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CONSTITUTION
& BYLAWS
of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Section 1. The name of the non-profit corporation shall be The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Section 1. This corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 2. The specific objectives and purposes of the Society shall be:
to recognize and celebrate high achievement among college freshmen and sophomore students in all academic disciplines.
to encourage and promote high standards throughout the collegiate experience.
to provide opportunities for personal growth and leadership development for members
to financially support high achievers through a scholarship program.
to organize and encourage learning opportunities through community service.
to contribute to retention efforts of institution.
to foster an overall appreciation for the value of the higher education experience.
Section 1. The symbol of the Society is a torch emerging from an open book and three stars all surrounded by a laurel. The torch symbolizes guidance and leadership, the open book represents learning and scholarship, the laurel means honor and distinction and the fire star is scholarship which leads to the middle star for leadership. The third star is shining out into the world representing service since scholarship and leadership together should be directed toward service to others.
Section 2. The Society shall be known for "Scholarship, Leadership & Service".
Section 3. The colors shall be crimson and gold.
Section 1. Membership into the Society for undergraduate students is by invitation only and is open to students in all academic disciplines that meet the following criteria:
Successfully completed at least fifteen semester hours but no more than sixty hours.
First or second year student at the time of application.
Attain at least a 3.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Complete and return the confirmation of Society membership.
Pay the Society induction and lifetime membership fee.
Section 2. Membership into the Society for juniors, seniors, transfer students, graduate students and alumni is up to the discretion of each Society chapter.
Section 3. Membership into the Society for Distinguished Members may be offered for up to five people per year by the individual Society chapter including faculty, administrators or community leaders. Distinguished Memberships may also be granted and provided by the Society Board of Directors and/or the Society National Leadership Council.
Section 4. Membership into the Society shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, age, financial status, social status or sexual orientation.
Section 5. A Society member wishing to resign from the Society is permitted to do so provided that this Society member sends a written letter of intent to resign to the Society National Office and includes all insignia of the Society that has been provided to recognize Society membership. No refund of the Society lifetime membership fee will be provided.
Section 1. The Society induction and lifetime membership fee shall be determined by the Society Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Society induction and lifetime membership fee should be paid in full directly to The National Society of Collegiate Scholars at the time that the confirmation of Society membership is submitted to the Society National Office
Section 3. The Society induction and lifetime membership fee is waived for initial chartering officers and all distinguished members. The Society Board of Directors and/or the Society National Leadership Council may also determine legitimate reasons for waiving Society membership fees.
Section 1. The Society shall be comprised of individual collegiate Society chapters.
Section 2. Any four or two year, accredited, degree granting institution of higher learning may petition to charter a Society chapter. The chartering requirements, standards and procedures shall be determined and approved by the Society Board of Directors and outlined in the Bylaws.
Section 3. Each Society chapter is responsible for all actions of that individual Society chapter. A Society chapter has the ability to govern the organization as it sees fit but all rules , regulations and activities should not be in conflict or disagreement with this constitution and/or its bylaws. The Society chapter leadership must be in agreement concerning all rules and regulations and any changes that are made.
Section 4. A Society chapter shall not represent the Society National Office without written consent from the Society Executive Director..
Section 5. Each Society chapter has the freedom to plan and have meetings.
Section 6. A Society chapter shall not incur debts upon the Society National Office without written consent of the Society Executive Director.
Section 7. Should a Society chapter become inactive or dissolve, all funds from the Society chapter treasury that have been provided by the Society National Office and/or raised by the individual Society chapter will be forwarded to the Society National Office. Funds that were contributed from the institution will be returned to the institution.
Section 1. Each Society chapter should have a leadership group comprised of a President, Executive Vice President, Vice President for Community Service, Secretary, Treasurer, and any other officer that the Society chapter feels is necessary.
Section 2. The Society officers that comprise this leadership group shall be elected by a fair and democratic process.
Section 3. The duties and responsibilities of each Society officer will be defined in the constitution and Bylaws of the society.
Section 1. A faculty or staff member of the institution shall be selected to serve as the advisor for the Society chapter. The advisor shall be inducted into the Society as a Distinguished Member and shall have all the rights and privileges of Society lifetime membership. The induction of an advisor does not count toward the five annual distinguished members that are eligible to be inducted.
Section 2. The amount of time that the advisor serves in this capacity shall be individually determined but must be no less than one calendar year.
Section 3. The duties and responsibilities of the advisor will be defined in the constitution and Bylaws of the Society.
Section 4. The advisor serves at the pleasure of Society Board of Directors and the Society National Leadership Council. The advisor shall be retained as long as responsibilities are satisfactorily fulfilled.
Section 5. If an advisor chooses to resign for any reason, the advisor shall immediately notify the Society National Office and meet with the Society chapter leadership to discuss and designate a replacement.
Section I. The Society National Office shall oversee all administrative aspects of the Society.
Section 2. A Society Executive Director shall be appointed by the Society Board of Directors and shall be the principle administrator and financial officer of the Society. The specific responsibilities are as follows:
Develop all policies and manage procedures of the Society National Office.
Manage and set policy for staff.
Prepare and oversee the annual budget.
Perform other duties as necessary to assure the success ofthe Society.
Perform duties as outlined by the Society Board of Directors.
Section 1. There shall not be less than five (5) members of the Society Board of Directors. Members of the Society Board shall be comprised of-.
The persons that were founding members of the Society and responsiblefor the initial organization and development of the Society.
Individuals that have an appreciation for and a commitment to the goals of the Society. These individuals are appointed by consensus of the Society Board of Directors following request for nominations from all Society chapters and consulting with the Society National Leadership Council.
The Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member of the Board.
Section 2. Those that serve on the Society Board as founding members shall serve a lifetime term but may resign or be removed by a majority vote of the Society Board. The other members shall serve a three year term but may be reinstated if they are interested and the majority of the Society Board are in agreement.
Section 3. The responsibilities of the Society Board of Directors are as follows:
Elect the person to serve as the chairperson of the Society Board.
Approve the annual budget.
Monitor the growth of the Society..
Discuss issues that arise related to the Society.
Establish policies and procedures for the Society.
Serves as the final court of appeal in all questions of interpretation related to the Society constitution, bylaws and policies and in all matters of chapter discipline.
Section 4. The Society Board shall meet at least twice: once with the Society Executive Director and once with the Society Executive Director and the Society National Leadership Council. Other meetings may be called by a majority of the Society Board as necessary, in consultation with the Executive Director.
Section 5. A vacancy on the Society Board shall be filled after nominations are requested from all Society chapters and consulting with the Society National Leadership. A majority vote by the Society Board confirms the new member.
Section 1. The Society National Leadership Council shall be comprised of a Society National President, Society National Vice President, Society National Secretary and two National Student Trustees. The Society National President shall serve as the chair of the Society National Leadership Council.
Section 2. The Society National President, Society National Vice President and the Society National Secretary shall be nominated and voted on through US Mail prior to the Society National Conference and election results will be announced at the Society National Conference. The two National Student Trustees shall be nominated from the local chapters and the Society National Leadership Council shall be responsible for the actual selection. The election process for the Society National Leadership Council and the process for selection of the two National Student Trustees are outlined in the Bylaws of the Society.
Section 3. The term of office for the Society National President, Society National Vice President and the Society National Secretary shall be three years. The Society National Student Representative shall serve for one year.
Section 4. Responsibilities of the Society National Leadership Council shall be:
Review the applications of petitioning chapters and make recommendations to the Society Board of Directors.
Handle disputes, discipline or suspension of any chapter, chapter officer, or Society member.
Make recommendations to the Executive Director about issues relevant to the Society National Conference.
Preside over the Society National Conference.
Attend as necessary or available chartering induction ceremonies.
Section 5. The Society National Leadership Council will meet at least once at year at the Society National Conference. The Society National President may call other meetings as necessary, in consultation with the Executive Director.
6. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Society National President, the Society National Vice President would assume that role for the unexpired term. Should there be a vacancy in the positions of Society National Vice President or Society National Secretary, the Society National President shall appoint a replacement for the remaining time subject to the approval of the Society Board of Directors. If the person serving as a National Student Trustee is unable to complete the term this position will be filled by the person selected as an alternate.
Section 1. The Society will hold an annual conference once a year at a time and place designated by the Executive Director in conjunction with the Society National Leadership Council. The Society National President and the two National Student Trustees will preside over the conference.
Section 2. One or more delegates from as many Society chapters as possible and the Society National Leadership Council will comprise the Society National Conference.
Section 3. The purpose of the National Conference will be:
Submit for approval of the Society Board of Directors all amendments to the constitution and Bylaws of the Society.
Announce and Present the results of newly elected officers to the Society National Leadership Council.
The annual report of the Society will be presented in writing to the membership by the Society National President.
Provide an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas create a sense of enthusiasm and perform a community service initiative in the host city.
Section 1. The constitution and bylaws may be amended at any Society Board meeting.
Section 2. Amendments may be proposed by any member, chapter advisor, Society National Officer or Society Board of Directors member.
Section 3. An amendment shall be ratified by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Society Board of Directors.
Section I. There are numerous benefits of membership. These are as follows:
Induction Convocation - New members of the Society are inducted at a convocation in their honor to recognize and celebrate their achievement. The ceremony also introduces the members to the benefits of membership and encourages involvement in Society activities.
National Society of Collegiate Scholars Merit Award - A Merit Award will be awarded to the most outstanding new member based on the following criteria:
Grade Point Average
Involvement and Leadership Experience from high school
Involvement and Leadership Initiative shown so far in college
Community Service Experience
Lifetime membership - The fee is a one time fee that provides the privilege of membership for a lifetime. The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is a non-profit organization distributing a significant amount of the fee to individual chapters to support the goal of the scholarship, leadership and service.
Certificate - A certificate is provided to document membership in the Society. This certificate is given at the Society Induction ceremony.
Educational Programs - Many learning opportunities are planned and implemented through each individual Society chapter.
Community Service - Community Service opportunities are planned and implemented through each individual Society chapter.
Publication - An annual publication will be provided to members to update members on Society progress and to highlight Society chapter accomplishments.
Faculty/Staff Advisor - A faculty staff advisor will work with members to assist the Society chapter and serve as a university resource and contact for students.
Section 2. The privileges of membership are as follows:
The privilege to participate in meetings and activities of the Society both locally and nationally.
Members may vote at the Society chapter meetings.
Members are eligible for election to office in the Society chapter.
Members may be selected as a delegate to attend the Society National Conference.
Members are eligible to be nominated for a National Student Trustee position.
Members are eligible for possible employment with the Society.
Members can use the name and their involvement with The National Society of Collegiate Scholars to promote themselves in the listing of their achievements.
Section 3. Each chapter may elect no more than five Distinguished Members during a year. Exceptions to this rule must be granted by the Society National Leadership Council. Distinguished members will be recognized at the Society Induction ceremony and may participate in activities of the Society as they wish.
Section 1. A chapter shall be one that has completed the following things:
Plans and implements an induction convocation once during the year.
Operates in accordance to the constitution and bylaws of the Society and to the rules, regulations and policies of the sponsoring institution.
Section 2. Any four year, accredited, degree granting institution may request to charter a Society chapter. The process to charter a Society chapter is completed in three phases as follows:
Interested Status
Express interest to the Society National Office.
Identify an advisor and Society chartering officers that meet the requirements and are interested in pursuing a Society chapter.
Gather the following items and forward to the Society Executive Director:
A current Bulletin from the institution
A current Student Handbook from the institution
Information about starting a new organization at your institution
A completed Society Officer Information Form
The number of freshman that were admitted to the institution in the academic year
A list of current student organizations at the institution
A copy of new student recruitment material from the institution Admissions office
Potential Status
A representative from the Society National Office visits the institution and establish a plan to become confirmed and active.
All items requested for interested status are forwarded to the Society Executive Director.
The information is forwarded to the Society National Leadership Council in appropriate amount of time to successfully meet the plan established.
The Society National Secretary sends a letter of confirmation to the Society chapter advisor sharing the decision made by the Society National Leadership Council.
Confirmed and Active Status
Successfully complete the plan to become confirmed and active as established.
Receive the official charter of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars at the chartering induction convocation ceremony.
Section 3. The persons that shall be elected to be Society chapter officers are obligated to fulfill the following duties at a minimum:
Society President
Organize, plan, and facilitate the growth and success of the Society.
Plan and coordinate meetings of the Society chapter officers.
Plan and coordinate Society chapter meetings.
Oversee the planning of the induction ceremony.
Meet regularly with the Society chapter advisor.
Determine the Distinguished Members with the input of the Society chapter advisor and the other members of the Society chapter leadership.
Facilitate and/or delegate the responsibility of membership growth.
Society Executive Vice President
Work with the Society President to assure the growth and success of the Society.
Attend meetings of Society chapter leadership that are called by the Society President.
Fulfill the duties of Society President, in the absence of the Society President.
Society Secretary
Conduct all correspondence of the Society chapter.
Record minutes of all meetings of the Society chapter leadership and general meetings and forward these to the Society National Office.
Manage all financial transactions of the Society chapter.
Prepare and oversee a budget for the Society chapter.
Submit to the Society National Office a yearly financial report for the Society chapter.
Serve as Society chapter historian and keep a record of all Society chapter activities.
Attend meetings of Society chapter leadership that are called by the Society President.
Society Community Service Coordinator
Work diligently to involve Society members in service to the community.
Work with the Society National Office on National service initiatives.
Attend meetings of Society chapter leadership that are called by the Society President.
Section 4. The person(s) that shall be the Society chapter advisor is/are obligated to fulfill the following duties at a minimum:
Assist in the establishment, growth and success of the Society.
Obtain the list of prospective members, including names and addresses, that meet predetermined membership criteria and forward to the Society National Office.
Represent the Society to the institution community and get appropriate officials involved with appropriate Society activities.
Attend meetings of the Society chapter leadership and meet individually with Society chapter leadership.
Distribute the Society membership certificates to new members who were unable to attend the Society induction ceremony.
Attend the Society National Conference.
Section 1. The procedures, if necessary, for a member to be disciplined are as follows:
The Society chapter or the Society National Leadership Council may initiate disciplinary action against any member having:
Intentionally providing wrong or inaccurate information on the Society membership confirmation form.
Violated the constitution or By-laws of the Society, the rules and regulations of the institution or the laws of the land.
The member must be recommended for suspension in writing by the Society chapter to the Society National Leadership Council. The Society National Leadership Council will make a decision and request, if necessary, the return of the Society membership certificate.
A Society member shall be suspended for a specific amount of time to be determined by the Society National Leadership Council.
The Society Board of Directors need to be made aware of the decision to suspend member. The member can demonstrate the desire to be reinstated.
A suspended member shall not be nominated or elected to office.
At the end of the suspended time the Society chapter can recommend to the Society National Leadership Council either reinstatement or expulsion from the Society. A reinstated Society member shall have all the privileges of Society membership restored.
A Society member shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Society National Leadership Council to the Society Board of Directors.
If appealed, The Society Board of Directors shall affirm or modify the action of the Society National Leadership Council. The decision of the Society Board of Directors is final.
Section 2. The procedures for a Society chapter to be disciplined are as follows:
The Society National Leadership Council may place a Society chapter on probation for the following reasons:
A Society chapter does not have a chapter induction ceremony during a year.
A Society chapter is not operating in accordance with the Society constitution, bylaws, policies and/or with rules and regulations of the institution.
A Society chapter shall be on probation for a specified amount of time as determined by the Society National Leadership Council. The chapter may initiate efforts to be reinstated during the probation period.
The Society National Leadership Council shall report its actions and decisions to the Society Board of Directors.
A Society chapter on probation shall not be eligible to vote at the Society National Conference.
The Society National Leadership Council may decide to put a Society chapter on inactive status following the probation period in which the Society chapter has not been reinstated as an active Society chapter . An inactive Society chapter must return the charter of the Society chapter to the Society National Office and all privileges and rights are suspended.