ALPHA EPSILON BY-LAWS Revised 02/07/05 I.  Attendance A.     There will be 2 chapter meetings per month plus the initiation Service and special projects for the school year of September though May.  Extra meetings are required of officers and committees. 1.      Only 1 unexcused absence is permitted. 2.      Excused absences include: sickness, recital participation, required rehearsals, class, and emergencies. 3.      All excused absences must be presented in writing to the Secretary 48 hours before or 24 hours after the meeting.  In the event of sickness or emergency, a petition must be sent to the Secretary after the meeting. B.     Those missing (more meetings) than allowed by the above will be penalized.  Notices will be sent to those who have more than 1unexcused absence. Those members will be fined $5.00 for each unexcused absence exceeding the one allowed. C.     All chapter members and advisors shall be notified of any meeting at least 24 hours in advance. D.     Meetings shall function only with a quorum consisting of a majority of the members in good standing.   II.  Grades             A 3.0 average should be maintained.   III. New Member Selection A.     Selection by grades will be determined by the Chapter Advisor in January, after Fall Term grades are given. B.     Bids are sent out by the Secretary before the middle of February. C.     Rushing, which is preceded by a meeting to inform the prospective members about D.O., is indicated near the beginning of Spring Term, (mid-February). D.     The prospective member and initiation fees are paid and the fraternity knowledge exam is given before the middle of April.  All information is sent to the National Organization before permission can be given by National to initiate. E.      The Initiation ceremony/dinner is held in late April. F.      It is suggested that the new members plan and conduct a project, preferably a fundraiser, to be held (usually) during the following school year.   IV.  Officer Election A.     Officers will be elected after new members are initiated, usually in early May. B.     Candidates are chosen by self-nomination prior to the election meeting. C.     To be eligible for election, each candidate must have discussed the job for which she is running with the officer presently holding that position. D.     The candidates are presented at the meeting and election takes place by way of secret ballot. E.      Nominations are accepted from the floor. F.      For neglect of duty, an officer may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of members. CONSTITUTION UPDATED JULY 18, 2005   Delta Omicron is an international music fraternity. Its purpose is as follows:             to create and foster fellowship through music;             to give music students an opportunity to meet with one another and, by                         personal contact and exchange of ideas, to broaden the individual outlook;             to strengthen a devotion and loyalty to Alma Mater;             to develop character and leadership             to encourage the highest possible scholastic attainment, excellence of  individual                         performance and appreciation of good music;             to give material aid to worthy students;             to manifest interest in young musicians entering the professional world.   Membership is open to music students with a Fall Term GPA of 3.0 or higher.   Offices are open to all members, regardless of year in school or experience. Each term of office is for one year. Elections are held in April or May to determine officers for the following school year. During the election process, nominations are made for specific offices, and members vote by secret ballot. In the event of a vacancy of an office, the members vote on a replacement. The following is the list of offices and responsibilities:             President – conducts meetings, writes monthly report of chapter status and                                activities, works with other officers to plan events, attends Triennial                                Conference (held once every 3 years)             First Vice President – Rush Chairman, organizes rush/perspective member events,                                assists President, assists Second Vice President with receptions             Second Vice President – organizes Faculty Tea and other receptions held                                throughout the year, writes yearly newsletter that is sent out to area                                alumnae             Secretary – takes minutes and attendance at all meetings, sends out notices                                Concerning meetings and events             Treasurer – maintains chapter bank account, writes checks for chapter expenses,                                Collects dues from members             Director of Musical Activities – organizes music for meetings, plans the annual                                D.O. Recital, and organizes Daniel Seminars which are open meetings                                devoted to educating music students, this office usually includes a                                committee of 2-3 people who assist the Director PCO (President’s Council of Organizations) Representative – attends weekly                    student government meetings, represents D.O. in voting, informs                    the chapter of student government business             Director of Publicity – maintains D.O. bulletin board to inform members of                                events, writes monthly report of chapter events, advertises events                                that are open to the campus, this office usually includes a committee                                of 2-3 people who assist the Director             Warden –  prepares the meeting room before meetings, receives the secret                               handshake and password from members as they enter the meeting                               room, reports patron activities (our current patrons are Dr. Doug                               Weeks and retired Dean Dr. Henry Janiec)             Historian – collects programs from recitals in which D.O. members perform,                               makes yearly scrapbook of chapter activities and photos, this office                               usually includes a committee of 2-3 people who assist the Historian             Chaplain – gives devotions at chapter meetings, says the blessing at chapter                               Dinners   Meetings are held monthly, and usually include a Formal Meeting, a Business Meeting, and an Officer Meeting. There is no number for a quorum, although meetings are generally held at times that are most convenient to as many members as possible, to assure a majority of members being present.   Alpha Epsilon is the particular name for the Delta Omicron chapter at Converse College . This chapter is part of the Eta South Province . There are 21 Provinces in Delta Omicron. “Supreme legislative powers are vested in the International Conference which meets triennially and is composed of elected and appointed officers, music representatives, and delegates from each collegiate and alumni chapter. The Delta Omicron Board of Directors, elected at the International Conference, conducts interim business. An Executive Office is maintained.” (quote from the “Introducing Delta Omicron” brochure)   The Advisor is a volunteer position whose term lasts as long as she/he is able to fulfill the duties of Advisor.   During meetings, the President conducts business and different officers and committees give reports. Members may make comments and suggestions when necessary. Officers work together to amend policies and adopt new by-laws.