The Constitution of Kappa Delta Phi National Affiliated Sorority, Inc. Kappa Sigma Chapter Preamble to the Constitution The purpose of this Sorority shall be to encourage the higher educational ideals and practices in our institution; to promote a spirit of good citizenship, individual character and fellowship; and to oppose discrimination on the basis of race, sexual orientation, religion, color or creed, in order to strengthen and preserve the bonds of sisterhood. This organization will be a working group, never satisfied at standing still and always striving for new and better ideas. Our members will hold the traditions and accomplishments of the University and work toward the betterment of the individual and the community; to foster the highest educational ideals, to promote the educational practices and to constantly be open to the truth and its application at Plymouth State University; to aid women in the preparation for careers. ​Article I: Name Section A. The name of this Sorority shall be Kappa Delta Phi National Affiliated Sorority, Inc. The name of this Chapter shall be Kappa Sigma, represented by the Greek letter ​“K” for and � for ; this organization is to be recognized on the campus of ​Kappa​ ​“ ” ​ ​Sigma​ Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Section B. It shall be a national, independent, greek organization approved by Plymouth State University. Section C. The colors of this Sorority are black and gold. Section D. The flower of this Sorority is the yellow rose. Section E. The national motto is: “May the spirit never die.” Section F. The chapter motto is: “Live to learn, learn to live.” Section G. The affiliate education motto shall be: “All for one and one for all.” 1 Kappa Sigma Constitution ​ | ​ Section H. The greek letter sigma shall stand for sincerity. Section I. At the first official business meeting of every semester all the active sisters will recite the chapter pledge. The chapter pledge shall be: I _______________, pledge to shape my behavior in accordance with the interest and the standards of the group, that I will subordinate all self and selfish desires for the good of others, to think in terms of those about me, and to lend my strength to those who have less, and to give my all to those who do not have enough. Article II: Membership Section A. 1. Active(s): Any female (Article II, Section B) shall be eligible for membership in this Sorority if they have good character, who are studying at Plymouth State University, and who manifest a keen interest in higher education. 2. Active Alumnae: Active Alumnae members are those which have either graduated from or are no longer attending Plymouth State University where they were admitted to Kappa Sigma chapter. 3. Honorary Members: Any female who has performed some distinguished public service and elected by a majority as an Honorary member of the Sorority. Approval from Nationals is needed. Section B. Kappa Delta Phi National Affiliated Sorority defines Female as anyone who identifies as a woman regardless of biological sex. Section C. Our admission procedure shall be as follows: 1. Announcement of Rush. 2. The Rush is held. 3. Affiliate Educator, Assistant Affiliate Educator, and Historian shall conduct interviews of the prospective Affiliates. 4. Potential members fill out the New Member Application, as required by Kappa Sigma Chapter from the chapter representative. 5. Election of bids. 6. Students must attend a minimum of one rush in order to be eligible to be given a bid. 7. Bids are given out to prospective affiliates at a ceremony that all active sisters must attend. 8. Affiliate Education shall consist of four weeks as mandated by Kappa Sigma Chapter. 2 Kappa Sigma Constitution ​ | ​ Section D. Any member in good standing in a chapter may transfer to another chapter with the approval and consent of each chapter concerned. The transfering sister will have to go through a modified Affiliate Education that highlights the history and traditions specific to the chapter. Section E. Membership in this sorority shall be for life. Sisters have the ability to self-expel from the sorority but at that time must agree to surrender all Kappa Delta Phi, NAS belongings to the chapter immediately and that although they are no longer a member of this organization they must still maintain the secrets of the rituals as promised during initiation. Section F. A first semester sister will be allowed to hold a position except for any on executive board, affiliate educator, or assistant affiliate educator (Unless stated in Article III Section D) Article III: Government Section A. The Executive Board of this Chapter shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant-At-Arms. Section B. One President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain Historian, Sergeant-At-Arms, Philanthropy Chair, Philanthropy Fundraising, Academic Chair and Standards Board shall be elected at the end of each academic year and must fulfill (unless ​ ​ otherwise stated) a term of one year in office, which is both Fall and Spring semesters. Social Media Chair, Greek Social Chair, Chapter Fundraising, Affiliate Educator, Assistant Affiliate Educator, Apparel Chair and Alumnae Relations Chair shall be elected at the end of each semester and must fulfill (unless otherwise stated) a term of one semester in office, which is either spring or fall semester. Section C. Elections of Chapter Officers: 1. Notice of elections must be given by the President at least two (2) meetings before elections will take place. 2. A committee to nominate, composed of graduating seniors, will make nominations of officers for the next year’s Board first, then the floor will open up and other sisters may make their nominations. 3. Nominations shall be made one (1) meeting prior to elections and additional nominations may be made from the floor at this time. 3 Kappa Sigma Constitution ​ | ​ 4. The final list of prospective candidates shall be issued to the members of the Sorority at least one (1) week in advance of the next meeting; therefore prospective candidates must compose a speech in their defense to why they should be elected to the positions. The election of officers shall be held at least one (1) week before the Installation Ceremony. 5. Speeches will be given in the order that the officers are outlined in article IV section B. 6. A quorum vote (2/3 or more of the Sorority) must be present in order to secure a nomination. 7. If no candidate obtains a majority of votes on the first vote, a runoff election will occur between the two highest candidates. 8. Incoming officers shall be installed by the prescribed rituals and shall take office at the chapter meeting following elections. 9. Any vacancy in an elected office must be filled within two (2) weeks after such vacancy occurs. 10. The President and Secretary will total the votes for Fall and Spring semester. Section D. Qualifications for elections: 1. Qualifications for nominations include: In “Good Standing” with the chapter (Not currently on Academic Probation or Philanthropic Probation), all financial debts are paid, must not have more than two (2) strikes for the current semester at time of election. 2. Executive Board officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Sergeant-At-Arms must be a member for at least two (2) semesters (including semester of elections), this may include semester of induction. 3. President nominees must have held an Executive Board Position for at least one (1) year of office (Including the semester of elections), or the position of Affiliate Educator for at least one (1) semester (including the semester of elections). 4. Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Sergeant-At-Arms nominees must have held any position for at least one (1) semester prior to elections (including the semester of elections). 5. Affiliate Educator must be an active sister for two (2) full semesters (not including semester of induction), before qualifying for nomination. Assistant Affiliate Educator must be an active sister for one (1) full semester (not including semester of induction), before qualifying for nomination. 6. All other offices may be held by any other member who meets the previously stated qualifications. 4 Kappa Sigma Constitution ​ | ​ Section F. No sister shall hold more than one (1) major office in the Sorority simultaneously, due to conflict of interest, (Major offices being President, Vice-President, Treasurer, rd Secretary, and Sergeant-At-Arms). By a 2/3 ​ vote a major officer may hold another ​ position if there are not enough sisters to fill the positions (except the President due to conflict of interest). In the case of Affiliate Educator a sister who is holding a major rd office can be elected if she so chooses and receives the required 2/3 ​ vote by the sorority ​ (neither President nor Vice President may hold Affiliate Educator simultaneously). Section G. All officers of this Sorority shall be upheld to the utmost highest standards and ideals of the chapter, and are to be an example of leadership to fellow sisters. Officers are required to uphold all responsibilities’ as stated in Article IV; failure to do so will result in a strike, as described later in Article VIII. 1. Sergeant-At-Arms will distribute strikes. 2. President and Sergeant-At-Arms will maintain an up to date record of all sisters’ strikes. 3. President and Vice-President are responsible for distributing strikes to Sergeant-At-Arms if/when necessary. Article IV: Duties of the Executive Board, Chairs and Representatives Section A. Requirements of Officers: 1. All Executive Board members, Chapter Representatives and Chairs are responsible for maintaining up-to date records in binders that can be passed down to incoming officers. 2. Holding a position is an opportunity and a responsibility, not a right for each member.