Upsilon Chapter Rules
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of this chapter shall be Upsilon Chapter, Omega State Organization, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
ARTICLE II PURPOSES
The purposes of Upsilon Chapter shall be the seven purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and those of the Omega State Organization.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Membership is in accordance with the Constitution and the International Standing Rules. The chapter has full authority for the administration of membership.
1. Active members shall be women who are employed in educational work at the time of their election and have had three or more years of experience or retired women who were employed in educational work and have been retired for only one year.
2. Reserve members shall be formerly active members who are retired from educational work and are unable to participate fully in activities of the chapter because of physical disability and/or geographical location. Reserve status shall be granted b a majority vote of the chapter.
3. Honorary members shall be women not eligible for active membership, who have rendered notable service to education or to women who are elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service. They shall be privileged to participate in all activities except that of holding office.
4. Written invitations shall be delivered to prospective members.
5. Candidates for membership shall be voted on in a chapter meeting in accordance with the Constitution.
6. An orientation meeting shall be held with prospective members prior to the initiation.
7. The Membership Committee shall plan for and participate in the initiation ceremony.
8. Prior to termination of membership for no-payment of dues, members shall be notified in writing of the October 31 deadline.
ARTICLE IV FINANCES
Financial matters are in accordance with the Constitution, International Standing Rules and the Omega State Bylaws.
Section A. Annual Dues and Fees
1. Chapter dues shall be $7.00 or as determined annually by chapter vote.
2. Chapter assessments such as the $.40 Chapter Scholarship Fund fee shall be determined annually by chapter vote.
3. Annual chapter, state, and international dues and fees shall be collected by the chapter treasurer by Oct. 31 as stated in the Constitution and the Omega State bylaws.
4. A member who does not wear her Delta Kappa Gamma pin to a scheduled meeting shall be expected to give a donation of $.50.
Section B. Budget/Expenses
1. The Finance Committee shall submit a proposed budget to the executive board.
2. The Finance Committee shall submit a proposed budget annually for adoption by the membership in September.
3. Items included in the proposed budget shall include chapter scholarships, grants-in-aid, a convention attendance fund for members, chapter president, and incoming president convention expenses, yearbook printing, memorials, postage and supplies, and president’s pin.
4. All chapter-approved expenses paid by the chapter treasurer shall be accompanied by receipts or verification whenever possible.
5. Proceeds from an annual fund-raiser shall be used for a designated project to be determined annually by the chapter.
6. During the school year, Salida and Buena Vista school districts shall be given a stipend for a project of their choice. An amount will be set annually in accordance with Chapter funds.
7. A report of the annual audit under the direction of the Finance Committee shall be submitted for adoption by the membership.
ARTICLE V ORGANIZATION
Upsilon Chapter shall govern the conduct of its business in a manner consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, Omega State Bylaws, Omega State Standing Rules and the Upsilon Chapter Rules.
ARTICLE VI OFFICERS AND RELATED PERSONNEL
Section A. Officers
1. Chapter officers shall be a president, a vice-president, a second vice-president, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary (all elected), and a treasurer (selected by the executive board).
2. A parliamentarian shall be appointed by the chapter president from the membership. The parliamentarian is not an officer.
Section B. Duties
1. The officers and related personnel shall perform their duties in accordance with those stated in the Constitution.
2. In addition to the stated duties, the first vice-president shall serve as chairman of the program committee and shall prepare the yearbooks.
3. In addition to the stated duties, the second vice-president shall serve as chairman of the membership committee.
4. In addition to the stated duties, the corresponding secretary shall carry on correspondence including cards to members (Sunshine Committee) and shall serve as recording secretary in the absence of the elected recording secretary.
5. The filling of vacancies shall be in accordance with the Constitution.
Section C. Election and Term of Office
1. Elections shall be held in even-numbered years in accordance with the Constitution.
2. The Nominations Committee shall present the slate of officers for the election in March. The Installation ceremony shall be in April.
ARTICLE VII BOARDS
1. The members of the executive board shall be the elected officers of the chapter, the immediate past president, and such other voting members shall be determined by the chapter. The treasurer and the parliamentarian shall be ex-officio members, the parliamentarian without vote.
2. The executive board shall: select the treasurer for the biennium; act in matters requiring immediate action and decision; recommend policies and procedures for consideration by members; establish rules for budget development and approval and for the supervision of chapter finances; and assist in planning programs.
3. The executive board will meet at least once a year (usually a summer meeting). The board may meet at other times upon the call of the president.
4. A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the executive board.
ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES
Section A. Standing Committees
All committees shall be appointed by the president.
SOCIETY BUSINESS
Communications and Publicity Committee
Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee
Expansion Committee
Finance Committee
Leadership Development Committee
Membership Committee
Nominations Committee
Chapter Strengthening Committee
SOCIETY MISSIONS AND PURPOSES
Educational Excellence
Early and Career Educators Committee
Educational Law and Policy Committee (US Forum)
Personal and Professional Pride Committee
Music, Arts, and Humanities Committee
Community and World Connections Committee
Scholarship Committee – Members
World Fellowship Committee
OTHER COMMITTEES
Local Scholarship Committee – Non-members
Books for Babies
Red Rose Recognition
Calling Tree
Section B. Duties
SOCIETY BUSINESS
A. Communications and Publicity
1. Communicate effectively with one another
2. Publicize information about the Society, its aims and Purposes, its program of work, and the noteworthy achievements of its members.
3. Send meeting announcements to members online or by mail and put on website
4. Prepare stories about events and activities and help to arrange coverage of special events
5. Help to incorporate international and state news of the Society into chapter programs
6. Keep a file of state and international Society publications for reference
7. Send news of chapter programs, projects and activities to the state organization editor
8. Maintain website and update at least twice a year
B. Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee
1. Receive all proposals to amending the Chapter Bylaws and Standing Rules.
2. Submit all amendments to Chapter members for approval.
3. Review Chapter rules to determine if they are in compliance with the International Constitution and Standing Rules and Omega State Bylaws and Standing Rules.
C. Finance Committee
1. Prepare the chapter budget
2. Review, modify or adopt the budget as directed by the executive board or the chapter membership
3. Select and contact school principals of the stipend given to Salida and Buena Vista school districts.
4. Sponsor the annual chapter fund-raiser
D. Leadership Development
1. Recognize the needs of members and recommend programs and projects to aid individual growth
2. Develop leadership among members in all levels of DKG Society
3. Encourage participation in study groups concerned with economic, social, political and educational issues
4. Encourage members to reach beyond themselves and their communities to help create a genuine spiritual fellowship among women educators of the world.
E. Membership
1. Encourage members to submit recommendations for new members on Recommendation for Invitation to Membership forms
2. Review professional qualifications of those recommended to the chapter at a meeting in advance of the date set for voting
3. Present names and qualifications of those recommended to the chapter prior to the date set for voting
4. Conduct the election at the designated time set
5. Keep an accurate record of invitations sent and the written replies
6. Conduct orientation of prospective members after the invitations have been extended
7. Conduct periodic reorientation for chapter members
8. Prepare for the participation in the initiation ceremony
9. Contact members who fail to attend meetings
10. Keep an up-to-date file of biographical data of chapter members
11. Make reports of deceased members
12. Prepare necrology reports
13. Attempt to obtain key pins, president’s pins and yearbooks from those who are no longer members either by resignation or by death
14. Conduct any memorial services at a chapter meeting in accordance with the Ceremonies book
F. Nominations
1. Solicit from members suggestions for officers as defined in chapter rules
2. Ascertain that the nominated person will serve if elected
3. Present to the chapter, in even-numbered years, nominations for officers
4. Prepare the ballot
5. Send immediately the names and addresses of new officers to the state organization president and the executive coordinator at International Headquarters.
G. Chapter Strengthening
1. Help develop a chapter program of work which focuses upon the Purposes and the Mission Statement of the Society
2. Help plan the program of work so that it included projects, activities, and programs related to personal growth, service to others, professional affairs, legislation, research, and music
3. Help plan the year’s programs for the chapter by using the adapted international theme found in the program manual
4. Adjust the focus to meet local needs and interests
5. Use a variety of programming techniques for presenting ideas so as to stimulate thinking which may develop into action
6. Encourage maximum member participation in programs by having as many different members as possible take part in the program
7. Help plan for the observance of Founders Day and the chapter’s birthday
8. Assist with the preparation and distribution of the chapter yearbook
9. Reserve meeting halls.
SOCIETY MISSION AND PURPOSE
1. Educational Excellence Committee
Promotes programs and projects for excellence in education and shall acquaint chapter with the International and State activities
A. Early and Career Educators Committee
1. Develop projects in the local Chapter to support early and career educators
2 Obtain monetary and other classroom resources
B. Educational Law and Policy Committee
1. Encourage participation in study groups concerned with economic, social, political and educational issues
2. Support State organization legislative/governmental activities
3. Publicize pertinent information to members of current educational trends and issues
C. Personal and Professional Pride Committee
1. Recognize the needs of members and recommend programs and projects to aid individual growth.
2. Encourage members to reach beyond themselves and their communities to help create a genuine spiritual fellowship among women educators of the world
3. Develop chapter interest and participation in activities designed to improve the professional or personal status of women educators
D. Music, Arts, and Humanities Committee
1. Provide for the use of music as an integral part of programming
2. Use music to enhance appreciation of the Society’s goals and to give dignity and beauty to programs
3. Affirm the best practices in education including promoting all the fine arts
E. Community and World Connections Committee
Provide information and projects to promote awareness and support the relief of issues impacting education such as poverty, hunger and homelessness at the local, state, and international levels.
2. Scholarships
1. Establish criteria for awarding chapter scholarships to members
2. Make scholarship application forms available to chapter membership in February
3. Select two chapter recipients
4. Award the two chapter scholarships in April
5. Maintain contact with scholarship recipients
6. Report to the chapter.
3. World Fellowship
1. Inform chapter members of the work of the International World Fellowship Committee
2. Encourage chapter members to make to contributions to the World Fellowship Fund
OTHER COMMITTEES
A. Scholarship—nonmembers
1. Develop and maintain a reasonable criteria and a written application
2. Provide the application to local high schools by February of each year
3. Interview candidates for the scholarship
4. Select number of recipients based on funds available
5. Award the scholarships in May of each year
B. Books for Babies
1. Obtain monetary resources for the Chapter Project.
2. Buy books, bags, and other items needed for the project.
3. Inform members of the status of the project.
4. Publicize the project in local media and Omega State Peaks.
5. Supply the local hospital with the bags as needed.
C. Red Rose Recognition
1. Decide on a member for this award.
2. Collect information on the member.
3. Announce and award a certificate to the selected member at the April brunch.
D. Calling Tree
1. Call members for meeting and/or special events, especially those without e-mail.
ARTICLE IX MEETINGS
1. Upsilon Chapter meetings shall be held on the third Tuesday, September through April, except when otherwise changed
2. A quorum shall consist of those members attending at any meeting
ARTICLE X AREAS OF ACTIVITY
State Convention
Upsilon Chapter shall act as one of the hostesses for the Omega State Convention according to a schedule set up by the Omega State Executive Board. Members shall follow the guidelines given in a state publication on convention responsibilities.
Chapter Scholarships
1. Upsilon Chapter shall give a stipend to two teachers in both Salida and Buena Vista for a selected project
2. Upsilon Chapter shall award two chapter scholarships to members at the April chapter meeting. Application forms must be submitted by the March chapter meeting. The chapter recipients shall give a program for the membership during the following year.
3. Upsilon Chapter shall participate in a yearly outreach project determined annually
4. Upsilon Chapter shall sponsor casual, fun activities throughout the year
5. Upsilon Chapter shall participate in memorial services for members if asked by the family
6. Memorials may be given in memory of a deceased member to a library in their town of residence
ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS
Upsilon Chapter Rules may be amended with thirty (30) days notice at any chapter meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in attendance
ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (current edition) shall govern chapter proceedings in instances in which this authority is not inconsistent with the Constitution, the International Standing Rules, or other adopted Society rules
ARTICLE XIII DISSOLUTION
Follow DKG International Constitution, Article XIX
Date of last amendment 2005
Date of newest amendment September 2014
Updated Sept 18, 2014