PKD Constitution (EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2001) (Revisions made 01/03/05) Pi Kappa Delta’s Statement on Discrimination Preamble & Bylaws to PKD National Tournament and Convention (Revised 7/6/05) Resolutions - 44th National Convention and Tournament (Added 7/6/05) The Constitution of Pi Kappa Delta Article I – Name 100 -  The name of this forensic honorary shall be “Pi Kappa Delta,” the initial letters of the Greek phrase Peitho Kale Dikaia, signifying “the art of persuasion, beautiful and just.”   The name shall be written thus:   on all insignia. Article II – Purpose 200 - Pi Kappa Delta is an honorary consisting of educators, students and alumni committed to encouraging the education of articulate citizens through a three part focus:  the commitment to and promotion of ethical, humane and inclusive communication and educational practices; the commitment to and promotion of professional development of forensics educators; and the commitment to and promotion of comprehensive forensics programming. 201 -  Pi Kappa Delta is committed to assuring equal opportunity to all persons, regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical ability status, age, economic status, gender, sex or sexual orientation. Pi Kappa Delta is opposed to all forms of discrimination and seeks to establish a tolerant atmosphere in which every individual is accorded respect. Mindful of the importance of First Amendment freedoms, Pi Kappa Delta reminds its members of their ethical obligations to audience members and encourages members to refrain from disrespectful or derogatory speech. As an organization dedicated to fostering the development of functional leadership skills, Pi Kappa Delta encourages the participation of individuals from traditionally under-represented groups. Pi Kappa Delta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Article III – Organization 300 - Pi Kappa Delta shall be composed of three divisions: the Local Chapter, the Province Organization, and the National Organization. 301 - A Local Chapter shall be composed of five or more members of this honorary as provided for in Paragraph 400.   Local Chapters may be of two kinds: Undergraduate and Alumni. 301.1 - A Local Undergraduate Chapter may be established in any recognized and regionally accredited college or university. 301.2 - An Alumni Chapter shall differ from an Undergraduate Chapter in that it may be established outside of educational institutions, and shall not be allowed to take in members who have not previously been members of good standing in Undergraduate Chapters. 301.3 - A charter bearing the seal of the honorary and signed by the National President and National Secretary- Treasurer shall be granted to each Local Chapter of this honorary.  The charters shall be duplicates of the standard form filed with the National Secretary-Treasurer.  New Local Chapters are to be installed only when the dues of members and charter fees are in the hands of the National Secretary.  New charters shall be presented in formal ceremony at the National Convention; however, charters may be presented at Province Conventions provided that the National Council has approved such action.  A member of the National Council, if in that Province, shall make the presentation.  If no National Council member is available, it shall be the obligation of the Province Governor. 301.4 - The Local Chapter shall have full charge of all its activities within the limits of this constitution and the rules and regulations of the National Organization. 302.1 – An Undergraduate Chapter is considered to be in good standing if it pays its annual dues and enrolls new members each year.  If a Chapter does not meet these criteria for three consecutive years it will be listed as an inactive Chapter.  Inactive Chapters may not participate in Pi Kappa Delta sponsored events.  To regain good standing the Chapter must pay the current years dues, initiate new members, and pay a reactivation fee. 302.2 - The membership of June 30th  shall be considered as the membership for the current year.  Each Chapter shall report on its membership to the National Secretary-Treasurer when called upon. 302.3 - Each Undergraduate Chapter and Alumni Chapter shall have one vote in the affairs of the Province Organization and the National Organization.  This vote may be delegated to a representative in case of conventions and shall be a majority vote of a Chapter’s current  members in good standing in case of referendum.  The same delegate cannot represent both an Undergraduate Chapter and an Alumni Chapter at a convention.  Alumni Chapters shall be called following the roll call of Undergraduate Chapters. 302.4 - The initiation fee of all members of all classes, payable upon application for membership, shall be set by the National Council with majority approval by the National Convention.  Each Undergraduate Chapter shall be permitted one free Honorary membership each year. 302.5 - Each Undergraduate Chapter shall elect a President at least once each year and may elect other officers as the Chapter desires, such as: Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Reporter or Corresponding Secretary or Historian. 302.6 - Each Undergraduate Chapter shall have a faculty/staff  sponsor who shall be recognized as the sponsor by the college or university where the Undergraduate Chapter is chartered.  Refusal to appoint a faculty/staff sponsor shall be grounds for possible action resulting in the Chapter being placed on inactive status. 302.7 - The President or faculty/staff sponsor of the Undergraduate Chapter shall be the responsible head of the undergraduate organization as far as its relation with the National Organization is concerned and he or she shall be responsible for the fulfillment of the requirements of the constitution and the regulations of the National Organization. 303 - Each Undergraduate Chapter shall provide itself with a constitution, shall meet regularly, shall initiate new members at least annually using the obligation and ceremony provided by the National Organization, shall report new members and changes in standing of members to the National Secretary-Treasurer and shall collect annually membership fees and other assessments of the National Organization promptly and forward them to the National Secretary-Treasurer.  All treasurers who are sending money for fees or keys must designate the person or persons for whom the money is being sent. 304 through 319 open 320 - Alumni Chapters shall have the obligations and privileges outlined in the following sub-paragraphs. 320.1 - Each Alumni Chapter shall be assigned to a Province by the National Council. 320.2 - An Alumni Chapter shall have one vote at Province and National Conventions, if a member in good standing is present. 320.3 - Each Alumni Chapter shall provide itself with a constitution, shall meet at least once a year, shall report changes in membership to the National Secretary-Treasurer, and shall send an annual report to the National Secretary-Treasurer. 320.4 - An Alumni Chapter shall not be required to have a faculty sponsor. 320.5 - Alumni Chapters shall be exempt from fines, fees, and assessments of Province and National Organizations, except for the original Charter fees.  However, an Alumni Chapter shall be empowered to levy a membership fee on itself.  Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude voluntary financial support of the organization. 320.6 - An Alumni Chapter charter may be revoked for good and sufficient reasons by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the National Council, and with a two-thirds affirmative vote of approval of the National Convention. 321 through 324 open 325 - It shall be the duty of the National Council to assign a name and number to each Chapter and to assign the Chapter to a Province. Any Local Chapter may petition the National Council for transfer to an adjoining Province, but no such transfer shall be without approval of the Governors of both Provinces affected. 326 - Each Province shall have a constitution whose provisions shall be consistent with the National Constitution. 327 – The Province shall elect a Governor.  The Province is encouraged to  elect whichever additional officers it chooses, such as a Lieutenant Governor, a Student Lieutenant Governor, a Secretary-Treasurer and a Historian.   If necessary, the National President shall fill by appointment any vacant Province Governor position with the appointee to serve until the Province meeting or until a poll of the Chapters has been conducted by the National Secretary- Treasurer.  The Province Governor shall be a faculty or staff member or an Active Alumni. 327.1 - Undergraduate students who are Province officers may serve either one or two-year terms as provided for in Province constitutions. 328 - Province Governors and other Province officers shall be regularly elected by the Chapters of the Province for a two-year term. 328.1 - Vacancies in Province offices other than the governor shall be filled by appointment by the Province Governor. 329 - The Province Governor shall have general jurisdiction over the affairs of the Province, and shall be responsible to the National Council for the progress and welfare of the Province and of the Undergraduate Chapters composing it. The Province Governor shall become, automatically, a member of the Charter and Standards Committee for the consideration of any petition coming from the Province. 330 - The Province Secretary-Treasurer or the Governor if the Province does not choose to elect a Secretary- Treasurer shall perform the ordinary duties of the office, and shall also prepare not later than June 30th  of each year, a statement of revenues and expenditures of the Province, and submit such statement to the National Secretary- Treasurer. 331 - Each Province shall hold a regular convention each second year, the Province Convention year being that in which no National Convention is held. 332 - Funds may be secured by assessments and the Province Governor shall have power to levy an annual assessment on each Undergraduate Chapter in the Province. Assessments shall be made with a three-fourths affirmative vote of the Undergraduate Chapters constituting the Province.  Annual assessments shall be collected by the National Secretary-Treasurer along with annual assessments for the National Organization.  Province dues will be rebated to the Province Secretary-Treasurer or the Governor if the Province does not elect a Province Secretary- Treasurer. 333 through 349 open 350 -The National Organization shall be a federation of the Local Chapters of Pi Kappa Delta.  It shall hold supreme executive, legislative, and judicial power, and shall be the source of all authority in this forensic honorary, except as otherwise specifically provided in this constitution.  It shall not be a secret organization.  The National Organization shall be composed of the National Convention, the National Council, the National Student Caucus, the National Alumni Caucus, the Standing Committees, and the National General Chapter 351 - Each Undergraduate Chapter and each Alumni Chapter shall be entitled to one voting representative in the National Convention. The National General Chapter when its membership comprises ten or more, shall be entitled to one voting delegate to the National Convention.  Members of the National Council shall each be entitled to a vote in the National Convention. 351.1 - A quorum of the National Convention shall consist of delegates, either undergraduate or alumni, from at least twenty percent of the Local Chapters. 351.2 - The National Convention shall assemble at the call of the National President at a time and place chosen by the National Council, the Council being guided in its choice by vote of the preceding National Convention and after consideration of any site-specific diversity-related concerns. 351.3 - In the National Convention shall be vested the supreme powers given to the National Organization.  The actions, rules and regulations of the National Convention shall be binding upon the National Council, all Local Chapters, Province Organizations, or other subordinate organizations within Pi Kappa Delta.  It shall elect the National Officers and may delegate to them such of its powers as it shall deem necessary or expedient.  It shall have power to lay assessments upon the Undergraduate Chapters apportioned equally upon individuals or Chapter  members of the organization.  It shall have power to expel any individual member upon just cause, or upon flagrant violation of the provision of this constitution or of the obligation given at the time of admission into Pi Kappa Delta. It shall have the power of chartering Local Chapters upon petition.  It shall have the power to vote expenditures from the national treasury. 352 - The elective officers of the National Organization of Pi Kappa Delta shall be a President-Elect and five National Council members.  Of the five National Council members, two shall be student representatives.  The Student Representatives shall hold office only while members in good standing of an undergraduate Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta.  The remaining three National council members shall be of the Orders of Instruction or Active Alumni. 352.1 - The President-Elect, upon completion of the term of office, shall succeed to the office of the President of the organization. 353 - The President-Elect shall be chosen using the following procedure. 353.1 - The nominees for the office of President-Elect shall be the three National Council members of the Order of Instruction or Active Alumni, excluding any member who notifies the President of Pi Kappa Delta in writing of the person’ s desires to be excluded from the nomination. 353.2 - The National Council shall provide for an absentee ballot for those Pi Kappa Delta Chapters in good standing which indicate they will not attend the convention. 353.3 - Election shall be by a majority vote of those Chapters voting for candidates included on the ballot at the National Convention. 353.4 - The President shall not be eligible for re-election. 354 - Officers other than the President-Elect will be chosen using the following procedures. 354.1 - The elective officers of the Order of Instruction or Active Alumni other than the President-Elect, and one student National Council member will be chosen at a later meeting of the National Convention in the following manner: for elective officers of the Order of Instruction or Active Alumni the Nominating Committee will submit as candidates the names of five or more persons, at least three of whom have not previously served on the National Council.  Other nominations may be made from the floor.  If only five persons are nominated, each Chapter will vote on a preferential ballot for the five candidates.  If more than five persons are nominated, each Chapter will vote for five members in preferential order, ranking all others sixth. The three candidates with the highest ranking will be deemed elected to the National Council.  For the student National Council member, the Nominating Committee will submit as candidates the names of three or more persons.  Other nominations may be made from the floor.  The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.  Officers will assume their duties on the first day of June following their election, and will serve for two years or until their successors are elected. 354.2 - The Student Representatives shall be elected in the following manner: the Undergraduate Chapter which is to be host to the National Convention shall elect, not later than the first of May two years prior to the convention, a Student Representative to serve on the National Council. Results of the above election shall be reported promptly to the National President by the Province Governor of the host Province.  The second student representative shall be elected using the same process outlined in section 354.1. 355 - The National Secretary-Treasurer shall be nominated by the National Council and approved by the National Convention and shall serve a term of four years and shall be eligible for an additional term of four years.  A third term of two years is possible upon the unanimous recommendation of the National Council and a two-thirds vote of the National Convention.  The term of office of the National Secretary-Treasurer shall begin August 1 of the year of election. 356 - The Editor of The Forensic shall be nominated by the National Council, approved by the National Convention, and shall serve a term of four years and may be re-nominated and approved for an additional term.  The term of the Editor shall begin August 1 of the year of election. 357 - The Historian shall be nominated by the National Council, approved by the National Convention, and shall serve a term of ten years.  The term of the Historian shall begin on August 1 of the year of election. 358 - The duties of the national officers shall be described in the following paragraphs, and such other duties as shall be assigned by the National President and the National Council. 358.1 - The National President shall be the executive head and shall preside at all meetings of the National Council and Convention. 358.2 - In case of the absence or resignation, or because of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall assume the office of President. 358.3 - The Student Representatives shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the National President.  They shall hold office only while undergraduates. 358.4 - The National Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the minutes of the National Council and the National Convention.   This person shall file all applications for membership and keep a complete record of the standing of each member.   The Secretary-Treasurer shall have charge of the issuing of all charters, membership cards, and certificates.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall collect the charter fees, membership fees, initiation fees, and all other assessments and maintain the national treasury.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a complete record of the finances, supplies, and other property of the organization, and shall have charge of issuing keys to individual members.  He or she shall give bond, and the accounts shall be audited each August.  The National Council shall provide funds to defray the expenses of clerical work for the National Secretary-Treasurer. 358.41 - The National Secretary-Treasurer will be provided a stipend of an amount and at a time set by the National Council.  Expenses incurred by the Secretary-Treasurer in attending the National Convention will be reimbursed. 358.5 - The Editor of The Forensic shall have direct charge of publication of The Forensic, subject to the general supervision of the National Council.  The editor will be provided a stipend of an amount and at a time set by the National Council.  The Editor, with the approval of the National Council, shall appoint an Associate Editor or Editors.   The duties of the Associate Editor or Editors shall be such as assigned by the Editor. 358.6 - The Historian shall be archivist and recorder of the history. 358.7 – The Past President shall be the liaison to the Alumni Committee as well as other alumni-related concerns. 359 - The National Council shall be composed of the National President, the President-Elect, the five general council members, the immediate Past-President,  the National Secretary-Treasurer, the Historian, and the Editor of the Forensic, each of whom shall be a voting member. Past Presidents of this forensic honorary shall be honorary non- voting members of the National Council. 359.1 - To be eligible to be elected to the National Council, a person must be a member of the Order of Instruction or an Active Alumni.  A member of the Order of Instruction must be, at the time of election, actively associated with a school having a Pi Kappa Delta Chapter. 359.2 - To be eligible to be elected to the National Council as a Student Representative, a member must be at the time of election a member in good standing of an Undergraduate Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta. 360 - Vacancies arising in the National Council shall be filled in the following manner: a vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the President-Elect for the remainder of the term.  Should the office of President-Elect become vacant, the President within one month after the vacancy occurs shall appoint one of the remaining National Council members of the Order of Instruction or Active Alumni to this office subject to the approval of the National Council.  Other vacancies on the National Council shall be filled within one month after the vacancy occurs by appointment of the National President, subject to the approval of the National Council. 361 - The National Council shall act for the National Convention when the latter is not in session and shall be responsible to the National Convention when acting upon instructions obtained from the Undergraduate Chapters by referendum.  The National Council may call a referendum on its own initiative or at the request of three Undergraduate Chapters.  The National Council shall have power to vote expenditures from the national treasury to pay legitimate bills incurred by action of the National Convention. 362 - The National Council shall have the power to place on probation, place on inactive status, or revoke the charter of any Chapter for the flagrant violation of the constitution, or failure to carry out the duties imposed on any Chapter, undergraduate or alumni, by this constitution. 363 - The Chairperson of the following standing committees shall be appointed by the National President and approved by majority vote of the National Council if the appointee is not a member of the Council: Charter and Standards Committee, Committee on Public Relations, Committee on Convention Arrangements and Program, Committee on Convention Tournament, Constitution Revision Committee, Alumni Relations, Professional Development and Support, Institutional Research, and  Endowment Committees. 363.1 - Charter and Standards Committee.  It shall be the function of this committee to investigate local organizations petitioning Pi Kappa Delta for a charter and to pass upon the petitions and make recommendation concerning them to the National Council or National Convention.  In years when the National Convention is not held, a charter may be granted by the National Council upon favorable recommendations of the Charter and Standards Committee and a two- thirds affirmative vote of the Local Chapters in the Province in which the petitioners’ Chapter would be located.  It shall also be the function of this committee to devise standards for evaluating the activities of the individual Chapters and to make recommendations to the National Council or National Convention for strengthening weak Chapters.  On non- national Convention years a Chapter may be placed on inactive status through recommendation of the Charter and Standards Committee and two-thirds affirmative vote of the National Council.  On National Convention years, such action shall be subject to approval by the National Convention. 363.2 - Public Relations Committee.   It shall be the function of this committee to advance the interests of Pi Kappa Delta by furnishing information about the honorary and it’s goals and purposes to newspapers, education groups, and the general public; to encourage and evaluate projects of benefit to the honorary, subject to the approval of the National Council. 363.3 - Convention Arrangements and Program Committee.  It shall be the function of this committee to make all local arrangements for the National Convention.  The chairperson and the convention officers appointed by the National President under the provision of paragraph 364.4 and one other person designated by the National President shall constitute this committee. 363.4 - Committee on Convention Tournaments.  It shall be the function of this committee to have complete charge, subject to the supervision of the National Council, of all matters pertaining to forensic events offered at tournaments sponsored by the National Organization.  The chairperson, with the approval of the National President, shall appoint such additional members of the committee as are necessary to manage the tournaments sponsored by the National Organization. 363.5 - Constitution Revision Committee.  It shall be the function of this committee to study the National Constitution and make such recommendations to the National Council and the National Convention as will keep the provisions of the National Constitution abreast of developments in the forensic activity and the functions of Pi Kappa Delta.  It shall receive, consider and report on all suggestions and proposed amendments received from the membership of the organization. 363.6 – Alumni Relations Committee. It shall be the function of this committee to promote involvement of alumni at all levels of the organization.  The Committee Chair shall appoint such additional members of the committee as are necessary to handle the promotion of alumni involvement and organizational history. The committee chair will be advised by the immediate Past President. 363.7 – Professional Development and Support Committee.  It shall be the function of this committee to promote the professional development of forensics educators by providing support such as, but not limited to:  continuing education, financial grants, research support grants, mentoring support; summer research and teaching seminars; and workshops. 363.8 – Institutional Research Committee.   It shall be the function of this committee to solicit, collect, review, coordinate and disseminate appropriate member demographic information and program assessment data. The committee shall also have the responsibility of approving all research activities that are undertaken in conjunction with officially sponsored Pi Kappa Delta activities, and will formulate and periodically disseminate approved criteria concerning the ethical use of human subjects in Pi Kappa Delta research.  The committee shall also be responsible for conducting regular outcome assessment activities. 363.9 – Endowment Committee.  It shall be the function of this committee to enhance the financial endowment of the honorary through appropriate fundraising activities.  The Committee, with the consent of the National Council, may employ a professional fundraiser for accomplishing this task. 363.45 - Practices and Procedures Committee.  It shall be the function of this committee to uphold Pi Kappa Delta's Statement on Discrimination.  The Compliance Officer appointed by the President of Pi Kappa Delta and approved by the National Council will chair this committee.  This committee will be responsible for investigating charges of discrimination and recommending appropriate action, if necessary, to the National Council.  This committee must maintain the confidentiality of all involved to the maximum extent possible in order to conduct a fair and thorough investigation.  This committee should routinely evaluate the Statement on Discrimination and the procedures in order to make recommendations of change if the the committee deems them necessary. 364 - The National President shall appoint the chairperson, committee members and other officers and positions called for in subsequent subparagraphs, and all such appointments shall be made as soon as practical, with confirmation by appointee within one month of that appointment.  The National President shall have power to fill any vacancies caused by death or resignation.  The President shall also have authority to make replacements at any time because of the failure of the appointee to fulfill their duties.  Further, nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the National President from appointing special committees, and consultants to aid in promoting the good of the honorary. 364.1 - The National President shall appoint a parliamentarian to assist at the business sessions of the National Convention and to serve as adviser on constitutional questions to the National Organization.  The person so appointed shall be one of the voting members of the Constitution Revision Committee. 364.2  - The National President shall appoint one member of the National Council to serve as a Coordinator of Province Governors. 364.3 - The National President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of at least three members to make such nominations as are required by the National Constitution to be filled by election at the National Convention. 364.4 - The National President, after consultation with the Chairperson of the Convention Arrangements and Program Committee, shall appoint a Convention Officer who shall serve on that committee.  The Convention Officer shall be the chief liaison for the local arrangements of the National Convention. 364.5 - When making contracts and agreements and transacting other legal business, the National President with the approval of the National Council, may retain an attorney to act as legal adviser. 365 – The National Student Caucus shall be chaired by the Student National Council members.  The National Student Caucus shall meet during the National Convention and consider such matters as the Caucus considers appropriate.   Each Undergraduate Chapter is entitled to one voting delegate although any member may speak during deliberations.   Resolutions passed by the National Student Caucus will be submitted to the National Convention, the National Council and printed in the Key. 366-  The National Alumni Caucus shall be convened by the Immediate Past President and chaired by a person elected by the Caucus.  The National Alumni Caucus shall meet during the National Convention and consider such matters as the Caucus considers appropriate.  Each Active Alumni Chapter is entitled to one voting delegate although any member may speak during deliberations.  Resolutions passed by the National Alumni Caucus will be submitted to the National Convention, the National Council and printed in the Key. Article IV – Admission and Retention of Members and Chapters 400 - Eligibility for Active Undergraduate membership shall be determined as follows.    Membership will be open to individuals in good standing at their academic institution and who participate and show proficiency in competitive or non-competitive communication events.  Individual Chapters may define the appropriate level of participation and grade-point average. 400.1 – Eligibility for Order of Instruction membership shall be determined as follows:  Membership will be open to faculty/staff members instructing Communication or coaching forensic activities at a recognized college. 401 - Each candidate for membership in this honorary shall make application in writing on the official form.  The Undergraduate Chapter after a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members in good standing shall recommend the applicant for membership.  The application shall then be forwarded to the National Secretary-Treasurer with a statement of its acceptance by the Undergraduate Chapter together with the initiation fee as provided for in Paragraph 302.4.  The National Secretary-Treasurer shall issue the membership card.  After completing the initiation ritual, the applicant shall be given the standing for which he or she is eligible as a regular member.  A membership certificate will be issued upon request at cost. 402 - The Undergraduate Chapter shall have the power to levy such assessments on its members in good standing as it may choose.  Nonpayment of assessments shall render the delinquent member liable to transfer to inactive membership by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the members in good standing of the Undergraduate Chapter, due notice of such transfer being given to the National Secretary-Treasurer. 402.1 - Such an inactive member may regain good standing upon payment of all past dues and assessments that were unpaid during the period of inactive status, together with the designated national reinstatement fee and agreement of reinstatement by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the members in good standing of the Undergraduate Chapter.   Notice of the reinstatement shall be sent to the National Secretary-Treasurer. 403 - The Undergraduate Chapter shall have the power to expel any member by at least a four-fifths affirmative vote by those members in good standing.  Notice of such expulsion shall be sent to the National Secretary-Treasurer on the official form, accompanied by the key of the member expelled. 403.1 - Any expelled member may be readmitted to membership by a unanimous vote of those members in good standing of the Undergraduate Chapter. 404 - Any member in good standing may transfer membership from one Undergraduate Chapter to another by securing a transfer from the Chapter of which he or she is a member, provided such transfer is accepted by another Undergraduate Chapter and the notice of transfer forwarded to the National Secretary-Treasurer. 405 – Eligibility for Active Alumni membership will be as follows.  Membership in a recognized Alumni Chapter will be open to applicants who have graduated or otherwise completed their forensics eligibility from a college with an Alumni Chapter. 405.1 – Active Alumni who are members of recognized Alumni Chapters are eligible for serving in Province and National offices of the honorary. 406 through 409 open 410 - The petition for a new Local Chapter shall be made on the official form.  It may be received by a member of the honorary, but shall be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Charter and Standards Committee.  The petition shall be accompanied by a catalog of the college or university represented by the petitioners. 411 - Upon receipt of the petition, the Charter and Standards Committee shall make a thorough investigation of the academic and forensic standards of the petitioning institution and the degree of support for the application among the other Chapters in the Province. 411.1 - The Charter and Standards Committee shall modify its investigative procedures as deemed appropriate. 412 - Petitioners meeting fully all requirements and which have been approved by the Charter and Standards Committee and by the National Council shall be granted a charter as provided for in Paragraph 363.1. 412.1 - When a charter has been granted by the National Organization, the National Secretary-Treasurer shall notify the petitioners. Upon receipt of this notification the members of the new Local Chapter shall send the applicable fees and dues to the National Secretary-Treasurer.  The National President shall immediately appoint a member of the organization to install the new Chapter, and the National Secretary-Treasurer shall then forward the membership cards to the installing officers. 413 - The National Secretary-Treasurer shall furnish each new Local Chapter with a copy of the Installation Ceremony and full instructions concerning the rules and regulations of the organization and the obligations of the Local Chapter to the National and Provincial Organizations. 414 - It shall be the obligation of each Undergraduate Chapter to require all new members to take the initiation pledge.  A ritual initiation approved by the National Organization shall be given to each new member, but such initiation shall not be secret. 415 - Local Chapters may be placed on inactive status if the following conditions exist: 415.1 - Any Active Undergraduate Chapter not submitting new members every biennium may be placed on inactive status upon recommendation of the National Council. 415.11 - Any Active Alumni Chapter not maintaining members every biennium may be placed on inactive status upon recommendation of the National Council. 415.2 - Any Local Chapter placed on inactive status by the National Convention for any cause shall be deprived of all privileges of membership except for the initiation of new members, and shall have no vote in the Province or National Organization. 415.3 - Local Chapters who have been placed on inactive status may regain good standing  by paying current years dues, initiating new members, and paying a reactivation fee. 416 - The National Council shall have the power to place on probation or revoke the charter of any Chapter for flagrant violation of the constitution, or for failure to carry out the duties imposed on any Chapter, undergraduate or alumni, by this constitution. 417 - The National Organization shall maintain a General Chapter into which membership it may assign members of Chapters who charters have been revoked.  The National Council and the National Convention may elect to membership in the General Chapter persons eligible to membership in Pi Kappa Delta under the terms provided in Paragraph 400, provided they can qualify for the Degrees of Proficiency.  Members of the General Chapter shall pay to the National Secretary-Treasurer the current initiation fee.  They shall have the same rights as those granted to members of Undergraduate Chapters.  A member of the General Chapter may, with his or her consent and the consent of the undergraduate Chapter in question, be made a member of a specific Undergraduate Chapter.  He or she shall be initiated if possible through an Undergraduate Chapter. Article V – Divisions of Membership 500 - Membership in this honorary shall be for life. There shall be three classes, three orders, and three degrees of membership. 501 - The classes shall be (1) Active, (2) Inactive, and (3) Honorary. 501.1 - Only college students, and faculty/staff members actively engaged in the instruction of communication or a forensics coach shall be eligible for admission as Active members of an Undergraduate Chapter.  All Active members of an Undergraduate Chapter who have transferred, graduated, retired or for some other legitimate reason have disassociated themselves with the Chapter shall be eligible for Active membership in an Alumni Chapter provided they support its ideals and work. 501.2 - The inactive class of this honorary shall be composed of those Active members who are no longer attending the institution in which their undergraduate Chapter is located, or who have been placed in the inactive class by action of the undergraduate Chapter as provided in Paragraph 402, or, in the case of those who, though eligible for Alumni Chapter membership, are not interested in maintaining their Active status. 501.3 - Persons who have interest in forensic activities and who have been nominated and elected by an Undergraduate Chapter and approved by the National Council will be admitted as honorary members. 502 - All students and faculty/staff who transfer from recognized institutions may receive full credit for their previous forensic work toward eligibility for membership, or advancement in orders and degrees. 503 - Members of other forensic organizations may become members of Pi Kappa Delta and members of Pi Kappa Delta are free to join other forensic organizations. 504 - There shall be three Orders:  Active Undergraduate, Instruction, and Active Alumni. 504.1 - The Order of Active Undergraduate will be for students participating in competitive and non-competitive events who meet the standards issued in section 400. 504.2 - Membership in the Order of Instruction shall be for any faculty/staff member instructing communication or coaching forensic activities in a recognized college. 504.3 - Membership in the order of Active Alumni will be for alumni continuing to contribute to the betterment of their program and the forensic activity. 505 - The Degrees shall be (1) Degree of Proficiency; (2) Degree of Special Distinction; (3) Degree of Highest Distinction. 505.1 - All members of this organization shall be members of the Degree of Proficiency. 505.2 - Eligibility for the Degree of Proficiency shall be described below. 505.21   For the Degree of Proficiency in the Order of Active Undergraduate membership the candidate shall have participated in competitive forensics or non-competitive activities as defined by the Local Chapter. 505.22 - For the Degree of Proficiency in the Order of Instruction the candidate shall have instructed or coached five or more students in competitive forensics or non-competitive communication activities. 505.23 - For the Degree of Proficiency in the Order of Active Alumni the candidate shall have  judged at forensic tournaments, or shall have coached forensic competitors at a school with an undergraduate Chapter, or shall have contributed in significant ways to the well-being of a Chapter. 505.3 - Eligibility for the Degree of Special Distinction shall be described below. 505.31 - For the Degree of Special Distinction in the Order of Active Undergraduate Membership the candidate shall have at least a 3.0 gpa, participated in communication events for at least two academic years and have demonstrated excellence in communication skills in either competitive or non-competitive communication events or achieved a rating of Superior at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament and have completed community service. 505.311 - Grade point averages used in this constitution reflect a four-point scale.  If a university or college uses a grading system not based on the four-point numerical grade calculation system, the Chapter will establish standards based on the policies of their college and university which are equivalent to those established in this constitution.   Such standards may not be less strict than those specified in relevant sections of Article V of this constitution.  This provision will apply to all relevant requirements using grade point standards in Article V. 505.32 - For the Degree of Special Distinction in the Order of Instruction the candidate shall have instructed or coached five or more students who have achieved the degree of Special Distinction or above. 505.33 – For the Degree of Special Distinction in the Order of Active Alumni the candidate shall have served as an officer of an alumni Chapter, have attended either a national or Province convention and shall have contributed in significant ways to the well-being of a Chapter. 505.4 - Eligibility for the Degree of Highest Distinction shall be described below. 505.41 - For the Degree of Highest Distinction in the Order Active Undergraduate membership the candidate shall have completed at least a 3.5 grade-point average or above in all college work, participated in communication events for at least two academic years and have demonstrated a superior command of communication skills in either competitive or non-competitive communication events and completed community service. 505.42 - For the Degree of Highest Distinction in the Order of Instruction the candidate shall have completed all the requirements for special distinction and coached a team to a rating of Superior at the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament, or coached or instructed five or more students who achieve the degree of Highest Distinction. 505.43 - For the Degree of Highest Distinction in the Order of Active Alumni the candidate shall have been an officer of an Alumni Chapter, have regularly attended Province or National Conventions, and have participated regularly in activities of a Local Chapter--as certified by the Chapter president and Chapter sponsor; or the candidate shall have attended at least two national conventions as a delegate or judge after becoming affiliated with an Alumni Chapter. Article VI –Official Insignia 600 - The official badge of Pi Kappa Delta shall be a gold key. 601 - The key shall denote degree, order, and distinction or membership in the following manner: of the Degree of Proficiency shall be an amethyst set in the eye; of the Degree of Special Distinction shall be a diamond set in the eye; of the Degree of Highest Distinction shall be an onyx set in the eye.  Only Special Distinction and Highest Distinction members may wear white gold.  The distinguishing mark of the Order of Active Undergraduate membership shall be a ruby set in the upper center; for the Order of Instruction an emerald set in the upper center; of Honorary or Active Alumni membership shall be a sapphire set in the upper center; of two orders shall be turquoise set in the upper center; of the three or four orders shall be a diamond set in the upper center. 602 - Pi Kappa Delta keys in good condition shall be exchanged for other keys or may have other sets inserted, upon application to the National Secretary-Treasurer and payment by the owner of the key of the cost of exchanging or adding jewelling. 603 - All keys shall be numbered and records kept of them by the National Secretary-Treasurer.  The Pi Kappa Delta key shall not be made up into other jewelry, such as a stickpin, or fob, as a lavaliere or as a pin. 604 - A past president’s ring of special design shall be awarded to each National President at the close of term of office. 605 - A past governor’s ring of appropriate design shall be available through the National Secretary-Treasurer. Article VII – The Forensic and the Key 700 - Pi Kappa Delta shall publish The Pi Kappa Delta Key devoted to the interests of the organization.  The Key shall contain the official papers of the organization, news of its work and progress, general forensic news, and other such material as shall be suitable for the publication.  Subscriptions shall be free to Active undergraduate members of this honorary, and in applying for membership the candidate also understands that he or she is subscribing to this publication. 701 - It shall be the duty of each Local Undergraduate and Alumni Chapter to inform the National Secretary-Treasurer, who serves as editor of The Key, of any news likely to be of interest to other Chapters. 702 - Alumni Chapters may arrange to secure copies of The Key through the National Secretary-Treasurer on terms fixed by the National Council. 703 - The organization shall publish a scholarly journal devoted to the educational objectives of Pi Kappa Delta which shall be known as The Forensic of Pi Kappa Delta.  The journal shall contain articles reflecting the range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies appropriate to the study of forensics.  Each Chapter shall receive a copy of each issue of The Forensic upon payment of its annual national dues.  The subscription price of the journal shall be fixed by the National Council. 704 - Alumni Chapters may arrange to secure copies of The Forensic through the National Secretary-Treasurer on terms fixed by the National Council. 705 - Individuals and institutions may subscribe to a journal-only membership by paying the annual fee to the National Secretary-Treasurer’s office.  The subscription rate shall be established by the National Council. Article VIII – Grand Catalog 800 - The National Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a Grand Catalog of the names of members of Pi Kappa Delta with a record of their Orders and Degrees at the time of initiation, and any subsequent changes in Orders and Degrees.  The President of each Undergraduate Chapter shall send this information annually, or more often if requested, to the National Secretary-Treasurer on the official catalog forms.  Names shall not be entered in the catalog or carried by the National Secretary-Treasurer until all application blanks and fees have been received. Article IX – Parliamentary Authority 900 - The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority in parliamentary procedure not covered by specific provisions of this constitution. Article X - Amendments 1000 -  The constitution may be amended by a proposal receiving a majority vote at a regular National Convention and a two-thirds affirmative vote by a mail ballot submitted to the membership no later than thirty days following the National Convention.  The constitution may also be amended by a three-fourths affirmative vote in the referendum initiated by the National council as provided in paragraph 361. 1001 - Unless an amendment incorporates its own effective date, it shall be effective on June 1 following adoption. 1002 - All proposed amendments to the constitution must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Constitutional Revision Committee by May 1 of the year preceding the National Convention and shall be printed in the Winter The Key of the convention year. Article XI - Emergency 1100 - When by a three-fourths vote, the National Council shall determine that an emergency exists of such gravity as to make the holding of a National Convention impossible or impracticable, then, and in that event, the National Council may, by a two-thirds vote take any action necessitated by such an emergency, notwithstanding anything contained in this constitution.  However, any ten Local Chapters may, by joining in a written request to the National Council, initiate a referendum of the Local Chapters on any action taken by the National Council hereunder. Article XII – Purpose and Dissolution Statement 1200 - Pi Kappa Delta is organized exclusively for educational purposes including for such purposes the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 1201 - No part of the net earnings of Pi Kappa Delta shall inure to the benefit or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that Pi Kappa Delta shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in the furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article XII Section 1200 hereof.  No substantial part of the activities of Pi Kappa Delta shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and Pi Kappa Delta shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these sections, Pi Kappa Delta shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from federal income tax under section 501 ( c)   (3) of the Internal  Revenue Code, or any future federal tax code. 1202 - Upon dissolution of Pi Kappa Delta, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.  Any assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas for the county in which the principal headquarters of Pi Kappa Delta is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated for such purposes. 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