CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
OF THE
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER
OF GAMMA SIGMA DELTA,
THE HONOR SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURE
As amended February 16, 2005
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name and Organization
Section 1. The name of the Chapter shall be the Louisiana State University Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture,
Gamma Sigma Delta.
ARTICLE II
Mission
Section 1. The objective of this chapter is to encourage
high standards of scholarship and proficiency in all branches
of agricultural science and education and a high degree of
excellence in the practice of educational pursuits.
Section 2. The purpose of this chapter shall be implemented
by conferring membership, as an honor, on those students whose
studies are directly related to agriculture, who have shown
exceptional ability in their studies and on those alumni and
faculty members who have rendered outstanding service to agriculture. All
laws, rules and regulations of this Chapter shall be in harmony
with this purpose and shall be so framed as to emphasize and
promote the honorary character of this society.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. The following are eligible for election to
membership in this Chapter:
- Undergraduates in the College of Agriculture and in Biological
and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Engineering.
In total, the chapter may initiate that number of undergraduate
students not exceeding 15 percent of the senior class.
- Juniors or seniors who have carried and completed
at least 24 credit hours at LSU and have attained
an LSU and overall grade point average of 3.2
or better.
- Those who rank scholastically in the upper
five percent if juniors or in the upper 15 percent
if seniors within the class of eligible students,
based on the LSU grade point average.
- Students of the Graduate School or School of Veterinary
Medicine who:
- Show superior ability to carry on research
and/or advanced study in agricultural or related
sciences and promise of making worthwhile contributions
in these fields,
- Have completed 40 percent of the required hours
for the advanced degree being sought,
- Have attained an LSU grade point average of 3.5
or better for work toward a graduate or professional
degree.
- Faculty or professional staff who have an appointment
in the College of Agriculture, the Agricultural Center,
or the School of Veterinary Medicine, and who:
- Have shown outstanding teaching, research,
extension, and/or service (may include administration)
in agricultural or related sciences.
- Been on appointment at LSU for at least three
years.
- Alumni who have:
- Shown outstanding work in or service to agricultural
or related sciences.
- Graduated from the LSU College of Agriculture
or the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine or an
institution with a Gamma Sigma Delta chapter.
- Graduated at least 5 years prior to election
to membership.
- Honorary membership may be awarded to an individual who
has furthered agricultural or related sciences but is not
eligible in the above categories. Such membership
is a prestigious award, limited to one such award per year.
Individuals so honored need not have a degree or be directly
involved in agriculture, but should be leaders at the university,
community, state, regional, or national level.
Section 2. Election of members in this Chapter shall
be made at the meeting held for that purpose.
- Before this meeting, nominations for membership may be
made by any member using the official forms for that purpose
and presenting them to the membership committee. From these
forms this committee shall prepare a list of persons eligible
for membership according to Article III, Section 1.
- Election of members shall be by secret ballot, and candidates
must receive favorable votes from two-thirds of all active
members present at the meeting. Quorum rules shall be in
effect. Results of this election shall be tabulated and announced
before adjournment of the meeting.
Section 3. Membership in Gamma Sigma Delta
may be activated in this chapter upon application to the Secretary.
Section 4. Active members of this Chapter
shall have voting rights and shall consist of those members
of Gamma Sigma Delta who have paid the annual dues for the
current year, as required by the Louisiana State University
Chapter.
Section 5. Any active member of the
LSU Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, at the time of his or her
retirement, automatically becomes a life member of this Chapter
without payment of dues. Life members may participate in all
Chapter activities without voting rights.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The executive officers of this Chapter shall
include a president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer,
historian and immediate past president. These officers shall
constitute the executive committee.
Section 2. The president and president-elect
shall be elected for a period of one year and shall not succeed
themselves. In the event that the office of president becomes
vacant, it shall automatically be filled by the president-elect,
and no president shall be elected unless circumstances prevent
the president-elect from assuming the office of president.
In this instance, the members shall elect a president to fill
the vacancy until the new president-elect becomes eligible
to succeed to the presidency.
The secretary, treasurer,
and historian shall be elected for two-year terms and shall not succeed themselves.
The secretary and treasurer shall be elected in alternate years.
Should any of the offices of secretary, treasurer, or historian be vacated, the remaining members of the executive committee shall appoint an active member to the vacated
position to assume the role and responsibilities of that position and to finish
the usual term in the same office. The appointee shall not be prohibited from seeking
an elected term in the same office upon termination of the appointed term.
Section
3. Nominees for the above offices shall be active members and shall
be submitted by the nominating committee at the spring business meeting. Additional
nominations shall be accepted from the floor.
Section 4. Election of the above officers shall be by
a simple business meeting with quorum rules in effect.
Section 5. Term of office shall begin on May 1.
ARTICLE V
Fees
Section 1. An initiation fee in the amount stated in
the bylaws shall be paid by each individual accepting an invitation
to join this Chapter.
Section 2. Annual dues in the amount determined by procedures
stated in the bylaws shall be assessed the active membership
annually, due January 1.
Section 3. Additional fees may be assessed for special
purposes as requested by the executive committee and approved
by a three-fourths majority of the active members present with
quorum rules in effect.
ARTICLE VI
Adopting and Amending the Bylaws
Section 1. This Chapter shall adopt such bylaws as may
be necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs and the
interpretation and execution of this constitution
.
Section 2. The bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote
of the active membership, through a mail or electronic ballot
or by two-thirds vote of active members assembled at a meeting,
provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted to
each member at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which
it is offered. An approved amendment(s) shall be submitted
to Gamma Sigma Delta International following the meeting at
which it (they) are passed or upon certification of results
of mail or electronic balloting, if used. Amendment(s)
shall become effective upon notification of approval by Gamma
Sigma Delta International.
ARTICLE VII
Amendments to the Constitution
Section 1. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds
vote of the active membership, through mail or electronic ballot,
or by two-thirds vote of members assembled at a meeting, provided
that the proposed amendment has been submitted to each member
at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which it is offered.
An approved amendment(s) shall be submitted to Gamma Sigma
Delta International following the meeting at which it (they)
are passed or upon certification of results of mail or electronic
balloting, if used. Amendment(s) shall become effective
upon notification of approval by Gamma Sigma Delta International.
ARTICLE VIII
Rules of Operation
Section 1. The rules contained in the most recent edition
of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this organization
in all cases where they are applicable and consistent with
the constitution and bylaws of this Chapter.
Section 2. A quorum shall consist of 10 percent of the
total number of active members.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Definition of the Field of Activity
Section 1. In order that this Chapter of the Honor Society
of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta, be of the greatest service
to mankind and enjoy success and prosperity, it must possess
and promote the ideals of responsible scholarship. The Chapter
acknowledges the worth of individuals who have demonstrated
outstanding attainment in agriculture, whether it be in the
classroom, in the research laboratory, or in the promotion
or practice of the agricultural arts and sciences. It recognizes
the spirit of unselfish devotion that ensures service and loyalty
to the agricultural professions.
ARTICLE II
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The president shall:
- Preside over all business meetings of both the Chapter
and the executive committee,
- Coordinate the work of the executive committee,
- Appoint committees as provided for by Articles IV and V
of these bylaws and such other committees as deemed necessary
to carry out the functions of this Chapter, and
- Prepare an annual report of the activities of this Chapter,
to be submitted to the International Society no later than
May 1.
Section 2. The president-elect shall:
- Assume the duties of the president in the president’s
absence,
- Assist other members of the executive committee in coordinating
the extension of activities of this Chapter, and
- Act as Chair of the constitution review committee.
Section 3. The secretary shall:
- Be custodian of all records of membership,
- Collect, record, and disseminate all matters of decision
made by this Chapter,
- Maintain a source of information relative to this Chapter’s
functions, which shall include the constitution and bylaws
and all matters pertaining thereto, and
- Work with the president to prepare an annual report of
the activities of this Chapter, to be submitted to the International
Society no later than May 1.
Section 4. The treasurer shall:
- Prepare an annual budget,
- Collect and be custodian of all funds,
- Keep records to income and expenditures,
- Render to the membership an annual report on all financial
transactions, and
- Submit financial records to the audit committee within
30 days of the end of the Chapter’s fiscal year or
when requested by the executive committee or by a three-fourths
vote of the active membership.
Section 5. The historian shall:
- Maintain a chapter archive and chapter history,
- Record the important historical facts relating to the Chapter,
- Report and publish the important facts relating to the
Chapter,
- Update the chapter history annually and make it available
to the membership,
- Provide visibility to the chapter history and current activities
through displays at chapter functions and on permanent bulletin
boards, and
- Coordinate and continue development and maintenance of
the chapter’s Internet site.
ARTICLE III
Government and Functions
Section 1. This Chapter shall be required
to:
- Submit 6 copies of any proposed changes to this constitution
and bylaws to the International Society,
- Submit a list of Chapter officers to the International
Society immediately after election,
- Submit the names of new members in duplicate to the International
Society on summary forms provided by the secretary,
- Submit an annual report of the Chapter’s activities
to the International Society. The report shall cover the
12-month period ending with April 30 or the current year’s
pending initiation, whichever is later.
- Submit the name of an official delegate to represent this
Chapter at the Biennial Conclave, and
- Encourage the Chapter’s members to purchase and display
the emblem of the Society.
ARTICLE IV
Committees
Section 1. Committee chairs and members shall be appointed
by the president or the president’s representative except
where limited by the articles of this constitution and bylaws.
Members shall not serve on more than one committee unless absolutely
necessary. Committee appointments will normally be for three
years. Student members may be appointed to committees for a
term of one year.
Section 2. Executive Committee:
- Shall be composed of the president, president-elect, secretary,
treasurer, historian, and the immediate past president.
- In the event that the office of president becomes vacant
and the president-elect automatically fills the office of
president, the executive committee shall function with one
less member for that period.
- Meetings shall be called at the discretion of the members.
- This committee shall have the full power to act in all
matters pertaining to the welfare and to the promotion of
the interests of this Chapter except where limited by articles
of the constitution and bylaws.
Section 3. Awards Committees:
- Shall be composed of up to five members (not more than
one from the School of Veterinary Medicine or any one department,
school or division of the Agricultural Center or the College
of Agriculture) appointed by the president or the president’s
representative.
- This committee shall be responsible for establishing and
amending criteria for selection of nominees, obtaining nominations,
and selecting recipients for the following awards:
- The Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture by a Gamma
Sigma Delta member Award of Merit
- The International Award for Distinguished Achievement
in Agriculture by a Gamma Sigma Delta member
- Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Scholarship Recognition
Certificates
- Certificates of Merit.
Section 4. Membership Committee:
- Shall be composed of five members (not more than one from
the School of Veterinary Medicine or any one department,
school or division of the Agricultural Center or the College
of Agriculture) appointed by the president or the president’s
representative.
- Shall function in accordance with Article III of this constitution.
- Shall be responsible for nominating juniors and seniors
for membership, and
- Shall secure nominations for alumni, graduate students,
Veterinary Medicine students, faculty, and honorary members
from the membership.
Section 5. Publicity Committee:
- Shall be appointed by the president or the president’s
representative. The number of committee members shall be
at the discretion of the appointing officer.
- This Committee shall be responsible for publicity including:
- The promotion of this Chapter,
- Encouraging student enrollment in the College of Agriculture
and the School of Veterinary Medicine of Louisiana State
University, and
- Promotion of agriculture in general.
Section 6. Constitution Review Committee:
- Shall be appointed by the president or the president’s
representative. The committee shall be composed of three
members including the president-elect as chair.
- This committee shall be responsible for suggesting changes
in the constitution and bylaws to be considered by the members
of this Chapter.
- Shall receive and review proposed revision(s) to the
constitution and bylaws;
- Shall present suggested revisions at a regular business
meeting and at each succeeding business meeting until the
matter is concluded; and
- Shall notify all members of proposed amendments at least
two weeks prior to a meeting at which these amendments
are to be considered.
Section 7. Project Committee:
- Shall be composed of three members (not more than one from
the School of Veterinary Medicine or any one department,
school, or division of the Agricultural Center or the College
of Agriculture) appointed by the president or the president’s
representative.
- Shall be responsible for exploring, evaluating, and proposing
new projects for fulfilling the obligations of this Chapter
under Article II, Section 1, of the constitution.
- Projects approved by this committee shall be presented
to the executive committee for its consideration and possible
action, and
- The membership shall be informed of the disposition of
projects considered by the executive committee.
Section 8. Nominating Committee:
- Shall be composed of five members (not more than one from
the School of Veterinary Medicine and any department, school,
or division of the Agricultural Center or the College of
Agriculture) appointed by the president or the president’s
representative and chaired by the immediate past president,
- Shall submit a slate of at least one active member nominee
for each office to be filled, with the opportunity for nominations
for individual offices from the floor, to the assembled membership
at the spring business meeting, and
- The nominating committee shall, as soon as its nominees
are identified (a minimum of two weeks prior to the spring
business meeting), provide the Historian the names of the
nominees for each open office for publishing on the Chapter’s
website.
Section 9. Initiation Function Committee:
- Shall be appointed by the president or the president’s
representative, and
- The number of members shall be at the discretion of the
appointing officer.
Section 10. Spring Banquet/Reception Committee:
- Shall be appointed by the president or the president’s
representative, and
- The number of members shall be at the discretion of the
appointing officer.
Section 11. Audit Committee:
- Shall be appointed by the president or the president’s
representative,
- The number of members shall be at the discretion of the
appointing officer, and
- This committee shall audit the financial records of this
Chapter when directed to do so by the executive committee
or a three-fourths vote of the active members present and
voting. Quorum rules to be in effect.
Section 12. Science/Social Studies Fair Committee:
- Shall be appointed by the president or the president’s
representative,
- The number of members shall be at the discretion of the
appointing officer, and
- The committee shall be responsible for securing judges,
judging state science/social studies fair entries that are
agricultural in nature, and making awards to the students
selected as winners.
Section 13. The president may create committees and appoint
members as needed or as directed by the membership.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
Section 1. A fall business meeting shall be held early
in the fall semester, at which time regular business of this
Chapter shall be discussed, the proposed budget considered
for approval, committee reports made, new members proposed
and initiates approved.
Section 2. An annual initiation function shall
be held in the fall semester, at which time new members shall
be initiated and an address made by a guest speaker.
Section 3. A spring business meeting shall be held early
in the spring semester, at which time regular business of this
chapter shall be discussed, committee reports made, and officers
elected.
Section 4. An annual awards banquet meeting shall be
held in the spring semester, before April 30, at which time
student scholarship recognition certificates are presented;
certificates of merit are awarded for teaching, research, extension,
alumni, and distinguished achievement in agriculture. New officers
will be installed. Addresses shall be made by the retiring
president and/or a guest speaker.
Section 5. Special meetings may be held at any time the
executive committee or a three-fourths majority of the active
membership shall deem it necessary in order to carry out the
functions of this Chapter as outlined in its constitution and
bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
Awards
Section 1. The Distinguished Achievement
in Agriculture Award of Merit
- This award shall be presented to an active Gamma Sigma
Delta member who has made an outstanding contribution, either
directly or indirectly, to agriculture in the last five years
in the form of teaching, research, extension, or other distinguished
service, and
- Such distinguished achievement may be in any field related
to agriculture.
Section 2. The International Award for
Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture
- A nominee for this award shall be selected from among the
three most recent recipients of the Chapter Distinguished
Achievement in Agriculture Award of Merit and submitted to
the International Society,
- The nominee for this award must fulfill the following requirements:
- Must have made an outstanding contribution, either directly
or indirectly, to agriculture in the last five years in
the form of teaching, research, extension, or other distinguished
service, and
- Must be an active a member of Gamma Sigma Delta.
- The secretary shall furnish the International Society with
the name of the nominee no later than May 1.
Section 3. Sophomore, junior, senior
and graduate scholarship and recognition awards for the promotion
of better scholarship
- Recipients of these awards must fulfill the following requirements:
- Sophomore awards:
- Must have completed at least 30 and not more than
60 hours and at least 60 percent of these hours must
have been received at Louisiana State University, and
- Must have attained high scholastic standing of not
less than a 3.5. The scholastic average shall
include all accumulated work and shall be determined
by the usual methods prevailing at Louisiana State
University.
- This award may be received only once.
- Each recipient shall be presented with a certificate.
- Junior award:
- One recipient to be selected from among those initiated
in Gamma Sigma Delta during the previous semester,
and
- Must have attained highest scholastic average. This
average shall be based on accumulated work and shall
be determined by the usual methods prevailing at Louisiana
State University. At least 25 percent of the hours
attained must have been received at LSU. In the event
of a tie between applicants when using the criteria
of highest academic average, extracurricular activities
will be considered.
- The recipient shall be presented with a monetary
award with the exact amount to be determined by a special
committee consisting of that year’s members of
the awards committee, the president and the treasurer.
- Senior award:
- One recipient selected from those initiated in Gamma
Sigma Delta during a previous year or initiated in
the current year,
- Must have attained the highest scholastic average.
This average shall be based on accumulated work and
shall be determined by the usual methods prevailing
at Louisiana State University. In the event of a tie
between applicants when using the criteria of highest
academic average, extracurricular activities will be
considered, and
- Must have completed requirements for graduation during
the academic year in which being honored, and at least
25 percent of the hours must have been received at
Louisiana State University.
- The recipient shall be presented with a monetary
award with the exact amount to be determined by a special
committee consisting of that year’s members of
the awards committee, the president and the treasurer.
- Graduate Student Merit Honor Roll Award
Recipients of the Graduate Student Merit Honor Roll
Award will be selected based on established criteria.
Recipients will be recognized and awarded certificates
of appreciation.
- Outstanding M.S. Student Award:
- One recipient selected from members of Gamma Sigma Delta,
- Recipients will be selected based on established criteria,
- Must have contributed to the teaching, research or service missions
of Louisiana State University,
- The recipient shall be presented with a monetary award with the exact amount
to be determined by a special committee consisting of that
year’s members of the awards committee, the president and the treasurer.
- Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award:
- One recipient selected from members of Gamma Sigma Delta,
- Recipients will be selected based on established criteria,
- Must have contributed to the teaching, research or service missions of Louisiana State University,
- The recipient shall be presented with a monetary award with the exact amount to
be determined by a special committee consisting of that year’s members of the
awards committee, the president and the treasurer.
- More than one sophomore may be awarded certificates and monetary awards each year; however, only one junior, one senior, one M.S. student, and one Ph.D. student shall be so honored.
Section 4. Certificates of Merit
- These certificates shall be awarded to individuals who
are active or life members of the LSU Chapter of Gamma Sigma
Delta, who have made distinct contributions to agriculture
in the classroom through research, extension, administration,
or other service and are currently employed in an active
status
- Teaching – shall be awarded to an outstanding
teacher.
- Research – shall be awarded to an active
researcher who meets the criteria above and has
made an outstanding contribution either directly
or indirectly related to agriculture
- Extension – shall be awarded to an extension
faculty/staff member in the Agricultural Center
(including county agents and Extension home economists,
associates, or assistants) who has made an outstanding
contribution either directly or indirectly to
agriculture.
- Teaching Outside of Agriculture – shall
be awarded to an outstanding teacher in an area
outside agriculture who has contributed significantly
to the education of graduate or undergraduate
agricultural students.
- Alumni and/or Professional – shall be
awarded to an alumnus or any resident of Louisiana
who has made an outstanding contribution either
directly or indirectly to agriculture.
Section 5. Teacher Merit Honor Roll
Recipients of the Teacher Merit Honor Roll Award will be selected based on established criteria.
Recipients will be recognized and awarded certificates of appreciation.
Section 6. Administrators shall not be eligible for the Teaching,
Research or Extension awards after three years in their administrative
position unless a portion of their position is funded directly
for teaching, research, or extension.
Section 7. The names of the recipients of the above listed
awards shall be certified to the International Society Secretary.
Section 8. No individual shall be honored by more than
one award in any one calendar year, with the exception of the
Teacher Merit Honor Roll.
Section 9. No recipient shall be honored with the same
award within any single five-year period, with the exception
of the Teacher Merit Honor Roll.
Section 10. Nothing in Article VII, Sections 1, 2, and
3 shall be construed as making it mandatory to grant any or
all of these awards every year if the membership does not desire
to do so.
Section 11. The president may appoint a committee to suggest
new awards to be recommended to the membership. A new award
would be approved by simple majority at a meeting of the membership.
ARTICLE VII
Dues
Section 1. Membership in the International Society is
for life. The initiation fee shall be set by the executive
committee and shall be sufficient to cover the International
Society’s charge, the following year’s individual
chapter membership dues, and a proportionate share of the cost
of the initiation function.
Section 2. The following year’s annual chapter
membership dues for active members shall be set by two-thirds
majority vote of active members present with quorum rules in
effect at the spring business meeting of each year with the
exceptions that, should no changes to the dues be proposed
or no majority agreement be is reached, the dues amount for
the following year will be the same as the current year’s
dues. Any proposal for dues changes shall be submitted to the
active membership at least two weeks prior to the meeting at
which it is offered.
Section 3. Membership dues are due January 1st
of each year. A member delinquent in paying dues shall be notified
to this effect and shall be dropped from the roll of active
members unless dues are paid by January 1st of the following
year. Active chapter membership may be restored upon
payment of dues for the current year.
Section 4. The membership year shall be from January
1 to December 31.
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