ETA CHAPTER RULES
PREFACE
The first authority to be considered in Eta Chapter governance is the CONSTITUTION of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, herein after referred to as the CONSTITUTION. The second authority considered in Eta Chapter governance is the Tau State Bylaws. Eta Chapter Rules provide the basic structure and manner of operation of Eta Chapter. Areas which are not specifically covered by Chapter Rules shall be governed by the CONSTITUTION and Tau State Bylaws.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this chapter shall be ETA CHAPTER, TAU STATE , Minnesota Organization of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
The purposes of this chapter shall be the seven purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section A
Membership of Eta Chapter shall be composed of active, reserve, and honorary members. All membership shall be in accordance with the CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE III.
Section B
Invitation to Membership
1. Any chapter member may invite a prospective member to a chapter meeting.
2. Any chapter member may secure a form for recommendation to membership from the chapter membership chair.
3. The form shall be returned to the membership chair.
4. The membership chair shall announce the recommendations at a chapter meeting designated by the Executive Board.
5. The recommended names shall be presented for approval at a chapter meeting. The biographical sketches recorded on the forms shall be read.
6. Approval shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present.
7. The chapter president shall invite, in writing, the women approved for membership.
Section C
Orientation
1. Prospective new members shall be invited in writing to an orientation program before joining or during the first year of membership.
2. The orientation program shall be planned and hosted by the Membership Committee.
3. The orientation information shall include purposes of the organization, fees, expectations of members, structure of the organization, and other items listed in the Handbook.
Section D
Initiation
1. Initiation Ceremonies shall be held at a time designated by the Executive Board.
2. Initiation is planned by the Membership Committee in accordance with the directions in the Handbook.
3. The Membership chair is responsible for directing the treasurer to order all needed initiation supplies from The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
4. The Membership Committee shall be responsible for all other aspects of the ceremony, which are described in the Ceremonies Booklet.
Section E
Obligations and Privileges of Membership
1. Members shall be expected to attend all regular meetings.
2. Members (active and reserve) who are unable to attend shall contact the second vice-president in advance of the meeting if possible.
3. Members who do not attend a meeting and who have not contacted the Second Vice President shall be responsible for expenses incurred at the meeting.
4. Each member shall be placed on a committee.
5. Members who are traveling or who live away from Eta Chapter have the privilege of attending meetings of other chapters, states and regions.
Section F
Reinstatement to Membership
The CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE III, Section E, shall be followed.
ARTICLE IV
FINANCES
Section A
An Initiation fee shall be in accordance with the CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE IV, Section A.
Section B
Dues
1. Annual dues shall be in accordance with the CONSTITUTION and the State Bylaws.
2. Chapter dues shall be evaluated annually by the Executive Board and shall include:
a. International dues
b. International scholarship fee
c. World Fellowship fees
d. State dues
e. Bernice Gestie Scholarship fees
f. North Star News
g. Eta Chapter dues
3. Recommendations for change shall be made to the chapter and shall be approved by majority vote at the April meeting
4. Dues shall be collected by the chapter treasurer from July 1 to October 15
5. State and International dues and fees shall be forwarded to the state treasurer.
Section C
Chapter Budget
1. The Budget shall be prepared annually by the chapter Finance Committee.
2. The budget shall be presented and approved at the October chapter meeting by a majority vote of the members present.
3. The budget shall include:
a. Operating expenses
b. An estimated dollar amount for the expenses of the president's participation at the Tau State Convention/Conference: transportation, meals, registration, and motel (hotel) room.
c. An estimated dollar amount for members' participation at a Tau State Convention/Conference and other leadership activities.
d. An estimated dollar amount for the Woman of Achievement's Birthday Luncheon expenses at the Tau State Convention: registration, luncheon.
e. An estimated dollar amount for expenses relating to the Outstanding Service Award.
f. A designated dollar amount for donations to service organizations or projects.
g. An estimated dollar amount for chapter Grant(s) in Aid.
h. An estimated dollar amount for chapter meeting program expenses
i. $25 item as an appropriate memorial gift upon the death of an Eta Chapter member.
j. An estimated dollar amount for a Remembrance Fund (i.e. rose for chapter Memorial Service, a rose at the mortuary, flowers for a hospitalized member).
k. An estimated dollar amount for the president's contingency fund.
4. The treasurer's records shall be audited annually prior to the October meeting by the Finance Committee, or its designee
ARTICLE V
ORGANIZATION
Government
1. Eta Chapter shall govern the conduct of its business in a manner consistent with the CONSTITUTION, The Tau State Bylaws, and Eta Chapter Rules.
2. A quorum for chapter meetings shall be the number of members present.
3. The chapter officers and Nominations Committee shall be elected in even numbered years by a majority vote.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS AND RELATED PERSONNEL
Section A
Officers
1. Elected chapter officers shall be president, first vice-president, second vice-president, recording secretary, and corresponding secretary.
2. The treasurer and parliamentarian shall be appointed by the president with Executive Board approval.
Section B
Duties of Officers
1. Officers shall perform the duties prescribed in the CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VI. In addition to these duties:
2. The President shall:
a. Serve ex officio on all chapter committees except Nominations.
b. Present a president's pin to the incoming president at her installation.
c. Arrange for chapter meeting sites.
3. First vice-president shall:
a. Serve as President until the next regular election of officers when a vacancy occurs in the office of president.
b. Serve as Program chair.
c. Assist the president at the Executive Board and Chapter meetings as needed.
4. Second vice-president shall:
a. Serve as first vice-president until the next regular election of officers when a vacancy occurs in the office of first vice-president.
b. Serve on the Social Committee
c. Be in charge of reservations and attendance at all meetings.
(1). Receive and record cancellations,
(2). Prepare checklist for hostesses,
(3). Tabulate count for social committee, and treasurer
(4). Notify and bill members who did not cancel reservations.
5. Recording Secretary shall:
a. Take minutes of Chapter and Executive Board meetings
b. Inventory and maintain a record of the Chapter's equipment, resources, and paraphernalia to include archival material at the Stearns History Museum .
6. Corresponding Secretary shall:
a. Send greeting cards to members for hospitalization, family deaths, weddings, births, and/or other appropriate occasions.
b. Send a single rose to the place of reviewal at the death of a member,
c. Other correspondence as requested by the president.
7. Treasurer shall:
a. Order the president's pin to be presented at her installation.
b. Order jewelry and name badges for chapter members and other supplies for chapter business.
c. Forward funds for the Bernice Gestie Fellowship ($1.00 per member) and World Fellowship ($1.00 per member) to the state treasurer.
8. Past President shall:
a. Serve as a voting member of the Executive Board,
b. Serve as chair of the Chapter Rules Committee,
c. Serve as a member of the Historical Records Committee.
d. Serve as chair of the Nominations Committee
9. Parliamentarian shall:
a. Serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Board
b. Advise officers and members upon request.
Section C
Election and Term of Office
1. The term of office shall be in accordance with the CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VI, Section C.
2. Eta Chapter officers shall be elected at the April meeting in even numbered years.
3. Eta Chapter officers shall be installed at the May meeting in even numbered years.
4. The president of Eta Chapter shall have been a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for at least three years and shall have served as another officer prior to nomination for president.
Section D
Vacancies
Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with the CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VI, Section D.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section A
The members of the Executive Board shall be the elected officers, the immediate past president, and the appointed treasurer. The parliamentarian shall be an ex officio member without a vote.
Section B
Duties of the Executive Board are described in the CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE VII, Section C. In addition the Executive Board
1. Meet prior to each chapter meeting
2. Shall establish dates and times for chapter meetings, new member presentation and approval, and Initiation Ceremonies.
3. Evaluate chapter dues annually.
4. Assume responsibility with the Membership Committee for orientation of new members.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section A
The president shall appoint the chair of each committee except Nominations.
Section B
Eta Chapter Standing Committees and their duties are organized in three areas. The chair of each committee serves a member of the Program Committee. The president may assign other duties as needed.
1. Society Business
a. Finance
(1) Supervise financial affairs including preparation of a budget for adoption by the membership.
(2) Provide for an annual audit of the treasurer's records.
b. Membership
(1) Assume the responsibilities of necrology.
(2) Present names of women, with biographical information, for invitation to membership at a chapter meeting.
(3) Present the list of candidates for membership at the April meeting for approval.
(4) Assume responsibility for the Initiation Ceremony at the May meeting.
(5) Assume responsibility with the Executive Board for planning the orientation of new members.
c. Nominations
(1) The three-person committee, shall include the Immediate Past President who shall serve as chair and two elected members.
(2) The two elected members shall be elected by the membership at the April meeting of even numbered years for the following biennium.
(3) Prepare a slate of officers and two replacements to the Nominating Committee the second year of the chapter biennium to be presented to the membership for election at the April meeting. Elected officers include president, first vice president, second vice-president, corresponding secretary, and recording secretary.
(4) Prepare the ballot, tally the votes, and present the results to the president for publication.
d. Chapter Rules
(1) Committee shall include one or more past presidents
(2) Update Chapter Rules each chapter biennium.
(3) Submit the Chapter Rules for Eta membership approval.
(4) Submit any revised Chapter rules to Tau State .
e. Historical Records
(1) Committee shall include the immediate past president
(2) Gather, organize and preserve the history of Eta Chapter
(3) History in the archives shall include but not be limited to Chapter Rules, minutes of meetings, financial records, scrap books, yearbooks.
(4) Serve as liaison with Stearns History Museum regarding Eta Chapter archives.
(5) Photographs on-going chapter activities.
2. Program of Work
a. Program
(1) First vice-president shall serve as chair.
(2) Membership shall include the chair of all standing committees.
b. Personal Growth and Services/Volunteerism
(1) Provide activities to enrich personal lives of members.
(2) Encourage participation in community services.
(3) Organize the selection process of the chapter Woman of Achievement and Outstanding Service Award
c. Professional Affairs and Research
(1) Develop guidelines for action on professional problems that affect education and women educators.
(2) Inform members of professional issues that effect education and women educators.
(3) Cooperate with other groups having common goals.
(4) Promote networking in the chapter to enhance professional /personal lives.
d. Legislation
The Legislation Committee shall inform chapter members of legislation and issues that need study and/or action as they relate to education and the status of women in education.
e. Music
The music committee shall encourage incorporation of music at chapter meetings and encourage use of Delta Kappa Gamma songs.
f. Yearbook
The yearbook committee shall prepare and distribute a yearbook to members annually.
3. Educational Services
a. Communications
(1) Send information to the state publication.
(2) Publicize chapter activities in the local media.
(3) Promote interest in and submit names for the Jeanette Fair Memorial Award for women authors.
b. Scholarships/Grants/Fellowships
(1) Promote interest in and support for international and state scholarships for Delta Kappa Gamma members and grants and fellowships for others.
(2) Chapter Grants-in-Aid
(a) A grant-in-aid may be offered each year and/or biennium if sufficient funds are available.
(b) Applicants shall show a sincere desire to work in the area of education and meet the criteria established by Eta Chapter.
(c) Disseminate information and application forms to local colleges and universities.
(d) Selection of the recipient shall be made by the Scholarship/Grants/Fellowships Committee in accordance with the guidelines established by Eta Chapter.
(e) Inform applicants of results and invite selected candidates to a chapter meeting
(3) World/Gestie Fellowships
Encourage financial support and application for the World Fellowships, the Tau State Bernice Gestie Fellowship, and the Birdella Ross Scholarship.
c. Technology
(1) Facilitate communication through technology
(2) Assist Executive Board and Committees with technology needs
(3) Maintain a membership data base
(4) Provide membership with information about updates in technology if indicated
4. Other committees
a. Social/Hostesses
(1) Committee shall include 2nd Vice-President, a chair for hostesses and a chair for meals.
(2) 2nd Vice-President's duties are listed in Article VI, section B
(3) Hostess chair shall arrange for two hostesses per meeting, inform them of their duties, and be responsible for money collected.
(4) Food chair shall make arrangements for food served at chapter meetings and activities, tabulate and report final reservation count to caterer and meeting site personnel, arrange for charitable distribution of left over food.
(5) Committee shall be responsible for post meeting clean up and assist food caterers as indicated.
b. Docents
(1) Shall be responsible for a yearly schedule of docent service to the Stearns History Museum .
(2) Serve as liaison with History Museum Personnel
(3) Arrange for Docent Training and inservice updates as needed.
c. Collects
(1) Shall plan and arrange for collects that enhance the Society's purposes for Chapter meetings
(2) Arrange and maintain a schedule of Collect presenters for the year.
d. Ad hoc committees may be appointed at the discretion of the president.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
Regular chapter meetings shall be held in October, November, December, February, March, April, and May with the date and time determined by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Amendments must be presented at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which the membership votes. A two-thirds vote of the members present shall be necessary for amending the Chapter Rules.
ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
The dissolution of Eta Chapter, if necessary, shall be in accordance with the Tau State Bylaws and Standing Rules, Article XIII—Dissolution.
circa 1982
Pat Hill
Carol Vick
Revised October 1987: Jean D. Rolle, President 1986-88
Catheryne O'Donnell
Catherine J. Zylla
Revised April 1989 Jeanette A Karjala, President 1988-90
Revised April 1991 Diana Kasper, President 1990-92
Submitted to Tau State May 1991
Revised October 2002 Jeanne Hoodecheck, Pres. 2002-04
Deanna Lederer, Pres. 2000-02
Marge Bates
Carolyn Garven
Angela Luksetich
Jan Sorell
Carol Vick
Adopted by Eta Chapter
Submitted to Tau State
Modified May 11, 2005