Northern Illinois University
Kappa Kappa Psi
Constitution
 

I. GENERAL

A. The Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Northern Illinois University shall have jurisdiction over all of its members.

B. This Constitution shall in no way conflict with or receive priority over the National Constitution of Kappa Kappa Psi. The purpose of this Constitution shall be to supplement the National Constitution of Kappa Kappa Psi.

C. This Constitution and all of its parts shall go into effect immediately upon final passage unless otherwise determined by the Chapter.

D. Robert's Rules of Order shall be the official code of procedure for all Chapter meetings.
 

II. PURPOSE

The Purpose of this organization shall be:

A. To promote the existence and welfare of college and university bands.

B. To honor outstanding band members through privilege of membership.

C. To stimulate campus leadership and foster a close relationship between college bands.

D. To provide a pleasant and helpful social experience and to cooperate with organizations in any manner consistent with the purposes of Northern Illinois University.
 

III. OFFICERS                                           Back to Top

A. The officers of the Northern Illinois University Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi shall be: Sponsor, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant- At-Arms, Historian, Alumni Secretary, and other officers as needed.
B. Officers will be elected three Chapter meetings before the end of the fall semester and will hold office for one year. Officers will take office when elected. Officers may run for reelection for additional terms of office.

C. Each Chapter officer shall be an Active member of the Fraternity in good standing at the time of election and a regularly enrolled student during the term of office. Each officer shall have been an Active member one semester prior to their elections.

D. Nominations for each office may be made from the floor one week before the elections will take place.

E. The Sponsor shall operate under the authority of the Director of Athletic Bands. The Sponsor acts as a consultant to the chapter and assists the group in its growth and development. He/She provides direction through advice, understanding and clarification.

F. The President shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and shall be a member ex officio of all chapter committees. The President shall be one of two who signs all checks for monies disbursed and shall sign all contracts and other instruments of business involving the chapter. The President shall be designated as the official representative of the chapter whenever such representation shall be required and shall prepare and send all reports to the National Executive Director of the Fraternity. President will only vote if that vote will change the outcome.

G. The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, preside at meetings of the chapter and shall advance the purposes of the Fraternity as stated in the Preamble of the National Constitution by promoting the work of the chapter as performed by its several officers and committees. The Vice President shall be responsible for educating, training, and initiation of all members, unless another officer has been elected to that duty.

H. The Secretary shall record and distribute 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, telephone number, chapter roster number, and instrument played. In addition, the secretary shall be responsible for all chapter correspondence.

I. 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 as well as preparing the Chapter budget and determining the local dues. The Treasurer shall sign all checks for monies disbursed and shall prepare and be responsible for keeping records of all chapter finances.

J. The Sergeant-At-Arms functions as the Chapter's Parliamentarian, is knowledgeable with the chapter bylaws, assists with ritual functions, and monitors compliance with university and fraternity policies, including, but not limited to hazing, discrimination, and controlled substances. The Sergeant- At-Arms proposes amendments, is familiar with Robert's Rules of Order, and bring the constitution to meetings.

K. The Historian shall be responsible for maintaining a written and pictorial record of the activities of the chapter and the band and arrange for the composite picture to be taken each year. The Historian shall be responsible for the Chapter displays for conventions.

L. The Alumni Secretary shall collect permanent address information and dispense Life and National Alumni Association Membership applications to all brothers graduating or leaving the university. The Alumni Secretary shall work with and promote alumni activities. The Chapter Alumni Secretary shall work with and assist the appropriate district and national representatives.

M. If an office other than President is vacated, an election will be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting to fill the vacancy. If the office of the President is vacated, the Vice President shall immediately assume the duties and responsibilities of the President.
 

IV. FINANCES                                                    Back to Top

A. All monies of the chapter shall be received and expended by the Treasurer. All expenditures shall be signed by the President and Treasurer.

B. The fiscal year for the chapter shall be from July 1 to the next following June 30.

C. The financial policies of the chapter shall be governed by a budget presented by the Treasurer and adopted by the Chapter at the last meeting of the Spring semester after an internal audit is completed by a member separate from the financial committee.

D. Income of the chapter shall be derived from annual dues assessed each active member and fundraising projects conducted by the chapter and shall include an annual national membership fee as determined by the National Chapter.

E. All dues prescribed by the local Chapter shall be paid to the Treasurer two (2) regularly scheduled meetings prior to September 30. Dues may be paid after the specified date if the member has made satisfactory arrangements with the Officers. The local dues amount will be established at the time the budget is decided.

F. All expenditures must be approved by the Treasurer and the President. All expenditures must be voted on by the Chapter.
 

V. COMMITTEES                                             Back to Top

A. Committees will be added as needed by vote of the chapter.

B. The committee chair shall be responsible for the appointment of committee members as needed. Members interested in being the committee chair can submit a petition and will be chosen by the Executive Board. The rest of the chapter will be assigned to one committee each.

C. The Executive Committee shall consist of all officers. It shall be responsible
for organizing Chapter business and presenting it to the Chapter.

D. The Constitution Committee shall interpret the Chapter Constitution and make amendments and revisions as deemed necessary. The Sergeant-At- Arms shall be the advising member of this committee.

E. The Finance Committee shall be involved in Chapter financial decisions as well as preparing the Chapter budget. The Treasurer will be the advising member of this committee.

F. The Social/Service Committee shall be responsible for the social activities for the chapter and all service projects that reach out to the community, the university, and the bands.

G. The Membership Education Committee shall be responsible for all membership education and prospective member activities. The Vice President shall be an advising member of this committee.

H. The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for representing University Student Association meetings, as required, advertising events and maintaining the Chapter web page.
 

VI. MEETINGS                                                  Back to Top

A. Meetings shall be held every week when the University is in session during the spring and fall semester unless deemed unnecessary by the chapter.

B. The President may call a special chapter meeting by giving forty-eight (48) hours notice.

C. Fifty percent (50%) of all Active members shall constitute a quorum provided that three (3) officers are included in that percentage.

D. Active members are required to attend all Chapter meetings, Rituals, and ceremonies unless excused by the Chapter Secretary.

E. Any Active member absent from a required meeting must submit a signed, written excuse (including e-mail) to the Secretary by the end of the next scheduled meeting. Failure to submit and excuse shall constitute an unexcused absence.

F. Any excuse not accepted by the Secretary shall be charged as an unexcused absence. All excuses need to be in writing and signed.

G. The order of chapter meetings shall follow the order below unless changed by the Chapter President and approved by the Chapter.
a. Opening Ceremonies
b. Reading of the Minutes
c. Report of Chapter Officers
d. Unfinished Business
e. New Business
f. Report of Committees
g. Closing Ceremonies
 

VII. MEMBERSHIP                                          Back to Top

A. A bandmember may be extended an invitation into the Membership Education Program of the Fraternity after the satisfactory completion of one (1) term as a member of the college or university band unless exception is made by the Chapter Sponsor. The prospective member shall be a member who possesses good character and demonstrated leadership potential.

B. Active members of the Fraternity shall be registered students who are in good standing, and have been formally initiated after the completion of the Membership Education Program. Each Active member shall complete one (1) semester in any University band every academic year unless a petition is submitted and approved by the Chapter and the Sponsor.

C. If a member must miss a series of meetings during a semester, but wishes to remain an Active member, the member must submit a letter stating this to the Secretary prior to the period of absences and approved by the Officers.

D. Conditional status in the fraternity may be requested by an active member when that member cannot, without undue hardship, continue to meet the requirements for active status. See Article VI, Sections 6.511 and 6.512 for more information.

E. An Inactive member shall be one who is currently registered at the University and has not paid financial obligations or fulfilled chapter requirements. See Article VI, Section 6.513 for more information on inactive membership.

F. Upon due cause, a member of the Fraternity may be placed on probation following a favorable vote on the motion of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Chapter's eligible voting membership and approval of the Chapter sponsor.

G. A member placed on probation shall be informed, in writing, of the following: the reasons for probation; a specified time period in which to make restitution; and the obligations needed to be fulfilled within that time period. Fulfillment of all obligations within the specified time period shall return said member to previous membership status. Fulfillment of all obligations shall be approved by the Chapter and Sponsor. Failure to complete all obligations is just cause for either an extension of the probationary term or for the initiation of suspension proceedings.

H. Upon due cause, a member of the fraternity may be suspended following a favorable vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Chapter's eligible voting membership and approval from the Chapter Sponsor. Suspended members may not participate in any Fraternity business, projects, or activities. See Article VI, Section 6.521 for more information.

I. For information on expelling members, follow the National Constitution, Article VI, Section 6.522.

J. Other membership statuses are as stated in the National Constitution.
 

VIII. PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS                                                                        Back to Top

A. A band member may be offered entry into the Membership Education program after enrollment in a University Band.

B. Before becoming eligible for active membership, a candidate must complete the Membership Education Program as prescribed in the National Chapter, and shall meet requirements set forth by the Vice President. These requirements shall be approved by a simple majority of the Chapter's active membership in attendance and shall be given to the membership when they are offered a bid.

C. Before the second vote on the previously rejected candidate, the President will give a summary of the discussion from the previous week. Further discussion may also take place. The membership candidate may not be initiated if a seventy-five percent (75%) favorable vote is not achieved.

D. Prior to initiation, the membership candidate shall pay an initiation fee to the Chapter Treasurer. This fee shall include payment of the national membership fee.

E. Please refer to Article VI Section 6.504 for rules on voting on prospective members.

IX. MISCELLANEOUS

A. To amend this Constitution every member must be notified of the amendment. An amendment shall come effective upon two-thirds (2/3) ratification by Active members. The Amendment must be posted two weeks before a vote can take place.

B. If a proposed amendment fails to pass, is shall not be proposed again for six (6) months unless one-half (1/2) of the Active members sign a petition stating that they wish for the amendment to be considered.

C. An officer may be removed from office by the presentation of a Writ of Impeachment signed by eighty percent (80%) of the total Active membership of the Chapter and the Sponsor, after being given the opportunity to resign and after a due process hearing.

D. Any Active member, upon the receipt of a third unexcused absence, shall automatically be placed on probation.

E. Probation will be for five (5) weeks. In that five (5) weeks, the member on probation must fulfill all obligations. Failure to fulfill all obligations may lead to longer probations at the discretion of the officers.

F. Reasons for excused absences coincide with excused rehearsal absences, including, but not limited to an illness with a doctor's note, a family emergency, a performance, or a class or exam.
 

X. LEGISLATIVE CODE

A. Failure to comply with rules in Constitution shall result in probation.

B. Obvious and persistent refusal to cooperate with the Chapter shall result in probation.

C. Failure to uphold standards written in the preamble shall result in probation.

D. Unexcused absence from rituals or ceremonies shall result in a $15.00 fine.
 
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