By-Laws for the Phi Lambda Sigma Beta Gamma Chapter

at the University of Washington

 

Article I – Name

Section 1             The name of this organization shall be Phi Lambda Sigma Society (PLS) Beta Gamma Chapter at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy (UWSOP). It shall be known as a pharmacy leadership society.

 

Article II – Purpose

Section 1             The purpose of the Society shall be the encouragement, recognition, and promotion of leadership in pharmacy.  Special attention shall be given to the development of leadership qualities.

 

Article III – Affiliations

Section 1             This organization is affiliated with the National Phi Lambda Sigma Society and all other PLS chapters at other schools and colleges of pharmacy.

 

Article IV – Eligibility for Membership

                                  The following shall be deemed eligible for election to active membership in the Society.

Persons to be considered for membership must have complied with the following conditions:

(a)            They shall be actively involved in advancing the profession of pharmacy through demonstrated leadership in local, state and national professional pharmacy organizations.

(b)            They shall possess a high degree of professionalism upon entrance to the Society, as well as the capability to maintain this professionalism throughout their membership in the Society.

Section 1             Collegiate Membership

Those student pharmacists, men and women, who have demonstrated dedicated service and leadership in the advancement of pharmacy and are of high moral and ethical character.

(a)            They shall have completed one professional year of scholastic work applicable toward the PharmD.

(b)            They shall maintain a School of Pharmacy Cumulative Professional GPA of 2.00 or above.

Section 2             Faculty Membership

Those members of the staff, faculty and administration of the University of Washington School of Pharmacy (UWSOP) who are initiated by the Beta Gamma Chapter or were formerly initiated and presently serve as staff, faculty or administrators at UWSOP.

Section 3         Alumni Membership

Those members of the Society who were initiated during their collegiate enrollment.

Section 4             Honorary Membership

Those individuals who have demonstrated dedication, leadership, and service to the profession of pharmacy, including those members pursuing degrees in pharmaceutical sciences.

                                 

Article V – Election of Members

Section 1               The election of new members shall occur annually, preferably in the spring of each year.          

Section 2               PLS membership shall not exceed 20% of a class.

Section 3               Individuals shall become members of the Society upon complying with membership requirements, election by the collegiate members of the Beta Gamma Chapter, payment of initiation fees, and being duly initiated.

Section 4               Application Process

(a)            UWSOP students, faculty, staff, administrators and honorary members seeking membership in PLS shall complete a PLS Membership Application.  The Beta Gamma Officers shall make the application available at least 3 weeks prior to the application deadline.

(b)            The application shall solicit information about current and previous leadership experience in the form of listed experience/positions of leadership and a 500 word essay.

(c)             An effort shall be made for 60% of the collegiate membership to participate in selecting members.  At the minimum, at least 2 non-PLS Officer collegiate members must be involved in selecting members. 

(d)            The names on the applications shall be removed and each application given a number.  The applications shall be distributed to the collegiate members to individually review and score on an Application Score Sheet.  A maximum of 4 points may be awarded to Section A.  A maximum of 7 points may be awarded to Essay Question #1: ÒIn your opinion, what are the characteristics of a leader and how do you fit these characteristics?Ó  A maximum of 9 points may be awarded to Essay Question #2: ÒWhile you have been a student at UWSOP, how have your experiences fostered your growth as a leader in the profession of pharmacy?Ó  The maximum achievable score is 20.

(e)            The Beta Gamma Officers shall calculate the average score out of 20 for each applicant.  Those applicants who achieve a score of 15 or greater shall be offered membership in the Society. 

(f)              Applicants who achieve an average score of 14 or less and at least one score of 15 or greater shall be discussed by the members present at the scoring meeting to determine if the applicant shall be admitted.  An affirmative vote by 2/3 of the members present shall confer admittance.

(g)             Applicants who achieve an average score of 14 or less and no score of 15 or greater will not be discussed by the members present at the scoring meeting and the applicant will not be offered admittance into the Society. 

(h)            In the event that more than 20% of the students from one class score 15 or higher, the applicant(s) with the lowest score(s) shall be removed until only 20% of the class remains.  In the event of tied scores, the members present at the scoring meeting shall decide who shall be offered membership in the Society.

(i)              Applicants not elected into the Society may re-apply the following year.

(j)              The Beta Gamma Officers shall notify the elected and non-elected applicants within three weeks of the application deadline.

(k)             The Secretary shall, upon election of new members, forward to the National Office Membership Request Forms provided for that purpose by the National Office.

 

Article VI – Repealing A Selection Decision

Section 1               Applicants not selected into the Society may repeal the decision through the following process:

(a)            Applicant shall submit a written appeal to the PLS President or Secretary within 1 week of being notified of the election results.

(b)            In the written appeal the applicant shall describe the reason for appealing, why their selection should be re-considered and how the applicant could improve their application.

(c)             Upon receipt of a written appeal, the Beta Gamma Officers and Advisor shall meet to discuss the appeal and formulate a decision.

(d)            Within 2 weeks of receiving the written appeal, the PLS President shall issue a written response to the applicant outlining the decision of the PLS Officers and Advisor. 

(e)            An applicant may appeal one time per election cycle

 

Article VII --Initiation

Section 1               An Initiation Ceremony shall be held following elections before the end of Spring quarter.

(a)            Initiation shall be in accordance with the Official Ritual of the Society

(b)            A membership certificate and a key pin shall be given to each member after being duly initiated

Section 2               Initiation of new Officers shall occur at the Initiation Ceremony

 

Article VIII -- Revocation of Membership

Section 1               Membership in the Society may be revoked at any time by the Beta Gamma Chapter or the PLS National Executive Committee for proven behavior that is in conflict with the goals and purposes of PLS.  Just cause must be established and due process must be followed.  The following steps are recommended to ensure the memberÕs rights and privacy are protected:

(a)            Confidential investigation by a committee--appointed preferably by the Beta Gamma Chapter Advisor, but as necessary, by the PLS National Executive Committee.

(b)            Report of committee exonerating or preferring specific charges.

(c)             Formal notification to the accused member.

(d)            Formal hearing.

(e)            Recommendation of the committee to the Beta Gamma Chapter, or as applicable, to the PLS National Executive Committee.

(f)              Notification of the outcome to the accused member by the Beta Gama Chapter or PLS National Executive Committee.

 

Section 2               Revocation of membership shall be determined at a meeting of the Beta Gamma Chapter collegiate members by at least 2/3 votes for revocation, or by 2/3 votes of the PLS National Executive Committee. 

Section 3               The PLS National Executive Committee shall be provided a summary of the revocation documenting the revoked member, describing just cause and due process, the number of members present, the number of active members in the chapter, the votes for revocation, the votes against revocation, and the date the membership was revoked.   

 

Article IX -- Officers

Section 1             The Elected Officers of the Beta Gamma Chapter shall consist of:

(a)            President (3rd year student only)

Duties include:

1.              Act as a liaison between the Beta Gamma Chapter and the national PLS office

2.              Represent PLS at quarterly UWSOP Student Representative Meetings

3.              Arrange and preside over quarterly chapter meetings

4.              Submit nominations for awards as decided upon by the chapter, which may include    Chapter Member of the Year, PLS Outstanding Chapter Advisor, and PLS Founders Award, etc.

5.              Write and submit annual Chapter Reporting Form, due July 31st

6.              Maintain By-laws and respond to proposed by-laws changes

7.              Arrange and chair membership application form scoring meeting

8.              Hold Officer Election

9.              Appoint Officers to vacant offices

10.           Appoint Leadership Challenge Coordinator

11.           Oversee membership application appeal process

12.           Help plan PLS Beta Gamma events held on campus

(b)            Secretary (3rd year student only)

Duties include:

1.              Take notes at chapter meetings and email a copy of the minutes to chapter members

2.              Maintain the website or section of UWSOP website (when built)

3.              Update officer contacts and membership roster yearly

4.              Submit forms to the national office, including Membership Materials form and Notice of Election of Chapter officers

5.              Advertise and make PLS Application available in the Spring

6.              Help plan PLS Beta Gamma events held on campus

(c)             Treasurer (3rd or 4th year student)

Duties

1.              Maintain records of the PLS bank account

2.              Write checks for expenses such as room reservations, supplies, etc.

3.              Collect checks when needed for new member fees, ordering graduation cords, etc.

4.              Coordinate ordering graduation cords for 3rd year members, to be received prior to the end of spring quarter 3rd year

5.              Coordinate ordering pins and certificates for the Initiation Ceremony

6.              Help plan PLS Beta Gamma events held on campus

Section 2           The Appointed Officers of the Beta Gamma Chapter shall consist of:

(a)            Leadership Challenge Coordinator (3rd or 4th year student)

Duties

1.              Write a proposal for a $1000 leadership challenge grant* to carry out a project promoting leadership. (may recruit other PLS members and/or UWSOP students to help)

*Some years the PLS Officers may decide not to submit a leadership challenge grant.

2.              Obtain a letter of support by the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, which must accompany the application.

3.              Submit the above proposal to the National PLS office by January 31st.

4.              Design a poster describing the proposed leadership challenge project (NTE 2Õx3Õ), to be displayed at the PLS meeting that occurs at the APhA Annual Meeting.

5.              Help plan PLS Beta Gamma events held on campus

Section 3             Officers shall be collegiate members.

Section 4             Term of office is one year, commencing at the Initiation Ceremony of new members and Officers.

Section 5             Election of Officers

(a)            After newly elected members have been notified of membership in PLS, the President shall solicit interest in elected Officer positions.

(b)            The President shall conduct an online election, officers shall be elected by majority vote of current and newly elected collegiate members.

(c)             The President shall announce the results of the election to the current and newly elected collegiate members within three days of the close of the ballot.

(d)            Vacancies in elected officer positions shall be filled by appointment of the outgoing President.

(e)            Newly elected Officers shall be initiated at the Initiation Ceremony

Section 6               The newly elected president shall appoint a Leadership Challenge Coordinator

Section 7               The outgoing Secretary shall report to the National Office by June 1 the names and addresses of the new Beta Gamma Chapter Officers. 

Section 8               Vacancies created during a term of office shall be filled by appointment of the President.

(a)            The Secretary shall report to the National Office any changes in names or addresses of chapter officers within thirty (30) days of the change occurring. 

Section 9               Removal of an Officer will occur if:

1.              The officer fails to complete his/her duties

2.              The officer fails to follow University of Washington policies for registered student organizations

3.              The officer fails to meet, or loses, eligibility criteria for membership.

 

Section 10            Removal of an Officer requires affirmative 2/3 of the vote of the collegiate members

 

Article X – Meetings

Section 1             The Beta Gamma Chapter shall meet quarterly, with additional meetings as necessary.

 

Article XI – Advisors

Section 1             There shall be one University of Washington School of Pharmacy faculty advisor, the advisor shall be a member ex officio with no voting privileges.

Section 2             The advisor shall be recruited by the Officers and confirmed by majority vote of the collegiate members.

 

Article XII – Membership Fee/Dues

Section 1               The National membership-initiation fee shall be established by vote of the PLS National Executive Committee.

(a)            The National membership-initiation fee shall be paid by newly elected members prior to the Initiation Ceremony

(b)            The National membership-initiation fee shall cover the cost of:

(i)              Certificate of Membership

(ii)            National business expenses

(iii)           Official insignia (key pin)

(iv)           Engraving of the key pin at the discretion of the Executive    Committee.

 

Section 2               The Officers may assess Chapter dues with approval by majority vote of the collegiate members.

(a)            Collegiate, Faculty and Alumni members shall pay chapter dues             

 

Article XIII – Amendments

Section 1               Proposed amendments to the PLS Beta Gamma Chapter By-Laws may be presented to the President in writing at any time during the year.  The President shall electronically distribute proposed amendments to all collegiate members.

Section 2               Amendments to the by-laws shall require an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the collegiate members.  Voting shall be done electronically.

Section 3               The member proposing the amendment may request the proposed amendment be discussed at the next Beta Gamma Chapter Meeting.

 

Article XIV – Quorum

Section 1               A quorum shall not exist at Chapter meetings.