Delta Sigma Omicron By-Laws
Article I - Meetings
Section 1
Meetings shall be held once a month. The date and time to be determined.
Article II - Dues
Section 1
Dues shall be $45.00 lifetime , $15.00 yearly
Article III- Representation
Section 1
No one shall represent this organization in any activity who is not a member in good standing or who has not met the following requirements:
a. Received the permission of the Executive Board
Section 2
No member shall be considered in good standing who has not met the following requirements.
a. Present at 3/4 of the scheduled meetings per year.
b. Participated in at least one scheduled community event per year.
Section 3
All active members must have a minimum GPA of 2.00. All officers must have a minimum GPA of 2.20. Active members not meeting the GPA requirement shall be placed on probation for one semester.
Section 4
All active members must participate in one of the following study session options:
a. Structured study sessions shall be held biweekly.
b. For active members who opt not to attend structured study sessions, time sheets shall be available to log study hours.
c. A minimum of 2 study hours per week shall be required of all active members.
d. Auxiliary aids will be available for structured study sessions in the Resource Room.
Article IV - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. President
a. Preside at meetings.
b. Establish an agenda
c. Appoint committees.
d. Call special meetings.
e. Responsible for membership representation to other school organizations and
f. Act as chairman of the Executive Board and call meetings of the Executive Board.
g. Oversee the general administration of the organization.
h. Provide monthly summaries of group activities, goals, and objectives of organization to staff advisors.
Section 2. Vice President
a. When the President is absent, assume the presidential chair.
b. Collaborate and supervise all committee chairs.
c. Serve as parliamentarian for all meetings.
Section 3. Secretary
a. Keep minutes of all meetings.
b. Read and submit for approval minutes of preceding minutes.
c. Always have available a copy of the constitution, by-laws and membership roster.
d. Handle all organization correspondence.
e. Be responsible for the reading and/or posting of the constitution, by-laws and purposes as recorded in the Articles of Incorporation at the second meeting of each school term.
Section 4. Treasurer
a. Coordinate all organizational finances and keep accurate permanent records.
b. Present financial report as available to Secretary for inclusion in the agenda.
c. Present financial report as available to staff advisors.
d. Pay funds only when ordered by Executive Board and DSO President, and/or general membership.
e. Serve as the organization's registrar.
f. Complete Action Fund applications.
Section 5. The Executive Board
a. Shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
b. Is required to meet at least one time for every regular meeting of the Organization.
c. Is the planning body of the Organization in regards to regular meetings and special functions.
d. Has the authority to act on behalf of the general membership between meetings in all matters not in conflict with this Constitution or the By-Laws
e. Shall serve as grievance committee and communications facilitator between DSO members and the University at large.
Article V - Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
a. Holiday Party
b. Distinguished Teaching
c. Entertainment
d. Banquet
Section 2. Special committees shall be appointed by the President as needed
Article VI - Duties of Committees
Section 1. Holiday Party Committee.
a. Contact local schools to establish the number of students with disabilities.
b. Establish and develop sponsorship and donations from the community.
c. Design and distribute invitations.
d. Design and establish the format of the party.
e. Ongoing development of the mailing list.
f. Other duties as required.
Section 2. Distinguished Teaching Award.
a. Call for and accept nominations from the population of students with disabilities.
b. Bring forth nominations to membership for election.
c. Communicate with the staff advisor.
d. Procure monetary and material awards.
e. Secure representation and presentation of the awards.
Section 3. Entertainment Committee
a. Finds entertainment for all organization activities including DSO Awards Banquet and Holiday Party.
Section 4. Banquet Committee
a. Shall accept nominations for all awards, including the Timothy J. Nugent Award.
b. Bring nominations forth to the membership to vote by any means necessary.
c. Provide the names of the nominated awardees to staff advisor.
Article VII - Amendments
Section 1
These By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of any meeting, a quorum being present, if proper notice has been given of the intent to amend.
Section 2
Proper notice shall consist of
a. A reading of the proposed amendment one regular meeting before it is voted on, a quorum being present.
b. Notice must be given by mail or electronic communications to all members, of the intent to amend with the
subject of the proposed amendment, at least one week before the vote.
Section 3
The President shall appoint a task force to review the constitution and by-laws on a regular basis.
ASU Chapter Constitution
Article I - Name & Motto
Section 1
The name of this organization shall be Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Omicron.
Section 2
The motto of this chapter of Delta Sigma Omicron will be the motto of Delta Sigma Omicron National:
"To exercise our abilities to a maximum so as to minimize our disabilities, that we may live most and serve best."
Section 3
The colors of Delta Sigma Omicron are navy blue and gold.
Article II - Purpose
Section 1
To advocate for inclusion of the students who are disabled on campus into the University environment.
Section 2
To act as a leader presenting the opportunities of life available to people with disabilities in the community.
Section 3
To further the purpose of Delta Sigma Omicron, National, as recorded in the Articles of Corporation, and found in the appendix of this constitution.
Article III - Membership
Section 1
Membership is open to all persons enrolled in the Arkansas State University, Alumni and field members with an interest in ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in, and benefit from, the curricular, co-curricular and vocational opportunities available at the Arkansas State University at State University-Arkansas.
Section 2
There shall be five classes of membership:
1) active
2) inactive
3) alumni
4) field members
5) honorary life members.
Section 3
Active members shall be students actively enrolled in the Arkansas State University who have been accepted by this chapter and paid their dues.
Section 4
Inactive members are those members whose dues and fees are in arrears, and who are not a member in good standing as set forth in the bylaws.
Section 5
Alumni members of Delta Chapter, or any other Chapter, are privileged to participate in all meetings, general discussions and service projects but are not accorded the privilege to vote in matters of business relative only to Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Omicron.
Section 6
Field members are any interested individuals who have received approval to participate in all meetings, general discussions and service projects by the Executive Board. They are not accorded the privilege to vote in matters of business relative only to Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Omicron.
Section 7
Honorary Life members are those who are not actively enrolled in the University and who have supported and encouraged the activities of Delta Chapter and on whom the members of Delta Sigma Omicron, Incorporated have conferred honorary life membership. They are not allowed to vote in matters relative only to Delta Chapter of DSO.
Article IV - Voting
Section 1
To be permitted to vote you must be a paid member before the second meeting of the Fall semester, or in the case of a member not registered in the Fall semester but registered in the Spring semester, by the second meeting of the Spring semester.
Section 2
Voting by proxy will not be permitted.
Section 3
There will be no absentee voting except in exceptional circumstances where the Executive Board can authorize voting electronically.
Article V - Officers & Elections
Section 1
Officers will consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2
Nominations for all offices shall be accepted before the first meeting in April. A candidate may only accept nomination for one office per election.
Section 3
Elections for all offices shall be held during the first meeting in April. All officers shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast for that position. In the event that no single candidate for an office receives a majority of the votes cast for that office, there shall be a run off between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes, within the first week following the election.
Section 4
Newly elected officers take office during the regular meeting following their election.
Section 5
Executive-at-Large shall be nominated at the first regular meeting in the Fall from the incoming group of new students. Elections for Executive-at-Large shall be held in the second week following.
Article VI - Meetings
Section 1
Regular meetings shall be held at least once a month during the school year at a time to be established in the By-Laws.
Section 2
Special meetings may be called at any time with the concurrence of the Executive Board or on order of 50% of the membership.
Article VII - Quorum
Section 1
No business shall be transacted in the absence of a quorum.
Section 2
Regular Meetings - A quorum shall consist of 30% of the members.
Section 3
Special Meetings - A quorum shall consist of 50% of the members.
Article VIII - Rules of Order
Section 1
Meetings of the Organization will be governed by Robert's Rules of Order (revised), so long as they are not in conflict with this Constitution or the By-Laws.
Article IX - Amendments
Section 1
The Constitution may be amended by 2/3 majority of any meeting, a quorum being present, providing proper notice has been given of the intent to amend.
Section 2
Proper notice shall consist of :
a. A reading of the proposed amendment one regular meeting before it is voted on, a quorum being present.
b. Notice must be given by mail or electronic communication to all members, of the intent to amend with the subject of the proposed amendment, at least one week before the vote.
