Pi Gamma Mu, International Social Science Honor Society
Gamma of South Carolina Chapter
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CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be Pi Gamma Mu, International Social Science Honor Society, Gamma of South Carolina

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the organization shall be to encourage study of the social sciences among undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty at Winthrop University , cooperation among the social science disciplines, and to recognize outstanding achievement through election to membership and the presentation of various awards for distinguished achievement.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

•  Membership in the organization shall be open to currently enrolled Winthrop University graduate and undergraduate students who have earned at least 20 hours in the social sciences as defined by the international chapter, earned a 3.0 GPA in the social sciences, and a 3.0 GPA overall, class rank in the upper 35 percent of their respective classes, and have paid the required dues.

•  This organization will have associated members who are current faculty teaching in the social sciences who have paid their required dues. Faculty members may vote and faculty members must serve as Secretary-Treasurer and comprise the Advisory Board.

•  Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions in the campus-recognized chapter or group may not be limited on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicap, ancestry or medical condition, except as explicitly exempted in federal law.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND DUTIES

•  The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and the Advisory Board.

•  To be eligible for office, candidates for offices other than Secretary-Treasurer and the Advisory Board must be regularly enrolled students at Winthrop University and members in good standing of Pi Gamma Mu.

•  Nominations for office shall occur annually at the last meeting of the preceding academic year.

•  Elections shall occur at the last meeting of the preceding academic year.

•  The term of office shall be for one year for the president and vice-president position and shall begin August 1 and end July 31. Vacancies shall be filled by special election and the officers elected by special election shall serve the remainder of the term.

•  The executive assistant position shall be for two years and shall begin August 1 and end July 31. Vacancies shall be filled by special election and the officers elected by special election shall serve the remainder of the term.

•  This position is limited to students who are four semesters away from graduation.

•  Officers may be removed from office by vote of no confidence of current membership.

•  The duties of the officers shall be:

•  President. The President shall be chosen from among the student members of Pi Gamma Mu. The duties of the President are to:

•  Schedule and call meetings to order (including booking space);

•  Provide an agenda for meetings;

•  Preside at meetings and events;

•  File by-laws and constitution with the international headquarters;

•  Write annual report for submission to international headquarters;

•  Send list of incoming officers to international headquarters;

•  Appoint members to committees;

•  Exercise chapter voting rights;

•  Appoint a web page author; and

•  Perform other duties as they evolve.

•  Vice President. The Vice President shall be chosen from among the student members of Pi Gamma Mu. The duties of Vice President are to:

•  Assume Presidency in case of vacancy in that office;

•  Plan annual induction ceremony;

•  Preside at meetings and events in case of absence of the President;

•  Perform other duties as assigned.

•  Executive Assistant. The executive assistant shall be chosen from among the student members of Pi Gamma Mu: The duties of the executive assistant include:

•  Assume the role of President or Vice-President in event of an absence

•  Communications and maintain list of active members

•  Perform other duties as assigned.

•  Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be chosen from the faculty members. The duties of the Secretary-Treasurer are to:

•  Act as the faculty advisor to Pi Gamma Mu, Gamma of South Carolina chapter

•  Maintain checking accounts;

•  Take minutes of meetings; and

•  Perform other duties as assigned.

  Advisory Board. The Advisory Board shall be comprised of interested faculty members teaching in the social sciences. The Advisory Board shall assist in chapter activities and perform other duties as assigned.

ARTICLE V: FUNDING

•  The organization shall be funded by one-time dues collected from those inducted and other fundraisers as decided upon by the chapter members.

•  All financial transactions must be approved by the Secretary- Treasurer and/or President.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

•  Regular meetings events of the organization shall be held at the discretion of the membership.

•  Special meetings and events may be called by President, Secretary-Treasurer, or any five members.

•  Agendas for meetings shall be prepared by the President and circulated at the meeting.

•  A quorum for any regular or special meeting shall be five members.

  ARTICLE VII: POWERS

•  The organization may create committees as it sees fit.

•  Members to the committees shall be appointed by President.

•  The organization shall operate as a non-profit association and no profits may accrue to any individual within the organization.

•  Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, decisions of the organization shall be made by a simple majority of those present and voting, with those abstaining from the vote not figuring into the determination of the majority required.

•  For purposes of any vote, the determination of the current eligible voting membership shall be current students and faculty who have paid dues.

•  The chapter may confer honorary memberships to note worthy individuals as it sees fit.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote of those present, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Any portion of this document that conflicts with the Constitution and by laws of the International Honor Society shall be moot.

Adopted: January 3, 2006