By-Laws
of the Central Illinois THETA ZETA Chapter
of the ETA SIGMA ALPHA National Homeschool Honor Society
Table of Contents
Article I - Name
Article II - Mission Statement
Article III - Membership Requirements
Article IV - Selection of Members
Article V - Dismissal
Article VI - Application Deadline
Article VII - Active Membership
Article VIII - Dues
Article IX - Meetings
Article X - Executive Officers
Article XI - Appointed Officers
Article XII - Elections
Article XIII - Vacancies
Article XIV - Theta Zeta Council
Article XV - Service project
Article XVI - Acknowledgement
Article XVII - Amendments
Article XVIII - Dress Code and Conduct
Article I – Name
The name of the organization shall be the THETA ZETA Chapter, hereinafter referred to as the TZC of the ETA SIGMA ALPHA National Homeschool Honor Society.
Article II - Mission Statement
The mission of the TZC is to bring unity and a voice to the homeschoolers of Central Illinois through the aspects: Leadership, Community Service, and Scholarship.
Article III - Membership Requirements
3.1 Must be a homeschooled student in 9th-12th grade
3.2 Provide test scores less than one year old from one of the following tests:
Stanford Achievement (90% Composite Score)
California Achievement (90% Composite Score)
Iowa Achievement (90% Composite Score)
SAT (1800)
ACT (26)
PSAT (180)
3.3 Be at least 51% homeschooled for the current year
3.4 Provide letters of reference from two individuals other than parents.
3.5 Provide a short paragraph as to why a student wants to be a member
3.6 Fulfill the service project requirements
a. Minimum of 8 hours towards group service project
3.7 Each member and one parent must turn in a signed acknowledgment of these by-laws.
3.8 Per annum no more than two absences from monthly meetings permitted, unless approved by
the executive committee.
3.9 Pay annual dues
Article IV - Selection of Members
4.1 The final selection of members to this chapter shall be by a consensus of the membership
committee which shall be comprised of up to 5 parents, not solely the sponsors.
4.2. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:
a. Students who are interested in joining the honor society will complete an application
form.
b. Students' academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
c. Students who are eligible scholastically will be asked to write a paragraph indicating
their intent to seek membership and stating their interest in the areas of service,
leadership, and character.
d. The application forms, academic records, and essay shall be reviewed by the
membership committee.
4.4 Renewal of membership is automatic with payment of annual dues.
4.5 If a member from another Eta Sigma Alpha chapter moves in the area, they may join the TZC
at any time after providing a letter from that chapter’s sponsor.
Article V – Dismissal
5.1 Any member who falls below the required standards of scholarship or who fails to pay their
dues may be dismissed from the TZC of the Home School Honor Society.
5.2 If a member's demonstration of character, service, or leadership falls below acceptable
standards; if a member consistently fails to take an active part in the chapter's activities; and/or
if a member is absent from more than three meetings in a row, the member may be issued a
warning and placed on probation until an improvement is shown. Failure to improve their
performance may result in dismissal from the TZC.
5.3 Any serious violation of the law may constitute grounds for immediate dismissal of the student
from the chapter without warning or probation. These violations include, but are not limited to:
cheating; stealing; destruction of property; driving while intoxicated; possession, selling, or
being under the influence of drugs.
5.4 In the case of pending dismissal:
a. The Board of Directors, Student Officers, and any other pertinent individuals (such as
parents) will meet to determine if there are adequate grounds for dismissal.
b. The member in question shall receive written notification of the reason for possible
dismissal and will be offered the opportunity to present his/her defense orally or in
writing. The Student Officers will then vote on dismissal. The decision must be
unanimous.
c. A letter of dismissal shall be sent to the student and parents if the student is dismissed.
Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems.
d. The member may appeal the Student Officers' decision to the Board of Directors.
e. When a student is dismissed, he/she is no longer a member and forfeits any dues paid.
f. A member who is dismissed for poor performance may re-apply for membership in a
later year and be considered for possible reinstatement. However, a member who was
dismissed for serious violations of the law may never again be considered for
membership in the TZC.
Article VI - Application Deadline
Applications for membership will be accepted until September 1 of each year.
Article VII - Active Membership
7.1 An active member is anyone who has met the membership requirements and paid their dues.
7.2 Any situation not covered in Article IV is at the discretion of the Executive Committee, and
subsequently by the approval of the sponsors.
Article VIII – Dues
8.1 There will be a $10 per member annual fee to cover administration costs that shall be due to
the TZC Treasurer, within one month of being accepted into TZC.
8.2 Dues will be set by majority vote of the TZC active membership.
Article IX – Meetings
9.1 The TZC will meet on the second Thursday during the months of October through May from
3:00 - 4:30.
9.2 An Induction ceremony will be held in September.
9.3 Officers for the year other than those in Article 12.1 will be elected at the October meeting.
9.4 A quorum of 25% of all members is required for the transaction of business at any meeting.
9.5 Special meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the President.
9.6 The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall
govern the TZC in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent
with these by-laws and any special rules of order the TZC may adopt.
Article X - Executive Officers
The TZC will be governed by a council of students elected to the following positions and duties for a
one year term. Year-end records and information will be given to the newly elected officers.
10.1 President
Duties: Conduct meetings, schedule meetings and speakers, provide calendar of
meetings and speakers for the membership, and oversee responsibilities of both the
elected and appointed officers
10.2 Vice President
Duties: Assist the President, direct the service project, maintain service record of
members
10.3 Membership Chairman
Duties: Create and maintain a membership roster and a record of members’ attendance,
and distribute them as necessary
10.4 Secretary
Duties: Record and distribute minutes of meetings to be approved by members and fulfill
any clerical duties that may arise
10.5 Treasurer
Duties: Work with the Co-Sponsors to maintain a record of all dues. The fiscal year will
run from June 1st to May 31st. All receipts and disbursements will be administered by the
Co-Sponsor and/or Treasurer. Year-end records will be given to the Co-Sponsor.
10.6 Parliamentarian
Duties: Ensure that Parliamentary procedures are followed during meetings, settle any
disputes of procedures, and act as the Sergeant of Arms
Article XI - Appointed Officers
The Council may appoint members to the following positions for a one year term. The appointed
officers will be required to attend the TZC council meetings as requested by the President.
11.1 Photographer
Duties: Take pictures for scrapbook and any promotional material
11.2 Communications Chairman
Duties: E-mail a monthly meeting notice one week prior to a meeting and other important
information as needed
11.3 Computer Operations Chairman
Duties: Establish an e-mail group and possibly a website
11.4 Historian
Duties: Create a scrapbook of meetings, activities, speakers, and members
11.5 Service Project Chair
Duties: Research and present the service project choices for the following year
11.6 Induction Chair
Duties: Plan induction ceremony, e.g., location, date, time, refreshments, program, and invitations
11.7 Christmas Party Chair
Duties: Plan Christmas party, e.g., location, speaker and/or activities, date, time, refreshments, and invitations
11.8 Spring Celebration Chair
Duties: Plan Spring Celebration, e.g., location, speaker and/or activities, date, time, refreshments, and invitations
Article XII – Elections
12.1 Elections will be held every year at a special meeting in September prior to the induction
ceremony to elect the president and vice president.
12.2 All candidates must meet membership prerequisites (e.g., test score qualifications) to run for
office.
12.3 Seniors will be given priority for holding offices.
12.4 Participation in an optional community service project as described in Article XV is required
for members to hold an office.
12.5 Candidates should come prepared to give a short speech about their qualifications and
reasons they should be elected and to answer questions.
12.6 Elections will be held by secret ballot and the TZC Sponsor and Co-Sponsor will tally all the
votes.
12.7 The candidate who receives the majority of votes will win that office.
12.8 In case no one receives a majority of the votes the top two finishers will get an opportunity to
make another speech and another vote like the previous one will occur.
12.9 If a candidate violates proper voting procedure (e.g., by casting more votes than the one to
which he is entitled), the candidate shall forfeit any position to which he may have been elected and withdraw from running for any other elected office that year. If a member who is not a candidate violates proper voting procedure, he shall not be permitted to receive an appointed position that year.
12.10 The newly elected officers will assume responsibility for their office upon their election.
Article XIII – Vacancies
13.1 If the office of the President should fall vacant, the Vice President will assume his office.
13.2 If other offices fall vacant, they shall be filled by the general election process as described in
Article XII.
Article XIV - TZC Council
14.1 The TZC council shall consist of the executive officers and one of the sponsors.
14.2 The TZC council will meet monthly prior to the TZC meetings.
14.2 A quorum of 40% of council members is required for the transaction of business at any
meeting.
14.3 Special council meetings can be held as deemed necessary by the President.
Article XV - Service Project
15.1 The service project and the requirements will be established by a majority vote of the active
members each year.
15.2 Each member will be expected to fulfill the service project requirements.
15.3 The projects shall have the following characteristics:
a. Fulfill a need within the community
b. Have the support of the sponsors
c. Be appropriate and educational
d Be well planned, organized, and executed.
15.4 Each member shall have the option for choosing and participating in a service project that
reflects his or her particular talents and interests. This is in addition to the chapter projects
to which all members contribute.
15.5 The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.
Article XVI – Acknowledgment
Each year every member and one parent will receive a copy of the by-laws and will be required to
acknowledge by signature that they have read the by-laws.
Article XVII – Amendments
17.1 These by-laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting, provided the amendments
have been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting, or have been given in writing
to all members at least one week in advance.
17.2 These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the votes cast.
17.3 By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the requirements of the Eta Sigma Alpha
National Home School Honor Society.
Article XVIII - Dress Code and Conduct
18.1 Business casual dress is required at all functions. Improperly dressed members will not be
allowed to attend the function.
18.2 The standard of conduct will be appropriate for business.
Adopted: October 13, 2005
Amended: May 10, 2007
Membership Tenets
Scholarship is more than simple knowledge. It involves the mastery of one or more particular areas of learning through much study. Scholars apply their academic excellence, as well as their unique talents and vision, to the betterment of the world around them. Members of this honor society will continue to deepen their knowledge so that it becomes wisdom which they can in turn share with others.
Character is often defined as “who you are when no one is looking.” To be a person of character is to have moral strength and excellence. A person of character is a good citizen who is trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, and caring. Our members encourage one another to grow in character. They refine their understanding and deepen their commitment to these principles, so they will develop self-motivation to live consistent lives.
Leadership is expected of those who hold an office or a position over others; however, leadership involves a process of getting things done through those people. Eta Sigma Alpha members have the ability to lead, but are not finished leaders. No one ever is. The secrets of leadership are locked inside each individual. As members discover and practice leadership skills, they will learn that leading is more about providing guidance, giving direction and taking responsibility for those one leads.
Service is an attitude of being prepared to help. The purest service is to help others and to seek the welfare of others without the expectation of reward or payment. Honor society members pursue humbly considering the needs of others, rather than serving to satisfy selfishness or conceit. As they cooperate with one another and assist those in the community, they promote the value of someone else over themselves.
Theta Zeta Member Oath
I solemnly declare
that I shall always strive
to hold fast to
the strength of my character,
to endeavor to work toward
excellence in scholarship,
and to cultivate in my life and conduct
the principles of service and leadership.