dues. With the chapter
president, chair reports the death of a member by submitting Report of the Death of a Member (Form 6) as soon as possible to International, TSO and necrology chair for Texas. Committee conducts a chapter Celebration of Life for the departed member and participates in the funeral service if requested.
Nominations: Solicits officer recommendations from members, obtains permission from each nominee, presents a slate of officers and the new nominations committee members to the
membership by March of even-numbered years, and conducts the election.
Research/Archives: Locates, organizes and preserves memorabilia to insure the preservation of the history of Beta Zeta. Creates a scrapbook for each biennium, makes sure the chapter history is sent to the state archives committee each biennium. Conducts research as needed by the chapter. Provides for the binding of minutes every ten years.
Yearbook: Publishes the chapter yearbook annually, mails a copy to state headquarters for the state archives, and sends copies to other state officials as required.
2. Society Missions and Purposes
Achievement Awards: Chooses the recipient of the Chapter Achievement Award, recognizes member achievements within DKG, professionally, and personally.
Chapter Scholarships/Aspiring Educator Grants: Encourages members to apply for international and state scholarships and grants for personal, professional and classroom needs. Solicits applicants and chooses the recipients of the Aspiring Educator Grant and chapter member scholarships.
Educational Excellence
Global Awareness: Leads chapter participation in International projects, plans programs and fundraising for global outreach activities.
Legislation/Chapter Rules: Informs members of current economic, political and educational issues at local, state and national levels, encourages member participation in the legislative and political process, encourages support of desirable legislation in the interest of education and of women educators, keeps chapter rules up to date, and submits document to state Bylaws and Rules Committee each biennium.
Music: Provides appropriate music for meetings, ceremonies and fellowship. Works with Ceremonies Committee.
Personal and Professional Enrichment/Service Projects: Involves members in service projects that enrich their personal and professional growth and serves the chapter and the community. Provides information on TSO and ASTEF funds for professional enrichment.
Programs: Plans, coordinates, and assesses meaningful programs and projects that involve as many members as possible to enrich their personal and professional lives. Committee members will be the First Vice-president as chair and chairs of these committees: Communications, Ceremonies, Research/Archives, Yearbook, Legislation/Chapter Rules, Music, Personal and Professional Enrichment/Service Projects, and Global Awareness committees, and other members designated by the president.
Section B. Selection of committee members
Committees are appointed by the president except for the nominations committee which is elected by the membership.
Special committees may be appointed by the president at any time with executive board approval.
The president serves as ex-officio member on all committees except nominations.
Section C. Committee Responsibilities
Chapter committees shall be responsible for any work represented by the international committee descriptions in Constitution, Article VIII, Sections B and C.
Chapter committees shall refer to State Rules, Section 9.0, for additional responsibilities.
Required reports of the work of chapter committees shall be submitted in the format specified by Society Headquarters.
Section D. Voting All members being notified, matters requiring immediate committee action may be voted upon by postal or electronic mail, or in an electronic meeting wherein all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting. A majority vote of committee members shall be required for action.
ARTICLE IX – CHAPTER MEETINGS Section A. Meetings
Beta Zeta Chapter will have at least four regularly scheduled meetings per year.
Unless otherwise determined, meetings may be held on the fourth Monday of September, October, November, January, February, March and April as published annually in the yearbook. Additional meetings/excursions may be scheduled as needed.
All members being notified, chapters may meet face to face, through electronic communication, or through a combination of the two, as long as members present may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting.
All members being notified, matters requiring immediate chapter action may be voted upon by mail (postal or electronic) that provides a valid receipt of each responding member’s vote. A majority of chapter members shall be required for action.
Ratification of all voting by mail (postal or electronic) must be made at the next face-to-face meeting.
Section B. Quorum A quorum shall be at least one-third (1/3) of the total active members.
ARTICLE X- PUBLICATIONS Section A. Chapter Newsletter The chapter shall publish a newsletter, Beta Zeta Buzz, seven times a year prior to each regularly scheduled meeting. It is distributed by email to all members. Printed copies are sent to members without email access and designated state personnel. Section B. Chapter Website The chapter shall maintain a website that is in compliance with the Society. A webmaster shall be responsible for overseeing the website. Section D. Approval of content The chapter president shall approve the content of any publication (such as newsletter, yearbook, brochure, article submitted to a news organization) prior to its release.
ARTICLE XI- Special Chapter Policies Section A. Term of Office In order to provide more members with opportunities for leadership development, Beta Zeta prefers that no elected or appointed officer serve in the same office longer than two terms in succession. Section B. Special Scholarship Committee Responsibilities
Conduct an Aspiring Educator recruitment annually. Recipients may be:
A worthy female undergraduate college student completing professional preparation to become an educator.
A woman completing graduate work pertaining to education or working with children.
Applicants must reside in Gillespie or an adjoining county where members reside and where there is not a DKG chapter, as determined by the Scholarship Committee.
Conduct a chapter scholarship recruitment annually.
Recipients may be a Beta Zeta member attending workshops, continuing education, or graduate work pertaining to education or working with children.
First-time state convention participants are eligible to apply for a scholarship equal to the amount of the registration fee.
The applicant should be a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for at least three years before applying for a scholarship. This requirement is waived for the First-timers Convention Scholarship.
A scholarship shall consist of a maximum of $100 per applicant per year. Up to 3 scholarships will be awarded annually based on funds available.
Applicants must reside in Gillespie or an adjoining county where members reside and where there is not a DKG chapter, as determined by the Scholarship Committee.
A written application should be submitted to the scholarship committee a month prior to the workshop and verification of completion must be submitted to the scholarship committee in order to receive reimbursement for expenses up to $100.
The scholarship committee shall have the authority to award the scholarship in special circumstances if the preceding guidelines are not met.
Section C. Achievement Award Guidelines
The chapter may award up to three Achievement Awards annually.
Nominations for Achievement Awards may be submitted to the Achievement Award committee at any time during the year.
Nominees should be members who have made significant contributions and/or service to the chapter. This may be in areas such as serving as officers and committee chairs, leading programs, mentoring new members, and other areas identified by the committee.
The committee will review nominees and choose the recipients prior to the Founders’ Day Banquet where they will award the DKG Rose Guard to each honoree.
ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (current edition) shall govern the proceedings of the Beta Zeta Chapter in all cases not provided for in the Constitution, International Standing Rules, State Bylaws, State Rules, and Chapter Rules.
ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS Section A. Proposals for amending the chapter rules
Proposals may be submitted to the chair of the Legislative and Chapter Rules committee by any member or committee.
Proposals shall be edited for correct form by the Legislative and Chapter Rules committee and submitted to the executive board for review.
Section B. Proposals shall be published no later than one month prior to voting by the chapter members. Section C. Proposed amendments shall be approved by a 2/3 majority of members at a chapter meeting. Section D. Approved amendments shall become effective immediately unless otherwise stated in the amendment.
ARTICLE XIV- DISSOLUTION In the event that it becomes necessary for Beta Zeta Chapter to dissolve, the chapter must follow the rules stated in the Constitution, Article XIX, 3, and state rules 16.2, which shall include the following:
Contact the area coordinator and state president prior to taking any other steps.
Contact all members prior to taking a vote to request State Executive Board approval of the chapter’s dissolution.
If approved, assist all members to maintain their membership by transferring to other chapters.
Send all remaining chapter funds to the state organization treasurer.
Send the Charter, chapter paraphernalia, Society publications, and chapter records to the Texas State Organization.
Drafted March 23, 1935 Revised May 30, 2019 Revised/Updated February 24, 1997 Amended December 2, 2019 Revised/Updated September 27, 1999 Revised March 26, 2014