Preamble

That academic excellence among two-year college students may be advanced; that opportunity may be provided for leadership; that an intellectual atmosphere may be provided for an exchange of ideas; and that the pursuit of knowledge be encouraged and viewed as a lifelong process, to these things we dedicate ourselves as members of PHI THETA KAPPA.  Among us, membership is a privilege earned by academic excellence, good character and commitment to service.  In the conduct of our activities, truth shall be our quest, diligence our staff, and achievement our purpose.

Article I.

Name of Organization

The name of this organization shall hereafter be known as Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

Article II.

Purpose of Organization

The purpose of this Honor Society shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students.  To achieve this purpose, this region of Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for development through leadership, scholarship, fellowship and service.

Article III.

Divisions of Organization

Section 1.  Members

      Part A.    The members of Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee shall consist of all members of Tennessee Phi Theta Kappa chapters who meet the requirements for membership in the International Phi Theta Kappa Society.

      Part B.    Members must pay Regional dues of four dollars ($4.00).  Dues are paid only once, immediately after the member’s induction.

Section 2.  Executive Board

      Part A.    Officers of the Executive Board shall be elected at the Tennessee Regional Convention each year.

      Part B.    These officers shall be President, Eastern Vice President, Western Vice President, Secretary and Newsletter Coordinator.

      Part C.    The Regional Coordinator is an ex-officio member of the Executive Board and serves as an advisor throughout the year.

      Part D.    The Executive Board is restricted from spending Regional funds without permission from the Regional Coordinator.

Section 3.  Standing Committees

      Part A.    Members of standing committees:

                              1.   shall be appointed within one month after the Regional Convention by the Regional President, or, at the President’s direction, by another member of the Executive Board.

                              2.   may have as many members as the Regional President and/or the Executive Board deem necessary.

                              3.   may be composed of members and advisors.  It is suggested, but not required that each standing committee have at least one advisor.

                              4.   shall assist the Regional Coordinator when needed.

      Part B.    New standing committees may be created by the President or the Executive Board as needed.

      Part C.    The Awards Committee shall:

                              1.   be chaired by the Regional President.

                              2.   establish Regional awards, including those which carry scholarships to the Honors Institute.

                              3.   assist in securing gifts for regional officers, guests, and the college president of the Host college for the Regional Convention.

                              4.   assist in obtaining door prizes for the Regional Convention.

      Part D.    The Projects Committee shall:

                              1.   be co-chaired by the Regional Vice Presidents.

                              2.   work with the Regional Coordinator to plan suitable projects for the Tennessee chapters, including a “Tennessee Regional Service Project.”

                              3.   assist the recipients of the Honors Institute Scholarships to host a Regional Honors Meeting.

      Part E.     The Election Committee shall:

                              1.   be chaired by the Regional Secretary.

                              2.   prepare, distribute and receive nomination forms for candidates for Regional offices.

                              3.   prepare written ballots to be used for elections at Regional Conventions.

                              4.   organize and preside at the caucuses at the Regional Convention.

                              5.   tabulate, announce, and keep a record of the Regional election results.

      Part F.     The Communications Committee shall:

                              1.   be chaired by the Regional Newsletter Coordinator.

                              2.   publish and distribute a Regional Directory with addresses, phone numbers and other information about Regional Officers, chapter officers, and chapter advisors.

                              3.   publish and distribute the Tennessee Regional Newsletter.

Section 4.  Advisory Board

      Part A.    The Advisory Board shall:

                              1.   consist of five (5) chapter advisors.

                              2.   include representatives from East, Central, and West Tennessee whenever possible.

                              3.   advise the Regional Coordinator on all matters pertaining to Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

                              4.   meet at least once a year.

      Part B.    The Regional Coordinator shall serve as Chairman of the Advisory Board.

Article IV.

Powers and Duties of the Executive Board

Section 1.  Regional President

      Part A.    The President shall attend the winter and spring Executive Board meetings, the Leadership Conference and the Regional Convention.  The President shall seek financial support from his/her local chapter and/or college to defray the costs of attending these meetings.

      Part B.    The President shall preside over the Regional Leadership Conference, the Regional Convention and all Regional Business Meetings, except those of the Advisory Board, which is presided over by the Regional Coordinator.

      Part C.    The President shall direct Regional activities and projects.

      Part D.    The President shall be available to fellow officers and the Regional Coordinator.

      Part E.     The President shall promote and encourage the International Honors Study Topic within Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

      Part F.     The President shall ensure that all duties and responsibilities of fellow officers are being carried out; shall notify the Regional Executive Board of any alternate action which should be pursued.

      Part G.    The President shall work closely with the Regional Coordinator to review the direction of Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

      Part H.    The President shall serve as Chair of the Awards Committee.

      Part I.      The President shall provide an article for each issue of the Tennessee Regional Newsletter.

      Part J.     The President shall appoint a designee in his/her absence for presiding over meetings, should the Vice Presidents not be available.

Section 2.  Regional Vice President

      Part A.    The Vice Presidents shall attend the winter and spring Executive Board meetings, the Leadership Conference and the Regional Convention.  The Vice Presidents shall seek financial support from his/her local chapter and/or college to defray the costs of attending these meetings.

      Part B.    In the absence of the President, the Eastern Vice President shall call and preside over regional planning and business meetings in odd years. In the absence of the President, the Western Vice President shall call and preside over regional planning and business meetings in even years.

      Part C.    The Vice Presidents shall educate regional members about the International Service Project and promote it through a statewide project.

      Part D.    The Western Vice President shall serve as Sergeant of Arms and Parliamentarian at all executive regional planning and business meetings in odd years. The Eastern Vice President shall serve as Sergeant of Arms and Parliamentarian at all executive regional planning and business meetings in even years.

      Part E.     The Vice Presidents shall assist the Regional Coordinator with special projects as requested.

      Part F.     The Vice Presidents shall serve as co-chairs of the Projects Committee.

      Part G.    The Vice Presidents shall provide an article for each issue of the Tennessee Regional Newsletter.

Section 3.  Regional Secretary

      Part A.    The Secretary shall attend the winter and spring Executive Board meetings, the Leadership Conference and the Regional Convention.  The Secretary shall seek financial support from his/her local chapter and/or college to defray the costs of attending these meetings.

      Part B.    The Secretary shall record and distribute Regional minutes from planning and business meetings within two weeks of the meeting.

      Part C.    The Secretary shall send a draft of the minutes to the coordinator for pre-approval before distributing to Executive Board and Regional Officers for approval.

      Part D.    The Secretary shall send official correspondence, as directed by the Advisory Board.  The Secretary shall provide the Regional Coordinator with a draft for pre-approval.

      Part E.     The Secretary shall assist the Regional Coordinator with special projects as requested.

      Part F.     The Secretary shall serve as Chair of the Election Committee.

      Part G.    The Secretary  shall provide an article for each issue of the Tennessee Regional Newsletter.

Section 4.  Regional Newsletter Coordinator

      Part A.    The Newsletter Coordinator shall attend the winter and spring Executive Board meetings, the Leadership Conference and the Regional Convention.  The Newsletter Coordinator shall seek financial support from his/her local chapter and/or college to defray the costs of attending these meetings.

      Part B.    The Newsletter Coordinator shall use the Regional Logo and Name on all newsletters; shall identify the volume and number of each publication.

      Part C.    The Newsletter Coordinator shall establish due dates for information from regional chapters; shall establish publication dates, the first issue to be devoted to providing regional members with the new leadership (updated directory), phone numbers and  the regional calendar and one per quarter thereafter, to include regional and chapter news, etc.

      Part D.    The Newsletter Coordinator shall serve as editor of the regional newsletter.

       Part E.     The Newsletter Coordinator shall ensure that deadlines are met to the best of the ability to do so.

      Part F.     The Newsletter Coordinator shall ensure that the quality of the production is of the highest quality possible.

      Part G.    The Newsletter Coordinator shall ensure that all Tennessee Regional chapter officers, advisors, Advisory Board members and International Headquarters receive one copy of each newsletter; ten copies to each chapter; and fifteen copies to the Regional Coordinator.

      Part H.    The Newsletter Coordinator shall serve as Chair of the Communications Committee.

Article V.

Election of Officers

Section 1.  Process

      Part A.    The Tennessee Regional Officers shall be elected annually at the Tennessee Regional Convention.

      Part B.    Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the delegates at the Tennessee Regional Convention, each active chapter designating one member to serve as the chapter’s Voting Delegate.

      Part C.    Newly elected officers shall be installed at the last general session of the Tennessee Regional Convention, and shall assume the duties of their office immediately after an orientation by the Regional Coordinator.  This orientation should take place immediately after the Tennessee Regional Convention.

      Part D.    A Regional Officer may be removed from office if a complaint, signed by at least two (2) chapters in good standing, is received by the Regional Coordinator, and following an obliging vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the State Chapters.  A Regional Officer may appeal a decision to be removed from officer by requesting a hearing before a Committee of Chapter Advisors, appointed by the Regional Coordinator, whose decision is final.

      Part F.     The Regional Coordinator, with the approval of the Executive Board, may appoint a replacement for a Regional Officer, who is removed from office, or who resigns from office.

Section 2.  Requirements

      Part A.    Candidates for Regional Office must be members of a chapter in good standing and meet all requirements of membership in that chapter.

      Part B.    Candidates must be nominated by having their names received in writing by the Regional Coordinator prior to the Second General Session of the Regional Convention.  If no nominations are received for an office, nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Second General Session.

      Part C.    The chapter of a candidate for Regional Newsletter Coordinator must be willing and able to assume the responsibility for publishing the Tennessee Regional Newsletter during that member’s term of office.

      Part D.    Candidates must be present at the Tennessee Regional Convention in order to participate in the election.

      Part E.     All candidates must be required to meet with delegates in a business session prior to the election to explain their qualifications and to answer questions from the delegates.

      Part F.     Regional Officers must be attending a two-year college, within the Tennessee Region, during their term of office.

      Part G.    The Eastern Vice President shall be enrolled in a two-year college within the Eastern Time Zone and the Western Vice President shall be enrolled in a two-year college in the Central Time Zone.

Article VI.

Powers and Duties of the Regional Coordinator

Section 1.  Regional Coordinator

      Part A.    The Regional Coordinator is appointed by the International Executive Director.

      Part B.    The Regional Coordinator shall

                              1.   act as Advisor for Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

                              2.   make appointments to vacant positions on the Executive Board with the approval of the Executive Board.

                              3.   create and maintain the Regional Treasury.

                              4.   execute all financial transactions for Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

                              5.   collect all dues, and advise those chapters who are not in good standing because of non-payment of dues.

                              6.   advise the Executive Board of any chapter not in good standing at the time of the Regional Convention.

                              7.   attend national meetings and represent Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee.

Article VII.

Powers and Duties of Chapter Advisors

Section 1.  Chapter Advisors

      Part A.    The Chapter Advisors of the members of Executive Board shall maintain communication with and assist the Regional Coordinator in conjunction with activities of Phi Theta Kappa of Tennessee whenever these activities involve the Executive Board.

      Part B.    The Chapter Advisors of all chapters in good standing shall maintain communication with the Regional Coordinator and the Executive Board.

      Part C.    The Chapter Advisors shall

                              1.   oversee all chapter activities including the development of the chapter calendar and implementation of all planned projects and programs.

                              2.   maintain and allocate chapter funds.

                              3.   advise the chapter on all matters.

                              4.   correspond with the Regional Coordinator when necessary.

                              5.   represent the chapter to the college administration when necessary.

                              6.   appoint an official staff correspondent to submit articles on behalf of the chapter to the Newsletter Coordinator.

Article VIII.

Conventions, Conferences and Business Meetings

Section 1.  Regional Convention

      Part A.    The Host Chapter for the Tennessee Regional Convention shall be chosen by a majority vote of the chapters present at the previous regional convention.

      Part B.    Any chapter wishing to host the Tennessee Regional Convention shall submit a letter of invitation from the college president and/or administration to the Executive Board one week prior to the Tennessee Regional Convention at which the election of the Host Chapter is held.

      Part C.    A representative of each chapter wishing to host the Tennessee Regional Convention will be required to meet the delegates in a business session prior to the election of the Host Chapter to explain the qualifications of his/her chapter, and to answer any questions from the delegates.

      Part D.    The Host Chapter, with the assistance of the Executive Board, shall:

                              1.   provide a suitable time and place for the Tennessee Regional Convention.

                              2.   provide an agenda for the Tennessee Regional Convention.

Section 2.  Regional Business Meetings

      Part A.    Regional business meetings may be held at the Tennessee Regional Convention, Regional Leadership Conference and/or International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa.

      Part B.    Additional Regional business meetings as needed, may be called by the Regional Coordinator.

      Part C.    Minutes of all Regional business meetings shall be sent to all chapters in the Region.

      Part D.    Roberts’ Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary guide at all Regional business meetings.

Article IX.

Amendment Procedures

Section 1.  Initiating an Amendment

      Any chapter in good standing may initiate an amendment proposal by presenting the amendment, in writing, to the Regional Coordinator and to the Executive Board.

Section 2.  Presenting an Amendment

      Part A.    Written copies of a proposed amendment must be sent to each chapter at least fourteen (14) days prior to voting.

      Part B.    Amendments may be voted on if they were presented at a previous Regional Convention, Conference or business meeting.

Section 3.  Amending the By-Laws

      Amending the By-Laws shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the chapters present at any Regional business meeting, or, if the voting is done by mail, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all chapters in good standing.

Article X.

Ratification

Section 1.  Required Vote

      These By-Laws shall become effective upon a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of all chapters in Tennessee which submit a ballot.

Section 2.  Suspension By-Laws

      These By-Laws or any of its provisions may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the chapters present at any Regional business meeting, or, if the voting is done by mail, a two-   thirds (2/3) vote of all chapters in good standing which submit a ballot.

Section 3.  Reinstatement of By-Laws

      A like two-thirds (2/3) vote is required to reinstate any suspended provision of these By-laws.

Section 4.  Interpretation of By-Laws

      Final interpretation of these By-Laws shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board and the Regional Coordinator.

Revisions incorporated as of 4/5/97