RHO EPSILON MU

A Chapter of the Academic Honorary Society
for Emergency Management at
The University of North Texas

 

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By-Laws

 

 

ARTICLE I

Name

 

The name of this society shall be the University of North Texas Chapter of
Rho Epsilon Mu, hereinafter referred to as the chapter.

 

 

ARTICLE II

Mission, Values, and Vision

 

 Section 2.  We believe that emergency management is an integrated and comprehensive activity that requires the highest standards of knowledge and expertise to protect the population in times of crisis.  This knowledge and expertise can only be achieved through a lifelong commitment to professional education and through research and publication. 

 

Section 3.  Our vision is that Rho Epsilon Mu will provide an impetus for excellence in the development of exceptional leaders for emergency management at the University of North Texas. 

 

 

ARTICLE III

Members

 

 Section 1.  Membership in Rho Epsilon Mu shall be limited to students, faculty, and alumni of the Emergency Administration and Planning program at the University of North Texas and such additional other honorary members the chapter shall invite.

 

Section 2.  The chapter shall have three classes of members, with the following requirements for acceptance: 

 

A. Student Members:  Student membership shall be open to individuals who meet all of the following requirements:

1)  Regularly enrolled and pursuing a degree or academic certificate studies program with a major or minor in Emergency Services Management,

(2)  Have completed 12 semester hours of course work in courses in Emergency Administration and Planning,

(3)  Have completed at least one half of the academic hours required for the Bachelors program in which the individual is enrolled,

(4)  Maintain a minimum average of 3.5 on a 4 point scale in the major courses, and

(5)  Maintain an overall average on all coursework, including transfer work, of at least 3.2 on a 4 point scale 

 

B.  Alumni Members:  Graduates who were elected to membership as students may continue their membership as alumni.

 

C.  Honorary Members:  Faculty members who have taught core or elective courses in the Emergency Management degree program may be offered membership by majority vote of the chapter.  Individuals active in the emergency services who are recognized as having made a significant contribution at any level of government or business and who are supportive of higher education for the emergency services may be offered membership by majority vote of a chapter. 

 Section 3.  The Secretary-Treasurer in conjunction with the EADP Coordinator/Chapter Faculty Advisor will identify (at the beginning of each semester) individuals who meet the requirements for membership.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall transmit these names to the Rho Epsilon Mu membership not later than the annual meeting of the chapter, and by a simple majority of those voting the members may extend to eligible individuals an invitation to join the chapter.  Upon acceptance of the invitation in writing, the individuals invited shall be deemed to have been elected to membership and may be inducted in a formal ceremony at a time and place set by the members of the chapter.

 

Section 4.  Individuals elected to membership shall not pay a membership fee for the first year of membership.  Subsequent to the first year of membership all classes of members shall pay an annual membership fee set by a vote of the members and sufficient in amount to ensure the functioning of the chapter and the completion of its adopted projects.  Membership fees shall be due by the first of April of each year.  Any individual who has not paid his or her membership fee by 1 September shall be in arrears and will be dropped from the membership rolls 30 days after the Secretary-Treasurer notifies the individual of his or her arrears status.

 

Section 5.  All classes of membership shall be eligible to participate in the activities of the chapter.  However, only student members shall be eligible to serve as officers.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

Officers

 

Section 1.  The officers of the chapter shall be a President, a Vice-President, and a Secretary-Treasurer.  These officers shall perform the duties described by these Bylaws and by the Parliamentary Authority adopted by the Chapter.

 

 A.  The President shall direct the affairs of the chapter, preside at meetings of the chapter and the Executive Committee, and represent the chapter in its relations with other organizations on and off campus.

 

B.  The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President and shall supervise the activities of such committees as may be appointed.

 

C.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall conduct all correspondence of the chapter, maintain the minutes and other permanent records, collect and disburse funds, and develop and manage the budget.

 

Section 2.  Officers shall be nominated from the floor and elected by a majority of those present and voting by secret ballot at the annual meeting of the Chapter.  Their term of office shall begin immediately upon election.  Elections will take place no later than the last week of April for officers for the following school year.

 

Section 3.  No individual may hold more than one elected office at a time.

 

 

Section 4.  A faculty or staff member of the Emergency Administration and Planning Program shall serve as Advisor to the Chapter and advise the officers and members in the proper administration of the chapter and the successful completion of its activities.

 

 

ARTICLE V

Meetings

 

Section 1.  The chapter shall hold regular meetings at least once each semester on a schedule set by the Executive Committee.  These meetings may be in conjunction with meetings of the chapter of the International Emergency Management Students Association.  Each meeting will include an educational program of professional interest to the members.

 

 

Section 2.  The last regular meeting of the membership year of the chapter shall be the annual meeting of the chapter.  The annual meeting shall be held not later than the last week of April.

 

 

Section 3.  Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive Committee for specific purposes or in response to a written petition by at least three members of the Chapter.  The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.  At least fifteen days notice must be given of any special meeting.

    

 

Section 4.  A quorum shall consist of at least one third of the student members of the chapter.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

Executive Committee

 

Section 1.  The President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and Advisor shall constitute an Executive Committee.

 

 

Section 2.   The Executive Committee shall conduct the routine business of the chapter between meetings, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the chapter, and perform such other duties as are specified in these Bylaws.  At each regular meeting of the chapter the Executive Committee shall report on its actions subsequent to the last regular meeting.  The Executive Committee shall be subject to the orders of the chapter and none of its acts shall conflict with these Bylaws or actions taken by the chapter.

 

Section 3.  The Executive Committee may meet as scheduled by the President or may conduct its business by telephone, mail, or electronic mail.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

Committees

 

 The President or the Executive Committee shall from time to time establish and appoint such standing or temporary committees as may be necessary to the proper functioning of the chapter.     

 

ARTICLE VIII

Insignia

 

 The device of Rho Epsilon Mu shall be a gold key of the commonly used pattern, bearing a circle enclosing a triangle, with the Greek letters, PEM.  The key may be worn as a lapel pin or as a watch chain key.

 

ARTICLE IX

Parliamentary Authority

 

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern Rho Epsilon Mu in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the chapter may adopt.

 

 

ARTICLE X

Amendment Of Bylaws

 

 These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the chapter by two thirds vote of those present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been provided to every member in person, by mail, or by electronic mail at least fifteen days prior to the meeting.