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2024 Tau Beta Pi Convention

Constitution Amendments Approved for

Consideration for Ratification by the Chapters

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Presentation Overview

General background on the ratification process
Amendment One

Petitioning Requirements
Overview (slide 5)
Actual Constitution Changes (slide 6)
Committee Presentation (slides 7-14)
Convention Discussion (slides 15-16)
Convention Decision (slide 17)

Amendment Two

Collegiate Chapter Provisions
Overview (slide 18)
Actual Constitution Changes (slides 19-20)
Committee Presentation (slides 21-27)
Convention Discussion (slides 28-33)
Convention Decision (slide 34)

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Presentation Overview

Amendment Three

Provisional Alumni Chapters
Overview (slide 35)
Actual Constitution Changes (slide 36)
Committee Presentation (slides 37-41)
Convention Discussion (slides 42-45)
Convention Decision (slide 46)

Concluding Remarks & Final Reminders (slides 57-58)

Amendment Four

Executive Council Responsibilities
Overview (slide 47)
Actual Constitution Changes (slide 48)
Committee Presentation (slides 49-53)
Convention Discussion (slides 54-55)
Convention Decision (slide 56)

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Chapter Ratification

Four amendments were approved by the Convention
Chapter members are encouraged to review the changes prior to voting
Chapter officers are encouraged to present the changes to members during a meeting
All amendments are subject to chapter ratification

Approval requires ¾ of chapters to vote in favor
Approval by a chapter requires ¾ of its active members to vote in favor
Chapters must report their vote by June 1, 2025
Chapters may conduct balloting electronically
Abstentions count as NO votes

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Amendment 1 Overview

Purpose: Clarify the requirements for a collegiate chapter of Tau Beta Pi.
Impact: Article VI, Section 1(a)(3)
Context: The general revision to the Constitution and Bylaws adopted in 2017 created ambiguity for local petitioning societies regarding the requirements for a chapter of Tau Beta Pi. The proposed change clearly specifies that a local society must meet all applicable requirements for a chapter instead of those just enumerated in Const. Art. VII.
Reference: Information Sheet

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Amendment 1 Changes – Article VI

SECTION 1. Eligibility Requirements. (a) Any regionally accredited college or university is eligible for a collegiate chapter when the following criteria are met:

…

(3) A group of students meeting the eligibility standards outlined in Const. Art. II, Secs. 2 or 3 has organized and operated a local society patterned after an Association chapter described in any section applicable to a local society in Const. Arts. II, III, IV, and VII for at least two full years.

…

[underlined words added; subsequent subsections renumbered]

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118^th Annual Convention

Committee on Petitions

Petitioning Requirements Charge

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Agenda

Introduction of the Charge
Change in constitution
Motion for change
Recommended action

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Introduction of the Charge

Review and assessment of recommended changes to the Constitution and Bylaws to clarify requirements of a petitioning school’s application

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Recommendation

The petitions committee recommends that the Executive Council create a new document listing the explicit requirements for a local honor society to establish a Tau Beta Pi chapter for Convention 2025.

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Original Wording of Article 6, Section 1 (a) (3)

A group of students meeting the eligibility standards outlined in Const. Art. II, Secs. 2 or 3 has organized and operated a local society patterned after an Association chapter described in Const. Arts. VII for at least two full years.

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Recommended Changes

A group of students meeting the eligibility standards outlined in Const. Art. II, Secs. 2 or 3 has organized and operated a local society patterned after an Association chapter described in any section applicable to a local society in Const. Arts. II, III, IV, and VII for at least two full years.

Sections in bold were added

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Original Wording

Proposed Wording

A group of students meeting the eligibility standards outlined in Const. Art. II, Secs. 2 or 3 has organized and operated a local society patterned after an Association chapter described in Const. Arts. VII for at least two full years.

A group of students meeting the eligibility standards outlined in Const. Art. II, Secs. 2 or 3 has organized and operated a local society patterned after an Association chapter described in any section applicable to a local society in Const. Arts. II, III, IV, and VII for at least two full years.

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Motion

We move to accept the changes proposed to Article 6, Section 1 (a) (3)

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2024 Convention

Petitioning Requirements

Discussion and Decision

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Amendment 1 Convention Discussion

There was no discussion on the amendment.

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Amendment 1 Convention Decision

The vote was conducted by a voice vote.
The necessary ¾ of voting delegates voted in the affirmative.
The motion passed, but is subject to ratification by the chapters.

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Amendment 2 Overview

Purpose: Update the language for collegiate chapters regarding inactive member status, chapter action on communications, and the Advisory Board.
Impact: Article VII, Sections 2(c), 5, and 11
Context: Following the General Revision adopted in 2017, additional work was undertaken to further clean up the language in the Constitution and Bylaws. Several updates to the language regarding the collegiate chapters regarding inactive member status, chapter action on communications, and the Advisory Board were considered and approved by the Convention.
References: Information Sheet

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Amendment 2 Changes – Article VI, Sections 2 & 5

SECTION 2. Inactive Member Status.

…

(c) A member will shall become inactive by the affirmative vote of five-sevenths of the Advisory Board or as provided in the chapter’s bylaws.

…

SECTION 5. Chapter Actions on Communications. Communications from the Council to requiring action from the collegiate chapters shall be acted upon by the chapters within one month unless a longer time frame is specified, not counting regular college vacations, from the time of their receipt. Each chapter shall submit its action, or vote, on a communication from the Council to Headquarters or it forfeits its vote to the Council.

[struck words deleted; underlined words added]

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Amendment 2 Changes – Article VI, Section 11

SECTION 11. Advisory Board. (a) The chapter’s Advisory Board shall consist of the President, the Vice President, and the Corresponding Secretary of the chapter, and four Chapter Aadvisors elected by the chapter.

(b) If a chapter elects more than four Chapter Advisors, the chapter shall elect or otherwise designate which four advisors shall serve as voting members of the Advisory Board.

(b)(c) The Advisory Board shall, in addition to the responsibilities defined elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws, act as an advisory and judiciary committee to determine the advisability of any action taken or proposed by the chapter. Such action may be referred to it by a chapter vote or brought before it by an active member of the chapter, or the Advisory Board may review such action on its own initiative. The Advisory Board, by a majority vote, may forbid any such action, subject to an appeal to the Council.

(d) All changes in the chapter’s bylaws shall be approved by the Advisory Board before going into effect.

[struck words deleted; underlined words added]

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118^th Annual Convention

Committee on Constitution & Bylaws

Article VII Language Changes

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Article VII Constitution Amendment

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Section 2

SECTION 2. Inactive Member Status

…

(c) A member will shall become inactive by the affirmative vote of five-sevenths of the Advisory Board or as provided in the chapter’s bylaws.

Added Text

Removed Text

Unchanged Text`

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Section 5

SECTION 5. Chapter Actions on Communications. Communications from the Council requiring action from to the collegiate chapters shall be acted upon by the chapters within one month unless a longer time frame is specified, not counting regular college vacations, from the time of their receipt. Each chapter shall submit its action, or vote, on a communication from the Council to Headquarters or it forfeits its vote to the Council.

Added Text

Removed Text

Unchanged Text`

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Section 11 (Part 1/2)

SECTION 11. Advisory Board. (a) The chapter’s Advisory Board shall consist of the President, the Vice President, and the Corresponding Secretary of the chapter, and four Chapter Aadvisors elected by the chapter.

(b) If a chapter elects more than four Chapter Advisors, the chapter shall elect or otherwise designate which four advisors.

Added Text

Removed Text

Unchanged Text

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Section 11 (Part 2/2)

(b)(c) The Advisory Board shall, in addition to the responsibilities defined elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws, act as an advisory and judiciary committee to determine the advisability of any action taken or proposed by the chapter. Such action may be referred to it by a chapter vote or brought before it by an active member of the chapter, or the Advisory Board may review such action on its own initiative. The Advisory Board, by a majority vote, may forbid any such action or change, subject to an appeal to the Council.

(d) All changes in the chapter’s bylaws shall be approved by the Advisory Board before going into effect.

Added Text

Removed Text

Unchanged Text

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The Constitution & Bylaws Committee motions for the amendment of Article VII as shown in the previous slides.

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2024 Convention

Article VII Language Changes

Discussion and Decision

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Amendment 2 Convention Discussion

F. Signoretti (CA X), Committee Chair, indicated he had nothing further to add from the perspective of the committee. T.R. Black (UT G) moved, seconded by S. Ravi (SC A), to amend the motion by inserting “shall serve as voting members of the Advisory Board” at the end of Const. Art. VII, Sec. 11(b). N.R. Divilbiss (KS G) spoke in favor of the amendment noting that his chapter’s records included reports to Headquarters from the 1970s through the 1990s indicating which advisors were on the Advisory Board so this has precedent, and this would also help advisors better understand their responsibilities. H.D. Muench (MI G) noted that the committee had considered similar language, but opted not to include it since a committee member indicated that their chapter designates who is a voting advisor based on who attends the meeting so the committee proposed language that would be more flexible in how chapter operates. O.C. Agholor (MI D) stated that he felt the proposed change was redundant and unnecessary. P.S. Mahal (Alumnus Visitor) stated that he was a former Advisory Board member and suggested changes to the wording to make the proposal clearer. M.J. Hand (Executive Councillor) moved the previous question. There was no objection to taking the vote immediately, so Chairman Abellada put the amendment to the motion to a vote. The motion to amend passed on a voice vote.

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Amendment 2 Convention Discussion

K.A. Lady (Ann Arbor Area AC) felt the proposed changes regarding the Advisory Board are unnecessary because Const. Art. VII, Sec. 8 states that a chapter shall have a minimum of four advisors and Const. Art. VII, Sec. 11 states that the Advisory Board consists of four advisors elected by the chapter. E.S. Edstrom (Alumnus Visitor) was unclear about the changes around proposed section d and whether chapter bylaws need to be approved by the Advisory Board and was curious what other delegates thought. Mr. Abellada noted that the new proposed section d is presently the last sentence in section b. A.J. Kornitz (MN B) asked for the reasoning behind changing it from advisors to chapter advisors. A member of the committee responded that it was for clarity. R.D. White (Alumnus Visitor) remarked that he was a recently elected advisor for VA A and doesn’t see the need to have the word “and” used twice when enumerating a list like this. J.D. Carman (Central IL AC) moved, seconded by V.M. Spurlin (AR B), to strike the word “and” after Vice President in proposed amendment to Art. VII, Sec 11 (a). ). Mr. Abellada asked if the change could be adopted by unanimous consent, but there was an objection.

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Amendment 2 Convention Discussion

J.P. Blackford (D4 Director) noted that he and Executive Director Gomulinski created the existing language and the intent was to permit a chapter to have more than four advisors, and the chapter would elect or select the four who would serve on the Advisory Board. A.P. Zaloudek (Central MI AC) rose to a point of information and asked that the removed “and” be indicated in red. M.C. Guido (SC A Alternate) objected to the proposed amendment and indicated that the both “ands” were important because they separate the list into two groups with the President, Vice President, and Corresponding Secretary in one and the four advisors in another. Mr. Abellada apologized for not realizing that there was an objection to striking the “and” by unanimous consent. An anonymous delegate raised a point of parliamentary procedure that the objecting delegate was not a voting delegate. Chairman Abellada noted that the point was well taken, but several other voting delegates alsoobjected to the amendment. S. Ravi (SC A) remarked that that two “ands” is unnecessary and one of them should be removed. O. Stenstadvolden (SD A) suggested that instead of using two “ands,” the language could be modified to use a phrase such as “in addition to.” A delegate rose to a point of personal privilege requesting that the proposed change be shown in the full context of the existing language to ensure it makes sense grammatically.

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Amendment 2 Convention Discussion

V.B. Paharia (FL Q) believes the phrase “of the chapter” after “Corresponding Secretary” should also be struck if the first “and” is struck. Chairman Abellada asked if he wished to make that a motion, and Mr. Paharia indicated that he would like to make it a motion. Mr. Lady rose to a point of order and stated that the proposed amendment would be an amendment to an amendment to an amendment which is not in order. Mr. Abellada noted that the main motion is an amendment to the Constitution which has been an amended. There is now an amendment to the main motion to strike “and” so the proposed additional amendment is not out of order. However, he deemed it out of order since it did not fall within the wording proposed to strike in the motion to amend. Mr. Mahal rose to a point of personal privilege and requested that the sentence in section c be shown as struck. Chairman Abellada indicated that the point was not one of personal privilege and the request was not germane to the present discussion. Mr. Stenstadvolden requested a point of personal privilege that everything not being considered for debate to be greyed out on the screen to focus the discussion on the present matter. Mr. Abellada indicated they would work to address his request I.R. Minervini Vega (CA F) moved the previous question. There was no objection to taking the vote immediately, so Mr. Abellada put the amendment to the motion to a voice vote. Chairman Abellada ruled the motion lost, but on a call of division, he put the matter to a vote by a show of wristbands. The motion to amend was lost.

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Amendment 2 Convention Discussion

J.R. Moras (FL D) moved the previous question. Mr. Abellada asked if there was any objection to closing debate on the main motion and several delegates indicated their objection. He put the matter to a vote by show of wristbands and ruled debate closed. He indicated that an electronic ballot would be used to vote on the motion to amend Article VII. In response to a point of information from C.J.B. Anderson (WV A), Chairman Abellada replied that the motion contained changes to several sections of Article VII, and the vote was on all the changes. The motion passed with 217 in favor and 14 against, but final approval of the change is subject to chapter ratification.

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Amendment 2 Convention Decision

The vote was conducted by electronic ballot with 217 in favor and 14 against.
The necessary ¾ of voting delegates voted in the affirmative.
The motion passed, but is subject to ratification by the chapters.

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Amendment 3 Overview

Purpose: Revise the requirements for an alumni chapters to allow for a provisional status.
Impact: Article VIII, Section 1(a)
Context: On the recommendation of the 2018 Committee on Alumni Chapters, the Executive Council adopted a policy (PO 19) to permit newly formed alumni chapters to have provisional status prior to a formal chartering. This permits the alumni chapter to demonstrate its long-term viability before a charter is issued. The proposed amendment would codify this process in the Constitution.
Reference: Information Sheet

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Amendment 3 Changes – Article VIII

SECTION 1. Application and Membership. (a) An alumni chapter may be chartered by the Council when application is made by at least ten members and upon payment of the charter fee set by the Convention. When an application is made by at least ten members, the Council may establish an alumni chapter and grant provisional status or a charter based on criteria set forth by the Council.

…

[struck words deleted; underlined words added]

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118^th Annual Convention

Committee on Alumni Chapters

Provisional Alumni Chapters Charge

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Charge 3 - Provisional Alumni Chapters

Charge to Committee

Review and recommend action on a proposal to update the Constitution to permit the practice of permitting alumni chapters to be chartered on a provisional basis.

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Charge 3 - Provisional Alumni Chapters

Proposed Constitution and Bylaws Amendments

Article VIII - Alumni Chapters

SECTION 1. Application and Membership. (a) An alumni chapter may be chartered by the Council when application is made by at least ten members and upon payment of the charter fee set by the Convention. When an application is made by at least ten members, the Council may establish an alumni chapter and grant provisional status or a charter based on criteria set forth by the Council.

[added, removed]

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Charge 3 - Provisional Alumni Chapters

Motion

I move to adopt the proposed changes to Article VIII Section 1(a).

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Charge 3 - Provisional Alumni Chapters

Committee Reasoning for Adoption of Proposal

Establishment of provisional chapters has been in accordance with Association Policy PO 19, effective 26 June 2020
Policy has been applied to four alumni chapters since introduction: Kansas City (chartered), Charlotte (provisional), Southwest Florida (provisional), and Scissortail (provisional)
Adoption of the proposal adds structure similar to existing process for establishment of collegiate chapters in Article VI Section 1(3), with purpose of ensuring new alumni chapters can thrive and grow

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2024 Convention

Provisional Alumni Chapters

Discussion and Decision

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Amendment 3 Convention Discussion

K.U. Thakar (Orange County AC), Committee Chair, requested that S.D. Caruthers (Ohio’s North Coast AC) be recognized for debate. Mr. Caruthers noted that the proposed change is in response to a request by the Executive Council that provisional status which has been part of the Association’s Policy (PO 19) since 2020 be added to the Constitution. He added that the Kansas City Alumni Chapter went through the provisional process and is now a charters chapter; the Charlotte and Southwest Florida Alumni Chapters presently have provisional status; and the Scissortail Alumni Chapter was just granted provisional status. He further remarked that adopting this amendment would provide a similar process for collegiate chapters outlined in Const. Art. VI. In response to a Point of Information from C.L. Turchetto (AK A) regarding what provisional status means for an alumni chapter, J.D. Carman (Central IL AC), shared that the provisional period provides an alumni chapter a similar experience to a petitioning collegiate chapter where it can demonstrate its long-term viability, growth, and self-sufficiency before being granted a regular charter. He added that the provisional alumni chapter policy requires a group of alumni to pay the $100 charter fee, adopt bylaws, elect officers, operate for a full year as a chapter, and demonstrate consistency with current alumni chapter operating procedures. In response to a Point of Information from K.E. Lanza (AL D) asking whether not the criteria referenced in the proposed amendment were specified in PO 19 or elsewhere, Mr. Abellada indicated it was a policy that the Executive Council needed to follow.

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Amendment 3 Convention Discussion

S. Akhmatdinov (West MI AC) moved, seconded by C.L. Turchetto (AK A), to amend by striking the word “may” and inserting “must.” Mr. Akhmatdinov believes that the Executive Council should be required to grant provisional status or a charter upon receipt of a petition for a chapter. Mr. Caruthers spoke against the amendment indicating that based on policy PO 19 there is the possibility that a petition does not meet the requirements or a full charter not be granted at the end of the provisional period so he feels “may” is the correct word. N.R. Divilbiss (KS G) raised a Point of Information regarding who created and has control over policy PO 19. Chairman Abellada responded that PO 19 was created by the Executive Council. A.P. Zaloudek (Central MI AC) spoke against the amendment because changing the language would require the establishment of the chapter even if they didn’t meet the criteria specified in the policy. R.W. Dumm (OH E) moved, seconded by A. Dupre (AZ B), the Previous Question. Mr. Abellada noted that it requires 2/3 to vote in the affirmative to close debate and concluded that two thirds voted in the affirmative on a show of wristbands and the previous question was ordered. On a voice vote, the amendment to replace “may” with “must” was lost.

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Amendment 3 Convention Discussion

H.N. Zackiewicz (OH K) raised a Point of Information inquiring if a provisional chapter would have a voting delegate at the Convention. Mr. Abellada responded that per the policy a provisional alumni chapter would not have a voting delegate. In response to a Point of Information from Mr. Divilibiss, Chairman Abellada noted that per policy PO 19, an alumni chapter could be granted a charter without going through the provisional status or being considered by the Convention. J. Lucchese (AZ D) asked if the charter fee was included in policy PO 19. Mr. Abellada responded that the policy references a charter fee but the amount is set by the Convention. A.J. Lindstrom (CA U) remarked that it was shared that an alumni chapter would not have a voting delegate at the Convention, but Const. Art. IX, Sec. 3 states that voting delegates include one delegate from each collegiate and alumni chapter. Chairman Abellada clarified that a provisional alumni chapter would be different from a chartered alumni chapter. An anonymous delegate raised a Point of Information regarding the ability by the Council to grant provisional status or a charter. D.R.H. Riggs (Great Smoky Mountains AC) spoke on behalf of the committee and noted that they had an extensive discussion about this and determined that “or” provided the most flexibility to the Executive Council for the future. Seeing no further debate, Mr. Abellada put the matter to a vote by a show of wristbands. He was unclear about the result and requested the vote be taken by an electronic ballot. The motion passed with 229 in favor and 19 against, but final approval of the change is subject to chapter ratification.

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Amendment 3 Convention Decision

The vote was conducted by electronic ballot with 229 in favor and 19 against.
The necessary ¾ of voting delegates voted in the affirmative.
The motion passed, but is subject to ratification by the chapters.

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Amendment 4 Overview

Purpose: Add acts of Convention to the Executive Council’s responsibilities.
Impact: Article X, Section 5
Context: Some responsibilities of the Executive Council were shifted to policy following the general revision to the Constitution. The 2023 Convention adopted a policy (PG 03) which enumerates some of the Council’s responsibilities. However, the Constitution currently specifies the Council’s responsibilities which implies they are its only responsibilities. This proposal will permit responsibilities to be assigned to the Council by the Convention.
Reference: Information Sheet

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Amendment 4 Changes – Article X

…

SECTION 5. Responsibilities. In addition to the responsibilities defined elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws or acts of Convention adopted by the body, the Council’s responsibilities include:

…

[underlined words added]

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118^th Annual Convention

Committee on Constitution & Bylaws

Executive Council Responsibilities Charge

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Background

The 2017 Constitution revision adjusted governing documents
A policy adopted in 2023 shifted some EC responsibilities to policy
It was found the 2023 policy conflicts with Robert’s Rules:

“If the bylaws authorize certain things specifically, other things of the same class are thereby prohibited.”(RONR (12th ed.) 56:68(4))

Per Robert’s Rules, the Constitution and Bylaws do not permit any duties other than those already enumerated be assigned to the EC
This change simply codifies how the Executive Council currently operates

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Proposed Changes

Article X

SECTION 5. Responsibilities. In addition to the responsibilities defined elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws, or acts of Convention adopted by the body, the Council’s responsibilities include:

(a)...

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Current Motion:

Article X

SECTION 5. Responsibilities. In addition to the responsibilities defined elsewhere in the Constitution and Bylaws, or acts of Convention adopted by the body, the Council’s responsibilities include:

(a)...

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Examples From Last Year’s Minutes

Motion that committee charges be published 60 days in advance
Motion for ad hoc committee to reconvene at the next convention
Convention approved new chapters from Petitions committee
Motion to require in-person component for any career/recruitment fair
Motion to offer an additional graduation regalia stole

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2024 Convention

Executive Council Responsibilities

Discussion and Decision

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Amendment 4 Convention Discussion

Mr. Signoretti reported that the Executive Council has already been operating as though this proposed change were already in place. The Council adheres to actions taken by the Convention as directives to follow even though the requirement to follow them is not explicit in the Constitution. He noted that there were several examples of acts taken by the Convention in 2023 that the Council followed even though Robert’s Rules and the Constitution did not permit them to do so. The proposed change will address this inconsistency by explicitly stating that acts of the Convention directed at the Executive Council fall within their responsibilities. There was no further debate and Chairman Abellada put the matter to an electronic vote. He announced that 239 votes were cast in the affirmative and 7 votes were cast in the negative. A Constitution amendment requires three-fourths of those registered to vote in the affirmative which would be 205 votes of the 273 registered for the Convention, so the motion was adopted.

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Amendment 4 Convention Decision

The vote was conducted by electronic ballot with 239 in favor and 7 against.
The necessary ¾ of voting delegates voted in the affirmative.
The motion passed, but is subject to ratification by the chapters.

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Concluding Remarks

The proposed amendments were reviewed and supported by:

2024 Tau Beta Pi Convention
Committee on Constitution and Bylaws or Committee on Petitions or Committee on Alumni Chapters
Executive Council
Executive Director

Additional Information

Visit www.tbp.org/?24ballot for additional information on the ballot

Chapter Chat on the Proposed Changes

Visit tinyurl.com/ChapDevGovernance to register

Contact tbp.chapters@tbp.org if you have any questions.

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Final Reminders

Chapters may conduct the vote in-person or electronically
Ballots must be received by April 1, 2025 June 1, 2025
Ballots are a required graded report for chapters
At least ¾ of active chapter members must participate in the vote
Chapter approval requires a ¾ favorable vote
Abstentions count as no votes
Ratification requires a ¾ favorable vote of active chapters
The Executive Council may vote for chapters that do not submit ballots or submit invalid ballots

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Each chapter is entitled to a vote based a vote conducted by the active members of the chapters.
Chapters may conduct the ballot voting process in a manner best suited for the chapter as determined by the chapter officers.
The Constitution requires that chapters be given until April 1 (Const. Art. XV, Sec. 3(a)) to submit ballots. The Council has extended the deadline to June 1, 2025.
¾ of the chapter members must cast a ballot for it to be a valid ballot. If more than ¼ of members do not cast votes (absentees), the ballot is invalid.
A chapter vote to ratify an amendment requires ¾ of the active members voting to vote in the affirmative. Abstentions count as no votes since the ¾ requirement is for ALL active chapter members, not just those casting ballots.
Amendments to the Tau Beta Pi Constitution require ratification by the chapters. Ratification requires ¾ of chapters to vote in the affirmative.
The Executive Council would prefer NOT to vote for chapters who do not submit ballots. Take this opportunity to have your chapter’s voice heard regarding this important issue!