ESP by-laws as approved at Annual Meeting October 20, 1999

Lambda Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi
National Extension Honorary Fraternity

Article I  Name and Insignia

The name shall be the Lambda Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Extension Honorary Fraternity.  As an affiliate of the national fraternity, this chapter will adopt the national insignia.

Article II  Purpose

The mission of Epsilon Sigma Phi is to foster standards of excellence in the Extension System and to develop the Extension profession and professional.

Article III Membership

Section I.  Qualifications

Candidates shall be admitted to membership after being employed in the Cornell Cooperative Extension system for two years, and having been nominated for membership by a current member and accepted by the board of directors.

Section 2.  Classes of Members

A.     Active Members are current employees of the CCE system.

B.     Upon retirement, Active Members can become Life Members by informing the Treasurer and paying the appropriate dues.

Section 3.  Admission to Membership

Throughout the year, new member nominations will be encouraged and forwarded to the membership chair.  Candidates will be contacted and encouraged to join.  Induction will take place at the annual meeting.

Section 4.  Dues

A.     Active Members- The initiation fee and annual dues shall be determined by the membership on a two-thirds vote of those present at a meeting of the chapter, and collected by the treasurer annually.

B.  Life Members- Payment is determined by National ESP.

C.  Waiving Dues-  The Executive Committee shall have the right to waive dues.      

D.     Reinstatement- Membership will be reinstated for any former member who resumes payments of annual dues within five years.

E.     Assessments-  Additional assessments may be recommended by the Executive Committee and levied on the membership after approval by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a meeting of the chapter.

Section 5.  Resignation/ Transfer of Membership

A member may transfer membership between Epsilon Sigma Phi chapters when the secretary of Lambda Chapter receives notice from the secretary of the chapter in which the person held active membership and was in good standing.

Article IV Offices

Section 1.  Officers

The officers shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer, Historian and the Past-President.  These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these by-laws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Chapter.

Section 2.  Nomination

At least two months prior to each annual meeting of the chapter, the president shall appoint a nominating committee.  The immediate past president shall chair this nominating committee.  It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the officers to be filled at the annual meeting.  Before the election at the annual meeting, additional nominations from the floor shall be solicited.

Section 3.  Election

The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of members present at the chapter annual meeting.  The President and President-Elect shall be elected for one year or until their successors are elected.  The Secretary, Treasurer and Historian shall be elected for a two-year term or until their successors are elected.  Term of office shall begin at the close of the annual meeting at which they were elected.

Section 4.  Terms

No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.  Vacancies will be filled by the Executive Committee.

Article V Meetings

Section 1.  Annual Meeting

An annual meeting of the membership shall be at a time and place conductive to maximum attendance with at least 30 days notice.  This meeting will be designated as a time to welcome new members, elect officers, receive reports and conduct other business.  A quorum will consist of those members present.

Section 2.  Additional Meetings.

Additional membership meetings may be scheduled by the Executive Committee with at least 30 days notice.

Article VI Committees

Section 1.  Appointment

All committees shall be appointed by the president within one month following the annual meetings.  The president shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees, except nominating.

Section 2.   Executive Committee

The Executive committee shall consist of the elected officers and the immediate past president.  This committee shall have the power and authority to act on the business of the chapters between annual meetings except for those duties assigned to specific officers or committees in these by-laws.  Among the duties of the committee shall be the responsibility to schedule meetings, arrange for the depository of funds, establish operating guidelines for officers and committees, communicate with the national fraternity, select delegates to attend national meetings and regional training and establish award categories.

Section 3.  Membership Committee

The membership committee shall consist of members appointed for rotating two-year terms.  Representation shall include agents or area specialists, faculty, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration with representation of all program areas and chapter regions.

Section 4.  Educational Grants Committee Chairman

The Educational Grants committee chairman shall administer the educational Grant Fund and act in liaison with the Cooperative Extension Scholarship committee.

Section 5.  Auditing Committee

The auditing committee shall be appointed annually by the president prior to the annual meeting.  The committee shall audit the treasurer’s records within one month after the close of the calendar fiscal year.

Section 6.  Awards Committee

The awards committee shall consist of at least four members appointed for two-year rotating terms.  The duties of the committee shall be to make recommendations to the Executive Committee on participation in state, regional and/or national award programs. Solicit nominations and select outstanding recipients for awards.

Section 7.  Other Committees

Other committees shall be appointed as necessary.

Section 8.  Reports

All committees shall prepare a written report of their activities to be submitted at the annual meeting.

Article VII Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the most current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these by-laws.

Article VII Amendments

Any amendments to these by-laws must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a member of the chapter.  Written notice of proposed changes shall be distributed to members at least one month prior to the meeting.  All proposed amendments are submitted to the Executive Committee at least two months prior to the annual meeting.

Adopted by the membership 3/21/83: revised 3/23/88; revised 11/10/94;

revised 10/20/99.

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