DELTA ZETA OMEGA CHAPTER OF

THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION,

LAMBDA ALPHA EPSILON at

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

 

Chapter Constitution (As Amended Spring 2003)

 

Article I

 

Name of the Organization: This organization shall be known as the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

 

Article II

 

Preamble: The objectives of the association are to foster professionalism, better communication among and within the agencies of criminal justice and to promote greater understanding between the students of University of Central Florida and professional agencies of criminal justice through both social and informal aspects.

 

Article III

Officers:

A. Qualifications and Eligibility

1. The positions of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall be that of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Historian.

 

a.)    A representative council of the general membership shall be established and will be comprised of 3 members in good standing.

b.)    These members will be nominated and elected at the same time the officers are normally selected.  E-Board members will not be eligible to vote in this election.

c.)     These members will hold their position for 1 academic year.

d.)    In the event of a vacancy on this council, the Sgt-at-Arms will make a motion to the E-Board to open the floor for nominations to fill the vacancy, after hearing any nominations, the Sgt-at-Arms will make a motion to vote upon the nominees by the General Members.

           

2. An officer of Delta Zeta Omega must:

 

(1) meet all leadership eligibility requirements as described in the University of Central Florida Golden Rule

(2) be enrolled as either a full-time or part-time fee paying criminal justice major or criminal justice related majors at the University of Central Florida.

 

B. Duties of the Officers

           

1. The officers of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall follow the duties listed in the Grand Chapter and Robert's Rules of Order and carry them out to the best of their ability as an elected officer in their position.

 

2. Each officer will serve in a designated capacity, fulfilling the responsibilities for one of the following positions:

 

President- Presides at meetings, convenes special meetings and appoints committees as needed.  The president shall act as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nomination committee.  In event of an election tie, the president may cast one vote to break the tie.

                       

Vice President- Serves in the absence or on behalf of the president.  In the event that the president can not fulfill his/her duties, the vice president will assume the office of the president.  The vice president will be responsible for maintaining an effective information system to the president and assist in duties as assigned.

 

Secretary - Keeps all the chapter records including minutes of business meetings, and handles any official correspondence which may be necessary.

 

Treasurer - Keeps all chapter financial records and disburses chapter funds in accordance with chapter policy and provides for a yearly audit.

 

Sergeant-at-Arms - Acts as parliamentarian at meetings when directed, presents guest(s), prepares ballots, ensures all members and nonmembers have paid appropriate registration fees.

 

Historian - The historian shall be responsible for maintaining the chapter's Historian Book.  The Historian shall collect and evaluate material sent to the chapter by the Grand Chapter, other chapters, Association members, and other criminal justice organizations, and display those contributions he/she determines to be of significant interest to the chapter in the chapter's historian book.  He/She shall make this book available upon request to the Executive Council.

 

The Executive Council will consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms.  The principle responsibilities of the Executive Council are to establish long-range plans for the chapter, determine and communicate policy, coordinate chapter activities, oversee chapter finances and ensure the continuity of chapter operation from one academic term to the next.

 

Article IV

 

Selection of Officers

            1. Elections for Delta Zeta Omega Chapter officers shall take place in April of each year through a simple majority vote of members present at the ballot, by proxy, or absentee ballot.

            2. Nominations of officers shall be accepted on the floor of the Delta Zeta Omega meeting, to be held one month before the ballot casting occurs.  The nomination can occur either by being orally nominated by another active member or by orally expressing a desire to campaign for an officer position.

            3. Election of officers shall occur at the April meeting of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.  Election of officers shall be through secret ballot at the meeting.  Signed proxy ballots shall be permitted.  Absentee ballots shall be accepted and stored in a secured ballot box located in the Criminal Justice Department office, which shall be transported and counted by the organization's faculty advisor.  The faculty advisor shall have sole responsibility in the tabulation of the votes.

 

Article V

 

Term of Office: Office terms shall begin immediately following voting results at the April meeting, lasting until the next year's election in April.  The number of terms of office shall be unrestricted.

 

Article VI

 

Removal of officers: Officer removal shall require a majority vote of the Executive Council, excluding the officer who is under consideration for removal.  A majority shall be defined as more than fifty percent.  An officer may be considered for removal if he or she falls below the membership requirements as set forth by the University of Central Florida Golden Rule or those of the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

Article VII

 

Voting powers of Officers: All Executive Council members have voting power; the membership council described in Article III, Section A, Paragraph 1(a) shall have one vote, which will represent the majority decision of that council, in E-Board votes.  The President is restricted to using his/her vote only in the event of a tie.

 

Article VIII

 

Vacancies: Should an office vacancy during an administration, the President, with consent of majority of the Executive Council, shall appoint an interim officer from the active member roll until a formal election can be held.  This special election must be announced to all active members one month prior to the meeting date.  If no formal election takes place within two meetings, the interim officer may automatically assume the position for the remaining term of administration or until he or she is removed from office.  If the position of the presidency becomes vacant during an administration, then the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President for the remainder of the administration.  A formal election then will be held for the position of Vice President.

Article IX

 

Membership: No discrimination shall be made on the basis of sex, race, age, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, parental status or veteran's status.  No hazing or discrimination will be used as a condition of membership in this association.  Unless otherwise addressed, the term membership shall not be inferred as affiliate membership unless stated within this constitution hereafter.

            1. Membership: Eligibility and qualification for membership shall meet the requirements of the University of Central Florida Golden Rule.  In addition to meeting the University of Central Florida Golden Rule, membership shall be limited to University of Central Florida criminal justice majors or similar majors that may be considered part of the broad spectrum of criminal justice, who have paid all the necessary fees, and that maintain a professional interest in the field of criminal justice.

            2. Recruitment: Recruitment for membership shall be continuous.  Membership shall not be denied to any University of Central Florida student due to inability to participate for a period of less than one full academic semester.  Applicants into the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter will be deemed pledges for the first academic semester that they are members.  Pledges shall have the same privileges as members, but may not hold an officer or committee chair position.  Pledges will retain the position of pledge until they have actively participated in chapter activities, events, and meetings for a complete semester.  A pledge that does not become a full member in one academic year shall have his or her membership reviewed by the Executive Council.  The Executive Council may by a majority vote, extend the pledge period for another semester or may vote to revoke the pledge’s membership for lack of participation.  If the Executive Council votes to extend the pledge period and the pledge again fails to complete the pledge period, the pledge’s membership will be automatically revoked at the end of that academic semester.  The pledge may not reapply for membership for one academic semester following revocation for lack of participation.    

3. Application: A prospective member shall obtain a membership application from a chapter officer or from the chapter’s webpage.  The prospective member shall submit his or her application to the secretary through a sponsor member.  Application endorsement shall be the responsibility of the Membership Committee, the Secretary, and the President of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.  The membership application with the requisite application fees set forth in the standing rules regarding membership dues shall be forwarded, upon acceptance, to the Treasurer of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.  Membership fees shall be bi-annual and due on the fourth week of each academic semester unless other arrangements have been authorized by the Executive Council.  Fees shall be forfeited in the event an individual’s membership is revoked.

            4. Attendance: The Executive Council shall be responsible for establishing standing rules for required attendance and policies on the removal from active status, any member not meeting the attendance requirements.  These rules will take into consideration at least the following member concerns: conflicts with school, work or religious schedules, pre-planned activities such as vacations, family activities or the such that members may have made that conflict with a single event or meeting, any unexpected event that may conflict with a single chapter event or meeting.  The Executive Council will develop policies to deal with consequences of unexcused absences from chapter meetings or events.  Absences may be excused at the discretion of the Executive Council.

            5. Revocation of Membership: A member may be considered for removal if he or she is involved in any activity that is deemed unacceptable or unethical according to the laws of the United States of America, the state of Florida, the University of Central Florida Golden Rule, or the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon.  All but the University of Central Florida Golden Rule apply to the affiliate members in respect to revocation of membership.  A majority vote of the Executive Council is required for the removal of a member.  The faculty advisor may be consulted, but may take no decisive action.

            6. Dues and Membership Renewals: Members and affiliate members are responsible for paying membership dues in the amount set forth by the standing rules concerning bi-annual dues by the fourth week of the semester, unless other arrangements have been authorized by the Executive Council.  Each new member will pay the bi-annual chapter dues and the national registration fee proscribed by the Grand Chapter, with their application.  Each renewing member will pay the bi-annual chapter dues and one-half of the national registration fees proscribed by the Grand Chapter.  The Secretary of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter will submit to the Grand Chapter, before December 31 of each year, all of the necessary renewal paperwork for existing members whose memberships expire that year.  A member shall not be considered in “good standing” until his or her dues are received by the chapter Treasurer. 

7. Privileges:  Members shall receive the following privileges:

                        1.         Bi-annual National Journal of ACJA-LAE (if published)

                        2.         Membership certificate

                        3.         Membership card

                        4.         Membership pin

                        5.         ACJA-LAE sticker

                        6.         Campus Newsletters (if published)

7.         Invitations to local, regional, and national sponsored competitions and conferences.

8. Active Membership: Active members have the privileges of voting and receiving information and invitations to all LAE functions and seminars.  Inactive members shall not have voting privileges, they shall not be permitted to participate in chapter activities, and they will be reported to the Grand Chapter as a member not in good standing, until such time as the inactive status is removed.  Inactive Members can petition the Executive Council for reclassification to active status.  A majority vote of the Executive Council is required to move any inactive member to active status.

9. Affiliate Membership: Applications for affiliate membership to the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Membership Committee Chairperson and the Executive Council.  Applicants will be considered based on their potential contributions to the chapter in the spectrum of the criminal justice field.  New affiliate members that are eligible and wish to join the national membership shall be required to submit a one time membership fee equal to the bi-annual dues and the national registration fee proscribed by the Grand Chapter with their application forms. 

New affiliate members that do not qualify or do not wish to join the national membership shall be required to submit only the one time bi-annual dues.  Existing Delta Zeta Omega Chapter members that are no longer eligible for active membership as described in Paragraph 1 above, may become affiliate members by paying a one time fee equal to the bi-annual dues.  Affiliate members shall not hold office or maintain voting rights, but shall be permitted to participate in regional or national ACJA/LAE events at their own expense.  No chapter funds or SGA approved funds shall be used by an affiliate member to fund this participation. 

At no time shall affiliate membership exceed twenty-five percent of student membership.  Affiliate members after the first year, may join or renew their national registration through the Secretary of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter, by submitting the requisite fees to the Treasurer of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter before December 31 of that year, otherwise affiliate members shall be responsible for renewing their national membership directly with the Grand Chapter.

 

Article X

 

Finances:

1. The Treasurer shall maintain a current budget and system of accounts for the chapter.  No transactions shall be authorized from this account without the consent of both the Treasurer and the President.  In the event that either officer is unavailable, no banking transactions shall occur.  The faculty advisor shall review all transactions every month.

 

2. All Delta Zeta Omega Chapter accounts shall reside in the University of Central Florida Credit Union.

 

3. Funds from this account shall be used for the sole purpose of chapter, regional or nationally-sponsored functions.  No ACJA funds shall be used for any personal expenditures, for payment to any officer for services rendered in an official duty, or payment to or on behalf of any member of the chapter.  Any solicited fees must be budgeted prior to collection and expended in accordance to the budget.  The allocation budget may be modified by a majority vote of the contributors.  Once made, if an expenditure is considered unconstitutional by a majority vote of the Executive Council, it must be repaid to the chapter account by the party in question immediately.

4. One month prior to administration elections, all Delta Zeta Omega Chapter accounts shall be audited, results being presented to the Executive Council for review.  Along with auditing of all chapter accounts, arrangements shall be made for the transfer of signature authority for the newly elected administration.

5. Petty Cash Fund.  No greater than a fifty dollar balance will be maintained at any one time.  Approval for the use of these funds must be given by two officers, one of which must be the Treasurer or President.  A record of all petty cash transactions will be maintained and included in the Treasurer's Report.  Each month the fund will be replenished from the chapter checking account at the University of Central Florida Credit Union, if voted by a majority of the membership present.  The Treasurer shall maintain possession of the petty cash fund. 

 

Article XI

 

Committees: There shall be standing committees set up to handle the different and important activities of the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.

            Membership to each committee shall be on a voluntary basis and the Chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the Executive Council.  The Chairperson shall be responsible for reporting to the Vice President and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter on a monthly basis that is agreed upon by all for each academic term.

 

Names and Descriptions of Standing Committees:

 

            1. Career Opportunities Referral Committee (CORC):To be responsible for compiling information on possible career opportunities and part-time jobs for members of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter and maintain communication with criminal justice organizations on new developments in the criminal justice field.

2. Membership Committee: To be responsible for screening all applications for membership into the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.  The Membership Committee shall actively seed the enrollment of members throughout the year.

3. Social/Athletic Committee: To be responsible for all social/athletic activities which shall include guest speakers, trips, movies, TGIF socials, intramural sports, Induction Banquet, Thanksgiving party, Christmas party, and any other activity that shall be part of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter activities.

4. Community Service Committee: To be responsible for coordinating all community service projects representing the University of Central Florida, the Criminal Justice Program and Delta Zeta Omega Chapter, e.g., volunteer work in Meals-on-Wheels, Toys-for-Tots, etc.

5. Public Relations Committee: This committee shall be responsible for the publicizing of all activities and Delta Zeta Omega Chapter monthly newsletter.

6. Marksmanship Committee: To be responsible for recruiting and interviewing potential members who wish to participate in the chapter’s marksmanship activities.  Said individual(s) is/are responsible for logistical and tarring concerns as applicable to the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter Marksmanship Program.  (This committee is subject to the current policies of the University of Central Florida and shall submit to University policies regarding the marksmanship program)

 

Article XII

 

Meetings: Meetings shall require a quorum in order to officially conduct business and approve businesses of the chapter.  A quorum shall be defined as at least three members of the Executive Council (one of which must be the President or the Treasurer) or fifty percent of the active regular membership roll.  Special meetings may be called with the approval of three members of the Executive Council.  Notification of special meetings shall be through individual notification which may include the following: (1) telephone calls, (2) memorandums passed through the Criminal Justice Department’s circulation system to each Criminal Justice class, (3) written announcements displayed on the Criminal Justice Department’s office bulleting board, or (4) Email sent to a member’s email account registered with the Secretary of Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.  The chairperson for the chapter meetings shall be the chapter president.  The rules of order as established by each administration must be followed.  The chair has the right and responsibility to establish meeting agenda, keep order, and recognize speakers.

 

Article XIII

 

Advisor: The organization shall have at least one faculty advisor.  The advisor may act in an advisory capacity to maintain the professional order of meetings.  The faculty advisor shall have the right to attend any and all committee meetings.  The advisor shall have no voting privileges, but shall have the right to speak freely without being recognized by the chairperson.  Annual membership fees of the faculty advisor shall be paid by the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.  The faculty advisor shall act as a liaison between the administration of the University and the chapter.

 

Article XIV

 

External Affiliation: Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall be affiliated with, and maintain the identity of a subordinate chapter of Lambda Alpha Epsilon (The American Criminal Justice Association).  In order to maintain this identity, Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall accept the bylaws of the Grand Chapter of Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

 

Article XV

 

Programs, Services: All sponsorships of official programs or service of the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall receive formal approval by the membership.  Approval of these activities shall require a majority vote.  No programs are in any way to financially benefit any member of the chapter.  The chapter may set up a separate trust fund and hold fund raising activities for an unfortunate member who is unable to pay medical bills for a terminal or otherwise serious illness or injury.  This may also be done in conjunction with other charitable organizations.

 

Article XVI

 

Publications: All publications which state, imply, or suggest the involvement of the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter shall receive approval of said publication by one of following:

(1) President,

(2) Public Relations Chairman, or

(3) Advisor of the Delta Zeta Omega Chapter.

           

All promotional posters of signature material must be approved by the student center and posted in a manner consistent with the University of Central Florida Golden Rule.

 

Article XVII

 

Amendments: Any amendment to this constitution must first be formally submitted by any active member both orally and in written form.  Proposed amendments should be addressed to the chapter president.  A two-thirds vote of approval of all active members present is required.

 

Article XVIII

 

Liability: The University of Central Florida will not assume any legal liability for the activities of this student organization.

 

Article XIX

 

Parliamentary Procedure: Rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and any special rules of order adopted by the association.

 

Article XX

 

Necessary and Proper Clause: The Executive Council shall have the authority to establish standing rules of the Chapter which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out the forgoing bylaws, and has the authority to establish standing rules for circumstances not specifically addressed by this constitution.