Gamma Sigma Chapter Standing Rules
Article I
Name
The name of this chapter shall be Gamma Sigma Chapter, Alpha Delta State Organization, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Article II
Purposes and Mission Statement
The purposes of Gamma Sigma Chapter shall be the seven Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and those of Alpha Delta State Organization.
1. To unite local women educators 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 interest of education and women educators.
5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to women educators from other countries.
6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action.
7. To inform the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so they may participate effectively in a world society.
Section B: Mission Statement
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Article III
Membership
Membership is in accordance with the Constitution of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Section A: Perspective Membership and Election
1. Recommendation for Membership Forms shall be available at each regular chapter Section 3. The chapter has full authority for the administration of membership.
2. Recommendation for Membership forms shall be completed by the sponsor and returned to the membership chairman by the March meeting.
3. The Membership Committee shall review the recommendation forms and prepare to present the candidates' names to the chapter membership.
4. Voting for prospective members will occur at the April meeting.
5. The general membership shall vote by secret ballot. Until the time for preferential voting is necessary, four-fifths (4/5) of those voting will elect the candidate to membership.
Section B: Invitations to Members
Invitations to membership shall be in writing and delivered in person, if possible, with 30 days following.
1. Orientation of members-elect shall be held prior to the initiation.
2. The orientation program shall be the responsibility of the membership committee.
Section D: Acceptance/Rejection of Membership
The Membership Committee will send a self-addressed envelope for a member-elect to respond. Members-elect should reply with their acceptance or rejection to membership within 30 days.
Section E: Initiation/Reinstatement
1. Initiation shall be held annually.
2. A long-stemmed red rose will be given to new members on initiation evening.
3. The sponsor who signed the membership application form will pay for the initiate’s meal.
4. Reinstatement shall be held as needed and will follow state bylaws Article III, Sec E2.
Section F: Honorary Members
Honorary Members shall be currently giving distinguished service to education and/or women with the chapter's geographic area at the time of their initiation.
Section G: Termination of Membership
The recording secretary shall record, in the minutes, the name of any member whose membership is terminated. The record shall include the reason and date of termination.
Section H: Special Recognition
Chapter dues shall finance special recognition of a member's death.
Section I: Membership Jewelry
The executive board shall decide on the disposition of Society jewelry, such as the key and president's pin, which have been returned to the Chapter.
Section J: Membership Attendance
1. A member should attend regularly and actively participate in the work of the society.
2. Valid excuses for missing a meeting are illness, family or school commitments, or temporary change of address.
Article IV
Finances
Section A: Management of Chapter Funds
Financial matters are in accordance with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, and The Alpha State Standing Rules.
1. The Finance Committee shall make recommendations for changes in dues no later than April. All members shall be notified prior to the first meeting of the fiscal year.
2. Chapter dues shall be determined annually by chapter vote no later than the first meeting of the fiscal year.
3. Dues are $59.00 for active members and $29.00 for reserve members. These are payable before October 31. Amount may be updated each year, based on pass through amount to the state organization.
4. The Finance Committee shall provide for an annual audit.
5. Each member will pay for her initiation dues. The membership pin will be ordered by the Membership Committee and be paid by Gamma Sigma.
6. The president-elect may be given $150.00 toward her expenses to attend the state convention if funds are available.
7. The chapter pays dinner and traveling expenses of a speaker unless the hostess committee has included this in each members' dinner.
Section C: Guidelines for Special Funds, Projects, and Grant-In-Aid
1. Scholastic assessment will be included in the dues.
2. A collection may be taken for special projects.
Article V
Organization
Gamma Sigma Chapter shall govern the conduct of its business in a manner consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, Alpha Delta State Bylaws, Alpha Delta State Standing Rules, and the Gamma Sigma Chapter Standing Rules.
Article VI
Officers and Related Personnel
Gamma Sigma Chapter officers shall be a president, a vice-president, a second vice-president, and a recording secretary (all elected), and a treasurer selected by the executive board.
Section B: Election of Officers
1. A slate of officers, with one nominee per office, shall be prepared by the Nominations Committee and presented to the membership at the March Meeting, with elections taking place in March of an even year.
2. The ballot shall include the slate of officers and nominees for the Nominations Committee for the next biennium.
3.. The executive board at the March meeting for the biennium shall select a treasurer.
Section C: Duties of Officers
Officers shall perform duties as specified in the Constitution, Article VI, Alpha Delta State Bylaws, and as authorized in the Gamma Sigma Chapter Standing Rules. In addition:
1. The vice president shall serve as chairman of the Program Committee.
2. The recording secretary shall be a member of the Executive Board. The recording secretary shall be responsible for updating chapter-standing rules as a policies are changed during business meeting.
3. The treasurer shall order the president's pin and the treasurer's pin at the chapter's expense and make it available to the Nominations Chairman before installations of officers.
4. The president will prepare a least two chapter newsletters annually.
5. In the event of the death of a member, the treasurer will donate $25.00 to our Gamma Sigma Chapter Grant-In-Aid Account in her memory. A letter should be sent to her family acknowledging the donation.
6. In the event of the death of a spouse, child, or parent of a member, the chapter President
Article VII
Boards
The members of Gamma Sigma Chapter Executive Board shall be elected officers and the treasurer. The treasurer will be an ex-officio member without voting privileges.
The Gamma Sigma Chapter Executive Board shall function according to the Constitution, Article VII.
Article VIII
Committees
Standing Committees shall be Finance, Membership, Nominations, Personal Growth, Professional Affairs, Communications and Publicity, Scholarship, World Fellowship, Special Project, Legislative, Music, Remembrance/Necrology/Ceremonies, Founders' Day, Historical Records, and Literacy.
Section B: Duties of Committees
Standing Committees shall fulfill responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution and as detailed
1. A Communications and Publicity committee is established for notification via email of sickness, death and publicity through local news organizations of Gamma Sigma events and projects and to update chapter website.
2. The Reservation committee will call or email for monthly meal reservations.
3. A hostess committee is established for each meeting with the chairman organizing the committee. The hostess committee shall complete the following tasks:
a. Call the restaurant/caterer and select the menu two weeks before the meeting.
b. Call the Reservations chairman to begin the phone/email tree.
c. Make the final reservations with the restaurant or caterer.
d. Provide decorations for the meeting and share expenses.
e. Collect money for the meal before the dinner is served. Members checks should be payable to Gamma Sigma.
f. Record attendance on the list provided and submit to the secretary for her records.
g. Notify treasurer of members needing to be billed for unpaid meals.
h. Chapter Treasurer will pay the bill and request a receipt for the dinners.
i. Add any charges to the cost of the meal to cover the evening program if necessary. (Speaker's meal will be paid by Gamma Sigma.)
j. Make cancellations of members' reservations with the restaurant when notified by a member less than one week in advance. Only hostess chair shall call the restaurant or caterer directly.
4. Finance: Members of this committee prepare the budget, present the budget to the Executive Board for adoption, establish guidelines for the treasurer regarding investment of funds, and provide an annual audit.
5. Nominations: Prepare a slate of officers to present to the membership for each new biennium. Elections are held in April. Responsible for officer installation at the May meeting each biennium.
6. Personal Growth: The purpose of this committee is to provide growth opportunities for members in context to understanding self and others as well as growth in the personal and professional lives of its members in context to leadership. Personal Growth also allows for the study of economic, social, political, and educational issues as well as service to meet state and local organizational, national, and international needs.
7. Professional Affairs: The Professional Affairs Committee develops an action program designed to encourage mutual respect and cooperation within the profession and to promote women in education. The committee also urges organizations to initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women in education. The committee encourages financial help to prospective women educators.
8. Scholarship: The purpose of the Scholarship Committee is to conduct fund-raising efforts to raise money to invest in the scholarship fund for future female educators. Specifically, members of the committee will distribute scholarship application forms to all of Perry County high schools.
9. World Fellowship: The World fellowship Program began in 1946 as a project to aid women in war-torn countries. Through the years the program grew to pursue advanced studies in the United States and Canada. The committee receives donations from members to forward to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
10: Special Projects: The purpose of this committee is to provide fundraising opportunities to raise funds for any special projects in which the Society agrees upon. In the recent past, the focus has been upon the holiday auction that takes places in November or December of each year.
11. Legislative: The purpose of the committee is to keep members updated about specific legislative proposals and/or laws that affect the profession of education.
12. Music: This committee will ensure that membership will know and recognize our Society’s songs, and the committee will provide the music for appropriate meetings/events that need it for the purpose of our Society.
13. Founder’s Day: This committee will plan an annual presentation about the founders of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Alpha Delta State, and Gamma Sigma. The purpose of the presentation is to share with current membership our history as a Society. In addition, the presentation will teach members about our purpose, mission, and vision.
14. Remembrance/Necrology/Ceremonies: The Necrology ceremony shall be held in May annually to honor any members who passed away in the preceding year. This committee also maintains the chapter paraphernalia and makes it available for other ceremonies, such as Founder’s Day, installation of officers and new member ceremonies. This committee, therefore, works closely with the Membership committee, Founder’s Day committee and the Nominations committee.
15. Membership: The purpose of the committee is to study and make recommendations related to membership issues. The members will plan strategies to maintain, increase, and diversify membership. This includes facilitating membership renewals each fall.
16. Historical Records: The purpose of this committee is to create a historical record of each year of existence in our chapter. The committee works on the record each year, presents it to the membership for approval, and files it with official chapter business annually. Perhaps the committee could collect the monthly agendas, secretary reports, etc. to create one complete “booklet” for each year.
17. Literacy: This committee will choose a literacy focus for each year of the biennium and facilitate membership involvement as needed to support the focus.
Article IX
Meetings
Section A: Number of Meetings
Gamma Sigma shall meet the fourth Monday of the month subject to adjustment. The meeting months are September, October, November/December, February, March, April and May.
Section B: Meeting Quorum
A quorum for chapter business shall be as large a number of members as can be depended upon to be in attendance at any given meeting.
Section C: Special Meetings
1. A Necrology service shall be held in May.
2. Charter members are always honored at the Founders' Day program.
Article X
Funds
Section A. Funds
1. Gamma Sigma maintains two funds:
a. Checking
b. Savings
2. Investment of Funds
a. The finance committee shall be responsible for developing guidelines for the investment of funds in accordance with Guidelines for State and Chapter Treasurers as established by the Society.
b. The Finance Committee may consult with a financial advisor before developing these guidelines.
c. Guidelines for the investment of funds shall be approved by the Executive Board.
Article XI
Amending Chapter Rules
The Executive Board will review the Standing Rules biennially, in the year following the International Convention. Individual rules may be considered at any regular business meeting. Changes must be presented to members via email and at a meeting to be passed by ⅔ vote of members present.
Article XII
Dissolution of Chapter
The State Executive Board shall grant permission for the dissolution of a chapter. If granted:
1. The charter shall be returned to the state president for forwarding to International Headquarters;
2. Remaining chapter funds shall be sent to the state treasurer;
3. Initiation paraphernalia and all chapter records shall be sent to the state president;
4. Members desiring to maintain membership will transfer to other chapters; and
5. The State executive Board shall decide whether to reuse the Greek name of the dissolved chapter.
Article XIII
Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern Gamma Sigma and its proceedings in instances in which this authority is not inconsistent with the ByLaws or other adopted Society rules.
Article I
Name
The name of this chapter shall be Gamma Sigma Chapter, Alpha Delta State Organization, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Article II
Purposes and Mission Statement
The purposes of Gamma Sigma Chapter shall be the seven Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and those of Alpha Delta State Organization.
1. To unite local women educators 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 interest of education and women educators.
5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to women educators from other countries.
6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action.
7. To inform the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so they may participate effectively in a world society.
Section B: Mission Statement
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Article III
Membership
Membership is in accordance with the Constitution of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Section A: Perspective Membership and Election
1. Recommendation for Membership Forms shall be available at each regular chapter Section 3. The chapter has full authority for the administration of membership.
2. Recommendation for Membership forms shall be completed by the sponsor and returned to the membership chairman by the March meeting.
3. The Membership Committee shall review the recommendation forms and prepare to present the candidates' names to the chapter membership.
4. Voting for prospective members will occur at the April meeting.
5. The general membership shall vote by secret ballot. Until the time for preferential voting is necessary, four-fifths (4/5) of those voting will elect the candidate to membership.
Section B: Invitations to Members
Invitations to membership shall be in writing and delivered in person, if possible, with 30 days following.
1. Orientation of members-elect shall be held prior to the initiation.
2. The orientation program shall be the responsibility of the membership committee.
Section D: Acceptance/Rejection of Membership
The Membership Committee will send a self-addressed envelope for a member-elect to respond. Members-elect should reply with their acceptance or rejection to membership within 30 days.
Section E: Initiation/Reinstatement
1. Initiation shall be held annually.
2. A long-stemmed red rose will be given to new members on initiation evening.
3. The sponsor who signed the membership application form will pay for the initiate’s meal.
4. Reinstatement shall be held as needed and will follow state bylaws Article III, Sec E2.
Section F: Honorary Members
Honorary Members shall be currently giving distinguished service to education and/or women with the chapter's geographic area at the time of their initiation.
Section G: Termination of Membership
The recording secretary shall record, in the minutes, the name of any member whose membership is terminated. The record shall include the reason and date of termination.
Section H: Special Recognition
Chapter dues shall finance special recognition of a member's death.
Section I: Membership Jewelry
The executive board shall decide on the disposition of Society jewelry, such as the key and president's pin, which have been returned to the Chapter.
Section J: Membership Attendance
1. A member should attend regularly and actively participate in the work of the society.
2. Valid excuses for missing a meeting are illness, family or school commitments, or temporary change of address.
Article IV
Finances
Section A: Management of Chapter Funds
Financial matters are in accordance with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, and The Alpha State Standing Rules.
1. The Finance Committee shall make recommendations for changes in dues no later than April. All members shall be notified prior to the first meeting of the fiscal year.
2. Chapter dues shall be determined annually by chapter vote no later than the first meeting of the fiscal year.
3. Dues are $59.00 for active members and $29.00 for reserve members. These are payable before October 31. Amount may be updated each year, based on pass through amount to the state organization.
4. The Finance Committee shall provide for an annual audit.
5. Each member will pay for her initiation dues. The membership pin will be ordered by the Membership Committee and be paid by Gamma Sigma.
6. The president-elect may be given $150.00 toward her expenses to attend the state convention if funds are available.
7. The chapter pays dinner and traveling expenses of a speaker unless the hostess committee has included this in each members' dinner.
Section C: Guidelines for Special Funds, Projects, and Grant-In-Aid
1. Scholastic assessment will be included in the dues.
2. A collection may be taken for special projects.
Article V
Organization
Gamma Sigma Chapter shall govern the conduct of its business in a manner consistent with the Constitution, International Standing Rules, Alpha Delta State Bylaws, Alpha Delta State Standing Rules, and the Gamma Sigma Chapter Standing Rules.
Article VI
Officers and Related Personnel
Gamma Sigma Chapter officers shall be a president, a vice-president, a second vice-president, and a recording secretary (all elected), and a treasurer selected by the executive board.
Section B: Election of Officers
1. A slate of officers, with one nominee per office, shall be prepared by the Nominations Committee and presented to the membership at the March Meeting, with elections taking place in March of an even year.
2. The ballot shall include the slate of officers and nominees for the Nominations Committee for the next biennium.
3.. The executive board at the March meeting for the biennium shall select a treasurer.
Section C: Duties of Officers
Officers shall perform duties as specified in the Constitution, Article VI, Alpha Delta State Bylaws, and as authorized in the Gamma Sigma Chapter Standing Rules. In addition:
1. The vice president shall serve as chairman of the Program Committee.
2. The recording secretary shall be a member of the Executive Board. The recording secretary shall be responsible for updating chapter-standing rules as a policies are changed during business meeting.
3. The treasurer shall order the president's pin and the treasurer's pin at the chapter's expense and make it available to the Nominations Chairman before installations of officers.
4. The president will prepare a least two chapter newsletters annually.
5. In the event of the death of a member, the treasurer will donate $25.00 to our Gamma Sigma Chapter Grant-In-Aid Account in her memory. A letter should be sent to her family acknowledging the donation.
6. In the event of the death of a spouse, child, or parent of a member, the chapter President
Article VII
Boards
The members of Gamma Sigma Chapter Executive Board shall be elected officers and the treasurer. The treasurer will be an ex-officio member without voting privileges.
The Gamma Sigma Chapter Executive Board shall function according to the Constitution, Article VII.
Article VIII
Committees
Standing Committees shall be Finance, Membership, Nominations, Personal Growth, Professional Affairs, Communications and Publicity, Scholarship, World Fellowship, Special Project, Legislative, Music, Remembrance/Necrology/Ceremonies, Founders' Day, Historical Records, and Literacy.
Section B: Duties of Committees
Standing Committees shall fulfill responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution and as detailed
1. A Communications and Publicity committee is established for notification via email of sickness, death and publicity through local news organizations of Gamma Sigma events and projects and to update chapter website.
2. The Reservation committee will call or email for monthly meal reservations.
3. A hostess committee is established for each meeting with the chairman organizing the committee. The hostess committee shall complete the following tasks:
a. Call the restaurant/caterer and select the menu two weeks before the meeting.
b. Call the Reservations chairman to begin the phone/email tree.
c. Make the final reservations with the restaurant or caterer.
d. Provide decorations for the meeting and share expenses.
e. Collect money for the meal before the dinner is served. Members checks should be payable to Gamma Sigma.
f. Record attendance on the list provided and submit to the secretary for her records.
g. Notify treasurer of members needing to be billed for unpaid meals.
h. Chapter Treasurer will pay the bill and request a receipt for the dinners.
i. Add any charges to the cost of the meal to cover the evening program if necessary. (Speaker's meal will be paid by Gamma Sigma.)
j. Make cancellations of members' reservations with the restaurant when notified by a member less than one week in advance. Only hostess chair shall call the restaurant or caterer directly.
4. Finance: Members of this committee prepare the budget, present the budget to the Executive Board for adoption, establish guidelines for the treasurer regarding investment of funds, and provide an annual audit.
5. Nominations: Prepare a slate of officers to present to the membership for each new biennium. Elections are held in April. Responsible for officer installation at the May meeting each biennium.
6. Personal Growth: The purpose of this committee is to provide growth opportunities for members in context to understanding self and others as well as growth in the personal and professional lives of its members in context to leadership. Personal Growth also allows for the study of economic, social, political, and educational issues as well as service to meet state and local organizational, national, and international needs.
7. Professional Affairs: The Professional Affairs Committee develops an action program designed to encourage mutual respect and cooperation within the profession and to promote women in education. The committee also urges organizations to initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women in education. The committee encourages financial help to prospective women educators.
8. Scholarship: The purpose of the Scholarship Committee is to conduct fund-raising efforts to raise money to invest in the scholarship fund for future female educators. Specifically, members of the committee will distribute scholarship application forms to all of Perry County high schools.
9. World Fellowship: The World fellowship Program began in 1946 as a project to aid women in war-torn countries. Through the years the program grew to pursue advanced studies in the United States and Canada. The committee receives donations from members to forward to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
10: Special Projects: The purpose of this committee is to provide fundraising opportunities to raise funds for any special projects in which the Society agrees upon. In the recent past, the focus has been upon the holiday auction that takes places in November or December of each year.
11. Legislative: The purpose of the committee is to keep members updated about specific legislative proposals and/or laws that affect the profession of education.
12. Music: This committee will ensure that membership will know and recognize our Society’s songs, and the committee will provide the music for appropriate meetings/events that need it for the purpose of our Society.
13. Founder’s Day: This committee will plan an annual presentation about the founders of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Alpha Delta State, and Gamma Sigma. The purpose of the presentation is to share with current membership our history as a Society. In addition, the presentation will teach members about our purpose, mission, and vision.
14. Remembrance/Necrology/Ceremonies: The Necrology ceremony shall be held in May annually to honor any members who passed away in the preceding year. This committee also maintains the chapter paraphernalia and makes it available for other ceremonies, such as Founder’s Day, installation of officers and new member ceremonies. This committee, therefore, works closely with the Membership committee, Founder’s Day committee and the Nominations committee.
15. Membership: The purpose of the committee is to study and make recommendations related to membership issues. The members will plan strategies to maintain, increase, and diversify membership. This includes facilitating membership renewals each fall.
16. Historical Records: The purpose of this committee is to create a historical record of each year of existence in our chapter. The committee works on the record each year, presents it to the membership for approval, and files it with official chapter business annually. Perhaps the committee could collect the monthly agendas, secretary reports, etc. to create one complete “booklet” for each year.
17. Literacy: This committee will choose a literacy focus for each year of the biennium and facilitate membership involvement as needed to support the focus.
Article IX
Meetings
Section A: Number of Meetings
Gamma Sigma shall meet the fourth Monday of the month subject to adjustment. The meeting months are September, October, November/December, February, March, April and May.
Section B: Meeting Quorum
A quorum for chapter business shall be as large a number of members as can be depended upon to be in attendance at any given meeting.
Section C: Special Meetings
1. A Necrology service shall be held in May.
2. Charter members are always honored at the Founders' Day program.
Article X
Funds
Section A. Funds
1. Gamma Sigma maintains two funds:
a. Checking
b. Savings
2. Investment of Funds
a. The finance committee shall be responsible for developing guidelines for the investment of funds in accordance with Guidelines for State and Chapter Treasurers as established by the Society.
b. The Finance Committee may consult with a financial advisor before developing these guidelines.
c. Guidelines for the investment of funds shall be approved by the Executive Board.
Article XI
Amending Chapter Rules
The Executive Board will review the Standing Rules biennially, in the year following the International Convention. Individual rules may be considered at any regular business meeting. Changes must be presented to members via email and at a meeting to be passed by ⅔ vote of members present.
Article XII
Dissolution of Chapter
The State Executive Board shall grant permission for the dissolution of a chapter. If granted:
1. The charter shall be returned to the state president for forwarding to International Headquarters;
2. Remaining chapter funds shall be sent to the state treasurer;
3. Initiation paraphernalia and all chapter records shall be sent to the state president;
4. Members desiring to maintain membership will transfer to other chapters; and
5. The State executive Board shall decide whether to reuse the Greek name of the dissolved chapter.
Article XIII
Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order (current edition) shall govern Gamma Sigma and its proceedings in instances in which this authority is not inconsistent with the ByLaws or other adopted Society rules.