Constitution of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Founded March 11, 1986 at
California State University, Chico
(Revised April 1, 2011)
Table of Contents
Preamble
Article I Name
Article II Logistics
Article III Membership
Article IV Officers
Article V Meetings
Article VI The general process for decision making
Article VII Constitutional & By-Law Amendments
Article VIII Chapter Policy and Code
Article IX Membership Policy and Code
Article X Dissolution
Article XI Governance Clause
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Modifications
Constitution of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Founded March 11, 1986 at
California State University, Chico
(Revised April, 2011)
Preamble
The purpose of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. shall be to open doors of opportunity to the Latinas of our
community. Our primary focus is academic excellence and meeting the needs of Latina women in higher
education. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. also promotes the advancement of Latinas through various
campus activities and community services, and provides an environment for personal growth within a unit of
Sisterhood. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.'s priorities, however, will be placed upon academic
excellence and community service.
Article I
The name of this organization shall be Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Article II
I. TITLE:
The official title of the governing body of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. shall be La
Mesa Directiva.
II. PURPOSE:
The purpose of La Mesa Directiva shall be to govern and advise the chapters of
Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. with wisdom and sensitivity, working in the best
interest of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. La Mesa Directiva shall maintain
communications with the active members and shall be an avenue for making changes
within and for Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. La Mesa Directiva shall provide an
example of the ideals of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. and provide consistency for
and between the chapters of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
III. STRUCTURE: La Mesa Directiva of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. shall be made up of the
following positions:
Chair of La Mesa Directiva
Directors of:
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Academics
Alumnae Relations
Chapter Development
Communications
Community Service
Cultural Affairs
Expansion
Finance
Fund Development
Marketing
Prospective Membership
Special Events
Undergraduate Liaisons
Article III
A.
MEMBERSHIP
1. Eligibility
a.
All persons interested in the purpose of this organization shall be eligible for membership
except fully rushed, educated, and initiated members of any other Greek letter
organization.
1.
An eligible member must be at least a second academic term freshman.
2.
An eligible member must have at least a 2.600 campus and cumulative grade point
average with no exceptions. No particular major is required.
3.
An eligible member shall become a prospective member upon a favorable 2/3 vote
of the voting membership.
a.
A prospective member shall adhere to the Prospective Member Guidelines
Code.
b.
A prospective member shall become an active only after fulfilling all the
requirements in the Prospective Member Guidelines Code.
2. Regulations
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a.
All membership classifications shall be distinguished according to the Membership Policy
and Code. (See Article IX, page 9)
b.
All members shall adhere to the Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. Constitution and bylaws.
All members shall receive a copy of the most current Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Constitution and bylaws from their respective chapter's Executive Board.
3.
c.
All members are under oath of secrecy of all non-public activities and information.
a.
No Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. member shall rush or participate in the educational
process of another sorority, or co-ed fraternity.
e.
No member of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., while wearing or displaying Lambda
Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. insignia shall consume or be under the influence of alcohol or any
illegal substance.
f.
No member of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. may use the name "Lambda Theta Nu
Sorority, Inc." to promote or endorse events without the approval of the majority of the
respective chapter’s active voting membership.
g.
Any violation of the membership regulations constitutes grounds for expulsion from
Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Advisors
a.
A faculty/staff advisor, as specified by the academic institution, shall be selected and removed by
simple majority vote of the voting membership at the election meeting held each spring
semester/quarter. The voting active membership at the same meeting may appoint a co-advisor.
1.
Each current advisor shall be reviewed by the active membership before advisor status is
granted for any consecutive term.
b. The term of an advisor shall be for one academic year unless the advisor makes formal request to
be removed. There is no limit of terms an advisor may serve.
c. All current advisors shall adhere to the Advisor Status Code. (See Article XIII, page 22)
4.
Alumnae Advisor
a.
An alumnae advisor shall be selected by a simple majority and removed by a two-thirds majority
vote of the voting membership at the election meeting held each spring semester/quarter. The
active voting membership at the same meeting may appoint a co-advisor.
1.
Each current advisor shall be reviewed by the active membership before advisor status is
granted for any consecutive term.
b. The term of an advisor shall be for one academic year unless the advisor makes formal request to
be removed. There is no limit of terms an advisor may serve.
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c. Alumnae advisor should be graduated for a minimum of two years before serving as an advisor.
Article IV
A.
OFFICERS
1. Criteria for Officers
a.
Must meet all requirements of an active voting member for the current and previous
semesters.
b.
To be eligible for the Executive Board, a member must have been an active voting
member for the entire previous semester and must have previously held a position as
chairperson in Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. with the exception of the membership
being majority new members and there not enough members to fill the positions. In this
case, a new member is eligible for the executive board.
c.
To be eligible for Executive Board, a member must have a minimum of 2.500 cumulative
and campus GPA.
2. Election and Removal
a.
Any officers for the next academic year shall be selected by a simple majority vote of the
total chapter’s active membership toward the end of the academic year. Active members
have the right to vote for all positions including any positions they are nominated for. New
officers assume their duties at the end of the academic year and shall serve for one year.
b.
Officers may be removed for cause by a 2/3-majority vote of the total voting membership.
Such a vote shall occur at a regularly scheduled meeting of the organization. The issue of
removal, and the reasons, shall have been introduced at the previous regularly scheduled
meeting.
c.
In case of removal, the total voting membership shall replace the vacant office by process
of special election. The same voting procedure of simple majority will apply. The newly
elected officer shall serve the remaining time in that office and meet criteria for the
appropriate office.
3. Executive Board
a.
There shall be four officers who comprise the Executive Board of Lambda Theta Nu
Sorority, Inc.:
1.
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President
b.
2.
Vice President
3.
Secretary
4.
Treasurer
The Executive Board shall have the authority to make decisions for Lambda Theta Nu
Sorority, Inc. during periods when school is not in session.
4. Executive Council
a.
The Executive Board, along with the following officers, shall comprise the Executive
Council:
1.
Historian
2.
Sergeant at Arms
3.
Dean of Prospective Members
4.
Social Chair
5.
Cultural Affairs Chair
6.
Sunshine Chair
7.
Alumnae Chair
8.
Academic Chair
9.
Community Service Chair
10. Fundraiser Chair
11. Marketing Chair
12. Any other Committee/Project Chair(s) established thereafter.
b.
The Executive Council shall have the authority to appoint committees and chairperson(s)
as needed.
5. All officers shall uphold the duties of their office as written in the Duties of Officers. (See Article
X, page 12)
6. The Fall Division for chapters on the semester system shall be comprised of the months
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August - December, and for chapters on the quarter system shall be comprised of the months
August - February. The Spring Division for chapters on the semester system shall be comprised
of the months January - June and for chapters on the quarter system shall be comprised of the
months March - July.
Article V
A. MEETINGS
1. Regular meetings of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. shall be held for business purposes and shall
follow the guidelines written in the Meetings Policy. (See Article XI, page 19)
2. Executive Board meetings shall be held for the purpose of review and advisement; they shall
follow the guidelines written in the Meetings Policy.
3. Executive Council meetings shall be held for the purpose of review and to bring up new ideas;
they shall follow the guidelines written the Meetings Policy.
4. Appointed committees shall meet for any particular purpose imposed by the committee; they shall
follow the guidelines written in the Meetings Policy.
5. Special meetings shall be held for the benefit of the active membership; they shall follow the
guidelines written in the Meetings Policy.
Article VI
The general process for decision making shall be simple majority of those voting members present at a
regularly scheduled meeting, unless otherwise specified in this constitution. Decisions regarding expenditure
of funds or use of equipment owned by Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. are included in this process.
Article VII
Constitutional & By-Law Amendments
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
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Amendments to this constitution and its bylaws must be made by a dues paying member of Lambda
Theta No Sorority Inc. through a resolution process.
Submission of proposed changes must be submitted to La Mesa Directiva by way of a formal
resolution.
Approval of constitutional amendments must be approved by a 2/3 vote of La Mesa Directiva.
Approval of by-law amendments must be approved by a majority vote of La Mesa Directiva.
Constitutional & bylaw amendment process will be scheduled every even year at the National
Leadership and Organizational Development Conference.
Distribution of amended constitution and by-laws to the membership will be 4-weeks after National
Leadership and Organizational Development Conference. Documents will be electronically
uploaded at a mutually convenient location site for all members to download for their use and
information.
G. Mandatory distribution of Constitution and by-laws will be uploaded onto the
President/Vice-President and Advisor list servers 4 weeks after National Leadership and
Organizational Development Conference.
Article VIII
Chapter Policy and Code
A.
Active Status
1.
B.
Must abide by all requirements as noted in the National Recognition Policy and Code. (See
Article XVIII, page 37.)
City Wide/ Campus Wide Chapters
1.
City wide chapters of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Incorporated are multiple campuses who come
together to create one chapter. For campus wide chapter status, a chapter must be comprised of
more than one four year college or university located on one campus.
2.
A city wide chapter must be an established chapter that has been denied campus recognition after
all necessary means of approval have been attempted by La Mesa Directiva with campus
officials.
1.
If a chapter is recognized in this manner they must apply to their respective city for
recognition as a registered organization within that city.
The chapter must then use their respective chapter Greek letter in conjunction with their
city instead of the campus they attend. (i.e. Zeta Eta Chapter at San Jose)
b. If at any time the chapter does receive campus recognition they can at that time can
start affiliating themselves with the school instead of with the city.
or
If there are schools within a close proximity, as defined by the Director of Expansion that
would flourish by working as one chapter than to have several chapters that potentially
would struggle.
a.
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a.
C.
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The chapter would use their respective Greek letter and all campuses would be
mentioned under that Greek letter. (i.e. Zeta Theta Chapter at Loyola Marymount,
Mount St. Mary’s).
City Wide/ Campus Wide Chapter Requirements
1.
City wide / Campus Wide Chapters must abide by the Policies and Procedures set by
Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. and each respective institution of the city-wide Chapter
must work together to function as one chapter.
City Wide/ Campus Wide chapters must have a campus advisor from each respective
institution
b. City Wide/ Campus Wide chapters shall adhere to the New Chapter Guidelines in the
Expansion Handbook.
a.
D. City Wide/ Campus Wide Chapter Status
1.
For campus wide status pre-existing chapters cannot be put into a city wide chapter
(Omicron chapter cannot become apart of Alpha Gamma Chapter) but newly established
chapters can be put into a pre-existing chapter if requested by the pre-existing chapter
during interest group phase I.
Article IX
Membership Policy and Code
A. Active Status Members: This constitutes an individual member who has not been issued a degree
from an accredited four year university.
Requirements:
1. Pay dues established by the Membership each academic term. The only time in which the
membership status can be obtained.
2. Meet minimum GPA requirement of 2.50 campus and cumulative GPA.
3. Must complete 6-10 Study hours per week.
4. Must participate in Community Service, six activities per academic year.
5. Must be in Good Standing per adopted Chapter Policy and Codes. May participate in local
and national functions and/or projects of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
6. Carries unabridged voting rights unless currently has more than three unexcused absences per
quarter/semester (excused absences are class, work and illness) from mandatory meetings and
functions of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. Three or more unexcused absences will result in
automatic loss of voting privileges for that specific quarter/semester.
7. May participate in all aspects of the Educational Process at recognized chapters or prospective
chapters.
8. Eligible to hold applicable organizational office(s).
9. May wear letters with adherence to the Nationally Recognized Code of Ethics.
10. Must be enrolled and actively attending classes at any four year academic institution.
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B. Probationary Status Member: This constitutes an individual member who has not been issued a
degree from an accredited four year university and has 1) fallen below the required GPA for active
status members including the academic term(s) as prospective member status that the member was
being prospective member or 2.) has voluntarily opted for this status.
Rights & Restrictions:
1. Pay dues established by the Membership each academic term.
2. Must be in Good Standing per adopted Chapter Policy and Codes.
3. May not attend functions, other than meetings, community services, fundraisers, and study
hours of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. during the week (Sunday, 5:00 p.m. through Friday,
5:00 p.m.) for more than one hour per function.
4. Must complete a minimum of ten study hours.
5. Must have an institutional tutor/learning instructor to assist with academic progress.
6. Carries unabridged voting rights unless currently has more than three unexcused absences per
quarter/semester (excused absences are class, work and illness) from mandatory meetings and
functions of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. Three or more unexcused absences will result in
automatic loss of voting privileges for that specific quarter/semester.
7. May participate in all aspects of the Educational Process at recognized chapters or prospective
chapters but limited to no more than one hour per activity during the week (defines as Sunday
5:00pm to Friday 5:00pm).
8. May wear letters with adherence to the Nationally Recognized Code of Ethics.
C. Inactive Status Members: This constitutes an individual member who has not been issued a degree
from an accredited four year university and has exhausted time on Academic Probation or has
voluntarily opted for this status.
Rights & Restrictions:
1. Pay dues established by the Membership each academic term.
2. Shall be placed on Academic Inactive Status after two semesters or three quarters of being on
Probationary Status, which shall include the academic term(s) when the fully initiated member
was a prospective member undergoing the Educational Process.
3. Cannot hold, positions, participate in committees or be involved in step or stroll teams.
4. May attend business meetings, but may not vote.
5. May not attend functions, other than community services, fundraisers, sisterhood
events/activities and study hours of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
6. May not participate in any aspect of the Educations Process of the Prospective Membership.
7. May wear letters with adherence to the Nationally Recognized Code of Ethics.
8. May attain active status by re-enrolling as a student and formally requesting active status to the
voting membership of the respective chapter. Decision to re-instate as an active member shall
be decided by the chapter. Active status may only be denied due to failure of compliance with
the constitutional guidelines. Members can only re-instate active status during national
recognition periods once per semester/quarter.
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D. Inactive Non Dues Paying Members: This constitutes an individual member who has not been
issued a degree from an accredited four year university and has opted not to participate in the
business of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Rights & Restrictions:
1. May be able to attend community services and fundraiser functions that are open to the public.
2. Unable to participate in official sorority business such as meetings with limited participation in
other sorority functions such as sisterhood activities.
3. May not participate in any aspect of the Educational Process of the Prospective Membership.
4. Do not have voting rights.
5. May wear letters with adherence to the Nationally Recognized Code of Ethics.
6. May request the change of membership status from the Executive Board per written request to
the vice president, and this outcome will be forwarded to the Vice Chair.
E. Alum Active Members: This constitutes an individual member who has been issued a degree from
an accredited four year university.
Rights and Restrictions
1. Shall have been an active member for a minimum of 1 academic year (need not be
consecutive), unless she was a graduating senior or was on academic probationary status.
2. Shall pay national alumnae dues.
3. Shall provide, to the Director of Alumnae Relations, verification that an undergraduate degree
was conferred.
4. May participate in events that involve Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc. business, which includes
but is not limited to community services, fundraisers, and study hours of Lambda Theta Nu
Sorority, Inc.
5. May attend meetings but may not vote.
6. May participate in Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. functions and/or projects.
7. Eligible to hold positions within the following organizational structures of Lambda Theta Nu
Sorority, Inc.: La Mesa Directiva, National Association of Lambda Alumnae, Regional
Council, Board of Trustees, and may serve as Chapter Advisor.
8. Can present Constitutional and/or Bylaw Amendments.
9. May participate in all aspects of the Educational Process of Prospective Membership.
10. May attend both annual national conferences.
11. May wear letters with adherence to the Nationally Recognized Code of Ethics.
F. Alum Inactive Members: This constitutes an individual member who been issued a degree from an
accredited four year university and has opted not to participate in the business of Lambda Theta
Nu Sorority, Inc.
1. May attend functions limited to community services, fundraisers, sisterhood activities, and study
hours of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Of the two annual national conferences, may attend the DIAS Sisterhood Convention.
May not participate in any aspect of the Educational Process of the Prospective Membership.
Do not have voting rights.
May wear letters with adherence to the Nationally Recognized Code of Ethics.
Membership status can only be changed during dues paying windows.
Article X
G.
A. DISSOLUTION
1.
If Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. disbands, or ceases to exist, the Executive Board shall
disburse all assets, but none may go to individual members. Assets may be given to another club,
department, the Associated Students, or a community organization. If no officers/members are
available, the faculty/staff member and the Associated Students Director of Programs and
Organizations shall make the disbursal.
EXCLUSIVITY RIGHTS
A.
1.
Any vendor, beyond the organization, intending to profit from, but not limited to, Lambda Theta Nu
Sorority, Inc.’s name, Greek letters, founding year, color combinations, crest, slogans, mottos,
designs, images, and/or a combination of these elements, must request permission from the National
Board and must include a statement of profit sharing with the organization.
Article XI
A.
GOVERNANCE CLAUSE
1.
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All members and policies are bound by the Constitution of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.