State - Tennessee Beta Omega – Weakley County
Chapter By-Laws
Beta Omega Chapter
Tennessee State Organization
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Article I. NAME
Section A. The name of this chapter shall be the Beta Omega Chapter, The Tennessee State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Article II. OBJECTIVES
Section A. The objectives of this organization shall be the following
1. Promote the seven purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International as
found in the Constitution, ARTICLE II, Section D, and those of The Tennessee State Organization;
2. Abide by approved chapter rules and policies;
3. Work as an integral part of the international and state organizations;
4. Provide leadership opportunities and support for members;
5. Impact education locally and worldwide.
Article III. MEMBERSHIP
Section A. The membership year is July 1-June 30. The membership of Beta Omega shall be composed of active,
reserve, honorary and collegiate members. All membership practices are in accordance with the
Constitution, An individual becomes a member of the Society when she pays her dues.
1. Active:
a. Women who are or have been employed as a professional educator at the time of her election
(Constitution, Article III, Sec. B.1)
2. Reserve
a. Former active members unable to attend meetings regularly because of (1) physical disability and/or (2) geographical location.
b. Reserve status granted by majority vote of active members in attendance.
c. A reserve member, so requesting, may be restored to active membership.
3. Honorary
a. An honorary member shall be a woman not eligible for active membership who has rendered notable
service to education or to women issues significant to the Chapter.
4. Collegiate
a. Undergraduate student collegiate member shall
be academically and professionally in the field of education; and
be enrolled within the last two years of their undergraduate education degree.
b. Graduate student collegiate members 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. When a collegiate member starts her career as a paid educator, she will pay active dues and become an active member. If a collegiate member does not pursue a career as an educator, her membership will expire upon graduation or withdrawal from the education degree.
the last two years of their undergraduate education degree. the last two years of their undergraduate education degree.
c. A collegiate member may participate in the activities of the Society except holding office.
d. A collegiate member may serve as parliamentarian since it is not an elected office.
Section B. Membership shall be by invitation only
Section C. A continuous record of the status of each member will be kept.
Section D. Elections
1. Candidates shall be voted on by secret ballot in chapter meeting.
2. Election will be four fifths vote
3. Members complete and submit Membership Form ll for potential member to membership chair prior to designated election date.
4. Recommendations for membership (Form 11) will be presented by the membership chair at a designated meeting with the vote immediately following.
5. The president and membership chair will organize the formal induction.
6. The president and membership chair will give an orientation to candidates after the election but prior
to acceptance of membership by candidates. Reorientation will be required of any and all members
wishing to be reinstated.
7. A candidate elected for active, honorary, or collegiate membership shall be inducted within a period of one year from the time of election.
8. Chapter will decide if and when to have an induction ceremony.
9. An individual becomes a member of the Organization when she pays her dues.
Section E. Transfer of Membership
1. Only active and reserve members in good standing may be transferred from
one chapter to another.
2. Member must apply and complete Official Notice of Transfer from
International Headquarters.
3. Chapter must accept transfer following receipt of completed Official Notice of Transfer.
Section F. Termination of Membership
1. Non-payment of dues: If dues and fees remain unpaid on July 1, the member is dropped from the chapter roll.
2. Resignation: A member should resign in writing to the president of the chapter with an explanation
for withdrawal.
3. Death.
4. Members who resign or are dropped from Beta Omega are expected to refrain from wearing Society jewelry. The member may return the Society jewelry to the chapter. Reclaimed Society jewelry may be given or sold to initiates or to members who have lost their Society jewelry. The Chapter will also
receive Society jewelry upon the death of a member.
5. Chapter minutes must include the names of members terminated, including the reason and date of
termination.
Section G. Reinstatement
1. A former member who allowed her membership to be terminated may be reinstated to membership by
contacting a chapter and paying current dues and fees. The chapter treasurer processes the
reinstatement. No chapter vote is taken. (Constitution III F.)
Section H. Attendance
1. Active members are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of the chapter.
2. Active members who cannot attend a meeting should notify the first hostess listed by noon Thursday
before Tuesday meeting
3. A leave of absence on an annual basis may be granted, provided
a. A letter requesting leave is received by the secretary.
b. The Executive Board approves the request (Executive Board has the option to bring request before membership),
c. A leave of absence on an annual basis may be granted, provided
d. Dues are paid by June 30 of each year.
4. A Hostess List will be made by the secretary and given to hostess chair for the September meeting.
5. The first hostess listed in YEARBOOK is the hostess chairperson for that meeting.
6. The September hostess chairperson is responsible for passing the Hostess List to the October
hostess chairperson., etc.
Article IV. FINANCE
Section A. Where applicable, the Constitution, ARTICLE IV, International Standing Rules and
The Tennessee State Organization Bylaws shall govern the finances of the Beta Omega Chapter.
Section B. Funds
1. The Chapter shall require a proposed budget made out by the treasurer and approved by the Executive Board.
Section C. Annual Dues
1. Chapter dues include national, state and local dues and $1.00 fee for World Fellowship.
2. The Chapter annual dues shall be determined by a two-thirds vote of the members at a meeting upon
the recommendation of the Finance Committee and the Executive Board. Any recommendation for a
change in dues shall be announced in March.
3. Annual dues and fees must be paid to the chapter treasurer by June 30 for the following fiscal year.
Non-payment of dues and fees will result in termination of membership. On July 1, members shall be
dropped for nonpayment of dues and fees.
4. For membership or reinstatement commencing between July 1 and December 31, the member shall pay
induction fee (new member only), dues, and fees and scholarship fee for the current year.
5. For membership or reinstatement on or after January 1, the member shall pay one-half the
international and state membership dues. New members shall also pay the induction fee. Chapter
dues may be pro-rated.
6. Amounts of dues and fees.
a. The Tennessee State Active Members, $14.00
b. The International Active Members, $40.00
c. The International Reserve The Tennessee State Organization Reserve Members, $7.00
d. Members and collegiate member, $20.00
e. Chapter Active Members, $20.00
f. Scholarships-- Active and Reserve Members, $1.00 (This is a fee and should not be reported on a Form 43.
Report on Form 18 with dues)
g. Total for all Active Members, $75.00 ($54 + $1 + $20)
h. Total for all Reserve Members, $28.00 ($27 + $1)
i. Total for all Collegiate Members,
7. The induction fee is ten dollars ($10.00). Chapter retains induction fee of $7.50.
8. Reserve dues are set by the Tennessee State Organization.
9. Honorary members are not assessed. Chapter pays initial fee of $49.50.
10. Collegiate members do not pay scholarship and induction fees.
Section D. Financial Control
1. The president shall present the recommendation of the Executive Board concerning the budget to the membership at the annual September meetings.
2. The treasurer receives the receipts and statements. She writes and signs the checks.
3. The treasurer shall maintain a record of receipts, bills, and bank statements, etc. as outlined in
the Treasurer’s Manual distributed by International.
4. The treasurer shall submit her records for the fiscal year to the Finance Committee and previous treasurer for an annual audit. The report of the annual audit shall be submitted to the Executive Board.
5. The treasurer shall abide by the annual budget approved by the Chapter. Exceptions shall be approved by the President and Executive Board and, when appropriate, presented to the membership for approval.
6. The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.
Section E. Contributions to special funds
1. World Fellowship: Each member is assessed $1.00 which is included in Chapter dues.
2. Other special funds such as Golden Gift: Membership votes a dollar amount for each gift annually. 3. When visitors from the Tennessee State Organization or Area present at meeting, a special donation i is made to the special fund of their choice from chapter funds.
ARTICLE V. ORGANIZATION
Section A. Beta Omega Chapter
1. Beta Omega shall conduct business in a manner consistent with the Constitution,
International Standing Rules, the Tennessee State Organization Bylaws, and The Tennessee State Organization Rules.
2. Chapter officers, except the treasurer, shall be elected in even-numbered years by a
majority vote in accordance with the Constitution, ARTICLE VI, SECTION, A-3 and D-3.
3. The chapter president shall represent the chapter as voting member of the Tennessee State Organization Executive Board. The chapter president, who is unable to attend the state Executive Board meeting, may appoint an official representative who shall have full privileges of participation.
4. Beta Omega Chapter rules shall be amended automatically by the rules committee to comply with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, and the Tennessee State Organization Bylaws and Standing Rules. Notice of automatic updates shall be published in the Chapter Newsletter after they are approved by the Tennessee State Rules Committee.
5. Reports requested from state organizations and chapters shall be submitted in the format specified by Society Headquarters.
Section B. Chapter Meetings
1. Business of the Chapter shall be conducted at a time and place determined by the Executive Board. Chapter meetings may be face-to-face, through electronic communications or a combination of the two as long as members may hear and actively participate in the meeting.
2. Matters needing immediate action may be voted upon by mail or electronically. A majority vote of
chapter members is required for this action.
3. Ratification of mail voting must be made at the next face to face meeting.
4. No proxy voting.
5. Every member who is registered may vote.
6. A quorum will be a majority of the members present at any given meeting.
7. Regular meetings of the Beta Omega shall be held at least five times per year. Additional meetings
shall be held as the chapter desires; for example, cultural outings.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND RELATED PERSONNEL AND DUTIES
Section A. Chapter Officers
1. The officers shall be a president, a first vice-president, a second vice-president, a secretary who acts as both recording and corresponding secretary, (all elected), and a treasurer.
2. The treasurer shall be selected by the Executive Board.
Section B. Related Personnel
1. The parliamentarian shall be appointed by the president.
Section C. Nominations and Elections
1. The Beta Omega Nominations Committee shall present a slate of officers at the November meeting in odd numbered year of biennium with the vote immediately following.
Section D. Terms of Office
l. Officers, elected in the odd-numbered years, shall have a term of two (2) years, unless otherwise specified.
2. No officer, except the treasurer, may serve in the same office longer than two terms in
succession. The treasurer may serve no longer than ten (10) years in succession.
Section E. Responsibilities
1. President
a. The duties and responsibilities of officers shall be consistent with those in the
Constitution and be specified in the Tennessee State Organization Rules.
b be responsible for duties as prescribed in the Constitution and International
Standing Rules:
c. act as presiding officer at regular and called meetings and direct the activities of the Chapter;
d. act as chair of the Executive Board and perform duties as prescribed by the Executive Board;
e. appoint a parliamentarian and historian from the membership;
f. appoint standing and ad hoc committees
g. serve as ex-b. be responsible for duties as prescribed in the Constitution and International
Standing Rules: officio member of committees except the Nominations Committee;
h. appoint parliamentarian, historian, and vacancies in offices and committees
i. attend the state convention, if possible;
j. confer with Executive Board and committees to make plans for the biennium;
k. invite Area Director to at least one meeting and request a visit from the Tennessee State Organization President;
l. authorize meetings of Beta Omega committees when deemed necessary for the transaction of committee responsibilities;
m. submit an article (“a message to members”) for each issue of Chapter
Newsletter;
n. complete and submit President’s Report to the Tennessee State Organization by deadline.
o. send copies of death notice forms to the Tennessee State Organization news editor;
p. communicate with chapter officers and members as needed
q. work with Membership Chair to organize induction;
r. work with Membership Chair to organize and present orientation for new members;
s. maintain and update chapter files; and
t. assume responsibility for other decisions and arrangements that need executive action.
Section C. The first vice-president shall
1. be responsible for duties as prescribed in the Constitution and International Standing Rules;
2. perform duties as prescribed by the Beta Omega Executive Board;
3. preside in the absence of the president
4. attend state convention, if possible;
5. serve as chair of the Program Committee, whose responsibilities include:
a. guidance to chapter program committees;
b. oversee planning of program in accordance with the Tennessee State Organization and International guidelines; and
6. confer with the president, second vice-president and/or members of the Executive
Committee to make plans for the chapter programs
Section D. The second vice-president shall:
1. be responsible for duties as prescribed in the Constitution and International Standing Rules,
2. perform duties as prescribed by the Beta Omega Executive Board;
3. attend state conventions, if possible;
4. serve as chair of the Yearbook Committee;
5. confer with the president and first vice-president and/or other members of the Executive Board to make plans for the Chapter Yearbook; and
6. oversee printing of Chapter Yearbook.
Section E. The recording/corresponding secretary shall:
1. be responsible for duties as prescribed in the Constitution and International Standing Rules
2 perform duties as prescribed by the Beta Omega Executive Board;
3. attend the state convention, if possible;
4. record minutes of each regular and called meeting of the Chapter and Executive Board
5. chapter minutes must include the names of members terminated, including the reason and date of termination;
6. provide copy of minutes to president;
7. read minutes at meeting or provide copies for members at meetings;
8.maintain a copy of minutes for permanent chapter files;
9. write correspondence for President or Executive Board as directed; and10.read correspondence at meetings;
Section E. The recording/corresponding secretary shall:
1. be responsible for duties as prescribed in the Constitution and International Standing Rules,
2. perform duties as prescribed by the Beta Omega Executive Board;
3. attend the state convention, if possible;
4. record minutes of each regular and called meeting of the Chapter and Executive Board
5. chapter minutes must include the names of members terminated, including the reason and date of termination.
6. provide copy of minutes to president;
7. read minutes at meeting or provide copies for members at meetings;
8. maintain a copy of minutes for permanent chapter files;
9. write correspondence for President or Executive Board as directed; and
10. read correspondence at meetings;
Section G. The parliamentarian shall:
1. Refer to Roberts Rules of Order Renewed Version for order of business;
2. attend the state conventions, if possible;
3. serve as parliamentary advisor to the president; and
4. serve as ex officio member of the Rules Committee.
Section H. The immediate past president shall:
1. advise and mentor the incoming president; and
2. submit, within the first year following her term of office, a history of her biennium.
Section I. Related Personnel
1. A parliamentarian shall be appointed by the president.
2. A historian shall be appointed by the president. The historian is to develop a scrapbook recording the
history of the biennium of the president. The scrapbook is presented to and kept by the president at the
end of her term.
Section J. Nominations and Elections
1. Nominations for officers shall be made by a nominating committee.
2. The committee shall submit the name of one nominee for each elective office. Consent of the nominee must be obtained.
3. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of chapter members present.
Section K. Terms of Office
1. Officers, elected by the Chapter in even-numbered years, shall have a term of two (2) years, unless
otherwise specified, or until a successor has been named.
2. No officer, except the treasurer, may serve in the same office longer than two terms in succession. The treasurer may serve no longer than ten (10) years in succession.
3. All officers shall take office on July 1 following their election. Mid-term appointments shall begin their duties as soon as the Executive Board approves the appointment.
Section L. Vacancies
1. When a vacancy occurs in the office of president, the first vice-president shall become president.
2. When a vacancy occurs in other elective or appointive positions, the president shall name a successor.
Article VII. EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section A. Executive Board
1. The members of Beta Omega Executive Board shall be the elected officers and the past president. The treasurer and parliamentarian shall be ex-officio members, without vote.
2. The Chapter Executive Board shall:
a. function in accordance with the Constitution, Article VII, Section C.
b. determine time and place to conduct business of Beta Omega chapter.
c. recommend policies and procedures for consideration by Beta Omega chapter.
d. examine, modify if necessary, and adopt the Tennessee State Organization changes in the by-laws, rules, and constitution.
e. select the treasurer.
f. determine chapter areas of need.
g, approve Chapter budget and recommend acceptance to membership.
h. approve audit of finances.
3. Meetings
a. shall be held at least once a year. Special meetings may be called by the president
b. .a quorum will be a majority of the members present at any given meeting.
Article VIII. COMMITTEES
Section A. Beta Omega Committees
1. Committees shall be revised each biennium. Refer to the current Beta Omega Yearbook for designated
committee.
2. Standing Committees. The chapter committees may consist of these standing committees.
a Society Busines
1. Rules
2. Expansion
3. Finance
4. Leadership Development/ Personal Growth and Development
5. Membership
6. Nominations
7. Advisory Rules and Policies (By-laws)
8. Historical Preservation
9. Yearbook
10. Program
11.Communication and Publicity
b. Society Mission and Purpose
1. Research
2. Legislation
3. Children’s International Education Centers
4. High School Essa
5. Literacy
6. Scholarships
7. Technology
8. Arts
9. International Projects
10. Special Events
c. Ad Hoc
1. Sunshine
3. General Procedures
a. All committees shall be appointed by the president.
b. The president shall serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations Committee.
c. Committees shall submit reports on forms supplied by International Headquarters, The Tennessee State Organization, or Beta Omega Chapter.
d. Committees shall formulate goals and plans at the beginning of the biennium.
e. Evaluation of plans will be submitted at the end of the biennium.
f. Copies of all the above reports will be given to the chapter president for the presidential files.
g. Matters requiring immediate committee action may be voted upon by mail, e-mail, fax, or a telephone conference call with all members of the committee having been notified.
h. Committee meetings shall be held with the approval of the president.
i. The president shall appoint ad hoc committees which have specific, short-term goals. Such
committees must have the approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX. SERVICES
Section A. Scholarships
1. Award a $500 scholarship to a female student who has been admitted to the Teacher Education Program to become a future teacher.
2. Award a $500. scholarship to a female graduate student in education provided the membership agrees that
the chapter has the financial means to support the scholarship.
Section B. Grants
1. Seven grants will be awarded each year provided funds are available. One teacher in each town/community
plus one Beta Omega member, who is employed, will receive a $100.00 grant each. The recipient will be determined through an application process. The monies must be spent to the students’ benefit.
ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
1. Parliamentary authority shall be Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS
Section A. Amendments to Beta Omega Bylaws
1. The Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of Beta Omega by two-thirds (2/3) vote.
Section B. Amendments to Beta Omega Rules
1. Rules may be amended or rescinded at any meeting of Beta Omega by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
ARTICLE XII. DISSOLUTION
Section A. Beta Omega Chapter
1. The approval of the Tennessee State Organization Executive Board shall be obtained for the dissolution of Beta Omega Chapter. The charter must be returned to the state organization to be forwarded to International Headquarters. Remaining chapter funds are to be sent to the state treasurer. Initiation paraphernalia, chapter records, and Society publications are to be sent to the state organization. Those
members desiring to maintain membership will transfer to other chapters or become state members if there
is no chapter for which they are eligible. The Tennessee State Organization Executive Board is responsible
for deciding whether to reuse the Greek name of the dissolved chapter. (1994 International Standing Rules,
5.12)