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CHAPTERS

Starting or Renewing  (Reactivating) a Chapter

  The process is very simple and not cumbersome. Most of the process has been done for you. All you need to do is to find a willing person (faculty status) to serve as Advisor or President and form the executive group with the President (if it is not a faculty member) and others (could be students). One member will be the liaison to the headquarters. If there are no active (paying dues) members at your place, we can nominate persons qualified and accept them into the society so they function as such. This could be done before or during the chapter formation. Once this is done, the process is easy. A brief sequence of the steps follows:

1. Contact the headquarters: Dr. Juan L. Silva, Exec. Secretary: jls@ra.msstate.edu
2. Identify active members or nominate such persons,
3. Identify contact person and/or advisor,
4. Develop a set of by-laws (see model by-laws below),
5. Submit the model by-laws and six nominees (recommended) with dues to the Executive Secretary,
6. Upon review, the by-laws will be accepted along with the nominees,
7. A certificate of charter will be given at the Annual meeting at IFT (Breakfast and Awards banquet). The chapter will also be recognized at our news letter and our website.
8. The chapter is responsible for nominations and collection of dues to be sent to the National headquarters at least once a year, along with any changes in officers/advisors. The chapter can collect local dues in addition to national dues.

  If you already have been chartered but have not been active (can ask the Executive secretary or check the web page), you need to update your officers and request a reactivation of the chapter. If you do not have the by-laws, develop them and do as noted above. You will be recognized in our newsletter, website and Breakfast and Awards banquet.

 MODEL BY-LAWS (Courtesy of the Florida and Cornell Chapters)

 I. Name

Phi Tau Sigma Honorary Society, Florida Chapter

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611

Chartered on July 23, 2003

    Purpose

The purpose of this organization are to encourage and recognize outstanding achievement in the area of food science and technology, to promote the exchange of scientific information among food scientists and related disciplines through meetings, seminars, and publications, and to recognize the achievement of promising young scientists and to enhance professionalism among food science and related disciplines.

 II. Membership

 A)    Eligibility:  Persons eligible for membership in the society shall be Seniors or graduate students who have a GPA equal to or greater than 3.0.   Faculty, or staff may be associate members who cannot vote or hold office (However in most cases (including other chpaters), faculty and other members vote in a society like this since it is honorary and not a student club). 

B)     Members shall be nominated and elected in accordance with Article II, Section 4a, of the Constitution of the National Society. 

C)    Nominations must be by one student memeber and one faculty member and will be reviewed by the chapter executive committee.  After acceptance the nomination will the voted upon by all the members of the chapter. 

D)    Procedure for revoking membership:  Active membership in the University of Florida Chapter of Phi Tau Sigma will be revoked if:

1. A Student’s GPA falls below a 3.0.
2. A Student withdraws from school. 
3. Failure to pay national dues. 

 III. Regulations

This organization will adhere to the Student Guide and the other laws, rules, and regulations governing the University of Florida and its students.  This organization is non-profit and non-commercial in nature.  This organization promises not to discriminate against any race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.  This organization also promises not to harass or haze.  Additionally, members of this organization will be free to disassociate without fear of harassment or retribution.

 IV. Finance

The cost to each student member for national dues is $10/year.  The cost to all associate members is $15/year, subject to change by the National organization.  These monies will be paid directly to the appropriate organization.  The Chapter will not be involved in collecting these dues.  Programs and activities for the local chapter (club) will be financed by donations made to the organization. 

 V. Officers

As a group, the officers will be referred to as the Executive Committee.

 President – The duties of the president will be to conduct all meetings, correspond with the parent organization, handle all public relation issues for the club, and promote membership in Phi Tau Sigma. 

 Vice President – The duties of the vice president will be to assist the president with club meetings and events, attend meetings in the president’s absence, and handle all social activities and events.

 Secretary – The duties of the secretary will be to take minutes at all club and executive committee meetings, type the minutes, keep a record book of all minutes, and have minutes on hand at all meetings, handle all paperwork encountered by the organization, and send out notices (emails) to club members with announcements and dates for meetings.

 Treasurer – The duties of the treasurer will be to handle any money issues encountered by the club, manage all financial accounts, deposit any donations received, set up hotel accommodations and transportation for any speakers that come to the university.

 Officers are elected to the appropriate positions for a one-year term and elections will be held in January of the Spring semester.  Officers will be elected by a simple majority vote (51%) of members present at the meeting held for elections.  In the event an office becomes vacant, another election, following the above stated guidelines, will be held in a timely manner to fill the position. 

 In the event a complaint is made about the executive committee, and an impeachment process is needed, it will include a formal written complaint submitted to the Executive Committee (board of directors), exclusive of the person(s) in question.  The executive committee, without the person(s) in question, will meet to discuss the validity of the complaint.  A decision will be made regarding the need for the removal from office.  If a vote is needed, impeachment will occur upon a unanimous vote of all members of the organization.

 A faculty advisor who is an active member of Phi Tau Sigma will be selected by the open call for the position and the acceptance of a volunteer who agrees to accept the position for a term of at least one year.  Faculty advisors will be chosen in January of the Spring semester and the advisors term will last at least one year. The duties of the faculty advisor will include being present at club meetings and advising and facilitating with club events and activities.

 Amendments

If an amendment to the by-laws (constitution) needs to be made, the amendment must be drafted by the Secretary and announced at the next club meeting.  The amendment will be discussed and voted upon at the meeting following the one at which it was announced.  The amendment will be accepted by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting.

Chapters being developed:

Texas Tech University - Leslie Thompson                                                            Oklahoma State University- Christina deWitt                                                        Honduras- Zamurano (Pan American) - Julio Lopez

There are 34 chapters (primarily at educational institutions) in the U.S. and Mexico. These are formed to better serve the members at the local level. The chapters, installation dates, first president and last secretary/president are as follows: