Tau Beta Sigma 
National Constitution 

VI. Chapters

1. GENERAL

6.101 Chapters of Tau Beta Sigma Sorority shall be established throughout the general jurisdiction of the Sorority at academically accredited colleges and universities and shall operate under the supreme authority of the Director of Bands.  The Director of Bands is responsible for governing and monitoring the daily activities and affairs of the local chapter.  The Director of Bands may choose to appoint an individual to serve in the role of chapter sponsor.  The National Council shall recognize the authority of the chapter sponsor appointed by the Director of Bands; however, the Director of Bands has ultimate authority in matters pertaining to the chapter.  The sponsor and Director of Bands are ex officio of all chapter committees. 

6.102 Chapters shall be named after letters in the Greek alphabet. After the alphabet has been exhausted, the chapters shall be named by prefixing each letter with the first letter of the alphabet and again reusing the alphabet. After again exhausting the alphabet, the chapters shall be named by prefixing each letter with the second letter of the alphabet and so on as chapter names are needed. Alphabet letters shall be assigned consecutively as chapters are named. 

6.103 The chapter shall have jurisdiction over all its members at the college or university where the chapter is located. 

6.104 Each chapter shall have its own constitution that shall be approved by the Chapter Sponsor. The chapter constitution shall in no way conflict with or receive priority over the National Constitution, except as specified in Section 1.116. 

6.105 PROBATION. Any chapter, which becomes delinquent in any obligation(s) to the National Sorority shall be placed on probation. Likewise, any chapter which displays conduct in violation to the policies of the National Organization may also be placed on probation. The National President, in consultation with the National Council and the National Executive Director, shall contact the chapter and prescribe such terms and conditions as necessary and appropriate to correct the deficiency and/or failures of the chapter and ensure observance of Sorority obligations. Said chapter’s Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and District President shall be notified within ten (10) days of disciplinary action. 

6.106 SUSPENSION. Upon receiving information that a chapter is not following the policies and procedures of the Sorority, the National Council shall discipline said chapter by placing it on disciplinary suspension. Chapters will automatically be placed on financial suspension for failure to pay chapter fee or member dues. All chapter functions and activities shall be suspended pending an investigation by a representative of the National Organization who shall make a written report to the National Council within ten (10) days following the conclusion of the investigation. The National Council, after reviewing the report and the chapter’s response and any other information provided to them, may take appropriate action to discipline the chapter. All meetings of the chapter under suspension must be approved by the Chapter Sponsor and the National President and be attended by the Chapter Sponsor. The chapter may appeal the disciplinary action imposed in accordance with a procedure established by the National Council to ensure due process to the chapter. Said chapter’s Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and District President shall be notified within ten (10) days of disciplinary action. 

6.107 CHARTER REVOCATION. Upon due cause, including continued failure of a chapter to follow the policies and procedures of the Sorority, the National Council shall revoke the charter of a chapter. The National Headquarters shall take appropriate measures to effect surrender of the chapter’s charter and other items of identification with the Sorority. Where appropriate, remaining collegiate members of the chapter shall also be indefinitely suspended. The chapter may appeal the disciplinary action imposed in accordance with a procedure established by the National Council to ensure due process to the chapter. Said chapter’s Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and District President shall be notified within ten (10) days of disciplinary action. 

6.108 REINSTATEMENT. A chapter charter which has been revoked may be reinstated after inspection by a representative of the National Organization, provided that the petitioning group meets the standards required for a new chapter and that all financial obligations accrued prior to revocation of the chapter have been settled. A chapter so reinstated shall be granted its previous chapter name. 

6.109 INACTIVE. If a chapter becomes so small that it is unable to function the chapter may be placed on inactive status by the National Council. During this period, the chapter shall be relieved of all national obligations, which would otherwise be incurred. It shall lose all voting rights at conventions and the right to initiate members. Members of the chapter prior to inactive status shall be transferred to alumni membership. An inactive chapter may be reinstated to active status, provided the petitioning group meets the standards required for a new chapter. Said chapter’s Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and District President shall be notified of these actions within ten (10) days. 

2. OFFICERS

6.201 The officers of a chapter shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, or other officers as deemed necessary by the individual chapter. 

6.202 The active members of a chapter shall elect its officers at a regularly called meeting of the chapter. 

6.203 Each chapter officer shall be an active member of the Sorority in good standing at the time of election and during her/his term of office. Each chapter officer shall possess more than ordinary business ability and shall be capable of representing the chapter under all ordinary conditions. Each officer shall have the best interest of the Sorority at heart and shall be willing and able to devote the necessary time to the execution of the office. A member who has been elected to an office but does not enroll in band in the course of the term of office is ineligible to continue as an officer of the chapter. In the event an officer cannot enroll in the band due to a class schedule of subjects required for graduation, the person elected can continue as an officer for that academic term, with the approval of the chapter. In this event, if this officer does not enroll in band the following academic term, the individual is automatically dropped as an officer. 

6.204 The time of election of chapter officers shall be left to the chapter’s discretion. Nominations for each office shall be made from the floor of the meeting and a majority of all votes cast shall be necessary for election. 

6.205 Each chapter officer shall serve for a period of one year. Chapter officers shall serve without compensation. 

6.206 The President shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and shall be a nonvoting member of all chapter committees which shall be appointed by the President. The President shall sign all checks for monies disbursed and shall sign all contracts and other instruments of business incurred by the chapter. The President shall be responsible for filing a Fall Activity Report and Chapter Summary Report to the National Headquarters. In addition, the President shall be designated as the official representative of the chapter whenever such representation shall be required. 

6.207 The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, preside at meetings of the chapter and shall advance the purpose of the Sorority as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution by promoting the work of the chapter as performed by its several officers and committees. The Vice President shall be responsible for the education, training, and initiation of all members of the chapter. 

6.208 The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the chapter and shall sign all contracts and other instruments of business incurred by the chapter. The Secretary shall maintain a permanent record of each member of the chapter, including name, address, chapter number, and instrument played. In addition, the Secretary shall prepare and send news items to the National Executive Director and shall be responsible for all chapter correspondence. 

6.209 The Treasurer shall control the receipts and disbursements of all monies of the chapter, and shall submit recommendations concerning the financial policies of the chapter as may be required. The Treasurer shall sign all checks for monies disbursed. In addition, the Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of the monies for and ordering of all regalia from the National Executive Director of the Sorority. 

6.210 Each officer, except the President, shall have one vote at all meetings of the chapter. The President shall only vote when the vote is by secret ballot, or when her/his vote will affect the result. 

3. FINANCES

6.301  All monies of the chapter shall be received and expended by the chapter Treasurer. 

6.302  The fiscal year for the chapter shall be determined by the chapter and this information filed in the National Headquarters. 

6.303  The financial policies of the chapter shall be governed by a budget adopted at least once per fiscal year and at a frequency determined by the chapter. 

6.304 Income of the chapter shall be derived from annual dues assessed each active member and fundraising projects conducted by the chapter. Dues shall be determined by the chapter but shall include all annual national membership fees as determined by the National Chapter and payable to the Tau Beta Sigma Sorority on or before September 30 of each year.

6.305 Each chapter shall pay an annual nationalchapter fee as determined by the National Chapter which is payable to the Tau Beta Sigma Sorority on or before September 30 of each year. 

4. COMMITTEES

6.401 The Standing Committees of the chapter shall be: Committee on Service, Committee on Membership, Committee on History, Committee on Ways and Means, and Committee on Ritual and Regalia. Other Committees may be established as deemed necessary by the needs of the chapter. 

6.402 All Committees shall be appointed by the chapter President and shall consist of as many members as the President deems necessary. 

6.403 Members of Committees shall serve until relieved of their appointment by the President of the chapter. 

5. MEETINGS

6.501 A regularly called meeting of the chapter shall be held at least once each month during the regular academic school year of the college or university where the chapter is located. Meetings may be held more frequently when deemed advisable by the chapter. The exact time of the meeting shall be determined by the chapter. 

6.502 Special chapter meetings may be called upon favorable vote of seventy-five (75) percent of the active members of the chapter or upon recommendation of the chapter President approved by a fifty (50) percent vote of the chapter officers. 

6.503 Each chapter shall define their quorum according to the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. 

6.504 In general, the order of business of all chapter meetings shall be: 
a.  Opening Ceremonies 
b.  Reading of Minutes 
c.  Report of Chapter Officers 
d.  Unfinished Business 
e.  New Business 
f.  Report of Committees 
g.  Closing Ceremonies 
When deemed advisable, the general order of business may be changed by the chapter President. 

6. MEMBERSHIP

6.601 Chapter membership shall consist of seven (7) types: Active, Conditional, Inactive, Associate, Honorary, Alumni, and Life Membership; and shall not be recognized by the chapter until all initiation fees have been paid and the initiation, as prescribed by ritual, completed. 

6.602 ACTIVE.  All active members of the Sorority shall be college or university students who are enrolled/actively participating in the band and have paid their current membership dues for the year. In the event a member of the Sorority is unable to enroll/actively participate in band, the person may continue as an active member for the academic term provided chapter members and sponsor so desire. An exception must be approved by the National President. Active members are eligible to hold office, serve on committees and take part in all business and social affairs of the chapter. Voting privileges will only be given to active and associate members. 

6.603 A member of Kappa Kappa Psi who has ever held active status in Kappa Kappa Psi is not eligible for active membership in Tau Beta Sigma. 

6.604 CONDITIONAL.  Conditional status in the Sorority may be maintained for one year by a formerly active member in good standing. Conditional status may be requested by an Active member, in writing, from the chapter when conflicts arise because of work or class schedules and thus prevent the student fulfilling the requirements for active membership. The request shall be approved by the Sponsor and Director of Bands. The definition and terms for Conditional Status shall not be altered on the local chapter level, nor shall Conditional Status be imposed upon Actives to meet obligations.  Conditional members may attend all meetings and functions, however they are ineligible to hold office or vote.  Members who meet these criteria shall be granted conditional status contingent upon payment of the current year’s Member Dues. If after one year, the member has not reclaimed active status or become an Alumni or Life member, the member will be classified as inactive with the chapter. 

6.605 INACTIVE.  Former active members who are enrolled in school but do not pay Member Dues will be classified as inactive members. Inactive members are not considered in good standing and therefore, have no active membership privileges. 

6.606 ASSOCIATE.  Associate Membership is granted to members of Kappa Kappa Psi who transfer to a college or university which does not have an active Kappa Kappa Psi chapter and meet the requirements as defined in the present transfer policy. Before becoming eligible for Associate Membership, the potential Associate member must be educated in the Ritual and traditions of Tau Beta Sigma. Associate members may vote and hold office. Any exceptions must be approved by the National Council. 

6.607 HONORARY.  In recognition of outstanding ability, accomplishment, or devotion to the best interest of the Sorority, a person can be given Honorary membership by a chapter. This shall be the highest honor which can be conferred by a chapter. Undergraduates are ineligible for this recognition. 

6.608 ALUMNI.  Alumni status shall be granted to those members of the sorority who are Active, Associate, or Conditional their last term prior to completing their education or terminating their affiliation with their college or university. Alumni members of the sorority shall have the same privileges as active members except for voting and introducing business. An alumni member shall be able to serve as a nonvoting member of any active chapter committee. If an alumni member wishes to reactivate, the alumnus must be a student, be enrolled in the university’s band, and meet the requirements as an active member of the local chapter.

6.609 All members and membership candidates must meet local campus organizational membership policies. 

6.610 Membership Candidacy in the Sorority may be offered to students enrolled/actively participating in the college or university band. They shall possess unusually good character, and they shall be outstanding persons of leadership on the campus. 

6.611 Any member of the Sorority shall be permitted to propose the name of a person eligible to become a membership candidate at chapter meetings. A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the total active membership shall be required to elect a person to membership candidacy. 

6.612 Before becoming eligible for active membership, a membership candidate must complete a Membership Education Program as prescribed by the chapter. If a membership candidate fails to meet the requirements of the chapter or Sorority, her/his candidacy may be terminated for that academic term by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the chapter’s total active membership. 

6.613 The maintenance of the fine tradition of quality membership shall be the sole responsibility of the initiating chapter. The chapter Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the National Headquarters of all initiations by use of the “Initiate Registration Form” which must be submitted with date of initiation and current initiation fee. The candidate shall not be considered initiated until the name and proper initiation fee have been received by the National Executive Director and until it has been recorded in the Master Roster at the National Headquarters. 

6.614 The national initiation fee shall be paid to the proper chapter officer who will see that it is forwarded to the National Headquarters with properly completed initiate form. The initiation fee shall entitle the initiate to receive a membership certificate, membership card, and a gold recognition pin, all to be supplied by the National Executive Director. In addition to the above, the initiation fee fulfills national membership fee requirements during the current academic year. 

6.615 The initiation fee for each honorary member initiated by a chapter shall be submitted to the National Headquarters with an “Initiate Registration Form”. The National Executive Director shall provide a special membership certificate, identification membership card, and gold recognition pin. Additional jewelry for honorary members may be purchased by the chapter if deemed advisable. 

6.616 LIFE.  Alumni or senior members, upon payment of Life Membership fees together with an application to the National Headquarters shall be entitled to Life Membership privileges in the Sorority providing their addresses are available at the National Headquarters. If application for Life Membership is requested within two years of graduation, it must have chapter approval. Purchase of a Life Membership by a senior does not exempt a person from payment of annual membership dues during the senior year. 

6.617 Disciplinary action of a member may consist of probation, suspension, or expulsion. Any such disciplinary action shall be left to the discretion of the local chapter and Chapter Sponsor. 

6.618 A member who becomes delinquent in any obligation(s) to the chapter or who displays conduct in violation of National, District, or Chapter policies may be placed on probation. The chapter Executive Board shall consult with the Chapter Sponsor before placing a member on probation. A member may be placed on probation by a majority vote of the chapter’s Executive Board. A member of the Executive Board shall inform the member of the probationary status and prescribe the terms and conditions (as prescribed by the Executive Board) necessary to remove the probationary status. The Chapter Sponsor and District Counselor shall be notified within ten (10) days of any disciplinary action. 

6.619 A member on probation who does not successfully make restitution or any member who violates any policies or procedures of the National, District or local Chapter may be placed on suspension. Prior to a vote to suspend a member, the Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and said member shall be informed in writing of the reasons for the disciplinary action. A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the chapter’s total active membership shall be required to place or lift a suspension. A suspended member shall have no active membership privileges. Once a member has been suspended, the member shall be notified in writing of the obligations to be fulfilled and a specified time period to fulfill them. The District Counselor and the National Headquarters must be notified within ten (10) days of the placement and lifting of any suspension. 

6.620 A suspended member who does not successfully meet the obligations specified pursuant to Section 6.619, or any member who repeatedly violates the National, District, or local Chapter policies or procedures, may be expelled. In order to expel a member a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the total active membership is required. Prior to a vote on expulsion, the member has a right to a hearing before the active chapter membership and Chapter Sponsor. At least one week prior to the expulsion hearing, the member, Chapter Sponsor, District Counselor, and National Headquarters shall be notified of the reason for the disciplinary action. The vote on expulsion shall be by secret ballot and the member will be informed of the vote totals. Having been expelled, the member shall return to the chapter all regalia and property of the Sorority being held, and the expulsion shall be noted on the Master Chapter Roster at National Headquarters. 

7. DELEGATES AND PROXIES 

6.701 A Delegate, Alternate Delegate, or Proxy shall represent each chapter at each District and National Chapter Convention. In the absence of a Delegate and an Alternate Delegate to a National Convention or District Convention, each chapter may designate the Alternate Delegate of another chapter in attendance at the Convention to serve as Proxy. A written Proxy must be submitted to and approved by the President prior to the opening session of the Convention. The chapter issuing the proxy and the chapter designated as the proxy holder must be active and in good standing with the National Headquarters. All proxies not meeting the above requirements are void. All seats of chapters in good standing with the National Headquarters that are vacant shall be filled alphabetically with proxies from the chapters present. 

6.702 The active members of a chapter shall elect its delegates at a regularly called meeting of the chapter. 

6.703 Each chapter delegate shall be an active member of the Sorority in good standing at the time of election. Each Delegate shall possess more than ordinary business ability and shall be capable of representing the chapter under all conditions at the Convention to which delegated. Each delegate shall have the best interests of the Sorority at heart and shall be willing and able to devote the necessary time to the execution of the duties imposed. 

6.704 The election of chapter delegates to the regular District Convention shall be held at least thirty (30) days prior to the opening date of the Convention. The election of chapter delegates to the National Chapter Convention shall be held at least sixty (60) days prior to the opening date of the Convention. 

6.705 Each chapter delegate shall make the necessary arrangements to be in attendance at each session of the Convention to which delegated and shall be prepared to take an active part in the business of the Convention and to execute such duties as may be imposed by the Convention. 

6.706 Chapter delegates shall serve without compensation. Expenses of chapter delegates, when authorized by the chapter, shall be paid by the chapter upon presentation of a written statement approved by the Chapter President and Treasurer. 

8. REPORTS

6.801 All reports to the National Headquarters shall be typewritten and a duplicate copy maintained in the chapter file. 

6.802 All reports of the chapter shall be submitted to the National Executive Director in writing at times specified by the National Headquarters and on forms prescribed by the National Headquarters. 

6.803 The chapter constitution, and/or bylaws, and Membership Education Program shall be submitted with the Chapter Summary Report during the even numbered years.