Sigma Delta Lambda Sorority, Inc. Gamma Chapter BYLAW I Membership A. Qualifications Section 1 A female student currently enrolled at Texas A&M International University, in good academic standing, not enrolled for the sole purpose of establishing membership eligibility. Section 2 A student who has successfully completed the chapter’s L.I.N.K.S. program for new membership. Section 3 A student who has at least completed 12 semester hours at a university or college campus, as a full time college student. A. Prospective members seeking membership within the sorority whom have obtained their 12 credit hours at a university through a dual enrollment program may be eligible with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. B. Designations Section 1 Active Section 1.01 A person who has successfully completed the chapter’s program of new membership. Section 1.02 Active members of Sigma Delta Lambda shall include those who fulfill all membership requirements by participating in sorority activities, paying dues, maintaining the required 2.5 GPA, completing all fundraising projects per semester, and participating in a minimum of 20 community service hours per semester and 1 At-Risk Youth service event per month or the required number as deemed by the executive board per semester. Section 1.03 All active members are required to attend all general meetings with the exception of review sessions and/or exams during the scheduled meeting time. All other reasons shall also be approved by the Executive Board. A. A member who fails to bring their weekly journal (binder) with Chapter and Sorority Bylaws and Constitution will be assessed at $3.00 fine. B. A member who has claimed active status, and has missed 3 consecutive meetings, [whether excused or unexcused,] shall be placed under review by Executive Board and a sanction shall be decided by the prospective board. Section 1.04 Active members who do not participate in all fundraisers during the academic semester will be assessed a $15.00 fine. Section 1.05 Active members who commit to a fundraising event, but do not attend, will be assessed a $15.00 fine. Section 1.06 All members who do not give a three-day notice prior to an absence to any weekly meeting, mandatory or committed event, through a written document, will result in a $ 10.00 fine per event, with the exception of an inevitable emergency (said emergencies are under the discretion of the J.P. Ethics Chair). A. Active members that do not participate in mandatory events will be assessed a $15 fine by the respective officer or chair. Section 1.07 All active members who are 5 minutes late after 3 incidents will be assessed a $3 fine, without prior notice. If the active member gives legitimate (ie. Academic related or emergency, etc.) reason prior to or after the incident the fine will be removed. Section 1.08 Members who fail to follow the dress code (i.e. business casual, bearing sorority badge, greek letter shirts) for any Sigma Delta Lambda event (i.e. initiation, meetings, etc.) will be assessed a $10 fine Section 1.09- All active members who do not give a three-day notice prior to leaving a meeting before it has been adjourned, through a written document will result in a $3.00 fine, with the exception of an inevitable emergency. Revised (April 14, 2015) Emily Lerma-Parliamentarian/J.P. Ethics Sigma Delta Lambda-Gamma Chapter - Page 1 Sigma Delta Lambda Sorority, Inc. Gamma Chapter Section 1.10- Each member of Sigma Delta Lambda Gamma Chapter must abide by the following governing entities and documents of the sorority: Sorority Constitution & Bylaws, Risk Reduction Program, New Member Program, Judicial Board and System, Moral and Ethical Code, and any other Sigma Delta Lambda official documents. Section 2 Inactive Section 2.01 A person who has completed her tenure as new member, served at least one semester as an Active member, and who is unable to fulfill chapter requirements set for active members. Section 2.02 Per Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council Bylaws, Section 2.02, person(s) wishing to gain voluntary Inactive status must request such standing in the form of a letter which outlines her reasons for such a request. All requests should be addressed to the Chapter’s Executive Board and received before the chapter’s third regular meeting of any semester unless an emergency arises. Section 2.03 Persons requesting Inactive status after the third meeting (per semester) will be assessed a $100.00 fine. Section 2.04 Per Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council Bylaws, Section 2.03, involuntary inactive status will result from academic difficulty. Members with a GPA below a 2.5 will be automatically placed on inactive status. The member is required to raise her GPA to a 2.5 before reapplying for active status. The member must also meet with the academic chair twice a semester for consultation if she wishes to return to active status. Section 2.05 Per Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council Bylaws, Section 2.04, the decision of the Executive Board should be reached within an appropriate time period, and the person shall be notified in writing by the chapter’s, Executive Board. Approved “Inactive” status is contingent upon the decision of the chapter’s Executive Board, and such a request may be denied. There is to be no participation in chapter meetings, activities or mandatory events and no dues paid by Inactive members. A. An inactive member however may request permission from the respective Executive Board in order to attend closed Greek sponsored events and/or activities. Such request is to be done through a written format. Section 2.06 Per Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council Bylaws, Section 2.05, the inactive member may not participate in the big-sister /little sister portion of the New Member program. Section 2.07 Per Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council Bylaws, Section 2.06, any member may remain inactive for no longer than 2 semesters in her collegiate career. These semesters may or may not be consecutive. The member must return after the third semester. Section 2.08 Any Executive Board member going Inactive during her term will be assessed a $100 dollar fine. Failure to comply will result in being denied a change of status. The fine shall be waived under extreme circumstances and by approval of Executive Board. Section 2.09 Failure to meet these conditions may result in automatic expulsion. Section 3 Off-Campus Section 3.01 A person who has completed her tenure as new member, served at least one semester as an Active member, and who is only able to fulfill half of chapter requirements set for active members. Section 3.02 Off campus members must fulfill all responsibilities set forth by the Chapter, including a minimal attendance of at least one meeting per month, attendance of all mandatory events, attendance to at least two fundraisers, completion of at least half of the chapter’s designated community service hours for active members, and payment of all dues. Revised (April 14, 2015) Emily Lerma-Parliamentarian/J.P. Ethics Sigma Delta Lambda-Gamma Chapter - Page 2 Sigma Delta Lambda Sorority, Inc. Gamma Chapter Section 3.03 Off campus members that do not participate in mandatory events will be assessed a $10 fine per event with the exception of an inevitable circumstance. Section 3.04 Any Executive Board or Cabinet member going off campus during her term forfeits her position for the remainder of her term, unless the Executive Board grants her special permission to hold her position. A. Any Executive member or Cabinet member going off-campus during her term will be assessed a $50 dollar fine. Failure to comply will result in being denied a change of status. The fine shall be waived under extreme circumstances and by approval of Executive Board. Section 3.05 Off-campus members may not hold more than one cabinet position unless appointed by chapter’s Executive Board. Section 4 Re-Activation Section 4.01 In order for a sister to re-activate her active membership, from “Inactive” or “Off-campus” status, she must submit a formal letter of her intention to re-activate herself to the Chapter’s Executive Board by the third chapter meeting of any academic semester, pay all dues owed to the Sorority (if any), and fulfill any duties as described in the chapter’s Bylaws. Section 4.02 The Chapter’s Executive Board shall review the letter of intent to approve re-activation. The executive board will notify the member, in writing, of her new status and of any outstanding dues, requirements or required hours. Section 4.03- After re-activation a sister cannot be nominated to hold either an Executive Board position or an Elected Cabinet position. Section 5 Probationary Sister Per Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council Bylaws, Section 5 Section 5.01 A sister who has been found in violation of the Sigma Delta Lambda Executive Council, or Chapter’s Constitutions, Bylaws, and/or code of Ethics, has a GPA below a 2.5 but above or equal to a 2.0, or those sisters who have not fulfilled community service requirements. Section 5.02 Any sister found in violation of academic or community service requirements will be notified by the Chapter’s Executive Board and placed on automatic probation. Probation continues until proof of meeting these requirements is given to the Chapter’s Executive Board. Section 5.03 The chapter’s executive board, academic chair, community service chair, or Ethics chair, may initiate any move for probation against any sister at any executive/ cabinet meeting.