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CONSTITUTION OF THE

State University of New York, College at Oneonta

BIOLOGY CLUB / BETA BETA BETA

(REVISED MAY, 2007)

PREAMBLE

We, the students of Biology Club and Beta Beta Beta of the State University of New York, College at Oneonta, in order to encourage and promote Biological Science and provide for the general welfare of the student body do create and adopt this Constitution of the State University of New York, College at Oneonta Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

ARTICLE I  NAME

The name of the organization representing the interest of those who wish to participate in the emphasis of biological science, shall be called Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta collectively.

ARTICLE II  AFFILIATIONS

The Biology Club is not affiliated with any local, state, or national group.  However, Beta Beta Beta is a National Biological Honor Society with detailed membership requirements.  See Beta Beta Beta Constitution (Appendix A) for details.

ARTICLE III  PURPOSE

·      To invite guest speakers to present lectures or to discuss topics of interest to the academic community.

·      To take biologically interesting field trips.

·      To expose members to biological research and techniques.

·      To enable biology students and faculty to meet and interact outside the classroom in an informal atmosphere.

ARTICLE IV  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Membership

A.    All full and part time students of the State University of New York, College at Oneonta who have paid their Student Activity Fee shall be eligible for membership.  There will be no discrimination on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual preference, or college major.  

B.     National membership guidelines are outlined in the Beta Beta Beta Constitution (Appendix A – attached).  In order to become an Regular member of Beta Beta Beta, Regular members shall be: a) an undergraduate Biology major, b) shall have completed at least one term of the second year of a four-year curriculum or its equivalent, c) shall have completed at least three courses in biological science, of which at least one is not an introductory course, with an average grade of B or its equivalent in those biology courses, d) shall be in good academic standing. Associate membership is available to anyone who wishes to apply, regardless of academic credentials.  Upon completion of the academic requirements listed for Regular membership, the Associate member can apply for Regular membership.  Each member, whether they be part of Biology Club or Beta Beta Beta, shall be subject to the constitution of the State University of New York, College at Oneonta Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

C.     Beta Beta Beta initiation shall occur at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters of each academic year.  The initiation ceremony shall be scheduled and conducted by the Executive Council.

D.    Voting members shall be those members that are allowed to vote on items brought before the membership; which shall include but are not limited to the budget and election of officers. Voting members of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta must have attended the majority of the club meetings during any given point in the semester.

Section 2 – Membership Dues

A.    There are no membership dues for members of Biology Club only. 

B.     National membership of Beta Beta Beta is outlined in the Beta Beta Beta By-laws (Appendix B - attached) and shall be followed as such.

ARTICLE V  EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1 – Composition

Executive Council shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary a Treasurer, and a minimum of two Historians.  Term of office of each officer will be one year.  Each member of the Executive Council shall be members of the Biology Club.  All vacancies on the Executive Council shall be filled within two weeks of vacancy.

Section 2 – Duties of the Executive Council

The Executive Council of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta shall:

A.    meet regularly to coordinate club activities and upcoming events.

B.     coordinate the creation of an annual budget to be completed and submitted to the Student Association at the beginning of each spring semester.  This budget must be approved by the membership, thus timely completion of budget planning process is imperative.

C.     schedule and conduct the initiation of new Beta Beta Beta members at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters of each academic year.

Section 3 – Elections of Executive Council

Elections for Executive Council members will be done by plurality of voting members. Elections shall be held during one of the last regularly scheduled meeting of the spring semester.

Section 4 – Duties and Powers of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta President

The President of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta shall:

A.    provide an agenda for each meeting announcing the time and place of each meeting.

B.     call each meeting to order and preside over all Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta meetings and conduct business in accordance with the constitution.

C.     coordinate the duties the Executive Council.

D.    have the duty to see that provisions of this Constitution are enforced.

E.     make any appointments and fill any vacancies that might come up during the year in the Executive Council and these appointments will be approved by the members of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

F.      have to power to create and appoint committee when necessary.

G.    have Regular Membership in Beta Beta Beta.

Section 5 – Duties and Powers of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Vice-President

The Vice-President of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta shall:

A.    preside over Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta in the absence of the President of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

B.     be an ex officio member on all committees.

C.     develop and implement programs suggested by members.

Section 6 – Duties and Powers of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Secretary

The Secretary of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta shall:

A.    provide written minutes of all Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta meetings. These minutes shall be emailed to members and placed on the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta website within a week of previous meeting.

B.     The Secretary shall preside over Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta in the absence of both the President and the Vice President of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

Section 7 – Duties and Powers of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Treasurer

The Treasurer of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta shall:

A.    present to Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta, a monthly itemized statement of receipts and expenditures all of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta activities.

B.     be familiar with all relevant financial procedures of the Student Association as it applies to student organizations.

C.     cosign all vouchers and other financial documents with the Faculty Advisor.

Section 8 – Duties and Powers of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Historians

The Historians of the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta shall:

A.    preserve the activities and records of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

B.     be responsible for writing all articles and correspondence concerning Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta for publication in local newspapers and the official school newspaper.

C.     be responsible for taking pictures or slides at Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta functions.

D.    shall be responsible for presenting a presentation highlighting the year’s activities to Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta members at the end of the spring semester of each year.

Section 9 – Removal of Executive Council Members

In the event that an Executive Council member fails to properly perform his/her assigned duties as described in Sections 2 through 8, they may be removed from office with the consent of 3/4 of the voting members.

ARTICLE VI  MEETINGS

Section 1 – Meetings

There shall be at least one regularly scheduled meeting per month during the academic year which shall be set by the Executive Council or the voting membership.  The president shall have the power to call special meetings when he/she deems best.

Section 2 – Quorum at Meetings

A majority of the members in attendance shall constitute a quorum to do business.  Quorum will be determined by the Secretary of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

ARTICLE VII  Faculty Advisor(s)

Section 1 – Term of Office

Term of Office of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisor(s) is two consecutive school years.  At the conclusion of the second school year, the advisor can again be selected by the membership for another two-year term.

Section 2 – Selection of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisors

Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisor(s) will be nominated by the Executive Council and voted on by the members of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.  The selection of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisor(s) will be held during one of the last regularly scheduled meeting of the spring semester.  In the event of more than one faculty advisor, at least one advisor will be selected every year for a new term to insure that Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta will always be represented by an experienced faculty advisor.  The Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisor(s) shall be a member of the Biology Department Faculty.

Section 3 – Duties and Powers of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisor(s)

The Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Faculty Advisor shall:

A.    be present at meetings and activities to provide guidance and leadership when needed.

B.     cosign all vouchers and other financial documents with the Treasurer.

C.     help in the transition of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta officers and members from year to year.

D.    assist in the installation of new Beta Beta Beta members at the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta initiation ceremony.

E.     have Regular Membership in Beta Beta Beta but have no voting rights.

ARTICLE VIII  DISSOLUTION

A.    In the event that the Biology Club should dissolve for any reason while there is money remaining in the budget, all monies left after all debts are paid shall be returned to the Student Association Treasury.

B.     In the event that Beta Beta Beta should dissolve and funds are kept with an off campus financial institution, then according to the Beta Beta Beta National Constitution (Appendix A) “the assets, if any, will be distributed to an organization that is exempt from Federal income tax as an organization described in 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are deductible, or to the Federal Government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.”

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by any member of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta.

Section 2

The proposed amendment shall be passed by two-thirds (2/3) of Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta members which is represented by the Biology Club / Beta Beta Beta Membership Roster.

 

Appendix A

Beta Beta Beta

Biological Honor Society

CONSTITUTION

Updated 7/1/00

Article I - Name

The name of this society shall be Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society.

Article II - Purpose

The Purpose of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society shall be to function as an honor and professional society for students of the biological sciences. Its activities shall be designed to stimulate interest, scholarly attainment, and investigation in the biological sciences, and to promote the dissemination of information and new interpretations among students of the life sciences.

Article III - Insignia

Section 1

The official emblem of the Society shall be a shield-shaped key upon which are engraved a coiled serpent and the three initials of the organization.

Section 2

The coat of arms shall be that officially adopted by the 1947 Biennial Convention.

Section 3

The pattern copies of the key and coat of arms maintained in the national archives shall be the official design.

Section 4

The colors of the Society shall be red and green.

Section 5

The flower of the Society shall be a red rose of the type commonly referred to as American Beauty.

Article IV - Membership

Section 1

The membership shall be divided into six classes: regular, associate, graduate, honorary, alumna/ us and corporate. Beta Beta Beta is a non-discriminating organization that does not consider age, race, color, creed, sex, national origin or sexual preference.

Section 2

Regular members shall be:

a.       Undergraduate majors in biological science at an institution where a chapter of Beta Beta Beta is located.

b.      Shall have completed at least one term of the second year of a four-year curriculum or its equivalent.

c.       Shall have completed at least three courses in biological science, of which at least one is not an introductory course, with an average grade of B or its equivalent in those biology courses.

d.      Shall be in good academic standing.

Only regular members may hold the constitutionally specified chapter offices, vote on chapter membership nominations and national questions, and represent the chapter or vote at national conventions.

Section 3

Graduate members shall be either graduate students currently enrolled in a life science at an institution where there is a chapter or faculty members actively serving in the biological sciences. They may participate in the local activities of any chapter except for the holding of constitutionally specified chapter offices and voting on chapter membership and national matters. They may attend district or national conventions, and, upon special designation, represent their original chapter at a national convention. They shall not be eligible for undergraduate awards.

Section 4

Associate members shall be those undergraduates whose interests include the life sciences in some significant way but who are ineligible for regular membership. Associate members shall be eligible to participate in all local, district, and national activities except those specifically reserved to regular members by this constitution.

Section 5

Chapter honorary members may be elected by any chapter in recognition of significant accomplishment as biologists, or of outstanding service to the chapter.

Section 6

Biology majors who have graduated from an institution at which a charter is later granted may become alumni members of the new chapter. Alumni members will receive an individual subscription to BIOS. Regular members who have become inactive may become Alumni members with payment of the appropriate fee.

Section 7

Corporate members shall be corporations, institutions or other organizations which support undergraduate education in the biological sciences. A corporation may be elected to membership by a majority of the National Executive Committee. Corporate members will be listed in each issue of BIOS and each corporate member will receive a membership certificate for display. Each corporate member will also have the privilege of providing a display at the national or district conventions.

Section 8

National honorary members may be elected by the biennial convention on nomination by the national officers. (Any member or chapter may propose prospective nominees.) Such membership shall be reserved for persons of outstanding accomplishment and stature in one or more of the biological sciences or persons rendering outstanding service to Beta Beta Beta.

Section 9

Regular, graduate and honorary members may wear the official insignia and shall remain members for life unless removed under the provisions of Section 11. Associate members are affiliated with the local chapter and may not wear the official insignia. Unless they qualify for regular membership, this affiliation shall terminate automatically when they cease to be undergraduate students.

 

Section 10

Members shall be nominated to the various categories by a committee that includes both regular members and faculty. Election shall be by at least a majority vote of the regular members present at a regular meeting.

Section 11

A regular member transferring from one institution to another shall be automatically eligible for membership in a chapter in his new institution unless he does not qualify under the normally prescribed requirements of his new chapter.

Section 12

Each chapter or club shall adopt specific membership requirements which are not in conflict with the requirements outlined in Section 2 and which are meaningful in the specific local situation. It is assumed that local chapters and clubs will require high standards of scientific conduct in their nominees and members. No person shall be refused nomination on any basis other than failure to meet requirements in this constitution or in chapter by-laws.

Section 13

A regular member of a chapter may be removed from chapter membership only for cause by a vote of 3/4 of the entire voting membership. Any such removal must be approved by the chapter advisor (counselor) and is subject to appeal to the National Executive Committee.

Section 14

Stated local membership requirements shall be submitted to the chapter advisor and the District Director for approval. In case of disagreement or conflict between local requirements or local action and this constitution, the matter shall be referred to the National President for adjudication subject to final appeal to the National Executive Committee.

Section 15

The National Executive Committee shall, from time to time, adopt such by-laws, regulations, and definitions as are necessary to accomplish the equitable and reasonable application of these provisions.

Article V - Officers

Section 1

The national officers shall be the President, a Vice President for each Region, a Director for each District, and a Secretary-Treasurer. The President, Vice Presidents, the last two Past Presidents, and the Secretary-Treasurer (Section 6) shall constitute the National Executive Committee.

Section 2

The President shall lead in all activities of the Society. The President shall preside at the biennial convention and meetings of the Executive Committee and shall perform all other duties customarily associated with the office of the president.

Section 3

In case of absence, disability, or resignation of the President, the Executive Committee shall elect one of the Vice Presidents to fill the unexpired portion of the President's term of office.

Section 4

The duties of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be those normally assigned to such an office. They shall specifically include but not be restricted to the following:

a) Maintain a national headquarters which shall keep all necessary records of Society business and Society membership.

b) Collect all money due the national society and pay all obligations of the Society.

Section 5

The Regional Vice President shall be particularly concerned with the functioning of the Society in his/her region. The Regional Vice President and the District Directors shall be responsible for the investigation of applications for new chapters and clubs and installation of same. They shall encourage the continuing development of existing chapters and clubs. As a member of the National Executive Committee, the Regional Vice President shall serve as representative of the national headquarters in his region.

Section 6

The National Executive Committee, as defined in Section 1 of this article, shall have power to transact urgent society business between conventions including replacements in its own membership if necessary. It shall serve as advisor and consultant to the National President. It shall meet at least once prior to each national convention and may hold interim meetings on the recommendations of the National President. Upon nomination by the President, the National Executive Committee shall appoint the National Secretary-Treasurer who shall be directly responsible to the National Executive Committee. The term of office shall be two years, coinciding with the terms of the President and Vice Presidents. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall be ex officio, a non-voting member of the National Executive Committee.

Section 7

Election of the President and Vice Presidents shall be an item of business at the biennial convention. They shall be professional biologists holding the earned master or doctor's academic degree, and they shall be, or shall become by this election, graduate members of the Society. Their term of office shall be two years, and they may succeed themselves. They shall assume their duties on September 1. The tenure of the President shall be not more than four successive terms.

Section 8

It shall be the duty of the National Executive Committee to determine the boundaries of the geographical regions and to revise them when necessary in order to increase the effectiveness and reduce the problems of national operation. Regional boundaries shall be specified in the by-laws.

Section 9

Each region may be divided into two or more districts. District boundary lines shall be determined by the National Executive Committee and may be changed as necessary to adjust to increases in the number of chapters or shifts in their distribution. On nomination by the President, the National Executive Committee shall appoint a Director for each district whose term of office shall be for two years coinciding with the terms of office of the members of the National Executive Committee. The Director shall be, or shall become by this appointment, a graduate member of the Society. The Director shall be immediately responsible for the organization and functioning of chapters within his district subject to the general policy of the society and the overall supervision of the Regional Vice President. The District Director will be expected to organize a district convention of the chapters within his/her district each year.

 

Article VI - Chapters and Clubs

Section 1

Any baccalaureate degree-granting college or university approved by the recognized accrediting association for its region and having one or more academic departments in the biological sciences may apply for a chapter of Beta Beta Beta.

Section 2

A chapter may be granted to applicants who satisfy the following conditions:

a.       There is a curriculum (curricula) of such quality and quantity that students are recognized as majors in biology or some area thereof.

b.      Preliminary application steps, as prescribed by the National Executive Committee, have been completed.

c.       A District Director or his representative has visited the institution and recommended favorable action.

d.      The National Executive Committee, by vote, has endorsed the visitor's recommendation.

e.       A majority of chapters in the district in which the applicant institution is located have approved the application in a poll which shall be taken by the National Secretary.

Section 3

A club charter may be granted to any two-year college granting an associate degree and approved by the recognized accrediting association of its region. This institution may apply for a club of Beta Beta Beta when sponsored by an active chapter that is in good standing with the National Office. The official name of the chartered club shall be the Greek letters of the sponsoring chapter plus the word "Club".

a.       To be granted a charter, the two-year college must satisfy the following requirements.

Have a curriculum (curricula) which provides college level courses in the biological sciences.

Have a faculty advisor (Counselor) and/or other biological faculty who has shown strong interest in and has successfully directed undergraduate research.

Have a written agreement with an active chapter at a four-year college or university consenting to sponsor and be supportive of the affiliated Beta Beta Beta club.

Complete the preliminary steps for application as prescribed by the National Executive Committee, including favorable recommendation by vote of that committee.

A club may change its sponsoring chapter by entering into a written agreement with the new chapter (as stated in #3 above) and by giving notification to the original sponsoring chapter. The final decision for such a change shall be made by the National Executive Committee.

b.      b) Student members induced by a club shall be associate members. Club members can be granted regular membership by their sponsoring chapter if they meet both the chapter requirements, and the membership requirements in Article IV (membership), Section 2.

b.c) Candidates for associate or graduate membership in a club shall be initiated each year at the four-year institution by the officers or advisor of the sponsoring chapter. The chapter's advisor, his/her representative, and/or chapter officers may conduct the initiation ceremony at the two-year institution.

c.       d) Associate and regular club members shall be eligible to compete for all awards at district and national conventions.

Section 4

Unless in its judgment such action should be delayed for a specified additional time, the National Executive Committee shall direct the recall of a charter if:

a.       The college or university has been nonaccredited for two years or more.

b.      The chapter or club has not, for a period of two years or more, elected additional regular members.

c.       The chapter or club refuses to comply with the requirements of the national constitution.

Section 5

The National Executive Committee shall, as necessary, make specific rulings and interpretations to carry out the intent of this article and the National Secretary shall set up procedures for the application process.

Article VII - Chapter Government

Section 1

Each chapter shall adopt by-laws which set forth the specific policies and practices it deems necessary for the effective functioning of the chapter in the local situation. Each chapter shall have full authority to regulate its local affairs as it sees fit, subject to the restrictions of Section 2 of this article.

Section 2

There shall be no provisions in chapter bylaws which are contrary to this constitution or the national by-laws which derive therefrom. The National Executive Committee shall have the power to annul any local by-laws which it holds to be in violation of the provisions or clear intent of this constitution, but it shall not do so without prior consultation with the chapter concerned. Such consultation shall make clear the objection to the by-law concerned and give the chapter an opportunity to state its reasons regarding the provision as valid.

Section 3

Chapter by-laws and all amendments thereto shall be filed with both the appropriate Regional Vice President and the District Director who shall bring to the attention of the National President any provisions which may violate Section 2 of this article.

Article VIII - Chapter Officers

Section 1

Each chapter shall elect a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and an historian from among its regular members.

Section 2

The duties of these officers shall be those normally assigned to such offices.

Section 3

These officers should hold office for one year. The time of election and the time for assumption of duties shall be specified in the chapter by-laws.

Section 4

At the same time it elects officers, a chapter shall, if necessary, elect a chapter advisor (counselor) from among the biological sciences faculty. The advisor shall be, or shall become by this election, a graduate member. An advisor shall serve for a term of not more than three years but may be re-elected. The prospective regular members of a new chapter shall elect the first advisor (counselor) prior to the installation of the chapter.

 

 

Section 5

The chapter advisor (counselor) shall assist and advise the chapter and especially its officers in carrying out the chapter programs and aid in developing new policies and programs that contribute to its local effectiveness. The chapter advisor shall serve as permanent custodian of chapter records and funds making sure that they are maintained in good order and that each successive group of chapter officers are informed as to their responsibilities. The chapter advisor may delegate custodial duties during the academic year but shall check and reclaim all records and funds at the close of each academic year.

Section 6

Chapter officers are responsible for submitting promptly and in correct form such reports as are requested by the national and district officers. Chapter advisors shall review such reports for accuracy prior to submission.

Article IX - Conventions

Section 1

The Society shall hold a national convention biennially at a place and time to be chosen by the preceding convention. This convention may be a part of the annual meeting of a more inclusive regional or national group, or it may be held separately. The National Executive Committee shall be responsible for convention arrangements, agenda and program.

Section 2

The authorized delegates duly assembled in convention constitute the highest governing and legislative body of the Society subject to provisions of this constitution requiring or permitting a poll of the chapters.

Section 3

Each chapter shall be entitled to three voting delegates. If a chapter has more than fifty regular members on its rolls, it may designate one additional delegate for each added twenty-five regular members. If present at the convention the faculty advisor may be one of the delegates. The other delegates shall be regular members if possible but a chapter may designate graduate members as delegates if no regular members will be in attendance.

Section 4

Each validated delegate shall have one vote on all motions put to the convention. Neither proxy voting nor weighted voting shall be allowed.

Section 5

Rather than making a final decision, a convention may pass final decision to a chapter poll which shall be conducted under the rules and procedures prescribed in Section 2 and 3 of Article XIII. Similarly, the National Executive Committee may require that a substantive action of the convention be confirmed by a chapter poll.

Section 6

Each district shall be expected to hold one or more district conventions each year. The District Director shall be responsible for insuring that such conventions occur at a suitable time and place. The primary purpose of such conventions shall be to offer an opportunity for members to present the results of their research activities to other members. Each district may organize its convention program and activities in any way that facilitates this purpose.

Article X - Journal

Section 1

The Society shall maintain a journal which shall be published on a schedule as planned by the Editor and Managing Editor and approved by the National Executive Committee.

Section 2

The name of the journal shall be BIOS.

Section 3

The National Executive Committee, upon nomination of the President shall appoint a Managing Editor and an Editor who shall be responsible for the biological content and editorial standards of the journal.

Section 4

The Editor shall select an editorial board to advise him and assist in the evaluation of manuscripts.

Section 5

The primary purpose of the journal is to provide a medium of publication for the scientific reports of members of the Society, especially reports of undergraduate research. Articles of general interest, whether research reports, historical accounts, reviews, summaries of the field, or new interpretations of present knowledge shall be solicited and published in so far as space and editorial policy permit.

Section 6

The Managing Editor of BIOS shall be specifically responsible for chapter news, convention reports, and other aspects of intra-society communication.

Article XI - Dissolution

Section 1

In the event of the dissolution of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society, the assets, if any, will be distributed to an organization that is exempt from Federal income tax as an organization described in 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are deductible, or to the Federal Government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.

Section 2

Each chapter of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society shall include a provision identical with Section 1 of this article in its by-laws.

Article XII - By-Laws

The National Executive Committee shall, from time to time, adopt such by-laws as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this constitution. It shall be the purpose of the by-laws to state the specific procedures and practices in effect at any given time.

Article XIII - Amendments

Section 1

Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by the National Executive Committee, any national officer or District Director, any chapter advisor, or any regular member in good standing. Any proposed amendment shall be submitted to the National President who shall submit it to the next meeting of the National Executive Committee. The Committee shall report the amendment to the next biennial convention with its recommendations.

Section 2

If a proposed amendment is approved by the majority of the validated delegates at a biennial convention, it shall be submitted by the National Secretary to a poll of the individual chapters active as of the date of the convention. The amendment shall become effective if it is approved by two-thirds of those chapters.

Section 3

A reply period of not less than sixty days nor more than ninety days shall be specified in the request for approval. The ballot shall be declared closed at the end of the specified time. The timing shall be such that any poll will be completed within the same academic year in which it is initiated.