Chapter Rules
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA
ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER
CHAPTER RULES
REVISED OCTOBER 2019
1. Name - Alpha Sigma Chapter of The Tennessee State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society
International (hereby referred to as the Tennessee State Organization).
11. Purpose - Refer to the seven-point purposes stated in DKG Handbook
A. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship.
B. To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of
education.
C. To advance the professional interest and position of women in education.
D. To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interest of
education and of women educators.
E. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant
fellowships to women educators from other countries.
F. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in
appropriate programs of action.
G. To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may
participate effectively in a world society.
111. Membership
A. The membership year is July 1 – June 30. Membership is by invitation only. An approved candidate
becomes a member of the Society when she pays her dues ($80) and a one-time induction fee. The
chapter retains the right to decide if and when to have an induction ceremony, but typically joins the
annual ceremony sponsored by the Coordinating Council.
B. A candidate for active membership shall be selected using the following method:
1. Member submits candidate’s name and credentials to the Membership Committee.
2. Membership Committee affirms the candidates’ qualifications and presents the list of names to the
chapter.
3. Members vote by marking the names on the ballot of candidates.
C. Classes of membership
1. Active – a woman who is or has been employed as a professional educator at the time of her
election (Constitution, Art. III, Sec. B.1)
2. Reserve – a woman who is unable to participate fully in the activities of the chapter because of a
physical disability and/or geographic location
3. Honorary - a woman not eligible for active membership but has rendered notable service to
education or to women, and is elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service
4. Collegiate – a female undergraduate or graduate student actively enrolled in an institution offering
an education degree and intends to continue academically and professionally in the field of
education. The undergraduate must be within the last two years of her education degree.
D. Termination of membership – All terminations are reported to the chapter (including the reason and
date of termination) and recorded in the minutes. The chapter treasurer completes the Report of
Members Dropped (Form 18A). A member may only be terminated for the following reasons:
1. Non-payment of dues – Annual dues and fees must be paid to the chapter treasurer by June 30 for
the following fiscal year. Non-payment will result in termination of membership. The chapter is
encouraged to contact the member to discuss payment alternatives or determine whether there are
other reasons for dropping membership.
2. Resignation - Chapter is encouraged to contact the member to discuss reasons for resigning and
explain the options of reinstatement.
3. Death - Chapter president or designee will send a necrology report (Form 6) to the State
Organization Treasurer, the State Organization Membership Chair and the International Membership
Services Administrator.
E. Reinstatement – A former member shall be reinstated to membership by the chapter receiving the
request. A Reinstated Member Form (Form 83) must be filed and dues paid. Chapter does not vote
on the reinstatement.
F. Transfer
1. Only active and reserve memberships may transfer.
2. Receiving chapter must accept the transfer.
3. Transferring member initiates the transfer by completing and mailing an official Transfer Request
(Form TR-A) application to International Headquarters. Society Headquarters sends an Official Notice
of Transfer to the transferring member, to the presidents and treasurers of the sending and the
receiving chapters, and to the state organization treasurers.
G. Orientation and Reorientation
1. Orientation sessions are scheduled days in advance of the Induction Ceremony which is arranged by
the Coordinating Council.
2. Sessions will be conducted by Membership Committee and will include an exchange of information
regarding the responsibilities, obligations and benefits of membership.
3. Reorientation for all members will be ongoing to update and review information about the society.
IV. Finance
A. Annual Dues
1. Dues ($80) must be paid by June 30 for the fiscal year, July 1 – June 30, and include payment of
state and international dues and any funds for State and International scholarships and fellowships
2. Dues are broken down as follows:
a. International - $40.00
b. State - $14.00
c. Local - $26.00
3. Reserve members pay $40.00
4. The chapter may waive chapter dues of a member if that member is no longer able to handle her
affairs and does not pay her dues by June 30. If the chapter votes to waive the chapter portion of
the dues, the chapter may pay state organization and international dues for the member.
5. For reinstatement between July 1 and December 31, the member shall pay dues and scholarship fee
for the current year.
6. For reinstatement (or membership) on or after January 1, the member shall pay one-half the
international and state membership dues, in addition to the full scholarship fee. Chapter dues may
also be pro-rated. Chapter retains the induction fee of $7.50.
7. Contributions to special funds are decided by the chapter unless specifically designated, i.e. World
Fellowship, Golden Gift, etc. Treasurer then sends a check.
B. Financial Controls
1. Proposed budget, approved by the Executive Board, is presented to the chapter at the first meeting
of the fiscal year.
2. Checks are signed by the chapter Treasurer or President.
3. Budget meetings are held annually by August 1
4. Fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30.
5. Audit is performed by Executive Board during the month of July.
C. The chapter budgets money so the president may attend the State Convention or applies that amount
toward expenses incurred by attending a regional or international meeting.
D. Chapter members are eligible for reimbursement for gas expenses incurred during travel to state
conferences.
V. Officers and Related Personnel
A. Chapter officers include a president, 1st vice-president, 2nd vice-president and secretary (recording
and/or corresponding) who are recommended by the Nominations Committee and the Executive Board
and voted on by the membership. The treasurer is selected by the Executive Board. The out-going
president serves as parliamentarian, or the incoming president may appoint the parliamentarian from
the membership.
B. Duties of each officer are as follows:
1. President presides at meetings, publishes a monthly newsletter, participates in Memphis
Coordinating Council, presides at Executive Board Meeting, serves as an ex officio member of all
committees (except the nominating committee) and performs other duties as described in
President’s Handbook.
2. First VP presides at meeting in the absence of President, chairs the Program Committee and works
with the Social Committee on all programs.
3. Second VP coordinates the yearbook.
4. Recording Secretary takes minutes and then reports at the following meeting.
5. Corresponding Secretary sends announcements of monthly meeting details, i.e. date, place, etc.
6. Treasurer handles all financial business of the chapter. The chapter treasurer also maintains an
accurate and current membership roster.
7. Parliamentarian maintains order at meetings according to Roberts Revised Rules of Order.
C. Term of office is two years; officers are elected in even numbered years.
D. Nominations and elections are governed by the Nominating Committee which is appointed by the
chapter president. However, the president does not serve as an ex officio of the Nominations
Committee.
E. Vacancies in offices will be filled by appointment of the President.
F. Certain chapter business expenses (stamps, cards, printer ink, etc.) may be reimbursed by the treasurer
upon presenting receipts. Additionally, the chapter president may write a check if necessary.
VI. Executive Board
A. Meetings are held 3 times per year.
B. Members include the president, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary, treasurer and parliamentarian, and other
voting members as shall be determined by the chapter president, such as a past president or highly
regarded, outstanding member.
C. Duties
1. Set forth by the Constitution:
a. Select the treasurer for the biennium
b. Act in matters requiring immediate action and decision
c. Recommend policies and procedures for consideration by members
d. Establish rules for budget development and approval
e. Establish rules for the supervision of chapter finances.
2. Asserted by the chapter
a. Set goals for the year.
b. Review the budget
c. Discuss the programs
d. Make decisions to present at monthly chapter meetings.
VII. Committees
A. Standing Committees – have a continuing existence established by name in the Constitution, bylaws or
chapter rules.
1. Society Business
a. Finance
b. Membership
c. Nominations
2. Society Mission and Purposes:
a. Programs
b. Personal Growth and Services
c. Legislation/Professional Affairs
d. Chapter Archives
e. Sunshine
3. Educational Service:
a. Communication
b. Scholarships
c. World Fellowship
B. Duties of Committees
1. Finance - sets budget
2. Membership - responsible for getting names of possible new members, presenting them to the
members for a vote, and conducts orientation.
3. Nominations - selects chapter officers for the coming year and presents names for a vote.
4. Programs - arranges for a minimum of four programs throughout the year, at least one presented by
a chapter member.
5. Personal Growth and Services - helps plan a program with subjects that reflect growth in some area
of personal life.
6. Legislation/Professional Affairs - keeps chapter updated on actions in Nashville, encourages
attendance to Legislative Symposium, and keeps the chapter updated on current professional issues.
7. Chapter Archives - Oversees an ongoing written history of the chapter, which may include photos
and scrapbooks and digital media (website, digital yearbook, digital storage: CDs, USB flash drive).
8. Sunshine - notifies the chapter of illness or death, sends appropriate cards/flowers, also encourages
attendance with calls and cards.
9. Communication - handles publication of chapter activities.
10. Scholarship - takes applications and makes recommendations for scholarships and grants. Also
encourages members to apply for local, state and national scholarships.
11. World fellowship - plans an activity to collect funds for World Fellowship and updates the
membership on World Fellowship recipients.
VIII. Parliamentary Authority
A. Roberts Revised Rules of Order are followed.
B. The chapter has voted to accept a quorum as a majority of active members present.
IX. Amendments to Chapter Rules - Studied and revised as needed every 2 years.
X. Chapter Customs, Traditions and Current Policies and Procedures
A. Death of a member - The chapter sends a bud vase with one long stemmed red rose. A ten-dollar
memorial is sent to the state for the International Scholarship Fund. A card is sent to a member when
an immediate family member dies.
B. The chapter honors 30, 40, and 50 years of membership with emblematic pin.
C. Chapter meetings may be face-to-face, through electronic communications, or a combination of the two
as long as members may hear and actively participate in the meeting.
D. Matters needing immediate action may be voted upon by mail or electronically. A majority vote of
chapter members is required for this action. Ratification of mail voting must be made at the next face-
to-face meeting. No proxy voting.
XI. International Committee Reports – Reports requested from state organizations and chapters shall be
submitted in the format specified by Society Headquarters.
ALPHA SIGMA CHAPTER
CHAPTER RULES
REVISED OCTOBER 2019
1. Name - Alpha Sigma Chapter of The Tennessee State Organization of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society
International (hereby referred to as the Tennessee State Organization).
11. Purpose - Refer to the seven-point purposes stated in DKG Handbook
A. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship.
B. To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of
education.
C. To advance the professional interest and position of women in education.
D. To initiate, endorse and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interest of
education and of women educators.
E. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant
fellowships to women educators from other countries.
F. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in
appropriate programs of action.
G. To inform the members of current economic, social, political and educational issues so that they may
participate effectively in a world society.
111. Membership
A. The membership year is July 1 – June 30. Membership is by invitation only. An approved candidate
becomes a member of the Society when she pays her dues ($80) and a one-time induction fee. The
chapter retains the right to decide if and when to have an induction ceremony, but typically joins the
annual ceremony sponsored by the Coordinating Council.
B. A candidate for active membership shall be selected using the following method:
1. Member submits candidate’s name and credentials to the Membership Committee.
2. Membership Committee affirms the candidates’ qualifications and presents the list of names to the
chapter.
3. Members vote by marking the names on the ballot of candidates.
C. Classes of membership
1. Active – a woman who is or has been employed as a professional educator at the time of her
election (Constitution, Art. III, Sec. B.1)
2. Reserve – a woman who is unable to participate fully in the activities of the chapter because of a
physical disability and/or geographic location
3. Honorary - a woman not eligible for active membership but has rendered notable service to
education or to women, and is elected to honorary membership in recognition of such service
4. Collegiate – a female undergraduate or graduate student actively enrolled in an institution offering
an education degree and intends to continue academically and professionally in the field of
education. The undergraduate must be within the last two years of her education degree.
D. Termination of membership – All terminations are reported to the chapter (including the reason and
date of termination) and recorded in the minutes. The chapter treasurer completes the Report of
Members Dropped (Form 18A). A member may only be terminated for the following reasons:
1. Non-payment of dues – Annual dues and fees must be paid to the chapter treasurer by June 30 for
the following fiscal year. Non-payment will result in termination of membership. The chapter is
encouraged to contact the member to discuss payment alternatives or determine whether there are
other reasons for dropping membership.
2. Resignation - Chapter is encouraged to contact the member to discuss reasons for resigning and
explain the options of reinstatement.
3. Death - Chapter president or designee will send a necrology report (Form 6) to the State
Organization Treasurer, the State Organization Membership Chair and the International Membership
Services Administrator.
E. Reinstatement – A former member shall be reinstated to membership by the chapter receiving the
request. A Reinstated Member Form (Form 83) must be filed and dues paid. Chapter does not vote
on the reinstatement.
F. Transfer
1. Only active and reserve memberships may transfer.
2. Receiving chapter must accept the transfer.
3. Transferring member initiates the transfer by completing and mailing an official Transfer Request
(Form TR-A) application to International Headquarters. Society Headquarters sends an Official Notice
of Transfer to the transferring member, to the presidents and treasurers of the sending and the
receiving chapters, and to the state organization treasurers.
G. Orientation and Reorientation
1. Orientation sessions are scheduled days in advance of the Induction Ceremony which is arranged by
the Coordinating Council.
2. Sessions will be conducted by Membership Committee and will include an exchange of information
regarding the responsibilities, obligations and benefits of membership.
3. Reorientation for all members will be ongoing to update and review information about the society.
IV. Finance
A. Annual Dues
1. Dues ($80) must be paid by June 30 for the fiscal year, July 1 – June 30, and include payment of
state and international dues and any funds for State and International scholarships and fellowships
2. Dues are broken down as follows:
a. International - $40.00
b. State - $14.00
c. Local - $26.00
3. Reserve members pay $40.00
4. The chapter may waive chapter dues of a member if that member is no longer able to handle her
affairs and does not pay her dues by June 30. If the chapter votes to waive the chapter portion of
the dues, the chapter may pay state organization and international dues for the member.
5. For reinstatement between July 1 and December 31, the member shall pay dues and scholarship fee
for the current year.
6. For reinstatement (or membership) on or after January 1, the member shall pay one-half the
international and state membership dues, in addition to the full scholarship fee. Chapter dues may
also be pro-rated. Chapter retains the induction fee of $7.50.
7. Contributions to special funds are decided by the chapter unless specifically designated, i.e. World
Fellowship, Golden Gift, etc. Treasurer then sends a check.
B. Financial Controls
1. Proposed budget, approved by the Executive Board, is presented to the chapter at the first meeting
of the fiscal year.
2. Checks are signed by the chapter Treasurer or President.
3. Budget meetings are held annually by August 1
4. Fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30.
5. Audit is performed by Executive Board during the month of July.
C. The chapter budgets money so the president may attend the State Convention or applies that amount
toward expenses incurred by attending a regional or international meeting.
D. Chapter members are eligible for reimbursement for gas expenses incurred during travel to state
conferences.
V. Officers and Related Personnel
A. Chapter officers include a president, 1st vice-president, 2nd vice-president and secretary (recording
and/or corresponding) who are recommended by the Nominations Committee and the Executive Board
and voted on by the membership. The treasurer is selected by the Executive Board. The out-going
president serves as parliamentarian, or the incoming president may appoint the parliamentarian from
the membership.
B. Duties of each officer are as follows:
1. President presides at meetings, publishes a monthly newsletter, participates in Memphis
Coordinating Council, presides at Executive Board Meeting, serves as an ex officio member of all
committees (except the nominating committee) and performs other duties as described in
President’s Handbook.
2. First VP presides at meeting in the absence of President, chairs the Program Committee and works
with the Social Committee on all programs.
3. Second VP coordinates the yearbook.
4. Recording Secretary takes minutes and then reports at the following meeting.
5. Corresponding Secretary sends announcements of monthly meeting details, i.e. date, place, etc.
6. Treasurer handles all financial business of the chapter. The chapter treasurer also maintains an
accurate and current membership roster.
7. Parliamentarian maintains order at meetings according to Roberts Revised Rules of Order.
C. Term of office is two years; officers are elected in even numbered years.
D. Nominations and elections are governed by the Nominating Committee which is appointed by the
chapter president. However, the president does not serve as an ex officio of the Nominations
Committee.
E. Vacancies in offices will be filled by appointment of the President.
F. Certain chapter business expenses (stamps, cards, printer ink, etc.) may be reimbursed by the treasurer
upon presenting receipts. Additionally, the chapter president may write a check if necessary.
VI. Executive Board
A. Meetings are held 3 times per year.
B. Members include the president, 1st VP, 2nd VP, secretary, treasurer and parliamentarian, and other
voting members as shall be determined by the chapter president, such as a past president or highly
regarded, outstanding member.
C. Duties
1. Set forth by the Constitution:
a. Select the treasurer for the biennium
b. Act in matters requiring immediate action and decision
c. Recommend policies and procedures for consideration by members
d. Establish rules for budget development and approval
e. Establish rules for the supervision of chapter finances.
2. Asserted by the chapter
a. Set goals for the year.
b. Review the budget
c. Discuss the programs
d. Make decisions to present at monthly chapter meetings.
VII. Committees
A. Standing Committees – have a continuing existence established by name in the Constitution, bylaws or
chapter rules.
1. Society Business
a. Finance
b. Membership
c. Nominations
2. Society Mission and Purposes:
a. Programs
b. Personal Growth and Services
c. Legislation/Professional Affairs
d. Chapter Archives
e. Sunshine
3. Educational Service:
a. Communication
b. Scholarships
c. World Fellowship
B. Duties of Committees
1. Finance - sets budget
2. Membership - responsible for getting names of possible new members, presenting them to the
members for a vote, and conducts orientation.
3. Nominations - selects chapter officers for the coming year and presents names for a vote.
4. Programs - arranges for a minimum of four programs throughout the year, at least one presented by
a chapter member.
5. Personal Growth and Services - helps plan a program with subjects that reflect growth in some area
of personal life.
6. Legislation/Professional Affairs - keeps chapter updated on actions in Nashville, encourages
attendance to Legislative Symposium, and keeps the chapter updated on current professional issues.
7. Chapter Archives - Oversees an ongoing written history of the chapter, which may include photos
and scrapbooks and digital media (website, digital yearbook, digital storage: CDs, USB flash drive).
8. Sunshine - notifies the chapter of illness or death, sends appropriate cards/flowers, also encourages
attendance with calls and cards.
9. Communication - handles publication of chapter activities.
10. Scholarship - takes applications and makes recommendations for scholarships and grants. Also
encourages members to apply for local, state and national scholarships.
11. World fellowship - plans an activity to collect funds for World Fellowship and updates the
membership on World Fellowship recipients.
VIII. Parliamentary Authority
A. Roberts Revised Rules of Order are followed.
B. The chapter has voted to accept a quorum as a majority of active members present.
IX. Amendments to Chapter Rules - Studied and revised as needed every 2 years.
X. Chapter Customs, Traditions and Current Policies and Procedures
A. Death of a member - The chapter sends a bud vase with one long stemmed red rose. A ten-dollar
memorial is sent to the state for the International Scholarship Fund. A card is sent to a member when
an immediate family member dies.
B. The chapter honors 30, 40, and 50 years of membership with emblematic pin.
C. Chapter meetings may be face-to-face, through electronic communications, or a combination of the two
as long as members may hear and actively participate in the meeting.
D. Matters needing immediate action may be voted upon by mail or electronically. A majority vote of
chapter members is required for this action. Ratification of mail voting must be made at the next face-
to-face meeting. No proxy voting.
XI. International Committee Reports – Reports requested from state organizations and chapters shall be
submitted in the format specified by Society Headquarters.