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PREAMBLE
To associate journalists of talent, truth and energy into a more intimately organized unit of good fellowship, and to assist the members in acquiring the noblest principles of journalism by fostering a higher ethical code, thus increasing its value as a democratic institution, we do hereby establish and ordain these Bylaws of the Society of Professional Journalists.
ARTICLE ONE
NAME
Section One: The name of this organization shall be the Society of
Professional Journalists at San Antonio College. The organization shall meet all requirements of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Section Two: The term "journalism" is defined as: The direction of the editorial policy of, the editing of, the preparation of news and editorial content of newspapers, magazines, professional or business publications, and the teaching of journalism so defined.
ARTICLE TWO
Motto and Watchword
Section One: The motto of this Society shall be: They Serve Best Who Serve the Truth.
Section Two: The badge of the Society shall be a small, four-cusped hypocycloid; upon this a raised field of black of the same shape, slightly smaller. In the center shall be a white gold-edged scroll pierced vertically by a gold quill pen. Horizontally across the face of the scroll shall be the Greek letters, Sigma, Delta and Chi, in gold. To the right of the scroll shall be a five-pointed star in gold, to the left, a Greek lamp in gold.
Section Three: The official insignia of the Society shall not be obtained through any other source than one indicated by the executive director of the Society.
ARTICLE THREE
Membership
Section One - Members shall be (i) Students in good standing at a college or university where a chapter is established, who are planning careers in journalism as defined in Article One, Section Two. (ii) Students in good standing who meet the other qualifications at colleges or universities without a campus chapter, if such students are nominated by a nearby chapter. (iii) Persons who were campus members who have left school. (iiii) No students shall be admitted into the Society until stating their intention at the time to practice journalism as defined in Article One, Section Two as their life's profession. Freshmen or higher standing and good academic
standing with the college are eligible. High school students are eligible.
Unclassified students are eligible if they meet the academic standing
requirement.
Section Two: The student chapter adviser shall be a full-time faculty
member in the college who is a member of the
national organization in good standing.
Section Three: To become a member of the student chapter, the
student member must first join the national organization by paying
dues to the Society of Professional Journalists.
These dues must be kept current by the member. No local or campus
chapter dues will be paid by the student member.
ARTICLE FOUR - Chapter organization and responsibilities
OFFICERS
Section One: The officers of this chapters shall be the president, executive
vice president, program vice
president, secretary/treasurer.
Section Two: All officers shall be full-time
students in good standing with the chapter and the national
organization. All officers must be in good academic standing.
Section Three: Officers are elected in the fall semester and will serve the
subsequent calendar year as officers, with terms running Jan. 1
through Dec. 31. To be eligible to serve as an officer, the
student must be a sophomore of the year she or he serves.
Section Four: Nominations of officers will come at a designated
business meeting and will be made from the floor by members or, if
the chapter desires, provided by a nominating committee created
by the president.
ARTICLE FIVE
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section One: Officers shall be elected by a majority of eligible
members present at the business meeting in which the election is an
item on the agenda.
Section Two: The chapter may hold an installation ceremony and/or
member initiation banquet in the spring of each year.
Section Three: In the event a president cannot serve his or her term to
completion and resigns, the executive vice president shall
replace the president, and a new election will be held for executive vice
president. If another officer shall resign from office, the
president shall have the power to appoint an individual to serve the
remaining time in the office.
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ARTICLE SIX
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section One: President: Presides at all meetings and is responsible for
appointing special committees and delegating responsibilities for
chapter activities. Responsible for meeting agendas and officially
representing the chapter when necessary. The president shall make
certain the chapter's annual report is filed each year.
Section Two: Executive Vice President: Serves as a president in
absence of the president by presiding at meetings and representing
the chapter. Responsible for programs at nonbusiness meetings
and for delegating responsibilities in arranging programs for chapter
meetings and other activities of similar nature.
Section Three: Secretary: Officially the chapter
correspondent in all matters. Secretary writes all
the letters on behalf of the chapter in conjunction with other
officers, and serves as the Quill
correspondent for the chapter in providing the organizational
magazine with chapter news. The secretary will
also have the responsibility for a chapter newsletter, if the chapter
decides to produce one for its members. The secretary shall supervise production of a master membership list each year that will be distributed to members. And
the secretary shall assist in preparation of the
chapter annual report each spring.
ARTICLE SEVEN
MEETINGS
Section One: Regular meetings will be held on the average of once a
month, but more frequently if officers determine it necessary. There
shall be a regular meeting time set at the beginning of each semester
for program and business meetings of the chapter.
Section Two: There shall be no regularly schedule meetings during
summer semesters.
Section Three: Members are required at least 24 hours notice for special
meetings of the chapter called by the president or the adviser(s).
ARTICLE EIGHT
COMMITTEES
Section One: The chapter's executive committee shall consist of the
president, executive vice president and secretary,
Board of Students Publications representative, immediate past
president, and the faculty adviser.
Section Two: The president shall appoint ad hoc committees as they
are seen necessary. Standing committees as they are seen
necessary. Standing committees shall be established by the chapter
as seen necessary by a 2/3 vote of membership.
Section Three: Standing committees currently are Publicity Committee,
Fundraising Committee, and Membership Committee. The
president shall appoint chairperson.
ARTICLE NINE
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section One: Roberts Rules of Order shall be used in all situations
not covered by provisions of this constitution or the national
organization by-laws of the Society of Professional Journalists.
ARTICLE TEN
AMENDMENTS
Section One: Amendments to these by-laws shall be proposed at
business meetings of the membership. Amendments will then go
before the members for approval or disapproval.
Section Two: A 2/3 vote of the membership present shall suffice for
adoption of the amendment.
Section Three: Amendments are to be presented to the college's
Committee on Student Organizations for final approval.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
DISCIPLINE
Any chapter member shall be expelled for failure to pay dues
as required.
ARTICLE TWELVE
FINANCE
Section Two: National membership fees as established by the convention shall be payable at the time of or before initiation. This fee shall include membership for one year and a one-year subscription to The Quill.
Section Three: The entire membership fee shall be remitted to the executive director of the Society.
Section Four: No local dues shall be assessed.
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