Introduction

    The name of this organization shall be Pi Sigma Alpha, the Honor Society of Political Science.  The chapter at Southeast Missouri State University was designated as the Iota Rho Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha upon its creation in 1979.

    Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1920 by C. Perry Patterson at the University of Texas as a national honor society for undergraduate and graduate students of Political Science. Today there are more than 500 chapters established in colleges and universities across the United States.  Membership in an honor society is a worthy distinction and a tangible sign of academic achievement.  All Pi Sigma Alpha members receive a certificate of membership and permanent enrollment in the society's membership rolls, maintained by the National Office.

    The purpose of this organization is to stimulate productive scholarship and intelligent interest in the subject of political science among students at Southeast Missouri State University.  Pi Sigma Alpha gives students the opportunity for valuable administrative experiences as chapter officers or organizers of chapter activities.  Members are eligible to compete for the Pi Sigma Alpha Graduate Scholarship, the Undergraduate Best Paper Awards, and a one-year student membership in the American Political Science Association, funded by the National Office for one student selected by each chapter each year.

Membership Requirements

    The purpose of Pi Sigma Alpha is to stimulate scholarship and interest in the subject of political science by providing tangible recognition to students who have excelled in the field.  Minimum standards of admission under the national constitution are as follows:

• completion of at least 12 undergraduate semester hours in political science including at least one course not open to students in the first two years of collegiate work.
• an average grade of at least B (3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale) in all political science courses, and
• an overall academic standing in the upper third of the college class

    An undergraduate at Southeast is eligible if he or she has completed at least twelve (12) semester hours of work in political science at Southeast Missouri State University or other accredited institutions.  A cumulative GPA of 3.0 at all institutions, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at Southeast, and a GPA of 3.0 in political science are minimum requirements.

    There is a one-time fee of $30.00 to the national Pi Sigma Alpha, due upon acceptance into membership of Iota Rho Chapter.  Information on Iota Rho chapter application is posted above by contacting the chapter Advisor.

Officers and Faculty Advisor

    The Iota Rho chapter offices are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  There is also a Faculty Advisor. Officer duties are as follows:

    Section 1. The President shall have general executive control of the chapter, preside at all meetings, and perform such other duties as usually pertain to this office.

    Section 2. The Vice-President shall aid the President in the performance of his or her duties and shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President.

    Section 3. The Secretary shall conduct such chapter correspondence as may be necessary; and upon the request of the President or Faculty Advisor, shall keep an accurate record of meetings and other chapter proceedings.

    Section 4:  The Treasurer shall maintain the chapter's bank account, report the account's status to membership during meetings, and upon the request of the President, Vice President, or Faculty Advisor, shall send notices to members of unpaid dues and any fees adopted by chapter membership.

    Section 5. The Faculty Advisor shall confer with the officers in determining the policies of the organization.

    Section 6:  Only the officers of Pi Sigma Alpha, with the approval of the Faculty Advisor, will be authorized to expend funds on behalf of the Society.

Election of Officers

Standards of Conduct for Chapters

Meeting times

    The chapter shall hold regularly scheduled meetings at designated times and locale.

Hazing

   Hazing for the purpose of pledging, initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for maintaining membership in a group, organization, or team.  Hazing is defined as any intentional, knowing or reckless act, whether on or off campus, which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of any person, regardless of consent, or which violates public law or University policy.  Hazing includes, but is not limited to a) any physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, paddling, branding, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity; b) any physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects a student to risk of harm, or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of a student; c) any activity involving consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug, or substance that subjects a student to risk of harm, or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of a student; d) any activity that intimidates or threatens a student with ostracism, subjects a student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of a student, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or institution rather than submit to acts described above; and, e) any activity in which a person solicits, plans, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in hazing or intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur and/or knowingly fails to report the incident.

Nondiscrimination

    The Iota Rho Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access, or treatment of members within, this organization.

SECTION 1. Classes. There shall be three classes of membership in the society as follows: student, faculty, and honorary.

SECTION 2. Student Membership. Student members shall be initiated by a local chapter from among such juniors, seniors, or graduate students of the institution in which the chapter is located as may meet the following qualifications:

1. completion of fifteen quarter hours or ten semester hours of work in political science including at least one course not open to students in the first two years of collegiate work;
2. maintenance of an average grade of "B" (3.0) or higher in all courses in political science, and maintenance of general scholarship to place such students within the upper third of their class; and
3. fulfillment of such additional requirements as may have been prescribed by the local chapter.

The Chapter Secretary-treasurer and the chapter advisor shall certify the eligibility of student initiates. No election of initiates shall be necessary.

SECTION 3. Faculty Membership. Any member of the faculty of the administrative department, school, or division which offers a major sequence of courses in political science at any institution at which a local chapter is located may be initiated into faculty membership by such local chapter. Faculty members shall possess all the privileges of membership.

SECTION 4. Honorary Membership. Any person of recognized ability and achievement in the field of political science may be elected an honorary member by any local chapter or by a meeting of the members. No more than two such members may be elected by any local chapter in any one year. Honorary members shall possess all the privileges of active membership except that of being an officer or Council member of the society.

SECTION 5. Election of Faculty and Honorary Members. Election to faculty or honorary membership shall be by vote of not less than two-thirds of those voting, a quorum being present.

SECTION 6. Subsequent Membership. All persons duly initiated to membership (other than honorary) in any institution who are subsequently enrolled as students or are serving as faculty members in a different institution at which a chapter is located shall be deemed members of that chapter.

SECTION 7. Fees and Dues. Each member shall pay such initiation fees and annual dues as may be prescribed by the local chapter.

SECTION 8. Pins and Keys. The Council may adopt the design of pins, keys, and other symbols of membership which shall be available for purchase through the Director on such terms and under such conditions as the Council may determine.

SECTION 1. Composition, Tenure, and Vacancy. The affairs of the society shall be governed by a Council which shall consist of the President; the President Elect; the Director; the Newsletter Editor; the three most recent past presidents; and twelve members elected by the membership, six to be elected each biennium for four-year terms. Officers and Council members shall serve until their successors take office after their election or appointment. The President shall fill by appointment any vacancy in the Council caused by death, resignation, or other inability to serve or by lack of a sufficient number of past presidents. Only members of the society may be members of the Council.

SECTION 2. Powers. The Council shall manage the affairs of the society and shall act in the capacity of a board of directors. The Council shall adopt such resolutions as may be appropriate for the governance and furtherance of the purposes of the society. The Council shall have the power: to contract for all necessary materials and services in connection with the management of the society, including the employment of auditors; to delegate powers and duties to officers and employees of the society; to provide for the business and conduct of annual and special meetings; and to issue and distribute the society's Newsletter and other publications.

SECTION 3. Executive Committee. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Council consisting of the President, President Elect, Director Newsletter Editor, most recent past president, and two members of the Council appointed by the President with the approval of the Council. The Executive Committee shall have the power to exercise all the functions of the Council between annual meetings and when the Council is not in session. All actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported promptly to the Council.

SECTION 1. Officers. The officers of the society shall be a President, a President Elect who will automatically succeed to the office of President upon completion of the President's term, and a Director. Only members of the society may be officers.

SECTION 2. President and President Elect. The first President and President Elect of the society shall be selected by the initial Council. Future Presidents Elect shall be elected by the membership at the regular biennial convention of the society, as outlined in Article IV of this Constitution, for a period of two years.

SECTION 3. Director. The Director shall be appointed by the Council and shall serve at the Council's pleasure. The Director shall be generally responsible for the execution of the society's business, subject to policies established by the Council. The duties of the Director shall include those of Secretary- Treasurer.

SECTION 4. Committees. The Council may establish committees and boards for various purposes. Chairs and members of the boards and committees shall be appointed by the President.

SECTION 5. Vacancy. In case of death, resignation, or inability of the President to perform the duties of such office, the President Elect shall immediately succeed to the office of President and shall be President for the remainder of their term unless that is less than six months, in which case such person shall serve out the unexpired term and two additional years. In case of an interim vacancy in the office of President Elect, the incumbent President shall appoint a Nominating Committee which shall forthwith proceed to nominate and the Council shall elect a new President Elect to serve until the end of the next biennial meeting. The next biennial meeting of the members may confirm the Council's action by electing the President Elect to the office of President, or may take such other action as in its discretion the situation may require, to the end that there shall be in office at all times both a President and a President Elect.

SECTION 1. Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee not less than sixty days prior to each biennial meeting. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the three most recent past presidents able and willing to serve thereon and not more than two additional members designated by the President. If there are not three past presidents available, the President may appoint a sufficient number of other members to complete the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall present nominations for officers and Council members at the biennial meeting of members.

SECTION 2. Nominations by members. Additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member at the time the Nominating Committee makes its report.

SECTION 3. Voting. All nominations shall be voted on by separate vote for each office. Each chapter of the society shall be entitled to one vote. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected and shall thereupon take office.

SECTION 4. Mail Ballots. The Council may provide for election by mail ballot to each chapter in any year in which it is impossible to hold a biennial meeting. Space shall be provided on the ballot for writing in the names of additional candidates The nominee receiving the highest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected and shall thereupon take office.

SECTION 1. Qualifications. A local chapter may be established at any college or university granting the baccalaureate or higher degrees, which is accredited by a regional or national accrediting association whose accreditation is acceptable to the Council, and which offers a major sequence of courses in political science through an appropriate administrative department, school, or division of the institution, and which conforms to requirements established by the Council. Establishment of chapters outside the United States shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Article, except that the Council may make such modifications as are appropriate in applying the accrediting association clause of this Section.

SECTION 2. Petitions. All petitions for the establishment of a new local chapter shall be sent to the Director whose duty it shall be to determine eligibility for membership. If the petition is approved by the Director, after consultation with the Executive Committee, a charter will be issued to the petitioning school.

SECTION 3. Officers. Each local chapter shall have at least the following officers: a president, a vice-president, and a secretary-treasurer, and their names shall be reported to the Director.

SECTION 4. Advisor. Each chapter shall choose one member of the faculty of the administrative department, school, or division offering a major sequence of courses in political science at the institution at which the chapter is located to act as Chapter Advisor. The Director shall be informed of the name of such Advisor.

SECTION 5. By-Laws. Each chapter may make such by-laws, not inconsistent with this Constitution, as it may deem advisable.

SECTION 6. Reports. The secretary-treasurer of each local chapter shall report to the Director annually on or before May 15 on the number of active members of the local chapter, the financial condition of the chapter, and other such information as may be requested by the Director.

SECTION 7. Recision of Charter. A chapter charter may be rescinded by the Council:

1. for failure to maintain standards of membership set forth in Article I;
2. for nonpayment of fees; or
3. for inactivity for a period of three or more consecutive years.

SECTION 1. Meetings of Members. A biennial meeting of chapter advisors or their delegates shall be held at a time and place designated by the Council. The President or Council may call special meetings. Whenever possible, the biennial meeting of the society shall be held every even-numbered year at the time and place fixed for the annual convention of the American Political Science Association. The Director shall notify the chapters of the time and place of the meeting of members of the society at least ninety days before the date set for the meeting.

SECTION 2. Delegates. Each chapter may send to any meeting such number of delegates as it may deem appropriate, but each chapter shall be entitled to only one vote.

SECTION 3. Meetings of the Council or Executive Committee. Meetings of the Council or Executive Committee shall be held upon written notice to be mailed not less than fifteen nor more than forty days before the date of the meeting. Meetings shall be at the call of the President, or of any five members of the Council, or of three members of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 1. Number Constituting Quorum, Majority Vote. Ten members of the Council, three members of the Executive Committee, and the representatives of thirty chapters at a regular or special meeting of the society shall respectively constitute a quorum. All action shall be my majority vote of members, Council members, or members of the Executive Committee as the case may be, present unless otherwise provided by law or in this constitution.

SECTION 1. Waiver. Any person entitled to vote at any meeting of members, or of the Council, or of the Executive Committee, may waive notice of the time, place, and purpose of such meeting either before or after the date of such meeting, and any action taken or resolution adopted thereat shall, upon such waiver, be as valid as though notice had been given.

SECTION 2. Action Without Meeting. Any action or resolution required or permitted to be taken or adopted at any meeting of the chapter advisors, Executive Committee or Council, may be taken or adopted without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth such action or resolution is signed by a majority of a quorum of such advisors, Executive Committee or Council, unless otherwise prescribed by law.

SECTION 1. Determination. Charter, initiation, and other fees shall be set by the Council.

SECTION 1. Adoption. The Council may adopt a corporate seal as it deems appropriate.

SECTION 1. Determination. The fiscal year of the society shall be determined by the Council.

SECTION 1. Validity. All questions affecting the validity of any by-law of a local chapter shall be decided by the Council. A decision by the Council shall be final unless submitted to the membership under Section 2 hereof.

SECTION 2. Submission to Membership. In the event any chapter or member thereof is aggrieved by a decision of the Council under Section 1 of this Article, such chapter or member may, by notice to the Council within 30 days after a decision, require that the decision of the Council be reviewed by the membership at its next biennial meeting. A decision of the membership under this Section shall be final.

SECTION 1. Proposals. Amendments to this Constitution may by proposed by the Council or by petition to the Director of not less than five chapters.

SECTION 2. Ratification. Within sixty days after the submission of a proposal to amend this Constitution in accordance with Section 1 hereof, the Director shall circulate a ballot on such amendment by mail to the local chapters. An amendment to the Constitution shall not be effective unless a majority of those chapters voting within sixty days of the date of mailing of the ballot shall approve such amendment.

The undersigned, natural persons of the age of twenty-one years or more, hereby adopt the following Articles of Incorporation PI SIGMA ALPHA pursuant to the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act:

1. NAME. The name of the corporation is PI SIGMA ALPHA.

    

2. DURATION. The period of duration of the corporation shall be perpetual.

    

3. PURPOSES. The purposes for which the corporation is organized are as follows:
   1. to operate and maintain a political science honor society;
   2. to establish chapters at accredited colleges and universities which offer at least a prescribed minimum, as determined by the Council, of work in political science;
   3. to promote worthwhile curricular and extracurricular activities related to political science;
   4. to stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science;
   5. to organize and conduct national and international seminars, conferences, research, discussion groups, study groups, and publications in the area of political science;
   6. to engage in all such activities and to take such other measures as may be necessary or appropriate to further the foregoing purposes.

    

4. MEMBERSHIP. The corporation shall have members, as provided in the Constitution of the corporation.

    

5. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP. Classes of members and the qualifications and rights of members, if any, shall be provided in the Constitution of the corporation.

    

6. COUNCIL. Except for the initial Council of the corporation, whose names and addresses are set forth in these Articles of Incorporation, the election or appointment of Council members shall be as provided in the Constitution of the corporation.

    

7. OTHER PROVISIONS. The corporation shall not possess or exercise any power or authority, expressly, by interpretation, or by operation of law that will prevent it at any time from qualifying and continuing to qualify as a corporation exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (or any corresponding successor statute), and as a corporation contributions to which are deductible under Section 701(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (or any corresponding successor statute), nor shall it engage, directly or indirectly, in any activity which would cause it to lose such qualification.

   No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall consist of the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

   No part of the income of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any member, Council member, director, officer, or trustee of the corporation and no member, Council member, director, officer, or trustee of the corporation shall be entitled to share in the distribution, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions to any persons in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these Articles.

   The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act (or any corresponding successor statute), defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the officers and Council members of the corporation for any liabilities incurred or threatened in connection with their activities in their capacities as such officers and Council members.

   In the event of the dissolution of the corporation, the Council shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purposes of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (or any corresponding successor statute), as the Council shall determine, Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

    

8. REGISTERED OFFICE. The address, including street number, of the corporation's initial registered office is Suite 1000, 600 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., and the name of the corporation's initial registered agent at such address is Steric Registered Agents, Inc.

    

9. INITIAL COUNCIL. The number of persons constituting the initial Council of the corporation is eighteen (18), and the names and addresses of the persons who are to serve as the initial members of the Council of the corporation until their successors are elected and qualified are as follows:

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