Tau Beta Sigma 
National Constitution 

1. Organization 

1.101 The name of this organization shall be Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority for College and University Band Members. Tau Beta Sigma Sorority was incorporated under the laws of the Sovereign State of Oklahoma as of March 26, 1946. 

1.102 For the purpose of administration, the Sorority shall be divided into the following component parts: (1) Corporation; (2) National Chapter; (3) Districts; (4) Chapters, (5)Alumni. 

1.103 The National Headquarters of the Sorority shall be the same as the National Headquarters of Kappa Kappa Psi, subject to the approval of the National Council. 

1.104 Tau Beta Sigma recognizes Kappa Kappa Psi as an equal affiliated organization with a parallel purpose, function, and role in the college and university band setting. 

1.105 Tau Beta Sigma recognizes that the National Alumni Association of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma Sorority is a separate entity within the corporation, and is responsible for National Alumni Association activities. 

1.106 The National Executive Director shall be employed by the National Officers of the Sorority as the Administrative Officer of the Sorority, and shall be paid a monthly salary as recommended by the National Officers and approved by the Convention. The National Executive Director shall be employed jointly by the Councils of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. The National Executive Director shall be a nonvoting member of the National Council and of all committees except the Nominating Committee of which she/he cannot be a member. The National Executive Director shall be responsible for the production and distribution of all publications of the Sorority. The National Executive Director shall be in complete charge of the National Headquarters and shall maintain, therein, files of all members of the Sorority by chapter. The National Executive Director shall maintain individual chapter records of monies received and disbursed and shall receive all chapter reports and correspondence and shall prepare and issue all necessary forms and stationery for the transactions of all business of the Sorority. The National Executive Director shall be the Sorority’s representative in all contacts with the official jeweler and as such shall receive and have charge of requisitions for jewelry and membership shingles received from individual members and chapters. The National Executive Director shall issue all checks for disbursement, all chapter membership shingles, documents of business, and shall prepare and send to each National Officer a monthly report of income and expense of the Sorority in addition to a written report stating the condition of the Sorority for presentation at each regularly called National Convention. 

1.107 Tax deductible contributions to Tau Beta Sigma may be made by members and non-members. Donations entitle the donor to receive The PODIUM for one (1) year. Recognition of contributions will be printed in The PODIUM. At least 25% of the contributions are to be placed into the trust fund and the remaining amount is to be distributed at the discretion of the National Council, unless otherwise specified by the contributor. 

1.108 The current version of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, unless otherwise specifically stated in this Constitution, shall govern the deliberations of all component parts of the Sorority assembled in meeting. 

1.109 Each member of the Board of Trustees and National Council, their heirs, executors, and administrators, may be indemnified by the Sorority against the expenses reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding to which the member may be made a party by reason of serving or having served as a member of the Board or Council, so long as suc person is found to have acted in good faith and within the scope of her/his office. Any such indemnification must be first approved by the National Chapter assembled at a National Convention. Such expenses shall include the cost of reasonable settlement made with a view to curtailment of litigation and reasonable expense incurred in the preparation and trial of the litigation. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which such persons may be entitled as matter of law. 

1.110 The Tau Beta Sigma Sorority neither approves of nor is responsible for actions of members of local chapters (commonly referred to as “hazing”) which may result in injury to persons or damage to property. Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally or through negligence, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. 

1.111 The Tau Beta Sigma Sorority expressly prohibits discrimination by any component part of the Sorority on the basis of race, national origin, sex, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, or marital status. Rather it is the policy of this Sorority to foster a spirit of mutual understanding and respect among all people, especially those involved with college and university bands, remembering that music is the universal language. 

1.112 Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be presented in writing at regularly called National Conventions of the Sorority, and shall be referred at once to the Committee on Jurisdiction. Said Committee shall report thereon at the same National Convention. If two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by the National Convention are favorable, the proposed amendment shall be declared adopted, and from and after such adoption, it shall become operative and effective immediately, unless otherwise stated in the amendment. 

1.113 If the favorable vote on the proposed amendment is less than two-thirds (2/3), yet there is a majority vote, the proposed amendment shall be tabled until the next regularly called National Convention of the Sorority. During the interim between conventions, it shall be published in the minutes of the National Convention at which it was proposed under the caption: “Proposed Amendment to the Constitution.” If at the next regularly called National Convention it shall receive two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast, it shall be declared adopted, and from and thereafter such adoption it shall become operative and effective immediately unless stated in the amendment. If a favorable two-thirds (2/3) vote is not obtained, the amendment shall be declared defeated and shall not again be proposed for consideration. 

1.114 Under extraordinary circumstances between regularly called National Conventions and upon recommendation of the National President, approved unanimously by the National Council, a proposed amendment to the Constitution may be submitted in writing to the chapters of the Sorority for ratification. If two-thirds (2/3) favorable vote of all chapters in good standing is received, the proposed amendment shall be declared adopted, and from and after such adoption it shall become operative and effective immediately, unless otherwise stated in the amendment. 

1.115 This Constitution, as revised and amended, shall be reprinted following each regularly called National Convention and shall supercede all previous Constitutions. 

1.116 The effect of the National Constitution upon an individual chapter may be altered to conform to any college or university-wide regulations to which this chapter is subject. Any such alterations must be incorporated as an integral part of the chapter constitution and bylaws, which are subject to review by the National Executive Director and National Council. The National Executive Director and National Council shall not approve any such alterations until they have received proof that the contested part of the National Constitution does in fact conflict with official college or university-wide regulations to which this chapter is subject.