Constitution

Approved by vote of
Grand Chapter on
January 29, 1975,
New York City

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION OF
SIGMA DELTA EPSILON,
GRADUATE WOMEN IN SCIENCE, INCORPORATED

Constitution

ARTICLE I        NAME

The name of this organization shall be SIGMA DELTA EPSILON, GRADUATE WOMEN IN SCIENCE, INCORPORATED.

ARTICLE II        OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization are as stated in the Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation: To advance the participation and recognition of women in science and to foster research in science through grants, awards, and fellowships.

ARTICLE III        INSIGNIA

Section 1.     The badge of this organization shall be the Nile Key bearing upon its crossbar the Greek letters SDE. Superimposed upon the key shall be a benzene ring, thunderbolt, and the nabla. The badge may be worn as a pin or as a pendant.

Section 2.     The seal of this organization shall be the device of the badge encircled by the legend (motto) SUNOIKEIWMENAI DIA EPISTHMHS, meaning "United in friendship through science."

Section 3.     The colors of this organization shall be the colors of the spectrum.

ARTICLE IV        AMENDMENTS

An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by the National Council, any standing committee, a chapter, or a member in good standing; except that no proposal may be made to amend the objectives as stated in the amended Certificate of Incorporation and cited in Article II of the Constitution. The proposed amendment shall be presented in writing to the National Council. If approved by a unanimous vote, it shall be submitted to the Constitution and Parliamentary Procedures Committee for assessment of its validity under the amended Certificate of Incorporation and for such alteration in wording as may be desirable. The proposed amendment shall then be submitted for vote to the Grand Chapter, approval being secured by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the electorate. It shall then be submitted for vote to the chapters 90 days before the next Grand Chapter meeting. An affirmative vote by two-thirds of the chapters is required for approval, and the amendment shall become effective at the close of the Grand Chapter meeting.

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Bylaws (2008 revision)

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Motion to Amend Bylaws

Notice of Motion to Amend the Bylaws

RATIONALE: Over the past few years, it has become more and more difficult for the nominating committee to put together a slate of officers in time for a mail-in ballot.  Rather than continue to contravene the bylaws with regard to the election of officers, the Parliamentary Committee recommends that the bylaws be amended to reflect the original procedure for elections which was in place in 1981; i.e., to allow officers, etc. to be elected at the Grand Chapter meetings.

"Article V, Section 3. Election to be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Article V, Section 3. Election
Officers (except the President), Directors, members of Omega Chapter Committee, and members of the Nominating Committee shall be elected by majority vote at the Grand Chapter meeting from the slate of candidates presented by the Nominating Committee and from nominations from the floor."

 Respectfully submitted,

Judith Nuss-Steele, Ph.D.
Chair, National Parliamentary Committee

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Certificate of Admendment of Certificate of Incorporation

Click here to view the Certificate of Admendment of Certificate of Incorporation.

Strategic Plan (2007-2012)

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Policy and Procedure Manual

Coming soon.

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501(c)3 IRS Letter