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Article I. Name, Key and Seal

The name of this chapter of the international honor society of nursing is Tau Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Incorporated, located at Tarleton State University. It shall use the official key and seal of the Society.

Article II. Purposes

The purposes of this Society shall be to:
1. Recognize superior achievement.
2. Recognize the development of leadership qualities.
3. Foster high professional standards.
4. Encourage creative work.
5. Strengthen commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession.

Article III. Status

Section 1. Nonprofit Organization

This organization is a nonprofit corporation and does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to the members.

Section 2. Limitation of Activities

No substantial part of the activities of this honor society shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the chapter shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Article IV Membership

Section 1. Categories of Membership
a.  Regular members.

Section 2: Qualifications for Regular Membership

  1. Candidates for all categories of membership shall be considered without regard to race, age, gender, creed, color, national origin, disability or other legally protected categories dependent upon jurisdiction.

  2. Regular member

    1. Students in Basic Program

      1. Definition: Basic program is defined as a baccalaureate or equivalent nursing degree program which leads to the first professional nursing degree.

      2. Academic Achievement – Students shall have a grade point average of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale or an equivalent of this measure of academic achievement when grade point averages are not available or used by the nursing degree program i.e., “B” or the second highest grade of the institution shall be used.

      3. Rank in class- Basic students who are elected shall rank not lower than the highest 35 percent of their class in scholarship

      4. Curriculum – Students shall have completed at least one-half of the required nursing curriculum.

      5. Exceptions – Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the chapter’s governance committee following the guidelines adopted by the International Board of Directors.

    2. Students in Graduate Programs

      1. Definition- Graduate program is defined as an accredited program of  graduate study in nursing include master, post-master, doctoral, and post-doctoral. 

      2. Academic Achievement- Students in graduate programs shall be eligible for membership if they have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or an equivalent of this measure of academic achievement when grade point averages are not available or used by the nursing degree program.

      3. Curriculum- Students shall have completed a minimum of one-quarter of the required curriculum.

      4. Exceptions- Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the chapter’s governance committee following the guidelines adopted by the International Board of Directors.

    3. Nurse Leader

      A nurse leader, with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, who has demonstrated marked achievement in nursing education, practice, research, administration or publication shall be eligible for membership. The majority have degrees in nursing, but exception can be made for registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees in other fields if achievement in nursing is outstanding.

Section 3. Selection of Members

  1. Regular Members

    1. Candidates for membership at the baccalaureate and graduate levels are required to be enrolled in the college or university where the chapter is located to be considered for membership in that chapter.

    2. Candidates for regular membership shall be voted upon by the chapter at a meeting of the members. A “yes” vote of at least three-fourths of the members present and voting is necessary for election to membership.

    3. All candidates ordinarily must be present to be inducted. Exceptions may be made for valid reasons, as determined by the officers of the chapter.

    4. Candidates shall pay all Society fees before admission to membership.

Section 4. Rights and Responsibilities of Regular Members

  1. Regular members shall fulfill all the requirements and qualifications defined in this article, perform all duties designated by these bylaws, pay assessed financial obligations, and work toward the purposes of the

    Society.

  2. Membership status - Following the first year of membership, members are designated as active or inactive. Active members pay annual fees.

    1. Active membership benefits: to receive all communications and announcements, opportunity to attend meetings, to participate in activities, to be considered for awards, to vote and hold office.

    2. Inactive members shall become active at any time by paying current renewal fees.

Section 5. Revocation of Membership

Membership in the society maybe revoked at any time by the inducting chapter for just cause and after due process. Revocation of membership shall be determined at a meeting of the inducting chapter, at which a quorum is present, by at least three-fourths vote for revocation  by those present.

Article V. Chapter Organization and Responsibilities

Section 1.  Organization

This chapter is a constituent of the organization of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Incorporated.  It shall function under bylaws, policies, and procedures which are not in conflict with those of the society.

Section 2 House of Delegates

  1. There shall be two official delegates to represent the chapter at the House of Delegates of the Society. If only one delegate can attend, that delegate shall have two votes.  If the chapter has a nominee for an officer in the society, it should consider sending this individual as a delegate to the House of Delegates.  A delegate is required to be an active member of this chapter.

  2. The term of the delegates shall be from the opening of convention for which the delegate is selected to serve until the opening of the next convention.

  3. Electronic voting

    1. Chapter delegates may vote electronically on chapter charter applications.

    2. The procedures and time limitations for electronic voting shall be set by the International Board of Directors.

Section 3  Chapter Standing

To be in good standing, this chapter shall fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Support the purposes of this Society

  2. Observe the provisions of these bylaws

  3. Participate in the biennial convention House of Delegates

  4. Select and induct eligible members a minimum of one time annually.

  5. Meet all financial obligations

  6. File required reports according to established guidelines.

Section 4  Suspension or Revocation

  1. The activities of this chapter may be suspended by the Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International for failure to comply with the Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws, this chapter’s bylaws, or Society policies and regulations.

  2. Upon recommendation of the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors, the House of Delegates may revoke the charter of this chapter.

Article VI  Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings

This chapter shall have at least one annual (business) meeting and at least two programs of a scholarly nature during each fiscal year. The annual (business) meeting, where officers and committees present written annual reports to the membership, may be held in conjunction with a scholarly program.
 
Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the president or upon request of six (6) members of the chapter

Article VII: Board of Directors

Section 1. Membership

The members of the Board of Directors of this chapter shall consist of the elected officers.  The elected members of the Board of Directors are the voting members.

Section 2. Focus

The elected members of the Board of Directors have the authority and responsibility to manage the chapter consistent with these bylaws and in an appropriate legal manner.

Section 3. Functions

  1. Carry forward the Society’s objectives.

  2. Manage the business and fiscal affairs of the chapter

  3. Monitor the income and disbursement of funds.

  4. Make policies for its own actions and the actions of its committees.

  5. Appoint chairs of elected committees and appoint members and chairs of non-elected committees.

  6. Supervise and manage the committees and publications.

  7. Act as liaison between the chapter and school.

  8. Assure that the chapter fulfills the requirements to maintain good standing in the Society

  9. Assure appropriate eligibility process for selection of candidates for membership.

Section 4. Meetings

The board of Directors of this chapter shall meet as necessary to conduct the business between meetings of the general membership.

Article VIII. Officers

Section 1. Titles

  1. Each chapter elects a chapter president, president-elect (optional) a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and one or more counselors per site.  Officers are active members of this chapter.

  2. The president, with the approval of the Board of Directors, when appropriate, shall appoint such other persons as may be necessary to conduct the business of the chapter.

Section 2. Vacancies

The vice president fills the vacancy of president; other offices are filled by appointment of the Board of Directors until the next election.

Section 3. Duties

The duties of the chapter officers shall be as follows:

  1. The president shall be the executive officer and shall administer all business of the chapter as provided for by the bylaws.  The president serves as chief representative of the chapter and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

  2. The president-elect shall succeed into the presidency at the end of the term of office and shall promote the purposes of the Society.

  3. The vice president shall perform the duties of the president in the president’s absence and shall serve on the Program Committee.

  4. The secretary shall prepare and distribute meeting minutes.

  5. The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of this chapter and may be bonded in an amount equal to three-fourths of the worth of the honor society.  The treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the Finance Committee.

  6. Counselors shall be members of the faculty at the university where the chapter is located. 

  7. Counselors shall serve as chairpersons of the Governance Committee.

  8. Each officer shall submit a report at each Board of Directors meeting and to members at the annual (business) meeting.

Article IX. Elections

Section 1. Elections

Elections shall be held at the annual (business) meeting or by mail or ballot in the spring.  Those elected shall assume their duties by July 1 of the year in which they are elected.

Ssection 2. Positions

Elected positions shall be the chapter officers,
directors, and members of the Leadership Succession Committee. Members of the Governance Committee may be elected or appointed.

Section 3. Vote

  1. A majority vote shall elect officers.

  2. When there are more than two (2) candidates running for the same office, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the election.

  3. In the event of a tie, the election shall be determined by lot.

Section 4. Terms

  1. The length of the term of all officers is two (2) years.

  2. Terms of office are staggered so that all officers, directors, and Governance and Leadership Succession  Committee members do not end their terms at the same time. President-elect, secretary, one counselor, and one Proviso: If a two-year term for president-elect is not possible. The president-elect may hold office for one year and succeed to president for two (2) years.

  3. To achieve staggered terms for the Governance Committee, in even-numbered years, one (1)Governance Committee member will be elected to a two (2) year term and two (2)Leadership Committee members will be elected to a one (1) year term.  In odd-numbered years, two (2) Governance Committee members will be elected to a two (2) year term.

  4. No members of the Board of Directors shall exceed a total of six (6) consecutive years on the Board of Directors.

Article X. Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees

  1. The standing committees shall be: Bylaws Committee, Governance and Leadership Succession Committee, Finance Committee, Members Involvement Committee, Program Committee, and others if desired.

  2. The term of office shall be two (2) years. A member may not serve longer than six (6) consecutive years.

  3. Each standing committee chair shall present a report to the business meetings of the Board of Directors and an annual report to the membership at the annual (business)

    meeting.

  4. Each committee prepares, reviews, and makes recommendations regarding policies corresponding to its area of responsibility for Board of Directors approval.

Section 2. Bylaws Committee

  1. Mission-The Bylaws Committee shall submit amendments in accordance with Article XIII, Amendments to Bylaws; shall consider, edit and/or correlate such amendments as it may originate and as are referred to it; and shall review all bylaws periodically; and shall oversee, at the direction of the Board of Directors, the creation and update, as necessary, of the guidelines for interpretation of bylaws used to guide the management of the honor society’s activities. 

  2. Membership -The Bylaws Committee shall consist of at least three (3) appointed members and a chairperson

  3. The Bylaws Committee chair is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Eligibility Committee.

Section 3. Governance Committee

  1. Mission-The Governance Committee shall oversee bylaws compliance, make recommendations for bylaws changes and oversee member and chapter eligibility issues.

  2. Membership -The Governance Committee shall consist of at least three (3) appointed members and an elected counselor.

  3. The Eligibility Committee chair is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Bylaws Committee.

Section 4. Finance Committee

  1. Mission -The Finance Committee shall be responsible for recommending the society’s annual and biennial budgets for approval to the Board of Directors and reviewing and recommending the society’s financial policy, guidelines and fee structure changes.

  2. Membership -The Finance Committee shall consist of at least two (2) appointed members and the treasurer as ex-officio member.

Section 5. Membership Involvement Committee

  1. Mission -The Membership Involvement Committee shall be responsible for promoting membership renewals and involvement and coordinating new member orientation activities.

  2. Membership -The Membership Involvement Committee shall consist of at least three (3) appointed members.

Section 6 Leadership Succession

Mission: the leadership succession committee shall develop members in leadership roles across the span of their career.

  1. Membership -The Leadership Succession  Committee shall consist of at least three (3) elected members.

  2. The Leadership succession committee shall not be eligible for any elected office of the current ballot.

Section 7. Program Committee

  1. Mission -The Program Committee shall be responsible

    for the programs of the chapter including the induction ceremony and two scholarly programs annually.

  2. Membership -The Program Committee shall consist

    of the vice president and at least three (3) appointed

    members.

Section 8. Additional Standing Committees

Additional standing committees may be appointed by the
Board of Directors of deemed appropriate.

  1. Research Committee

  2. Awards Committee

  3. Publicity/Newsletter Committee

  4. Heritage Committee

  5. Others as needed

Section 9. Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed for some special
work or purpose.  The term of the special committee ends
at the completion of the charge and the presentation of the report.

Article XI. Finance

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30.

Section 2. Chapter Fees and Assessments

A fee shall be levied on this chapter annually, in accordance with the Sigma Theta Tau International Bylaws Article XI, Section 2 a.

  1. Special assessments may be levied on this chapter by the House of Delegates, by a three fourths vote.

Section 3. Induction and Renewal Fee Changes

All proposed changes in the chapter’s induction and renewal fees shall be recommended by the Board of Directors.  These recommendations, accompanied by rationale, will be provided to active chapter members Sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which they will be voted on by the active membership.

Section 4. Induction Fee

Each new member shall pay, a Society induction fee and a chapter induction fee as determined by the board of directors.  This shall entitle the new member to active membership with all its benefits form the date of induction through one year to the member’s anniversary date of induction.  The chapter induction fee is forty dollars ($40) plus the Society induction fee.

Section 5. Renewal Fee

  1. Membership year -July 1 to June 30.

  2. Membership Status -Following the first year of membership, members are designated as active or inactive.  Each member shall pay an annual renewal fee as designated by the chapter.  The chapter annual renewal fee is forty dollars ($40).

  3. Retired members are eligible to pay half of the renewal fee for regular members.

Section 5 Renewal Fee Collection –

  1. Membership status- following the first year of membership, members are designated as active or inactive.  Each member shall pay an annual renewal fee as designated by the chapter board of directors and the society renewal fee as designated by the International Board of Directors for active member benefits.  The annual chapter renewal fee is $30.00.

  2. Retire members and full-time students are eligible to pay half of the renewal fee for regular members.

  3. Renewal Fee Collection – Chapter and society fees are collected by Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters unless another agreement has been negotiated with headquarters

Section 6. Chapter Financial Responsibilities

This Chapter is an independent, autonomous organization affiliated with the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Incorporated. The chapter determines the amounts of its fees and assessments.  The chapter has control of its income, expenses, contracts, accounting system, and internal reports.

Article XII. Quorum

Section 1. Membership
A quorum at a chapter business meeting shall consist of three (3) officers and seven (7) members.

Section 2. Board of Directors

A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of three (3) members.

Article XIII. Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern this Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or special rules of the society.

Article XIV. Amendments to Bylaws

Section 1. Amendments with Notice

These bylaws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the chapter members present and voting at any meeting of the chapter.  Proposed amendments shall be in the hands of the chapter secretary at least forty-five (45) days before the date of the meeting and shall be appended to the call to the meeting sent thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Section 2. Amendments without Notice

These bylaws may be amended by unanimous vote of the members present and voting at any scheduled meeting without previous notice.

Section 3. Chapter Bylaws Approval

Bylaws are submitted to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters  for review and approval by the International Governance Committee.

Article XV. Dissolution

The process for dissolution of a chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Incorporated, shall be as follows:

Section 1. Initial Action

  1. Chapter officers contact Sigma Theta Tau International headquarters to discuss the process of chapter dissolution or other potential options available to the chapter.

  2. A resolution for dissolution of the chapter is presented at a regular meeting and must be signed by a majority of active (voting) members present at the meeting. Chapter officers then call a special meeting of the chapter to vote on the resolution for dissolution of the chapter.  Three-fourths of the active members present must vote to dissolve.

Section 2. If Chapter Approves Dissolution

  1. The chapter officers shall notify the Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors of the chapter’s decision and take the necessary steps to conclude the affairs of the chapter in accordance with statutory requirements existing at the date such action is taken.

  2. The chapter’s charter and coat of arms shall be returned to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters.

Section 3. Disposition of Chapter Funds

All cash and other assets remaining after the chapter’s outstanding debts are paid should be returned to Sigma Theta Tau International Headquarters and designated for a specific fund, (ie research, library, sustaining fund).  Or if a majority of the dissolved chapter’s members transfer to the same chapter, remaining funds may be contributed to that chapter. (The recipient organization shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue law or the governing law of that chapter’s country).

Section 4. Options for Chapter Members

If the chapter dissolves, all members have the opportunity to transfer their membership to a chapter of their choice.  Those members not indicating their choice of where their membership should be transferred will be transferred to a chapter in the area.  Anytime after this transfer by Sigma Theta Tau International headquarters, these members may transfer to any other chapter of their choice.