PREAMBLE

We, the members of this organization, do ordain this Constitution of the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon of Kaplan Career Institute, Nashville, Tennessee, in accordance with the rules and regulations of Kaplan Career Institute, the laws of the state of Tennessee, and the laws of the United States of America.

Article I.          NAME

This organization shall be known as Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

Article II.      OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this organization is to expose members to the vast opportunities offered by the criminal justice and paralegal fields and to offer an environment in which current issues may be discussed.  The objectives of this organization are to educate members in the Nashville area through tours and/or guest speakers at organization meetings, to encourage members to analyze their own viewpoints on current issues by discussion with other members, and to challenge members to enhance their own education by participating in organization activities, and by becoming active and insightful citizens of their own communities.

The goal of this organization is that, through organization activities, members will acquire a broad understanding of how the criminal justice and legal systems work in the Nashville area and obtain career opportunities offered within the field.

Section 2.01   Specific Objectives of the Associations Shall Be To:

(a)      Improve criminal justice through educational activities.

(b)      Foster professionalism in law enforcement personnel and agencies.

(c)      Promote professional, academic, and public awareness of criminal justice issues.

(d)      Encourage the establishment and expansion of higher education and professional training in criminal justice.

(e)      Provide a unified voice for professionals in, and students of, criminal justice.

(f)        Promote high standards of ethical conduct, professional training, and higher education within the criminal justice field.

Article III.   MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.01  Qualification for Membership

(a)      Membership in the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter shall be composed of persons, 18 years of age or older, who are currently or were, at the time of their application for membership, employed in an area concerned with the administration of criminal justice or paralegal, persons honorably retired from a career in an area concerned with the administration of criminal justice or paralegal and persons enrolled at Kaplan Career Institute Nashville in the Criminal Justice or Paralegal Program; and persons, approved by the Executive Board of Grand Chapter, involved in volunteer work directly related to the administration of criminal justice or paralegal.

(b)      No person shall be considered for membership whose occupation or activities are inconsistent with the aims and purposes of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon.

(c)      Any person convicted of a felony may be considered five (5) years after expiration of sentence and must receive approval of their Regional President plus two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.

(d)      No applicant shall be denied membership in the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon for reasons of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, or physical disability.

(e)      Members enrolled at Kaplan Career Institute Nashville will be expected to maintain positive academic status which is defined as a GPA of 2.7 and 80% attendance. 

Section 3.02  Application for Membership

(a)      Applications shall be completed and presented to the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter.  Upon endorsement by the chapter and/or chapter officers, the application and the necessary fees shall be forwarded to the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter along with the necessary fees.  Applications for Membership-at-Large shall be sent directly to the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter along with the necessary fees.  Fees include the $36 Grand Chapter fee and a $10 Chapter fee. 

(b)      Any member desiring to register an objection to an applicant shall do so in writing, setting forth the reasons for such objections within ten (10) business days after application is presented to the subordinate chapter membership committee.

(c)      The Executive Secretary of Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter shall be authorized to accept applications for new members.

(d)      If an application does not meet the qualifications for membership as stated in Article III Section 3.01, the Executive Secretary shall notify the Executive Board either at their next meeting or by mail for their ratification or rejection.

(e)      If the application is rejected by the Executive Board of Grand Chapter, the initiation fee shall be returned in full with the notice of rejection signed by the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter.

Section 3.03  Time of Membership

(a)      An applicant is not considered a member of the Association until such time as the application is received and approved by the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter.

Section 3.04  Application of Reinstatement

(a)      Applicants for reinstatement must meet the qualifications for membership.

Section 3.05  Transfer of Membership

(a)      A member in any chapter or a Member at Large in any region, and against whom no charges are pending, who desires to affiliate with another chapter and/or region of the Association, may file an application for membership in the chapter and/or region of their residence.

(b)      Upon approval of the chapter or Regional President to which application is made, the application shall be forwarded to the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter for processing.

(c)      Upon receipt of the application and approval by Grand Chapter, the Executive Secretary shall notify the chapter or region of the applicant's selection, of his/her standing with the Association and shall send a letter of demit to the chapter or region from which he/she desires to withdraw.

Section 3.06  Withdrawal of Membership

(a)      A member of any chapter or a Member at Large in any region and against whom no charges are pending may withdraw their membership from the association at any time by giving notice of his/her intention to do so.

(b)      Upon approval of the Regional President, a letter of the fact of withdrawal shall be given to the Member at Large making such application, and a copy shall be sent to the Executive Secretary of Grand Chapter.

Section 3.07  Dues

(a)      Dues Structure:

                                     (i)     The initiation fee is $36.00 per applicant, which includes the annual dues.

                                   (ii)     The annual dues are $30.00 per member.

                                  (iii)     The reinstatement fee is $36.00 per applicant, which includes the annual dues.

                                 (iv)     To maintain good standing, a member must have paid the annual dues.

                                   (v)     The Local chapter initiation fee is $10 per applicant.

(b)      Annual dues shall be due and payable on or before January 1st of each year. Annual dues not paid by January 31st shall be considered delinquent. Annual dues for members joining the Association after September 1st will be paid through the following year.

(c)      Any member, who shall be in arrears for dues or shall owe any money for assessments legally passed by the Grand Chapter in excess of one (1) year, shall be dropped from the Association's roster; however, the individual may apply for reinstatement.

(d)      No member of Grand Chapter will be allowed to vote at the Executive Board Conference of the Annual Conference if their annual dues have not been paid to Grand Chapter.

(e)      Star Members of Grand Chapter and Retired Members of Grand Chapter shall be exempt from the payment of all dues and assessments to Grand Chapter and their subordinate chapters and regions.

(f)        No member of the Chapter will be allowed to vote at the general member meetings if their annual dues have not been paid.

Section 3.08         Classification of Membership

(a)      Chapter Members

                                     (i)     Chapter Members are those members of the Association who have paid all current dues and assessments to their subordinate chapter, their region, and to Grand Chapter and who meet all the qualifications for membership. Such members shall be members in good standing.

                                   (ii)     Star Members of Grand Chapter and Retired Members of Grand Chapter may be Chapter Members.

Section 3.09  General Provisions of Membership

(a)      No member of the Association shall, either directly or indirectly, advocate in the name of Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon any legislation or cause to be introduced before any legislative body or commission any legislation pertaining to any matter whatsoever unless authorized to do so by the Executive Board of the Chapter.

(b)      No members of the Association shall, in the name Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon and either directly or indirectly, participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office.

(c)      No member of the Association shall act on behalf of Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon unless authorized to do so.

(d)      Members are required to provide the Sgt at Arms with current contact information.  Failure to do so will negate any affirmative defense for missed meetings.

Section 3.10  Trials and Penalties of Membership

(a)      Any member who shall be guilty of any immoral, dishonest, fraudulent or criminal act or who shall act in such a way as to discredit the Association or who shall offend against the Bylaws of the Association shall be fined, reprimanded, suspended and/or expelled by the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of Executive Board of the Chapter by three-fifths (3/5) vote may determine.

(b)      Any member disciplined by the Executive Board may appeal such action to the general membership at the next general membership meeting.  The President will present the facts and rationale of the disciplinary action to the membership who will, by majority vote, either to sustain the Executive Board's action; modify it; or reverse it.

(c)      Academic Probation will be handled on a case by case basis.  At the end of the each module, grades will be checked.  Discipline will be handled in a progressive scale.  Members must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or they will be placed on probation.  Two consecutive modules on probation will result in suspension from all club activities until above minimum.

(d)      Members are required to attend meetings.  Unexcused absences result in a warning for first absence, a written reprimand for the second, a five dollar fine for the third, and a vote taken to determine continued membership for the fourth absence and beyond.

Article IV.  OFFICERS OF Kappa Lambda Omega CHAPTER

Section 4.01  Officers

(a)      All members of the executive board shall be Active Kaplan Career Institute Criminal Justice or Paralegal students and have a minimum 3.2 or higher GPA and have at least an 80% attendance per module.  The president must have been a member at least one module before becoming president.  All other board members must have been a member for at least one module.

(b)      The officers of Chapter shall be President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-At-Arms.

(c)      The Ex-Officio officer shall be the President.

Section 4.02  Duties of Officers

Officers of the Chapter shall perform the duties prescribed by these Bylaws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Association.

(a)       President

It shall be the duty of the President to:

                                     (i)     Preside at meetings

                                   (ii)     Vote only in case of a tie

                                  (iii)     Represent the organization

                                 (iv)     Serve as liaison to the Student Activities Office

                                   (v)     Coordinate the monthly executive board meeting with the faculty advisor

                                 (vi)     Serve as ex-officio member of all committees

                                (vii)     Perform other such duties as pertain to this office

(b)      Vice-President

It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to:

                                     (i)     To preside in the absence of the President

                                   (ii)     Make arrangements for the guest speakers at meetings

                                  (iii)     Organize fund-raisers in conjunction with the activities coordinator

(c)      Secretary

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:

                                     (i)     Record and distribute minutes of the meetings

                                   (ii)     Keep a file of the organization’s records

                                  (iii)     Maintain a current roster of membership

                                 (iv)     Conduct general correspondence of the organization

                                   (v)     Update the biography on the website of all officers

                                 (vi)     Maintain attendance records from all executive and general meetings

                                (vii)     Oversee the creation and maintenance of Chapter bulletin board on campus as a secondary means of communication with members.

                              (viii)     Oversee the maintenance of the website lawklo.com as a tertiary means of communication with members.

(d)      Treasurer

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

                                     (i)     Receive all funds and pay out by order of the Executive Committee and approved by the faculty advisor.

                                   (ii)     Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make reports, as directed.

                                  (iii)     Make a quarterly audit of Chapter finances with report to the membership on or about the first of October, January, April, and July.

(e)       Sergeant At Arms

It shall be the duty of the Sergeant At Arms:

                                     (i)     Develop a schedule of activities at the beginning of the module for the organization and distribute the schedule to members.

                                   (ii)     To make room arrangements, transportation arrangements and travel arrangements to all activities related to the organization.

                                  (iii)     To assist the Vice-President with speaker arrangements

                                 (iv)     Notify members of meetings and activities as the primary point of contact for members.

                                   (v)     Receive and process contact information from members

                                 (vi)     Receive and process any grievances or complaints filed by members

(f)        Faculty Advisor

It shall be the duty of the Advisor:

                                     (i)     Advise and stimulate interest in the organization.

                                   (ii)     Provide guidance in the development and implementation of programs and activities.

                                  (iii)     Serve as liaison between Kaplan Career Institute and the Criminal Justice Student Body Organization, interpreting, if necessary, Kaplan Career Institute’s policies and philosophies.

                                 (iv)     Attend meetings with the executive board and other activities of the organization.

                                   (v)     Monitor all expenditures of the organization.

Section 4.03 Election of Officers

(a)      Nominations for officer will be by motion with second during the during an announced monthly member meeting

(b)      The officers shall be elected by a majority of all votes cast by ballot during the announced member meeting.  The election meeting will be held 2-4 weeks after the nomination 

(c)      If a member is unable to attend the election meeting, he/she shall submit to the Sgt at Arms a signed proxy stating the name of his designee.

(d)      Term: The officers will serve for six months and their term of office shall begin at the commencement of the announced term.

(e)      Vacancy: If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by special election.

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(f)        A vacancy is defined as unscheduled period of no contact with the chapter for 15 days.

Section 4.04 Recall of Officers

(a)      Officers of chapter may be recalled for any violation of the Bylaws and/or ruling of the Chapter.

(b)      A motion for recall may be made at any Executive Board meeting of the Chapter or the Meeting of the membership.

(c)      Procedures found in Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be followed.

Article V.      MEETINGS

Section 5.01 Executive Board Meetings

(a)      At least one regular Meeting of the Executive Board of the Association shall be held each month.

(b)      The President of the chapter or person designated by him/her shall arrange for this Meeting of the Executive Board and other Meetings as necessary.

(c)      Three Fifths (3/5) of the Executive Board of Grand Chapter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

(d)      When a member of the Executive Board receives a notice of either a regular Meeting or a special Meeting and is unable to attend, he/she shall enclose with his/her acknowledgment of the notice, a signed proxy stating the name of his designee.

(e)      A voting member of the Executive Board may hold and vote as many lawful proxies as he receives.

(f)        The Executive Board may promulgate such policy and procedures as necessary to conduct its business in an efficient and expeditious manner in the furtherance of the objectives of the Association, and in conformity to the Bylaws and Standing Rules.

Section 5.02 Membership Meeting

(a)      The Membership Meeting shall be held each month. The location of the meeting should be determined by the President with the advice and approval of the Executive Board with no less than 5 working days notice shall be given to membership.

(b)      One-fourth (1/4) of the voting membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

(c)      No less than 48 hours notice shall be given to members for non-mandatory meetings, with emergencies handled on a case by case basis.

Article VI.  ARTICLE VI: FUNDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Section 6.01 A "General Fund" is hereby created. All revenues shall be placed in said fund. Such funds shall be in the care of the Treasurer of the Chapter and shall be administered as provided for in these Bylaws.

(a)      Sufficient funds shall be annually allocated to cover all costs necessary to fulfill the requirements associated with the chapter’s current program.

Section 6.02 The Treasurer shall be authorized to pay from the money of the General Fund all bills submitted in accordance with budgeted expenses.

(a)      Expenditures other than those in the above section in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall have approval of the President with concurrence of a majority of the Executive Board.

(b)      The request for approval must be in writing with narrative justification.

(c)      Documented receipts must be submitted to the Executive Secretary prior to payment.

(d)      All checks written on the General Fund account must be cashed within 90 days of the date of the check. After the 90 day period, the check will become null and void. The “Void after 90 Days” will be printed on the Association’s checks.

Article VII.                       ARTICLE VII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws and any special Rules of Order the Association may adopt.

Article VIII.                   AMENDMENTS

Section 8.01 The Bylaws may only be amended using the following: procedure:

(a)      These Bylaws may be brought to the membership for amendment, only after the proposal to amend has been voted on by a bylaw committee of at least 3 chapter members in good standing.

(b)      The Bylaws may then be amended only upon a majority at the member meeting provided notice of such amendment has been brought to the attention of the entire membership for their consideration and comment.

(c)      A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting membership present at the meeting shall be necessary to achieve a quorum to vote to amend any section of these Bylaws.

(d)      3 A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present at the meeting is needed to amend the bylaws.

(e)      Voting on amendments to the Bylaws and Standing Rules may be by roll call if five (5) members request it.  If required, the Executive Secretary shall call the roll.  The delegates shall declare their vote(s) are (yes) or no.  The Executive Secretary shall record vote(s) and then repeat them to be sure of their accurate recordation.

Article IX.  ARTICLE IX:  CHAPTER COLORS

The official colors for the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter of The American Criminal Justice Association--Lambda Alpha Epsilon shall be Royal Blue and Gold.