CHAPTER I – Chapter
As chartered by the International Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the name of this chapter is: Eric Hutson Pre-Law Chapter, of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International.
Section 2 - Location
This chapter is chartered and established at Missouri State University and shall remain chartered at this school unless lawful action to the contrary is taken by the International Executive Board.
Section 3 - Duties of Chapter
As provided in the pre-law chapter charter as issued by Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, this chapter shall promote the principles, ideals and precepts of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, shall abide by the Constitution and International By-Laws of the Fraternity, as may, from time to time, be lawfully amended, adhere to the rules and procedures as may, from time to time, be lawfully promulgated by the International Executive Board, and shall submit such reports and transmit such fees as may, from time to time, be required of the chapter by the duly constituted authorities of the Fraternity.
Section 1
The purpose of this chapter shall be to provide an effective, cohesive forum to promote the principles, ideals, and precepts of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International; to promote the principles for the professional advancement of its members; to promote the principles of liberty and equal justice under law for all citizens; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to provide a forum for the interchange between members of this chapter and the other members of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, and to develop lasting friendships among its members.
Section 1 - Members
The membership of this chapter shall be composed of those persons accepted into Pre-Law Membership of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, by this chapter, who are in actual attendance at this school and in good standing, and such other pre-law members of the Fraternity duly accepted into the Fraternity by other Pre-Law Chapters of the Fraternity, who are members in good standing in the Fraternity, and who are in actual attendance at this school.
Eligibility for pre-law membership into Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International shall be as follows:
a. Student Membership –
i. Any student who is in attendance at the university carrying a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA and in good standing at the school where this chapter is chartered shall be eligible to be accepted into pre-law membership of this Fraternity as a student member of this chapter.
ii. Anyone who has previously been a member of Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-Law Fraternity, International, at another school is eligible for membership after review.
iii. No person shall be eligible for membership who has ever been a member of any other national pre-law or law fraternity. See National Bylaws.
b. Administration and Faculty Membership –
i. Any full time or part-time administrator or faculty member at the school where this pre-law chapter is chartered shall be eligible for acceptance into pre-law membership.
Only student, administration and faculty members who have been accepted into pre-law membership in this Fraternity shall have any status in this chapter. There shall be no other type of affiliation with this chapter under any circumstances.
Section 4 - Termination of Membership
Pre-Law membership in this Fraternity may be terminated by:
a. Expulsion by a legally constituted pre-law chapter of this Fraternity for violating the purposes of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the provisions of the International By-Laws or of the By-Laws of this chapter or for failure to pay lawful financial obligations to the Fraternity;
b. By voluntary resignation from membership; or
c. By graduating from the undergraduate school at which this pre-law chapter is chartered.
A member in good standing of this chapter shall be a person who is duly accepted into pre-law membership in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, and who is not delinquent in the payment of any financial obligations to this chapter of the Fraternity, maintains a 2.5 GPA and good standing with the university, and is not delinquent in the performance of any other obligations or duty to this chapter or the Fraternity. A member in good standing has the right to vote, hold office, and participate in all chapter activities and functions.
A member is considered to be in bad standing if they have failed to fulfill any of the obligations stated above (Chapter III, Section 5).
a. A member in bad standing must fulfill any of their financial obligations, and/or standing with the university. Failure to do so will result in membership termination.
Inactive status can be granted by chapter officers to any member for one semester or term. A member may apply for inactive status by stating reason for request to chapter officers. The member must be voted inactive by a majority vote of the chapter officers.
CHAPTER IV - Chapter Officers
Section 1 - Officers
This chapter shall annually elect a chapter President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, from among the student members of the chapter who are members in good standing of the Fraternity and who have at least one full school year prior to graduation from the undergraduate school at which the chapter is chartered. An advisor or advisors shall be appointed for each chapter by the Director of Chapter Operations from among the administration and faculty members of each chapter to serve for a one year term.
Section 2 - Election of Officers
Elections for Chapter Officers shall be held during the Spring semester of each year. The Chapter President shall set the exact date, time, and place for such election. The Chapter Secretary shall notify all student members of the chapter of the date, time and place of such election at least ten (10) days prior to such date. Election shall be by a majority vote of the members in good standing, present and voting. Procedures shall be followed as stated in Rituals Manual.
Any nominees must be an active member in good standing with the chapter. Nominees for President must be active for one full year.
Section 3 - Terms of Office
The terms of office of the four student officers shall be for a one-year period. The elected officers shall assume the duties of their individual offices immediately upon being elected thereto. If an officer can not fulfill a full term, special elections may be held to replace that officer.
Section 4 - Duties of Officers
The officers of this chapter shall have the following duties:
President - The President shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the Chapter. He/She shall insure that all other chapter officers perform the duties of their respective offices and shall be responsible for the welfare and dignity of the chapter during his/her term of office. He/She shall maintain a close liaison with the chapter’s advisor or advisors and with the clerk of the local P.A.D. law school chapter. The President shall also be in charge of posting a semester calendar, as well as over see the Recruitment and Networking Chairs of the chapter.
Vice President - The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of such chapter duties as may be requested by the President. In the event of the absence, death, resignation, disqualification or removal from office of the President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President. The Vice President shall over see the Public Relations and Special Events Chairs of the chapter.
Secretary - The Secretary shall be the chief recorder and correspondent of this chapter. He/She shall keep a true and complete record of all matters pertaining to this chapter and shall certify thereto when necessary. The Secretary shall be the custodian of the chapter By-Laws, minutes, website, and administrative records and reports of this chapter. He/She shall maintain a record of all chapter members, together with their current addresses and shall dispatch notices of meetings to members as appropriate. He/She shall be responsible for submitting the official reports required of the chapter by the procedures promulgated by the International Executive Board and shall furnish the Executive Board, Director of Chapter Operations and Chapter President with such information as each may request. The Secretary shall also over see the Resources Chair of the chapter.
Section 5 – Removal from Executive Office or Committee Chair
First, the advisor(s) should always be contacted and involved in helping to resolve a situation where an officer is not fulfilling his/her duties of office. Reasons for removal from Executive Office or Committee Chair are as followed:
a. If an officer misses a required function in which they had a major role without an excuse, that officer can be tried for removal.
b. If a member feels an officer is not fulfilling the obligations and duties for their office, they should prepare a signed written statement addressed to the Executive Board and/or advisor(s).
i. If the Executive Board and/or advisor(s) decided the complaint is justified they will advise the officer and work with them to remedy the problem.
ii. If the problem persists it may be brought before the chapter by the Executive Board.
c. A secret ballot and two-thirds majority vote shall be used to remove an officer.
d. Any removed officer or chair person will not be eligible for election to any office or appointment to any chair for the reminder of his/her affiliation with the removing chapter. However, they are still considered a member in good standing, unless the qualifications for good standing are not met.
CHAPTER V - Executive Committee
Section 1 - Compositions
The Executive Committee of this pre-law chapter shall be composed of the four duly elected chapter officers, the Chapter Advisor or Advisors and the chairpersons of the standing chapter committees.
Section 2 - Duties
The Executive Committee shall have the responsibility for the proper, efficient and effective operation of the Chapter. It shall schedule, plan and implement chapter programs, projects, functions and meetings with the major objective of providing for the professional advancement of the members of the chapter, ensuring the continuity of this chapter by acquiring new members and of providing professional service to the members of this chapter, to the Fraternity and to the school. It shall carefully study and review all policies and procedures as promulgated by the International Executive Board to insure compliance therewith by this chapter.
Section 3 - Meetings
The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month upon the call of the Chapter President to consider, discuss, plan direct and implement the operations of the chapter. It shall coordinate the work of the various committees of the chapter and shall develop a projected schedule of chapter operations.
CHAPTER VI – Pre-Law Director
Section 1
It shall be the responsibility of the Chapter President and the Chapter Advisor(s) to develop a close working relationship with the Director of Chapter Operations and to seek his/her aid and advice to insure the development of contacts for the chapter members with the local law school and alumni chapters of Phi Alpha Delta. The Chapter President shall keep the Director of Chapter Operations fully informed of all chapter meetings, programs, projects and other activities and shall seek his/her advice thereon when appropriate.
CHAPTER VII - Chapter Committees
Section 1 - Standing Committees
The following standing committees and chairpersons shall be appointed by the Executive Board immediately upon assuming office:
a. Public Relations Committee
b. Special Events Committee
c. Recruitment Committee
d. Networking Committee
e. Fundraising Committee
f. Resources Committee
Section 2 - Other Committees
Other committees may be established by the chapter for special purposes as determined by the chapter, which membership shall be appointed by the Executive Board.
Section 3 - Duties of the Committees
The standing committees shall have the following duties:
a. Public Relation Committee -
Unless otherwise directed by the chapter, the Vice President shall oversee this committee. It shall have the responsibility of servicing the chapter with speakers and events during the course of chapter meetings. This committee is also responsible for program and running the rolling internship program between the chapter and local law firms.
b. Special Events Committee -
Unless otherwise directed by the chapter, the Vice President shall oversee this committee. It shall have the responsibility of developing programs which shall aid in the professional development of the chapter members outside the regularly scheduled meetings. This committee shall plan, direct and implement seminars, speaker programs, tours to legal bodies and other programs designed to advance the professional development of members of this chapter.
c. Recruitment Committee –
Unless otherwise directed by the chapter, the President will oversee this committee. This committee shall insure the continuity of this chapter by seeking for pre-law membership in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International all appropriate prospective members. It shall conduct a concentrated rush program at the beginning of each semester and shall conduct a continuing rush program all during the year. It shall distribute all appropriate pre-law rush materials of the Fraternity to members of the student body. It shall plan and implement effective rush programs for the chapter, coordinating rush with other activities of the chapter and the general school calendar. Finally, this committee will arrange the Initiation Ceremony at the end of the rush period.
d. Networking Committee –
Unless otherwise directed by the chapter, the President will oversee this committee. This committee shall develop methods of publicizing the various activities of the chapter at the school, in the local community and the Fraternity generally. It shall publicize the activities of the Pre-Law Chapter among the school’s student body to aid in the development of an identity for the chapter among all students enrolled at the school; it shall seek to obtain publicity for the chapter activities in the local news media and other publications to further establish its chapter identity; and shall submit articles and pictures for inclusion in The Reporter, an official publication of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International. It will also be responsible for the coordination of activities with other on-campus organizations. It shall also develop appropriate functions to aid in the development of acquaintances between the pre-law members and the other members of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International.
e. Fundraising Committee –
Unless otherwise directed by the chapter, the Treasurer shall oversee this committee. The main responsibility of this committee shall be to develop sources of revenue for the chapter in addition to chapter dues. It shall not be responsible for establishing chapter dues, such being the responsibility of the chapter itself, or for the collections of such dues, such being the responsibility of the Treasurer. It shall review and analyze the financial condition of the chapter on a continuing basis and shall report to the chapter its recommendations thereof.
f. Resources Committee-
Unless otherwise directed by the chapter, the Secretary shall oversee this committee. This committee will provide the chapter with LSAT preparation material and mock LSAT practice test. Also, it will gather and provide law school admissions information for the chapter.
CHAPTER VIII - Fiscal Matters
Section 1 - Pre-Law Membership Fee
Each candidate for pre-law membership shall pay the International Membership Fee of Seventy Dollars ($70.00)to the Treasurer of the chapter prior to acceptance into membership. The International Membership Fee shall be remitted, in the proper form, to the Executive Office, by the Chapter Treasurer, within ten (10) days of receipt of such fee. All International Membership fees shall be deposited by the Chapter Treasurer in a special trust account and shall not be co-mingled with the general funds of the chapter.
Section 2 - Chapter Dues
The dues of this chapter are hereby set at Twenty-Five ($25) dollars per semester. Each member of the chapter shall pay the established chapter dues to the Chapter Treasurer at the time such is due or upon demand of the Treasurer. Any members who refuse to pay the lawful chapter dues shall be reported to the chapter by the Treasurer and if such members persist in the refusal to pay such lawful obligation, the member may be held to be a member in bad standing (and not allowed to participate in local chapter events). This requires a majority vote of the members of the chapter.
Section 3 - Administration and Faculty Members
The Pre-Law membership fee is waived for administration and faculty members of this chapter.
Section 4 - Assessments
The chapter may, from time to time, by a majority vote, levy special assessments upon members of the chapter, provided that such be levied at a regular or special meeting called for such purposes and the members of the chapter are notified of such proposed action prior to such meeting. No such assessment shall exceed an amount equal to the annual dues of the chapter. Upon approval of the chapter, such assessment shall be a financial obligation of each member of the chapter, and shall be paid to the Chapter Treasurer.
Section 5
The affairs of the chapter shall be conducted upon a sound financial basis and no outstanding chapter indebtedness shall be incurred without the prior approval of a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the chapter membership.
CHAPTER IX - Chapter Meetings
Section 1
Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held on a date set by the executive officers.
Section 2
Special meetings of this chapter shall be held at the call of the President, Chapter Advisor(s) or at the call of any two of the other officers of this chapter or upon request of one-third of the active membership of this chapter.
Section 3
Roberts’ Rules of Order (revised) shall control the parliamentary procedure of this chapter.
CHAPTER X - Official Reports
Section 1
This chapter shall submit reports as required by the Executive Office or the Director of Chapter Operations, including the forms as hereinafter set forth:
a. The Chapter Secretary shall prepare a Membership Enrollment form for each membership application received.
a. The Membership Enrollment Form, Membership Applications and International Membership Fees shall be remitted to the Executive Office by the Chapter Secretary within ten (10) days of receipt by said officer of the Membership Application and Fees.
b. An updated Roster of Officers shall be submitted to the Executive Office by the Chapter Secretary immediately upon the election of officers or immediately upon any change in information included therein.
CHAPTER XI - Pre-Law Chapter By-Laws
Section 1 - Authority
These Chapter By-Laws are adopted under the authority of and are subject to the rules and procedures of the International Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, and any section which conflicts with such rules and procedures shall be null and void without, however, voiding the remainder of the Chapter By-Laws.
Section 2 - Amendments
Those sections of these By-Laws, which are not prescribed by the International Constitution, By-Laws, or rules and procedures promulgated by the International Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of this chapter at a meeting called for that purpose and shall be effective immediately; provided, however, that notice of the proposed amendment to these By-Laws shall be given to all chapter members at least one week prior to the meeting and provided further that no meeting for the amendment of these By-Laws shall be called during a vacation period of the school at which this chapter is located.
Section 3 - Filed with the Executive Office
Upon adoption, a copy of the Chapter By-Laws shall be immediately mailed to the Executive Office of the Fraternity to be reviewed and approved by the International Executive Board and filed with the records of this chapter, and maintained by the Executive Office. Any amendments to these By-Laws, officially adopted by the chapter, shall likewise be filed with the Executive Office.