About » Delta Chapter By-Laws

Article I: General
Article II: Purposes and Objectives
Article III: Membership
Article IV: Chapter Organization, Officers, and Responsibilities
Article V: Chapter Revenues
Article VI: Amendments

Article I: General

The following by-laws shall govern the conduct and administration of the Delta Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Regulations of the University of Washington (UW) and the National Constitution and by-laws of Beta Alpha Psi shall be the laws and regulations of this Chapter. Any conflict with the chapter’s by-laws shall be resolved in favor of the above in the order named.

Article II: Purposes and Objectives

Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary and professional fraternity for accounting, finance and information systems majors. Its stated purpose includes recognizing scholastic and professional excellence in the fields of accounting, finance, or information systems with the provision of opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing business professionals; and encouragement of a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibilities. In addition to the above, the objectives of the Delta Chapter are to:

• Have fun in the spirit of collegiate life.
• Explore different career options.
• Be exposed to current events in the accounting field.
• Network with professionals.

Article III: Membership

In addition to the national rules governing membership and qualifications, the following shall hold:

• Active membership is limited to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Washington in the fields of accounting, finance, and/or information systems.
• Persons temporarily absent due to internships remain members but will be placed in an inactive status for reporting purposes unless they can fulfill all member or candidate requirements for the quarter(s) they are absent.
• Until persons have met certain requirements, they are considered to be candidates. Candidates must complete/attend the following in order to become a member:
  • Have a UW cumulative grade point average in all subjects of at least 3.0. Requirements for transfer students will be the same as above except that the grade point average will be determined using credits earned at the UW and the grade point average for credits that the UW Registrar’s Office allowed transferred from previous schools.
  • Attend a specified number of professional and service events per quarter.
  • Devote a specified number of hours to professional and service activities. The number of hours will be specified at the beginning of each quarter.
  • Pay the chapter dues and the national candidate/initiation fee.
  • Attend an initiation ceremony. Candidate initiation will be held at the beginning of the quarter following completion of candidate requirements and only after grades from the previous quarter have been verified.
  • If for any reason an applicant believes he/she cannot meet these requirements due to unusual circumstances or has not been accepted for membership, he/she may appeal in writing to the Executive Committee.
  • Candidates are entitled to vote on all matters before the Chapter.
• Upon satisfactory completion of Candidate requirements, the Candidate must be formally inducted into the fraternity. Once inducted, the person is then a member of Beta Alpha Psi. Members must:
  • Accumulate a specified number of professional and service hours per quarter. The number of hours will be specified at the beginning of each quarter.
  • Attend a specified number of professional and service events per quarter.
  • Pay the chapter dues.
  • The executive committee will monitor member participation. When a member does not meet the above requirements by the end of any quarter and the committee believes the member is no longer committed to the purposed of BAP, the member will be advised by the Executive Committee of their deficiencies and be asked to resign their membership.
  • Inactive members must petition the Executive Committee in writing to reinstate their membership.

The Executive Committee reserves the right to add to or change these requirements from time to time. Requirements must be announced at the beginning of each quarter to be effective for that quarter and must be incorporated in a revised set of by laws.

Article IV: Chapter Organization, Officers, and Responsibilities

The chapter's candidates and members in good standing make up the membership of the Chapter:

1. Any decisions put to the membership will be decided by 50% plus 1 vote of those members/candidates present, assuming they constitute a quorum. For the purposes of conducting chapter-wide affairs, a quorum shall consist of 50% of the active members and candidates as of the beginning of each quarter.
2. The membership shall elect their officers annually.
   • Nominations & nominating committee
     1. Nominations for the election of officers will be opened at least three weeks before the election meeting and will be closed two weeks before the election.
     2. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President to interview all nominees. The nominating committee shall include two current officers, two committee chairs and two junior members who are in good standing.
     3. The candidate shall provide the nominating committee with concise written information:
        • confirming that the candidate will be a student, on campus, for autumn, winter and spring quarters.
        • indicating how many hours per week a student is planning to work in ANY other volunteer or compensated work.
        • indicating where the student will be located during the summer months, when the student will be returning to campus, and whether the student will be able to correspond effectively during the summer quarter if absent from campus.
        • identifying any potential time conflicts a student may have with time requirements of BAP.
        • providing any other information requested that is pertinent to the position for which the candidate is applying or may be considered.
     4. The nominating committee will determine which candidates shall have the time to perform as an officer, and forward the names of only those candidates to the electoral committee.
     5. The nominating committee shall also evaluate and rank order all of the candidates. In addition the committee shall apply a rating system from 1-5 for all candidates
   • One week prior to the election, the nominating committee will provide the evaluation of each candidate to a President’s Electoral Committee comprised of the President, an officer of her choice and the faculty advisor.
     1. The President’s Electoral Committee shall interview all candidates in writing and/or by personal interview. The Committee shall make recommendations to the candidates as to which positions the Committee feels each candidate is most suited for.
     2. The Committee will speak to all of the candidates about the conclusions of the committee and encourage the students to accept the position to which they have been nominated. The president and the advisor shall reach an agreement with all of the candidates about which position each will accept. There will be just one candidate for each elected position, and all appointed officers positions and as many committee chair and member positions as possible.
   • The membership shall vote by secret ballot for their elected officers, voting yay or nay on each candidate. If any candidate receives a majority of nay votes, then that candidate will be defeated, and the electoral committee shall review other candidates and nominate another for that position. Normally the vote will occur at the end of the winter quarter. Elected officers officially assume their duties the first day after the last final examination in the spring quarter.
   • Officers shall be installed at an appropriate meeting during spring quarter according to the requirements and procedures prescribed by the national organization.
   • The membership vests in their elected officers the authority and responsibility to conduct the affairs of the Chapter. At a minimum, the membership expects those officers to comply with all national requirements and maintain the Chapter in good standing with the national organization.
   • Should, for any reason, the membership determine that a change in leadership or direction of the Chapter is necessary, they may so propose and adopt those changes based on favorable vote by 50% plus 1 vote of the membership, assuming a quorum of the membership is present.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the following uncompensated elected officers with duties as specified:

• President: Shall 1) preside at all chapter and Executive Committee meetings, 2) propose revisions to the by-laws to the Executive Committee, 3) be responsible for all chapter activities including submission of all reports and fees to the national office, 4) manage the chapter toward its goals, 5) represent the chapter at all events, 6) maintain the morale of the chapter, 7) meet weekly with the faculty advisor, 8) coordinate chapter recruiting efforts, 9) in conjunction with the Treasurer, develop an annual budget and present it for approval to the Executive Committee, 10) prepare the non-financial portion of the year-end report, 11) inform the UW accounting faculty members about the BAP events and recruit them to be involved, and 12) perform other duties or delegate authority to others as needed.
• Vice President – Professional Activities: Shall 1) service as a voting member of the chapter’s Executive Committee, 2) using guidance from the President, draft an annual program of professional activities and present it to the executive committee for approval, 3) assume direct responsibility for all professional activities/events, 4) organize and conduct some of those professional activities/events, and 5) carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Vice President – National/Regional Events: Shall 1) service as a voting member of the chapter’s Executive Committee, 2) using guidance from the President, draft an annual program of national/regional activities and present it to the executive committee for approval, 3) coordinate and arrange all of the national/regional events, 4) plan, coordinate, and conduct the annual alumni banquet, and 5) carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Vice President – Service Activities: Shall 1) service as a voting member of the chapter’s Executive Committee, 2) using guidance from the President, draft an annual program of service activities and present it to the executive committee for approval, 3) coordinate and arrange all of the chapter’s service events, 4) act as the chapter’s representative at service events, and 5) carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Vice President – Membership: Shall 1) service as a voting member of the chapter’s Executive Committee, 2) assist the President in conducting the initiation ceremony, 3) oversee the collection of dues 4) preside over all recruiting events, 5) propose, monitor, and report to the Executive Committee on the level of activities conducted and hours invested by its members, and 6) carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Vice President – Reporting: Shall 1) service as a voting member of the chapter’s Executive Committee, 2) collect, report, and preserve records pertaining to the chapter’s hours and activities, and 3) carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Treasurer: Shall 1) service as a voting member of the chapter’s Executive Committee, 2) collect, deposit, and disburse membership dues and contributions from outside sources, 3) disburse funds under single signature in amounts no more that $500 per check and $1200 per month. In no event, will the treasurer disburse more funds than available. (Any check requirements beyond those above must have two signatures before they are given out), 4) prepare monthly financial reports (balance sheet, statement of activities – actual versus budget, cash flow statement) and present/explain them to the Executive Committee, 5) prepare and submit on time the year-end financial reports as required by the national organization, 6) assist new officers in the preparation of their budget, 7) coordinate the request for financial support from professional firms, 8) manage the finances and reconcile the budget of the chapter 9) keep all financial records and coordinate the year-end audit, and 10) carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Any officer may resign at any time by giving verbal or written notice.
• The Executive Committee has the authority to create or delete officer positions and to change the responsibilities of those positions as needed during their tenure. If any change in positions and/or responsibilities carry forward to the following year, the by laws must be amended accordingly.
• The President may appoint active members to serve in other necessary positions. These positions include but are not limited to: a secretary, webmaster, social activities director, and mentor program director. They are uncompensated and do not vote with the executive committee. They report directly to the President and shall carry out any duties assigned by the Executive Committee and or President.
• Officers and appointed persons are expected to appoint committees to assist them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities. The creation of a committee does not require the approval of the Executive Committee.
• Elected and appointed officers shall also carry out any other duties assigned by the Executive Committee and/or the president. No officer shall, concurrent with holding office, serve as an on-campus representative of a CPA review course.

The Executive Committee shall:

• Ensure the Chapter complies with all national office requirements.
• Ensure the Chapter remains in good standing with the national office.
• Approve the chapter’s by-laws. Officers-elect may, prior to officially assuming their offices, amend and adopt the by-laws that will apply during their tenure. If amended, those by-laws will only be effective during their tenure.
• Approve an annual surplus or break-even fixed or variable budget prior to the first day of the autumn quarter and conduct the chapter’s affairs according to that budget. Deficit budgets may not be approved without the specific approval of the faculty advisor. The budget may be changed at anytime during the year by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
• Elect honorary members (to include faculty) not to exceed two honorary members per quarter and/or five members per year. Honorary members have no voting rights.
• Have the authority to fill a vacant officer position without approval of the membership. Vacancies should, unless circumstances preclude, first be announced to the membership and serious considerations should be given to anyone who volunteers to assume the vacant position.
• Replace an officer who, in the Executive Committee’s judgment, is continually absent from activities/events and/or Executive Committee meetings, and/or is unable/unwilling to perform the duties of his or her office, or is performing those duties at a substandard level. The process will consist of three consecutive steps when necessary. First, there will be a warning from the President. Second, there will be a warning from the Faculty Advisor. Third, upon 55% affirmative vote, the Executive Committee will inform the individual of their tentative decision and give that person the opportunity (verbally and/or in writing at his or her choosing) to offer any information he or she deems appropriate. Once received, the Executive Committee will reconsider that information before rendering their final decision (which will be made a matter of written record within the chapter minutes). Former officers may, at their choice, remain a member.
• All matters requiring Executive Committee decision must be presented to it two weeks before the decision is required. A quorum shall consist of 80% of the Executive Committee members. Executive Committee decisions put to a vote must pass by more that 50% of those present. Any matter approved by vote of the Executive Committee should be reported to the membership as soon as practical thereafter but in no case more than two weeks after the vote has been taken.

The Chapter, its officers, and the Executive Committee will be advised by a member of the Business School faculty with a rank of Senior Lecturer or higher appointed by a department chairperson.

• The Executive Committee, any officer, and/or the membership must consult with the faculty advisor on all material items, including events, activities, budgets, etc. Material items are those which could have a material financial or other impact on the Accounting, Finance, and/or Information Systems departments, the Business School, the University of Washington, Beta Alpha Psi, and/or any organizations that contribute time or funds to the Chapter.
• Consultations must occur prior to signing contracts, committing resources, undertaking actions or other things that cannot be reversed without penalty in any form.

Article V: Chapter Revenues

The Chapter is responsible for funding its own operations.

Social events should, as a matter of principle, be self-supporting. Income from dues and contributions will either not be used for such activities or used minimally. The Executive Committee must approve any use of chapter income or contributions for social activities.

Once the annual PCA has been prepared, the treasurer will prepare and the Executive Committee will consider and adopt the annual budget needed to support that PCA. Adjustments to either the revenue sources, proposed expenditures, or the PCA will be made so that the final approved budget is either a surplus or break-even budget. If reserve funds are abundant, preference will be given to reducing future dues and/or outside contributions rather than adopting a deficit budget.

Candidate and initiation fees collected from the membership are liabilities of, not revenues to the Chapter. The corresponding funds collected must be forwarded to the national organization in a timely manner. Those fees must be collected prior to providing candidate or initiate-information to the national organization. Neither the Executive Committee nor any officer may waive, delay, or agree to a partial payment plan of fees.

Members will be charged dues based on the approved PCA. National dues are payable at the beginning of the year.

Officers are not exempt from paying dues.

Should contributions from outside sources be required to support the approved PCA, the faculty advisor will be so advised prior to any attempt to solicit and/or collect those funds.

Article VI: Amendments

Any or all of these by-laws may be amended, suspended, added to, or stricken by a majority vote of those members and current candidates present at any regular meeting of the Chapter, provided 1) that notices of such intentions and a description of the proposed changes shall be given at the regular meeting preceding that in which the vote is taken, and 2) a quorum of the membership exists at that meeting.

 

Revised by the Executive Committee 2006

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