OMICRON CHAPTER BY-LAWS
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Omicron Chapter of Lambda Kappa Sigma.
Section 2: The objectives of this chapter shall be:
a. To bring about a closer bond of friendship between students in pharmacy.
b. To promote social and professional interest in the college and the community.
c. To encourage a high standard of professional ethics and scholarship.
Section 1: All students registered in the College of Pharmacy of a Pre-Pharmacy program may be eligible for membership.
Section 2: All members shall be selected on a joint basis of character, scholarship, attitude, and upon completion of requirements set forth during the pledging period by the members. These requirements will vary, but may include completion of an orientation folder and quizzes on LKS history and chapter by-laws.
Section 3: Any member in good standing, upon graduation from the College of Pharmacy, becomes eligible for Alumna membership in the Alumna Chapter.
Section 4: Any person outstanding in the field of pharmacy, allied sciences, or other fields, may become an honorary member. Only one honorary member may be initiated in any one year. The qualifications of the candidate under consideration for honorary membership must be submitted to the Grand Council. The approval of the candidate by the Grand Council must be obtained. Following approval, the chapters all induct the candidate through the �Honorary Membership Induction Ritual.� There is no Initiation fee; the honorary member does not pay dues, cannot vote and should not attend certain meetings, but may be invited to attend other chapter functions and meetings. An Honorary Member Certificate shall be ordered through the Grand Secretary. An honorary member pin shall be ordered as well.
Section 5: A patron is a person selected by the Chapter for honor because of outstanding fraternal interest in the Chapter. The Chapter shall petition the Grand Council, through the Grand Secretary, for permission to designate a patron.
Section 6: An active member is one who maintains the requirements listed in Article III, Section 3 and upholds the high standards of character, scholarship, and attitude for which she was selected as a member of Lambda Kappa Sigma.
Section 7: Members entering their 4th professional year will be given the option to become inactive members. Inactive P-4s will still pay dues attend Initiation, but will be excused from attending regular meetings and other functions held during school hours. P-4s will also still be eligible for scholarships and awards granted by the fraternity, and will be invited and welcomed to all fraternity events.
Section 8: A member on probation is not eligible for executive board officer positions, as well as scholarships and awards granted by the fraternity.
a. A member on academic probation pays dues, but is excused from attending meetings and other fraternity functions. She is still strongly encouraged to attend mandatory fraternity functions.
b. A member may be placed on disciplinary probation if she fails to pay her dues and fulfill other requirements of membership. The president will formally notify the member in question after an official vote has been taken by a majority of active members. The probation will last for not less than one and not more than 2 semesters until such time as the member can prove to be in good standing, or may be asked to tender a resignation according to the national constitution.
Section 1: The duties of the members of the chapter shall be to maintain and uphold the ideals of the chapter by the promotion of friendship and cooperation among themselves.
Section 2: Attendance at meetings and all fraternity functions is the prime duty of each individual member. A lack of attendance of these functions will result in the discussion of the member in question. A vote will be taken by the active members, who will decide the fate (probation) of the member in question.
Section 3: An active member must:
a. Pays her dues in full and on time.
b. Attends meetings regularly. If it is not possible to attend a meeting, the member must give written (email) notice to the Corresponding Secretary or President within the week of the regular meeting. Unexcused or multiple excused absences will be reason for re-evaluation of membership.
c. Joins and participates in one Planning Committee each semester.
d. Attends and participates in mandatory fraternity functions. Failure to attend a mandatory event, excused or unexcused, will result in a fine to be paid by the member ($10 excused, $20 unexcused).
e. A member that fails any courses will not be eligible to hold office, and will be given the option to go on academic probation.
Section 4: An active member may wear the letters of Lambda Kappa Sigma and apply for scholarships granted by the fraternity. She will also be eligible for chapter and national awards for service and academic achievement.
Section 1: Active members, except for graduating seniors, may vote for new officers.
Section 2: The president shall take nominations by members at the 2nd meeting of the winter semester. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot. A graduating senior will conduct the election and vote in case of a tie.
In addition, in order to properly prepare the incoming president, the current president may take nominations for her replacement prior to the first meeting of the winter semester, and elections for this office may be held at the first meeting.
Section 3: A simple majority shall be sufficient to carry the election.
Section 4: Elections must be held by the 3rd meeting of the 2nd semester . Absentee votes will be accepted by the officer conducting the election within a specified period of time.
Section 5: The president can only hold office for one term.
Section 6: �Officers� night� will be held at the end of the winter semester when the officers books will be transferred to the new officers who will be told of their duties by the previous officers (Officers� Ceremony).
Section 1: The executive board officers of this chapter shall be a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Sergeant-at-Arms-Chaplain. If the membership is not large enough for the above offices to be held separately, the duties of the Historian and Sergeant-at-Arms-Chaplain shall be combined. In addition, other offices may be filled if the membership allows; these may include a Fundraising Chair, Community Chair, Social Chair, Webmistress, and Convention Trip Coordinator.
Section 2: In case of a vacancy of any office, other than the presidency, an election shall be held to fill the existing vacancy with an active member in good standing within a month. Should the president leave before fulfilling her term of office, the vice-president shall be elected from the active members by a simple majority.
Section 3: New initiates may not run for office until 90 days following formal initiation, unless the membership is inadequate to fill the above offices.
Section 4: The Vice-President shall represent the chapter on the Dean�s Student Advisory Board (D-SAC). She will attend meetings and report back to the president.
Section 5: Each officer shall maintain a notebook of duties and due dates of activities to be passed on at �Officers� Night.�
Section 1: President:
a. Have a general supervision of the chapter and preside over the regular meetings of the chapter.
b. Appoint members to take charge and organize upcoming events.
c. Conduct the correspondence of the chapter with the Grand Council and other chapters of the fraternity. Read all correspondence at chapter meetings.
d. Prepare a tentative calendar of meetings and fraternity events at the beginning of each semester
e. Keep a correct list of active members with their addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses.
f. Give all active members and advisors a copy of the calendar and updated member list at the beginning of each semester.
g. Send to Grand Secretary and to Editor of Triangle a list of chapter officers immediately following elections.
h. Fill out the Collegiate Annual Report � History and the end of the winter semester and send it to the international office, and a copy to the advisors.
i. Maintain a president�s notebook of everything that was done by the fraternity during their term including a copy of any work done by other officers. This will be passed on to the next president.
j. A file will be kept with all current forms for all officers.
k. After the president�s term is over, she will be available to give guidance to the new president.
Section 2: Vice-President
a. Share the responsibility of the president and fulfill the duties of the president when absent.
b. Supervise all new member orientation activities.
c. Plan and coordinate Initiation, working closely with the chaplain.
d. Plan and coordinate the Hygeia Day event in the winter semester.
e. Keep the member file up to date and inform the Grand Secretary of member Graduations and fill out the necessary forms as required.
Section 3: Recording Secretary
a. Record the minutes of all meetings of the Chapter.
b. Prepare an Annual Report and statistics of the members attending fraternity functions.
c. Submit the minutes to the president and/or advisor each month for inspection.
d. Email or mail meeting minutes to all active members and advisors.
e. Prepare sign-in sheets to take attendance at meetings and all mandatory events.
f. Prepare and post flyers for recruitment and other fraternity events.
Section 4: Treasurer
a. Receive all monies of the Chapter and pay all bills of the chapter. The chapter must approve expenses.
b. Notify members whose dues have not been paid that they are delinquent.
c. Notify the chapter at business meeting of delinquents of more than one semester so that appropriate measures may be taken.
d. Maintain a clear written account of the financial record of the chapter.
e. Submit the financial records to the advisor at the end of the year for written approval.
f. Promptly reimburse members for expenses of the chapter.
g. Attend to such duties as the chapter president may direct.
Section 5: Historian
a. Compile a fraternity book, containing a historical sketch of the fraternity, information concerning the organization of the Omicron Chapter, a short biographical account of the Chapter, its charter members, and subsequent members and record of activities of the current year.
b. Send news to the official university newspaper of all fraternity activities.
c. Act as a custodian of fraternity property. Keep locker clean and organized.
d. Be responsible for the Blue and Gold Triangle Report.
e. Take pictures of functions and place in albums.
f. Decorate the showcase at the beginning of the fall and winter semesters to promote LKS and membership.
g. Attend to such duties as the chapter president may direct.
Section 6: Sergeant-at-Arms-Chaplain
a. Open each meeting with the fraternity prayer.
b. Make note of all members not in attendance at fraternity meetings and functions, with the help of the recording secretary. Keep a complete record of excuses received.
c. Bring forward any member who has accumulated five unexcused absences in one academic year for review by at least 50% of the active members.
d. Plan and coordinate events to observe the chapter ceremonies, including but not limiting to New Member Initiation and Founders� Day.
e. Attend to such duties as the chapter president may direct.
Section 1: Regular meetings shall be held at least three times each semester. Tentative calendars shall be given to all active members and advisors at the beginning of each semester.
Section 2: Special meetings may be held whenever called by the president or by 50% of the members.
Section 3: Official business may be conducted by a quorum, consisting of 50% of the total active membership. A majority of the quorum will suffice to pass business. Official business may be conducted at an officially called meeting.
Section 4: Founders� Day, October 14th, shall be observed annually with the Founders� Day Ritual. This is to be conducted at a closed meeting.
Section 5: Hygeia Day, March 15th, shall be observed annually with a scientific or professional program open to the public.
Section 1: The annual dues are payable to the treasurer on October 15th. Dues for current members will be no less than $70. Of this amount, the international fraternity shall receive $50 ($40 for dues and $10 for returning member insurance coverage) and $20 will be given to the chapter. Changes in dues are to be determined by the members at the annual election.
Section 2: The initiation fee is $90, which is due at the formal initiation. This includes the fraternity pin, the year�s membership dues, and a lifetime subscription to the Blue and Gold Triangle. Of this amount, the international fraternity shall receive $50 and $40 shall be given to the chapter. Changes in dues are to be determined by the members at the annual election.
Section 1: The chapter shall present an award known as the Ethel J. Heath Key to the graduating fraternity member who is in the top 10% of the class. The treasurer shall order the key. The international office will be notified and they will send a certificated. It shall present to the winner at the Honors Convocation.
Section 2. The Omicron Recognition Key is awarded to the graduating fraternity member who has displayed distinguished service to the fraternity and to the college. The chapter will make a certificate and a piece of fraternity jewelry shall be ordered.
Section 3: The chapter shall present a service award known as the Ruth Davies Flaherty Service Award to a non-graduating fraternity member who has displayed distinguished service to the fraternity and the college. The international office will be notified and they will send a certificate.
Section 4. The selection of the award winners shall be made by secret ballot of the total active membership in the 2nd meeting of the winter semester. A simple majority will designate the recipient. The award shall not be made in any one year if a majority of the active membership votes that no fraternity member fulfills the requirements.
Section 5: The chapter shall honor the graduating seniors with a fraternity token or gift.
Section 1: The collegiate chapter shall have a fraternity advisor.
Section 2: A fraternity advisor must be a member of the fraternity.
Section 3: A sponsor may be a person who is vitally interested in adding the chapter, but not necessarily a member of the fraternity. The sponsor has no voting power and should not attend the secret meetings unless membership has been established.
Section 4: It shall be the duty of the advisor to audit the books of the chapter annually as well as approved the recorded minutes for the year.
Section 5: One member in her 4th professional year will be designated to represent her classmates and be responsible for communications between her class and the underclassmen. This member will usually be a former president, but another member may be selected on a voluntary basis.
Section 6: There will be a Liaison Officer, a member of the graduating class, who will communicate between the undergraduate and alumnae chapters regularly and will be selected on a voluntary basis.
Section 7: The terms of office for the liaison officer shall be one year upon graduation. If the term of office cannot be finished, another member of that graduating class shall be asked by the president of the undergraduate chapter to finish the term of office.
Section 1: Attendance is required at any major fraternity function, which shall be declared as such by the president or any 5 members. Notice of a major fraternity function is to be announced by email at least one month prior to the function. Initiation and Hygeia Day will always be mandatory, unless otherwise specified.
Section 1: Robert�s Rules of Order Revised shall govern all business.
Section 1: Any article or section of these by-laws may be amended at the suggestion of any member at a regular business meeting. Presentation of the proposed amendment in writing shall be declared valid at the following business meeting provided that 50% of the total active membership votes in favor of the change.
Section 1: Before any expense involving the fraternity treasury is undertaken, excluding any fundamental expenses necessary for chapter operations (postage stamps, stationary, ordering of recognition pins) must be made know to the appropriate membership (P-4 do not need to made aware of the expenses of the pins). The voting will be conducted orally by the president, an appropriate officer or advisor at an official meeting or whenever necessary.
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