The name of this organization shall be the Gamma Beta Phi Society at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This Chapter is an integral part of the national organization of the Gamma Beta Phi Society and shall adhere to the policies laid down in the National Constitution. Its Coat of Arms, Motto, Watchwords, Colors, and Emblem shall be those of the national organization.

The Chapter shall be a non-secret, non-profit, scholastic honor, educational-service organization for students at The University of Tennessee. Membership shall not be excluded by, nor shall it exclude from, membership in any other social, academic, or fraternal organization. Membership shall not be restricted by race, sex, or creed.

The purpose of The Gamma Beta Phi Society is exclusively educational within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. It shall not engage in activities not permitted within section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or accept contributions that are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of that Code (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). No part of its net earnings shall inure to the benefit of its members, officers, or other private persons, except that it may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make distributions in furtherance of its purpose. No substantial part of the organization's activities shall involve political propaganda or campaigns, or the attempt to influence legislation.

The objectives of the organization are to recognize and encourage excellence in education; to promote the development of leadership ability and character in its members; and to foster, disseminate, and improve education through appropriate service projects. This Chapter of the Society shall implement these purposes by procedures consonant with the local situation and in cooperation with the faculty and administration of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Students invited into membership in this Chapter shall be presently enrolled at The University of Tennessee and must be committed to excellence in education, to good character, and to service. Any student, full or part-time, who has completed twelve (12) semester hours of college work, excluding any pass-fail work or hours earned due to placement tests such as CLEP or CEEB, is eligible for membership provided he or she is enrolled in a program leading to the associate, bachelors, or graduate degree and also meets the other requirements for membership.

Any student whose cumulative grade point average ranks within the top fifteen (15) percent of his or her class meets the scholastic requirement for membership.

Graduate students are eligible for membership provided they have completed twelve (12) hours of graduate work and rank among the top fifteen (15) percent of graduate students and meet any other criteria required of undergraduate members. An undergraduate member who graduates in good standing may continue his or her active membership throughout graduate school.

Alumni may continue their affiliation with the Chapter, though they will have no voice in selection of officers, projects, finances, or other Chapter matters. Alumni may not hold an elected or appointed office, or committee assignment, in this Chapter.

Students who were members in good standing of Gamma Beta Phi chapters at other institutions and who transfer to this institution are automatically members of this Chapter upon their request. Such transfer members will be subject to the retention standards of this Chapter just as any other member. Transfer students to The University of Tennessee from other colleges or universities who were not members of Gamma Beta Phi at other institutions are eligible for membership provided they have completed at least twelve (12) credit hours at The University of Tennessee and are in the top fifteen (15) percent of their UT class.

Normally, students who meet these qualifications will be invited by the Chapter to become members. Students who do meet these qualifications but who inadvertently have not been invited by the Chapter may make the Chapter aware of their qualification and, upon verification, will immediately be invited to become members.

Each inductee must pay the one-time membership fee set by the National Senate. He or she must also pay the Chapter dues of six (6) dollars per year. Other local assessments may not be made upon the membership, but voluntary contributions may be requested. Each inductee must take the membership pledge. Any student who rejects membership when first invited shall not be invited again, except upon appeal to and approval of the Executive Committee.

To remain a member of this Chapter, local dues must be paid each year by the deadline set by the Executive Committee. A member must retain a grade point average within the top twenty-five (25) percent of his or her class. If a member should drop below that level, he or she will be allowed one semester of probation. If after that term the member still does not meet the scholastic retention standard, he or she will be dropped from membership until the standard is met.

In accord with the nature and purpose of the Gamma Beta Phi Society, members are expected to participate in the projects, meetings, and other activities of the Chapter. A member failing to participate may be dropped from membership or placed on probation for inadequate points. If a member should be placed on points probation, he or she will be allowed one semester to meet the requirements. If after that semester the member still does not meet the participation standards, he or she will receive written notification that he or she has been dropped from the membership.

A member who has been placed on probation will receive written notification from the Chapter explaining the reason for the action. If the member has not paid the annual Chapter dues, he or she shall be returned to good standing upon payment. If the member has to meet the academic retention standard, he or she will be allowed one semester of probation. If after that term the member still does not meet the scholastic retention standards, he or she will receive written notification that he or she has been dropped from membership until the standard is met. It will be the member's responsibility to request the Chapter to check his or her eligibility for reinstatement at a later time. If the member has not met the participation standards because of unexcused absences at meetings or failure to complete a service project, he or she will be allowed one semester probation.

A member dropped from membership may appeal the decision to the State President, and then, if desired, to the Executive Director, whose decision shall be final. The name of any member dropped from membership shall be sent to the Executive Director immediately, along with the reason for the action. A student dropped from membership may later be reinstated by action of the Chapter Executive Committee, if the committee is satisfied that the student now meets the standards of membership. A member so reinstated will not again pay the national membership fee, but notice of the reinstatement shall be sent to the Executive Director at once.

Induction of new members will take place during the Spring Semester. The induction ceremony shall be a dignified occasion. There shall be no hazing of an inductee, either that which would result in physical discomfort or that which would cause mental embarrassment.

The elected officers of this Chapter of The Gamma Beta Phi Society shall be: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Correspondence Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Web Master.

The duties of the President shall be: to preside at the meetings; to appoint committees; to guide the activities and administer the policies laid down in the national constitution and in the Chapter by-laws; to be the official representative of this Chapter when necessary or desirable; and to file with National Headquarters the year-end Chapter Report in June.

The duties of the Vice-President shall be: to preside at meetings when the President is absent, to assume the duties of the presidency should the President be unable to serve, and to assist in administering the affairs of the Chapter.

The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be: to prepare and keep an on-going record of minutes of the meetings and to order and properly disburse material from Headquarters.

The duties of the Correspondence Secretary shall be: to keep the records of membership and points; to carry on the general correspondence of the chapter; and to keep National Headquarters informed about all changes in membership and reasons therefor. It is understood that the two Secretaries will assist each other as needed, equally dividing the work.

The duties of the Treasurer shall be: to collect, safeguard, and disburse the funds of the Chapter; to keep a complete and accurate record of all financial transactions; to complete the year-end Financial Report in June; and to pass on to the succeeding Treasurer all funds remaining in the treasury and to give the Advisor all financial records.

The duties of the Historian shall be: to keep photographic records of the Chapter's activities; to submit articles and pictures to the National Office for publication in the Gambet; and to oversee the preparation of the scrapbook for the state and national conventions.

The duties of the WebMaster shall be: to perform the technical requirements of the Chapter website to include the up-loading of information and/or events communications; to maintain the WebMaster e-mail account; to coordinate with chapter Officers, group and/or committee leaders, and individual members in gathering information to be disseminated via the website; to submit information to the National Office for publication at the national level.

The officers of this Chapter shall be elected at a regular meeting during the Spring Semester of the school year. The Executive Committee will determine the date of the election; it will be announced to the membership at least one regular meeting in advance of the meeting at which the election will occur. At that meeting, candidates for office may be introduced to the membership and may make short statements and answer questions from the membership. Nominations may be made by the membership. Only candidates may make speeches. On the day of the election, candidates will withdraw from the meeting room, after which times the membership may discuss their respective qualifications for office. Normally balloting will employ a show of hands, although, if requested, a secret ballot may be employed. In the event that the president is nominated for re-election, he or she will withdraw and the meeting will be presided over by the next officer not having been nominated for that office. The new officers will assume their positions at the end of the last meeting of the school year. Any officer or advisor position vacated during the academic year may be filled by presidential appointment.

Advisor(s). This Chapter shall elect, during the Spring Semester each year, an Advisor and, if needed, one or two Associate Advisors who must be full-time faculty members or administrators of the University of Tennessee. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for determining candidates for these positions who are willing to be nominated and willing to serve the Chapter in such positions if elected. Persons serving in such positions are eligible for re-nomination and re-election. The date of the election shall be set by the Executive Committee. Any person serving as Advisor or Associate Advisor may be removed upon recommendation by the Executive Committee and voting action by the membership.

The standing committees of this Chapter shall be: Executive Committee, Membership Committee, Publicity Committee, Projects Committee, Program Committee, and Social Committee.

The Executive Committee shall be composed of all officers and the chairs of all other standing committees. The chairperson of the Executive Committee shall be the President. The Advisor will be invited to all meetings of the committee. The duties of the committee are to plan general policies and activities for presentation to the membership and to oversee the general functioning of the Chapter.

The Publicity Committee will be formed by volunteers from the membership. The chairperson shall be appointed by the President. The duties of the committee shall be: to make sure that the name, nature, purposes, and contributions of Gamma Beta Phi are recognized throughout the campus and the community by full and proper use of all available media and to notify members of the date, location, and time of all meetings through the use of posters and the media.

The Membership Committee will be formed by members of the Chapter. The chairperson will be elected by the committee from among its members. The duties of the Membership Committee shall be to see that the standards of membership are maintained and to insure that all qualified prospective members are identified and invited into membership.

The Projects Committee will be formed by members of the Chapter. The chairperson will be selected by the committee from among its members. The duties of the Projects Committee shall be: to search for and plan, with the Executive Committee, appropriate projects for the chapter; to make members aware of available projects; to recommend the approval of individual's projects to the Executive Committee; and to make sure that projects are completed.

The Program Committee will be formed by members of the Chapter. The chairperson will be elected by the committee from among its members. The duties of the Program Committee shall be: to assist the Executive Committee in planning the nature of the Chapter meetings; to secure meeting facilities and outside speakers; and to greet, introduce, and send thanks to all outside persons who take part in a Chapter meeting.

The Social Committee will be formed by members of the Chapter. The chairperson will be elected by the committee from among its members. Its duty shall be to take charge of all social activities of the Chapter, especially in regard to food, refreshments, and decorations.

In addition to these standing committees, the President may appoint special committees to attend to and/or report upon specific matters involving the Chapter.

Regular meetings of this Chapter of the Gamma Beta Phi Society shall be held every month during the regular school year. The time and place of meetings will be decided upon by the Executive Committee. Every effort shall be made to keep the time and place of meetings consistent and to give adequate notice to the members.

Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee. Every effort will be made to notify the members of the meeting. Only the business for which the meeting is called will be transacted.

A quorum of this Chapter shall be constituted by thirty (30) percent of the current membership. No action may be taken which is binding on the membership unless a quorum is present. The parliamentary authority for this Chapter shall be the most recent addition of Robert’s Rules of Order.

This Chapter of the Gamma Beta Phi Society will make every effort to send the appropriate student and advisor delegates to all state and national meetings and will endeavor to send other members as well.

The Bylaws of this Chapter may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is met, provided such proposed amendment has been placed before the membership in written form at a previous regular meeting. Such amendments should not be in conflict with national standards or policies. If there is any question that such a conflict exists, the question shall be resolved by an appeal to the National Executive Director and a written reply being received by the Chapter prior to the Chapter's vote.

Both the Executive Director of the Gamma Beta Phi Society and the appropriate institutional administrator or committee shall be sent a copy of these bylaws and any subsequent amendments or alterations. Each new member shall receive a copy of these bylaws.

In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of this Chapter will be turned over to another organization which is in itself exempt from Federal Income Tax as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provisions of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, or to the Federal, State, or Local government for exclusively public purposes.

These bylaws were approved by the UT Chapter at its Chapter meetings on November 10 & 11, 1999.