Constitution

Approved Constitution (Spring 2000)
EPSILON FIELD CHAPTER
BYLAWS OF THE IOTA LAMBDA SIGMA SOCIETY
EPSILON FIELD CHAPTER
(REVISED 7-31-00)


ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be IOTA LAMBDA SIGMA SOCIETY, EPSILON FIELD CHAPTER. hereinafter referred to as The Chapter. The business address of the Chapter shall be the location of the current Secretary.

ARTICLE II - NATURE, OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Nature
The Chapter, an honorary professional society, recognizes individuals for excellence in their various endeavors in workforce education and development. Workforce development includes entry level employment training through advanced education and development in the workplace. Persons invited into this professional society may come from the fields of Technical Education, Technology Education, Health Education, and Business and Industry.

Section 2. Objectives
The Chapter is organized exclusively for educational and professional development purposes and will conform to all requirements of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Chapter shall participate in the organization and establishment of new chapters in accordance with the Iota Lambda Sigma Grand Chapter Constitution.

Section 3. Purpose
The purpose of this Chapter shall be to promote workforce development by:

3.1 Recognizing scholarship in Technical Education, Technology Education, Health Education, and Business and Industry,

3.2 Creating and maintaining a closer fraternal bond between
teachers, supervisors, representatives from business and industry, and directors who are taking, or have taken professional work in an authorized college or teacher training agency in Career Technical Education, or are engaged in business and industry,
3.3 Serving as a clearing house for outstanding papers written by Career Technical Educators, and circulating these ;Papers. A committee composed of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary shall determine which will be mailed to the Membership.

3.4 The recognition of professional training in these special fields.

3.5 The promotion of professional improvement.


ARTICLE III - GRAND CHAPTER DELEGATES

Section 1. Representatives to Grand Chapter
The Chapter shall elect one representative and one alternate to the Grand Chapter prior to November 15. It shall be the duty of the Grand Chapter representative to participate in the election of Grand Chapter officers and business sessions.

Section 2. Members of Grand Chapter Advisory Council
The Chapter shall elect two members to the National Advisory Council who will serve in addition to members who are past presidents of Grand Chapter according to the Constitution of Iota Lambda Sigma. The term of office for elected members of the advisory council shall be three years and the terms of office shall not coincide. In case of inability of an elected member to complete his/her term, the chapter shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term by election.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. General Eligibility
Only persons of good character shall be eligible to membership in this society.

Section 2. Regular Membership
Regular membership shall be limited to:
2.1 Persons who are actively engaged in Career Technical Education in accordance with the provisions of the Alabama Plan for Career Technical Education. All Career Technical Educators must have completed twelve semester hours in Career Technical Education courses with a B average or better and have served a minimum of five years in Career Technical Education. All regular members, with the exception of business and industry members, must be a member of the Association for Career Technical Education (ACTE).

2.2 Persons connected with Business, Technical, Vocational, or
Industrial organizations, who because of the nature of their responsibilities, may not be expected to meet the requirements above, but who have made a distinct contribution to the field of Career Technical Education. These members are not required to be a member of the Association for Career Technical Education (ACTE).

2.3 Persons who are teacher educators actively engaged in the teaching of Career Technical Education courses
at the college/university level.

Section 3. Life Membership
Life membership shall be available to members who have been in active standing for a minimum of five years at the time of application upon payment of a fixed fee that will be determined by the Grand Chapter Executive Board.

The proceeds of fees received for Life Memberships shall be divided between the local chapter and the Grand Chapter. The amount due Grand Chapter shall be remitted to the Secretary of the Grand Chapter and the names of life members reported to the secretary of the Grand Chapter as a part of the Annual Report.


Section 4. Membership
Any member reaching the age of 65 or becoming disabled and who has been an active member paying dues for the previous five years, shall be declared an ;Emeritus member, retaining all rights and privileges with no further assessments.

Section 5. Honorary Membership
The chapter may elect no more than two persons during any one year to honorary membership. These persons must have a record of distinguished service for the cause of workforce development, career technical education, or Iota Lambda Sigma. A person approved for honorary membership is not required to pay membership fees and does not have a vote.

Section 6. Election to Membership
Candidates for regular membership shall be elected unanimous vote of the chapter at a regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present. In order to be considered for membership, candidates must be a member of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). The vote shall be by acclamation and any member who votes negatively must give his reason for same.

Section 7 . Procedure for Nominating Regular Members.
7.1 An application blank is to be submitted to the chairman
of the Screening Committee by one member of the Epsilon Chapter as the sponsor of the perspective member.

7.2 The Screening Committee acts on the recommendation of the member and presents their findings to the membership
during the Spring meeting.

7.3 The chapter will act only on names submitted by the
Screening Committee during the Spring meeting.

7.4 The candidate is accepted by the chapter and must
have a unanimous vote of those present affirming
acceptance into Iota Lambda Sigma.

7.5 When a candidate is accepted by the Chapter, the
Secretary invites the prospective candidate to join the
Chapter. At the same time the sponsors are notified that the
invitation has been issued. At this time the sponsors contact
the prospective member relative to membership in Iota
Lambda Sigma.

7.6 The candidate accepts or refuses the invitation to join
Iota Lambda Sigma.

7.7 Upon receipt of an acceptance the secretary sends a
second letter acquainting the neophyte of the requirements
of initiation, the date of initiation, etc.

Section 8. Procedure for Nominating Honorary Members

8.1 A candidate for honorary membership may be proposed
by any regular member who shall submit the name to the board for approval. The Board shall, after discussion, hold a secret ballot to determine the name or names most worthy of the honor not to exceed four names in all. These four names or fewer shall be presented to the chapter at a meeting, due notice having been given that this matter is to be decided, and the two names receiving the highest number of votes by secret ballot shall be declared the nominees. These two names shall then be balloted upon separately by secret ballot and a vote of three-fourths of the members present shall elect.

8.2 The Chapter secretary shall immediately notify each
person elected to honorary membership, and, after the nominee has accepted and has been initiated, the chapter secretary shall notify the Secretary of the Grand Chapter.

Section 9. Initiation
Each candidate for membership shall be required to take the formal initiation as provided by the adopted ritual of the Chapter and shall sign the permanent Chapter Roll, giving permanent address and name of person nearest relative at the close of the initiation.

Section 10. Numbering of Members
Each member shall be given a permanent number by the Chapter Secretary upon admission into the Chapter. Chapter members shall be numbered alphabetically according to their surnames, and at each subsequent initiation the same procedure shall be followed. This number is supplied by the Grand Chapter and shall appear on each membership card and certificate.

Section 11. Membership Card
Each member shall receive from the Chapter Secretary a
membership card.

Section 12. Membership Key
Each member shall be entitled to receive from the Chapter Secretary the official key, provided the member has paid all fees prescribed by these by-laws of the chapter.

Section 13. Inactive Membership
a two- Members who fail to pay the annual dues of the Chapter after year time, shall be dropped from Chapter roll and classed as inactive members. Upon payment of dues for current year and one years back dues, members shall be reinstated.

Section 14. Expulsion of Members
Any member who has been guilty of any violation of the fundamental principles of this Chapter as expressed in this constitution and in the adopted ritual of the Chapter, shall be summoned by the Secretary to appear before the Board and show cause why the member should not be expelled from membership. After giving the summoned member an opportunity to make defense, a secret ballot shall be taken by the Board and upon three-fourths vote of the members present, the member shall be expelled from the Chapter and shall forfeit all rights and privileges of a member. The Chapter Secretary shall notify the Secretary of the Grand Chapter who shall include this item in the annual report to all chapters.

Section 15. Transfer of Membership Affiliation
A member in good standing in one chapter upon becoming a teacher or employee in the vicinity where another chapter is located, may petition that chapter for membership by affiliation. The members in the new chapter, the secretary thereof shall assign a new number, notify the secretary of the chapter of which the person was originally a member, and also notify the Secretary of the Grand Chapter. The fee for membership by affiliation shall be determined by the Grand Chapter.

ARTICLE V - INITIATION FEES AND ANNUAL DUES

Section 1. Initiation Fees
The initiation fee shall be determined by the Board and shall include Grand Chapter dues, Epsilon Chapter Dues, the cost of the key, initiation dinner, and the cost of the certificate.

Section 2. Annual Dues and Assessments
2.1 Regular members shall pay annual dues as set
by the Executive Council Board and approved by membership present at a regular business meeting.

2.2 Any change in the Grand Chapter assessments shall
automatically change the annual dues accordingly.

2.3 Emeritus(having attained age 65 or disability),
Honorary, and Life Members shall not pay annual dues.

ARTICLE VI - CHAPTER OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers - Executive Committee
The officers (executive committee) of the Chapter shall be known publicly as the Director, President, Vice President, Secretary-Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Immediate Past President, and Initiation Team Chairman.

Section 2. Board
The Board shall be composed of the Executive Committee; all Past Presidents; all standing committee chairmen; the State Technical Education Staff; the State Technology Education Staff; the State Health Occupations Education Staff; the State Director of Career Technical Education (these state staff members are allowed to serve only if they are ILS members) and four additional members at large. The President shall serve as Chairman of the Board.

Section 3. Elections
The officers, with the exception of the Director, shall be elected at an annual Spring meeting, the time and place of which shall be determined by the Board, provided that a written notice of said meeting be mailed to each member two weeks prior to the holding of the meeting. Officers shall take office immediately following the installation at the annual Spring Meeting. The Director shall be appointed by the Board and shall take office immediately upon his/her appointment.

Section 4. Term of Office
Each officer shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are appointed or elected. The President shall be sworn into office with an appropriate Gavel Ceremony. The President shall have succeeded from Vice Presidency. In the event that the President shall be unable to fulfill the term of office, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President but shall retain the title of Vice President until succession to the Presidency as provided for above. The Vice President Nominee shall have served on the Board or as an officer a minimum of one term. All officers except the President and Vice President may serve as many years as the membership wishes but must be reelected each year. Board members shall serve as follows: State Staff members shall be ex-officio and shall serve by virtue of their position only if they are members of the Chapter. The four members at large on the Board shall serve for three years. These years will be staggered so that only one rotates off each year. In the year that these Bylaws are approved, one of these members at large shall be elected for one (1) year, one for two (2) years, one for three (3) years, and one for four (4) years. The Director shall not be elected but shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve on a continuing basis at the wishes of the Board.

Section 5. Removal from Office
Officers may be removed from office upon a two-thirds vote at a regular or special Chapter meeting provided that due notice has been given to all members two weeks prior to the vote on removal from office. The officer or board member shall be given an opportunity to respond to the charges before the membership prior to the vote.

ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF CHAPTER OFFICERS

Section 1. Director
It shall be duty of the director to coordinate the affairs of the Epsilon Chapter as directed by the Board. He/She shall work with all Officers, Board Members, Committees, and members to see that all affairs of the Chapter are conducted in a timely, orderly, and consistent manner. He/She should keep a time schedule for all events and activities and advise officers, committee chairmen, and Board members about actions that need to be taken. The Director shall be the Chapter planner.

Section 2 President
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, regular and special, as well as meetings of the Board. The President shall also work with the Director in planning and leading all programs and committees. He/She shall appoint all standing and special committees and serve as ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 3. Vice President
It shall be the duty of the Vice President to preside in the absence of the President and to perform any other duties regularly devolving upon the President in case of the President̢۪s absence or disability. The Vice President shall be Program Chairperson. The Vice President shall assist the President by doing all duties assigned by the President. (Thus relieving the burden of the office of President.)

Section 3 4. Secretary-Membership Secretary
The Secretary-Membership Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the Chapter, be responsible for all Chapter correspondence, maintain the Chapter Membership roll, publish the annual roster, distribute membership cards to active members, submit the Annual Report to the Grand Chapter and request Treasurer to remit Grand Chapter fees and assessments.

Section 5. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall collect all dues, fees, and other moneys as may be received by the Chapter, make routine disbursements upon the request of the Secretary, Director, or President and with the approval of the President. The Treasurer shall deposit the funds of the Society in a bank or trust company approved by the Board and such deposit shall be in the name of Iota Lambda Sigma Epsilon. The signature card and all checks shall be signed by the Treasurer. The President and Director shall also have authority to sign checks in case of an emergency. The Treasurer may, with the approval of the Board, purchase Government Bonds or other securities in the name of Iota Lambda Sigma, Epsilon.

Section 6. Duties of the Historian
It shall be duty of the Historian to maintain and preserve a complete history of the Chapter and its members.

Section 7. Duties of Initiation Team Chairperson
The Initiation Team Chairperson shall be in charge of the Initiation Ceremony, shall have custody of Chapter paraphernalia including the chapter charter, plaques, and other physical property of the chapter and shall receive and preserve all blocks submitted by initiates as evidence of Craftsmanship.

Section 8. Duties of the Immediate Past President
It shall be the duty of the Immediate Past President to serve as chairman of the Committee on Committees; to serve as a council to the President and Board; and to install new officers and board members for the coming year.

Section 9. Board
The management of all affairs, property, and business of the Chapter shall be vested in the Board within the limitations of these Bylaws and the Grand Chapter Constitution of Iota Lambda Sigma. The President or Vice-President, Secretary, and five additional Board members shall constitute a quorum at any Board meeting that has been properly announced at least two weeks in advance. It shall be the duty of the Board to seek and appoint a Director when a vacancy occurs. On the occasion of a vacancy in any office, it shall be the duty of the Board to appoint an eligible member to fill that position until the next regular election.

ARTICLE VIII- AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended at a regular meeting or a special meeting of the members of the Chapter by a vote of two-thirds, provided notice specifying the amendment shall have been presented to the Secretary and read at a meeting of the Board at least one month or more prior to the action thereon. The Secretary shall include a notice of the proposed amendment, in the notice of the meeting which shall be sent to all members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS

Section 1.
The dates of Chapter meeting shall be set by the Board of Directors at the recommendation of the President and Director at the Fall Board meeting. Special meetings may be called by the president or director with the approval of the Board.

Section 2.
At least two (2) Chapter Meetings shall be held each year, one in the Spring and one in the Summer months (time and place to be determined by the Board).

Section 3.
The Board shall meet prior to or after all Chapter Meetings. The Board shall also have a planning meeting in the Fall to approve the annual calendar, and handle other important Chapter business. The Director, with input from the President, shall notify of time and place.

Section 4.
The Secretary shall give due ample notice of meetings to active members for the coming year. It shall be the duty of the secretary to work with the ILS News Editor in publishing these dates well in advance.

Section 5. Quorum for Meetings
Ten members, two of whom shall be the President or Vice President and Secretary, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business except voting on candidates. The quorum for election of candidates shall be ten active members and a majority of the Officers and Board.

ARTICLE X - STANDING COMMITTEES
The Standing Committees of the Epsilon Chapter shall be: Program Initiation, Nominations, Screening, Scholarship, Audit, Awards, Public Relations, Chapter of the Year, Mentor Program, Golf Tournament, and Committee on Committees.

Section 1. Program Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of three (3) members. It shall be the duty of the Program Committee to plan all programs of the Chapter. This includes: recommending meeting sites to the Board; securing the location for the meeting; recommending and securing the main speaker; planning the printed program; and working with the Chapter Printer to have the Program and other handouts printed and at the meeting and on the tables. The Vice President shall serve as chairperson of this committee and shall have the opportunity of recommending members to serve on the committee.

Section 2. Nominations Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members It shall be the duty of the Nominations Committee to nominate all officers and board members, with the exception of the director, to the Chapter during the Spring Meeting. The committee shall keep up with the staggering terms of board members, make sure that all segments of the membership are represented on the board (secondary, postsecondary, technical, technology, and health occupations). The committee shall assist the Immediate Past President with the installation of officers at the close of the Spring Meeting.

Section 3. Screening Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members. It shall be the duty of the Screening Committee to: set a deadline on receiving Applications for Membership; receive and screen Applications for Membership; recommend to the membership worthy candidates for membership who meet the standards set forth for member in these Bylaws; and notify candidates and members who nominated them that they have been received for membership.

Section 4. Initiation Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of thirty (30) members. It shall be the duty of the Initiation Committee to initiate all new members approved by the membership; secure proper records from initiates on the date of the initiation; get this information to the Membership Secretary; and introduce new members to the chapter during the Initiation Banquet and Summer Meeting.

Section 5. Scholarship Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of seven (7) members. It shall be the duty of the Scholarship Committee to lead in raising funds for scholarships; inform all teachers in technical, technology, and health occupations programs about the availability of the teachers and students scholarships; receive and evaluate Application Forms from students and teachers; select and award scholarships during the Summer Meeting; and notify winners and arrange to have them present during the Summer Meeting. The teacher scholarship is to be given out during the Spring Meeting.

Section 6. Audit Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members. It shall be the duty of the Audit Committee to audit the Epsilon Chapter financial records and report their findings to the membership during each meeting. The audit should ascertain that all monies received are properly receipted, that proper deposit records are kept, that an invoice is on file for each expenditure documenting to whom the check was written and the goods and/or services purchased.

Section 7. Awards Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members. It shall be the duty of the Awards Committee to: make all members aware of the awards to be presented each year; set date for award applications to be received; encourage members to recommend members to receive awards; receive and evaluate award applications; decide on award recipients; notify award candidates and have them present at the Spring Meeting; have award plaques prepared; present awards at Spring Meeting; and prepare and submit award applications to Grand Chapter on or before the deadline.

Section 8. Public Relations Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of seven (7) members. It shall be the duty of the Public Relations Committee to: prepare and have PR publications such as brochures printed; man the trade show booth during the ACTE Summer Conference; obtain and maintain an ILS web page on the internet; and prepare and submit news releases for all Chapter activities and award recipients. One of these members shall be the Newlsetter Editor. It shall be the duty of the Newsletter Editor to work with the Officers, Board members, Committee Chairpersons, the Director, the Chapter Printer, and members in editing and publishing three (3) ILS Newsletters yearly. An edition of the ILS News is to be published one month prior to the Spring Meeting, the Summer Meeting, and the Grand Chapter Meeting. The Newsletter should be camera ready and presented to the Printer at least six weeks before the meeting listed above. Another member of this committee shall be the Chapter Printer. It shall be the duty of the Chapter Printer to print or have printed all Chapter publications, handouts for meetings, programs, etc. Any printing should be cleared with the Director, President, or Treasurer before printing. The Chapter Printer shall be responsible for the mailing of the newsletters.

Section 9. Chapter of the Year Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of three (3) members. It shall be the duty of the Chapter of the Year Committee to collect, compile, and put into a scrapbook all information necessary to competitively compete in the Chapter of the Year. Members shall prepare the necessary forms and scrapbook and present to the Grand Chapter on or before the deadline for submission.

Section 10. Mentor Program Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members. It shall be the duty of the Mentor Program Committee to coordinate with the Sate Staff to determine the name and location of all new teachers for the year; assign Chapter members as mentors for all new teachers; educate mentors as to their duties and responsibilities; meet with and notify new teachers of their mentors; notify local education supervisors of the assignment of the mentor; keep in contact with teachers, administrators, and mentors as the year progresses; and recognize mentors for their work and contributions.

Section 11. Golf Tournament Committee
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members. It shall be the duty of the Golf Tournament Committee to: locate site for golf tournament near Summer Meeting location; inform members of location, time, and details of tournament; conduct tournament; determine winners; present winners during Summer Meeting Banquet; use tournament to raise funds for Scholarship Program; and present funds to Treasurer.

Section 12. Committee on Committees
This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members. It shall be the duty of this committee to contact members and gain their commitments to serve on the various committees. This should be done prior to the Spring Meeting each year. The committee is to make its recommendation for committee membership to the President and he/she will then appoint committees during the Spring Meeting.

Article XI. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, the Constitution of the Grand Chapter, and any special rules of order the Chapter may adopt.