CONSTITUTION OF THE THETA PSI CHAPTER THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY

Article 1 Purpose
The purpose of the, the Theta Psi Chapter of ALPHA PSI OMEGA is to stimulate interest in theatre activities at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD and to secure for the college all the advantages and mutual helpfulness provided by a large national honor society. By electing students to membership the society provides a reward for their participation in theatre activities of the college. The chapter is not intended to take the place of any existing theatre organization.

Article 2 Mission
The mission of the Theta Psi Chapter of ALPHA PSI OMEGA shall be to promote and foster theater through fellowship, service to the community, and educational experiences.

Article 3 Requirements
Section 1. To be eligible for membership in Theta Psi the student must be regularly enrolled in Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD.

Section 2. After meeting the minimum requirement of the National Constitution, the local chapter may establish their own criteria for eligibility.

Section 3. Honorary membership may be bestowed on persons who have made special continued contributions to the theatre programs of a particular college or university.

Article 4 Election to Membership
Section 1. Candidates will be elected to membership by the active memberships of their chapter.

Section 2. Candidates will participate in initiation and an initiation ceremony to complete membership.

Article 5 Officers and Duties
Section 1. The officers of this chapter will be the President, Vice-President, and Business Manager/Secretary.

Section 2. The President will call meetings, preside at all meetings, appoint committees, and provide general supervision of the affairs of the society in consultation with the Faculty Sponsor.

Section 3. The Vice-President will assist the President and assume the responsibilities of the President in case of his/her absence.

Section 4. It will be the duty of the Business Manager/Secretary to collect all dues and assessments of members; to pay bills sanctioned by the society; to keep an account of all receipts and expenditures (with the assistance of the Vice-President); to keep and read minutes of meetings; and report on the financial status of the chapter at each regular meetings.

Article 6 Election of Officers
Section 1. Officers for the following year will be elected at a regular spring meeting and formally installed by the incumbent officers.

Section 2. Officers will be elected by a majority vote of the chapter.

Section 3. If officers do not return to school, new officers will be elected to fill the vacancies at the first meeting of the year.

Section 4. Each officer will take an oath pledging to carry out the duties of the office.

Article 7 Members and Duties
Section 1. Each Theta Psi member is expected to take and active part in the work of the organization, to serve in any capacity they can, and to accept a sense of responsibility for the welfare of the organization.

Section 2. Attendance will be taken at each meeting.

Article 8 Meetings
Section 1. There will be at least one regular meeting of the chapter each term. Section 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or at the request of the Faculty Sponsor.

Section 3. A Quorum will consist of a majority of the chapter memberships currently enrolled at the school.

Section 4. Meetings will be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 5. Meetings will begin in a timely fashion. Entrance into meetings two minutes past the state tie shall be prohibited.
(a) Exceptions to this policy require approval from one of the executive officers.

Article 9 Attendance
Section 1. Attendance will be taken at each meeting.
(a) Any member who misses two cast meetings without prior notification to one of the officers and without just cause shall be placed under review.
(b) After a member missed the first meeting, the member will be notified of their potential for dismissal.
(c) Members under probation will be immediately notified of their status.
(d) A member under probation will be given the opportunity to present their case as to why they should not be dismissed before the meeting following notification.
(e) Cast members will discuss the member under probation and vote on their dismissal. Two-thirds majority vote in favor approves dismissal.
(f) Dismissed members may choose to reinitiate at the next initiation opportunity.
Section 2. Participation of the cast for activities shall be recorded by means of sign-up sheets.
(a) Member sign-up shall be seen as a commitment to participate in the activity.
(b) Failure to fulfill commitment without just cause will be equivalent to an unexcused absence from a cast meeting.

Article 10 Committees
Section 1. The standing committees of the chapter will be:
(a) Executive Committee. This committee will handle all minor business arising between meetings.
(b) Initiation Committee. The Faculty Sponsor and Executive Committee will confer and appoint this committee, which is the chapter initial team for conducting the initiation ceremony.
(c) Each chapter will encourage formation of an alumni chapter among graduates and former members of the chapter as appropriate.
(d) Service Committee. This committee shall organize and present college and community service opportunities for the entire cast to participate in that are in accordance with the Theta Psi mission statement.
(e) Education Committee. This committee shall organize and present educational opportunities promoting theatre development for both the cast, company, and community members.
(f) Fellowship Committee. This committee shall organize and present activities that foster social relations within the cast, company, and community.
(g) Other standing committees may be appointed as deemed necessary.

Section 2. Theta Psi members shall be appointed to a committee by the executive committee.

Section 3. The duties of the standing committees include:
(a) Each committee shall initiate one goal per academic semester pertaining to the committee’s designated purpose.
(b) Each committee shall be responsible for designating leadership roles and ensuring commitments from fellow cast members.

Article 11 Amendments
Section 1. The articles of this constitution may be amended, revised, or altered in whole or in part at ay regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members of Theta Psi, provided such amendment and a notice of the proposed vote is given to each member in writing at least one week prior to the vote.

Article 12 By-Laws
Section 1. Additional by-laws may be adopted at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active membership.

Section 2. The chapter will keep and accurate record of each member with accomplishments in the field of the theatre.

Section 3. Each chapter will report to the Nation Business Manager, who edits the annual Playbill, the annual productions and activities of the chapter no later than June 1st of each year. Photographs, programs, and other supporting materials maybe included and will be featured in Playbill at the discretion of the National Business Manager.