Mission Statements - West Georgia Chapter 1303

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CHAPTER BYLAWS

Bylaws

West Georgia Chapter

Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa International

SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1 Name, Nature, and Purpose

1.1.1 This chapter is a unit of Phi Delta Kappa International, Incorporated,

(hereinafter “PDK”) and shall be known as the West Georgia Chapter

(hereinafter “the chapter”).

1.1.2 The chapter shall be located in Region Gm and shall be locally situated in

Carrollton, Georgia.

1.1.3 The nature and purpose of the chapter shall be in concert with the nature

and purpose of PDK, an education association that is professional and

collegial.

1.1.3.1 The chapter shall be concerned with and direct its efforts toward the

improvement of education, especially of publicly supported,

universally available education.

1.1.3.2 The chapter’s purpose shall be addressed through the development of

professional relationships or partnerships not only with educators but

also with like-minded individuals and groups.

1.1.4 The character of the chapter in carrying forward programs, activities, and

initiatives in support of the association’s purpose shall be non-political or

non-partisan to the greatest extent possible.

1.1.5 In seeking improvement of education, the chapter shall base its support

and action on sound principles of leadership, careful and objective

research, and the desire to serve the common good.

1.2 Governance Authority

1.2.1 The chapter shall be governed by the Constitution and Bylaws of PDK,

including all amendments and revisions thereto.

1.2.1.1 In the event that these chapter bylaws conflict with the PDK

Constitution and Bylaws, the latter shall prevail and the chapter bylaws

shall be revised accordingly.

1.2.2 The chapter shall be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes consistent with the provisions of section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

1.2.3 The fiscal year of the chapter shall be the same as the fiscal year of PDK, extending from July 1 through June 30.

1.2.4 The chapter shall be responsible for any fiscal obligation not authorized by the International Board.

1.2.4.1 No loan shall be contracted in the name of PDK without approval of

the International Board.

1.2.5 Annual dues for new chapter members are paid to the chapter, which shall remit the international portion of such dues to the PDK International Office.

1.2.5.1 All dues are payable in advance of the membership year to which such

dues are credited.

1.2.6 Authority not specified in these chapter bylaws shall be exercise in a manner consistent with the PDK Constitution and Bylaw.

SECTION 2. THE MEMBERS

2.1 Member Eligibility and Obligations

2.1.1 Membership in the chapter shall be open to professional educators and other individuals of good character who are committed to the purpose of the association.

2.1.2 Application for membership shall be by nomination of a good-standing member (or members) or by self-nomination.

2.1.3 Acceptance into membership commits the member to affiliation with PDK and agreement to support the association’s efforts to fulfill its purpose.

2.1.4 The chapter shall not modify membership requirements as set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws.

2.2 Categories of Membership

2.2.1 Professional membership shall be available to persons who demonstrate professional conduct and who hold a baccalaureate degree, are licensed or credentialed as educators, or are employed in an education-related field as identified by the PDK International Board, as specified in the PDK Constitutional and Bylaws.

2.2.1.1 Professional membership is available to undergraduate education

majors prior to graduation who are in or have successfully completed a

student teaching experience.

2.2.1.2 Professional membership, in addition to the general category, also

shall include the subcategories of emeritus, life, and senior

membership, as specified in PDK Constitution and Bylaws.

2.2.1.3 Professional membership shall include individual voting rights.

2.2.2 Associate membership shall be available to persons of good character who subscribe to the purpose of the association but are not eligible for professional membership, include undergraduate students (prior to student teaching), parents, government officials, and other individuals.

2.2.2.1 Associate membership, in addition to the general category, also shall

include PDK Constitution and Bylaws.

2.2.2.2 Associate membership shall not include voting rights.

2.3 Continuation, Transfer, and Termination of Membership

2.3.1 Good-standing membership shall be continued until the member, in accordance with the PDK Constitution and Bylaws: requests withdrawal, is automatically withdrawn for nonpayment of dues, or is expelled.

2.3.2 Professional members may choose between chapter membership or direct membership at their discretion.

2.3.3 No person may be a member of a chapter without being a member of PDK.

SECTION 3. THE CHAPTER

3.1 Governance Practices, Standards, and Services

3.1.1 The governing board of the chapter shall be composed of the officers of the chapter, which shall include the president, the treasurer, the vice president of membership, the vice president of programs, the secretary, and the foundation representative. [NOTE: These four positions are the minimum standard. Chapters may name other officer positions in addition to these four, including, for example, a secretary, a research representative, a historian, a newsletter editor, and so on].

3.1.1.2 When not already designated, an advisor and a newsletter editor shall

be appointed by the in-coming president with the approval of the

governing board.

3.1.1.3 Eligibility for chapter office shall be limited to members in good

standing in the West Georgia Chapter.

3.1.1.4 The offices of president and treasurer may not be held concurrently by

the same individual.

3.1.1.5 The duties of the officers shall be those designated by Phi Delta

Kappa International in the Resource Guide for PDK Leaders.

3.1.2 The term of office for all chapter officers shall be a minimum of one year.

[RECOMMENDED: 1 OR 2] Vacancies shall be filled by the president

with consultation of the governing board, or when appropriate, by a simple

majority vote of those eligible members present at a regular chapter

meeting.

3.1.3 The chapter shall be responsible, in addition to upholding the purpose of

the association, for the following: 1) promoting membership, 2) inducting

and retaining members, 3) carrying out fiscal responsibilities according to

International Board policy, 4) promulgating programs and services related

to education, 5) fostering and supporting diversity and equity, 6)

marinating chapter bylaws, 7) promoting the Phi Delta Kappa Educational

Foundation, and 8) communication with members and the International

Board.

3.1.3.1 The chapter shall report its activities in a manner chosen in

consultation with the regional representative.

3.1.3.2 The chapter may request assistance from a chapter/member liaison in

order to fulfill its purpose and may request appointment of a liaison by

the regional representative.

3.1.4 The chapter shall welcome members through induction and orientation

activities as determined by the governing board of the chapter and chapter

members.

3.1.5 The chapter shall accept the transfer of any professional member upon

request of that member.

3.2 Election of Officers

3.2.1 The president of the chapter shall appoint a nominating committee to

conduct nominations and elections. Further nominations may be made at

the meeting at which officers are elected.

3.2.2 The nominations and elections committee shall prepare a slate of

candidates, which shall be communicated to all members of the chapter.

3.2.2.1 The committee shall receive nominations of any members in good

standing in the West Georgia Chapter and shall determine each

candidate’s eligibility to stand for office.

3.2.3 The nominations and elections committee shall conduct the election no

later than the month of May of the year. No person may be declared an officer until having been formally installed. The governing board may install an officer who was unable to attend the regular installation. Once installed, new officers will take office.

3.2.3.1 Election will be by simple majority of those present at a governing

board meeting, or when appropriate, those eligible members present at

a regular chapter meeting.

3.2.3.2 The vote may be by secret ballot.

3.3 Dissolution

3.3.1 If the chapter surrenders its charter voluntarily or must forfeit its charter

for cause, as determined by the International Board pursuant to the PDK

Constitution and Bylaws, the chapter treasury shall be disbursed in a

manner determined by the International Board.

3.4 Committees

3.4.1 Governing Board

3.4.1.1 The governing board shall be composed of the elected officers and may also

include the immediate past president, and chairpersons of all standing

committees and any persons who are filling designated positions.

3.4.1.2 The governing board shall establish a budget that is consistent with its

purpose, goals, and activities and a process to audit the fiscal records in

accordance with the international constitution.

3.4.1.3 The governing board shall establish the annual chapter dues, which shall be

billed by the PDK International Office at the same time that it bills for

association dues.

3.4.1.4 The governing board shall have powers to pass upon all matters of chapter

business.

3.4.2 Membership Committee

3.4.2.1 A membership committee may be appointed by the president or by the Vice President of Membership consisting of other members in good standing.

3.4.2.2 The membership committee shall receive self-nominations and nominations for new members and determine those candidates qualified for membership. The membership committee will handle all correspondence with the nominees.

3.4.3 Program Committee

3.4.3.1 A program committee may be appointed by the president or by the Vice President of Programs consisting of other members in good standing.

3.4.3.2 The program committee shall arrange programs upon the advice of the governing board.

3.4.4 The Past President’s Advisory Council

3.4.4.1 The past presidents’ advisory council may function as an advisory group and be represented on the governing board by the immediate past president.

3.4.5 The Awards Committee

3.4.5.1 The awards committee shall be appointed by the president or the

president’s designee. This committee shall have authority to receive nominations for awards, to decide which awards shall be presented each year, to select recipients for the awards, and to make all arrangements that may be necessary to conduct the awards program.

3.4.6 Other Committees

3.4.6.1 Other committees may be appointed by the president or governing board.

3.5 Meetings of the Chapter

3.5.1 No fewer than four meetings shall be held each year. Additional

meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the governing board. A

schedule of all meetings shall be distributed to the membership before

the first meeting of the year.

3.5.2 All program presenters and/or speakers shall be guests of the chapter at the meeting at which they are presenting the program or at which they are speaking.

3.6 Awards Program

3.6.1 The chapter shall annually conduct an Awards Program to honor outstanding members, other educators, and lay persons for their contributions to public education. It shall be the duty of the awards committee to present these awards.

3.6.2 The categories of awards shall be those designated by Phi Delta Kappa

International in the Resource Guide for PDK Leaders: community awards,

professional awards, member awards, student awards, and special awards..

3.6.3 Members of the governing board and the Awards Committee shall be ineligible to receive awards.

3.6.4 Recipients will be expected to attend the awards program, or a surrogate will be named by the sponsor to accept the award. Non-members who are to receive awards will be invited to the awards program as guests of the chapter.

3.7 Expenses for the Chapter

3.7.1 The chapter may pay transportation, lodging, registration, and meals for any

chapter representative who attends the annual conference.

SECTION 4. BYLAWS AMENDMENTS

4.1 Amendment Procedures

4.1.1 Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the

chapter governing board at least 30 days prior to the amendment being set

before the members for a vote.

4.1.1.1 Proposed amendments shall be communicated to all members of the chapter.

4.1.2 Amendments shall be adopted by a majority vote of governing board, or

when appropriate, of those eligible members voting.

4.1.3 Amendments may become effective immediately upon ratification.