About

The Association has no office, contracting services as required, but relying heavily upon volunteer effort. All students wherever they are elected — whether here in Austin or elsewhere — are invited to join the Association.

History

In mid 1998, a group of Phi Beta Kappa members began a series of informal meetings to explore the possibility of setting up a greater Austin association for members of the Austin community. Guided by the national office, an Interim Steering Committee worked to identify Austin-area members who might be interested in helping with this project. During an organizational meeting in early October, Jenard Gross, founder and first president of the greater Houston Association, shared his insight and experience, focusing especially on the idea of a scholarship program.

It was at this time that the proposed charter and bylaws were adopted and more than the requisite number of dues-paying members joined so that the official process of receiving a charter for the national association could begin. Request for recognition as an affiliate association was made and granted by the Committee on Associations when the PBK Senate met in early December. Meetings began in May 1999 and a scholarship program was initiated during that same year.

The Association was officially chartered in December 2001, after having been in existence for the requisite three years.

Restated Bylaws of the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Austin

Article I – Name

This association is a constituent member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and shall be known as the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Austin.

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this association is to promote a greater interest in Phi Beta Kappa and to further the ideals of Phi Beta Kappa by encouraging friendship, scholarship, and cultural interests in the greater Austin area.

Article III – Membership

Every member of Phi Beta Kappa residing in the greater Austin area is eligible for membership in this association. No one who is not a member of Phi Beta Kappa shall be eligible for membership. Membership dues in the association shall be set by the board of directors.

Article IV – Officers and Directors

The officers of this association shall be a president, a first vice president, a second vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer.

The president shall preside at all meetings, and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office. The president shall have authority to make public announcements or other statements for attribution to this Phi Beta Kappa association and to issue press releases in the name of the association or may delegate this authority to another member of the board of directors.

The first vice president shall perform the duties of the president in the president’s absence. In addition, the first vice president shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the president or assigned by the board of directors.

The second vice president shall perform the duties of the president in the absence of the president and the first vice president. In addition, the second vice president shall perform such other duties as may be delegated by the president or assigned by the board of directors.

The secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all proceedings of the association and the board of directors; shall have charge of the records and papers and conduct the correspondence of the association; shall give to all members due notice of all meetings of the association and the board of directors; shall periodically notify all Phi Beta Kappa members residing in greater Austin of their eligibility for membership in the association; and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to such office.

The treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the financial transactions of the association; shall render bills for and collect all money due the association; shall pay out such sums as may be directed by the board of directors; shall, under the supervision of the president, prepare an annual budget for approval by the board of directors; and shall make a report of the financial condition of the association at the annual meeting. In the absence of the treasurer, the president may fulfill the duties of the treasurer.

The board of directors shall be composed of 15 members, including the officers of the association. The immediate past president shall also be a member of the board but without vote. The board shall have charge of the affairs of the association subject to these bylaws. Terms of directors shall be three years. Directors may succeed themselves for one additional successive term.

Five members of the board of directors shall be elected each year by majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting of the association, or by mail ballot as the board may from time to time direct. The board, in turn, shall elect the officers from among the members of the board by a majority vote at its first meeting following the annual meeting of the association and shall fill such vacancies in offices as may occur between such meetings. Officers shall serve a term of one year and shall be eligible to succeed themselves in the same office for one additional term only. All officers shall assume the duties of their office on Jan. 1 after their election. Vacancies in the board of directors shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors. Except for resignation or removal, officers shall continue to hold office until their respective successors have been selected by the board of directors.

Article V – Committees

 Committees of the association, except for the nominating committee, shall be established by the board of directors. Members of committees shall be appointed by the president, provided that each committee shall be chaired by a member of the board.

The nominating committee shall be chaired by the immediate past president. It shall be composed of two other members, one of whom shall be a member of the board, proposed by the immediate past president and approved by the board.

Article VI – Meetings

 Annual meeting of the association shall be held in the first or second week of November and May of each year, or such other time during these months as the board of directors or president may designate.. The board shall also schedule at least one other regular meeting of the association during the year. Meetings of the board and of the association shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held on the first Thursday of December, March, June, and September of each year or at such other time as may be designated by the board of directors or the president. Special meetings shall be held upon the call of the president, or upon the signed request of three directors of the association.

Article VII – Amendments

 These bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at any meeting of the association. All amendments shall be approved by a majority vote of the board of directors before submission to the members of the association.

Adopted: Oct. 6, 1998 
Amended: May 11, 1999 and Nov. 12, 2002 
Amended: Nov. 7, 2004