Annual Report: AnnualReport 2010-2011
THE RHO CHI SOCIETY UPSILON OSU CHAPTER BYLAWS
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. Name
The name of the local Chapter shall be the Upsilon Chapter of the Rho Chi Society..
Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of the Upsilon Chapter shall be to promote intellectual excellence, leadership, fellowship, critical inquiry and high attainment in all aspects of pharmacy.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Member Designations
The Chapter shall consist of professional students, graduate students, and faculty, who have been elected to membership in accord with provisions of these Bylaws. Individuals are elected to membership through member chapters of the Society. Individuals shall become members of the Society upon compliance with membership requirements, election to membership by the active members of local chapters, report and payment of member fees to the National Office, and after being duly initiated by the chapter membership.
Section 2. Non-discrimination
Discrimination in membership selection that is based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability is prohibited.
Section 3. Membership
Eligible for election as full collegiate members are:
a) Professional entry-level degree students who:
1. are full-time students enrolled in the professional pharmacy program, and
2. have completed no less than one-half of the required professional didactic course work as defined for their degree (excluding experiential courses), and
3. rank in the highest 20 percent of their class as determined by the college and have attained a minimum professional grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and
4. have been certified eligible for membership by the dean of the college of pharmacy or the dean’s designee. The dean or the dean’s designee shall certify that candidates have no known disciplinary action for academic dishonesty, misconduct, or unprofessional behavior.
b) Post-Baccalaureate Membership. All Non-traditional Doctor of Pharmacy students who:
1. have completed no less than one-half of the required professional didactic course work as defined for their degree with the stipulation outlined in Section 3. a) 2. above, and
2. have maintained a professional GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in post-baccalaureate course work, and
3. are nominated for membership by a student member of Rho Chi or by member of the faculty, and
4. meet the requirements for membership set forth in Section 3. a) 4. above.
c) Graduate Membership. All graduate students who:
1. are pursuing a Master of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy degree and are majoring in one or more areas of pharmaceutical study mentored or supervised by a member of the pharmacy faculty, and
2. have completed no less than one-half of the required course work as defined for their degree by the program, and
3. have maintained the equivalent of a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate course work, and
4. are nominated for membership by a member of the faculty or self and
5. meet the requirements for membership set forth in Section 3. a) 4. above.
d) Faculty Membership. Faculty members who:
1. are appointed in a school or college of pharmacy, and
2. are eligible to vote on faculty matters of the school or college of pharmacy, and
3. have a principal duty to instruct or hold research or administrative appointments in the school or college of pharmacy, and
4. are nominated to membership by a full collegiate member of the Society or self, and
5. meet the requirements for membership set forth in Section 3. a) 4. above.
Section 4. Application
An active application process may be used for candidates who meet all eligibility criteria. The application, if used, is an active part of the invitation process that educates candidates on the vision, mission, and objectives of the Society, while serving as a mechanism for collecting important membership data.
Section 5. Initiation
Chapter members shall be initiated according to the official ceremony.
a) Initiation of new members shall be held in Spring Quarter.
b) The Chapter Vice President shall organize the initiation ceremony.
c) A membership certificate shall be presented to each elected member at the time of initiation. The certificate will be signed by the National President and the Chapter President and shall bear the official seal of the Society. All certificates shall be obtained through the National Office and shall be the expense of the chapter ordering them.
d) A membership insignia shall be presented to each elected member at the time of initiation. All insignia shall be obtained through the National Office and shall be the expense of the chapter ordering them.
ARTICLE V: CHAPTER MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular Chapter Meetings
A minimum of two (2) Chapter Meetings per quarter is to be conducted annually.
Section 2. Election Meetings
The meeting of the chapter members for the election of chapter officers and the transaction of such business as may be considered shall be held annually at the end of the academic year.
Section 3. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the chapter shall be held at the call of the Chapter President or by the majority of the Student Chapter Officers. Any action at a special meeting shall be limited to the purposes set forth in the notice of such special meetings.
Section 4. Notice of Chapter Meetings
Notice of the time, place, and purpose of each student chapter meeting shall be posted prior to such meetings by the Chapter Secretary. Such notice shall be given, either personally or by mail, no less than 48 hours nor more than 30 days before the date of the meeting.
Section 5. Absentee Voting
Absentee voting at the election meeting shall be permitted.
Section 6. Proxy Voting
Proxy voting shall not be permitted at any meeting of the Student Chapter members.
Section 7. Vote Required at Meetings of Members
The action of a majority (75%) of the voting Student Members present in person at a meeting at which a quorum is present constitute the action of the members.
Section 8. Minutes
The minutes of the Chapter meetings shall be disseminated by the Chapter Secretary to all members of the Chapter within one week of the meeting.
ARTICLE VI: CHAPTER OFFICERS
Section 1. Composition & Election of Student Officers
The elected officers of Upsilon Chapter shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian. All elected officers shall be eligible for re-election by the membership to successive terms, annually. Any officer may resign by written notice to the Chapter Officers. The resignation shall become effective upon receipt thereof by the Chapter Officers or at such subsequent time as shall be specified in the notice of resignation.
Section 2. Term of Office
The term of office for each selected Student Chapter Officer is one year. Terms of office commences on July 1 and terminates on June 30.
Section 3. Nomination of Officers
Nominations for officers shall be made by the chapter members. Nominations by chapter members eligible for election shall be solicited at least fourteen (14) days prior to the election meeting. Seven (7) days prior to the election, the Secretary shall present a slate consisting of at least two (2) candidates for each position to be elected, chosen from among the voting Student Members, provided those people nominated have given their consent.
Section 4. Election of Officers
All members of the Chapter in good standing are eligible to vote. At the election meeting, a written ballot shall be given to each Student member present who is eligible to vote. A voting student member may, by written request to the Secretary, obtain an absentee ballot at lease seven (7) days prior to each election meeting. All absentee ballots must be submitted by mail or in person to the Secretary in a sealed envelope dated at least three (3) days prior to such meeting. All ballots will list the candidates for each officer position. Write-in candidates shall not be permitted. Each voting student Member shall have the right to cast one (1) vote for each officer position. Each officer shall be elected by a majority (50% plus 1) of the votes cast for that position. The Faculty Advisor and one appointed Chapter Member shall collect and tally the written ballots cast and shall report the results to the Chapter Membership at the close of the election meeting. Newly elected officers shall be installed at the last Chapter meeting of the academic year.
Section 5. Duties of Officers
The duties of Student Chapter Officers are described below.
a) Chapter President: The Chapter President is the presiding officer of the local Rho Chi Society Chapter and shall conduct the chapter business in a fashion consistent with the vision and mission of the Society. It shall be the responsibility of the Chapter President to:
1. in consultation with fellow officers and members, establish the agenda for Chapter meetings and at the appointed time, call the meeting to order after ascertaining that a quorum is present.
2. conduct the business scheduled to come before the assembled Chapter members.
3. state and put to vote all questions that legitimately come before the Chapter members as motions and to announce the result of each vote.
4. expedite business in every way compatible with the rights of members, including deciding all questions of order.
5. authenticate when necessary, all acts, orders and proceedings of the assembled membership.
6. declare meetings adjourned when the assembled membership so votes or at the time prescribed.
b) Chapter Vice-President: The Chapter Vice President, in the absence of the President, assumes the responsibilities of the President. S/He shall organize the initiation ceremony as noted in Article II, Section 5, b).
c) Chapter Secretary: The Chapter Secretary is the recording officer for the chapter and custodian of its records, except those specifically assigned to others. It shall be the responsibility of the Chapter Secretary to:
1. serve as the primary communication conduit between the Chapter Officers and Chapter membership
2. keep a record of all proceedings (minutes) of the chapter.
3. keep on file all Chapter committee reports.
4. keep the Chapter’s official membership roll.
5. make the minutes and records available to Chapter members as noted in Article V, Section 8.
6. notify officers, committee members and delegates of their election or appointment and furnish committees with documents required to perform their duties.
7. maintain paper-based or electronic records in which the bylaws, special rules of order, standing rules and minutes are entered
8. prepare, in consultation with the presiding officer, an order of business for each meeting.
9. In the temporary absence of the Chapter President and Vice President, call the meeting to order and preside. In the permanent absence of the Chapter President and Vice President, the Secretary shall serve as President until an election replacing the President is held.
d) Chapter Treasurer: The Chapter Treasurer is the officer entrusted with the Chapter funds. The Treasurer should assume responsibility for the preparation of the budget for the year in which s/he holds office, and is required to make a full financial report annually
e) Chapter Historian: Together with the Chapter Secretary, the Chapter Historian shall prepare and submit the Chapter’s Annual Report to the Society’s National Office, and maintain a narrative or photographic archive of significant chapter activities during his/her term of office.
Section 6. Removal of Officers
Officers may be recalled for (1) gross neglect of their duties, or (2) acts detrimental to the interests of the Chapter. A special meeting shall be called expressly for this purpose, and special voting (2/3 of Members in good standing present) is requires for removal of an officer.
Section 7. Regular Chapter Officer Meetings
In addition to the election meeting, regular meetings of the Student Chapter Officers shall be held at least once (1) a month during the academic year.
Section 8. Special Student Chapter Officer Meetings
Special meetings of the Chapter Officers may be called by the President in his/her discretion, or by the majority of the Chapter Officers. Notice of the time, place, and purpose of each special meeting shall be provided prior to such meetings. Such notice shall be given, either personally or by mail, no less than 48 hours nor more than 30 days before the date of the meeting.
Section 9. Vacancies
Vacancies among the Chapter Officers may be filled when a special chapter election meeting is called. Vacant officer positions will be filled under the guidelines outlined in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 and shall be effective immediately following the election outcome. Election to a vacated office shall be limited to its current term.
ARTICLE VII: FACULTY ADVISOR
Section 1. Faculty Advisor
The Chapter Faculty Advisor shall be a faculty member of the Ohio State University who is a member of The Rho Chi Society, who has an interest in the welfare of local student members and their chapter, and who is appointed in their role by the Dean (or designee) of the College of Pharmacy. The Faculty Advisor acts as the local representative of the Society. In that role, they should have a working knowledge of the Society and its Constitution and Bylaws, especially as it applies to local chapter conduct.
Section 2. Responsibilities of the Faculty Advisor
The responsibilities and function of the Faculty Advisor will include but not limited to the following:
a) Direction and review of local determinations of eligibility for membership in the Society. Direction of local chapter elections of new members, review and timely submission of Chapter Membership Election Reports, and conduct of local initiation of new members.
b) Ensuring that timely, complete, and accurate chapter reports are submitted to the National Office. Likewise, the advisor should distribute information from the National Office directed to Advisors, officers, and Members.
c) Informing and guiding local chapter officers and members regarding Society awards and scholarships.
d) Timely reporting of chapter officers’ names and contact information to the National Office.
e) Ensuring Chapter representation at the Society’s National Convention. Advisors are encouraged to attend the National Conventions of Rho Chi and may act as delegate in the absence of a student delegate.
f) Attendance at all official Chapter meetings.
g) Assuring that the financial matters of the local chapter are in good order.
h) Attendance at Society-conducted Faculty Advisors’ meetings.
ARTICLE VIII: CHAPTER COMMITTEES
The membership shall be empowered to establish such committees as are necessary to conduct the Chapter’s business by vote of the majority of the membership.
ARTICLE IX: FINANCES
Section 1. Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year of the chapter shall be from Jul 1 – Jun 30
Section 2. Initiation Fee
The initiation fee for active members shall be determined according to the current cost of Society jewelry and the Certificate of Membership, the National Membership Fee, and the Local Membership Fee. The Local Membership Fee shall be approved by the Chapter membership.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to these Bylaws shall be presented, in writing, at any regular meeting of the Chapter, and shall be voted at the next regularly scheduled Chapter meeting. Acceptance of amendments shall require a two-thirds majority vote of those student and faculty members present and voting.
ARTICLE XII: FORCE AND EFFECT
The Bylaws are subject to the provisions of The Ohio State University and the terms and conditions of the National Bylaws of the Rho Chi Society. In the event of any such conflict, the National Bylaws shall prevail.
ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of this organization.