Constitution

 

CONSTITUTION

AND

BY-LAWS

OF

ALPHA PSI OMEGA

THE NATIONAL THEATRE

HONOR SOCIETY

 

Its Aims and Purpose

 

ALPHA PSI OMEGA was organized as a theatre honor society for the purpose of providing acknowledgement to those demonstrating a high standard of accomplishment in theatre and, through the expansion of ALPHA PSI OMEGA among colleges and universities, providing a wider fellowship for those interested in theatre. The society is not intended to take the place of any regular theatre clubs or producing groups, but as students qualify they may be rewarded by election to membership in this society.

This booklet is intended to serve as a source of information for members of the society. Secondly, it will place before those interested in theatre the goals of ALPHA PSI OMEGA and demonstrate what can be accomplished to stimulate interest in college and university theatre by an honor society whose goal is fellowship and service.

 

Founded August 12, 1925

Revised August 1997

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

THE CONSTITUTION OF

THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY

 

P R E A M B L E

 

We, the members of ALPHA PSI OMEGA, in order to develop talents in all aspects of theatre, to foster the cultural values we believe theatre develops, and to encourage cooperation and collaboration among member chapters, do hereby form and establish this constitution of THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY.

 

Article I

Name and Classification

 

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY.

 

Article II

Membership

 

Section 1. Colleges and universities of recognized standing, having an established theatre program or theatre club for the purpose of producing plays, will be eligible for membership.

Section 2. Qualification for individual membership may be determined by individual chapters, but should include active participation in theatre work on a variety of levels. Chapters must adopt a set of local standards based on the following:

(a) Participation in theatre work for a minimum of two semesters.

(b) Participation in a variety of production tasks (acting, directing, playwriting, front-of-house management, technical theatre, dramaturgy, production research, and other appropriate theatrical responsibilities). A point system has proven to be an effective means of fairly determining membership eligibility.

 

A Recommended Point System

 

A total of 75 points from at least two of the following categories (excluding category 5) is necessary to be eligible for admission into ALPHA PSI OMEGA.

Category 1. Performance

Acting (15-25 pts.)

Directing (25-40 pts.)

Dance (15-25 pts.)

Choreography (20-30 pts.)

Category 2. Production

Design (20-30 pts.)

Producing (20-30 pts.)

Stage Management (20-30 pts.)

Crew Chiefs (10-20 pts.)

Construction Crews (10-20 pts.)

Running Crews (5-15 pts.)

Front-of-House (1-15 pts.)

Production Coach/Other (5-15 pts.)

Category 3. Dramaturgy: 20-30 pts.

Category 4. Playwriting

Full Length-20-30 pts.

One-Act- 10-15 pts.)

Musical Composition for Theatre Performance (20-30 pts.)

Category 5. Special: Officer in Drama/Theatre Organization/Club (5-10

pts.)

 

(c) A minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 or better.

(d) The local chapter may not allow standards to fall below these guidelines.

(e) Honorary and faculty membership may be conferred after securing permission from the National Officers.

(f) Membership in Delta Psi Omega is worth 50 pts. toward membership in Alpha Psi Omega.

 

Article III

National Organization

 

Section 1. The organization will consist of the following bodies: The National Officers and various chapters located at colleges and universities.

Section 2. The National Officers will consist of a President, Vice-President, and Business Manager.

Section 3. The National Officers are the supreme governing body of the society and are supported by regional officers. The society and the delegates from the chapters will conduct the business of the society at the annual National Meeting. During the interim between National Meetings, the National Officers will conduct the business of the society.

Section 4. No person will be eligible for election to a national office except graduates or faculty members of the society actively engaged in theatre activities.

 

Article IV

Legislative

 

Section 1. The National Officers will conduct the business of the society.

Section 2. There will be an annual National Meeting open to all chapters at a location designated by the National Officers.

Section 3. Elections will be held every five years for the posts of President, Vice-President, and Business Manager.

Section 4. Regional representatives will be appointed by the National Officers for terms of three years.

Section 5. The actions of the National Meetings are not subject to ratification by individual chapters except through amendment to the constitution as herein provided.

 

Article V

Powers and Duties

 

Section 1. Executive, Administrative, and Judicial duties will be vested in the National Officers.

Section 2. When a chapter of ALPHA PSI OMEGA is installed, former students and graduates of the college who qualify are eligible for election to membership in THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY.

Section 3. The duties of the President are: (a) upholding the standards and guidelines of the society, (b) presiding at all National Meetings, (c) appointing national committees. The President may, on extraordinary occasions, call a special meeting.

Section 4. The Vice-President will succeed to the duties and office of President in cases where the President is unable to fulfill the term of office. It is the Vice-President’s duty to be cognizant of all the affairs and policies of the society.

Section 5. The Business Manager will conduct the business and correspondence of society, keep an account of all receipts and expenditures, and edit the annual society publication, Playbill.

Section 6. Any expenditures beyond typical operational costs must be approved by the National Officers.

 

Article VI

New Chapters

 

Section 1. New chapters will be admitted to the society by petition to the National Officers.

Section 2. When a college or university applies for a chapter, a Faculty Sponsor will submit an application to the National Office, containing the names of at least five students qualified for membership and such other information as the National Business Manager may require.

Section 3. The charter fee is designated by the National Office.

Section 4. When chapters are established, ceremony guidelines will be sent to the Faculty Sponsor who will represent the National Officers and conduct the installation of the new chapter.

Section 5. Chapters will be named by the National Office from the Greek alphabet in order of their establishment.

 

Article VII

Dues and Fees

 

Section 1. There will be an initiation fee for each new member as designated by the National Office.

Section 2. Failure to remit initiation fees for each new member will result in the suspension of the chapter.

 

Article VIII

Insignia

 

Section 1. There will be colors, coat of arms, and a banner according to designs and specifications in the hands of the National Business Manager as have been adopted by THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY.

Section 2. The official insignia pin is blue and gold with a monogram of the society’s logos. These can be ordered from the National Office.

Section 3. The coat of arms is a small crest representing the stage of a traditional Greek theatre.

 

 

Article IX

National Publications

 

Section 1. There will be an official magazine of ALPHA PSI OMEGA entitled Playbill and copies will be distributed to each chapter annually at the time of its publication.

Section 2. The ceremonies, charters, and other printed materials for the transaction of official business will be prepared and issued by the National Officers.

 

Article X

Amendments

 

Section 1. This constitution is subject to amendment at National Meetings if amendments are submitted to the National Officers at least one full month before the National Meeting. An amendment is approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the membership present at the National Meeting.

 

 

Sample Local Constitution and By-lays

of

ALPHA PSI OMEGA

THE NATIONAL THEATRE

HONOR SOCIETY

 

SAMPLE LOCAL CONSTITUTION

 

To assist new chapters in writing local constitutions, the National Office offers the following model:

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE CHAPTER

THE ALPHA PSI OMEGA NATIONAL THEATRE HONOR SOCIETY.

 

Article 1

Purpose

 

The purpose of this, the Chapter of ALPHA PSI OMEGA is to stimulate interest in theatre activities at __________________ (college or university) and to secure for the college all the advantages and mutual helpfulness provided by a large national honor society. By electing students to membership the society provides a reward for their participation in theatre activities of the college. The chapter is not intended to take the place of any existing theatre organization.

 

Article 2

Requirements

 

Section 1. To be eligible for membership in this chapter of ALPHA PSI OMEGA the student must be regularly enrolled in this college or university.

Section 2. After meeting the minimum requirements of the National Constitution, the local chapter may establish their own criteria for eligibility.

Section 3. Honorary membership may be bestowed on persons who have made special continued contributions to the theatre programs of a particular college or university.

 

Article 3

Election to Membership

 

Section 1. Candidates will be elected to membership by the active membership of their chapter.

 

Article 4

Officers and Duties

 

Section 1. The officers of this chapter will be the President, Vice-President, and Business Manager/Secretary. (Additional officers may be specified as need demands--many chapters have Historians and/or Parlimentarians, for example).

Section 2. The President will call meetings, preside at all meetings, appoint committees, and provide general supervision of the affairs of the society in consultation with the Faculty Sponsor.

Section 3. The Vice-President will assist the President and assume the responsibilities of the President in case of his/her absence.

Section 4. It will be the duty of the Business Manager/Secretary to collect all dues and assessments of members; to pay bills sanctioned by the society; to keep an account of all receipts and expenditures (with the assistance of the Vice-President); to keep and read minutes of meetings; and report on the financial status of the chapter at each regular meeting. (Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.)

 

Article 5

Election of Officers

 

Section 1. Officers for the following year will be elected at a regular spring meeting and formally installed by the incumbent officers.

Section 2. Officers will be elected by a majority vote of the chapter.

Section 3. If officers do not return to school, new officers will be elected to fill the vacancies at the first meeting of the year.

Section 4. Each officer will take an oath pledging to carry out the duties of the office.

 

Article 6

Meetings

 

Section 1. There will be at least one regular meeting of the chapter each term.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or at the request of the Faculty Sponsor.

Section 3. A Quorum will consist of a majority of the chapter membership currently enrolled at the school.

Section 4. Meetings will be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

Article 7

Initiation, Fees, and Assessments

 

Section 1. There will be an initiation fee of _____ dollars which must be paid before any pledge can be initiated. (In addition to the required national dues, the chapter may require any local dues as deemed necessary or appropriate.)

Section 2. Each pledge may be required to purchase an ALPHA PSI OMEGA pin. Orders must be taken before initiation. (This provision is optional.)

Section 3. Special assessments may be levied on members only by a two-thirds vote of the active membership.

 

Article 8

Committees

 

Section 1. The standing committees of the chapter will be:

(a) Executive Committee. This committee will be composed of the elected officers and the Faculty Sponsor. This committee will handle all minor business arising between meetings.

(b) Initiation Committee. The Faculty Sponsor and President will confer and appoint this committee, which is the chapter initiation team for conducting the initiation ceremony.

(c) Each chapter will encourage formation of an alumni chapter among graduates and former members of the chapter as appropriate.

(d) Other standing committees may be appointed as deemed necessary.

 

Article 9

Amendments

 

Section 1. The articles of this constitution may be amended, revised, or altered in whole or in part at any regular meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members of the chapter, provided such amendment and a notice of the proposed vote is given to each member in writing at least one week prior to the vote.

 

Article 10

By-Laws

 

Section 1. Additional by-laws may be adopted at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active membership.

Section 2. The chapter will keep an accurate record of each member with accomplishments in the field of the theatre.

      Section 3. Each chapter will report to the National Business Manager, who edits the annual Playbill, the annual productions and activities of the chapter no later than June 1st of each year. Photographs, programs, and other supporting materials may be included and will be featured in Playbill at the discretion of the National Business Manager.