Sigma Phi Lambda, Sisters for the Lord

Constitution

For the most current constitution, visit the national Phi Lamb website.

Article I Name:

The sorority is named Sisters for the Lord. The Greek letters used to symbolize this are Sigma Phi Lambda (Phi Lamb), which is the basis for our symbol the lamb. Psalm 100:3, “Know that the Lord is God. It is he, who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." We are the sheep for whom the spotless lamb committed the ultimate sacrifice. The sorority verse is Romans 15: 5-6, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Article II Statement of Purpose:

Sigma Phi Lambda exists for the sole purpose of glorifying our Lord Jesus Christ and making His name great. This is done by providing a source of fellowship to Christian women who sincerely seek to know His person, His will, and His ways. Sigma Phi Lambda is an organization of sisters for the Lord where fellowship with our most high God is fostered by growth in unity with one another. The purpose comes from the name, “for the Lord". Col 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Because of this purpose, the sorority is not presently nor will it ever be pan Hellenic. It is the sorority's desire to abide by the rules God has given rather than the rules and traditions of the pan Hellenic society.

Article III Statement of Beliefs:

Sigma Phi Lambda has adopted the Apostles Creed as its statement of beliefs: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ His only son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He went down to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

* the word catholic is used in this context to mean universal

Article IV Membership:

Any female student is eligible for membership of Sigma Phi Lambda. No individual will be refused membership on the grounds of race, national origin, age, disability, appearance, social status, or religion. Because of the nature and purpose of Sigma Phi Lambda, the organization reserves the right to gender discriminate and limit membership to females only. Each Sigma Phi Lambda chapter is ensured this right to gender discriminate under a federal group exemption, section 501(c)7.

At the beginning of a semester, potential members will be introduced to Sigma PhiLambda during a week of rush. With the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the officers will interview each potential member, questioning each one about their desire to grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The potential member will then decide whether or not Sigma Phi Lambda is right for them. The new members will serve one semester of pledge-ship. At the end of that semester, the pledges will be initiated into the sorority and assume full membership.

Article V Officers:

To become an officer, a member must have been active for at least one semester. She will hold her position for one school year. The role of the officers is to be servants of Sigma Phi Lambda. ("…whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant" Matt 20:26) The officers exist to guide the members of the sorority as the Lord shows them. All members of Sigma Phi Lambda are called upon to share in the duties of the sorority.

Elected Officers

Elected officers make up a council that is responsible for the leadership of the sorority. This leadership is a cooperative effort of all five officers and relies upon their delegation of responsibility to various committees. If an officer is incapable of fulfilling her duties, she will be dismissed by the sorority and her position maintained by the remaining four officers until an election can be held.

Each chapter’s officers will correspond with an assigned representative of the Alumni Board and with an Alumni Council (if established) to communicate and ensure accountability. The officers will meet with the Alumni Board and Alumni Council (if established) at the Annual All-Chapter Officer Retreat held before each fall semester.

The officers will be directly responsible for the minor and routine decisions of Sigma Phi Lambda. They will also be responsible for the final major decisions after a majority vote has been obtained from the quorum. No major decision will be made without prayer and confirmation of the Lord's will. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Phil 4: 6-7

1) President - The president is the supervisor and coordinator of all activities within and concerning the sorority. She is a figurehead and the public representative of Sigma Phi Lambda. The president is responsible for directing the meetings.

2) Vice President - The vice- president is overseer of all social activities. She will ensure that each social activity reflects the original purpose of Sigma Phi Lambda.

3) Chaplain- The chaplain is involved in the spiritual growth of the sorority and in keeping it focused on the Father's plan for us. She is in charge of Sigma Phi Lambda's prayer life, devotionals, and retreats. The chaplain is responsible for the praise and worship time at the meetings.

4) Treasurer - The treasurer is responsible for the financial decisions and transactions of Sigma Phi Lambda.

5) Secretary - The secretary is responsible for all correspondence during the year including the summer immediately following her election, minutes of the meeting, room reservations, service projects, and the calendar of events.

Article VI Meetings:

Regular meetings, pledge meetings, and officer meetings will be held weekly for one and a half hours. An officer may call special meetings as the need arises.

The procedure of regular meetings is based upon Col 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." The meetings will include songs led by the praise and worship team. Group prayer is also a part of weekly meetings. This is a time when each member may pray aloud as she desires. No member is obligated to pray aloud. A short devotional given by an active of Sigma Phi Lambda is another part of a regular meeting. A time of sharing will also be included. During this time, each member is allowed to share what is on her heart. Discretion should be used by each member concerning the content of her words and the attitude with which they are given. Confidentiality is required. Finally, a time of business is included. At this time announcements are made and activities are organized. Meetings should never become so business oriented that the needs of the members are no longer the first priority.

Article VII Method to Amend the Constitution:

The constitution may be amended upon the unanimous consent of the active members of the Alumni Board. The Alumni Board must be contacted with any requests for amendments. Refer to the Alumni Board Constitution for further guidance.

Article VIII Probation & Dissolution Clause:

A chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda may be placed on written probation by the unanimous consent of the Alumni Board. Refer to the Alumni Board Constitution for a description of probation. A chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda may be dissolved by a unanimous vote of the Alumni Board. Refer to the Alumni Board Constitution for dissolution procedures.

Article IX Establishment of a New Chapter:

A new chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda may be established on any college campus with the approval of the Alumni Board. The new chapter must adopt the Constitution of Sigma Phi Lambda, Bylaws of the Texas Alpha Chapter, and the Alumni Board Constitution.

Article X Membership Requirements:

Sorority members may be classified as pledge, active, inactive, or alumni.

In order to be a pledge, she must abide by the following standards (unless a specific situation arises and is approved by her pledge trainers):
1. She must be under the covering of or seeking a church home.
2. She must be actively involved in a Bible study. Sorority meetings do not provide adequate study of the scriptures necessary for Christian growth.
3. She must attend 80% of active and pledge meetings.
4. She must pay semester dues to Sigma Phi Lambda.
5. She must attend the pledge retreat.
6. She must attend Sigma Phi Lambda prayer once a week. "Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful" Col. 4:2 7.
7. She must fulfill her service requirement.

In order to be an active member must abide by the following standards (unless a specific situation arises and is approved by the appropriate officer):
1. She must be under the covering of or seeking a church home.
2. She must be actively involved in a Bible study. Sorority meetings do not provide adequate study of the scriptures necessary for Christian growth.
3. She must attend 80% of active meetings.
4. She must pay semester dues to Sigma Phi Lambda.
5. She must attend the retreat.
6. She must attend Sigma Phi Lambda prayer once a week.
7. She must fulfill her service requirement
8. She must be present 3 of the 4 days of rush, one being the final day of rush.

Actives may be suspended by a majority vote of the officers after much prayer and movement by the Lord. An active member may choose to go inactive. Under such circumstances the above rules do not apply to her. She may not participate in closed activities; however she is welcome to resume her active status for a later semester.

Article XI Alumni:

An alumna is any member of Sigma Phi Lambda who is no longer attending a school with a Sigma Phi Lambda chapter. An alumna is permitted to attend any meetings or social activity. However, she is not permitted to participate in voting. The title of alumna is transferred as privilege.

Article XII Alumni Councils:

When a chapter has sufficient number of alumni, an Alumni Council will be formed under the supervision of the Alumni Board. This council will consist of three women whom are founders or past officers from that respective chapter. If the positions cannot be filled at the end of five years, then the chapter is required to meet their obligations to the Alumni Representative until an Alumni Council is established.

Requirements of membership for the Alumni Council include, but are not limited to:
1. Reside in the state or within 200 miles of the chapter.
2. Agree to serve a one-year term.
3. Approve chapter bylaw amendments using Constitutional guidelines.
4. One or more Council Members visit a chapter meeting a minimum of once each semester.
5. Each Council Member meet with officers a minimum of once a year.

Article XIII Financial Policy:

Dues will be collected each semester. These dues cannot exceed the cost of three credit hours at the local state college. An additional $10 fee per member/pledge, per semester, will be collected to provide financial compensation for the position of Executive Director of Sigma Phi Lambda. Each semester the officers must estimate a projected budget before the semester begins. The budget will then be reviewed and finalized after the number of members and pledges who will be able to pay dues is determined. Five percent of the actual income will be sent to the Alumni Board at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters to cover the operating expenses of the Board. Ten percent will be set aside for service work or tithe. The budget will then be based on 80% of the actual funds. The last five percent will be saved for emergency. It is the responsibility of the treasurer to be sure the money is spent wisely. If a member cannot pay dues, she needs only to talk to the treasurer at the beginning of the semester and payment will not be required.

Article XIV Faculty Advisors:

A chapter of Sigma Phi Lambda must have at least one faculty advisor who will be present and active in Sigma Phi Lambda activities or as required by the University. In the event that an advisor position is vacated, the elected officers will identify, interview and select a replacement.

Article XV Acknowledgments:

Sigma Phi Lambda was founded with prayer, the Lord's guidance, and great love by the founders and charter members in the Spring of 1988. The five founders are Patricia Adams Hogan, Robin Maedgen, Gina Williams Goveas, Jacqueline Goveas and Eileen Howell Barlow. The eight charter members are Jeana Clary, Bonnie Collins Turner, Jennifer Ford Borger, Julie Heflin Ertl, Debbie Hoehner, Kathleen Sullivan Kimbrough, Julie Trevino Mannella and April Williams Murphy. “For this reason since the day we heard about you we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and you may please Him in every way: Bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints and the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9-12 Goals:

1. Permanent headquarters
2. Branching to other chapters
3. Maintain the same spirit and focus evident in the first meetings with the charter members
(Copyright 2005)

Bylaws of Sigma Phi Lambda, Texas Alpha Chapter

Bylaw I New Membership:

New members will be activated at an initiation ceremony at the end of each semester. The ceremony will be held inside a church, if at all possible, and will be organized by the acting officers according to the precedence set by the founding members at the first initiation. The only written version of the initiation's format will be kept with the president to maintain secrecy.

Bylaw II Elections:

Elections for officers will occur in April of each year. This allows one month of training with the active officers before closing ceremonies when newly elected officers will be activated and assume responsibilities. Nominations for officers will be held the week before elections. At this time, an open discussion will take place as members express their thoughts concerning being an officer and for which position each would like to run. Upon election, a normal meeting will be held and at the beginning of the business time, secret ballots will be used. Each active member may vote once for each position. Officers who are not running for the following year will count the votes. Seventy-five percent of the actives must be present and quorum must be met. A report will be made at the end of the business time and the acting president will promptly lead in prayer and the meeting will be adjourned. In the event of an unfilled officer's position, acting officers will appoint someone to the position.

Bylaw III Quorum:

Sixty percent of the members must be present for each voting procedure. Sixty percent of the members present must vote in the same way for a motion to pass. During elections, if sixty percent is not met the members will vote again on the two leading candidates and the majority vote will prevail.

Bylaw IV Committees:

It is the duty of each officer to organize committees to help her with the responsibilities. These committees are organized on an informal basis as the need arises.

Bylaw V Appointed Officers:

Members wishing to serve as appointed officers will submit their letters to the new officers after elections each spring. Appointments for these positions will be made by the newly elected officers who will serve during the same school year as the girls who are appointed. The positions will be announced at closing ceremonies.

1. Phone Chair - The phone chair is responsible for creating and updating the directory and notifying each member of unexpected meetings or announcements.
2. Rush Captains- (this is the shared responsibility of two members) The rush captains are responsible for planning and executing all activities that occur before and during the week of rush.
3. Pledge Trainers - (this is the shared responsibility of two members) The pledge trainers are responsible for organizing the requirements of pledge-ship including pledge meetings, pledge retreat, and the integration of the pledge into the goals and person of Sigma Phi Lambda.
4. Historian - The historian is responsible for the scrapbook. This includes record keeping and photographs.
5. Alumni representative - The alumni representative is responsible for keeping alumni informed of the current news within the sorority. Her duties will include maintaining an updated list of alumni addresses and phone numbers and sending the newsletter biannually.
6. Chapter Correspondent - She is responsible for maintaining contact with other chapters and organizing opportunity for fellowship.
7. Praise and Worship leader - She is responsible for recruiting and leading a team who will facilitate praise and worship at meetings and other events.
8. Recreation Chair - She is responsible for organizing informal fellowship opportunities for the members.
9. Edification heads - (this is the shared responsibility of three members) The edification heads work to encourage the members and celebrate important times in their lives.
10. Communication Chairs - (this is the shared responsibility of two members) These members work with the secretary to keep in contact with all members including weekly calls to members who have missed meetings
11. Publicity Chairs- (this is the responsibility of two members) The publicity chairs work to maintain communication with other student organizations and community groups. They are responsible for organizing outreach for open events.
12. Christian Council Representative - This member represents Sigma Phi Lambda at Christian Council meetings and helps to organize members to participate in Christian Council activities.
13. Web Page Coordinator - This member is responsible for creating and maintaining a web page, which provides information for members and is a source of outreach and evangelism.
14. Favors Chair - This member works with the vice president to design and coordinate all favors. Other appointed positions may be added according to the needs of each individual chapter.
15. Missions Chair – (this is the shared responsibility of two members) These members are responsible for promoting and planning evangelical events including a mission trip.
16. Decoration Chair – (this is the shared responsibility of two members) These members are responsible for coordinating a group of people to decorate the pledge’s doors during pledge retreat.

Bylaw VI Amending the Bylaws

The bylaws can be amended with the approval of the Alumni Council and a quorum of the individual chapter. If an Alumni Council has not been established, the bylaws can be amended with the approval of the Alumni Board Representative and a quorum of the individual chapter.

Each chapter’s Alumni Council, consisting of three women, are nominated by active sorority officers and members. Once these candidates are chosen and have accepted the opportunity to serve, a chairperson is selected by the Alumni Board Representative. The chairperson will communicate with the Alumni Board Representative at least three times a semester. Each Alumni Council member will evaluate their commitment to serve on the Alumni Council for the upcoming year by April 1st and communicate their decision to their Alumni Board Representative. The Alumni Council will assist the current sorority chapter officers with issues regarding budget, calendar, and any issues where help or advice is needed. The current chapter officers continue to be the authority concerning day to day activities.