CONSTITUTION OF
BETA OMICRON CHAPTER OF PHI ALPHA THETA
HISTORY HONOR SOCIETY
Adopted January 2005
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta in order to encourage the study of history and to recognize excellence in history, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the government of our order.
ARTICLE I – NAME
This Society shall be known as the Beta Omicron Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS
All members are required to be a student (excluding Faculty) enrolled at the University of Alabama, and are required to pay a one-time initiation fee established by the Executive Committee. Members can join at official membership drives held at least once each academic year. Membership drives will be announced at least one week in advance of member selection. Any individual who meets the requirements for membership is welcome to join. Members who fail to present themselves or the society in a manner reflecting the highest values of the community will be subject to the actions of the Executive Committee and its designates.
Section 1. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Undergraduate students must complete at least 12 semester hours in History (4 courses) with a GPA of at least 3.1 in History, and have a GPA of 3.0 or better overall, Membership is not limited to History majors.
Section 2. GRADUATE STUDENTS
Graduate students should have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours towards their Master's Degree, have a GPA of better than 3.5, and shall have completed approximately 30% of the residence requirements for the Master's Degree.
Section 3. FACULTY MEMBERS
Faculty members above the rank of Instructor who teach History automatically qualify, pay the same induction fee, and receive the same membership privileges.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1. ELECTIVE OFFICERS
The officers of the Society shall be the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary/Treasurer. Other officers as deemed needed by the Executive Committee may include: the Historian, the Chair of the Advisory Board (the immediate Past President), councilors, and members of the Advisory Board.
Section 2. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Chair of the Advisory Board (if existent).
Section 3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The officers shall be elected at a regular meeting of the members held during the Spring Academic Term. Those elected shall take office at the beginning of the Fall Academic Term and shall hold office until their successors have been duly installed. Elections shall be done by secret ballot. Candidates receiving one vote more that 50% of the total number of votes cast shall be named to their respective offices.
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Section 4. TERMS OF OFFICE
Elected officers shall serve for a term of one Academic Year, including the Summer. If an officer should be unable to complete a term of office, a special election shall be held at the next meeting of the members. Vacancies in offices shall be filled by nomination and voting by quorum of active members.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Section 1. REGULAR MEETINGS
The regular meeting of the association shall be held on the first Tuesday of the second month of each regular school term, unless otherwise ordered by the organization or by the Executive committee.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS.
The first meeting of the spring semester of each academic term shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports from offices and committees, and for any other business that may arise.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive Committee and shall be called upon written request of 10 members of the association. The Purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the notice, and three days notice shall be give except in cases of emergencies.
Section 4. QUORUM.
Fifty percent of the active members shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI – RELATIONSHIP
Beta Omicron Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society is a chapter of the National Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Inc. A copy of the current National Phi Alpha Theta Constitution should be kept with this document at all times.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
Section 1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Chair of the Advisory Board (if existent). They shall supervise affairs of the association between its business meetings, make recommendations to the association and perform other duties as specified in these by-laws. The Executive Committee shall be subject to the orders of the association, and none of its acts shall conflict with actions taken by the association.
Section 2. OTHER COMMITTEES
Other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as the association or the Executive Committee deem necessary to carry on the work of the association.
ARTICLE VIII – ADVISOR
One or more advisors shall be appointed by the Chairman of the History Department. Responsibilities shall be those assigned by The University of Alabama Student Handbook.
ARTICLE IX – PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-lays and special rules or order the association may adopt.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the association by two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
ARTICLE XI – BY-LAWS
By-laws to this constitution may be added at any regular meeting of the association by two-thirds vote, provided the by-laws has been submitted at the previous regular meeting.