Mission Statement:
We, Nu Sigma Chapter, aim for excellence in the fulfillment of the Hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa by providing opportunities for the development of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.
Article I Membership
Section 1. Regular membership requires the completion of 12 semester hours of 100 level or above courses towards an associate degree or certificate program with a grade point average of 3.5 or above, current enrollment in at least 3 semester hours during the semester of his/her induction, adherence to the school conduct code, and payment of induction fees ($80.00). For continued membership, one must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above and be enrolled in at least 3 semester hours. If a member’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, he/she has one semester to bring it back up to 3.0. Failure to accomplish this will result in the member’s name being removed from the local chapter roll and from the records of PHI THETA KAPPA International Headquarters. Benefits outlined in Phi Theta Kappa brochure.
Section 2. Prospective Member requires that a student become a regular member within two semesters of applying to Phi Theta Kappa. This membership is ideal for freshmen students who have not yet had a chance to complete the above requirements.
Section 3. Hallmark Membership includes the requirements of the above-mentioned regular membership or prospective member. This membership is based on participation for the course of one year from the date of one Phi Theta Kappa International Convention to the next. In addition, the Hallmark member may attain any one (1) of five (5) levels of Hallmark membership:
a. 1-Star: Participating in fifteen (15) hours of service and regular attendance at general meetings (at least once a month) or participation in twenty hours of service if unable to attend regular meetings. (Service projects must be approved by Nu Sigma Chapter.)
b. 2-Star: 1-Star status, participation in two (2) Honors Topic events and two (2) fundraisers.
c. 3-Star: 2-Star status, committee participation (planning of an event and seeing it through, to be approved by an administrator), participation in an additional Honors Topic event (3 total) and an additional fundraiser (3 total).
d. 4-Star: 3-Star status and chairing a committee.
e. 5-Star: 3-Star status and holding an officer position. Benefits of the Hallmark member shall be as follows for the year of participation only:
a. 1-Star: a ribbon, indicating star status, a certificate recognizing Hallmark status at formal induction ceremony, and eligibility for chapter scholarships
b. 2-Star: above-mentioned and a PHI THETA KAPPA memorabilia.
c. 3-Star: above mentioned, financial assistance to regional programs, and chapter purchased gold stole and tassel.
d. 4-Star: above mentioned and financial assistance to International programs.
e. 5-Star: above mentioned, free admission to formal induction, and free admission to any Nu Sigma event one year after holding an office.
Section 4. Jr. Membership requires that the member be under the age of eighteen (18) and not registered as a college student. This member must participate in a minimum of three (3) Nu Sigma events during the course of the year. Jr. Members will be awarded certificates at the Spring Induction Ceremony.
Back to TopSection 1. Chapter Advisor(s) will be appointed by the administration of Prairie State College.
Section 2. The duties of the Advisor shall be as follows:
a. Guide chapter activities in an advisory capacity
b. Act on behalf of the International Society of Phi Theta Kappa in official college administration
c. The advisor will submit (in a timely manner) all required forms to the International Phi Theta Kappa Society: the annual report, monthly membership report forms, and membership profile forms
d. Report all regional correspondence to the PHI THETA KAPPA President (especially important are copies of monthly reports regarding 5-star status)
e. Attend all meetings-- executive and general
f. The Advisor shall not be a voting member of the chapter
g. Notify members who are placed on academic prohibition
h. Confirm (with Membership Administrator) the hallmark membership status of members at the end of each year -- maintaining an advisor's list.
i. Participate in a new member orientation at the beginning of each semester
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Article III. Officers
Nu Sigma Chapter shall have an elected Executive Board containing the following officers: President, Vice-President of Scholarship, Vice-President of Service, Vice-President of Fellowship, Secretary, and Treasurer.
All officers shall read the Nu Sigma Constitution before attendance at the first general meeting of their term.
Officers shall attend all meetings: executive and general. Also, the officers will plan and participate in a Leadership Orientation for Administrative Board Appointees and Service Committee chairpersons in a timely manner.
Officers will establish their star-level chapter goals and outline a plan of action at the beginning of each semester.
Section 1. President: oversees all chapter activities, especially leadership events. The duties of the President are as follows:
a. Preside over all general and executive meetings in accordance to "Robert's Rules of Order".
b. Oversee the responsibilities of all other officers.
c. Make sure leadership events are advertised within the chapter, college and/or community as appropriate to each event.
d. Maintain accurate list of leadership events, including date, description, names of persons involved and other pertinent information.
e. Take pictures of all events and label them.
f. Reside as membership administrator until Membership Administrator is appointed
g. Establish any necessary committees.
h. Be available for yearbook participation.
i. Write monthly updates for the newsletter by the 15th of each month.
j. Write Leadership Hallmark essay and chronological list at least one and a half months prior to international deadline. Then collect all additional material. (recommendation letter, newspaper articles, etc.) two weeks prior to international deadline.
k. Vote only in case of a tie.
l. Maintain close contact with the other presidents regarding committee activities.
m. Maintain close contact with faculty advisor(s).
n. Maintain a copy of the "chapter monthly update form” (along with advisor) to keep abreast of five star status and report the current status at each executive meeting.
o. Be accessible to membership during designated weekly office hours in the Student Leadership Center for at least one hour a week.
p. Represent the organization at all times (especially significant are PHI THETA KAPPA regional and International conventions).
q. Assist in planning and participating at induction ceremonies.
Section 2. Vice President of Scholarship: oversees all activities related to scholarship, including the implementation of the International Honors Topic. The duties of the Vice President of Scholarship shall be as follows:
a. Establish a comprehensive program for the International Honors Topic with a minimum of one event per month.
b. Make sure events are advertised within the chapter, college and/or community as appropriate to each event.
c. Maintain accurate list of scholarship events, including date, description, names of persons involved and other pertinent information.
d. Take pictures of all events and label them.
e. Present monthly newsletters to the active and prospective members.
f. Establish any necessary committees.
g. Be available for yearbook participation.
h. Write monthly updates for the newsletter by the 15th of each month.
i. Write Scholarship Hallmark essay and chronological list at least one and a half months prior to international deadline. Then collect all additional material. (recommendation letter, newspaper articles, etc.) by two weeks prior to international deadline.
j. Preside over meetings when Vice President of Leadership is absent.
k. Vote only in case of a tie.
l. Maintain close contact with the other vice presidents regarding committee activities.
m. Maintain close contact with faculty advisor(s).
n. Maintain a copy of the "chapter monthly update form” (along with advisor) to keep abreast of five star status and report the current status at each executive meeting.
a. Be accessible to membership during designated weekly office hours in the Student Leadership Center for at least one hour a week.
o. Represent the organization at all times (especially significant are PHI THETA KAPPA regional and International conventions).
p. Assist in planning and participating at induction ceremonies.
Section 3. Vice President of Service: oversees all service activities. The duties of the Vice President of Service are as follows:
a. Establish a comprehensive program for the International Service Topic with a minimum of one event per month.
b. Make sure events are advertised within the chapter, college and/or community as appropriate to each event.
c. Maintain accurate list of service events, including date, description, names of persons involved and other pertinent information.
d. Take pictures of all events and label them.
e. Establish any necessary committees.
f. Be available for yearbook participation.
g. Write monthly updates for the newsletter by the 15th of each month.
h. Write Service Hallmark essay and chronological list at least one and a half months prior to international deadline. Then collect all additional material. (recommendation letters, newspaper articles, etc.) two weeks prior to international deadline.
i. Preside over meetings when Vice Presidents of Leadership and Scholarship are absent.
j. Vote only in case of a tie.
k. Maintain close contact with the other vice presidents regarding committee activities.
l. Maintain close contact with faculty advisor(s).
m. Maintain a copy of the "chapter monthly update form” (along with advisor) to keep abreast of five star status and report the current status at each executive meeting.
n. Be accessible to membership during designated weekly office hours in the Student Leadership Center for at least one hour a week.
o. Represent the organization at all times (especially significant are PHI THETA KAPPA Regional and International conventions).
p. Assist in planning and participating at induction ceremonies.
Section 4. Vice President of Fellowship: oversees all fellowship activities, including fundraising and fellowship events with other chapters or organizations. The duties of the Vice President of Fellowship are as follows:
a. Establish a program for fundraising with at least four fundraisers per year.
b. Make sure events are advertised within the chapter, college and/or community as appropriate to each event.
c. Maintain accurate list of fellowship events, including date, description, names of persons involved and other pertinent information.
d. Take pictures of all events and label them.
e. Establish any necessary committees. f. Be available for yearbook participation.
g. Write monthly updates for the newsletter by the 15th of each month.
h. Write Fellowship Hallmark essay and chronological list at least one and a half months prior to international deadline. Then collect all additional material. (recommendation letters, newspaper articles, etc.) two weeks prior to international deadline.
i. Preside over meetings when Vice Presidents of Leadership, Scholarship and Service are absent.
j. Vote only in case of a tie.
k. Maintain close contact with the other vice presidents regarding committee activities.
l. Maintain close contact with faculty advisor(s).
m. Maintain a copy of the "chapter monthly update form” (along with advisor) to keep abreast of five star status and report the current status at each executive meeting.
n. Be accessible to membership during designated weekly office hours in the Student Leadership Center for at least one hour a week.
o. Represent the organization at all times (especially significant are PHI THETA KAPPA Regional and International conventions).
p. Assist in planning and participating at induction ceremonies.
Section 5. The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:
a. Record minutes at all meetings (executive and general). Make copies available to members at the following meeting and on all Phi Theta Kappa informational boards.
b. Maintain a file of all minutes and agendas in SLC (PHI THETA KAPPA file cabinet)
c. Reserve meeting room times and locations
d. Maintain current, accurate copies of all organizational documents, papers, and correspondence (e.g. the constitution and receipts of meeting room reservations)
e. Maintain a roster of the active membership with addresses and phone numbers (along with the Membership Administrator)
f. Maintain close contact with the membership chair
g. Assist at Induction ceremonies
Section 6. The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:
a. Coordinate the monthly financial status report with the Prairie State College Business Office
b. Report financial status at each general meeting
c. Coordinate the deposits and disbursements of funds (along with the Advisor) through PSC Business Office. Receipts must be no older than one (1) month for reimbursements.
d. Maintain a file of receipts for all financial transactions
e. Arrange for an Advisor audit of financial reports and budget in the spring before elections
f. Maintain close contact with the membership chair
g. Assist at Induction ceremonies
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Article IV. Administrative Board
a. The Administrative Board shall be appointed by the Executive Board as soon as possible; these administrators shall head committees necessary to smooth functioning and fulfillment of vital, ongoing organizational objectives.
b. All administrative appointees shall read the Nu Sigma Constitution before the second general meeting of their term.
c. All appointees shall attend the leadership orientation.
d. Appointees shall have written reports (preferably typed) ready for presentation at each general meeting, whether or not they are in attendance.
e. Appointees must attend general meetings once a month.
f. These appointees shall hold their positions until the election of the next Executive Board.
g. The Administrative Board committees shall include Service, Membership, Fund raising, Student Government Representative, Newsletter, Yearbook, Public Relations, and any other position deemed necessary.
Section 1. The duties of the Membership administrator shall be as follows:
a. Attend all new member orientations
b. Collect new member's application profile form and mandatory fees (A check made payable to Phi Theta Kappa for the amount of $80.00 covers lifetime dues and the member's dinner at the formal Spring Induction.)
c. Turn checks into Treasurer or Treasurer’s box with the name(s) of the person(s) that have paid. Mark on the top of their application the amount paid, the date and your initials.
d. Make a copy of the original application once member has paid.
e. Turn paid member's original application in to the Advisor who is responsible to mail it in to the Regional office in time for the induction ceremony
f. Mail a welcome letter to the new member (envelopes from support services)
g. Follow up with inactive members to encourage participation
h. Maintain an updated list of members' addresses and phone numbers (along with the Secretary)
i. Track hallmark membership forms and submit a list of hallmark members to advisor and to the Newsletter administrator one month prior to the Formal Spring Induction.
j. Establish a calling tree to be used for important, last minute developments (divide active members' phone numbers among volunteers).
Section 2. The duties of the Fundraising administrator shall be as follows:
a. Set fundraising goals with Executive Committee at the beginning of each semester.
b. Find fundraising ideas to be approved by Executive Committee before announcing at general meetings.
c. Hold meetings with your volunteers as necessary.
d. Oversee fundraising events
e. Report member activity to Membership chair for hallmark membership requirements by keeping lists of hours of participation by each member.
f. Maintain close contact with the Treasurer regarding handling of funds.
g. Complete a program evaluation sheet for each event to be kept in the Fundraising file in the SLC h. Keep a special folder for outlines of the more successful events to help future administrators.
Section 3. The duties of the Student Government Representative shall be as follows:
a. Attend all SGA weekly meetings
b. Represent PHI THETA KAPPA’s interests at the Student Government Association's meetings
c. Appoint and train an alternate who shall fulfill the above attendance requirements in your absence.
d. Report back at the general meeting with a written and oral report.
Section 4. The Newsletter Administrator is responsible for producing a monthly newsletter. His or her duties shall be as follows:
a. Hold meetings with volunteers at least twice a month at pre-scheduled times
b. Collect articles, using a monthly deadline (the 15th of each month)
c. Mail copies to all members in the database
d. Distribute copies to the Web Master, the Yearbook Administrator, and each executive officer. Copies should also be distributed throughout the college administrators and faculty.
e. Maintain close contact with Executive Board for knowledge of current business.
Section 5. The Yearbook Administrator shall create a yearbook of events from one International Convention to be presented at the next. He or she must gather all supplies necessary for production and follow all international rules for yearbooks. The yearbook must be completed one week before International Convention.
Section 6. The Web Master shall maintain the Nu Sigma web site, updating it at least once a month following the newsletter.
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Article V. Election of Officers
Section 1. Election Elections must be held at the meeting preceding the last meeting during the spring semester of each school year. Immediately after spring midterm, the Executive Committee will make available information regarding the duties of officers to encourage members to begin campaigns early.
Section 2. Candidates
a. All candidates for office must be members of Phi Theta Kappa and in good standing
b. Candidates shall notify the Service/Fellowship Vice-President of the elected position that they wish to fill at least one week before the election
c. Candidates will be required to submit a typed one-page summary of their background, skills, qualifications, and leadership goals for Nu Sigma, which will be due one week before the election
d. Candidates shall also have the opportunity to speak in a forum regarding the above mentioned summary within the week prior to the election
Section 3. Tenure
a. Officers and Administrative Appointees shall hold their positions from time of their inauguration (which shall be the Formal Spring Induction) until the time of the next inauguration, one year.
b. In any case when an officer must resign an office, an election shall be held to elect a new candidate. Nominations shall be made from the floor at the first general meeting following the resignation.
c. The Presidents shall have the power to make a temporary appointment at his/her discretion until the meeting can be held.
d. If a President must resign, the other Presidents will assume those responsibilities until the end of the school year.
e. If an Administrative Appointee must resign, the Executive Committee will appoint a replacement.
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Article VI. Service Committees
Section 1. General guidelines are:
a. At the first General meeting, the service committees will begin to be established depending upon member interest.
b. If a motion is passed for a service committee, a chairperson must be established before the committee will be recognized
c. Then volunteer sign-up sheets may be circulated if and when necessary
d. Any independent Service Committee fundraising plan must be approved at a general meeting and the timing coordinated with the Fundraising administrator
Section 2. The duties of Chairpersons shall be as follows:
a. Attend leadership orientation b. Hold meetings with your volunteers when necessary
c. Fill out a program evaluation sheet for each activity
d. Submit all program evaluation sheets to the L/S Vice-President
e. Maintain close contact with the Service administrator regarding general committee activities and needs
f. Request circulation of sign-up sheets no earlier than one month in advance of planned event (exceptions by special permission from executive committee)
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Article VII. Meetings
Section 1. All meetings will be governed in accordance with the simplified Robert’s Rules of Order
Section 2. General meetings and Executive meetings will each be held twice a month during the fall and spring semesters.
a. The meetings shall be audio recorded for members who cannot attend
b. It is recommended that the meeting date requests be submitted early (e.g., the end of the previous semester) to the Coordinator of Student Life c. It is also recommended that the same weekday and time be used consistently
Section 3. Quorum shall consist of a minimum of six members present at general meetings for business to be conducted legally.
Section 4. All officers and administrative appointees are required to attend all general meetings. They will be allowed three excused absences from these meetings during the year of tenure. An excused absence requires 24 hours notice to the Secretary or President. Two unexcused absences are also allowed. Shall a fourth excused absence or a third unexcused absence occur, the Executive Committee shall hold a meeting with the member to determine if a suspension is warranted.
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Article VIII. Finances
Section 1. Finances for this chapter shall be raised by projects approved by the Executive Committee and accepted by the membership in a simple majority vote at the next general meeting.
Section 2. The Business Office of PSC must receive the payment of the international, state, and local induction fees ($80.00 per member) before members can be inducted.
Section 3. Disbursement forms must be submitted with supporting original receipts. Faculty Advisor, Treasurer, and the Coordinator of Student Life must all sign the form for a disbursement.
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Article IX. Bylaws
Section 1. New bylaws shall be passed by a simple majority vote of the members present at any regularly scheduled meeting provided there has been adequate time for consideration of implications; these bylaws shall cover pertinent topics, including interpretation of the constitution.
Section 2. Amendment of existing bylaws may occur at any executive or special meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the executive committee and the constitution review committee present, provided that previous notice of the amendments was given to all members at least seven days in advance.
Section 3. All new and/or amended bylaws shall be attached to the copies of the current bylaws to be incorporated in an organized manner at the time of the next Nu Sigma Constitution revision.
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Email:
NuSigma. Phone: 709-3762
For any comments/complaints/suggestions about or ideas for the web site,
Email: ljackson23@students.prairiestate.edu