“Fill-in-the-Blanks” Chapter Rules Template
For use in Sigma State Wisconsin, 2017-2018
(…) CHAPTER RULES
Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
I. CHAPTER NAME
The name of this chapter shall be (…) Chapter, Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
II. PURPOSES
The purposes of (…) Chapter shall be the seven Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and those of Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin. (In addition, the chapter will…)
III. MEMBERSHIP
· The membership of (…) Chapter shall be composed of active, reserve, and honorary members. Membership is in accordance with the Constitution, Article III, and the International Standing Rules.
· The chapter has authority to act in matters of membership.
· Membership records are kept by the chapter.
(Add the chapter’s procedure for electing members. Example: “Candidates for active membership shall be approved at a chapter meeting utilizing a process determined by the chapter.”)
Include additional chapter Standing Rules if appropriate.
IV. FINANCES
· Financial matters are in accordance with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, and Bylaws and Standing Rules of Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin.
· Chapter dues shall be determined annually by chapter vote no later than the first meeting of the fiscal year.
· Annual chapter, state organization, and international dues and fees shall be collected by the chapter treasurer prior to October 31 and forwarded to Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin by November 10.
· The Finance Committee shall develop an annual budget and present it to the membership for approval no later than the first business meeting of the fiscal year.
Include additional chapter Standing Rules if appropriate.
V. ORGANIZATION
· The chapter shall govern the conduct of its business in a manner consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, the Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin Bylaws and Standing Rules, and the chapter Standing Rules.
VI. OFFICERS AND RELATED PERSONNEL
· Chapter officers shall be a president, a vice-president, and a secretary. A treasurer is selected by the Executive Board. Chapters may have an elected second vice-president and corresponding secretary. Although not an officer, a parliamentarian may be appointed.
· Elections are held in even-numbered years. A slate of officers shall be prepared by the Nominations Committee and presented to the membership. Officers shall perform duties as specified in the Constitution, the Bylaws and Standing Rules of Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin, and as authorized in the chapter Standing Rules.
· The two-year term of office “or until a successor is named” is delineated for each office except that of the treasurer
In addition: (Specify responsibilities assigned to each position. Example:
The president shall...
The vice-president shall…
The recording secretary shall…
The corresponding secretary shall…
The treasurer shall…
VII. MEETINGS
· At least four business meetings shall be held each year: other meetings may be scheduled.
· A quorum shall consist of (…)
· The chapter may meet through electronic communication as long as all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting.
Include additional chapter Standing Rules if appropriate.
VIII. EXECUTIVE BOARD
· The members of chapter Executive Board shall be the elected officers, the immediate past president, and such other members as designated.
· The parliamentarian serves without vote.
· If the treasurer is paid for her services, she serves without vote.
· The executive board meets at least twice a year, but it may meet more often.
· A quorum is the majority of the voting members.
IX. COMMITTEES
· Standing committees shall be: (include a committee structure or an alternate structure for doing the work of specified international committees. SEE ADDENDUM A).
· The chapter may have additional standing committees: (Insert if appropriate.)
· Committees are appointed by the chapter president.
· The chapter nominations committee may be elected or appointed.
· The chapter president serves as member ex-officio on all committees except nominations.
· Matters requiring immediate committee action may be voted on by phone, mail or electronically.
X. COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLICATIONS
· The chapter president shall approve chapter publications; the name and number of issues are specified.
· The chapter may meet through electronic communication as long as all members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting.
XII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The following statement needs to be included verbatim in each chapter's Standing Rules for the parliamentary authority identified in the state organization bylaws: Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (current edition) is designated for the governance of the chapter in all instances in which the authority is not inconsistent with the Constitution or other adopted Society rules.
XIII. AMENDMENTS
· The chapter Executive Board shall review the standing rules at least once during the biennium.
· Chapter rules may be amended or rescinded at any regular business meeting of the chapter by (Indicate the proportion of vote necessary to amend.)
Include additional chapter Standing Rules if appropriate.
XIV. DISSOLUTION
Statements about dissolution of chapters from the state organization bylaws should be included verbatim.
· Before the chapter is dissolved, the approval of the Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin must be obtained.
· Careful consideration shall be given to members desiring to transfer to other chapters. International procedures must be followed.
· Any remaining funds in the chapter account shall be sent to the Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin treasurer for state or international projects.
· The chapter charter, paraphernalia, the Society publications, and the chapter records shall be delivered to the state organization. The charter must be returned to the Sigma State Organization of Wisconsin to be forwarded to the International Headquarters.
Appendix B. Chapter Rules Checklist
It is understood that all chapter practices are consistent with the Constitution/International Standing Rules, the state organization’s designated parliamentary authority, and its bylaws.
Name (Constitution, Article I. B)
q Chapter name is assigned by the state organization.
Mission and Purposes (Constitution, Article II)
q Chapter mission and purposes include promotion of the Society Mission and Purposes.
Membership (Constitution, Article III; International Standing Rules 3.0)
q Membership is classified as active, reserve, and honorary; procedure for electing members is stated.
q Chapter has authority to act in matters of membership; records are kept by chapter.
Finances (Constitution, Article IV; International Standing Rules 4.3 and 4.4)
q Chapter dues and method of determining the dues are listed; members may vote to assess themselves.
q Financial controls include the president’s approval of expenses, a budget, and a financial review.
q Special funds and/or awards may be created by the executive board and approved by the membership.
Organization (Constitution, Article V; International Standing Rules 5.12)
q Chapters may participate in a coordinating council; the president and a chapter member serve on such a council if it exists.
q Chapter president is a representative on the state organization executive board.
Officers and Related Personnel (Constitution, VI; International Standing Rules 6.0)
q Elected chapter officers include a president, a vice-president, and a secretary. A treasurer is selected by the executive board. Chapters may have an elected second vice-president and corresponding secretary.
q Elections are held in even-numbered years; the procedures for elections are delineated.
q The two-year term of office “or until a successor is named” is delineated for each office, except that of treasurer.
q Although not an officer, a parliamentarian is appointed.
Executive Board (Constitution, Article VII)
q Members include the elected officers, the immediate past president, and such other members as designated.
q The parliamentarian serves without vote. If the treasurer is paid for her services, she serves without vote.
q The executive board meets at least twice each year, but it may meet more often.
q A quorum is the majority of the voting members.
Committees (Constitution, Article VIII)
q A committee structure or an alternate structure for doing the work of specified international committees is indicated.
q A method of appointing/electing special committees is identified; a nominations committee may be elected or appointed; committees are appointed by the president unless exceptions are listed.
q The chapter president serves as member ex officio on committees except Nominations.
q Provisions are made for accomplishing tasks requiring immediate attention.
Meetings (Constitution, Article IX; International Standing Rules 9.0)
q At least four business meetings are held each year; other meetings/excursions may be scheduled.
q A quorum for regular meetings is designated.
Communications/Publications (Constitution, Article XII; International Standing Rules 12.0)
q President approves publications; the name and number of issues are specified.
q Chapter may meet through electronic communication as long as all the members may simultaneously hear one another and participate during the meeting.
Parliamentary Authority (Constitution, Article XV)
q A statement is included that indicates the parliamentary authority designated for the governance of the chapter in instances in which the authority is not inconsistent with the Constitution or other adopted Society rules.
Amendments (Constitution, Article XVI)
q A procedure for amending chapter rules includes when they may be amended, by what body, the proportion of vote necessary to amend, and the procedure for notifying the membership.
Dissolution (Constitution, Article XIX)
q Obtaining the state organization’s approval prior to taking any action is noted.
q Procedure for the transfer of members follows international transfer procedures.
q Funds remaining in chapter accounts are to be sent to the state organization treasurer; the chapter charter, paraphernalia and records are delivered to the state organization.
date of last amendment date of last revision
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