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CONSTITUTION
AND BY-LAWS
of the
PHI SIGMA Biological Sciences Honor Society
As Adopted By the Convention of 1928
With Amendments effective 2005
Copyright 1925 by Phi Sigma Society
HISTORICAL NOTE
The first Constitution used by the Society was written and printed in 1915 under the auspices of Alpha Chapter. The second printing of the Constitution was in 1917 under the direction of the Grand Chapter. The third printing was under the direction of the Central Governing Body in 1919. The revision made by Beta Chapter as a committee on revision was in that year adopted by all Chapters active at that time. With the addition of some slight amendments another issue was authorized by the Central Governing Body in 1923.
Other editions were as follows: Fifth, 1924; Sixth, 1925-26; Seventh, 1927-28; Eight, 1929-30; Ninth, 1931-32; Tenth, 1933-34; Eleventh, 1936-38; Twelfth, 1939-41 (reprinted March 1944); Thirteenth, 1946-48; Fourteenth, 1949; Fifteenth, 1953; Sixteenth, 1955; Seventeenth, 1959; Eighteenth, 1960; Nineteenth, 1994.
This issue incorporates all revisions authorized by the Council and approved by a mail vote and is effective as of January 1, 1994.
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
In recognition of the benefits which would be derived by students, faculty, and others working in the biological sciences from an organization acting as a stimulus to research and academic excellence: We agree to form an association, and for its government to adopt the following Constitution and By-Laws:
ARTICLE I - Name and Object
Section 1.
This association shall be known as the Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. Section 2. The object of this Society shall be to promote interest in research and to foster academic excellence in the biological sciences.
ARTICLE II - Government
Section 1.
The government of this Society shall be vested in the Council, which shall consist of the President, Past- President, Vice-Presidents, and Executive Director(s).
Section 2.
(a) Any member of any Chapter of Phi Sigma shall be eligible for any office designated in Section 1 hereof, provided that he/she has fulfilled all obligations to the Society.
(b) Candidates for Council offices shall be nominated by mail to the National Office. Elections shall be by written ballot; a majority vote is required for election.
(c) Council officers shall be elected for a term of four years, except as noted in clause (d) hereof. The term of office of Council officers shall begin on August 31 following an election.
(d) Any vacancy which occurs in any national office shall be filled by appointment by the Council. The newly appointed officer shall hold office until his/her successor is duly elected.
Section 3.
(a) The duties of the Council shall be as follows:
(1) to investigate all bodies petitioning for the establishment of new Chapters and to recommend action by the Chapters;
(2) to ratify the selection of Honorary Members nominated by the Chapters;
(3) to take necessary disciplinary measures against Chapters or individual members in accordance with constitutional provisions;
(4) to provide for the holding of General Meetings as hereinafter authorized;
(5) to decide all matters affecting the welfare of the Society as a whole where not otherwise provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws.
(b) The duties of the Council President shall be:
(1) to issue a proclamation calling for a General Meeting as hereinafter provided;
(2) to be responsible for the installation of new Chapters as authorized;
(3) to preside at General Meetings and Council meetings;
(4) to undertake such other duties in concurrence with parliamentary procedure.
(c) The duties of the Council Vice-Presidents shall be:
(1) to confer with other members of the Council on all propositions affecting the welfare of the Society;
(2) to act as public relations officers for the Society;
(3) to undertake such other duties in concurrence with parliamentary procedure.
(d) The duties of the Executive Director(s) shall be:
(1) to keep a record of all business transactions of the Council;
(2) to maintain an official register of all members of the Society;
(3) to provide and issue membership certificates to the Chapters as required; however, he/she may issue no certificates until the full record of every initiate is filed in his/her office by the appropriate Chapter Advisor, and until the initiation fee is paid to the Society through the office of the Executive Director;
(4) to render to the membership an official report of national finances at least once every two years.
(5) to render to the Council, prior to the termination of his/her term of office, an official report of all financial transactions occurring during his/her term of office.
(e) A three-fourths vote of the Council shall be necessary to pass any motion or to adopt any procedure which may affect the Society as a whole. A three-fourths vote of delegates assembled in a General Meeting shall be necessary to pass any motion or to adopt any procedure which may affect the Society as a whole. A three-fourths vote by the active Chapters on any measure placed by referendum before the Chapters shall be necessary for its adoption.
Section 4.
General Meeting
(a) Beginning with the year 1924, a General Meeting or mailing shall be conducted every two years. Each Chapter in good standing shall be entitled to representation by one delegate or alternate duly chosen by the Chapter from its active membership and certified by the Chapter President and Secretary.
(b) A special General Meeting may be called by the Council at any time when approved by referendum to the active Chapters.
(c) General Meetings shall be empowered to transact any and all business relating to the welfare of the Society as a whole.
ARTICLE III - Chapters
Section 1.
An active Chapter may be established in any institution of learning which (1) is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency; (2) requires for graduation the equivalent of four years of collegiate work; and (3) is equipped with facilities for research in the biological sciences to such an extent that at least one degree beyond the baccalaureate may be earned accruing from biological research pursued there.
Section 2.
Such a Chapter shall be established upon approval by three-fourths of the active Chapters and upon recommendation by the Council.
Section 3.
Each Chapter shall nominate for election by the Council a Council Representative (Advisor), who shall be a member of Phi Sigma holding the rank of Assistant Professor or higher in one of the departments from which members are elected (exceptions may be approved by the Council) to communicate with the National Office and to aid in the continuity of Chapter activities.
Section 4.
Active Chapters shall be designated by institutional names accompanied by Greek letters in order of priority, which order is to be sanctioned by the Council.
Section 5.
Each active Chapter shall have the power to regulate all matters pertaining to local affairs for which provision is not made in the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 6.
An Alumni Chapter may be established at any place other than an institution of learning upon the written application of not less than ten Active Members who are residents of said place. Such Alumni Chapters shall have no voice in matters pertaining to the Society as a whole, but shall be organized only for the advancement of the biological sciences.
Section 7.
Alumni Chapters shall be designated by the name of some person whose work has been recognized as a scientific contribution in the biological sciences, which name is to be sanctioned by the Council.
Section 8.
(a) A petition for a charter for the establishment of a new Chapter shall be presented to the Executive Director. Upon consent of the Council, the petition shall be referred to all the active Chapters, either by referendum or in a General Meeting. Upon affirmative vote of three-fourths of all active Chapters, the President shall issue a proclamation of acceptance, and a charter signed by the President shall be issued by the Executive Director.
(b) Any petitioning group must have been active for at least one year before it may be granted a charter.
(c) Any petitioning group must have institution support in the form of a letter signed by a person at an administrative level (President, Vice-president, or Dean) who represents the institution and supports the application.
Section 9.
There shall be no fee for the installation of a new Chapter. Each charter member shall pay the regular initiation fee as prescribed by the Council and as approved by a majority of active Chapters. A minimum of 15 charter members is required for the establishment of a new Chapter.
Section 10.
(a) An active Chapter which fails to initiate new members over a period of two academic years, or which in any other way violates its obligations to the Society, may be declared dormant by action of the Council.
(b) A dormant Chapter which is not reactivated within a period of five years may have its charter revoked by action of the Council.
Section 11.
Each Chapter shall have the power to suspend any member for failure to meet financial and/or other constitutional obligations for such time as the delinquency exists.
ARTICLE IV - Membership Eligibility
Section 1.
The Phi Sigma Biological Honor Society shall consist of Active, Honorary, and At-Large members.
Section 2.
Any person, who is a student enrolled in a college or university, who has shown research interest, and who has received an equivalent of at least two years of college credit (of which at least one-fourth is in the biological sciences) shall be eligible for Active membership. At the discretion of a Chapter, second-semester sophomore students who show outstanding interest and ability in the biological sciences may be elected. In addition, any person who is a competent biologist and who is engaged in biological activity at or near an institution with an active Chapter of Phi Sigma may be eligible for Active membership at the discretion of the Chapter. All persons elected to membership must rank (or have ranked) in the upper 35 percent of their class in general scholarship.
Section 3.
Any Active member who fails to pay Chapter dues (if charged by a local chapter) shall be placed on the inactive list and shall thereafter not be entitled to vote, hold office, or otherwise enjoy the benefits of membership.
Section 4.
Any member of the faculty in any of the several biological sciences (rank of full-time instructor or higher) of any institution supporting a Chapter of Phi Sigma shall be eligible for Active membership.
Section 5.
Any scientific worker who has achieved eminence in some branch of the biological sciences shall be eligible for Honorary membership, and as an Honorary Member shall be exempt from all dues and assessments. An Honorary Member shall not hold a Chapter office, but may vote should he/she choose. The Council shall have power to limit the number and approve the selection of Honorary Members nominated by the Chapters.
Section 6.
Any member who changes institutions and who wishes to become affiliated with another Chapter shall carry a certificate signed by the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer of the Chapter from which he/she comes showing that such member is in good standing both in the Chapter and his/her institution. Upon presentation of such certificate to the National Headquarters, the transferring candidate may be declared a member of the admitting Chapter; if admitted, he/she shall pay the same dues as other members of the admitting Chapter. For all purposes of record in the Council Office, however, the member shall remain a member of his parent Chapter.
Section 7.
Any qualified person who is not affiliated with an institution which supports an active Chapter of Phi Sigma may become a Member-at-Large by submitting directly to the National Office credentials and fees as prescribed by the Council.
ARTICLE V - Chapter Officers
Section 1.
The officers of each Chapter shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Editor/Historian. (If the functions of the Chapter require two secretaries, one for correspondence and one for recording, such Chapter officers may be elected.)
Section 2.
Chapter officers shall be elected before the end of the academic year and shall be installed at the discretion of the Chapter; they shall serve during the remainder of the current academic year or until their successors have been duly elected and installed.
Section 3.
Chapter officers shall be elected according to routine parliamentary procedure.
Section 4.
The duties of the Chapter officers shall be such as usually pertain to their respective offices.
Section 5.
The special duties of the Chapter Vice-President, as chairman of the membership committee, shall be to make all necessary contacts with the Executive Director regarding candidates for membership. He/she is especially charged with the duty of filing personal records of initiates with the Executive Director with the definite understanding that no candidate's initiation is complete until his/her record is on file and his/her initiation fee is paid to the Executive Director as provided in Art. II, Sec. 3. (d) (3).
Section 6.
(a) The special duties of the Chapter Secretary shall be:
(1) to keep, as a regular duty, a record of all business;
(2) to preserve all manuscripts and records which shall be available to all officers and which shall be kept in a permanent campus location made known to the Faculty Advisor;
(3) to maintain a list of members and records of all business communications;
(4) to take the roll of active members present at each regular meeting;
(5) to render an official annual report to the National Office at the end of each academic year;
(6) to be responsible for all publicity for the Chapter.
Section 7.
(a) The duties of the Chapter Treasurer shall be:
(1) to collect and guard all monies, properties, and securities belonging to the local Chapter;
(2) to render an official annual report to the National Office at the end of each academic year.
Section 8.
All Chapter officers shall be eligible for re-election with the provision that they rank as Active Members at the time of such reelection.
ARTICLE VI - Committees and Duties
Section 1.
The standing committees shall be (a) the Executive Committee, (b) the Membership Committee, (c) the Program Committee, (d) the Auditing Committee, and (e) the Banquet Committee, all of which shall be appointed by the President at the first regular meeting of the school year.
Section 2.
The Executive Committee, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer (and Corresponding Secretary if one is elected), shall decide the policies of the Chapter and shall adjust all financial difficulties or irregularities for which no provision is made in the Constitution and By-Laws. It shall also record the special duties of each officer.
Section 3.
The Membership Committee, of which the Vice-President is chair, and which includes Active Members from as many different departments as possible, shall secure the names of candidates eligible for membership and for each name shall obtain the necessary qualifications to justify selection. The Committee shall present these names with recommendations at the meeting for the election of new members as hereinafter provided (see Article VIII).
Section 4.
The Program Committee, consisting of the President as chair, and two other Active Members, shall arrange a suitable program for meetings.
Section 5.
The Auditing Committee, consisting of two Active Members, shall audit and adjust all books and accounts of the Chapter and shall make a report on the same at the last regular meeting of the academic year.
Section 6.
The Banquet Committee, consisting of two Active Members, shall arrange for the preparation of suitable refreshments or meals for the meetings and shall take general charge of initiation banquets.
ARTICLE VII - Meetings
Section 1.
It is mandatory that each Chapter hold a minimum of four business meetings during each academic year.
Section 2.
The President may call a special meeting at any time and must call a special meeting upon the specific request of at least three Active Members.
Section 3.
Visitors may attend all meetings, with the exception of those at which new members are to be elected.
ARTICLE VIII - Elections and Initiations
Section 1.
At least once during each academic year the Membership Committee shall recommend such persons as are eligible. The chair shall submit a brief account of each recommended person's research interest and scholastic achievements in accordance with the provisions of Article IV. After suitable discussion of each candidate, in which both favorable and unfavorable comments may be made, the Committee shall strike out such names as are unacceptable. The Chapter shall then proceed by secret ballot; an affirmative vote of at least ninety percent of all Active Members voting shall be necessary for election of a candidate to Active Membership.
Section 2.
The Chapter shall then notify personally each member-elect of his/her election and appoint a member to bring him/her to the proper meeting for initiation.
Section 3.
The initiation ceremony shall consist of the reading of the Ritual by the President in the presence of the candidates and the signing of the Chapter roll. The initiation shall not be considered complete until the initiation fees, annual dues, and completed membership record forms have been received by the Executive Director. No initiate may vote or hold office until his/her initiation is complete.
Section 4.
No member may be initiated in absentia (except when necessary, as in the case of Honorary Members). Any candidate for membership who is unavoidably absent on the date of the initiation may appear before the Chapter at any subsequent meeting, and, by complying with the requirements as set forth above, be admitted to membership.
ARTICLE IX - Dissolution
In the event of dissolution or termination of the Society, the Council shall, after payment of all liabilities, dispose of its assets in such a manner, or to such an educational and/or scientific organization which at the time shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501 (a) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as the Council shall determine.
ARTICLE X - Amendments
Section 1.
This Constitution may be amended by referendum with the consent of three-fourths of all active Chapters, or by a three-fourths vote of delegates assembled in a General Meeting.
Amendment I Article III Section 1. An Active chapter may be established in any institution of learning which 1) is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting agency; 2) requires for graduation the equivalent of four years of collegiate work; and 3) is equipped with facilities for research in the biological sciences. Most institutions which offer thesis/dissertation masters or doctoral degree options automatically qualify. Institutions offering only baccalaureate degrees must demonstrate a significant commitment to undergraduate research in order to qualify.
BY-LAWS
Section 1. The regular initiation fee for all members shall be determined by action of the Council and approved by a majority of active Chapters.
Section 2. A majority of the Active Members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. The Active membership at any given time shall consist of those Active Members who have satisfied all requirements of the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 4. In all parliamentary rulings not provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws, the Society shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.
Section 5. The official badge of the Society shall be a key with the Greek letters "Phi" and "Sigma" upon it. The letters shall be of gold with the "Phi" superimposed upon the "Sigma." The "Phi" shall be of polished gold and the "Sigma" of Roman gold. The key must be purchased through the official jeweler of the Society through the Executive Director.
Section 6. The colors of the Society shall be yellow, green, and white.
Section 7. The Shasta daisy shall be the official flower of the Society.
Section 8. The pearl shall be the official jewel of the Society.
Section 9. The official coat-of-arms of the Society consists of a simple heraldic shield with a scroll beneath it bearing the motto of the Society. The shield, as worn on the left arm, is diagonally divided; the upper left is silver, and the lower right is black. In the silver field is a fiery cloud out of which appears a hand bearing a pearl. In the black field is a Shasta daisy in bloom. Below the shield, on a scroll, is our motto, the Greek words which form the beginning of the eleventh verse of the 85th Psalm: "Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven."
Section 10. The Seal of the Society shall consist of an impression of the official Shield of the Society surrounded by the words, "The Phi Sigma Society" and "The Council."
Section 11. These By-Laws may be amended with the consent of three-fourths vote of the active Chapters, or by a three- fourths vote of delegates assembled in a General Meeting.
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