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CONSTITUTION OF PHI DELTA CHI

• The most recent version of the Constitution can be found HERE (in .doc format) or HERE (in .pdf format)
  
  
• Bylaws are located HERE

PREAMBLE

Recognizing the necessity of, and the mutual benefits to be derived from an organization devoted to the sciences of Pharmacy and Chemistry, a careful investigation into, and a free discussion of subjects relative to the same:

We, the undersigned, do agree to form an association and for its government to adopt the following Constitution and Bylaws:

C.E. Bond                   A.G. Hopper       F.H. Frazee                G.P. Leamon

L.H. Gardner               A.S. Rogers       C.P. Godfrey               A. Thurston

A.G. Hoffman              C. Hueber          A.T. Waggoner

ARTICLE I - NAME & OBJECTIVES

Section 1.
This association shall be known as the Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity, hereafter referred to as the Fraternity.

Section 2.
The objectives of this association shall be to advance the science of Pharmacy and its allied interests, and to foster and promote a fraternal spirit among its Brothers.

Section 3.
Being a coeducational Fraternity, Phi Delta Chi does not discriminate based on gender. The word Brother refers to both male and female members of the Fraternity.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP & ELIGIBILITY

Section 1.
There shall be a classification of membership known as Collegiate Brother. Any person of good moral character being a student in actual attendance at a recognized college or university, where there is a Chapter of Phi Delta Chi, is eligible for collegiate membership in the Fraternity, if Pharmacy is that person’s major subject, or if registered in some other curriculum recognized by the college or university as a pre-pharmacy curriculum.

Section 2.
Any person initiated, having changed course of study and being still in actual attendance in the college or university where initiated into Phi Delta Chi, may remain a Brother in that Collegiate Chapter.

Section 3.
Any eligible person may become a Collegiate Brother of the Fraternity by receiving the favorable vote of 3/4 of the Collegiate Chapter before which his or her name has been proposed, by signing the Constitution and Bylaws, thereby agreeing to abide by them, by paying the initiation fee, and by receiving proper initiation, according to the Fraternity Ritual.

Section 4.
There shall be a classification of membership known as Graduate Brother. Any person of good moral character who is engaged in professional pharmacy or its allied fields shall be eligible for graduate membership. Such Brothers shall pay an Initiation Fee of an amount determined by the Grand Council, shall pay for a membership certificate, may purchase an official badge, and shall undergo a formal initiation. These Graduate Brothers shall be entitled to vote and shall be extended all privileges of Brothers of Alumni Chapters with which they are affiliated. They must be accepted by a simple majority vote of a Collegiate Chapter with approval of an Alumni Chapter, where such corresponding Alumni Chapter exists. Alternately, a person may be accepted by a simple majority vote of an organized Alumni Chapter, along with approval of the Collegiate Chapter, where such corresponding Collegiate Chapter exists.

Section 5.
No Collegiate or Graduate Brother of Phi Delta Chi Fraternity shall join any other professional Fraternity of Pharmacy, except Honor Societies that are primarily devoted to recognizing scholarship or leadership. Any Brother of Phi Delta Chi who joins any other professional pharmaceutical Fraternity other than honorary shall be expelled automatically and obliged to return the membership certificate and all official fraternity jewelry.

Section 6.
There shall be a classification of membership known as Honorary Brother. Any person of good moral character, who has distinguished himself or herself in the profession of Pharmacy, may become an Honorary Brother of the Fraternity by receiving at least a 3/4 vote of the Chapter before which his or her name has been proposed and simple majority approval of the Executive Council through the National Office, by signing the Constitution, and by agreeing to respect the confidentiality of that part of the Fraternity Ritual known as Omicron.

Section 7.
Honorary Brothers shall be entitled to all privileges of Collegiate Brothers, except taking part in such business that requires a vote of the Chapter, and shall be exempt from any Initiation Fee paid to the Fraternity. The Chapter shall pay an initiation fee of an amount set by the Grand Council for the Honorary Brother.

Section 8.
The Executive Council shall be able to grant honorary membership to not more than one person per year. A person may become an Honorary Brother by receiving at least 2/3 vote of the Executive Council and then signing the Constitution and agreeing to respect the confidentiality of that part of the Fraternity Ritual known as Omicron. This privilege does not extend to faculty at schools of pharmacy at which a Collegiate Chapter of Phi Delta Chi exists. The honoree shall become a Brother of a certain Chapter at the discretion of and with the permission of that Collegiate Chapter.

Section 9.
Applications for a Charter of Phi Delta Chi may be submitted by associations composed of students majoring in Pharmacy and/or a curriculum recognized as pre-pharmacy at a recognized college or university.

ARTICLE III - GOVERNMENT

The Grand Council - The Executive Council

Section 1.
The governing power of the Fraternity shall be vested in a Grand Council and an Executive Council.

Section 2.
The Grand Council shall consist of the Executive Council, plus one Delegate from each Collegiate Chapter, one Alumni Delegate from each Chapter not having a duly organized Alumni Chapter, and one Delegate from each duly organized Alumni Chapter, each Brother having one vote. No Grand Officer may cast a vote as a Chapter Delegate.

Section 3. 
The Executive Council shall consist of the Grand Past President, the Grand President as Chairman, the Grand Vice President for Collegiate Affairs, the Grand Vice President for Alumni Affairs, the Grand Vice President for Communications, and the Grand Vice President for Student Affairs. The Fraternity's Executive Director shall be an ex officio Grand Officer and nonvoting member of the Executive Council.

Section 4.
The Grand Council in session shall be the supreme governing body of the Fraternity and shall decide all matters which pertain to the Fraternity as a whole; arrange plans for the welfare, improvement, and advancement of the association; elect the Grand Officers, amend the Constitution and Bylaws, grant Charters to associations of eligible persons in recognized colleges and universities; levy assessments on the Chapters; interpret the Constitution, Bylaws and Fraternity Ritual; review the acts of the Executive Council or any other governing body that may hereafter be created, and have all general powers inherent in a supreme body.

Section 5.
The Executive Council shall be the governing body of the Fraternity when the Grand Council is not in session. The Executive Council shall implement the policies and acts of the Grand Council. It shall have all the powers of the Grand Council except the power to amend the Constitution, Bylaws, or the Fraternity Ritual, the power to assess the Chapters, and the power to review its own proceedings.

Section 6.
The Executive Director shall present a complete report of the proceedings of the Executive Council to the Grand Council for ratification or rejection, said report to cover the period following the previous Grand Council. Any acts so rejected are null and void and not binding upon the Fraternity.

Section 7.
Meetings of the Grand Council and the Executive Council shall be open to any Brother of the Fraternity in good standing. The Executive Director of the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute shall be invited to attend meetings of the Executive Council as a nonvoting representative.

Section 8.
The Grand Council shall elect from among the Alumni Brothers of the Fraternity a Grand President, Grand Vice President for Collegiate Affairs, Grand Vice President for Alumni Affairs, and Grand Vice President for Communications. The Grand Council shall elect, from among the Collegiate Brothers of this Fraternity, a Grand Vice President for Student Affairs who shall have at least one academic year remaining in an educational curriculum. The Executive Council shall appoint an Executive Director, who shall serve at its discretion.

Section 9.
The duty of the Grand President shall be to call meetings of the Grand Council and the Executive Council to order at the appointed time; to preside at such meetings; to preserve order and decorum; to assess fines; to enforce the Constitution and Bylaws; to act in all ways as the Chief Executive of the Fraternity; to represent the Fraternity on the Board of Directors of the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents and property belonging to the office. The Grand President may appoint Project Directors to 1-year terms to achieve the Fraternity’s goals.

Section 10.
The duty of the Grand Vice President for Collegiate Affairs (GVPCA) shall be to supervise the activities of the Regional Directors for Collegiate Affairs (RDCAs) under the direction of the Grand and Executive Councils; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents belong to the office. The GVPCA shall be responsible for the promotion of Collegiate Chapter Standards, as approved by the Grand Council and published in the Fraternal Education Manual, and the Chapter Excellence and Quality (ChEQ) Program, as defined by the Executive Council in its policies and procedures. The GVPCA shall be responsible for organizing and coordinating the judging of materials from the Achievement Award Program, with support of the Executive Director and following procedures defined by the Executive Council.

Section 11.
The duty of the Grand Vice President for Alumni Affairs (GVPAA) shall be to supervise the activities of the Regional Directors for Alumni Affairs (RDAAs) under the direction of the Grand and Executive Councils. Further, the Grand Vice President for Alumni Affairs shall promote participation of Alumni Brothers, support activities of Alumni Chapters, encourage and assist in the establishment of new Alumni Chapters, assist Alumni Brothers in assisting Collegiate Brothers, and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents belonging to the office. The GVPAA and RDAAs shall establish mechanisms to maintain and provide updated lists of alumni addresses and establish mechanisms to maintain communications with Alumni Brothers.

Section 12.
The duty of the Grand Vice President for Student Affairs (GVPSA) shall be to supervise the activities of the Regional Correspondents; chair meetings of the Regional Correspondents; and conduct when feasible annual meetings of the Regional Correspondents with assistance from the Executive Director. It shall be that person’s duty to implement and promote participation in the Dale W. Doerr Achievement Award Program and to promote attendance by Collegiate Brothers at Fraternity meetings. The GVPSA shall deliver to that person’s successor all documents belonging to the office.

Section 13.
The duty of the Grand Vice President for Communications (GVPC) shall be to edit and manage the publication of a journal devoted to the Fraternity known as The Communicator of Phi Delta Chi. This journal shall be published at least three times annually, and an amount determined by the Executive Council shall be collected from each Collegiate Chapter to finance the publication of this journal.

Section 14.
The office of the Grand Past President, as specified in this Constitution, shall be occupied by the retiring Grand President until that person’s successor shall qualify. The Grand Past President shall provide counsel and assistance to the Grand President and other Fraternity officers and represent the Fraternity on the Board of Directors of the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute.

Section 15.
The duty of the Executive Director shall be to keep a complete record of all proceedings of the Grand Council, of the Executive Council, and of the office; to keep a complete record of the rental of official jewelry, pins and other items purchased for or sold by the Executive Council to the individual Chapters or Brothers. It shall be that person’s duty to direct the inspection of Chapters, and serve as an intermediary between the individual Chapters and the other officers of the Executive Council. The Executive Director serves as the Fraternity's chief operating officer. The Fraternity’s Executive Director serves as a nonvoting ex officio member of the Board of Directors of the Pharmacy Leadership & Education Institute.

Section 16.
The Executive Director shall collect funds of any nature due the Grand Council; disburse them only upon the order of the Grand President, the Grand Council, or the Executive Council; make a complete accounting of such receipts and disbursements to the Grand Council at each meeting; and deliver to that person’s successor all property belonging to the office.

Section 17.
Each Grand Officer shall present to each Grand Council a report, with recommendations, covering the proceedings and acts of the office.

Section 18.
The official acts of the Grand Council and the Executive Council are binding upon every Collegiate and Alumni Chapter, and failure to observe and conform to them shall constitute a cause for action toward forfeiture of Charter.

Section 19.
The Executive Council shall have the power to sanction or revoke the Charter of a Phi Delta Chi Collegiate or Alumni Chapter for gross violation of published Chapter Standards, college policies, or law. The Grand Council shall have the power to overturn such Executive Council sanctions by a 3/4 vote, after a hearing at the next meeting of the Grand Council, using trial regulations analogous to those set forth in Chapter IV, Number 16, of the Bylaws of Phi Delta Chi, with the Grand Officers presiding.

Section 20.
In the event the Grand President cannot fulfill the term of office, the Grand President shall automatically be succeeded by the Grand Past President. In the event of subsequent vacancies within the term of office of Grand President, this position shall automatically be filled by the Grand Vice President for Collegiate Affairs and then the Grand Vice President for Alumni Affairs elected at the previous Grand Council. In the event of any other vacancy among the Grand Officers, the Executive Council shall within 30 days appoint an eligible Brother to fill the vacancy until the next Grand Council, when new officers shall be elected. In the event the Grand Past President cannot fulfill the term of that office, the Grand President may appoint one of the past Grand Presidents to the post of Grand Past President, solely to advise the Grand President.

ARTICLE IV - COLLEGIATE CHAPTER GOVERNMENT

Section 1.
The collegiate chapter officers of the Fraternity shall consist of the Worthy Chief Counselor (WCC) as President, Worthy Vice Counselor (WVC) as Vice President, Worthy Correspondent (WC) as Corresponding Secretary, Worthy Keeper of Records & Seals (WKRS) as Recording Secretary, Worthy Keeper of Finance (WKF) as Treasurer, Worthy Prelate (WP) as Chaplain, Worthy Master-at-Arms (WMA), Worthy Inner Guard (WIG), Worthy Alumni Liaison (WAL), and such other officers as may be required or desirable.

Section 2.
Chapter elections shall be held annually at a time determined by the Chapter. The Chapter must be aware of the Achievement Award Program schedule when setting the time for elections.

Section 3.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Chief Counselor to call meetings to order at the appointed time; to preside over meetings; to decide points of order; to preserve decorum; to enforce the Constitution, Bylaws, and House Rules (where applicable); to levy all fines; to act in all ways as the chief executive of the Chapter; and to turn over to that person’s successor all documents and property belonging to the office.

Section 4.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Vice Counselor to assist the Worthy Chief Counselor; perform all the duties and exercise all the authority of the Worthy Chief Counselor in his or her absence; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents and property belonging to the office.

Section 5.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Correspondent to receive all incoming correspondence; to prepare and mail all outgoing correspondence; to coordinate and submit to the proper persons all materials for the Achievement Award Program; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents belonging to the office.

Section 6.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Keeper of Records & Seals to keep a complete record of all the proceedings; to preserve manuscripts and records of the Chapter; to maintain a collection of chapter publications; to call the roll at each meeting; to perform all other duties pertaining to the office; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents and property belonging to the office. The WKRS shall arrange for the upkeep of the Chapter's library of publications and archives of documents.

Section 7.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Keeper of Finance to collect and keep all money, chattels, and securities of the Chapter; to render a written account of the same at each meeting; to pay all bills and obligations subject to the order of the Chapter; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents and property belonging to the office.

Section 8.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Prelate to conduct and supervise inspirational and memorial exercises.

Section 9.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Master-at-Arms to attend the door of the Council Chamber; to receive the password; to prepare the Council Chamber; to have charge of the Regalia and of all candidates for initiation; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents and property belonging to the office.

Section 10.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Inner Guard to attend the door during initiation, to assist the Worthy Master-at-Arms, and to perform all the duties of the Worthy Master-at-Arms during his or her absence.

Section 11.
It shall be the duty of the Worthy Alumni Liaison to coordinate communication between each Collegiate Chapter and its corresponding Alumni Brothers and Alumni Chapter where applicable; to assist with the publications of the Chapters; to promote national alumni membership; and to deliver to that person’s successor all documents pertaining to the office.

Section 12.
A Chapter may require of its officers any additional duties necessary and not specifically mentioned in the Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 13.
Any chapter officer may be removed from office by the following procedure:
(a) A petition requesting impeachment signed by a majority of the Collegiate Brothers shall be presented to the Worthy Chief Counselor.
(b) This petition and the evidence for removal shall be presented to the Chapter within two weeks.
(c) A meeting shall follow within two weeks from the time the petition is submitted to the Collegiate Chapter, at which time the officer shall have the opportunity to present evidence in defense. At that time the officer may be removed from office by 3/4 vote of the Collegiate Brothers.
(d) If the officer in question is the Worthy Chief Counselor, the Worthy Vice Counselor shall preside at these meetings.
Section 14.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Worthy Chief Counselor, the Worthy Vice Counselor shall succeed to that office. In the event of a vacancy in any other position, the Chapter shall hold a special election to fill that vacancy

ARTICLE V - COLLEGIATE CHAPTER OPERATIONS

Section 1.
The standing committees shall be:
(a) an Executive Committee, to consist of the Worthy Chief Counselor, Worthy Vice Counselor, Worthy Correspondent, Worthy Keeper of Records & Seals, and Worthy Keeper of Finance;
(b) a Financial Review Committee, to consist of the Worthy Chief Counselor and Worthy Vice Counselor and other Brothers as deemed appropriate;
(c) a Membership Committee, to consist of three or more Brothers to be appointed by the Worthy Chief Counselor at the first regular meeting of the term of office;
(d) a Social Committee, to consist of three or more Brothers to be appointed by the Worthy Chief Counselor at the first regular meeting of the term of office;
(e) an Achievement Award Committee, to consist of three or more Brothers to be appointed by the Worthy Chief Counselor with the advice and consent of the Worthy Correspondent at the first regular meeting of the term of office.

Section 2.
(a) It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to interpret and implement the policies of the Collegiate Chapter; and to settle all misunderstandings and irregularities not covered by specific articles in the Constitution, Bylaws, or House Rules.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Financial Review Committee to review all the books and financial accounts of the Chapter at least every two months and report the same to the Chapter at the next regular meeting.
(c) It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to investigate the eligibility and character of any person whose name may be proposed for membership.
(d) It shall be the duty of the Social Committee to provide for the entertainment of guests and to coordinate all matters of a social nature pertaining to the Chapter.
(e) It shall be the duty of the Achievement Award Committee to coordinate all matters associated with the Chapter's participation in the Achievement Award Program.

Section 3.
Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held at least once in each 2-week period during regular school sessions.

Section 4.
Each Chapter shall elect to the regular meetings of the Grand Council one Collegiate Delegate; the expenses of the Delegate, other than those paid by the Grand Council as provided for in the Phi Delta Chi Bylaws, are to be paid by the Delegate or the Chapter, or both. The Collegiate Chapter or its Alumni Chapter may also elect an Alumni Delegate, the expenses of this Delegate to be borne by the Delegate or the Alumni Chapter or both.

Section 5.
Any Chapter failing to be represented by a collegiate Delegate in at least one Grand Council, one Regional Conference, and one Leader-Development Seminar within a 4-year fraternity cycle may be declared inactive and its charter forfeited and vacated.  

Section 6.
Each Chapter shall present to the Grand Council at each meeting a report containing such information as the Grand Council may require.

Section 7.
Each Chapter shall adopt and enforce a set of local Chapter Bylaws, and if in rooms or a house, a set of House Rules. Their regulations shall be in accordance with the Phi Delta Chi Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 8.
Each Chapter shall have the power to regulate the amounts of, and all matters pertaining to, dues and assessments not specified in the Phi Delta Chi Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 9.
Each Chapter shall select from the faculty of the host school of pharmacy either one or two Chapter Advisors. Initiating additional eligible faculty, who share the Chapter's goals, as Graduate Brothers is desirable.

ARTICLE VI - ALUMNI

Section 1.
When the number of Alumni Brothers of any Collegiate Chapter shall have reached ten or more, they may form an Alumni Chapter, an association whose Constitution and Bylaws must not be in conflict with those of the Fraternity. A similar association may be formed by ten or more Alumni of different Collegiate Chapters residing in one locality. Under no other circumstances may the name of Phi Delta Chi be used by any other group. The purposes of Alumni Chapters shall include supporting the Fraternity and its activities and assisting Collegiate Brothers and Collegiate Chapters.

Section 2.
Alumni Chapters formed according to Article VI, Section 1, shall be under the general supervision of the Grand Council and the Executive Council and shall submit to the Executive Council once each year a report covering information required by the Executive Council or by the Grand Council.

Section 3.
All Alumni Chapters shall elect annually a committee of three to review the financial and other records of the Worthy Keeper of Finance and the Worthy Keeper of Records & Seals of the Collegiate Chapter once a year. In Chapters where there is not an organized alumni body, it shall be the duty of the Worthy Chief Counselor to appoint a committee of three Alumni Brothers to achieve this goal. This does not affect the duties of the Collegiate Chapter Financial Review Committee specified in Article V, Section 2. No provision of this Section will apply if in conflict with written policy of a host college or university.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1.
This Constitution may be repealed or amended by the 3/4 vote of the Grand Council, provided specific topics for amendment have been widely announced at least 10 months before Grand Council. The Executive Director shall notify all Collegiate Chapters and all Alumni Chapters of record of specific topics of proposed amendments in writing at least 90 days before the next regular meeting of the Grand Council. Or the Grand Council may have this power if the proposed amendment appears in the minutes of the previous Grand Council.

Section 2.
In periods of emergency, votes on changes to the National Constitution and Bylaws may be done by mail to the Grand Officers, Collegiate Chapters, and Alumni Chapters, at the discretion of the Executive Council.

As amended by the 66th Grand Council (West Palm Beach, 2007)