Tau Beta Sigma 
National Constitution 

3. National Chapter 

1. GENERAL

3.101 The governing body of Tau Beta Sigma Sorority shall be the National Chapter, composed of all chapters of the organization meeting in regularly called convention. 

3.102 The administrative body of the Sorority shall be the National Council, composed of all National Officers. This National Council may exercise extraordinary powers in order to change the Sorority’s internal construction and Constitution into compliance with Federal Statutes. The Council shall be in absolute power between regularly called conventions except as noted in Section 3.103. 

3.103 The National Council shall have jurisdiction over all component parts of the Sorority except the Corporation and shall represent them and approve all decisions in ordinary matters of national policy, public relationship, legal action, and controversy which may be referred to the National Council. The National Chapter is supreme in all matters pertaining to its affairs while in convention and, through the National Council, has the sole right to superintend and govern all chapters of the Sorority. Upon a seventy-five (75) percent favorable vote of the National Council between conventions a matter may be referred to the Corporation’s Board of Trustees for final decision and action. 

3.104 A sixty (60) percent favorable vote, unless otherwise specifically stated herein, shall be necessary for disposition of matters before the National Council between conventions. 

2. OFFICERS 

3.201 The officers of the National Chapter shall be: National President, National Vice President for Colonization and Membership, National Vice President for Special Projects, National Vice President for Communication and Recognition, National Vice President for Educational Programs, and National Professional Relations Officer.

3.202 The National Chapter, assembled in convention, shall elect all National Officers of the sorority except the National Vice President for Educational Programs and the National Professional Relations Officer, who shall be appointed by the National President with approval of the National Council. 

3.203 Each National Officer shall be a member of the sorority in good standing and at least twenty-five (25) years of age at the time of election. Each National Officer shall have completed an undergraduate degree program. Each National Officer shall possess outstanding business ability and shall be capable of representing the Sorority under all ordinary conditions. All shall be willing and able to devote the necessary time to the execution of the duties imposed by the office and shall be actively participating in or serving bands during their term of office. 

3.204 Each National Officer shall serve for a period of two (2) years from convention to convention. The National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall be advanced to the office of National President provided said officer receives a simple majority vote of the convention. The National President and Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall not be eligible for reelection. 

3.205 The National President shall be designated as the Executive Officer of the Sorority and of the National Chapter and the National Council. The National President shall be a nonvoting member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee, of which she/he cannot be a member, and shall sign all charters, shingles, contracts, and other instruments of business of the Sorority. Said officer shall appoint all standing and special committees, shall be a member ex-officio of the corporation’s Board of Trustees, and shall further be designated as the official representative of the National Chapter, whenever such representation shall be required. In addition, the National President shall have held at least one national office. 

3.206 The National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall, in the absence of the National President, preside at meetings of the National Council, and shall be designated as the Expansion Officer of the Sorority. The National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall advance the purposes of the Sorority as stated in the Preamble of this Constitution by working with District Officers in the area of expansion on behalf of the Sorority. The National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall shall have held at least one national office. 

3.207 The National Vice President for Special Projects shall, in the absence of the National President and the National Vice President for Colonization and Membership, preside at meetings of the National Chapter and National Council. Said Officer shall be designated as the Program Officer of the Sorority in charge of enforcing the programs of the Sorority. The National Vice President for Special Projects may serve a maximum of two (2) terms.   

3.208 The National Vice President for Communication and Recognition shall be designated as the Recording and Credentials Officer of the Sorority and shall record, publish, and distribute the minutes of all meetings of the National Chapter and of the National Council. The National Vice President for Communication and Recognition will make summaries of all National Council meetings available through the National Headquarters. The NationalVice President for Communication and Recognition  shall sign all charters, shingles, contracts, and other instruments of business. The National Vice President for Communication and Recognition may serve a maximum of two (2) terms. 

3.209 The National Professional Relations Officer shall serve as a liaison for Tau Beta Sigma with the music profession. The National Professional Relations Officer shall be appointed by the National President with approval of the National Council and shall serve a term of two years. In addition, said Officer shall be at least thirty (30) years of age at the time of appointment. 

3.210 The National Vice President for Educational Programs shall serve as an educational officer for Tau Beta Sigma. Said officer shall be charged with the development and implementation of educational programs for the Sorority. The National Vice President for Educational Programs shall be appointed by the National President with approval of the National Council and shall serve a term of two years as a nonvoting member of the National Council. Said officer shall be at least thirty (30) years of age at the time of appointment

3.211 Each National Officer shall have one (1) vote at all meetings of the National Chapter and National Council, except the National President. The National President shall vote when her/his vote will effect the results or if the vote is by ballot. The National Executive Director and the National Vice President for Educational Programs shall have no vote. National Officers shall not be eligible to serve as chapter proxies at conventions. 

3.212 If a vacancy occurs in the office of National President, the National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall become National President if there is more than one year remaining prior to the next National Convention. If there is less than one year remaining prior to the next National Convention, the office of National President shall remain vacant, but the National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall assume the duties of the President. If a vacancy occurs in the office of National Vice President for Colonization and Membership, the National Vice President for Special Projects shall become the National Vice President for Colonization and Membership. Should a vacancy occur in any other office, the National President, with the approval of the National Council, may choose to appoint a replacement, though she/he will not be required to do so. 

3.213 Should the National Vice President of Colonization and Membership choose not to advance to the office of National President, or in the case of a vacancy in the office of Vice President for Colonization and Membership at the National Convention, both a National President and a National Vice President for Colonization and Membership shall be elected at the National Convention. 

3.214 A National Officer may be removed from office by a unanimous vote of four (4) National Officers and a seventy-five (75) percent favorable vote of the Board of Trustees. 

3. FINANCES 

3.301 All monies of the National Chapter shall be received and expended by the National Executive Director. 

3.302 The National Executive Director and all National Headquarters employees shall be covered by a blanket bond by a surety company selected by the National Council. The bond premiums shall be paid by the National Chapter. 

3.303 The fiscal year for the National Chapter shall be from July 1 to June 30. The National President and National Executive Director shall institute a continuous audit to have the financial records of the National Chapter audited by a Certified Public Accountant. Copies of the audit shall be submitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and to each member of the National Council. 

3.304 Between conventions, the financial policies of the National Chapter shall be governed by a seventy-five (75) percent favorable vote of the National Council. 

3.305 Income of the National Chapter shall be derived from three (3) principal sources: charter fees received from new chapters at the time of installation, annual national chapter fees, and annual national membership fees. Chapters who are unable to meet their financial obligations will be automatically placed on probation. 

3.306 Chapters who do not pay chapter fees and dues on time will be assessed late fees.  Chapters who fail to attend pre-arranged visits with the Chapter Field Representative will be assessed a penalty fee in order to compensate the Sorority for expenses incurred. 

4. MEETINGS 

3.401  A regularly called convention of the National Chapter shall be held once every two (2) years during the odd numbered year. Each district is encouraged to provide input to the National Executive Director, the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi and the National Council of Tau Beta Sigma regarding potential host chapters and locations for the convention.  All dates and contracts of the proposed convention sites shall be negotiated by the National Executive Director and approved by the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi and the National Council of Tau Beta Sigma.  National Conventions shall be held where active chapters of the Fraternity and/or Sorority are located or where host chapters will be able to adequately support the convention and National Intercollegiate Band requirements.  The National Convention shall be at the same time and place as Kappa Kappa Psi National Conventions. 

3.402 Special Conventions of the National Chapter may be called upon a favorable vote of seventy-five (75) percent of the chapters in good standing or upon recommendation of the National President, approved by a (75) percent vote of the National Council. 

3.403 A one hundred twenty (120) day written notice prior to the dates of all National Conventions shall be given to all National Officers, District Counselors, District Presidents, Chapters, and NAA Directors by the National Executive Director. 

3.404 Official Delegates or Proxies from a majority of the chapters in good standing, together with at least three (3) National Officers, shall constitute a quorum at all Conventions. 

3.405 Tau Beta sigma recognizes the use of Joint meetings with the Kappa Kappa Psi National Chapter to adopt programs, procedures, and policies. Any such joint program, procedure, or policy adopted in a joint meeting must have a majority vote of the Tau Beta Sigma delegates in order to be binding on Tau Beta Sigma.

3.405 In general, the order of business for all Conventions shall be: 
a.  Invocation 
b.  Seating of Delegates 
c.  Appointment of Committees 
d.  Report of National Officers 
e.  Report of Districts 
f.  Unfinished Business 
g.  New Business 
h.  Report of Committees 
i.  Presentation of Convention Site 
j.  Installation of Officers 
k.  Closing Ceremonies 

When deemed advisable, the general order of business may be changed by the National President. 

5. MEMBERSHIP 

3.501 New chapters shall be admitted to the National Chapter of the Sorority upon submission of a petition by the petitioning group prepared in accordance with the instructions and provisions furnished by the National Chapter or National Council. A non-refundable fee must accompany the application for colonization. A non-refundable charter fee and initiate dues, as determined by the National Chapter, must accompany the application for colonization. 

3.502 A petition shall be reviewed and approved by the National Executive Director before a charter is issued to a colony, a chapter designation assigned, and the installation performed. The National Vice President for Colonization and Membership will grant final approval for the installation of the colony. 

3.503 New chapters will be installed, after the approval of their Petitioning Document, by a National Officer, a past National Officer, a District Counselor, or by a member appointed by the National Vice President of Colonization and Membership. A Pre-Installation visit will take place within forty-five (45) days following the approval of the petitioning document. The Installation will take place after the pre-installation visit occurs. The National President must grant any exceptions. 

3.504 In recognition of outstanding ability, accomplishment, or devotion to the best interests of the Sorority, any member of the Sorority may be voted a National Honorary Life Member by a seventy-five (75) percent favorable vote of the National Chapter. This shall be the highest honor which can be conferred upon a member of the Sorority. 

3.505 By a seventy-five (75) percent favorable vote of the Delegates at a regularly called National Convention, the retiring National President of the Sorority may be voted a National Honorary Life Member in recognition of the past service to the Sorority. This paragraph shall be retroactive to 1947. 

6. DELEGATES AND PROXIES 

3.601 Each Chapter of the Sorority shall be represented at National Conventions by an Official Delegate, Alternate Delegate, or Proxy. Each Chapter shall file the official delegate form with the National Headquarters. A Life Member may represent her/his own chapter at National Convention if there is no Delegate from that chapter present. 

3.602 Each Delegate or Proxy must have a current membership card, a life membership card, or be properly vouched for by the Credentials and Resolutions Committee. In the absence of an Official Delegate, the chapter shall be represented by a Proxy, according to the rules governing the distributions of Proxies. Each Delegate or Proxy will be officially seated when all National Convention registration procedures have been completed. 

3.603 In the absence of a Delegate and an Alternate Delegate to a National Convention, each chapter may designate the Alternate Delegate of another chapter in attendance at the Convention to serve as its Proxy. The written proxy must be submitted to and approved by the National President one week 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 requirement are void. All seats of chapters in good standing with the National Headquarters that are vacant after seating of delegates and designated proxies shall be filled alphabetically with Proxies from the chapters present. This shall be done according to the alphabetical listing of chapters beginning with the next chapter after the last one seated at the prior convention. Alumni members may not sit as a written Proxy Delegate for an undergraduate chapter. 

3.604 Proxies shall be distributed in such a manner that a chapter shall have no more than one vote over the chapter with the next highest number of proxies. 

3.605 Each District President shall be seated and have a vote at all Conventions. In the absence of the District President, the District Vice President shall represent the District. In the event the District President and Vice President shall both be absent, the remaining District Officers shall be eligible in rank of succession. If no District Officers are in attendance, a District caucus may be called to elect a voting delegate at the Convention site. In the event that there is no representation from a specific District, the seat shall be left vacant. 

3.606 Each Official Delegate or Proxy shall have one vote at regularly called Conventions. Each Official Delegate or Proxy shall serve for the duration of the Convention to which appointed. 

7. COMMITTEES 

3.701  The Standing Committees of the National Chapter shall be: Committee on Nominations, Committee on Jurisdiction, Committee on Colonization and Membership, Committee on Programs, Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Credentials and Resolutions, Committee on History and Traditions, Committee on Publications, Committee on Ritual and Regalia, and Committee on Sisterhood and Spirit. 

3.702 The Special Committees of the National Chapter shall be any other Committees, such as the Committee on Appeals, as may be considered necessary by the National Chapter and National Council. 

3.703 All Committees shall be appointed by the National President and shall consist of the number deemed advisable by the National President. Delegates, Proxies designated by the chapter, and District Presidents or their representatives shall be appointed before undesignated Proxies. All Committees, with the exception of the Nominations, History and Traditions, and Ritual and Regalia, should consider the possibility of holding at least one joint meeting with its Kappa Kappa Psi counterpart. The two Committees should exchange ideas and coordinate activities and decisions if feasible. No chapter shall have more than one member, including proxies, on each committee. Members of all Committees shall serve until relieved of their appointments by the National President. 

3.704 The Committee on Nominations shall carefully investigate the eligibility of candidates for election to National Office. The committee shall nominate one person for President, one person for Vice President for Colonization and Membership, one person for Vice President for Special Projects, and one person for Vice President for Communication and Recognition, presenting those names to the National Convention. They shall determine the eligibility of any other candidates who are nominated from the floor. 

3.705 The Committee on Jurisdiction shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter or National Council all propositions, revisions, and alterations amending the Constitution. 

3.706 The Committee on Colonization and Membership shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter or National Council all propositions related to expansion and membership of the Sorority. 

3.707 The Committee on Programs shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter and National Council all propositions related to the Programs of the Sorority. 

3.708 The Committee on Ways and Means shall examine the biennial budget proposed and drawn up through the efforts of the National President, National Vice President for Colonization and Membership, National Executive Director, and the National Headquarters auditor/accountant. It will be the responsibility of the Committee to review the budget proposals and to submit their recommendations to the National Chapter for approval.  The committee will review current funding/fundraising programs and any new proposals for programs designed to increase revenues. 

3.709 The Committee on Credentials and Resolutions shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter all credentials of National Officers, Official Delegates, and Proxies to the National Chapter assembled ion Convention. Said Committee shall determine the recipients of:
1. Janet West Miller Tau Beta sigma Delegate Distance Award
2. Chapter Distance Award
3. Chapter Participation Award
4. District Participation Award
The Committee shall also submit to the National Chapter and National Council all propositions related to resolutions for the consideration of the Sorority.
 

3.710 The Committee on History and Traditions shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter or National Council all propositions related to the history and traditions of the Sorority. 

3.711 The Committee on Sisterhood and Spirit shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter and the National Council all propositions related to projects that promote Sisterhood and Spirit. 

3.712 All Special Committees shall examine, recommend, and submit to the National Chapter or National Council all propositions related to the special work assigned to them respectively by the National President. 

8. REPORTS 

3.801 A report of the activities conducted during the biennium shall be submitted by each National Officer, the Board of Trustees Chair, each District President, and the National Chapter Field Representative at each regularly called Convention of the National Chapter. Each Chairperson of a Standing or Special Committee shall submit a report of the activities of the Committee, together with the Committee’s recommendations, at each convention of the National Chapter. All reports shall be typewritten and submitted in triplicate. One copy of all reports shall be filed at the National Headquarters by the National Executive Director. 

9. PUBLICATIONS 

3.901 All publications of the National Chapter shall be edited, published, and distributed by the National Executive Director. 

3.902 The name of the National Publication will be The PODIUM. 

3.903 The PODIUM shall be published two times during the school term. 

3.904 The PODIUM shall be restricted to articles, editorials, and news items of general interest to the Sorority. Advertisements may be sold at rates determined by the National Executive Director. 

3.905 News Notes will be used as a supplementary publication to The PODIUM and will be published at the discretion of the National Executive Director. 

3.906 Distribution of publications shall be limited to all members of the Sorority in good standing and to such other parties as may be determined by the National Executive Director and the National Council. 

3.907 The official printer shall be selected by the National Executive Director and approved by the National Council. 

10. RITUAL AND REGALIA 

3.1001 A confidential ritual shall be prescribed for the introduction of all membership candidates and their subsequent induction in the Sorority. A special ritual shall also be prescribed for the installation of National Officers, District Officers, and Chapter Officers into their respective offices. The safekeeping of these rituals shall be the responsibility of the highest ranking officer in each of the component parts of the Sorority. 

3.1002 The various rituals of the Sorority may be revised only by a favorable seventy-five (75) percent vote of the Delegates and Proxies present at a regularly called National Convention of the National Chapter. 

3.1003 All regalia of the Sorority, including ritual equipment, jewelry, charters, and membership shingles, shall be prescribed by the National Chapter. 

3.1004 Official jewelry of the Sorority shall be manufactured and sold under the terms of a contract made with a reputable manufacturer and signed by the National President and National Vice President for Communication and Recognition, exclusively. The various items of jewelry shall include a coat of arms (Recognition Pin), badge, membership candidate pin, recognition bar, monogram pendant, and alumni guard. 

3.1005 Official jewelry of the Sorority may be purchased through the National Headquarters by using the appropriate form supplied by the National Headquarters. Special item orders will be forwarded to the official jeweler by the National Headquarters. 

3.1006 At the completion of her/his term of office, the National President shall be presented with a National President’s ring by the National Chapter of the Sorority in recognition of the office and work for the Sorority.