Sigma Theta Tau International
Honor Society of Nursing, Incorporated

2005-2007 Chapter Bylaws Form
Theta Alpha
University of Massachusetts ­ Boston



Table of Contents

ARTICLE I. NAME, KEY AND SEAL.

The name of this chapter of the international honor society of nursing is Theta Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Incorporated, located at University of Massachusetts Boston College of Nursing. It shall use the official key and seal of the Society.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSES

The purposes of this Society shall be to:

1. Recognize superior achievement.
   
   
2. Recognize the development of leadership qualities.
   
   
3. Foster high professional standards.
   
   
4. Encourage creative work.
   
   
5. Strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession.

ARTICLE III. STATUS

Section 1. Nonprofit Organization

This organization is a nonprofit corporation and does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits or dividends to the members.

Section 2. Limitation of Activities

No substantial part of the activities of this chapter shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the chapter shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLES IV. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Categories of Membership

1. Regular Member
   
   
2. Honorary Member
   
   

Section 2. Qualifications for Regular Membership

1. Candidates for all categories of membership shall be considered without regard to race, age, gender, creed, color, national origin, disability or other legally protected categories dependent upon jurisdiction.
   
   
2. Regular Member
   
   
   1. Students in Basic Program
      
      Basic program is defined as a baccalaureate or higher degree program which leads to the first professional nursing degree. Students shall have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale or its equivalent, i.e., "b" or the second highest grade of the institution as indicated by official record of grades and shall have completed at least one-half of the required nursing component of the baccalaureate curriculum. Basic students who are elected shall rank not lower than the highest 35 percent of their class in scholarship. Exceptions may be made the discretion of the chapter' Governance Committee when a student has a qualifying grade point average in the nursing major, has demonstrated consistent progress in academic achievement, and meets, to a high level, the other qualifications for membership. When grade averages are not available, the use of a reliable and valid measure, such as a rating tool, shall be used to determine scholastic achievement.
      
      
   2. Students in Graduate Programs
      
      Candidates shall be elected from students enrolled in accredited programs of graduate study in nursing including master, post-master, doctoral, and post-doctoral. Students in graduate programs shall be eligible for membership if they have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, and have completed a minimum of one-quarter of the required graduate curriculum. Candidates shall have demonstrated superior academic achievement, academic integrity, and professional leadership potential.
      
   3. Nurse Leader
      
      A nurse leader, who is a registered nurse, legally recognized to practice in his/her country with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field, and who has demonstrated achievement in nursing, shall be eligible for membership.
      
   
   
3. Honorary Member
   
   Any person who is not eligible for regular membership in Sigma Theta Tau International, but who has gained national and/or international recognition in the field of nursing, or any field contributing to nursing.
   

Section 3. Selection of Members

1. Regular Members
   
   
   1. Student member candidates are required to be enrolled in the college or university where the chapter is located to be considered for membership in that chapter. University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA.
      
      
   2. The nurse leader candidate may be selected for membership by any chapter.
   
   
2. Honorary Members**
   
   
   1. Honorary membership is awarded only by the International Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International.
      
      
   2. Any active member through a chapter or the Board of Directors may nominate persons for honorary membership.
      

Section 4. Membership Status

Members may be designated as active or inactive. Active members pay annual chapter and international fees. Honorary members are designated as active without payment of fees. Inactive members have not paid annual chapter and international fees, but shall become active at any time by paying current renewal fees.

Section 5. Rights and Responsibilities of Active Members

1. Regular Members
   
   
   1. Active regular members shall receive:
      
      
      1. official Society publications
         
         
      2. priority for education programs; and
         
         
      3. priority for research funding.
         
      
      
   2. Active regular members at the chapter level shall:
      
      
      
      1. receive all communications and announcements;
         
         
      2. be able to attend meetings;
         
         
      3. be able to participate in activities;
         
         
      4. be considered for awards; and
         
         
      5. be eligible to vote and hold elective and appointive office as outlined by chapter bylaws.
         
         
   3. Active members may hold dual membership in more than one chapter by remitting chapter fees and the Society fee annually.
      
      
   4. Active regular members may transfer from one chapter to another.
      

Section 6. Revocation of Membership

Membership in the society may be revoked at any time by the induction chapter for just cause and after due process. revocation of membership shall be determined at a meeting of the induction chapter, at which a quorum is present, by at least three-fourth votes for revocation by those present.

ARTICLES V. CHAPTER ORGANIZATION AND RESPOSIBILITIES

Section 1. Organization

This chapter is a constituent of the organization of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Incorporated. It shall function under bylaws, polices, and procedures which are not in conflict with those of the Society.

Section 2. House of Delegates

There shall be two official delegates to represent the chapter at the House of Delegates of the Society. If only one delegate can attend, that delegate shall have two votes. If the chapter has a nominee for an officer in the Society, it should consider sending this individual as a delegate to the House of Delegates. A delegate is required to be an active member of this chapter.

Section 3. Chapter Standing

To be in good standing, this chapter shall fulfill the following requirements:

1. Support the purposes of the society.
   
   
2. Select and induct eligible members a minimum of one time annually.
   
   
3. Cooperate with other chapters and the Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International in promoting these purposes.
   
   
4. Observe the provisions of these bylaws and comply with the Society' policies and regulations.
   
   
5. Meet all financial obligations.
   
   
6. File all reports promptly.
   
   
7. Participate in the biennial convention House of delegates.
   

Section 4. Suspension or Revocation

1. The activities of this chapter may be suspended by the Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International for failure to comply with the Sigma Theta Tau International bylaws, this chapter' bylaws, or society policies and procedures.
   
   
2. Upon recommendation of the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of directors, the House of Delegates may revoke the charter of this chapter.
   
   
3. This chapter may vote to dissolve itself in accordance with Article XV. Dissolution.
   

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings

This chapter shall have at least one annual (business) meeting and at least two programs of a scholarly nature during each fiscal year. The annual (business) meeting, where officers and committees present written annual reports to the membership, which may be held in conjunction with a scholarly program.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the president or upon request of six (6) members of the chapter.

ARTICLE VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Membership

The members of the Board of Directors of this chapter shall consist of the elected officers and one or more elected directors (optional). The elected members of the Board of Directors are the voting members.

Section 2. Focus

The elected members of the Board of Directors have the authority and responsibility to manage the chapter consistent with these bylaws and in an appropriate legal manner.

Section 3. Functions

1. Carry forward the Society' objectives.
   
   
2. Manage the business and fiscal affairs of the chapter.
   
   
3. Monitor the income and disbursement of the funds.
   
   
4. Make policies for its own actions and the actions of its committees.
   
   
5. Appoint chairs of elected committees and publications.
   
   
6. Supervise and manage the committees and publications.
   
   
7. Act as a liaison between the chapter and the school.
   
   
8. Assure appropriate eligibility process for the selection of candidates for membership.
   
   
9. Assure that the chapter fulfills the requirements to maintain good standing in the Society.
   

Section 4. Meetings.

The Board of Directors of this chapter shall meet as necessary to conduct the business between meetings of the general membership.

ARTICLE VIII. OFFICERS

Section 1. Titles

1. **The officers of this chapter shall be: president, president-elect, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, treasurer, and counselor an immediate past president. Officers are active members of this chapter.
   
   
2. The president, with the approval of the Board of Directors, when appropriate, shall appoint such other persons as may be necessary to conduct the business of the chapter.
   

Section 2. Vacancies

***The first vice president fills the vacancy of the president; other offices are filled by the appointment of the Board of Directors until the next election.

Section 3. Duties

The duties of the chapter officers shall be as follows:

1. The president shall be the executive officer and shall administer all business of the Society for by the bylaws. The president serves as chief representative of the chapter in inter-chapter activities, and shall be an ex -officio member of all committees except Leadership Succession Committee.
   
   
2. The president-elect shall succeed into the presidency at the end of the term of office and shall promote the purposes of the Society.
   
   
3. The first vice president shall perform the duties of the president in the president' absence. (In an at-Large chapter, a designated vice-president shall perform these duties.). In addition , the first vice president will:
   
   
   1. Chair the Program Committee and designate a committee who has the following duties:
      organize the annual meeting, coordinate the new member induction ceremony, and assist with Research Day at CNHS.
      
      
   2. Establish a Publicity Committee who has the following duties:
      Communication to members and the public and recruitment outside CNHS.
      
   
   
4. The second vice-president who must hold and earned doctorate establishes and chairs the Research Committee and the Awards Committee.
   
   
5. The secretary shall prepare and distribute meeting minutes and correspondence.
   
   
6. The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of this chapter and may be bonded in an amount equal to three-fourths of the worth of the chapter. The Treasurer shall propose a budget to the Board.
   
   
7. The counselor shall be a member of the faculty at the college/university where the chapter is located. The counselor shall serve as the chairperson of the Governance Committee. and be responsible for recruitment of students at CNHS.
   
   
8. Each officer shall submit a report at each Board of Directors meeting and to members at the annual meeting, and assist in preparing the Chapter Annual Report form for submission to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters.
   
   
9. The Past President will be a voting member of the Board of Directors and be responsible for collecting archival material.
   

ARTICLE IX. ELECTIONS

Section 1. Elections

Elections shall be held at the annual business meeting or by mail ballot. Those elected shall assume their duties by July 1 of the year in which they were elected.

Section 2. Positions

Elected positions shall be the chapter officers, directors (optional) and members of the Governance and Leadership Succession Committees.

Section 3. Vote

1. A majority vote shall elect officers.
   
   
2. A plurality vote shall elect the non-officer members of the Board of Directors and members of the Governance and Leadership Succession Committees.
   
   
3. When there are more than two (2) candidates running for the same office, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the election.
   
   
4. In the event of a tie, the election shall be determined by lot.
   

Section 4. Terms

1. The length of the terms of all officers is two (2) years.
   
   
2. terms of office are staggered so that all officers, directors and Governance and Leadership Succession Committee members do not all end their terms at the same time. Proviso: If a two year term for President-elect is not possible, the president-elect may hold office for one year and succeed to president for two (2) years.
   
   
3. No member of the Board of Directors shall exceed a total of six (6) consecutive years on the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

1. The standing committees shall be: Governance Committee and Leadership Succession Committee, and others if desired.
   
   ***Nominating Committee should be a subgroup/task force under Leadership Succession Committee.***
   
   
2. The term of office shall be two (2) years. A member may be reappointed or elected for a second consecutive term, except for the members of the Leadership Succession Committee. who may serve a maximum of two (2) years and are elected according to Article IX, Elections, Section 4.
   
   
3. Each standing committee shall present a report to the business meetings of the Board of Directors and an annual report to the membership at the annual business meeting.
   
   
4. Each committee prepares, reviews and makes recommendations regarding policies corresponding to its area of responsibility for Board of Directors approval.
   

Section 2. Governance Committee

1. The Governance Committee shall oversee bylaws compliance, make recommendations for bylaws changes and oversee member and chapter eligibility issues.
   
   
2. The Governance Committee shall consist of at least three (3) Elected or appointed members and the elected counselor.
   
   

Section 3. Leadership Succession Committee

1. Mission ­ The Leadership Succession Committee shall develop members in organizational leadership roles across the span of their careers, mentor members to assume organizational board and officer positions at all levels of the organization. The committee shall select nominees and prepare the ballot. The ballot will be sent to the Board of Directors at least four (4) weeks prior to a scheduled election.
   
   
2. Membership- The Leadership Succession Committee shall consist of three (3) elected members.
   
   
3. The Leadership Succession Committee members shall not be eligible for any elected office of the current ballot.
   

Section 4. Additional Standing Committees

Additional standing committees, advisory councils, and task forces may be appointed by the Board of Directors if deemed appropriate

Section 5. Board Advisory Councils

1. Mission ­ Board Advisory Councils shall inform the board of current and future issues, directions, and priorities of the chapter.
   
   
2. Membership ­ Board Advisory Councils shall be appointed by the Board of Directors for a term through the close of the biennial convention unless reappointed.
   

Section 6. Task Forces

1. Mission- Task Forces are formed to complete an assigned task within a specific time frame.
   
   
2. Membership ­ Task Forces are formed by the Board of Directors, Standing Committees and Board Advisory Councils. They are made up of members who bring expertise, interest and commitment to complete an assigned task.

ARTICLE XI. FINANCE

Section 1. Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30.

Section 2. Chapter fees and Assessments

1. A fee shall be levied on this chapter annually, in accordance with Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws, Article XI, section 2a.
   
   
2. Special assessments may be levied on this chapter by the House of Delegates, by three-fourths vote.
   
   

Section 3. Induction and Renewal Fee Changes.

Adjustments to the fee schedule shall be approved by the chapter Board of Directors. Fee schedule adjustments shall not occur more than once a biennium and shall not exceed the cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) percentage rate. Any adjustments, accompanied by rationale, will be provided to membership sixty (60) days in advance of the effective date.

Section 4. Induction Fee

Each new member shall pay, through the chapter treasurer, a Society induction fee, as determined by the Board of Directors. This shall entitle the new member to active membership with all its benefits from the date of induction for one year to the member' anniversary date of induction. The chapter fee is $----- plus Society induction fee.

Section 5. Renewal Fee.

1. Membership Status ­Following the first year of membership, members are designated as active or inactive. Each member shall pay an annual renewal fee as designated by the chapter Board of Directors and the Society renewal fee as designated by the International Board of Directors for active members benefits. The annual chapter fee is $----. The annual chapter fee for life members (status for some members prior to 1976) is $-----.
   
   
2. Retired members and full-time students are eligible to pay half of the renewal fee for regular members.
   
   
3. Renewal Fee Collection ­ Chapter and society fees are collected by Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters.
   

Section 6. Chapter Financial Responsibilities

This chapter is an independent, autonomous organization affiliated with Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Incorporated. The chapter determines the amounts of its fees and assessments. The chapter has control of its income, expenses, contracts, accounting systems and internal reports.

ARTICLE XII. QUORUM

Section 1. Membership

1. A quorum at a chapter business meeting shall consist of three (3) officers and seven (7) members.
   
   
2. In the event of a revocation of membership vote, thirty (30) days' notice of the meeting with the revocation issue announced is required and a quorum shall consist of three (3) officers and 10% of the active membership of the chapter in attendance.

Section 2. Board of Directors.

A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of three (3) members.

ARTICLE XIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or special rules of the Society.

ARTICLE XIV. AMMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendments with Notice.

These bylaws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the chapter members present and voting at any meeting of the chapter. Proposed amendments shall be in the hands of the chapter secretary at least forty-five days before the date of the meeting and shall be appended to the call to the meeting sent thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. Amendments without Notice

These bylaws may be amended by unanimous vote of the members present and voting at any scheduled meeting without notice,

Section 3. Chapter Bylaws Approval

1. Even-Numbered years: One (1) copy of the updated bylaws and Chapter Bylaws Compliance Form shall be submitted to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters for review and approval by the Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws Committee.
   
   
2. Odd-Numbered Years: If no changes were made in the bylaws since their even-numbered years submission and review, chapters are not required to submit either the chapter bylaws or the Chapter Bylaws Compliance Form. If amendments were made to the chapter bylaws since their even-numbered year submission and review by the Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws Committee, or if the chapter bylaws were found unacceptable by the reviewer, one (1) copy of the revised chapter bylaws shall be sent for review with the Chapter Bylaws Compliance Form.
   

Section 4. Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws Amendments

Any amendments to the Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws approved by the House of Delegates or editorial changes approved by the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors that are also applicable to the chapters shall be incorporated into the chapter bylaws.

ARTICLE XV. DISSOLUTION

The process for dissolution of a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Incorporated shall be as follows:

Section 1. Initial Action

1. Chapter officers contact Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters to discuss the process of chapter dissolution or other potential options available to the chapter.
   
   
2. A resolution for dissolution of the chapter is presented at a regular meeting and must be signed by a majority of active (voting) members present at the meeting. Chapter officers then call a special meeting of the chapter to vote on the resolution of dissolution of the chapter. Three-fourths of the active members present must vote to dissolves.

Section 2. If the Chapter Approves Dissolution

1. The chapter officers shall notify the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors of the chapter' decision and take the necessary steps to conclude the affairs of the chapter in accordance with statutory requirements existing at the date such action is taken.
   
   
2. The chapter' charter and coat-of arms shall be returned to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters.
   

   Section 3. Disposition of Chapter Funds
   
   

   1. All cash and other assets remaining after the chapter' outstanding debts are paid should be returned to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters and designated for a specific fund (e.g. research, library, sustaining fund.) Or, if a majority of the dissolved chapter' members transfer to the same chapter, remaining funds may be contributed to that chapter. (The recipient organization shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501 ©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue Law or the governing law of that country.)
   
   

   Section 4. Options for Chapter Members
   
   

   1. If the chapter dissolves, all members have the opportunity to transfer their membership to a chapter of their choice. Those members not indicating their choice of where their membership should be transferred to a chapter in the area by Sigma Theta Tau International headquarters. Anytime after this transfer by Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters, those members may transfer to any other chapter of their choice.