ARTICLE III
- Membership
SECTION I
Membership shall be based on criteria established by the membership
committee and approved by the governing board in accordance with
the aims of the organization. The criteria are as follows:
For Study Abroad Students:
1. Upper division or graduate standing.
2. Completion of a minimum of one semester of study abroad or a
summer experience of no less than five weeks in length and approved
by Virginia Tech's Director of International Exchange Programs (DIEP).
Any exceptions to this policy will be adjudicated on a case by case
basis by the membership committee and the DIEP.
3. Demonstrated academic excellence (Minimum Cumulative
GPA): Graduate Students--3.6, Undergraduate Students-- 3.2
For International Students:
Upper division or graduate standing.
Minimum of one year residence at Virginia Tech.
Demonstrated academic excellence (Minimum Cumulative GPA):
Grad students -- 3.6, Undergrad students -- 3.2
For Faculty and Staff:
1. Nomination by two members in good standing.
2. Demonstrated interest and involvement in international scholarly
activities (e.g. Fulbright, research ,service or teaching overseas,
publications/presentations, significant contribution to campus
international educational programs).
SECTION II
Honorary Membership
The governing board may, from time to time, name honorary members
who would not normally qualify for regular membership, or whom
it is desired to honor in a special way. Such persons shall pay
no dues or fees.
SECTION III
Candidates for membership will be approved by the members of the
governing board of the chapter and will be offered the opportunity
to participate in the annual initiation ceremony. Participation
in the ceremony is expected, although exceptions may be made due
to the existence of extenuating circumstances.
ARTICLE IV - Governing
Board
Section I
The Governing Board shall include both faculty and students members
and may include members of the University staff.
Section II
The Governing Board shall consist of the President, Vice President
(faculty), Vice President (International student), Vice President
( US student), Secretary, Treasurer and the chairs of the standing
committees, plus the Chapter Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator(s).
The Vice Provost for International Programs shall serve as a nonvoting
ex-officio member of the Board.
Section III
The Governing Board shall establish standing committees, all of
which must include faculty and students members and may include
members of the University staff.
ARTICLE V - Officers
Section I
The elected officers shall be President, Faculty Vice President,
International Student Vice President, US Student Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer.
The Chapter Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator(s)
shall be appointed by the Vice Provost for International Programs
with the concurrence of the Governing Board of the Chapter.
Section II
The President shall preside over meetings of the society, shall
appoint committees with the approval of the Governing Board, and
shall perform all other duties belonging to the Chief Executive
Officer. This officer shall serve as Chair of the Scholarship
Development and Awards Committee.
Section III
The Faculty Vice President shall preside in the absence of the
President and shall serve as Chair of the Membership Committee.
This officer shall perform other duties as assigned by the President.
Section IV
The International Student Vice President shall serve as liaison
with the Cranwell International Student Center and the International
Student Community and shall serve as Chair of the Program Committee.
In the absence of the President and Faculty Vice President, this
officer may preside at Governing Board meetings.
Section V
The U.S. Student Vice President shall serve as liaison with the
International Exchange Programs Office in the Office of International
Research, Education, and Development and shall serve as Chair
of the Publication Committee. In the absence of the President,
Faculty Vice President, and International Student Vice President,
this officer may preside at Governing Board meetings.
Section VI
The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings, shall handle
chapter communications, shall keep a complete roster of all members
initiated and shall keep a record of candidates eligible for membership.
Section VII
The Treasurer shall collect and give receipts for all monies collected,
shall make disbursements upon order of the Society, shall keep
an accurate and complete record of all receipts and disbursements
and shall report this record of funds to the Society on a regular
basis.
ARTICLE VI - Committees
Section I
The standing committees of the Society shall include the following:
- Membership Committee
- Program Committee
- Publication Committee
- Scholarship Development and Awards
Committee.
Other committees may be established
by the Governing Board as needed.
Section II
Membership Committee The membership Committee shall recommend
standards for admission to the Society and will receive and recommend
nominations for membership, and shall consist, at a minimum of
the Chair, who shall be The Faculty Vice President, plus a minimum
of three additional members of the Society.
Section III
Program Committee: The Program Committee shall plan activities
and ceremonies for the Society and shall consist, as a minimum
of the Chair, who shall be the International Student Vice President,
plus a minimum of three additional members of the Society.
Section IV
Publication Committee: The Publication Committee shall plan and
arrange for the publicity of the activities and accomplishments
of the Society and shall consist of the Chair, who shall be the
U.S. student Vice President, plus a minimum of three additional
members of the Society.
Section V
Scholarship and Awards Committee: The Scholarship and Awards Committee
shall plan, coordinate, and implement appropriate mechanisms to
recognize academic achievement in the international arena and
shall consist of the Chair, who shall be the President of the
Society, plus a minimum of three additional members of the Society.
ARTICLE VII - Dues and Fees
Section I
The membership initiation fee shall be paid by each undergraduate,
graduate, faculty and staff candidate at or before the time of
initiation into the Society. The amount of this fee shall be determined
by the Governing Board and shall be paid to the treasurer prior
to the initiation ceremony.
ARTICLE VIII - Elections
Section I
The Governing Board shall establish a nomination committee, which
will recommend a single slate of officers to the board during
the spring semester.
Section II
Elections will be conducted by secret ballot and shall include
a provision for write-in candidates. Secret ballots shall be mailed
to the general membership at least two weeks prior to the date
set for the counting of ballots.
Section III
Election to office will require receipt of a majority of valid
ballots cast.
Section IV
In the event of resignation or inability to serve on the part
of an elected officer of the Chapter, the Governing Board shall,
after consultation with knowledgeable members of the Chapter,
appoint a replacement who shall serve until the next regular election.
ARTICLE IX - Amendment of the Bylaws
Section I
Proposed amendments to the by-laws may be presented to the Society,
in writing, at least one meeting before it/they are to voted upon.
Section II
Approval by a majority of the voting member present at a regular
meeting shall be required for passage of a proposed amendment.
The amendment shall become binding immediately thereafter.
ARTICLE X - Quorum
Section I
The percentage of members constituting a quorum shall be 35%.
Section II
In voting, a majority shall consist of over fifty percent of those
voting.
ARTICLE XI - Parliamentary
Authority
Robert's Rules of Order, (Revised),
shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable.
