NATIONAL BY-LAWS http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/bylaws.html
SIGMA DELTA PI
NATIONAL BY-LAWS
(Last amended in 2010.) Article I. Name
The official name of this society shall be: Sigma Delta Pi, National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. In Spanish: Sigma Delta Pi, La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica.
Article II. Purposes
The purposes of this society are:
1. To honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples;2. To honor those who have made the Hispanic contributions to modern culture better known in the English-speaking world;
3. To encourage college and university students to acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture;
4. To foster friendly relations and mutual respect between the nations of Hispanic speech and those of English speech;
5. To serve its membership in ways which will contribute to the attainment of the goals and ideals of the society.
Article III. MembershipSection 1.
The society shall receive into its membership, irrespective of membership in or affiliation with other organizations, only those who attain its standards of high academic achievement in the study of the Spanish language, the literature and culture of Hispanic nations, and other college-level subjects. Membership may also be granted to those persons who give evidence of professional merit, proficiency, or special distinction in the fields of Hispanic study and culture or who have made significant contributions to these fields of endeavor. Membership shall be conferred in strict accordance with the standards established by the Association of College Honor Societies. The bases of selection shall be: (1) the scholastic or professional record of the candidate; (2) the distinction the candidate has achieved in the field of Hispanic studies; (3) the candidate’s demonstrated support of the goals and ideals of the society; (4) the character of the candidate. Reception into membership shall be without formal pledge or secret order training.
Individual chapters may increase, but not decrease, the membership criteria outlined in this article. All chapter requirements for membership must be clearly articulated in the chapter’s own published by-laws as approved by the chapter, the corresponding college or university and Sigma Delta Pi’s Executive Director (see Article XI, Section 2).
Section 2. There shall be three classes of membership: active, alumnus, and honorary.
Active membership shall be limited to college students who have demonstrated high scholarship in general and excellence in the academic study of Spanish. Specifically, they must meet the following requirements:
1. Each must have completed three years of study of college-level Spanish (eighteen semester credit hours) or the equivalent thereof, including at least three semester hours of a course in Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization at the junior (third-year) level. A student may be admitted to active membership while still enrolled in the second junior-level course if all other requirements have been met and if the instructor of the course certifies that the student’s work is of “B” or “A” quality.2. The candidate for active membership must have a minimal grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale in all Spanish courses taken.
3. The candidate must rank in the upper 35% of his/her class–sophomore, junior, or senior–and must have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college work.
4. Graduate students who have been unconditionally admitted to a degree-granting program may be elected to membership upon completion of two graduate courses in Spanish with an average which, if continued, will make them eligible for a graduate degree.
5. Sigma Delta Pi does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability.
Section 4. Alumnus Membership.
This category shall be composed solely of active members who have been graduated or for other reasons have left college. If alumnus members re-enroll either as undergraduate or as graduate students they shall revert to active membership. Alumnus members are welcome at all chapter meetings, but they shall not have the right to vote on matters brought before the chapter nor can they hold office in the chapter.
Section 5. Honorary Membership.
Persons who are obviously interested in, and supportive of, things Hispanic may be elected to this category of membership. Members of the college Spanish teaching staff and other faculty members or college administrative officials notably devoted to the goals and ideals of Sigma Delta Pi and who have supported the work of the chapter are generally initiated as honorary members. Outstanding high-school or community-college teachers of Spanish may be granted honorary membership. This class is not open to students, graduate or undergraduate. For honorary and all other types of members, the national initiation fee must be paid and the membership certificate and insignia presented during the initiation ceremony.
Section 6. Election to Membership.
Once a chapter is installed and has held its first initiation ceremony, the responsibility for the election of candidates to all categories of membership is assumed by the local chapter. Advisers and chapter officers must exercise extreme care in selecting candidates for membership, and they must make sure that candidates meet fully all requirements. Doubtful cases shall be referred to a regional or national officer.
Section 7. Initiation Ceremony.
A neophyte must be initiated personally, not by proxy, and shall be admitted only if he/she arrives in time for the beginning of the ceremony. The initiation ceremony shall be private but not secret. Other than members and initiates, a few special guests such as spouses and parents of neophytes as well as administrative officers of the college or university may be invited to witness the ceremony with the approval of the Adviser and chapter officers.
Section 8. Insignia and Membership Certificates.
The insignia shall be the same for all kinds of membership, but the certificates shall indicate the type of membership: “activo(a) or honorario(a)“.
Section 9. Privileges.
Only active members shall vote or hold office in a chapter.
Section 10. Terminology.
The members of the society shall exercise care in the use of terminology to distinguish between Sigma Delta Pi as an honor society and such organizations as language clubs, social fraternities, professional fraternities, and recognition societies.
Section 11. Revocation of Membership.
Membership may be revoked for stated and just cause following a formal investigation conducted by the institution and the Society, a formal vote of the faculty/administration of the institution in question, and subsequent approval (majority vote) by the National Executive Council. Such member will be required to return his/her membership pin and certificate to the National Executive Director. Sufficient cause for revocation of membership may result from violation of these by-laws, violation of the honor code of the institution in question, violation of any Society rule or practice, or other conduct that the Executive Committee deems detrimental to the mission and interests of the Society. A member suspended or terminated for just cause would not be entitled to return of dues.
Article IV. Officers
Only students may serve as chapter officers. Only faculty members actively teaching in some area of Hispanic studies may hold national or regional office. Such officers may be reelected to office after retirement from teaching. National and regional officers shall hold an earned doctorate in their teaching field.
Section 1. National Officers.
The national officers shall be the President, the Executive Director, the Presidents Emeriti, and the immediate past President (The immediate past President is one who has served to the end of his/her elected term.).
Section 2. Regional Officers.
The regional officers shall be a Vice President for the Northeast, a Vice President for the Southeast, a Vice President for the Midwest, a Vice President for the Southwest, and a Vice President for the West.
Section 3. Editor.
There shall be a National Editor, unless this function is assumed by the Executive Director or another officer.
Article V. Executive Council and Executive Committee
Section 1. Executive Council.
The Executive Council shall be composed of the Executive Committee (see Article V, Section 2) and the five Vice Presidents. The President shall chair the Executive Council. There shall be a regular meeting of the Executive Council just prior to the national triennial convention. Those present, with a minimum of three attending, shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Executive Director, the Presidents Emeriti, the immediate past President and one Member-at-Large (see Article VI, Section 5: Additional Executive Committee Member). The Executive Committee shall authorize the Executive Director to disburse funds for the most efficient operation of the society. The Executive Committee, without the vote of the Executive Director, shall determine annually the amount to be paid the Executive Director and his/her assistant(s), if any. The Executive Director and his/her assistant(s), if any, shall be the only paid officials of the society. The Executive Committee shall meet on call of the President whenever such a meeting is needed to serve the best interests of the society. The President shall report to the Executive Council all actions taken.
Article VI. Election or Appointment of National and Regional Officers
Section 1. Term of Office.
All national and regional officers except the Presidents Emeriti and the Honorary Presidents shall hold office for three years or until the end of the triennium during which they were elected or appointed. They may be reelected or reappointed for additional terms. The Presidents Emeriti and the Honorary Presidents shall hold office for life.
Section 2. Election of National and Regional Officers, except the Executive Director, Presidents Emeriti and Honorary Presidents.
Each chapter may offer nominations for a National President and for a Vice President for its own geographical region, and may vote for the candidates for these offices only. One year prior to the holding of the triennial convention, the President shall appoint an election committee of three members, none of whom shall be the incumbent of any elective position to be filled. The President shall also appoint the chair of the committee. The committee’s responsibilities shall be: (1) to receive nominations from the chapters for the offices of the President and the five Vice Presidents, and to send out requests to all active chapters for this purpose no later than January 15 of the third year of the triennium; (2) to select from the nominations made by the chapters two candidates for each office solely on the basis of their qualifications; (3) to prepare for each candidate a brief curriculum vitae that emphasizes the candidate’s contributions to Sigma Delta Pi; (4) to prepare ballots and send them together with the curricula vitae of the candidates to each active chapter no later than April 1 of the last year of the triennium; (5) to receive and count the ballots no later than May 1 of the third year of the triennium; and (6) to notify the Executive Director of the results of the voting. The Executive Director shall notify the candidates immediately and announce the results at the national triennial convention. Newly elected officers shall take office at the conclusion of the national triennial convention.
Section 3. Executive Director.
Prior to the national triennial convention the Executive Director shall be appointed by the President, the President-elect, the Presidents Emeriti, and the immediate past President. The newly named Executive Director shall take office at the conclusion of the national triennial convention.
Section 4. Presidents Emeriti.
The Presidents Emeriti, who are elected for life, shall be voting members of the Executive Council and the Executive Committee. Presidents Emeriti must have served as National President of Sigma Delta Pi. The National President and the Executive Director may in concert nominate candidates for this office and submit the nominations to a vote of the Executive Council. A two-thirds majority vote shall be required for election. It is not a requirement of these by-laws that any Presidents Emeriti be elected.
Section 5. Executive Committee Member-at-Large.
At its discretion and/or if the Executive Committee comprises only two members, the Executive Committee may appoint no more than one Executive Committee Member-at-Large from either the existing Executive Council, past presidents, honorary presidents, outstanding chapter advisers or prominent alumni or honorary Sigma Delta Pi members whose experience would serve the Executive Committee well. The Member-at-Large votes on and participates in all activities of the Executive Committee, and serves to the end of the triennium in which he/she has been appointed. At the end of a triennium, the Executive Committee may choose 1) to re-appoint the incumbent Member-at-Large for another term; 2) to appoint a different Member-at-Large, or 3) to refrain from appointing a Member-at-Large. It is not a requirement of these by-laws that a Member-at-Large be appointed.
Section 6. Honorary Presidents.
Honorary Presidents shall be elected for life by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council. Candidates may be nominated by any chapter or by any member of the Executive Council. Considered for this honor may be eminent Hispanists, persons with distinguished records in Sigma Delta Pi, and those whose appointments might significantly and positively impact the Society. Current members of the Executive Council may not be considered for this honor, and appointed Honorary Presidents shall not become members of the Executive Council but may be called on for advice. It is not a requirement of these by-laws that any Honorary Presidents be elected.
Section 7. National Editor.
The National Editor, whose chief function shall be the editing of official publications, shall be appointed by the President during the first month of the triennium in which he/she takes office. The Editor’s term is for three years, and he/she may be reappointed for succeeding terms. If the President finds other means for handling the official publications of the society, he/she may dispense with the appointment of the Editor.
Section 8. Webmaster.
The Webmaster shall be appointed by the President during the first month of the triennium in which he/she takes office. The Webmaster’s term is for three years, and he/she may be reappointed for succeeding terms.
Article VII. Duties of Officers
Section 1. President.
The President shall have the following responsibilities: (1) to recruit and install new chapters; (2) to manage scholarship programs; (3) to appoint the National Editor and to supervise official publications; (4) to appoint the Webmaster of the Society’s national website; (5) to design and issue all certificates in cooperation with the Executive Director; (6) to serve as Chair of the Executive Council and the Executive Committee; (7) to encourage Chapter Advisers and other officers to work for the benefit of the society; (8) to seek support for the society from outside sources; (9) to identify and to implement ways to improve the society’s operation; (10) to consult regularly with the Executive Council on matters of policy, approval of new chapters, and other matters requiring Council approval; (11) to represent the society as its chief executive officer at important meetings or ceremonies or to designate others to do so; (12) to maintain contact with chapters through Entre Nosotros and other means to keep them informed of opportunities available to the membership and of changes in policy; (13) to reactivate inactive chapters; (14) to work diligently to serve the best interests of the society and its membership.
Section 2. Executive Director.
The Executive Director shall have the following responsibilities: (1) to receive all monies collected by the society; (2) to receive initiation fees for new members and to forward membership certificates, insignia, and other materials to chapters; (3) to receive all charter and re-activation petitions and charter fees; (4) to disburse all monies expended by the society; (5) to assist the President with the management and administration of scholarship programs; (6) to have the society’s accounts audited annually by a certified public accountant and to report the audit to the society through Entre Nosotros; (7) to prepare interim financial statements upon request of the President or the Executive Council; (8) to invest, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, any surplus funds in the most advantageous and secure manner possible; (9) to make arrangements for the national triennial convention; (10) to preside at the convention; (11) to keep a national register of all persons initiated; (12) to keep a register of persons receiving the Order of Don Quijote, the Order of Los Descubridores, and other special honors from Sigma Delta Pi; (13) to keep a record of chapter initiations and to report inactive chapters to the President; (14) to order jewelry and membership certificates when needed; (15) to receive the results of national and regional elections, inform the candidates of the results, and report the results at the triennial convention; (16) to assist the President, the Executive Council, and the Executive Committee in the performance of their duties by providing advice, information, and statistics; (17) to assist chapters in their activities; (18) to represent Sigma Delta Pi before federal, state, and local agencies and to handle all matters pertaining to taxes and the Internal Revenue Service.
Section 3. Regional Vice Presidents.
The responsibilities of a Regional Vice President are the following: (1) to contact personally each chapter in his/her region to offer encouragement, advice, and help; (2) to contact each four-year college or university in his/her region which does not have a chapter of Sigma Delta Pi in an effort to found new chapters; (3) to contact all inactive chapters in his/her region to encourage their reactivation; (4) to vote on petitions for new chapters and other matters of importance referred by the President; (5) to seek ways to improve service to the society’s membership.
Section 4. National Editor.
The primary responsibility of the National Editor shall be to edit and publish the society’s publications, particularly Entre Nosotros, in accordance with policies established by the Executive Council. The Executive Council and/or the President may refer additional editorial responsibility to the Editor if the need should arise.
Section 5. Webmaster.
The Webmaster will manage, edit and update the national website in accordance with policies established by the Executive Council.
Article VIII. Replacement and Removal of Officers
Section 1. Replacement of Elected Officers.
In the event of the death, resignation, or incapacitation of the President, the Executive Director shall assume his/her duties until a new President is elected following procedures outlined in Article VI, Section 2, with the exception that the election process shall take place immediately. The Executive Director, while performing the duties of President, shall at the same time continue to carry out his/her own duties and responsibilities. In the event of the death, resignation, or incapacitation of the Executive Director, the Executive Committee shall elect a successor who shall serve until the end of the triennium in progress at the time of appointment. In the event of the death, resignation, or incapacitation of a regional Vice President, the President shall appoint, with the approval of the Executive Council, a successor who shall serve until the end of the triennium in progress at the time of appointment.
Section 2. Removal of Officers.
For causes of incompetence, lack of cooperation, or lack of time to perform the duties incumbent upon any officer, except the Executive Director and the Executive Committee Member-at-Large, the President may suggest that he/she resign his/her position. If the individual refuses to resign, the President may, with the approval of the Executive Council, declare the position vacant and appoint, with the approval of the Executive Council, a successor who shall serve until the end of the triennium in progress at the time of appointment. The Executive Committee may remove and replace an incompetent Executive Director and an incompetent Executive Committee Member-at-Large by majority decision. The Executive Director may initiate action to remove from office an incompetent President by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council. The Executive Director shall assume the President’s duties until a new President is elected following procedures outlined in Article VI, Section 2, with the exception that the election process shall take place immediately. The Executive Director, while performing the duties of President, shall at the same time continue to carry out his/her own duties and responsibilities.
Article IX. Dues and Fees
Section 1. Charter Fee.
For each new chapter approved, the chapter must pay a charter fee in an amount determined by the Executive Council. This fee must be paid before the petition for a charter in Sigma Delta Pi is approved. The President shall notify the petitioner of the amount of the fee.
Section 2. Membership Dues.
For each member initiated into Sigma Delta Pi, the chapter into which he/she is initiated shall pay a specified membership fee to the society. This fee provides for lifetime membership, a membership certificate, and the society insignia in the form of a pin. The payment of the fee applies to all kinds of membership: active or honorary. Alumnus members have already paid the fee and are not required to pay again when they affiliate with a local chapter. The membership fee is normally paid by the new initiates themselves, and all fees must be sent to the Executive Director before the candidates are initiated. The fee may be changed upon recommendation of the Executive Council, subject to approval at the next triennial convention or by means of a convention by mail. Chapters will be notified well in advance of the effective date of any change.
Section 3. Local Dues.
Each chapter shall determine the amount of local dues, if any. The society recommends very modest fees of this sort and urges chapters to engage in other types of fund-raising activities to build a local treasury.
Article X. National Conventions
The society shall be governed by its conventions, attended and/or by mail. Between conventions, the society shall be governed by the President and the Executive Council. National conventions shall be of two kinds:
Section 1. National Triennial Conventions.
Each active chapter has the right to send one voting delegate to the national triennial convention. If this delegate is unable to attend, the chapter may give its proxy to the delegate from another chapter. National and regional officers shall attend, but shall vote only if they are official delegates of a chapter. The society’s business is conducted in formal sessions according to Robert’s Rules of Order. The Executive Council may also call a special national meeting in any year in which the national triennial convention is not held. Each chapter has the right to send one voting delegate to these meetings or to give its proxy to another chapter.
Section 2. Conventions by Mail.
At times between the national triennial meetings described in Section 1 above conventions by mail may be held to decide important issues. In conventions by mail, each active chapter shall receive full information on the business at hand and a ballot on which to register its vote. If a chapter fails to return its ballot by the announced deadline, its vote is surrendered to the Executive Council which shall cast the vote in the best interest of the society.
Article XI. New Chapters
Section 1. Petition for a Charter.
Any four-year college or university which enjoys full unconditional accreditation by its recognized regional accrediting association and which offers at least a baccalaureate degree may petition the Executive Council for the establishment of a chapter of Sigma Delta Pi. The Executive Director shall study the petition carefully to determine whether all requirements have been met. He/She shall then make his/her recommendation to the National President who, in turn, will review the petition and and make his/her recommendation on the petition to the members of the Executive Council, who by majority vote shall approve or disapprove the petition. The petitioning institution shall submit: (1) an official petition form properly completed; (2) a copy of the latest issue of the catalog, which must show a regular curricular offering of at least twenty-four semester hours of Spanish; (3) a list of three or more students to be charter members, accompanied by official current transcripts for each student recommended for membership; (4) a letter from the Chair of the appropriate department and one from the appropriate Dean or other high university official, each expressing approval and support of the petition; (5) the name of the faculty member or members who will serve as adviser(s) of the chapter; (6) a check in the amount specified in the petition form to pay for the charter fee.
Section 2. Governance of Chapters.
The individual chapters, once authorized (or while petitioning for authorization), shall prepare chapter by-laws which must be consistent with the by-laws of the national society. A copy of the chapter’s by-laws must be sent to the Executive Director, who will insure conformity with the national by-laws.
Article XII. Status of Chapters
Section 1. Active Chapters.
An active chapter shall be one which holds elections to active membership at least once annually, except in national emergencies.
Section 2. Inactive Chapters.
An inactive chapter shall be one in which no election to active membership has been held during a three-year period.
Section 3. Deactivated Chapters.
A deactivated chapter is one where the corresponding college or university has officially decided to close its chapter and has notified the Executive Director with separate, official letters/e-mails from 1) the academic dean; 2) the department chair; 3) the current chapter adviser.
Section 4. Suspended Chapters.
A chapter may be suspended by a majority vote of the Executive Council for any of the following reasons: (1) if the chapter has held no election to membership during a five-year period; (2) if the chapter does not conduct its affairs in accordance with these national by-laws; (3) if a college or university makes demands upon the local chapter which are at variance with these national by-laws; (4) if the chapter refuses to pay legitimate debts owed to the national treasury.
Section 5. Reactivation of Inactive Chapters.
An inactive chapter may petition the President or Executive Director to return to active status.
Section 6. Reactivation of Deactivated Chapters.
A deactivated chapter may petition the President or Executive Director to return to active status using the official reactivation petition.
Section 7. Reinstatement of Suspended Chapters.
A Chapter whose charter has been suspended may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Executive Council after submitting a reinstatement fee and a petition which gives evidence of the restoration of normal conditions, the assurance of their continuance, and the agreement to conform to all provisions of these national by-laws. The fee for reinstatement shall be equal to the fee required for a new charter.
Article XIII. Faculty Adviser
The faculty chapter Adviser must be a member of Sigma Delta Pi and shall either be elected by members of the chapter or appointed by an administrative official of his/her college or university. The Adviser may be initiated as an honorary member at the time of his/her appointment as Adviser. The faculty Adviser’s term is of indefinite duration. The duties of the Adviser are: (1) to represent the chapter before the national organization and the university or college where the chapter exists; (2) to advise the officers and members and supervise all activities of the chapter; (3) to attend all meetings personally or by delegation of another faculty member who is also a member of Sigma Delta Pi; (4) to supervise the admission of new members and to assure that all membership requirements are fully met; (5) to respond to requests from national and regional officers for information on the chapter’s activities; (6) to maintain the active status of the chapter and to coordinate a reasonable program of activities; (7) to see that the chapter maintains permanent records of members and activities and that it meets its financial commitments to the national organization; (8) to assist chapter officers in making arrangements for initiation ceremonies; (9) to promote activities in cooperation with nearby chapters.
Section 1. The Order of Don Quijote and the Order of Los Descubridores recognize exceptional and meritorious service in the fields of Hispanic scholarship, the teaching of Spanish, and the promotion of good relations between English-speaking countries and those of Spanish speech.
Section 2. The Order of Los Descubridores.
Election to the Order of Los Descubridores may be recommended by a majority vote of the active members of a chapter with the approval of the chapter sponsor, or by members of the Executive Council. Membership in this Order is restricted to: (1) outstanding teachers of Spanish or Hispanic studies at the college or university level; (2) outstanding community-college or high-school teachers of Spanish, with a proven record of excellence in teaching, who were elected to membership in Sigma Delta Pi while in college; (3) Chapter Advisers and regional Vice Presidents who have given distinguished service to Sigma Delta Pi; (4) others–such as government officials, professional people, and university personnel–who have served the cause of Sigma Delta Pi in an exceptional way.
Nominations for this award shall be sent with ample supporting documentation to the Executive Director who will determine the eligibility of the nominee. If this award is granted, the nominating party must purchase the emblem and certificate and confer the honor at an appropriate ceremony of a local chapter.
Section 3. The Order of Don Quijote.
So that membership in the Order of Don Quijote, one of Sigma Delta Pi’s highest honors, may continue to have full meaning, it shall be controlled by the national office, requiring the approval by a majority vote of a committee chaired by the Executive Director and comprised of at least three past inductees of this Order. The Executive Director will issue the corresponding plaque and pin to be presented at an appropriate ceremony to the honoree. Membership in this order shall be restricted to: (1) nationally or internationally distinguished scholars in the field of Hispanic studies; (2) distinguished teachers of Spanish who are employed in an accredited four-year college or university, or retired from such service, and have published extensively in the field of Hispanic studies; and (3) college officials, members of the clergy, officers of service clubs or fraternal organizations, members of the judicial, legislative, or executive branches of our federal or state governments, and other such professional people who have served our cause in a very distinguished manner and who would honor us by accepting this award. Nomination to this order may be made by a local chapter (by unanimous vote of all active members and approval of the Chapter Adviser), or by a national or regional officer, and must be sent together-preferably via e-mail-with a detailed supporting letter and résumé of the nominee, to the Executive Director. He/She shall distribute the nomination to the committee members and relay the final decision to the nominating chapter or officer within three weeks, unless additional information is needed.
Article XV. The Gabriela Mistral Award
The Premio Gabriela Mistral is an award that may be granted to an outstanding graduate or undergraduate student of Spanish who is an active member of Sigma Delta Pi and who has demonstrated noteworthy involvement and initiative in his/her chapter. Honorary members are not eligible. Any active chapter may nominate one student per year for the Gabriela Mistral Award and shall send the nomination together with supporting documentation, including at least two letters of recommendation and a current transcript, to the Executive Director. Winners of the award will be given a certificate.
Article XVI. The José Martel Award
Once every three years, at the national triennial convention, Sigma Delta Pi honors one of the Society’s most outstanding chapter advisers with a monetary award and a certificate. Nominations with all supporting documents should be received by the Executive Director no later than April 1 of the year in which the national triennial convention is held.
A nominee for the Premio José Martel must have served at one college or university as a successful chapter adviser for five consecutive years with at least one initiation each year, be currently serving as chapter adviser, and be nominated by a chapter or by a member of the Executive Council. The nomination must document the accomplishments of the adviser in connection with the chapter, as well as the adviser’s other academic attainments. Supporting letters from the nominee’s dean and another high college official must accompany the nomination. It is suggested that the activities of the chapter during the past five years be enumerated and described, and that a résumé that details the nominee’s professional activities be included.
The Premio José Martel commemorates the service of Dr. José Martel, who died August 22, 1979, at the age of 96, after serving Sigma Delta Pi loyally and unselfishly for over half a century in many capacities: chapter adviser, vice president, honorary president, faithful counselor, orator on national occasions, and polished author in the rewriting of parts of our ritual and in the preparation of certificates of award.
Article XVII. The Minaya Álvar Fáñez Award
Established in 2004, this award may recognize yearly one Chapter Adviser for exemplary initiative in encouraging and assisting with chapter activities. The awardee will receive a plaque and a cash award and will be chosen by the Executive Committee on the basis of the Annual Reports that each active chapter submits at the end of the academic year.
Article XVIII. The Frida Kahlo Award
Established in 2006, this award is presented yearly to a chapter for its outstanding website. To be considered for this honor, chapters must e-mail their website addresses to the Executive Director by December 1 of the year in question. Websites are judged on the basis of information provided, navigability, appearance, innovation and current maintenance. The selected chapter will receive a handsome plaque.
Article XVIX. The Jorge Luis Borges Award
Established in 2007 as one of Sigma Delta Pi’s most prestigious honors, this recognition for lifetime achievement will be reserved for those persons who have demonstrated sustained and exemplary dedication to the work of the Society. Nominations detailing the nominee’s relevant contributions must be sent to the Executive Director by a chapter or a member of the Executive Council; awardees will be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, and the award presented in a venue determined by the same committee.
Article XX. Honor Chapters
Section 1. Honor Chapters (Capítulos de Honor y Mérito) are selected each year by the Executive Committee based upon annual reports submitted by the chapters. Awardees are those chapters that have distinguished themselves during the academic year with activities and projects that best reflect the mission of the Society. Honor Chapters receive a certificate along with recognition both on the Society’s national website and in Entre Nosotros.
Section 2. The Ignacio and Sophie Galbis Award.
The Premio Ignacio y Sophie Galbis is named in memory of Ignacio Galbis, former Executive Director, who, along with his wife Sophie, served Sigma Delta Pi for more than two decades with uncommon love, dedication and efficiency. This award will be presented each year to a chapter whose annual report of activities is judged indicative of genuinely outstanding work in the furtherance of our purposes.
Section 3. The Octavio Paz Award.
This award (Premio Octavio Paz) recognizes chapters that maintain Honor Chapter status for a complete triennium, and it is presented to the corresponding chapter representatives at the national triennial convention.
Article XXI. Scholarships
The Executive Committee, under the direction of the President, will establish policies for the annual scholarship program.
Section 1. The T. Earle Hamilton Scholarship.
This award is named in memory of Honorary President and President Emeritus, T. Earle Hamilton, who died October 2, 1996. Hamilton served as President of Sigma Delta Pi for a total of fifteen years (1960-68 and 1972-77). The highest ranked applicant who accepts one of the scholarships for study in Spanish America will receive this award. The scholarship will consist of a supplement to the basic award and is contingent upon the availability of scholarships during the year in question.
Section 2. The Richard E. Chandler Scholarship.
This award is named in memory of Honorary President and President Emeritus, Richard E. Chandler, who died December 11, 2008. He served as President of Sigma Delta Pi for a total of fifteen years (1977-92) during which time 141 new chapters were installed. The highest ranked applicant who accepts one of the scholarships for study in Spain will receive this award. The scholarship will consist of a supplement to the basic award and is contingent upon the availability of scholarships during the year in question..
Article XXII. Amendments
Section 1. Amendments.
These by-laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of all chapters voting at any national triennial convention or by a majority of votes cast in a mail convention. Written notice of any proposed amendment must be signed by members representing not less than five chapters of Sigma Delta Pi and sent to the Executive Director at least three months prior to the convention in which it is to be voted upon. At a national triennial convention a chapter’s vote shall be cast by its official delegate, by an officially designated proxy, or by mail prior to the meeting and in time for the Executive Director to receive it before the convention. In a mail convention all chapter votes are cast by mail ballot. If a chapter fails to return its ballot by the announced deadline, its vote is surrendered to the Executive Council which shall cast the vote in the best interest of the society.
Section 2. Notice to Chapters.
The Executive Director shall communicate proposed amendments to all active chapters at least one month prior to the convention in which they are to be voted upon.
Article XXIII. Disposition of Assets
If Sigma Delta Pi should ever be dissolved, all assets shall be transferred to another like nonprofit organization which is tax exempt under Article 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or such similar provision as shall then be in effect.
These by-laws accompany and are supplemented by the Sigma Delta Pi Policy Manual (adopted August 2, 2008). For related details contact Dr. Mark P. Del Mastro, Executive Director.