PHI THETA KAPPA SAN DIEGO MESA COLLEGE CHAPTER (Mesa PTK) CONSTITUTION As of 10/5/2023
Statement of Purpose: The mission of the SDCCD Mesa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is to encourage students to pursue excellence in all they undertake and to provide service and leadership opportunities to support the college and community. The purpose of the SDCCD Mesa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is to create strong students and contributing members of the community locally and society at large, to help develop the confidence to succeed, and to connect student members to resources that will be helpful to their educational, career and life journey. The hallmarks of the SDCCD Mesa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa are Integrity, Excellence, Leadership and Service.
Statement of Formation: The SDCCD Mesa College Chapter, Beta Beta Upsilon, is part of the local, regional, national and international Phi Theta Kappa organization. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious honor society for two-year colleges in the world. The Chapter was Chartered at Mesa College in 1994 under sponsorship by Mesa College President Dr. Constance Carroll in association with approval by Phi Theta Kappa and received its sequential Chaptering designation as Beta Beta Upsilon. Because the Charter of a Chapter is granted to the institution, that institution's top administrator, the President or CEO has the final authority of deciding upon an issue on which the Chapter members and the Staff Advisor cannot agree. Phi Theta Kappa Chapters have always enjoyed a special relationship with their College Presidents, and the current seated Mesa College President remains the College sponsor of Phi Theta Kappa's Beta Beta Upsilon Chapter at Mesa.
Article 1. Membership: As defined by the District, voting Members must be current San Diego Community College District Mesa College students. Members must be attending the Chapter college, be age 18 or older, have completed at least 12 units of college coursework, maintain at least a 3.5 GPA, be accepted at the National level for Membership, participate in at least one Chapter service project per year, adhere to the provisions of the Mesa PTK Constitution, and remain a confirmed Mesa Phi Theta Kappa Member in good standing. Temporary departure by an existing Member from these requirements may be allowable after reasonable consideration on a case-by-case basis. Such departures shall be reviewed by the Membership Manager/committee with recommendations made to the Executive Officers for action. The President shall have final approval for departures from Membership requirements, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Students interested in membership who have shown an active interest in the affairs of the local Chapter and have a special capacity to serve but do not meet full requirements for Membership may, at the discretion of the Executive Officers and approved by their majority vote, be considered a Provisional Member, but shall not vote, hold office or represent the Chapter. Alumni Members are active Members no longer matriculating at their college Chapter of Record. Honorary Members may be designated by a majority of the Chapter Executive Officers at their discretion for those who have served the Society and Chapter in a very important, special or meaningful way.
Article 2. Advisors, Officers, Managers & Committees: There shall be at all times for the Chapter a Staff Advisor who shall be approved by a majority of the Executive Officer(s), and a Student Co-Advisor, who shall be a current or past Chapter President, or their assignee, to assist the Staff Advisor with their duties. The Staff Advisor shall be a college employee that shall act as the Chapter liaison with the college and serve as the primary Contact Advisor that shall consult with Chapter Officers as an intermediary with the hosting college, and with Phi Theta Kappa for advisory and administrative purposes. The Staff Advisor does not vote, except when serving in a temporary Officer capacity, if no other Officer can be made available. It is the Staff Advisor's duty to assist in carrying out the will of the Officers and the Membership, providing such direction is aligned with the Chapter college and Phi Theta Kappa organization. It is the duty of the elected Executive Officers to direct, manage and run the Chapter business with integrity, to make and second motions (motions may be made by a Member and seconded by an Officer, or made by an Officer and seconded by a Member or an Officer), and provide meaningful interactions with and benefits to the Members. The elected Executive Officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The appointed Managers shall be the Media Manager, Public Relations Manager, Membership Manager and Project Manager. Additional ad-hoc Managers may be appointed as necessary. Managers shall be appointed to their position by the President after consultation with the other Executive officers. If a vacancy occurs, the President, Vice-President, or - if no current or most recently serving Executive Officer that is a student at the college can serve - Staff Advisor, may assume the responsibilities of the vacant office on a temporary basis until such time as a replacement can be appointed or elected. If more than one Semester is left in the vacating Officer’s term, an Election shall be held to fill the vacancy. If less than one Semester is left, the vacancy may be appointed by the President after consulting the other Executive Officers. Standing Committees shall consist of the Ways & Means, Special Projects, and Membership committees, with other committees formed on an ad hoc basis. Each committee shall have at least one Executive Officer participating and committee heads shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the relevant committee Executive Officer.
Article 2, Section 1. Nominations: Students may be verbally nominated for an Officer position by another member or be self-nominated. Nominees may be put forward for only one Officer position at a time, with the exception that if a position remains vacant after the election is complete and a nominee for a contested office shall not have been elected to their preferred position, they may be put forward ad hoc for appointment consideration to any remaining vacant Officer or Manager position. Each nominee may submit a brief statement no later than one week prior to the election for review by voting Members. All officer nominations will be finalized no later than one week prior to the election so that voting Members may familiarize themselves with the nominees and have time to consider their qualifications. The names of nominated members running for elected office will be read and/or publicized to confirm their nomination during the meeting one week prior to the election.
Article 2, Section 2. Qualifications for Office: As defined by the District, Officers must be a current San Diego Community College District Mesa student, at least 18 years old, a Phi Theta Kappa Mesa Chapter Member in good standing, and have held at least one prior Officer position in some capacity.
Article 2, Section 3. Duties: It shall be the duty of the:
President, to preside at meetings, appoint committees, committee heads, and managers, organize meeting agendas, review and approve minutes, represent the organization at Mesa ICC and other college, district or community meetings, serve as the Student Co-Advisor of the Chapter (or their assignee) to consult with and assist the College Staff Advisor, and perform other such duties as are usually required of this office for the organization.
Vice-President, to act in the absence of the President in all capacities as listed above and to assist the President in conducting Chapter business as necessary.
Secretary, to record and distribute the minutes of all meetings, maintain the membership roster, issue notices of meetings and agendas, submit Mesa ICC reports, keep Chapter records, and other related business.
Treasurer, to follow appropriate Chapter, college and district financial procedures, keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures, and make related reports, accountings or applications as directed.
Media Manager, to manage social marketing, creative social media content, and maintain social media platforms in collaboration with Executive Officers and the Public Relations Manager.
Public Relations Manager, to manage press releases, publicity materials and communications in collaboration with Executive Officers and the Media Manager, and send letters, emails, cards and notes.
Membership Manager, to coordinate membership activities and keep current new and former members.
Project Manager, to coordinate Chapter activities and projects as directed by the Executive Officers.
Article 2, Section 4. Elections: The Officers shall be elected each Spring for the Fall term via plurality through confidential written or electronic ballot under reasonable arrangements agreed to by the current or most recent Officers and the Staff Advisor. An additional election may be held in the Fall if necessary to fill vacancies for that current year, under the same terms. If candidates run unopposed, elections are not necessary, and the unopposed candidate will assume the Officer position on the date of the election. If, after the election, no member has been elected to a position, the President may appoint an interested member to fill the vacant position for the remainder of the term.
Article 2, Section 5. Terms of Office: The elected Officers shall serve a two-semester term (Start of Fall through Close of Spring). Elected Officers may continue in authority and service to assist the Chapter after their term until they are relieved by their newly elected or appointed replacement.
Article 2, Section 6. Removal from Office: An Officer may be removed from office if that person neglects the duties of his or her position or egregiously violates the Chapter or the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution or Bylaws. Absence from two consecutive meetings with no response to email communications or obvious failure to fulfill the duties of their office constitutes a neglect of duty. In order to remove an Officer, the Staff Advisor must be notified by a member about a neglect of duties, the Officer must be given an opportunity to respond one meeting before a vote of no confidence is held. If the removal is to proceed, a three-quarters [3/4] majority vote of no confidence by Members in attendance at a meeting with a quorum of at least twelve [12] active Members in attendance must be attained. The Officer in question may make a brief statement at the meeting when the vote will be held but may not cast or be a witness to the vote.
Article 3. Meetings: Meetings shall be held as the Executive Officers shall determine, but in no event less than once a month. Special meetings, such as Executive Meetings, may be called and meetings may be rescheduled for appropriate reasons as necessary. The Staff Advisor must be present at all Chapter general membership meetings for the meeting to be conducted. PTK Members may meet and conduct business by any method that allows all participants to simultaneously communicate with each other. Minor business not requiring discussion may be automatically adopted by Executive Officers at the opening of meetings. If meeting format or operation is in question, the most current version of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be consulted to resolve the question. A simple majority of at least five (5) Members present constitutes a quorum. Agenda items, including budgetary allocations, may be proposed and approved by vote at the same meeting, after any reasonable period of discussion concludes. The President shall conduct and direct discussion on open issues in an orderly manner to ensure participation weighed against relevancy and timeliness. If discussion on an open item of business is excessive or extended, the item may be tabled by the President for later review. Minutes will be recorded at the meetings.
Phi Theta Kappa Mesa Chapter Bylaws
Article 1. Inclusivity: Phi Theta Kappa Mesa shall be inclusive and there shall be no barrier or unequal treatment based on race, ethnic background, gender, age, religion, sexual preference, sexual identity, personal identity, disability or national origin which inhibits or prevents any person's full participation in any activities.
Article 2. Finances: All purchases, services, contracts, or projects must follow the guidelines and policies adopted by the Board of Trustees of San Diego Community College District pursuant to pertinent sections of the Education Code. Financial decisions, including expenditures and approval of the Annual Report, may be made by a simple majority vote at a Chapter meeting after any period of discussion concludes.
Article 3. Amendments: Amendments to the Constitution may be made by a three-quarters [3/4] vote of the majority of Members at the ratifying meeting with at least half the current registered Chapter Members attending. Amendments to the Bylaws may be made by a two-thirds [2/3] vote of the majority of Members at the ratifying Chapter meeting with at least twelve[12] Members attending.
Article 4. Respect: All Phi Theta Kappa Members shall have an opportunity to be heard and express their respectful views on a reasonable subject. Members shall be treated with respect and shall treat other members with respect. Phi Theta Kappa Members shall practice respect for others in all areas of liaison related to PTK partners, PTK affiliates, and when conducting PTK business.
Article 5. Identity: All Chapter members shall be formally referred to by their registered college student identity, but that shall not preclude use of an alternative and preferred form of identity or address in informal events, situations and exchanges. Members wishing to use an alternative form of identity or address should notify an Executive Officer of their preference so it may be noted. If a change is made to a Chapter member’s formal student identity filed with the college, the Chapter must be informed of the change by the member so records can remain accurate and consistent.