Article
I
The name of this society shall be Beta Beta Beta Biological
Honor Society.
Article II - Purpose
The Purpose of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society shall be to function as an honor and professional
society for students of the biological sciences. Its activities shall be designed to stimulate interest, scholarly attainment,
and investigation in the biological sciences, and to promote the dissemination of information and new interpretations among
students of the life sciences.
Article III - Insignia
Section 1. The official emblem of the Society shall be a shield-shaped key upon which are engraved
a coiled serpent and the three initials of the organization.
Section 2. The
coat of arms shall be that officially adopted by the 1947 Biennial Convention.
Section 3. The
pattern copies of the key and coat of arms maintained in the national archives shall be the official design. Section 4. The
colors of the Society shall be red and green. Section 5. The flower of the Society shall be a red rose of the type commonly
referred to as American Beauty.
Article IV - Membership
Section 1. The membership shall be divided into six classes: regular, associate, graduate,
honorary, alumna/ us and corporate. Beta Beta Beta is a non-discriminating organization that does not consider age, race,
color, creed, sex, national origin or sexual preference.
Section 2. Regular members shall be:
a) Undergraduate majors in biological
science at an institution where a chapter of Beta Beta Beta is located.
b) Shall have completed at least one term of the second year of a four-year curriculum or its equivalent.
c) Shall have completed at least three term courses in biological science, of which at least one
is not an introductory course, with an average grade of B or its equivalent in those biology courses.
d) Shall be in good academic standing. Only regular members may hold the constitutionally specified
chapter offices, vote on chapter membership nominations and national questions, and represent the chapter or vote at national
conventions.
Section 3. Graduate
members shall be either graduate students currently enrolled in a life science at an institution where there is a chapter
or faculty members actively serving in the biological sciences. They may participate in the local activities of any chapter
except for the holding of constitutionally specified chapter offices and voting on chapter membership and national matters.
They may attend district or national conventions, and, upon special designation, represent their original chapter at a national
convention. They shall not be eligible for undergraduate awards.
Section 4. Associate
members shall be those undergraduates whose interests include the life sciences in some significant way but who are ineligible
for regular membership. Associate members shall be eligible to participate in all local, district, and national activities
except those specifically reserved to regular members by this constitution.
Section 5. Chapter
honorary members may be elected by any chapter in recognition of significant accomplishment as biologists, or of outstanding
service to the chapter.
Section 6. Biology
majors who have graduated from an institution at which a charter is later granted may become alumni members of the new chapter.
Alumni members will receive an individual subscription to BIOS. Regular members who have become inactive may become Alumni
members with payment of the appropriate fee.
Section 7. Corporate
members shall be corporations, institutions or other organizations which support undergraduate education in the biological
sciences. A corporation may be elected to membership by a majority of the National Executive Committee. Corporate members
will be listed in each issue of BIOS and each corporate member will receive a membership certificate for display. Each corporate
member will also have the privilege of providing a display at the national or district conventions.
Section 8. National
honorary members may be elected by the biennial convention on nomination by the national officers. (Any member or chapter
may propose prospective nominees.) Such membership shall be reserved for persons of outstanding accomplishment and stature
in one or more of the biological sciences or persons rendering outstanding service to Beta Beta Beta.
Section 9. Regular,
graduate and honorary members may wear the official insignia and shall remain members for life unless removed under the provisions
of.
Section 10. Members
shall be nominated to the various categories by a committee that includes both regular members and faculty. Election shall
be by at least a majority vote of the regular members present at a regular meeting.
Section 11. A
regular member transferring from one institution to another shall be automatically eligible for membership in a chapter in
his new institution unless he does not qualify under the normally prescribed requirements of his new chapter.
Section 12. Each
chapter or club shall adopt specific membership requirements which are not in conflict with the requirements outlined in Section
2 and which are meaningful in the specific local situation. It is assumed that local chapters and clubs will require high
standards of scientific conduct in their nominees and members. No person shall be refused nomination on any basis other than
failure to meet requirements in this constitution or in chapter by-laws.
Section 13. A
regular member of a chapter may be removed from chapter membership only for cause by a vote of 3/4 of the entire voting membership.
Any such removal must be approved by the chapter advisor (counselor) and is subject to appeal to the National Executive Committee.
Section 14. Stated
local membership requirements shall be submitted to the chapter advisor and the District Director for approval. In case of
disagreement or conflict between local requirements or local action and this constitution, the matter shall be referred to
the National President for adjudication subject to final appeal to the National Executive Committee.
Section 15. The
National Executive Committee shall, from time to time, adopt such by-laws, regulations, and definitions as are necessary to
accomplish the equitable and reasonable application of these provisions.
Article V - Officers
Section 1. The national officers shall be the President, a Vice President for each Region,
a Director for each District, and a Secretary-Treasurer. The President, Vice Presidents, the last two Past Presidents, and
the Secretary-Treasurer (Section 6) shall constitute the National Executive Committee.
Section 2. The
President shall lead in all activities of the Society. He shall preside at the biennial convention and meetings of the Executive
Committee and shall perform all other duties customarily associated with the office of the president.
Section 3. In
case of absence, disability, or resignation of the President, the Executive Committee shall elect one of the Vice Presidents
to fill the unexpired portion of the President's term of office.
Section 4. The
duties of the Secretary-Treasurer shall be those normally assigned to such an office. They shall specifically include but
not be restricted to the following:
a) Maintain a national headquarters which
shall keep all necessary records of Society business and Society membership.
b) Collect all money due the national
society and pay all obligations of the Society.
Section 5. The
Regional Vice President shall be particularly concerned with the functioning of the Society in his region. He and the District
Directors shall be responsible for the investigation of applications for new chapters and clubs and installation of same.
They shall encourage the continuing development of existing chapters and clubs. As a member of the National Executive Committee,
the Regional Vice President shall serve as representative of the national headquarters in his region.
Section 6. The
National Executive Committee, as defined in Section 1 of this article, shall have power to transact urgent society business
between conventions including replacements in its own membership if necessary. It shall serve as advisor and consultant to
the National President. It shall meet at least once prior to each national convention and may hold interim meetings on the
recommendations of the National President. Upon nomination by the President, the National Executive Committee shall appoint
the National Secretary-Treasurer who shall be directly responsible to the National Executive Committee. The term of office
shall be two years, coinciding with the terms of the President and Vice Presidents. The National Secretary-Treasurer shall
be ex officio, a non-voting member of the National Executive Committee.
Section 7. Election
of the President and Vice Presidents shall be an item of business at the biennial convention. They shall be professional biologists
holding the earned master or doctor's academic degree, and they shall be, or shall become by this election, graduate members
of the Society. Their term of office shall be two years, and they may succeed themselves. They shall assume their duties on
September 1. The tenure of the President shall be not more than four successive terms.
Section
8. It shall be the duty of the National Executive Committee to determine the boundaries of the geographical
regions and to revise them when necessary in order to increase the effectiveness and reduce the problems of national operation.
Regional boundaries shall be specified in the by-laws.
Section 9. Each
region may be divided into two or more districts. District boundary lines shall be determined by the National Executive Committee
and may be changed as necessary to adjust to increases in the number of chapters or shifts in their distribution. On nomination
by the President, the National Executive Committee shall appoint a Director for each district whose term of office shall be
for two years coinciding with the terms of office of the members of the National Executive Committee. The Director shall be,
or shall become by this appointment, a graduate member of the Society. The Director shall be immediately responsible for the
organization and functioning of chapters within his district subject to the general policy of the society and the overall
supervision of the Regional Vice President. He will be expected to organize a district convention of the chapters within his
district each year.
Article VI - Chapters and Clubs
Section 1. Any baccalaureate degree-granting college or university approved by the recognized
accrediting association for its region and having one or more academic departments in the biological sciences may apply for
a chapter of Beta Beta Beta.
Section 2. A
chapter may be granted to applicants who satisfy the following conditions:
a) There is a curriculum (curricula) of
such quality and quantity that students are recognized as majors in biology or some area there of.
b) Preliminary application steps, as prescribed
by the National Executive Committee, have been completed.
c) A District Director or his representative
has visited the institution and recommended favorable action.
d) The National Executive Committee, by
vote, has endorsed the visitor's recommendation.
e) A majority of chapters in the district
in which the applicant institution is located have approved the application in a poll which shall be taken by the National
Secretary.
Section 3. A
club charter may be granted to any two-year college granting an associate degree and approved by the recognized accrediting
association of its region. This institution may apply for a club of Beta Beta Beta when sponsored by an active chapter that
is in good standing with the National Office. The official name of the chartered club shall be the Greek letters of the sponsoring
chapter plus the word "Club".
a) To be granted a charter, the two-year
college must satisfy the following requirements. Have a curriculum (curricula) which provides college level courses in the
biological sciences. Have a faculty advisor (Counselor) and/or other biological faculty who has shown strong interest in and
has successfully directed undergraduate research. Have a written agreement with an active chapter at a four-year college or
university consenting to sponsor and be supportive of the affiliated Beta Beta Beta club. Complete the preliminary steps for
application as prescribed by the National Executive Committee, including favorable recommendation by vote of that committee.
A club may change its sponsoring chapter by entering into a written agreement with the new chapter (as stated in #3 above)
and by giving notification to the original sponsoring chapter. The final decision for such a change shall be made by the National
Executive Committee.
b) Student members induced by a club shall
be associate members. Club members can be granted regular membership by their sponsoring chapter if they meet both the chapter
requirements, and the membership requirements in Article IV (membership), Section 2.
c) Candidates for associate or graduate
membership in a club shall be initiated each year at the four-year institution by the officers or advisor of the sponsoring
chapter. The chapter's advisor, his/her representative, and/or chapter officers may conduct the initiation ceremony at the
two-year institution.
d) Associate and regular club members
shall be eligible to compete for all awards at district and national conventions.
Section 4. Unless
in its judgment such action should be delayed for a specified additional time, the National Executive Committee shall direct
the recall of a charter if:
a) The college or university has been
nonaccredited for two years or more.
b) The chapter or club has not, for a
period of two years or more, elected additional regular members.
c) The chapter or club refuses to comply with the requirements of the national constitution.
Section 5. The
National Executive Committee shall, as necessary, make specific rulings and interpretations to carry out the intent of this
article and the National Secretary shall set up procedures for the application process.
Article VII - Chapter Government
Section 1. Each chapter shall adopt by-laws which set forth the specific policies and
practices it deems necessary for the effective functioning of the chapter in the local situation. Each chapter shall have
full authority to regulate its local affairs as it sees fit, subject to the restrictions of Section 2 of this article.
Section 2. There
shall be no provisions in chapter bylaws which are contrary to this constitution or the national by-laws which derive therefrom.
The National Executive Committee shall have the power to annul any local by-laws which it holds to be in violation of the
provisions or clear intent of this constitution, but it shall not do so without prior consultation with the chapter concerned.
Such consultation shall make clear the objection to the by-law concerned and give the chapter an opportunity to state its
reasons regarding the provision as valid.
Section 3. Chapter
by-laws and all amendments thereto shall be filed with both the appropriate Regional Vice President and the District Director
who shall bring to the attention of the National President any provisions which may violate Section 2 of this article.
Article VIII - Chapter Officers
Section 1. Each chapter shall elect a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer,
and an historian from among its regular members.
Section 2. The
duties of these officers shall be those normally assigned to such offices.
Section 3. These
officers should hold office for one year. The time of election and the time for assumption of duties shall be specified in
the chapter by-laws.
Section 4. At
the same time it elects officers, a chapter, shall, if necessary, elect a chapter advisor (counselor) from among the biological
sciences faculty. The advisor shall be, or shall become by this election, a graduate member. An advisor shall
esrve for a term of not more than three years but may be re-elected. The prospective regular members of a new chapter
shall elect the first advisor (counselor) prior to the installation of the chapter.
Section 5. The
chapter advisor (counselor) shall assist and advise the chapter and especially its officers in carrying out the chapter programs
and aid in developing new policies and programs that contribute to its local effectiveness. He shall serve as permanent custodian
of chapter records and funds making sure that they are maintained in good order and that each successive group of chapter
officers are informed as to their responsibilities. He may delegate custodial duties during the academic year but shall check
and reclaim all records and funds at the close of each academic year.
Section 6. Chapter
officers are responsible for submitting promptly and in correct form such reports as are requested by the national and district
officers. Chapter advisors shall review such reports for accuracy prior to submission.
Article IX - Conventions
Section 1. The Society shall hold a national convention biennially at a place and time
to be chosen by the preceding convention. This convention may be a part of the annual meeting of a more inclusive regional
or national group, or it may be held separately. The National Executive Committee shall be responsible for convention arrangements,
agenda and program.
Section 2. The
authorized delegates duly assembled in convention constitute the highest governing and legislative body of the Society subject
to provisions of this constitution requiring or permitting a poll of the chapters.
Section 3. Each
chapter shall be entitled to three voting delegates. If a chapter has more than fifty regular members on its rolls, it may
designate one additional delegate for each added twenty-five regular members. If present at the convention the faculty advisor
may be one of the delegates. The other delegates shall be regular members if possible but a chapter may designate graduate
members as delegates if no regular members will be in attendance.
Section 4. Each
validated delegate shall have one vote on all motions put to the convention. Neither proxy voting nor weighted voting shall
be allowed.
Section 5. Rather
than making a final decision, a convention may pass final decision to a chapter poll which shall be conducted under the rules
and procedures prescribed in Section 2 and 3 of Article XIII. Similarly, the National Executive Committee may require that
a substantive action of the convention be confirmed by a chapter poll.
Section 6. Each
district shall be expected to hold one or more district conventions each year. The District Director shall be responsible
for insuring that such conventions occur at a suitable time and place. The primary purpose of such conventions shall be to
offer an opportunity for members to present the results of their research activities to other members. Each district may organize
its convention program and activities in any way that facilitates this purpose.
Article X - Journal
Section 1. The
Society shall maintain a journal which shall be published on a schedule as planned by the Editor and Managing Editor and approved
by the National Executive Committee.
Section 2. The
name of the journal shall be BIOS.
Section 3. The
National Executive Committee, upon nomination of the President shall appoint a Managing Editor and an Editor who shall be
responsible for the biological content and editorial standards of the journal.
Section 4. The
Editor shall select an editorial board to advise him and assist in the evaluation of manuscripts.
Section 5. The primary purpose of the journal is to provide a medium of publication for the scientific reports
of members of the Society, especially reports of undergraduate research. Articles of general interest, whether research reports,
historical accounts, reviews, summaries of the field, or new interpretations of present knowledge shall be solicited and published
in so far as space and editorial policy permit.
Section 6. The
Managing Editor of BIOS shall be specifically responsible for chapter news, convention reports, and other aspects of intra-society
communication.
Article XI - Dissolution
Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society,
the assets, if any, will be distributed to an organization that is exempt from Federal income tax as an organization described
in 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are deductible, or to the Federal Government, or to a state
or local government for a public purpose.
Section 2. Each
chapter of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society shall include a provision identical with Section 1 of this article in its
by-laws.
Article XII - By-Laws
The National Executive Committee shall, from time to time, adopt such by-laws as are necessary to carry
out the provisions of this constitution. It shall be the purpose of the by-laws to state the specific procedures and practices
in effect at any given time.
Article XIII - Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by the National Executive
Committee, any national officer or District Director, any chapter advisor, or any regular member in good standing. Any proposed
amendment shall be submitted to the National President who shall submit it to the next meeting of the National Executive Committee.
The Committee shall report the amendment to the next biennial convention with its recommendations.
Section 2. If a proposed amendment is approved by the majority of the validated
delegates at a biennial convention, it shall be submitted by the National Secretary to a poll of the individual chapters active
as of the date of the convention. The amendment shall become effective if it is approved by two-thirds of those chapters.
Section 3. A reply period of not less than sixty days
nor more than ninety days shall be specified in the request for approval. The ballot shall be declared closed at the end of
the specified time. The timing shall be such that any poll will be completed within the same academic year in which it is
initiated.