Florida International University
Women's Studies Center
Women's Studies Honor Society

Iota Iota Iota

Constitution and Bylaws

ARTICLE I
Name of Organization
Section 1: The name of the organization shall be the Florida International University Women's Studies Honor Society, Iota, Iota, Iota.

ARTICLE II
Purpose of Organization
Section 1: The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage and support scholarship and excellence in women's studies, as well as the feminist ideals central to women's studies at Florida International University : egalitarianism, justice, and diversity.

ARTICLE III
Qualifications for Membership
Section 1: Membership shall be open to majors or certificate earners in women's studies having achieved third semester standing with at least 3 hours of women's studies courses and with a GPA of at least 3.2.

Section 2: All who meet approved academic criteria are invited to become members of this Women's Studies academic society without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, differing abilities, economic class, or sexual orientation.

Section 3: Officers shall be elected from the general membership. No one officer shall serve more than 2 years and not more than one year in any given office.

ARTICLE IV
Officers of the Organization
Section 1: The elected officers of this organization shall be as follows: President, Vice- President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section 2: The term of office shall be for the academic year.

Section 3: Elections shall be held during the spring semester prior to the end of the academic year.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the President to preside over meetings of the organization.

Section 5: It shall be the duty of the Vice President to serve in the capacity of President during an absence of the President.

Section 6: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to administer the financial affairs of the organization and to present the status of finances at organization meetings for approval and inclusion in the minutes of the organization.

Section 7: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the minutes of the organization's meetings and to present the same for approval and inclusion in the minutes of the organization. The Secretary shall also be responsible for the correspondence, both incoming and outgoing, of the organization.

Section 8: It shall be the duty of the elected officers to interview and appoint voting members to the offices of Secretary of Recruitment and Webmaster.

a. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Recruitment to work with the Women's Studies Center and the Registrar of Florida International University to find candidates for the honors society each semester.

b. It shall be the duty of the Webmaster to maintain and keep up-to-date the official website of Iota, Iota, Iota.

Section 9: The Executive Board of the organization shall consist of the elected officers and appointed officers who constitute the Executive Committee and the Faculty Advisor. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to pass any business which refers to the Executive Board by a simple majority vote.

ARTICLE V
Council
Section 1: The governing body of this society shall be known as council.

Section 2: Council shall be composed of positions as follows: 1) President; 2) Vice-President; 3) Secretary; and 4) Treasurer.

Section 3: Meetings of council shall be open to all voting members of this society who shall be permitted to speak on any topic properly under discussion, but only members of council will have a vote.

ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1: Meetings will be held at least once each month at the Women's Studies Center unless otherwise specified.

Section 2: Special meetings shall be called by mail by the Secretary of the organization at least one week prior to the special meeting.

Section 3: The annual members meeting shall be similarly called by the Secretary.

ARTICLE VII
Quorum
Section 1: A simple majority of the elected officials and members in attendance may transact business legally and shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
Section 1: Amendments must be presented to the Executive Board for approval before they may be submitted to the organization for vote. Amendments must pertain to the purpose of the honor society.

Section 2: Provisions for Notice shall be given to the membership at the first meeting of the organization at which a quorum is present following the approval of the amendment by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IX
Enacting Clause
Section 1: This Constitution shall become effective upon approval of the Honors Council of Florida International University.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I
Definition of Name
Section 1: The Women's Studies Honor Society, Iota, Iota, Iota is named for the ancient goddesses Inanna, Ishtar, and Isis.

ARTICLE II
Description and Purpose.
Section 1: This organization shall be a non-secret, egalitarian national society of scholars dedicated to the ideals of excellence in women's studies and scholarship.

Section 2: It shall be the purpose of this society to promote an interest in women's studies, research in social problems affecting all women, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the condition of all people.

ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1: Those persons who have been approved for membership by a chartered chapter of this society and who have paid the initiation fee for membership, shall be accorded the status of life member.

Section 2: Undergraduate members who maintain active status within the chapter shall be granted the status of voting member.

Section 3: Dues shall be determined by each respective chapter of Iota, Iota, Iota.

ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1: Officers of this society shall be four in number and shall be elected by voting members by ballot. The officers of this society shall be as follows: 1) President; 2) Vice-President; 3) Secretary; and 4) Treasurer.

Section 2: Candidates for these offices shall be nominated by the voting members.

Section 3: Officers of this society shall be qualified for their positions by being voting members at the time of their candidacy for office and during their term of office.

Section 4: In the event that the President is unable to serve a full term of office, the Vice-President shall automatically assume the office of President for the unexpired portion. In the event that the Vice-President is not willing or able to assume the office of President, the secretary shall call an emergency election for the office of President, who will serve the unexpired portion of the Presidential term. Members of council shall be eligible to run for President. In the event that the Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer is still unable to serve a full term of office, the President shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired portion.

Section 5: The duties of the officers of this society shall be as follows:

a. The President shall act as Chair of Council at all meetings and perform all functions as Executive Officer of this society consistent with the policies of council. The President shall have sole power to appoint members of special purpose committees not otherwise specified in the constitution. It shall be the responsibility/duty of the president to communicate with heads of committees who will present reports to the president.

b. The Vice-President shall assume the chair of council in the absence of the President and shall fill the unexpired term of the President when that office is vacant, upon confirmation by council.

c. The Secretary shall be archivist for the society, performing such duties as council may assign, including:

(1) Provide certificates of life membership to new initiates and maintain records of voting members by chapter affiliation for purpose of voting in the affairs of this organization.

(2) Correspond annually with departments of women's studies to ensure that they continue to meet the requirements for establishment and maintenance of chapters.

(3) Prepare, mail, and receive secret ballots for the conduct of business of this society consistent with the policies of council.

(4) Record the minutes of meetings of council.

(5) Provide council with a brief written annual summary report of activity during the preceding year and for proposals for the ensuing year.

d. The treasurer shall be fiscal officer for the society performing such duties as council may assign including:

(1) Receive, disburse, and otherwise properly manage and record all financial transactions for this society consistent with policies of council.

(2) Provide complete records of the financial status of this organization.

e. The secretary of recruitment shall be responsible for contacting students eligible to apply for membership to the society.

f. The webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the official chapter website at least once per month. The website shall contain such information as meeting dates, meeting agenda, meeting minutes, archives, photo galleries, events listing, and whatever else council feels is important.

Section 6: Additional officers desired by council shall be appointed by action of council.

Section 7: Removal of Officers:

a. An officer may be removed from the office only for cause by a two-thirds vote of members of council present and voting either in person or by proxy at an annual meeting where charges are studied by council.

b. Cause for removal from office shall consist of such matters as misuse of office or persistent failure to perform duties of office.

ARTICLE V
Meetings
Section 1: The annual members meeting will include discussion of inherent contradictions of elitism in honor societies vs inclusionary principles and values consistent with feminist ideologies.

ARTICLE VI
Amendments
Section 1: Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by members of council or the Executive Committee. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to council for study.

Section 2: Proposed amendments to this Constitution will be studied by council, and, if approved by a quorum (simple majority) vote of council, shall be submitted by mail ballot to
chapter representatives for ratification on or before a date set by council.

Section 3: Ratification of amendments to this Constitution shall require a three-fourths (?) vote of chapter representatives casting ballots.