The Constitution of Gamma Epsilon Phi

The Honors College Honors Society, University Park Campus

Florida International University

Preamble:

We, Gamma Epsilon Phi of Florida International University, serve the students of the Honors College by providing them with an environment that augments and enhances their learning and education. GEP promotes the Honors College within FIU through interaction with faculty and raising awareness on campus and within the community through fundraising, community and volunteering events.

 

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is Gamma Epsilon Phi (abbreviated as GEP hereafter), The Honors College Honors Society, University Park Campus, Florida International University (abbreviated as FIU hereafter).

 

Article II: Qualification of Members

Section 1. All applicants and members must be Honor students.

Section 2. All Honors College students are inactive members.

Section 3. Active membership can be obtained by fulfilling the required points for two consecutive semesters and paying the club fees (See Article II Sec.7, 8).

Section 4. After attaining active membership for two consecutive semesters, members must fulfill fifty percent of required points and pay the allocated fees to still be considered “active”.

Section 5. Senior standing members are required to maintain active membership for two consecutive semesters in order to graduate with a GEP Stole Medallion.

Section 6. The Point System

Clause 1: Within each of the following categories: Social Events, Community Events, Fundraising Events, Meetings, 6 points must be earned within two consecutive semesters.

Clause 2: The annual Honors Convocation held by the Honors College is a mandatory event and does not earn the members any points.

Clause 3: The annual Induction Ceremony held by GEP is a mandatory event and does not earn the members any point.

Clause 4: Floating Points are additional points that can be used in the following categories: Social Events, Community Events, Fundraising Events.

Clause 5: Floating Points can be earned for miscellaneous tasks delegated by the officers, e.g. carpooling, volunteering before and after events.

Clause 6: Floating Points cannot be used to fulfill more than two of the required points in the following categories: Social Events, Community Events, Fundraising Events.

Section 7. The fee for active new members is $30.

Section 8. The fee for active returning members is $15

Section 9. If an active member becomes inactive for two consecutive semesters, upon returning, they are to be inducted as new members.

 

 

 

Article III: Officers and their Election

Section 1. The officers of the Executive Board (abbreviated E-Board hereafter) are as follows in chain of command: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Members Activities Coordinator (abbreviated as M.A.C. hereafter), Honors Council Representatives (2), Webmaster.

Section 2. All candidates for the E-Board must have been active members for a minimum of two consecutive semesters prior to running for office.

Clause 1: Exception if the position is unfilled by fall of the new term the E-Board can   vote in to office a new member

Section 3. All officers must maintain a minimum of two weekly office hours.

Section 4. President

The President is the chief executive officer. He/She is held accountable for the organization’s efficient handling and shall inform the Honors College advisor of all GEP Business. The President must preside over, make arrangements for and conduct all meetings. He/She shall be the forefront of the organizations development, standing progress, responsibilities, definite or potential problems, and establish goals and priorities.

The President is responsible for planning the dates of upcoming events and organizing the calendar. In conjunction with the M.A.C., the President has the authority to establish new committees as needed. He/She has the responsibility of meeting with each E-Board member regularly to assess duties and/or events, before, during and after the completion of events.

The President is responsible for maintaining the GEP Weekly Announcement or of delegating the responsibility to another officer.

Section 5. Vice-President

In the Absence of the President, he/she shall take over all Presidential duties. The Vice President shall oversee and be held accountable for all community service events, whether held on or off campus. He/She is responsible for communicating to all members via e-mail, phone and aid the President in drafting the newsletter.

Section 6. Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for keeping accurate minutes of all E-Board and general meetings. E-Board members must receive a copy of all minutes no later than one week after the stated meeting. He/She is responsible for keeping and maintaining the member’s records. The records are for the viewing of the E-board only.

He/She is responsible for organizing and writing the majority of the GEP information packet.

Voting must be recorded by the secretary and be noted in the records accurately, as well as keep all historical records of official and unofficial events. The secretary is responsible for maintaining the points system.

Section 7. Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for keeping an accurate account of all GEP funds. He/She must also provide a written financial report for members of the E-Board at every E-Board meeting. In conjunction with the President or Vice-President in the President’s absence, the treasurer shall provide signatures and approvals for all financial transactions.

The treasurer must provide a budget for each event and provide an estimated allotment off money to the M.A.C. for each event.

Section 8. M.A.C.

The MAC’s are responsible for planning and organizing all social events taking place on or off campus. He/She can create committees, in conjunction with the President, as needed to prepare for upcoming socials. The MAC’s shall serve as Chair in said committees. He/She shall confer with the President and Treasurer regarding upcoming social events.

The MAC’s are responsible for keeping accurate records of all GEP membership matters, i.e., active membership, attendance.

Section 9. Honors College Representatives

The Honors College Representatives shall keep accurate minutes of Honors Council meeting, and present them to the E-Board. They shall report Honors Council events and point system to GEP members, as well as report GEP statues in the Honors Council point system. At least one Honors College Representative must attend all Honors Council meetings at all times.

Section 10. Webmaster

The Webmaster is responsible for maintenance of the GEP website. The website must be updated within a week after every official event and meeting, both general and e-board.

Section 11. Terms

Clause 1: At the end of the spring term the current officers have the chance of continuing their position with a majority vote from the active members.

Clause 2: If an active member wishes to take a position, he/she may run against the current officer.

Clause 3: If the current officer leaves the position at the end of the spring term the position must be filled by an election of officers.

Section 12. Election of Officers

Clause 1: Elections shall be held once a year, at least two weeks prior to the end of the spring semester.

Clause 2: In the event of a vacancy, or if a position has not been filled at said election, a special election will be held as directed by the President.

Clause 3: All officers shall be voted in by a simple majority of all active members.

Section 13. Impeachment and Resignation

Clause 1: Any officer who wishes to resign their position shall give notice to the President and Honors College Advisor at least two weeks prior to the end of office. Exceptions will be made if there are personal emergencies that prohibit giving two week notices.

Clause 2: Recommendation for removal of an officer can be presented by any active member. The E-board and the Honors College Advisor will review this recommendation. After hearing arguments for and against the removal of said officer, the President with the Honors Advisor will decide if the recommendations are true and legitimate, and proceed to hold a vote among all active members.

Clause 3: Impeachment will require a two-thirds vote.

Clause 4: If a position becomes available through impeachment or resignation, the following process will be taken until the end of the semester: If the President vacates the position, the Vice-President will assume the duties of the President in addition to the those of the Vice-Presidency; if the Vice-President vacates the position, the Secretary will assume the duties of the Vice-President in addition of those of the Secretary.
Clause 5: At the end of the semester, the E-board shall meet and discuss the need to  fill the vacant offices of either the President or Vice-President, recommend special elections to be held at the end of the fall term if this is the case.

Clause 6: In the event of the vacancy of any other office, or the vacancy of more than on office, an election shall be held to determine a successor.

Article IV: Meetings of the Society

Order of Business

(1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval].

(2) Reports of Officers and Standing Committees.

(3) Reports of Special (Select) Committees.

(4) Special Orders.

(5) Unfinished Business and General Orders

(6) New Business.

 

Article V: Amendments and Ratification

Section 1. Amendments may be proposed by any active member of GEP.

Section 2. Said Amendment will be formally written by the Secretary of the E-Board.

Section 3. In order to pass an amendment, the amendment needs a two-thirds vote.

Section 4. The amendment of the Constitution must be addressed at least once by the E-board at the beginning of the fall term.

Section 5. The Constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote by the officers.

 

Article VI: Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the transactions of the society’s business shall proceed according to Robert’s Rules of Order (9th ed.)

 

Last Amended August 18th, 2006