Constitution of the Omega Chi Cast
The Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society

Contents:
Article I Purpose
Article II Member Requirements
Article III Election to Membership
Article IV Executive Council
Article V Election of Officers
Article VI Funds and Dues
Article VII Committees
Article VIII Meetings
Article IX Amendments
Article X By-Laws

Constitution of the Omega Chi Cast
The Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society

Article I
Purpose
The purpose of this, the Omega Chi Cast of Alpha Psi Omega is to stimulate interest in theatre activities at Lycoming College and to secure for the college all the advantages, and mutual helpfulness provided by a large national honorary fraternity. By electing students to membership the fraternity provides a reward for their participation in theatre activities of the college. The cast is not intended to take place of any existing theatre organization.

Article II
Member Requirements
Section 1: In order to be considered an active member, Alpha Psi Omega members must fulfill chapter membership and point obligations in addition to national membership obligations.

Section 2: Chapter membership obligations

(1) To be considered a member of this cast of Alpha Psi Omega the student must be regularly enrolled at Lycoming College.
(2) To be considered active, member must attend 75% of regular chapter meetings (see Article 8) and participate in any Alpha Psi Omega production in any capacity (excluding concessions) per semester. ie. Out of four meetings, you must attend three to be considered active. Attendance will be taken at every meeting and evaluated after the 4th, 8th, and 12th meeting during the course of the semester.
(3) To be considered active, members must pay an annual duty (see Article VI).
(4) Members who are in danger of being inactive will be notified by the secretary and urged to increase their involvement.

Section 3: Inactive members

(1) Any member who is deemed inactive forfeits all voting privileges.
(2) In order for any inactive member to be reinstated, they must follow the following procedure:
a) Inactive members must explain their absences and lack of involvement to the Executive Council (see Article IV) for reinstatement.
b) Inactive members will then be recommended, to the Cast, for reinstatement by the executive council.
c) The cast must vote on the status of the inactive member for reinstatement. A vote of two-thirds majority is necessary for reinstatement.
(3) Any member who remains inactive for a period of time longer than one semester will be recommended to the cast for removal from Alpha Psi Omega.
(4) A two-thirds majority vote is necessary for removal from Alpha Psi Omega. In the event that a member is removed from Alpha Psi Omega, his/her name will be removed from the honor scroll. Such removal is permanent and irreversible.

Section 4: Honorary Membership may be bestowed on persons who have made special continued contributions to the theatre program of Lycoming College.

Article III

Election to membership

Section 1: The active members of the Omega Chi Cast will elect candidates to membership.

Section 2: The national office of Alpha Psi Omega believes that the pledge period should offer an opportunity for active members and pledges to get to know each other. It should be a period of enjoyable education collaboration in theatre. The total experience should be meaningful as well as enjoyable.

Section 3: The pledge process will take place no earlier than the beginning of the spring semester.

Section 4: The following procedure should be followed in finding and inducting pledges:
(1) At least six weeks prior to the induction ceremony, a call for nominations will be extended to all Alpha Psi Omega chapter members and College faculty.
(2) A committee established and headed by the vice president will determine the eligibility of each suggested nominee according to the eligibility requirements for pledges (see Article III, Section IV).
(3) A member of the cast must second each nomination provided by members and faculty, before an official nomination can be declared.
(4) At least four weeks prior to the induction ceremony, all active members will vote on the acceptance of each nominee. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary for acceptance.
(5) Accepted pledges will be notified, informed of the pledge process and pledge requirements and asked to accept or deny the acceptance by a date set by the Vice president and pledge committee. Declinations of bids by pledges shall be permanent and irreversible.
(6) All pledges that qualify are invited to undergo the pledge process. During this process, pledges will be required to:
a.) Learn the names and symbols of the Greek alphabet.
b.) Learn the general guidelines laid out by the national chapter constitutions.
c.) Learn the names of all the officers of the Omega Chi Cast.
d.) Wear ribbons of Alpha Psi Omega colors (light blue and amber.)
e.) Organize and host an Alpha Psi Omega program for the campus.
f.) Attend any Alpha Psi Omega meetings and programs planned by the cast.
g.) Memorize twelve lines of Shakespeare for later recitation.
h.) Pay a one-time duty (see Article VI.)
(7) At a designated time and place, pledges will be required to complete a written exam covering material learned during the pledge process.
(8) As long as the exam is completed to the satisfaction of the executive council, the pledge will go before the general membership in the initiation ceremony.
(9) The initiation ceremony will follow National organization guidelines.

Section 5: Pledge eligibility requirements.
(1) In addition to fulfilling the minimum requirements of the Grand National Cast, in order to be eligible for nomination the following requirements must be met.
a.) Must be a regularly enrolled student at Lycoming College.
b.) Accumulate thirty-five points or more, based on the following point outline.

Point System Table

c.) No points shall be awarded for those earning credit for any class except THEA 160/161.
d.) Major/Minor productions shall be determined by Theatre Department faculty and confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Omega Chi cast.
e.) Major/Minor roles for productions shall be determined by the director of each show and confirmed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Omega Chi Cast.
f.) All points awarded are the director's discretion.
g.) Involvement with at least one main stage production is required to be nominated/accepted into Alpha Psi Omega. Article IV

Executive Council

Section 1: The executive council of this cast will consist of the offices of President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Event Coordinator.

Section 2: The president will call meetings, preside at all meetings, appoint committees, and provide general supervision of all affairs of the society. The president shall meet with the faculty advisor once a month to report on chapter activities.

Section 3: The Vice-president will assist the President and assumes the responsibilities of the President in the case of his/her absence. Also the VP will be responsible for keeping track of all pledge points, activities related to pledges and pledge procedures. The VP shall establish and preside over the pledge committee during election of new members (See Article III, Section 4).

Section 4: The Secretary will be responsible for all record keeping pertaining to chapter business and member involvement. The Secretary will also maintain notes from all official chapter meetings. The Secretary will also be required to make sure that the constitution and the policies outlined within it are upheld.

Section 5: All financial records are to be kept by the Treasurer and should be up to date at all times. These records must be a matter of public record and provided at the request of any active member within one week. The Treasurer is to oversee the submission of the yearly budget.

Section 6: It will be the responsibility of the Historian to keep an accurate record of productions, which take place at the college. The Historian shall also be required to keep an accurate record of all activities that the chapter is involved in throughout the year including photographic documentation. The Historian is also responsible for keeping in touch with the national office and submitting information to the Playbill.

Section 7: Any officer that is deemed by the cast as unable to fulfill his/her duties can be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of active members. An election to fill the vacancy shall take place no later than one week after the removal with the exception of the President.

Section 8: If the President is unable to fulfill his/her duties the VP shall become president and an election shall be held for the Vice-presidency no later than one week after removal.

Article V

Election of Officers

Section 1: Officers for the following year will be nominated at a regular spring meeting and formally voted on by secret ballot within two weeks.

Section 2: Officers will be elected by a majority vote of active member, and formally installed prior to the last week of the semester.

Section 3: Only active member may be elected to the office of President and Vice-president. A pledge or active member may fill all other offices. Inactive member are not eligible to hold an elected position.

Section 4: All officers shall hold office for one academic year.

Section 5: If any officer does not return to college, an election shall take place at the first meeting of the year to fill the vacancy.

Section 6:: A quorum shall consist of a majority of the chapter membership currently enrolled at the college.

Article VI

Funds and Dues

Section 1: There shall be an annual duty of $20.00 (Local Chapter) paid by each member of Alpha Psi Omega once a year.

Section 2: Dues shall be paid by mid-term of the fall semester.

Section 3: Pledges must pay a one-time duty of $40.00 (National Membership) before he/she can be initiated as a member of Alpha Psi Omega.

Section 4: Special assessments may be levied upon member only by a two-thirds vote of active members.

Section 5: Two fundraising activities should take place per semester.

Section 6: The use of any Alpha Psi Omega funds shall first be approved by the Treasurer and President, and then passed by the cast with a majority vote.

Article VII

Committees

Section 1: The standing committee of the chapter shall be as follows:
1.) The Executive Council
2.) Initiation/Pledge Committee (see Article III, Section 4.2)
3.) Policies and Procedures Committee: Headed by the Secretary shall monitor all activities to verify that the A national and local chapter constitutions are upheld and proper procedures are followed.

Section 2: The President may form temporary committees at any time deemed necessary to oversee a specific activity. Temporary committees are to be dissolved after the activity is complete.

Article VIII

Meetings

Section 1: There shall be at least one meeting per month of active cast members and at least two additional meetings per month for the executive council.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, or at the request of the faculty sponsor.

Section 3: A quorum shall consist of a majority of the cast.

Article IX

Amendments

Section 1: The articles of this constitution may be amended revised, or altered in whole or in part at any regular meeting by a two -thirds vote of the active members of the chapter, provided such an amendment and a notice of the proposed vote is given to each member in writing at least one week prior to the vote.

Article X

By-Laws

Section 1: Additional by-laws may be adopted at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the active membership.

Section 2: The chapter will keep accurate record of each member with accurate record of each member with accomplishments in the filed of theatre.

Section 3: To avoid a possible voting tie, the President shall be given a 1-½ power vote.

Section 4: Each chapter will report to the National Business Manager, who edits the annual Playbill, the annual productions and activities of the chapter no later than June 1st of each year. Photographs, programs, and other supporting materials may be included and will be featured in Playbill at the discretion of the National Business Manager.