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About Phi U - BylawsArticle I: NameSection 1. Name of National Organization - The name of this national honor society in family and consumer sciences and related areas shall be Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. Section 2. Name of Collegiate Chapters - The collegiate chapters of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. shall be named in the order of their formation from the letters of the Greek alphabet. When the alphabet is exhausted, it will be repeated with a Greek alphabetical prefix. Section 3. Name of Alumni Chapters - An alumni chapter located in the same city with a collegiate chapter shall take the Greek letter name of the collegiate chapter or the name of the city or area. An alumni chapter in a city where no collegiate chapter exists shall be named for the city or area in which it is located. Article II: PurposesSection 1. The purposes of Phi Upsilon Omicron are to recognize and promote academic excellence, develop qualities of leadership by providing opportunities for service, and encourage lifelong learning and commitment to advance family and consumer sciences and related areas. Section 2. Phi Upsilon Omicron is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Article III: MembershipSection 1. Types of membership - The membership of this organization shall be open to men and women (without discrimination of any type) who meet the requirements for eligibility listed below and shall consist of collegiate, alumni, local honorary, and national honorary members. Section 2. Membership Areas - Membership areas will include, but not be limited to, those recognized by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Section 3. Selection of Collegiate Chapter Members - Collegiate chapters shall elect members from a list of those scholastically eligible and approved by the chapter advisors. A majority vote at a regular business meeting is necessary for election to membership. Initiation at a chapter ceremony is required of those elected to membership.
Section 4. Transfer of Collegiate Membership - Any member who moves from the initiating chapter to an institution where a chapter is established and wishes to affiliate with that chapter shall write to the Executive Director, asking that verification of initiation be sent to the chapter with which affiliation is desired. Section 5. Local Honorary Members - A local honorary membership may be conferred upon a person who is active in family and consumer sciences or an allied field, exhibits the qualities of Phi Upsilon Omicron membership, and can be expected to make a contribution to the collegiate chapter.
Section 6. National Honorary Members - National honorary membership may be conferred upon a person of eminence in the family and consumer sciences field or an allied field who has made a significant contribution to family and consumer sciences on the national level.
Section 7. Alumni Members - A former member of a collegiate chapter shall be known as an alumni member of the Honor Society.
Section 8. A Member in Good Standing - One who is willing to take responsibility, actively participates in the chapter, honors financial obligations and maintains academic excellence is a member in good standing. A member who does not pay the annual fee is still a member and has all the privileges except voting for national officers. Section 9. Inactive Status - Under extraordinary circumstances, a chapter may grant temporary inactive status to a member making such a request. Financial obligations continue during inactive status. Section 10. Forfeiture of Membership - In rare cases, a member may wish to forfeit membership. A request for forfeiture is subject to the approval of the chapter officers and advisors. The member shall surrender Phi Upsilon Omicron jewelry and relinquish all rights, privileges, and obligations of membership, including the subscription to the organization's publication, without financial reimbursement. Section 11. Individual Expulsion - Whenever a member fails persistently to meet the standards of the Honor Society, the member shall be reprimanded by the chapter president after consultation with the advisors. If the member's behavior is not altered to meet standards, the chapter shall, with the approval of the advisor, have the power to expel that member from the Honor Society by a four‑fifths vote of the chapter members present at a regular or special meeting. The vote will be by ballot. (Immediately following expulsion, the chapter secretary shall remove the name from the rolls and notify the Executive Director). The expelled member shall return Phi Upsilon Omicron jewelry. If the expelled member desires, within one month, a written appeal may be made to National Council and Conclave through the Executive Director. Article IV: FinancesSection 1. National Funds - The national treasury shall be divided into five funds:
Section 2. Contributions - Bequests, donations, or gifts contributed from an estate and/or an individual to Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. and not designated for the Honor Society shall be deemed for Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc. and shall immediately be transferred to Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc. Section 3. Installation Fee - Each collegiate chapter, when installed, shall pay into the national treasury an established installation fee set by National Council. Section 4. National Initiation Fees - A national initiation fee shall be set by National Council and approved by Conclave. A majority vote is required to set the fee, and the fee is to be collected from each candidate prior to initiation. Section 5. Exemption from Initiation Fees - Honorary members shall not be expected to pay national or local initiation fees. The honorary member who assumes active membership in an alumni chapter shall share in the expenses of the chapter. Section 6. Alumni Fees - Each alumni member shall pay an annual fee set by National Council and approved by Conclave. In lieu of the annual fee, members may choose to pay a Lifetime Alumni Fee. Section 7. Local Dues and Assessments - Each chapter shall determine the amount of local dues and assessments and the ways of levying and collecting same. Section 8. Financial Responsibilities - Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc., shall not be responsible for debts of collegiate or alumni chapters. Article V: GovernmentSection 1. Conclave - The government of this organization shall be vested in a general assembly of the Honor Society known as Conclave.
Section 2. National Council- National Council and/or the Executive Board shall meet every year and conduct the affairs of the Honor Society in the interval between Conclaves. In the Conclave year, the meetings shall precede and/or follow Conclave. The time and place of meetings in the alternate years shall be arranged by the Executive Board. Section 3. Executive Board- The Executive Board shall conduct the affairs of the Honor Society between the meetings of National Council and the Conclaves. Section 4. Quorum - The majority of the membership of the Conclave, National Council, Executive Board, or a chapter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Article VI: National Council & Executive BoardSection 1. National Council- National Council shall consist of the President, President‑Elect, Alumni Councilor, Region Councilors, Finance Chairperson, Advisor Councilor, and a Collegiate Representative from each region during a Conclave year. One Collegiate Representative will be elected as the National Collegiate Chairperson and two will be elected as National Council Representatives for the following non‑Conclave year. The Executive Director and Communication Coordinator will serve as ex‑officio members with vote, and the Educational Foundation Chair will serve as ex‑officio member without vote. Section 2. Executive Board - The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, President‑Elect, Alumni Councilor, Region Councilor Chairperson, National Collegiate Chairperson, with the Executive Director and Communication Coordinator serving as ex‑officio members with vote and the Educational Foundation Chair serving ex‑officio without vote. Section 3. National President - The National President shall serve for a period of two years or until a successor assumes office. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all National Council meetings, Conclave sessions, and Executive Board meetings; to direct the business of the Honor Society; to appoint all committees; to serve as ex‑officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee; and to serve as the official representative of the Honor Society. Section 4. President‑Elect - The National President‑Elect shall be elected prior to each Conclave from the slate prepared by the Nominating Committee.
Section 5. Executive Director - The Executive Director shall be employed by National Council to handle the administrative affairs of the honor society. It shall be the duty of the Executive Director to handle honor society correspondence, carry out routine duties for national council members upon request, be an ex‑officio member of the Executive Board, and to record minutes of all official meetings. It shall be the duty of the Executive Director to keep an accurate and complete record of all money transactions, send reports to the Finance Committee, and to arrange for an annual audit to be available to members. The Executive Director shall serve as ex‑officio member of the Finance Committee and of the Executive Board and shall be under bond. Section 7. Communication Coordinator - The Communication Coordinator shall be employed by the National Council. It shall be the duty of the Communication Coordinator to assume responsibility to edit and distribute the semi‑annual publication, The Candle. Other duties to support the Honor Society will be determined by National Council. Section 8. Alumni Councilor - The Alumni Councilor shall be elected by the alumni chapters and shall serve for one four‑year term or until a successor is elected. The duty of the Alumni Councilor is to serve as a liaison between alumni members and chapters and National Council. The Nominating Committee will solicit nominations for the Alumni Councilor position from the alumni chapters during the election year. The Executive Director will prepare and mail a ballot to each alumni chapter by February of the election year. A plurality will elect. Section 9. Region Councilor Chairperson - The Region Councilors will select a chairperson from among their members during a Region Councilor’s meeting at Conclave to serve for a two‑year term. The Region Councilor Chairperson will be responsible for orienting new Region Councilors and maintaining communication with all Region Councilors. Section 10. Region Councilors - Each region shall be represented on National Council by a Region Councilor, which it shall select.
Section 11. Finance Chairperson - The Finance Chairperson shall be elected prior to every other Conclave and shall serve for four years or until a successor is elected. The Nominating Committee will solicit nominations for the Finance Chairperson position from the alumni and collegiate chapters during the election year. The Executive Director will prepare and mail a ballot to each alumni and collegiate chapter by February of the election year. A plurality will elect. Section 12. National Collegiate Chairperson - The National Collegiate Chairperson shall be selected by the National Council Collegiate Representatives at a meeting during Conclave for a two‑year term. The duty of the National Collegiate Chairperson is to be a liaison between the collegiate chapters and the National Council. Section 13. Collegiate Representatives - Nominations for collegiate representatives will be solicited from collegiate chapters and advisors by the respective Region Councilors during the election year. The collegiate chapters in their respective regions will elect their collegiate representative. The current Region Councilor will prepare and mail a ballot to each collegiate chapter by March of the election year. A plurality will elect.
Section 14. Advisor Councilor - The National Advisor Councilor shall be elected by the collegiate chapters. The Advisor Councilor shall serve for a 4 year term or until a successor is elected. The duty of the Advisor Councilor is to serve as a liaison between chapter advisors and National Council. The Nominating Committee will solicit nominations for the Advisor Councilor position from members during the election year. The Executive Director will prepare and mail a ballot to each collegiate chapter by February of the election year. A plurality will elect. Section 15. Vacancy on National Council - If a vacancy occurs on National Council other than in the offices of President, President‑Elect, Region Councilor, or Finance Chair, it shall be filled by the National President with approval of the Executive Board. Section 16 . Chapter Visits - It shall be the duty of the National Council to provide for a visit to each chapter within a year of installation and thereafter periodically as determined by National Council. The visit shall be by the Region Councilor or a member of National Council. Article VII: National CommitteesSection 1. Expansion Committee - The National President in consultation with the President‑Elect shall appoint an Expansion Committee of three members to serve until successors are appointed who will recommend a policy of expansion for action by National Council. Section 2. Finance Committee - The Finance Committee shall consist of the Finance Chairperson, two Region Councilors, one Collegiate Representative, and one alumni. Committee members shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the President‑Elect to work on financial matters with the Executive Director, an ex‑officio member of the Committee. The function of the Committee shall be the supervision of the Honor Society's funds. The Collegiate Representative serves for a period of two years, the Alumni member for one year, and the National Council members for four years. Section 3. Conclave Committee - There shall be a Conclave Committee of three composed of the National President, Executive Director, and a Region Councilor. It shall be the duty of this Committee to cooperate with the National Council and the Local Conclave Committee in making arrangements for Conclave. Section 4. Nominating Committee - There shall be a Nominating Committee of four members: three alumni members and one collegiate member appointed in non‑Conclave years by the President. The past National President generally is one member and serves as Chairperson of the Committee whose members should represent various chapters of initiation and geographical areas.
Section 5. Professional Program Committee - The National President‑Elect shall appoint a Professional Program Committee consisting of two alumni and one student member, with the President‑ Elect serving as Chairperson. It shall be the duty of this Committee to administer the professional program. Section 6. Bylaws Committee - The President, in consultation with the President‑Elect, shall appoint a Bylaws Committee consisting of two Region Councilors and other members as needed. It shall be the duty of the Bylaws Committee to communicate proposed changes to the chapters two and one‑half months prior to Conclave, present the proposed changes to Conclave for action after approval by National Council, and review the Bylaws for errors before duplicating and distributing. Section 7. Membership Eligibility Committee - The eligibility of students in related areas not in accord with membership requirements at a college or university which has an established Phi Upsilon Omicron Chapter will be determined by the National Membership Eligibility Committee consisting of the National President, the National President‑Elect, the Region Councilor of the region involved, and two other Region Councilors. Section 8. Personnel Committee - This committee shall consist of the President, President‑Elect, Finance Chairperson, two Region Councilors, one Collegiate Representative and the Educational Foundation Chair. Purpose of this Committee shall be to review job descriptions of paid employees of the Honor Society for accuracy. The President, President‑Elect and Educational Foundation Chair shall review and evaluate job performance of paid employees of the Honor Society. Section 9. Other Committees - The President shall appoint such special committees as the need arises or as the National Council shall direct. Section 10. Ex‑Officio Member - The President shall be an ex‑officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. Article VIII: RegionsSection 1. Regions - Collegiate and alumni chapters of the Honor Society shall be grouped in regions according to geographical location. The boundaries of these regions shall be flexible and determined by National Council. Section 2. New Chapters - New chapters shall be assigned to existing regions by the National President with approval of the Executive Board. Section 3. Chapter Transfer - Chapters may be transferred to a different region at the discretion of National Council. Article IX: Collegiate ChaptersSection 1. Membership - A collegiate chapter shall consist of undergraduate and graduate student members, alumni members enrolled in the institution, and honorary members. Section 2. Establishing New Chapters - Chapters of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. may be established, upon petition, at institutions which are approved by the recognized regional accrediting agency and which offer instruction in family and consumer sciences and related areas leading to a Bachelor's degree. The Expansion Committee, the Region Councilor, and the President shall be responsible for carrying out the procedures in establishing a chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc., after the petitioning group has received final approval.
Section 3. Officers - A President, Vice President, Secretary, Initiation Chairperson, Historian, Public Relations Chair, and other officers as needed shall be elected and serve for one year or until their successors are elected. The Treasurer shall be appointed by a committee of collegiate chapter members and the Advisors prior to the chapter elections. The Treasurer shall serve for one year or until a successor is appointed. The duties of the officers are implied by their respective titles and are specified in the Handbook. Section 4. Advisors - Each chapter shall have a minimum of one chapter Advisor. It is recommended two additional Advisors be chosen, one to serve as Financial Advisor and the other as Professional Program of Work Advisor. Chapter Advisors shall be appointed by the local chapter with the approval of the unit administrator. Section 5. Rules, Regulations, and Bylaws - Each chapter shall make such rules, regulations, and Bylaws for its own government as are in harmony with the Bylaws of the Honor Society and shall submit them to the Region Councilor. Section 6. Meetings. Each collegiate chapter shall hold regularly scheduled meetings during the school year. The time, number, and place of meetings are determined by each chapter within a month after the fall opening of the school year. Section 7. Conclave Vote (Delegate) Each collegiate chapter shall have one vote in Conclave.
Section 8. Official Records Each chapter shall keep a file containing all official records, reports, and correspondence of the chapter and its officers in accordance to the document retention schedule included in the Phi Upsilon Omicron handbook. Section 9. Inactive Status or Discontinuation of Chapter Whenever extenuating circumstances affect a family and consumer sciences or related area unit, thus influencing the functioning of the Phi Upsilon Omicron chapter or when a chapter fails to meet the obligations of the Honor Society, a special visit shall be made to determine the current status of the chapter. If inactive status or discontinuation is considered, the matter will be brought before the next meeting of the National Council. Article X: Alumni ChaptersSection 1. Membership - An alumni chapter shall be composed of alumni and honorary members of the Honor Society who may be either active or associate members.
Section 2. Establishing New Chapters - An alumni chapter may be established when seven or more members can hold a minimum of four meetings a year, including a Founder's Day Celebration. Section 3. Officers - The officers of an alumni chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Chairperson, and other officers as needed, all of whom shall be elected and serve until their successors are elected. Duties of the alumni chapter officers are implied by their respective titles and are specified in the Handbook. Section 4. Relationship to Collegiate Chapters - An alumni chapter shall maintain contact with a collegiate chapter(s) located in the geographic area and provide support. Section 5. Conclave Delegates - Each alumni chapter shall have one vote in Conclave.
Section 6. Official Records - Each alumni chapter shall keep for reference all official records, reports, and correspondence for at least five years unless otherwise indicated by National Council. Section 7. Discontinuance of Alumni Chapters - Alumni chapters will be discontinued when they are unable to meet the requirements for a chapter. Article XI: Parliamentary AuthorityRobert's Rules of Order as most recently revised shall govern the proceedings of meetings of the Honor Society and chapters when not in conflict with these Bylaws. Article XII: DiscontinuanceSection 1. Upon the dissolution of Phi Upsilon Omicron Inc., assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes. Section 2. Should Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. or any of its subordinate chapters become inactive, any remaining assets of the Honor Society will be distributed to the Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc. which is tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Article XIII: AmendmentsThese Bylaws may be amended after approval of National Council by a majority vote of delegates present and voting at Conclave provided the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing to the chapters at least two and one half months in advance of the Conclave at which changes are to be voted upon. Last Updated October 2012 |