Chi Epsilon Sigma - Epsilon Chapter
The National Support Staff Fraternity
LSU AgCenter
Constitution and Bylaws
September 2018
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Epsilon Chapter of Chi Epsilon Sigma (CES) - The National Support Staff Fraternity.
Section 2: The meaning of the Greek letters have been designated as follows: Chi - life; Epsilon - loyalty; and Sigma - learning.
The purpose of this fraternity shall be to maintain the standards and ideals, uphold the morale, prestige and respect of the LSU AgCenter and LSU College of Agriculture support staff; to develop an effective working relationship and spirit of fraternal fellowship among present and retired employees of the LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture support staff; to encourage professionalism; and to recognize, share and reward professional excellence in job performance.
Section 1: Qualifications
Classified and unclassified employees with an LSU AgCenter and LSU College of Agriculture appointment who have performed satisfactorily as a support staff employee shall be eligible for membership without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
The membership year shall begin on January 1 of each year.
Active - Those support staff members who are employed by the LSU AgCenter or the LSU College of Agriculture who have paid current dues.
Retired - Those support staff members who are retired from the LSU AgCenter or the LSU College of Agriculture who have paid current dues.
Honorary - May be accorded to those who have performed some meritorious service in the interest of the LSU AgCenter or the LSU College of Agriculture support staff.
The Executive Board shall accept nominations for honorary members from active and retired members who make the final selection. Honorary membership is not automatically afforded each year, only when appropriate.
Active and retired members shall be entitled to hold office, serve on committees, and participate in discussions and activities of the Fraternity.
Honorary members shall have none of the obligations of membership in the Fraternity, but shall be entitled to all the privileges except those of making motions, voting, holding office and receiving awards.
Voting privileges should be extended to all paid members in attendance at any duly called meeting or as requested by mail or by electronic voting. Passage of motions by the membership requires a simple majority of those voting. Changes in the Constitution and Bylaws require two-thirds of those voting. Changes in the Standard Operating Procedures may be made by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
All active members shall pay annual dues as set by the Executive Board. Dues are payable by January 1 each year.
One meeting for the total membership shall be held each year. No voting on items of business shall be conducted without a quorum present. A quorum is at least ½ of the current membership.
Section 1: The officers of the Fraternity shall consist of President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past-President. These officers shall comprise the Executive Committee and will perform the duties prescribed by these laws.
Section 2: It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to accept nominations for the officer and director positions. After nominations have been received, a ballot will be sent to all Chi Epsilon Sigma Members for voting of officers and director positions by April 15th of each year. The elected positions will be announced and installed at the annual conference.
Section 3: Each officer will serve a one-year term with the exception of Treasurer, who will serve a two-year term, or until a successor is elected. Officers may run for two consecutive terms. No members shall hold more than one office at a time. Terms of office shall begin immediately after installation.
Section 4: Resignations during a term of office will be filled by the Executive Board within 30 days of receiving notice.
Section 5: Duties (also refer to the Standard Operating Procedures for additional responsibilities)
Presides over all meetings of the Epsilon Chapter of Chi Epsilon Sigma, the Executive Board and Executive Committee.
Performs the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President. In the event of vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect will become President and assume the duties of the office for the unexpired term. Automatically assumes the office of the President after completion of term as President-Elect. Also serves as Chairman of the By-laws Committee.
Maintains complete minutes and records of meetings and correspondence. Maintains the historic records of the fraternity.
Receives and disburses all funds of Chi Epsilon Sigma. Receives membership dues and maintains a list of paid members. Treasurer will serve on a two-year basis or until a successor is elected.
Serves in an advisory capacity for fraternal business.
Serves as the advisor to CES and assists in the growth and development of the group by providing direction through
advice, understanding and clarification.
Section 1: CES Directors will serve a two-year term with representation consisting of the following:
One Director from each of the 5 regions of the LSU AgCenter (Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Central).
Two non-region directors from administrative units and other LSU AgCenter units and two at large directors from any area.
Odd number years:
Northwest
Northeast
Southwest
Administrative director Two at-large directors
Even number years:
Central Southeast
Department director
Resignations during a term of office will be filled by the Executive Board within 30 days of receiving notice.
Directors will be allowed to serve a maximum of 4 years or 2 consecutive terms.
Section 2: The duties of the Directors are as follows:
Serve as the liaison between the membership and the Executive Board. Coordinate activities for the members who they represent.
Section 1: The officers and directors shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section 2: The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Fraternity between its business meetings and can make changes in the Standard Operating Procedures as necessary. They will make recommendations to the Fraternity and be subject to the orders of the Fraternity. None of the Executive Board’s acts shall conflict with actions taken by the Fraternity.
Section 3: The Executive Board shall meet quarterly, with one meeting being at the annual meeting. Additional meetings shall occur when deemed necessary by the Executive Committee. Conference calls, correspondence, e- mail and distance ed will be used when appropriate to transact the business of the Fraternity. A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 1: Standing Committees (also refer to Standard Operating Procedures for additional responsibilities).
Standing committees will consist of the following: Awards, Annual Meeting, Professional Development & Activities, Nominating, Budget & Finance, Membership, Constitution & Bylaws and Service Projects.
Chair to be appointed by the President. Shall be responsible for obtaining nominations for scholarships and other established awards; will obtain a panel of judges and report the results at the Annual Meeting.
Chaired by the President. Shall plan the details of the annual meeting.
Chaired by the President-Elect or appointed by the President. Shall plan activities to enhance professional as well as personal development of fraternal members on a statewide basis and encourage regional activities. Also be responsible for coordination and executive of an annual service project.
Chaired by Past-President. Shall secure nominations from the membership and prepare a slate for all officer and director positions to be presented to the membership at the annual meeting.
Chaired by Treasurer. Shall be responsible for developing and proposing the budget.
Chaired by President Elect - Shall be responsible for reviewing proposed changes and update the Constitution and Bylaws.
Chaired by Secretary or appointed by the President. Shall recruit new members into the Fraternity.
Section 2: Special Committees
The President may appoint as many special committees as deemed necessary. These special committees will report to the Executive Committee and perform the duties so designed. A majority of the members of any committee shall constitute a quorum.
If upon dissolution of the Chi Epsilon Sigma - Epsilon Chapter, the assets exceed the outstanding obligations, such balances shall accrue to and be administered through the LSU Foundation specifically for the LSU AgCenter Ganelle Bullock Staff Outstanding Service Award.
If upon dissolution of this Fraternity, the LSU Foundation is no longer in existence, then the Chi Epsilon Sigma Executive Committee shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all liabilities of the Fraternity, dispose of all these assets to such other organizations(s) established and operated exclusively for charitable, educational or scientific purposes that quality as an exempt organization or organizations under any present or future United States Internal Revenue Law as the Executive Committee so desired.
The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern this Fraternity unless stated otherwise in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Fraternity.
The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those voting provided the amendment(s) has been submitted in writing to all members which will be 10 business days, excluding holidays, prior to voting.