Constitution

ARTICLE I
Name of Organization

Section 1: The name of the organization shall be The Pennsylvania State University Women's Studies Honor Society, Iota Iota Iota.

ARTICLE II
Purpose of Organization

Section 1: The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage and support scholarship and excellence in women's studies at The Pennsylvania State University.

ARTICLE III
New Membership and Recruitment

Section 1: Any and all new members will be given full disclosure during recruitment, including, but not limited to, the disclosure of:
 

1. New Membership Manual
2. Schedule of New Member Events and Activities
3. A list of responsibilities
4. A definition of personal rights and a copy of the University Hazing Policy, prescribed by Policies and Rules for Student Organizations
 

All of these documents will be available upon request by the USG Supreme Court.

Section 2: All members, including, but not limited to, new members and recruits, reserve the right to refrain from participating in any activities without consequence, based upon personal/religious beliefs, personal values, or moral reserve as defined by the member.

Section 3: Any and all interaction/activity between members and/or new members will be limited to guidelines stated by university policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws.


ARTICLE IV
Qualifications for Membership

Section 1: Membership shall be open to contract majors or minors or minors in women's studies or any student at the Pennsylvania State University having a strong interest in women's studies and having completed at least 6 hours of women's studies courses with a GPA of at least 3.0 in women's studies course work.

Section 2: At all times, the majority (50%+1) of all members shall be full-time, officially registered, undergraduate students at University Park.

Section 3: All who meet approved academic criteria are invited to become members of this women's studies academic society without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, economic class, or sexual orientation.

Section 4: If a prospective member chooses to accept an invitation, she will be expected to fulfill requirements for active membership status before induction.

Section 5: The membership shall be divided into active and associate members.
 

1. Only currently employed faculty, staff, and currently registered students are eligible for active membership.

2. All others interested in furthering the purpose of Iota Iota Iota shall be associate members. Only active members may hold office, vote, preside, officiate, or solicit funds on behalf of the organization.
 

Section 6: The society reserves the right to expel a member who is not following the policies of the organization with a super majority vote of attending members - quorum is 50% of active members.


ARTICLE V
Officers of the Organization

Section 1: Only full-time, officially registered active student members shall be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers. Further limitations are subject to USG Supreme Court/GSA Judiciary Committee approval.

Section 2: Offices
 

1. The President is the spokesperson for the organization. It shall be the duty of the President to preside over meetings of the organization. The President will represent the chapter at all functions of the University and of the Women's Studies Program. The President shall serve as the chapter liason to the Advisory Committee of the Women's Studies Program.

2. The Vice President for Programming shall serve in the capacity of President during an absence of the President. Vice President for Programming shall coordinate the educational programs and events sponsored by the society. The Vice President for Programming shall serve as the chapter liaison to the Women's Studies Program Undergraduate Matters Committee.

3. The Vice President for Communications shall keep the minutes of the organization's meetings and present the same for approval and inclusion in the minutes of the organization. The Vice President for Communications shall also be responsible for the correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, of the organization, and will serve as the chapter liaison to the Women's Studies Program monthly meetings.

4. The Vice President for Finance shall administer the financial affairs of the organization and to present the status of finances at organization meetings for approval and inclusion in the minutes of the organization.

5. The Vice President for Membership shall be responsible for recruitment and selection of members and for organizing the induction ceremonies for the society.

6. The Vice President for Outreach shall maintain contact with student organizations, university offices, and community members on matters involving the society. The Vice President for Outreach will coordinate the publicity efforts for the society, and will serve as the chapter liaison to other organizations with whom the society works.
 

Section 3: Filling unexpired vacancies:
 

1. Nominations are taken at the meeting following the vacancy. Elections also occur at this meeting.

2. If a majority (50%+1) is not obtained by any of the candidates, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and the active members shall vote again.

3. When nominations are being taken to fill unexpired terms, any member of the organization may nominate another member of the organization by simply raising his/her hand and indicating such when recognized.
 

ARTICLE VI
Meetings

Section 1: Meetings will be held at least once each month at the Women's Studies Program office.

Section 2: Adequate advance notice must be given to all active members.

Section 3: Special meetings shall be announced by e-mail by the Vice President for Communications of the society at least two days prior to the special meeting.


ARTICLE VII
Quorum

Section 1: A simple majority of the elected officials and members in attendance may transact business legally and shall constitute a quorum.


ARTICLE VIII
Elections

Section 1: A call for nominations shall take place during the last meeting of March, and will last for two weeks until the election meeting. During the two-week election period, active members may nominate themselves or other active members by e-mailing nominations to the adviser.

Section 2: The election meeting shall be publicized in the meetings preceding it.

Section 3: Elections codes:
 

1. The active members shall cast secret, written ballots for the candidate of their choice. Each active member shall have one vote per ballot.

2. If 50%+1 cannot be obtained, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from consideration, and the active members shall vote again.

3. In the event of a tie, the ballot will be recast.
 

Section 4: All officers serve for a term of one academic year.

Section 5: No one officer shall serve more than one year in any given office.


ARTICLE IX
Amendments

Section 1: Amendments must be presented to the membership at the conclusion of any meeting. Voting shall occur at the meeting following its introduction, with the amendment taking effect following USG Supreme Court/GSA Judiciary Committee approval.

Section 2: Presentations must pertain to the purpose of the honor society.

Section 3: Any member may introduce a constitutional amendment at the conclusion of any meeting. At the following meeting, the active members shall vote on the proposed amendment.

Section 4: All amendments are subject to the approval of the USG Supreme Court/GSA Judiciary Committee.


ARTICLE X
Parliamentary Authority

Section 1: Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, by Sarah Corbin Roberts shall be used in all cases not covered by this constitution.


ARTICLE XI
Accessibility

Section 1: Copies of this constitution shall be made available upon request.


ARTICLE XII
Enacting Clause

Section 1: This Constitution shall become effective upon approval of the Undergraduate Student Government.


BYLAWS

ARTICLE I
Definition of Name

Section 1: The Women's Studies Honor Society, Iota Iota Iota, is named for the ancient goddesses Inanna, Ishtar, and Isis.


ARTICLE II
Description and Purpose

Section 1: This organization shall be a non-secret, egalitarian national society of scholars dedicated to the ideals of excellence in women's studies and scholarship.

Section 2: It shall be the purpose of this society to promote an interest in women's studies, research of social problems affecting all women, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the condition of all people.


ARTICLE III
Membership

Section 1: Members who maintain active status within the chapter shall be granted the status of voting member. Active status is defined as having attended 2 meetings per semester or participating in non-meeting activities of the organization.

Section 2: Dues shall be determined by the society.


ARTICLE IV
Officers

Section 1: Officers of this society shall be six in number and shall be elected by active members. The officers of this society shall be as follows: 1) President; 2) Vice President for Programming; 3) Vice President for Communications; 4) Vice President for Finance; 5) Vice President for Membership; and 6) Vice President for Outreach.

Section 2: Candidates for these offices shall be named by the general membership.

Section 3: Officers of this society shall be qualified for their positions by being active members at the time of their candidacy for office and during their term of office.

Section 4: In the event that the President is unable to serve a full term of office, the Vice President for Programming shall automatically assume the office of President until a new President is elected. In this event, the Vice President for Programming shall initiate the process of nomination and election immediately to assure the prompt election of a new President. In the event that any other officer is unable to serve a full term of office, active members shall nominate and elect a replacement for the unexpired portion.

Section 5: The duties of the officers of this society shall be as follows:
 

a. The President will preside over meetings of the organization. It shall be the responsibility/duty of the President to communicate with each of the Vice Presidents and the Faculty Advisor. She, or her designee, will represent the chapter at all functions of the University and of the Women's Studies Program. She will serve as the chapter liaison to the Advisory Committee of the Women's Studies Program.

b. The VP-Programming will be responsible for coordinating the educational programs and events sponsored by the society (including the scheduling of events for the year, delegation of tasks, etc.). The VP-Programming, or her designee, will serve as the chapter liaison to the Undergraduate Matters Committee of the Women's Studies Program.

c. The VP-Communications will keep the minutes of the organization's meetings and to present the same for approval and inclusion in the official minutes of the organization. She shall also be responsible for the correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, of the organization, including the chapter e-mail listserv. The VP-Communications, or her designee, will serve as the chapter liaison to the monthly faculty meetings of the Women's Studies Program.

d. The VP-Finance will administer the financial affairs of the organization and to present the status of finances at organization meetings for approval and inclusion in the minutes of the organization. She will be the financial officer who represents the organization to the Women's Studies Program as well as other University offices.

e. The VP-Membership will be responsible for the recruitment and selection of members. She will coordinate the Induction Ceremonies. She will serve as resource person on organization policies (as determined by the constitution), the resident expert rules and regulations (or "Parlimentarian"). She will coordinate social programs for the chapter. She, or her designee, will serve as the liaison to chapters at other institutions and coordinate our efforts to recruit new chapters.

f. The VP-Outreach will be responsible for maintaining contact with student organizations, university offices, and community members. She will coordinate the publicity efforts for the chapter, including its meetings and programs. The VP-Outreach, or her designee, will serve as the chapter liaison to other organizations.
 

Section 6: Additional officers desired by the society shall be nominated and elected by the active membership.

Section 7: Removal of Officers:
 

a. An officer may be removed from the office only for cause by a two-thirds vote of active members of the society present and voting either in person or by proxy at an annual meeting where charges are studied by the membership.

b. Cause for removal from office shall consist of such matters as misuse of office or persistent failure to perform duties of office.
 

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Last updated: January 27, 2003