CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
The Sigma Gamma Tau Society is established to recognize and honor those
individuals in the field of aeronautics and astronautics who have through
scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement been a credit to their
profession. The Society seeks to foster a high standard of ethics and professional
practices and to create a spirit of loyalty and fellowship, particularly
among students of Aerospace Engineering.
ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION
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Section 1. The membership of the Society will include individuals who have
been accepted into the Society according to the provisions of this Constitution.
These members may be joined together in chapters or clubs as provided.
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Section 2. The name of the Society will be Sigma Gamma Tau.
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Section 3. The symbol of the Society will be the key having the form represented
in the official records of the Society as maintained at the National Office.
The symbol of the Society may be worn and used as a Society symbol only
by members.
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Section 4. The certificates of membership will have the form represented
in the official records of the Society as maintained at the National Office.
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Section 5. The seal of the Society will be of the form represented in the
official records of the Society as maintained at the National Office.
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Section 6. The colors of the Society will be red and white.
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Section 7. The format for the official stationary of the Society will be
developed by the National Office and will be used for official business
of the Society. Individual Chapters and Clubs can develop Chapter stationary
for Chapter or Club business only and this should be submitted to the Executive
Council for approval.
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Section 8. The National Office of the Society will be maintained at a site
designated by the National President.
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Section 9. Chapters will be named after their respective schools.
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Section 10. Clubs will be named after the cities or regions in which they
are organized.
ARTICLE II GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIETY
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Section 1. Structure
The chapters of the Society shall be assigned to a Region by the National
Convention. If a chapter is chartered between Conventions, it shall be
assigned to a Region by the President of the Society.
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Section 2. Administration: The National Convention
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a. The Society will be governed by the National Convention of the Society.
The active chapters will elect National officers who will act as an Executive
Council (as defined in Article II, Section 4.b) carrying out the directives
of the Convention and the Constitution during the interim between Conventions.
It is the responsibility of the Executive Council to interpret the Constitution
during the interim between Conventions.
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b. There will be a National Convention at least every three years, but
no more frequently than every two years. The time, format and location
of each Convention will be established by the Executive Council. The Executive
Council, or a chapter, may initiate a request for a special Convention.
All chapters will be notified of such action, and they will be responsible
for returning the ballot on whether or not the Convention will be held.
If the ballot is not returned within one month, the vote will be counted
as affirmative. If the majority of the chapters approve, the Executive
Council will call the Convention as soon as possible and will designate
the time, format and location.
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c. Each Region will be represented at the National Convention by a Regional
Coordinator (or representative designated by the Regional Coordinator)
and a Regional Student Representative, each with one vote. Any other members
of the Society may attend the Convention and may participate in the business
of the Convention to the extent permitted by the Convention, but without
voting rights.
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d. The Regional Student Convention Representative will be appointed by
the Regional Coordinator after giving in writing all chapters within the
region at least a 30-day time period in which to make a nomination.
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e. The Convention will establish the necessary rules that are required
for the operation of the Convention.
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f. The Convention will establish that part of the initiation fee to be
transmitted by the Chapter to the National Office. The fee includes the
cost of the membership certificate, Constitution, and operating and publishing
expenses of the Society. [The April 1997 National Convention set an upper
limit on the initiation fee at $30 with the actual fee to be determined
by the Executive Council based on the required operating funds for the
Society.]
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g. The expenses of the official delegates to the Convention will be paid
from the National funds, if required, to the extent of one round trip air
coach fare plus per diem for personal expenses of the delegate to be determined
at the Convention.
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h. Similar Convention expenses, including travel, meals, and lodging of
the National President, Vice-President and Immediate Past President, will
be paid for from the National funds.
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i. The semi-annual compensation of the Staff Secretary-Treasurer will be
fixed by a vote of the Convention.
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j. The Convention will act as the final arbitrator on all questions of
interpretation of the Constitution.
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Section 3. Government of the National Convention
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a. The National President will open the Convention and will preside.
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b. The Convention will elect its own secretary.
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c. A quorum will be at least one delegate (Regional Coordinator or Student
Representative) from a majority of the Regions.
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d. Proxy votes will not be accepted at a Convention.
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e. The order of business at the National Convention will be established
by the Executive Council prior to the Convention.
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f. Minutes of the Convention will be provided to all chapters and clubs.
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Section 4. Administration: The National Officers
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a. The Executive Council will have the authority to take appropriate action
within the spirit of the Constitution and Convention directives. It has
the authority to declare a chapter inactive, or to reactivate it, depending
on the chapter's ability to conduct its business.
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b. The elected National Officers will be the President and Vice-President,
who together with the immediate Past President, compose the Executive Council.
The Staff Secretary-Treasurer and the Regional Coordinators will be appointed
by the Executive Council, who will take into account any recommendations
made by the chapters. The Executive Council will make the appointments
at a Convention or during the following summer. The Staff Secretary-Treasurer
and the Regional Coordinators will assume their duties no later than September
1 in the year of appointment. All terms of office shall be for three years,
and will end at the close of a Convention, or during the following summer
as mutually agreed upon.
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c. The National President will preside at any meeting of the National Officers
and at Conventions. The National President will be responsible for the
financial resources of the Society.
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d. The National Vice-President will preside in the absence of the National
President and will assist the National President in the administration
and expansion of the Society.
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e. The Staff Secretary-Treasurer will have custody of the permanent records,
seal, Constitution, and other properties of the Society. The Staff Secretary-Treasurer,
along with the National President, will manage all current publications
of the Society and will administer the nomination and the election procedure
for National officers. Official correspondence of the Society must be addressed
through the Staff Secretary-Treasurer who will also collect and keep records
of all financial transactions made by the National Office of the Society.
The symbols of membership and any official materials will be obtained from
the Staff Secretary-Treasurer. The National President and the Staff Secretary-Treasurer
will submit a detailed annual report of activities to the Executive Council
including a detailed financial report, a summary of which will be provided
to the Chapters annually. All chapters must conduct their financial business
with the Staff Secretary-Treasurer between September 1 and May 30. Proper
order blanks or forms must be used where such blanks are provided. Electronic
media is the preferred method of communication between Chapters, Regional
Directors and the National Office and all efforts should be made to use
this form of communication whenever possible.
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f. The Regional Coordinators shall act as liaison between the National
and Regional Organization and each shall advise their Regional organization.
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g. The Executive Council may submit to chapters by letter or electronic
ballot any issue which it deems necessary in the interval between Conventions.
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h. Expenses, including travel, meals and lodging, attendant to emergency
meetings of the Executive Council will be defrayed by the National Society.
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Section 5. Election of National Officers
The election of National Officers will take place every three years
using the procedures outlined below. The indicated dates can be amended
by the Executive Council if warranted but should be used as general guidance.
The Staff Secretary-Treasurer will advise the chapters and clubs by October
1 of every third year, using a form including the rules for the balloting
prescribed by the Executive Council, that they must provide potential nominees
by November 1 for the two offices terminating during that academic year.
The nomination must be accompanied by a letter from the nominee indicating
willingness to serve if elected. Supporting material, subject to limitation
of length as specified in the balloting rules, may be submitted by the
nominating chapter. This material will then be sent to each chapter. Ballots
will be sent to the chapters and clubs by December 1, and the preliminary
ballots will be due February 1. Each chapter will vote for the two offices
with a first, second and third choice. The Staff Secretary-Treasurer will
then compile the final ballot including only those candidates receiving
the two highest votes, and submit it to the chapters by February 15. The
final ballot will be due March 1. The chapters will be notified of the
results by March 15. A plurality vote will constitute election. The new
officers may then attend the next National Convention. In the absence of
multiple nominations, only one ballot will suffice.
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Section 6. Regional Administration
Each Region shall be administered by a Regional Coordinator who shall
be appointed by the Executive Council.
ARTICLE III ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAPTERS AND CLUBS
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Section 1. Qualifications for a Chapter
Chapters may be established at any college or university with an Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited Aerospace, Aeronautical,
Astronautical or similarly named program. A petition to establish a new
chapter in such a school may be presented to the Executive Council by five
students who would be qualified for membership under Article V.
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Section 2. Petition for Establishment of a Chapter
The petition will include the following:
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a. A statement from the department head of the university or college which
the petitioners are attending, affirming their eligibility, and the department's
willingness to furnish an interested Faculty Advisor to supervise the chapter.
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b. A statement from an authorized official of the school declaring approval
of the proposed chapter.
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c. A statement from the petitioners that they will subscribe fully to this
Constitution and agree to support it as it now stands or as it may later
be amended.
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d. The petition should be accompanied by the catalog or bulletin of the
college describing the Aerospace Engineering curriculum and any available
material describing the school.
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e. Any other evidence that the aerospace curriculum meets the minimum standards
as set forth by the Executive Council of the Society.
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f. The number of students in the Aerospace Engineering curriculum and the
number of degrees awarded to students in this curriculum during the last
three years.
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Section 3. Consideration of a Petition by the Society
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a. The Executive Council corresponds with the petitioning school in order
to assist in the preparation of the petition. The Council can send a representative
of the Society to visit the school applying for a chapter charter before
reporting on the application, if it is considered necessary.
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b. The Executive Council will consider all relevant information and prepare
a report of their findings which will be submitted to each chapter.
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c. Each chapter will vote on the petition in accordance with the wishes
of the majority of the active members and the decision should be returned
to the Executive Council within thirty days of the mailing date of the
report. If the ballot is not returned within the prescribed period, the
vote will be considered affirmative.
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d. Chapters may be established only with the consent of three-fourths of
the existing chapters.
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e. When a petition is approved and a charter is granted, the Executive
Council will furnish charter, copies of the Constitution, initiation, and
other materials necessary for operation of the chapter. The Executive Council
will appoint a person to install the chapter and to initiate the charter
members.
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Section 4. Clubs
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a. A club may be authorized by the Executive Council on receipt of a written
petition of at least ten members of the Society who live within a reasonable
distance of each other.
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b. The club will be governed according to the precepts of this Constitution.
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c. A club may be present at a Convention but it will have no vote.
ARTICLE IV GOVERNMENT OF THE CHAPTERS
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP IN THE SOCIETY
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Section 1. Grades of Membership
There will be but one grade of membership in the Society--that of Member.
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Section 2. Eligibility Criteria
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a. Students directly associated with aerospace engineering who are degree
candidates and who are eligible for membership (with approval of the Executive
Council in questionable cases) as prescribed in Article V, Section 3a-3b
and who are elected by the student chapter.
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b. Individuals in the aerospace engineering profession using procedures
as prescribed in Article V, 3c. An individual, to be considered eligible
for membership, must either 1) have made worthy contributions toward the
advancement of the aerospace engineering profession, 2) be a teacher of
aerospace or related subjects, or 3) have made such a significant contribution
to science that he or she may be deemed worthy of membership in the Society.
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Section 3. Qualifications for Membership
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a. Undergraduate Students
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To be considered for membership, students must have completed at least
five quarters or three semesters of their college work and have been a
resident for a minimum of two semesters or three quarters at the time of
their candidacy for membership.
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Students must be in the upper one-third of their senior or upper one-fourth
of their junior aerospace engineering class. Sophomores who have shown
outstanding achievement and are in the upper one-fifth of their class are
also eligible for membership. Individuals who have a scholastic standing
slightly below that specified, but who are exceptionally qualified in other
respects, may be elected by the unanimous vote of the active undergraduate
members.
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A chapter may establish higher scholastic standards than those specified,
with the unanimous consent of active members. The standards can never be
lower than those specified in this Constitution.
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Candidates for membership must have shown, in addition to scholarship,
qualities of high moral character, an active interest in aeronautics and
astronautics, and an interest in the Society.
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Students enrolled in night schools may be considered eligible under the
same requirement.
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b. Graduate Aerospace Engineering Students: Graduate students must maintain
graduate standing satisfactory to the institution. They must have been
residents for a minimum of one semester or two quarters at the school and
have completed at least two-fifths of the credits required for the graduate
degree toward which they are working at the time of their candidacy for
membership. Voting will be as specified in Article V, Section 5.
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c. Individuals covered by Article V, Section 2b.
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Nomination shall be made by a member who is not an undergraduate student.
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Nomination will be submitted to the Executive Council on a form prescribed
by the Executive Council.
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The Executive Council will act on the nomination and notify the nominator
of the action taken.
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After approval of nomination, membership in the Society will be contingent
upon the nominee accepting the nomination. Individuals so selected will
not acquire membership in any specific chapter.
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Section 4. Voting on Undergraduate Candidates for Membership
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a. The President of the chapter will conduct the elections.
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b. All votes will remain secret.
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c. A quorum consisting of three-fourths of the active undergraduate members
must be present. Voting on candidates for undergraduate membership will
be done only by active undergraduate members.
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d. A three-fourths vote of the members present is required for the election
of senior students and a four-fifths vote is required for election of junior
and sophomore students.
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e. The voting may be conducted in up to three ballots with one ballot being
cast for each candidate before a second ballot on any candidate may be
taken. A second ballot will be taken only on those individuals who fail
to receive the requisite number of votes. The third ballot will be taken
only after all second ballots are completed and then only on those candidates
who fail to receive the requisite number of votes in the second balloting.
The voting on the first two ballots may be yes, no or undecided, but on
the final ballot there will be no undecided votes or abstentions. Discussions
should precede each ballot.
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Section 5. Voting on Graduate Student Candidates for Membership The procedure
for voting on graduate student candidates is the same as outlined in Article
V, Section 4, except that both undergraduate and graduate members will
participate in the voting. A three-fourths vote is required.
ARTICLE VI INITIATION CEREMONIES
All members should be initiated into the Society with a dignified ceremony.
The specific nomination, pre-election procedure and initiation process
will be as specified by Chapter bylaws. The ceremony will be open to all
members and guests of members and initiates. No secret symbols and ritual
will be introduced and at no time will any initiate be subjected to practices
harmful to their personal well-being, or be required to do anything that
would injure their dignity as persons.
ARTICLE VII DISCIPLINE
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Section 1. Discipline of Chapters
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a. A chapter may be disciplined by the Convention or by decision of the
Executive Council for violation of the Constitution, continued inactivity,
or other such activities deemed to injure the reputation of the profession
or Society.
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b. Fines may be determined and levied by majority vote of the Convention
or by decision of the Executive Committee with approval via by mail vote
of three-fourths of the active chapters. If the ballot is not returned
within thirty days, the vote will be considered against the fine.
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c. Suspension or expulsion of a chapter may occur only by a three-fourths
vote of the all active chapters.
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Section 2. Discipline of Members
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a. Members may be disciplined by the chapter for continuous and unexcused
absence from meetings, failure to carry out assigned duties, behavior unbefitting
a member of the Society, or any act considered warranting such action.
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b. Any disciplinary action taken against a member by a chapter may be appealed
by the member to the Executive Council.
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c. Suspension or expulsion of a member from the Society may be initiated,
at the request of a chapter, by the Executive Council but may occur only
with the by mail vote of three-fourths of the active chapters. If the ballot
is not returned within thirty days, the vote will be considered against
expulsion.
ARTICLE VIII RESERVE FUND
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Section 1. It will be the duty of the Executive Council to maintain at
all times a Reserve Fund invested in safe securities, and registered in
the name of the Society. These securities will be kept in a safety deposit
box under the custody of the National President and one other representative
of the Society as designated by the Executive Council. This safety deposit
box will be rented by the Society and will be used solely for the storage
of securities and valuable papers of the Society.
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Section 2. The Reserve Fund which represents the financial reserves of
the Society will be maintained as insurance against financial emergencies
endangering the life or seriously impairing the activities of the Society.
It may be drawn on by the Executive Council only when four-fifths of the
active chapter approve. If the ballot is not returned within thirty days,
the vote will be considered affirmative.
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Section 3. A Convention is authorized to draw on the Reserve Fund for expenses
associated with the operation of the Society at the recommendation of the
Executive Council and if concurred in by a four-fifths vote of the voting
delegates present at the Convention.
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Section 4. Whenever the reserve fund has been reduced below a total face
value of $15,000, replacement shall take precedence over all expenditures
of the Society. This minimum value should be reviewed at each National
Convention and amended by the Convention as deemed necessary.
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Section 5. At the discretion of the Executive Council, any excess funds
in the operating treasury at the end of each fiscal year may be transferred
to the Reserve Fund. The allocation of the operating treasury between savings
and other financial securities will be at the discretion of the National
President.
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Section 6. The Staff Secretary-Treasurer will keep all financial records
of the reserve fund, and submit a written report to be read and approved
at each National Convention.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by a chapter, or national
officer. The proposal must be transmitted to the Staff Secretary-Treasurer
so that all chapters can be notified. The chapters should, in turn, consider
the proposal and instruct their Convention delegates if a Convention is
impending or return their vote by mail. Such proposed amendments must be
passed by a three-fourths vote of the active chapters in order to become
effective. If a chapter fails to submit a vote within the prescribed period,
the vote will be considered affirmative.
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS