^{International Honor Society in Social Science}

Georgia Kappa Chapter

NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

Article I. Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name and Location

The name of this organization shall be the Georgia Kappa Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu (hereinafter referred to as "the chapter"). The chapter shall be located at North Georgia College and State University.

Section 2. Purpose

The central purpose of the chapter is the encouragement of scholarship in the social sciences. In these bylaws, the term "social sciences" shall be used to denote the disciplines of anthropology, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, public administration, and sociology.

Article II. Membership

Section 1. Student Membership

a. A North Georgia College and State University student of sound character who is pursuing a bachelor's degree may be admitted to membership if he or she satisfies the following requirements at the end of any fall semester:

The maximum number of members of the junior class who may be invited to membership is 20 percent of juniors whose number of semester credits in total and in the social sciences conform to the eligibility requirements. The maximum number of members of the senior class who may be invited to membership is 25 percent of seniors whose number of semester credits in total and in the social sciences conform to the eligibility requirements; this maximum number shall be reduced by the number of seniors who were initiated during their junior year.

b. A North Georgia College and State University student of sound character who is pursuing a master's degree at North Georgia College and State University may be admitted to membership if he or she satisfies the following requirements at the end of any fall semester:

c. The regularly scheduled determination of eligible students will ordinarily occur annually, after the end of each fall semester. This schedule shall not preclude consideration of eligible students at other times of the year, when their eligibility is brought to the attention of the officers. If a student is ineligible for membership at the end of a fall semester because of an insufficient number of semester credits, but becomes eligible by the time that he or she graduates, the student may, within three months of his or her last semester or session of course work, petition for membership candidacy. The petition shall be considered at the next general meeting. This provision shall not be construed to obligate the chapter to hold a special meeting to expedite the processing of the candidate's petition.

Section 2. Alumnus Membership

a. Upon graduation, student members shall be transferred to alumnus membership.

b. Alumni of North Georgia College and State University who graduated before the chapter was chartered, and whose complete academic records would have qualified them for membership pursuant to the criteria established in Section 1, may be elected to membership.

c. With the permission of the Executive Director of Pi Gamma Mu, a member of Pi Gamma Mu who was initiated at another chapter may transfer his or her alumnus membership to this chapter.

Section 3.  Faculty Membership

a. Members of the faculty at North Georgia College and State University whose scholastic records and/or outstanding achievements have rendered them worthy may be elected to membership.

b. With the permission of the Executive Director of Pi Gamma Mu, a member of the faculty at North Georgia College and State University who was initiated at another chapter may transfer his or her faculty membership or alumnus membership to this chapter.

Section 4. Associate Membership

An individual who is not connected with North Georgia College and State University and who has rendered outstanding service in a field of the social sciences may be elected to membership.

Section 5. Election of Members

a. Election to membership shall be by a majority vote at a chapter meeting or by a majority vote of a committee consisting of the faculty members serving on the Executive Committee.

b. Anything in this article to the contrary notwithstanding, a person elected to membership by the chapter shall become a member upon receipt by the Executive Director of Pi Gamma Mu of a written acceptance, payment of the international initiation fee, and issuance by the Executive Director of the prescribed credentials, and not before such action by the Executive Director.

Section 6. Fees and Dues

Each member shall pay such initiation fees as may be prescribed by the Board of Trustees of Pi Gamma Mu and by the chapter.

Article III. Officers

Section 1. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall comprise the six elected and appointed officers of the chapter. Only a member of the chapter may serve as an officer.

Section 2. Officers

The elected officers shall be as follows:

a. The President shall provide leadership to the chapter and administer decisions of the membership and the Executive Committee. He or she shall appoint the chairpersons and members of other committees. Only a student member may serve as President.

b. The First Vice President shall assist the President and preside at meetings in the absence of the President. Only a student member may serve as First Vice President.

c. The Second Vice President shall assist the President and the Faculty Advisor. Only a faculty member may serve as Second Vice President.

d. The Secretary-Treasurer shall collect dues, provide for the safekeeping of chapter funds in an account at a bank or credit union, make disbursals authorized by the membership or the Executive Committee, distribute financial reports, record minutes and preserve them, and prepare reports to the national office. Only a faculty member may serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

e. The Program Chairman shall plan the initiation ceremony and other programs sponsored by the chapter.

f. The Faculty Advisor shall be the liaison between the chapter and the faculty and administration of North Georgia College and State University. Only a faculty member may serve as Faculty Advisor.

Section 3. Elections and Appointments

a. The President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-Treasurer, and Program Chairman shall be elected for a term of one year at an election held in April. A plurality vote shall suffice. The term of office shall begin at the conclusion of the spring semester.

b. The Faculty Advisor for the ensuing year shall be designated in March by the heads of the Department of History and Sociology, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Department of Psychology. If the deliberation of the department heads does not result in a majority vote, the Faculty Advisor shall be designated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Section 4. Meetings of the Executive Committee

All of the officers, including the presiding officer, shall have one vote each at meetings of the Executive Committee. Three members constitute a quorum.

Section 5. Succession and Removal

a. An office shall be deemed vacant if the incumbent resigns or becomes disqualified by failing to meet qualifications specified in Sections 1 and 2. The Executive Committee may also declare an office to be vacant if the incumbent is neglecting to fulfill the duties of the office. The chapter meeting may reverse any such finding and restore said incumbent to office.

b. A vacancy in the office of President shall be resolved by the elevation of the First Vice President to the office of President. A vacancy in the office of Faculty Advisor shall be resolved by appointment by the heads of the Department of History and Sociology, the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the Department of Psychology; if their deliberation does not result in a majority vote, the appointment shall be made by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A vacancy in any office other than President and Faculty Advisor shall be filled by appointment of the President and a majority vote of confirmation by the chapter meeting.

Article IV. Meetings

Section 1. Frequency and Notices of Meetings

The chapter shall hold two or more meetings during each academic year. Any initiation ceremony shall constitute a meeting. Meetings shall be called by the President. The President or Secretary-Treasurer shall provide at least one week's notice to student and faculty members.

Section 2. Quorum and Voting

a. The quorum at any meeting shall be one-fifth of the number of student and faculty members, or seven members, whichever is smaller.

b. All chapter members, except the presiding officer, are eligible to vote at chapter meetings. The presiding officer shall vote only to break a tie.

c. All members of committees, including the chairperson, are eligible to vote at committee meetings.

d. At chapter meetings and at committee meetings, motions and resolutions shall be adopted by majority vote, except where the Constitution of Pi Gamma Mu, these bylaws, or Robert's Rules of Order provides otherwise.

Section 3. Rules

Chapter meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, except where its provisions are inconsistent with the Constitution of Pi Gamma Mu or these bylaws.

Article V. Distribution of Assets Upon Dissolution

If the chapter meeting votes, pursuant to Article VI, to dissolve the chapter, the members may by majority vote distribute the assets in accordance with the nonprofit character of the honor society. Should the chapter dissolve without such a decision being made, a committee consisting of the head of the Department of History and Sociology, the head of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, and the head of the Department of Psychology shall cause the chapter's remaining assets to be transferred as a donation to the international Board of Trustees of Pi Gamma Mu.

Article VI. Amendments

The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present at a meeting providing notification of the proposed amendment has been sent to all student and faculty members at least seven days prior to the meeting.

RATIFICATION:  These bylaws were ratified on May 3, 1994, with an effective date of May 20, 1994.

AMENDED: October 25, 1995
AMENDED: September 2, 1997
AMENDED: September 15, 1998