CONSTITUTION OF ALPHA PHI SIGMA: GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALPHA PSI SIGMA CHAPTER

Preamble

We the members of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, will promote academic excellence in order to make the Criminal Justice System and its practitioners more effective and ethical. We do hereby submit ourselves to be governed by the following bylaws.

Article I

Section 1: Name

The name of this organization shall be Alpha Phi Sigma, hereafter referred to as the Society.

Section 2: Purpose

The purposes of Alpha Phi Sigma shall be to promote critical thinking, rigorous scholarship and life long learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to be actively involved in the community; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions and to sustain in the public mind the benefit and necessity of education and professional training.

Section 3: Goals

The goals of Alpha Phi Sigma shall be to honor and promote academic excellence; service; leadership and unity.

Section 4: Oath of Membership

In the presence of the Alpha Phi Sigma members here assembled, I do hereby solemnly promise to uphold the ideals and traditions, maintain high moral character and commit myself to be governed by the By-Laws of the Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society and to the local and national offices.

Article II

Section 1: Non Profit Status

Alpha Phi Sigma is organized exclusively for educational, charitable, and scientific purposes, including for such purposes as the making distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (C)(3) of the International Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

Section 2:

No part of the net earnings of Alpha Phi Sigma National shall inured to the benefit of any private individual, and no substantial part of the activities of the Society shall by the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation, and the Society shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution or statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Section 3:

Upon dissolution of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Board shall, after the paying or making provisions for the payment or all of the liabilities of the Society, dispose of all of the assets of the Society, exclusively for the purposes of the Society in such manner, or to charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at each time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (C) (3) of the International Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the National Board shall determine, any such assets not so disposed of or if Alpha Phi Sigma National dissolves, funds will be given to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences for use as student scholarships.

 

Article III – Members

Section 1. Classification of Members

Members shall meet the following criteria for membership. Any chapter, at its discretion, may establish higher criteria.

A. Student Members. Members shall be full-time or part-time students enrolled in baccalaureate or graduate programs of fully accredited institutions at the time of initiation. Members shall be of high moral character. Membership applications shall be approved and signed by the chapter advisor.

1. Undergraduate students shall be enrolled in the institution represented by the chapter, have declared a major, minor or equivalent in criminal justice fields, have completed three full time semesters or equivalent, have a minimum grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and rank in the top 35% of their class. A minimum of four courses of the above course work shall be in the criminal justice field.

2. Graduate students shall be enrolled in a graduate program Masters, Doctorate in the criminal justice field, have a minimum grade point average of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale and a 3.4 grade point average in criminal justice courses (A maximum of three undergraduate criminal justice courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale may be applied in this area.)

3. Students enrolled in law school, having complete done academic year, with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, on a 4.0 scale.

B. Honorary Members. Honorary membership recognizes outstanding professional achievement and service to the criminal justice field by persons not eligible for regular or faculty membership in the Society. Nominations shall be approved by the Chapter Advisor. No more than two honorary memberships may be granted by a chapter in any academic year. Honorary Members must be elected by a 2/3 vote of the chapter.

C. Alumni Members. Active members in good standing at the time of graduation from their institutions shall become Alumni members. Upon payment of fees, Alumni members may be designated Active Alumni members.

D. Faculty Members. Alpha Phi Sigma recognizes and encourages faculty and administration involvement. Candidates for membership must be full-time faculty or administrators in a criminal justice related field. They must have completed a minimum of one year full-time teaching/administrative duties at the College/University where they are inducted and be elected by 2/3 vote of the chapter.

E. Transfer Members. Any Alpha Phi Sigma member who transfers to another college or

University shall be accepted into that local chapter and shall pay the local chapter fee, if any. After one term, the member shall be subject to all rules, regulations, and requirements of that local chapter. A new certificate of membership will not be issued by National Headquarters unless specifically requested by the chapter advisor and paid for by the member.

Section 2:

Membership in the Society is open to qualified candidates without regard to age, color, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation and/or disability.

Section 3:

Privileges of Membership. Only active members shall have the right to vote and to hold office. All types of membership shall have other privileges as determined by the National Board.

 

Section 4:

A member desiring to resign from the Society shall submit such resignation in writing to both the Chapter and to the National Headquarters. Any member having resigned from membership may be reinstated upon application to both the Chapter and the National Headquarters and by meeting such uniform terms and conditions as may be established by the National Board.

Section 5:

Membership in the Society may be suspended or terminated by the National Board for just cause. Sufficient cause for such suspension or termination of membership may be violation of these bylaws or any lawful rule or practice adopted by the Society or other conduct deemed prejudicial to the best interest of the Society. At least thirty days notice shall be given, and the member shall have the opportunity to appear in person or to be represented by counsel and to present any defense to such charges before action is taken by the National Board. The Board may adopt such rules as may be necessary to assure due process to the member. The decision for suspension or termination shall be by a two-thirds vote of the National Board. A member suspended or terminated for just cause shall not be entitled to return of dues.

Section 6:

The amount of any National dues, fees or assessments for any type of membership in the Society shall be established by the National Board.

Article IV– Officers

Section 1:

The officers of the Society shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2: Qualifications.

Be a good-standing current member in the Chapter.

Section 3: Nominations and Elections.

A. Nominations will be taken on the first meeting of March for every year as long as a quorum is established.  Officers may be nominated by any member, including themselves.  They will subsequently have ample time to give a speech for why they should be voted into the respective positions.

B. Officers shall be elected by ballot at the first meeting in March of every year. A majority vote then (more than half) shall elect. In the event that no slate/candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the two slate/candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be voted upon again by ballot. In the event of a tie, the winner shall be determined by drawing lots.

 

Section 4:

Officers shall be elected for a term of one year, or until their successors are elected. The term of office shall begin the meeting immediately preceding the election meeting of the year they are elected.

Section 5: Recall of Officers.

Any national officer may be recalled for failure to perform the duties of the office or conduct unbecoming an officer. Recall may not be initiated prior to the end of the third month of the term and shall be determined by the Executive Board. A recall may be conducted by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.

Section 6: Vacancies.

Should any office become vacant for any reason, it shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board.

Article IV - Duties of Officers

Section 1:

The officers shall perform the duties described by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the society.

Section 2: President.

The president shall have general supervision of all officers of the society, shall preside at all meetings of the Society, the National Meeting and the National Board, shall appoint all members of committees, and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees.  They are responsible for making an agenda and seeing to it that it is completed during the course of all meetings.

Section 3: Vice President.

Shall assist the president in any manner, and will be in charge of chapter recruitment and development, and shall be responsible for national and international member recruitment.  The Vice President performs the duty of President in his/her absence.

Section 4: Secretary.

The Secretary shall keep record of the meetings of the Society.  The Secretary performs the duty of President in the event of the absence of the President and Vice-President.

Section 5: Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall prepare a budget, and shall be responsible for overseeing chapter expenditures and fundraisers.

Article V - Committees

Section 1: Special Committees.

Special committees may be established by the President or the Board to conduct and facilitate the business of the Society.

Section 2: Standing Committees.

Standing Committees will be established by the President or the Board to conduct and facilitate the standing business of the Society.

Section 3:

The President shall appoint all members of committees except as otherwise provided for in these bylaws and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees of the Society. Members of committees shall serve terms coinciding with that of the President making the appointment.

Article VI- Chapters

Section 1:

A chapter of the Society may be established in a college or university offering a baccalaureate or advanced degree in criminal justice, criminal justice related fields, including law. The institution shall be fully accredited by its regional accrediting agency, and the program shall meet uniform criteria determined by the National Board.

Section 2:

A Chapter in good National standing shall comply with these bylaws, shall meet uniform criteria determined by National Board, shall have filed all required reports with the National Headquarters, and shall be current in all financial obligations to the Society. Only chapters in good standing shall be eligible to vote in mail ballots, to have a voting delegate to the National Meeting or to have member applications accepted. To purchase or wear a cord, stole, medallion or other honor regalia, a member’s chapter must be in good standing.

Section 3:

If a Chapter fails to pay National dues, fees or assessments, good standing shall automatically terminate. A Chapter may be reinstated to good standing by payment of required National dues, fees, or assessments. Any chapter not in good standing shall be notified before the National Meeting.

Section 4:

Regular chapter meetings shall be determined each semester/quarter to be held at the most convenient time according to the academic schedule. Special meetings shall be called by the Chapter President. A majority of the active members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5:

A Chapter must have at least three officers representing the functions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, elected annually at a time deemed appropriate by the Chapter.

Section 6:

Each chapter shall have one chapter advisor, who is a full time faculty member. Chapters may have assistant advisors, who are full time or part time College or University personnel or Alpha Phi Sigma Alumni (Student, Faculty or Honorary). All advisors and assistant advisors should be chosen for their interest, ability to work effectively with students, and desire to promote the ideals of the Society.

Section 7:

Chapter dues shall be determined by the chapter.

Section 8:

Each Chapter shall establish bylaws following the National Bylaws. Each chapter shall submit an updated copy of its Bylaws to the National Headquarters annually.

Section 9:

Dissolution. In the event a chapter is dissolved, the treasury shall be dissolved according to Article I Section 4 of these Bylaws or can be donated to Alpha Phi Sigma National Headquarters, with specifications of disbursement. If a chapter is dissolved, another chapter at the same institution may not be chartered until 3 years after the dissolution of the preceding chapter.

Article VII Alpha Psi Chapter Rules and Regulations

Section 1:

There will be 2 categories of members within the Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma.  Members will consist of those in “Good Standing” and those who have been placed on “Probationary” status.  “Good Standing” refers to those members who adhere to the following rules and regulations.  Members in “Good Standing” will receive access and possible discounts on Alpha Phi Sigma memorabilia and regalia. Failure to adhere to the following rules and regulations will result in the member being placed on “Probationary” status as deemed fit by the officers of the organization. 

Section 1.a: Any member deemed to be on “Probationary” status will be ineligible to a vote during elections or on amendments to the constitution.

Section 1.b: Any member deemed to be on “Probationary” status forfeits their privilege to any cords, medallions, or other signature memorabilia awarded to members to wear during the university’s graduation commencement ceremony. 

Section 1.c: The officers will vote whether or not the member is to be placed on “probation” based on individual circumstances and be determined based on majority vote. 

Section 1.d: Any member who remains on “Probationary” status for more than two semesters may be removed from membership, decided by a simple majority vote.  This vote must take place during the last or second-to-last meeting of a semester.  Each “Probationary” member subject to such a vote must be informed of the date and process two weeks prior to the meeting.  This process, including the right to appeal, shall reflect the organizations policy on suspension and termination of membership as outlined in Section 8. 

Section 2:

Participation will be required within the organization.  Participation means being “actively involved” within the organization.  Examples of active involvement include attending meetings, group events, and fundraising events sponsored by Alpha Phi Sigma, among others.  While it is understood that members may not be able to participate in all events, they must show a conscious effort to attend.  When unable to attend it is the member's responsibility to inform an officer or advisor.  Failure to actively participate in Alpha Phi Sigma activities will result in the member being placed on “Probationary” status. 

Section 3:

Members are required to attend all official meetings; however, it is understood that members may not be available on all meeting dates.  For this reason, members will be allowed 2 absences per semester without penalty.  Any absences beyond the 2 allotted will result in the member being placed on “Probationary” status.  Documentation may be used for legitimate reasons for absence without penalty. 

Section 4:

Involvement within the community is a cornerstone of our organization.  All members will be required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service per semester.  Each member will be responsible for organizing their own community service projects; however, the organization will also sponsor group events that can be used towards each member’s community service hours.  Failure to complete the minimum requirement will result in the member being placed on “Probationary” status.

Section 5:

All members in good standing are required to pay $5.00 in dues per semester.  Those members who have been placed on “Probationary” status will be required to pay $20.00 when dues are collected.  Failure to pay dues will result in the member being placed on “Probationary” status.

Section 6:

The penalties for members who have been placed on “Probationary” status are as follows:

• Dues will be $20.00 instead of $5.00
• Any Alpha Phi Sigma memorabilia or regalia will be purchased at full price

 

Ratified: __________________

 

Article VIII- Amendment of Bylaws

Proposed amendments to these Bylaws may be submitted by a chapter, national committee or the National Board. Amendments shall be reviewed by the bylaws committee. Amendments, with the recommendation of the committee and the National Board, shall be submitted to the chapters by mail ballot to be acted upon at a regular or special meeting of each chapter. Adoption shall be by a two-thirds vote of those chapters returning ballots by a date clearly specified on the mail ballot. Only amendments to these Bylaws that are required for the continued membership in the Association of College Honor Societies shall be reviewed and approved by the National Board.

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