Gamma Lambda Rules
Revised October 25, 2012
Article 1—Chapter
Gamma Lambda Chapter
Eta State • Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Chapter Rules are for the purpose of guidance in chapter governance, and activities are binding on the chapter. Rules shall not conflict with the Constitution of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society International nor with Eta State Bylaws.
Article II—Purpose
A. Mission—Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
B. Vision Statement—Leading women educators impacting education worldwide
C. Purpose—The purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International shall be
1. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship
2. To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education
3. To advance the professional interest and position of women in education
4. To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators
5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators
6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action
7. To inform the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society. Gamma Lambda shall implement the seven purposes of the Society through programs and activities which encourage fellowship, professional growth, and personal development of members; careful selection of candidates for membership; and support of initiatives adopted by Eta State and International.
Article III—Membership
Membership shall be by invitation. Upon initiation, an individual becomes a member of a chapter, a state organization, and the international Society. She is initiated only once.
Members are encouraged to purchase and wear a Delta Kappa Gamma key pin at all DKG functions. To remain a member in good standing, annual dues must be remitted.
A. Classifications of Membership
1. Active—A member who is employed as a professional educator or has been retired from an educational position
Active members
a. Attend and participate regularly in meetings and activities
b. Are eligible to hold office
c. Stay abreast of DKG activities
d. Reorient themselves regularly to DKG
e. Maintain current Individual Record Forms with chapter
f. Pay dues on or before October meeting
2. Reserve—A member who is unable to participate fully in activities of the chapter because of physical disability and/or geographic location
Reserve members
a. Are granted such status following majority vote of membership
b. Pay "reserve" dues on or before October meeting
c. May participate in all activities except holding office
d. Shall, so requesting, be restored to active membership
3. Honorary—A woman not eligible for active membership who has rendered notable service to education or to women
Honorary members
a. Are recommended and approved by majority vote of membership
b. Are exempt from annual dues (Life-time membership fee shall be paid by chapter.)
c. Will be initiated at same time as active-member initiates
d. Are not eligible to transfer to other chapters
e. May participate in all activities except holding office
B. New Members
1. Members shall be encouraged to submit names of educators
a. Who are well qualified professionally and personally
b. Who would be interested in and benefit from membership
c. Who would make a contribution to the Society
2. Recommendations for membership shall be completed by sponsor and returned to membership committee chairman by February 1.
3. Election to membership shall be held at March meeting and shall follow the four-fifths method. If a large number of candidates is proposed in one year, this method may be set aside temporarily in favor of preferential methods by vote of the members present.
4. Invitations with society information shall be mailed to elected candidates by chapter president, or delivered personally, promptly after their election.
5. An orientation meeting shall be held soon after election of new-member candidates. Candidates will be asked to attend this meeting before making a final decision concerning membership.
6. A candidate elected for active or honorary membership shall be initiated within one year of her election. The standing initiation ceremony will be held during chapter’s last meeting of the year.
C. Change of Status
1. Transfers—Active and reserve members may transfer from one chapter to another.
2. Termination
a. A member shall be terminated for non-payment of dues, resignation, or death.
b. A member shall be notified of termination in writing.
c. Chapter minutes shall carry a statement of termination.
3. Reinstatement—A former member shall be reinstated to membership by chapter receiving the request.
D. Membership Records
A record of membership data shall be maintained and include
1. Individual record forms
2. New-member nominations—dates of invitations, acceptance and/or refusals with reason, initiation dates
3. Transfers—dates and names of affiliate chapters
4. Deaths—dates, Book of Remembrance biography
5. Resignations—letters, dates
6. Reinstatements—dates, affiliate chapters
Article IV—Finances
A. Chapter Dues
1. Chapter dues shall be determined annually by chapter vote no later than the first meeting of the fiscal year.
Active Reserve
International $40.00 International $20.00
Eta State $15.00 Eta State $2.00
State Scholarship $1.00 State Scholarship $1.00
Gamma Lambda Chapter $15.00 Gamma Lambda Chapter $1.00
$71.00 $24.00
2. Annual chapter, state, and international dues and fees shall be collected by chapter treasurer at or before October meeting and forwarded to state treasurer.
3. The chapter shall pay a one-time fee for each honorary member.
B. Assessments—Assessments made by vote of the chapter are binding on all active members.
C. Budget—A budget shall be prepared by finance committee at the beginning of each year for submission to executive board and adoption by membership.
1. Budget shall be subject to annual review and amendment by the finance committee, executive board, and membership.
2. Chapter shall pay expenses—registration, including convention-sponsored meals, lodging, and travel at the state rate—for president to attend Eta State convention.
3. Chapter shall pay expenses for president, treasurer, and up to two designees as selected by president to attend Eta State workshop in even-numbered years. (Eta State pays travel expense for one car at the state rate.)
4. Gamma Lambda shall pay for meals and lodging as needed for state officers or Region I director invited to a meeting.
D. Grant-in-Aid—A grant-in-aid fund shall be maintained with proceeds from designated projects and contributions.
E. World Fellowship—Members shall be encouraged to contribute to World Fellowship and to other projects launched by International and Eta State.
F. Special Funds—Special funds and/or awards may be created by executive board and approved by membership.
Article V—Organization
Business of the chapter shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the Constitution of International and the Bylaws of Eta State.
As active membership of Gamma Lambda approaches seventy, chapter shall make plans for division.
Article VI—Officers
A. Elected Officers—Elected officers of Gamma Lambda shall be president, first vice president, second vice president, recording secretary, and corresponding secretary.
1. Officers shall be elected no later than April 1 of even-numbered years for a two-year term of office or until a successor is named.
2. The parliamentarian shall be selected by the president.
3. The treasurer shall be appointed by the executive board each biennium and may serve successive terms.
Treasurer
a. Receives and pays out all monies belonging to organization
b. Maintains a record of receipts, bills, and bank statements
c. Presents a report at each regular meeting
d. Files required Society forms and tax reports
e. Submits accounts of organization for annual review
f. Serves as member of executive board
g. Serves ex officio without vote on finance committee
h. Orders president’s pin at chapter’s expense and makes it available to officer nominations committee before installation of officers
B. Duties of Officers—Duties shall be as specified in the Constitution (Article VI) and Eta State Bylaws and as authorized in the Gamma Lambda Chapter Rules.
1. President
Eta State and International Obligations
a. Represents Gamma Lambda at meetings, conferences, and other events and is a representative on the Eta State executive board
b. Ensures prompt submission of chapter reports to Eta State
c. Attends Eta State workshop for newly-elected chapter presidents and Eta State conventions
d. Submits names of new officers and committee chairmen to Eta State executive secretary and appropriate Eta State committee chairmen
Chapter Leadership
e. Appoints parliamentarian
f. Appoints all committees and serves ex officio on all except the officer nominations committee
g. Supports committee chairmen and encourages them in appropriate activities
h. Sees that records and materials of retiring officers and committee chairmen are promptly given to their successors
i. Assembles information for chapter yearbook and accepts responsibility for its publication and distribution
j. Plans workshop for new officers and committee chairmen to be held prior to first meeting in fall
k. Plans orientation for new members with membership chairman and second vice president
l. Encourages members to consider serving at state and international levels
m. Approves payment for all expense claims
n. Approves publications
o. Prepares a history of the biennium to be filed with chapter records
2. First Vice President
a. Serves as chairman of educational excellence committee
b. Uses team approach in planning programs
c. Encourages appropriate programs and activities that support local needs and interests as well as International and Eta State initiatives
3. Second Vice President
a. Oversees membership committee
b. Assists president with new-member orientation
c. Maintains membership records as specified in Article III
4. Recording Secretary
a. Submits copy of minutes to president and retains copy for chapter files
b. Maintains accurate attendance record, noting reasons for absences
c. Serves as liaison to committee(s) designated by president
5. Corresponding Secretary
a. Prepares and sends correspondence as directed by president
b. Shares received correspondence with membership
c. Coordinates contact of absent members following meetings
d. Assists president with history of chapter
e. Serves as liaison to committee(s) designated by president
C. Election of Officers
1. In even-numbered years, officer nominations committee shall submit one name for each office to be filled
2. Nominations may be made from floor with prior permission of the person(s) nominated.
3. Voice vote shall be used in case of a single slate of nominees; otherwise, ballots shall be used.
Article VII—Executive Board
The Executive Board shall be composed of elected officers, treasurer, and immediate past president. The parliamentarian serves ex officio without a vote. Chapter committee chairmen shall be encouraged to attend executive board meetings but without vote.
A quorum is the majority of voting members.
The executive board or designee shall determine meeting dates and designate hostesses and devotional leadership for chapter meetings on an annual basis.
Article VIII—Committees
Committees shall align with requirements of International and Eta State. Committee membership shall be appointed by chapter president with advice of executive board. The chapter president serves ex officio on all committees except officer nominations.
Standing Committees
1. Society Business
a. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICITY—Committee membership consists of either corresponding or recording secretary with other members.
Committee focus is to prepare communications for membership and to alert local media as well as Society and other professional organizations of chapter activities and accomplishments. Responsibilities include
(i) Assisting president or designee with chapter newsletter, the Gamma Lambda Gazette, which will be
published a minimum of four times each year
(ii) Reporting to chapter and Eta State editor any noteworthy accomplishments of Gamma Lambda and
its members
(iii) Reporting appropriate information to local media outlets
(iv) Connecting members through social media and other communications
(v) Maintaining Gamma Lambda scrapbook
(vi) Assisting executive board with production of chapter yearbook
b. FINANCE—Committee membership consists of treasurer, who is ex officio without vote, and three general members.
Committee focus is to safeguard the fiscal strength of Gamma Lambda. Responsibilities include Gamma
(i) Preparing and reviewing the budget before submitting it to the executive board for review and
general membership for adoption
(ii) Submitting records for annual financial audit to a special committee appointed by executive board
(iii) Recommending amount of dues and assessments, as needed, to executive board
c. MEMBERSHIP—Committee membership consists of second vice president with other members.
Committee focus encompasses ongoing member welfare, annual new-member development, and biennial officer nomination. Responsibilities include
Welfare
(i) Sending one red rose to a member for the following:
at the time of death in her immediate family—husband, parent, child, sister, brother, grandparent,
grandchild as soon as it is known that she has been hospitalized
upon birth or adoption of a child
(ii) Sending a card to a member
who has been sick at home for one week
who has lost a close relative not included in (i) above
remembering a wedding, honor, or retirement
(iii) Observing death of a member
by sending a card to the family of a member upon her death
by assisting president with remembrance service—Rose used in remembrance service will be
given/sent to member’s family.
(iv) Assisting president or designee with tribute to be placed in Book of Remembrance at next Eta State
convention
(v) Encouraging members of chapter to send individual cards to a member in case of extended illness
(vi) Encouraging each member to consider herself a committee-of-one to inform membership
committee of any illness, death, or disaster as well as celebrations impacting chapter members
New-Member Development
(i) Candidate nomination
Encouraging membership to recommend candidates for membership by February 1
Screening candidate recommendations
(ii) Election
Presenting qualified candidates for chapter vote
Conducting election at March meeting
(iii) Initiation
Holding orientation meeting for newly elected candidates with president and second vice president
Conducting initiation ceremony with executive board
Officer Nominations
(i) Submitting a slate of nominees for officer election
(ii) Conducting election at March meeting
(iii) Conducting installation ceremony at last meeting and presenting president’s pin to incoming
president
2. Society Mission and Purposes
a. EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE—Committee membership consists of first vice president with other members. Committee focus is to promote programs and projects which encourage fellowship, professional growth, and personal development of members while supporting initiatives adopted by Eta State and International. Responsibilities include
(i) Planning programs for chapter meetings
(ii) Developing projects and activities which promote educational excellence initiatives of International
and Eta State and others which address local needs
b. SCHOLARSHIP—Committee membership is drawn from general membership.
The committee shall promote and provide direction for scholarship activities of members and Gamma Lambda grant-in-aid programs. Responsibilities include
Member Scholarship
(i) Encouraging members to apply for Eta State and International scholarships
(ii) Providing interested members with proper information for making application
(iii) Maintaining a record of members’ scholarship awards
Grant-in-Aid
(i) Soliciting high school candidates for grant-in-aid
(ii) Selecting grant-in-aid recipient and notifying her of award
(iii) Presenting award at recipient’s high school awards program
(iv) Inviting current recipient to spring banquet
(v) Maintaining a record of grant-in-aid recipients and following up with them periodically
c. WORLD FELLOWSHIP—Committee membership is drawn from general membership.
The committee shall promote activities and interest in the Society’s World Fellowship initiative. Responsibilities include
(i) Promoting interest in World Fellowship and its recipients
(ii) Encouraging contributions to fund
Ad hoc committees
Ad hoc committees can be created with membership appointed or elected as needed to fulfill the mission, purposes, and activities of Gamma Lambda and the Society.
Article IX—Meetings
A. Chapter—A minimum of six chapter meetings shall be held each year, including a joint meeting with Mu and Beta Theta chapters. Business shall be conducted at a minimum of four of these meetings.
B. Executive Board—The executive board shall meet twice a year and additionally when requested by the president or at least two members of the board.
C. Committees—Committees shall meet as needed to fulfill their responsibilities.
D. Quorum—A quorum shall consist of 50 percent plus one of active membership.
Article X—General Information and Amendments
A. Parliamentary Authority—Rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (current edition) shall govern chapter proceedings unless they are inconsistent with International or Eta State.
B. Chapter Rules—Chapter rules may be changed at any regular meeting of chapter by a majority vote of members present. Changes shall be published in the chapter newsletter and copies of revisions provided to members.
C. Dissolution—Upon majority vote of general membership, executive board shall follow guidelines set forth by International and Eta State for dissolution.
1. Before a chapter can be dissolved, the approval of the Eta State Organization must be obtained.
2. Careful consideration shall be given to the manner in which those desiring to maintain membership transfer to other chapters. International procedures must be followed.
3. Any remaining funds in the chapter account shall be sent to the Eta State Organization treasurer for state or international projects.
4. The chapter’s paraphernalia, the Society publications, and the chapter records shall be retained in the Eta State Organization archives and made available for use.
5. The charter must be returned to the Eta State Organization to be forwarded to the International Headquarters.
6. The Eta State (NC) Organization Executive Board shall decide whether the Greek name shall be reused or not.
D. Grant-in-Aid—Grant-in-aid shall be awarded each year when funds are available. In choosing recipient, consideration shall be given as follows:
1. Female
2. Planned career path in education
3. High school senior who is a resident of Edgecombe County or will graduate from a school in Edgecombe County
In absence of a qualified candidate, monies may be distributed with recommendation of scholarship committee and at discretion of membership.
E. Tri-Chapter Meeting—Each year, a joint meeting with Mu and Beta Theta chapters shall be held with each chapter hosting on a rotating basis (Mu, Gamma Lambda, Beta Theta). This meeting counts as one of the required chapter meetings.
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Rewritten Summer 2012
Approved September 20,2012
Date of Last Amendment September 20, 2012
Date of Last Revision October 25, 2012