TRADITIONS COUNCIL BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE AND MISSION

• Purpose:

The purpose of Traditions Council is to educate students, the Aggie Family and the public about Texas A&M’s traditions. Additionally, Traditions Council is responsible for facilitating honored traditions. This includes, but not limited to, Silver Taps, the Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony, and the Ring Scholarship Event.

• Mission:

Traditions Council’s mission is to preserve and promote the traditions of Texas A&M University through outreach and education.

ARTICLE 2. MEMBERSHIP

2.1 Qualifications for Membership

• All members must be a current undergraduate or graduate at Texas A&M University.
• Members must be in good standing with the university and enrolled:
  • At least part time (6 or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of membership.
  • Students enrolled in the Blinn TEAM program are also eligible to become a member, as long as the student is meeting all applicable Blinn TEAM requirements and is in good standing with the program.
  • At least part time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term as members.
  • Should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed above they will be ineligible to hold membership in the organization.
• Individuals must meet the GPR requirements below:
  • All officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:
    • Have a minimum cumulative and semester grade point ratio and semester (GPR) of 2.0.
    • All officers must meet that minimum cumulative and semester GPR in the semester immediately prior to the appointment and the semester of appointment and semesters during the term of office.
  • For undergraduates:
    • The minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 2.0.
    • In order of this provision to be met, or at least six hours (par-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.
    • In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
  • For graduate level students:
    • The minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 3.0.
    • For first professional students the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 2.5. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.
    • In one limit circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ration prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.

2.2 Membership Selection Process

• The anonymous application process is broken into two separate rounds, application and interview.
  • Members will be expected to complete and submit an application for Traditions Council that tis created by the Executive Team of that academic year.
  • Applications will be due during the fall semester on a specific date and time dictated by the Executive team of that year.
  • The application will then be reviewed by the current Executive Team and graded on a point scale. The point scale will be determined by the executive team before the application process.
  • The applications with acceptable scores will be given the opportunity to take part in the interview round.
    • What constitutes as an acceptable score will be up to the discretion of the current Executive Team.
  • Interviews will be conducted by the Executive Team
    • Interviews will be graded on a point scale. The point scale will be determined by the current Executive Team before the interview process begins.
    • Based on the points awarded to each interviewee, the Executive Team will decide who will be accepted as a Traditions Council Member, as the number of members for the Council of that academic year will be decided by the Executives.
    • Both point from the interview and points from the application will be considered.
    • Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by the Executive Team via letter on a date determined and specified by the current Executive Team.

2.3 Duration of Membership

• Membership for Traditions Council will begin the day that applicants are notified of selection to Traditions Council.
• Membership will continue throughout the following academic school year and will conclude immediately following the September Silver Taps ceremony.
  • The exception to this is for members who graduate prior to the end of the standard membership period. Their membership will be concluded upon graduation.

2.4 Member Expectations

2.4.1 Membership Accountability

• For continued membership, members must have less than 3 demerits (see disciplinary procedures)
• Members must meet accountability each month
  • Meeting accountability is defined as acquiring the prescribed business and social points each month, set by the Executive team. Members must also meet a set number of speaking engagement points each semester.
• Members are expected to be at the weekly meeting and mandatory events including Silver Taps, Bonfire Remembrance, and the Ring Scholarship Event.
  • Excuses must be University Excused or approved by the Membership Development Chair.
• Executives may change the speaking engagement point requirement based on the available speaking engagements.

2.4.2 Membership Conduct Expectations

• Members are expected to represent Tractions Council, SGA and the University in a respectable and professional manor at all times. Conduct expectations for actions and social media will be expressed by the Chair at the first membership meeting of the year. Any apparent violations of the standard described by the Chair with the handled on a case to case basis within the executive team.
• Members are expected to uphold all Traditions of the university especially Traditions outlined in the annually updated Speaking packet. They are expected to avoid promoting unofficial and non-university recognized traditions while representing Traditions Council in any capacity.

2.4.3 Alcohol Policy

• Traditions Council has a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol. Any member that is apparently intoxicated at an official event as outlined in section 4.4 will be asked to leave and will receive disciplinary action as decided by the executive team.
• There shall not be any alcohol at any official Traditions Council event as outlined in section 4.4.

2.5 Member Removal

2.5.1 Membership Demerit System

• Members may receive punishment through the form of demerits. Demerits can be given in response to any disciplinary issue involving an active member of Traditions Council. Demerits may come with extra consequences that may include but are not limited to the requirement of extra accountability hours for any given month.
• A member may receive up to three demerits. Once a member has received third demerit they will be considered for removal from council by the executive team.
• Demerits can be given for the following reasons but are not limited to such reasons. (Demerits can also be given to any active member of Traditions Council at any time during the academic year at the discretion of the executive team.)
  • Unexcused absence from a mandatory event
  • Failure to follow through with tasks required of them
  • Failure to meet accountability for any given month
  • Language or behavior that violates Traditions Council alcohol policy (section 2.4.3), expectations (section 2.4.2), or the SGA Constitution.
  • Violations of Texas A&M student rules
• In the instance that a member is to receive a demerit, the member will receive notice from a member of the executive team, either written or verbal. This notice will indicate that they have received a demerit and specify why the demerit was given. If there is an issue, the member may alert the executive team about said issue and the demerit will be discussed in further detail.
• Strikes may be given for the reasons listed below. Three strikes totals one demerit.
  • Missing an event that is made mandatory by an exec without 48 hours’ notice.
  • Being late to an event, including but not limited to general Traditions Council meetings, committee meetings or workdays.
  • Not filling out a form, spreadsheet, document/survey, etc. on time.
  • Paying Dues Late
  • Missing a table time
  • Not finding a member to cover a table time, speaking engagement, etc. if conflicts occurs (class/meeting/etc.) during the time that originally was signed up for.

2.5.2 University Probation

If a member is placed on University Probation, they are required to schedule a hearing with the Executive team. The Executive team will decide whether the member will be put on Traditions Council probation or immediately removed from Traditions Council.

2.5.3 Scholastic Probation

If a member fails to maintain a 2.0 they will be put on Membership Probation. Membership probation procedure will be followed. Members of the Executive team are held to the scholastic standards in the SGA Constitution.

2.6 Membership Probation

Membership Probation can be issued as a consequence to any issue that the executive team deems reasonable. Probation should last till the end of the semester and membership should be revisited the following semester. If member is on probation spring semester they may reapply and be considered for membership in fall.

2.7 Meetings

Weekly meetings will be held every Tuesday of the semester, including Halloween, Election Day, and Valentine’s Day.

2.7.1 Committee Meetings

Committee chairs are responsible for planning and leading all committee meetings.

2.8 Membership Free of Discrimination

As per the SGA Constitution Article X Section II: “The Student Government Association shall not discriminate against, not give preferential treatment to, any person on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or veteran status, prohibiting discrimination based on these factors in any and all forms.”

ARTICLE 3. EXECUTIVES

3.1 Number and Qualifications

• Chair- Serves as leader of the organization and is responsible for ensuring all executives remain accountable to their duties as listed below.
• Vice Chair- Serves as financial officer and is second in command when necessary.
• Committee Chairs- 7 different committee chairs that are responsible for leading a group of members, specific duties listed below.

3.2 Selection and Term of Office

• The selection process for Executives will take place in the spring semester each year.
• Execs selected each spring will serve in their selected position for the following Academic year. They will assume their roles and responsibilities officially at the end of the year banquet and maintain that position and its responsibilities until the end of the year banquet the following year.
• The process for selecting execs will begin with the selection of the Chair position.
  • The process for selecting the chair position will be up to the discretion of the Advisor and the current Chair. The standard process will include a written application and interview. The final decision will be made by the current Chair and Advisor. The Process should begin no later than the last week of March.
• Once the chair position is determined the process of selecting the other execs will begin.
  • The process for selecting the Execs will be up to the discretion of the Chair elect and Advisor. The standard process will include a written application and interview. The final decision will be made by the Chair select and Advisor.

3.3 Executive Resignation

An executive may resign at any point if he/she feels that they cannot successfully execute the tasks given to them because of any circumstance presented. The executive is encouraged to speak with an advisor and reflect on their decision before sending a formal letter of resignation to the Traditions Council advisor and hair. A formal statement may be made for the general members of Traditions Council.

3.4 Executive Removal

An executive can be removed from Traditions Council if he/she violates any rule from the SGA constitution, these bylaws, or is not fulfilling their position duties (section 3.6.1). The executive will have a hearing with the Chair and Advisor. The removal should be conducted by the Advisors and current Chair.

3.5 Executive Vacancies

In the case of an executive vacancy the Traditions Council executive team can decide to hold a selection process that would be run by the Traditions Council Chair to find a qualified general member to fill the vacancy or the Traditions Council executive team may decide to split the duties of the executive member among the entire Executive committee.

3.6 Executive Duties

Lead respective committees and help them strive to become better individuals, professionals, and Aggies.

3.6.1 Chair

• Direct Traditions Council in the right direction so it can further fulfill its mission of “preserving and promoting the traditions of Texas A&M.”
• Responsible for managing and preparing meetings.
• Scheduling weekly exec meetings
• Make internal and external decisions that positively affect Traditions Council.
• Serve as liaison between Student Body President and Traditions Council.
• Attend SGA Committee Roundtable with Executive Cabinet.
• Attend Student Leader Dialogue with Student Activities Administration
• Manage the Executive team and keep team accountable to expectations listed in these bylaws.
• Correspond in a timely manner and work hand in hand with:
  • Student Assistant Services
  • Texas A&M Administration
    • Student Affairs
    • Office of the President
  • Association of Former Students
    • Campus Programs
    • Former Students

3.6.2 Vice Chair

• Create annual budget and preset to Senate
• Maintain and log of invoices, expenses, sub-account balances in a ledger
• Reconcile budget every month
• Responsible for all transactions through SOFC
• Collect and manage all dues
• Work with other execs on project they may conduct or need help on throughout the year. These may include, but are not limited to, a gala, fundraisers, outside projects, etc.
• Work hand in hand with the Chair in leading Traditions Council.
• Represent Traditions Council in meetings that the chair cannot attend.

3.6.3 Membership Development Chair

• Lead a team of 4-5 members to assist in membership development.
  • Membership development can include but is not limited to the following:
    • Myers Briggs Assessment
    • Strengths Quest
    • Public Speaking Workshops
    • Fundraising Workshops
  • Host all social events and retreats
    • Can include but not limited to: Halloween party, Holiday party, Parents weekend, banquet, sporting events, movie night, dinner buddies. Etc.
  • In charge of all coordinating, designing, and ordering apparel
  • Keep a record of accountability for business and social points, mandatory events, and tardies.
    • Update on a bi-weekly basis
  • Responsible for notifying members of demerits, strikes or extra business points
  • Responsible for member development
    • To include but not limited to coordinating speakers, team building activities or programs designed to develop leadership and professional skills
  • Work with the O&E Committee Chair on tracking Speaking Engagement accountability.

3.6.4 Bonfire Remembrance and Service Chair

• Responsible for Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony
• Plans and organizes the events leading up to Remembrance Ceremony
• Raises awareness for the ceremony
• Responsible for planning the Burning Desire video showing for the public
• Maintains contact with the families of the 12 victims honored at Bonfire Remembrance to ensure they are satisfied with the work being done through Traditions Council
• Coordinates service project for members and leads the group participating in the service project
• Responsible for all special projects associated with the History of Aggie Bonfire and the Bonfire Memorial

3.6.5 Ring Scholarship Chair

• Lead the Ring Scholarship Committee in raising awareness about the Aggie Ring and award Aggie Ring Scholarships
• Plan and facilitate a Ring Scholarship event in conjunction with the Association of Former Students
• Work with the Association of Former Students to come up with a flyer and poster for Ring Scholarship Event advertising
• Set-up marketplace account and registration form on MaroonLink for online registrations or sales of products
• Find a location for a Ring Scholarship Event workday where all banners will be painted this may be open to all of council or just the Ring Scholarship Committee
• Develop a fundraising strategy that involves all Traditions Council members the funds raised will go towards the Ring Scholarship Event operations and Aggie Ring Scholarship
• Host Texas A&M’s Birthday Celebration each October including the coordination of birthday cakes and other activities

3.6.6 Outreach and Education Chair

• Plan and organize a week dedicated to educating the general population on the many traditions of Texas A&M University. The traditions include but are not limited to the traditions listed in the speaking
• Develop both the Committee and the general Council to become better public speakers, and hold the Council accountable for knowing the designated section(s) of the speaking
• Research, edit, organize, and cite the speaking The speaking packet includes all information about the Traditions of Texas A&M University. These traditions include but are not limited to: Howdy, Gig‘em, jargon, the 12th Man, Midnight Yell, Silver Taps, Bonfire and Bonfire Remembrance, Muster, Reveille, and the Aggie Ring. Jargon covers terms that are used colloquially at Texas A&M including, but not limited to: good bull, bad bull, 2%er, redass, Ol’ Army, etc. The speaking packet can contain anything the Committee Chair feels would be relevant for the general Council to know in order to fulfill the mission to “preserve and promote the traditions of Texas A&M through outreach and education.”
• Coordinate, or facilitate the coordination of, all speaking engagements to both on- and off-campus organizations including but not limited to: Aggie Moms’ Clubs, Texas A&M Clubs, other SGA Committees, Greek Life, and other Texas A&M-recognized student Such student organizations can be found on the Student Activities website.

3.6.7 Silver Taps Chair

• Lead the Silver Taps Committee
• Be the student Representative for Silver Taps for interactions with Student Assistant Services
• Maintain contact with Buglers, Ross Volunteers, Student Body President and Muster Committee regarding Silver Taps
• Responsible for Silver Taps Endowment requests
• Assistant Services and other organizations or departments outside of Traditions Council
  • Meet with Assistant Director of Student Life regularly
• Responsible for the Silver Taps Ceremony every month as needed and the following:
  • Hosting family reception before Silver Taps Ceremony
  • All set up and prep before any Taps
  • Notifying campus of Silver Taps Ceremony
  • Ring Remembrance Ceremony
  • Oversee letter review
  • Coordinating and ensuring that the families receive Silver Taps Benjamin Knox prints complementary of the Silver Taps endowment.

3.6.8 Public Relations Chair

• Work on effective marketing strategies
• Control all social media accounts
• Develop relationship with the Battalion
• Oversee the updating and upkeep of the Traditions Council website, tamu.edu. This Committee Chair will be tasked with keeping information up-to-date regarding events, contact information, and information about the organization but excludes the content under the “Traditions” tab which is linked to a different Texas A&M website.
• Work and help all committees with marketing

3.6.9 Alumni Relations Chair

• Create and build relationships with Former Students
• Establish a Donor base for Traditions Council
• Work on creating an event thanking our supporters
• Lead charge in creating a monthly newsletter
• Work on special development projects for Traditions Council

ARTICLE 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

4.1 Financial Procedures

“All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.”

4.2 Accounting Year

Accounting is the responsibility of the Vice Chair and the duties are listed under Article 3.6.3

• Advisors Expectations

• The advisor to Traditions Council shall be a Texas A&M Student Activities The advisor will be willing obtain an appropriate level of experience, resource information and knowledge related to the mission, purpose and activities of Traditions Council.
• The advisor will regularly attend executive and general They will be available for consultation outside of these meetings.
• The advisor will assist the organization with the development of goals and objectives for the academic The advisor will also assist the organization with event planning and facilitation. When necessary, the advisor will be willing to attend events when necessary, the advisor will be willing to attend events when necessary as identified through the planning process.
• The advisor will be aware of the University Student Rules and will assist the organization with adherence to these
  • Official Traditions Council Events
• Mandatory Events: Events that Traditions Council must plan and organize each year include Silver Taps, Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony, and a Ring Scholarship Event.
• Official Events: Events that are discussed through any official Traditions Council form of communication including, but not limited to, GroupMe, Facebook, email, meeting, etc.
  • Statement of Annual Review

Traditions Council should be reviewed annually and subject to the approval of the Department of Student Activities.

ARTICLE 5. AMENDMENTS

The Constitution will be reviewed annually by members of the executive team. If a change is suggested, the active executive team will review the change and vote whether to make the change. In order for the change to be made there must be a 50%+1 of the executive team majority in favor of the change in order for it to be implemented. The constitution will then be sent to the Department of Student Activities to be reviewed and approved.

The foregoing bylaws were adopted by the 2018-2019 Executive Team on

October 8, 2018.