Complete Story
09/20/2026
Proposed Amendments to the Pi Chi Omega Constitution & Bylaws
Members to Vote at October 20, 2026 Annual Meeting
Proposed Amendments to the Pi Chi Omega Constitution & Bylaws
Pi Chi Omega members will consider proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws at the October 20, 2026 Scheduled Meeting being held in conjunction with PestWorld at the Gaylord Texan.
The proposed amendments are intended to update membership qualifications and procedures, clarify member rights, streamline administrative requirements, and update certain governance provisions.
The summary below explains the proposed changes in plain language. Members are encouraged to review the complete marked-up Constitution and Bylaws for the exact language of each amendment.
Summary of Proposed Amendments
| Area | What Is Proposed | What It Means for Members |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Constitution – Aims and Purposes | Add language stating that one of Pi Chi Omega’s purposes is to provide a forum where people from different sectors of the urban pest management community can connect. | Formally recognizes professional connection and networking across the pest management community as part of Pi Chi Omega’s mission. |
| 2. Active Membership – Pest Management Professional and Allied Members | Clarify that Pest Management Professional (PMP) and Allied Members remain separate Active Member sub-categories but share the same membership qualification requirements. The separate, duplicative Allied qualification section is removed and the common requirements are stated once for both categories. | Simplifies the Bylaws and eliminates repetitive language without eliminating either the PMP or Allied membership category. |
| 3. Active Membership – Education, Experience and Certification | Clarify the educational and professional pathways for Active Membership. The proposed language recognizes qualifying college degrees and experience and modifies how BCE and ACE certification may be used to satisfy membership qualifications. | Provides clearer pathways to membership based on education, professional experience and industry certification. |
| 4. Life Membership | Change the Life Membership provision so that the qualifying donation is made to Pi Chi Omega, rather than specifically to the scholarship fund, and state that Life Membership is granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors. | Gives the Board greater flexibility regarding Life Membership and the use of the qualifying donation. Life Members would continue to be able to participate in Fraternity activities, hold office and be exempt from dues. |
| 5. Honorary Member Rights | Add language expressly stating that Honorary Members may participate in Fraternity activities but may not vote or hold office and are exempt from paying dues. | Clarifies the privileges and limitations associated with Honorary Membership. |
| 6. New Member Application Information | Remove the detailed list of information that must be included on a membership nomination form—such as residential address, telephone number, firm name and other specific data—from the Bylaws. | Allows Pi Chi Omega to determine what information is needed on its membership application without requiring a Bylaws amendment each time the application is updated. The requirement that sponsors submit a completed nomination remains. |
| 7. Membership Eligibility Review | Remove the requirement that the Membership Committee conduct its eligibility review in conjunction with the Secretary. The Membership Committee would retain responsibility for reviewing a prospective member’s eligibility and membership category. | Streamlines the application review process and places responsibility for eligibility review with the Membership Committee. |
| 8. Dues and Initiation Fees | Remove the requirement that dues and initiation fees recommended by a three-fourths vote of the Board of Directors also be approved by a majority of members attending a Scheduled Meeting. | The Board of Directors, by a three-fourths affirmative vote, would have authority to establish and change initiation fees and annual dues without an additional membership vote. |
| 9. Retired Member Voting Rights | Remove Retired Members from a provision that currently states that Honorary and Retired Members may not vote or hold office. | Resolves a conflict elsewhere in the Bylaws, which specifically lists Retired Members in good standing as eligible to vote. Retired Members would therefore retain voting rights, while remaining ineligible to hold office under the Retired Member provisions. |
| 10. Proxy Voting | Remove the requirement that a member provide a proxy with a written statement authorizing the proxy vote. | Provides greater flexibility in how a member may authorize another qualified member to act as their proxy. |
Additional Editorial and Housekeeping Changes
The proposed amendments also include several non-substantive edits intended to improve clarity and consistency. These include:
- correcting grammar and punctuation;
- updating subsection lettering and numbering;
- clarifying degree terminology;
- removing repetitive language;
- making terminology more consistent throughout the Bylaws; and
- reorganizing provisions where necessary for readability.
These editorial changes are not intended to materially change member rights or Fraternity governance except where specifically described in the summary above.
Review the Complete Proposed Amendments
This summary is provided as a reader-friendly explanation of the proposed changes. The complete marked-up Constitution and Bylaws remain the official text of the proposed amendments.
Members are encouraged to review the proposed amendments before the October 20 Scheduled Meeting.
Voting on the Amendments
Under Article XII of the current Bylaws, proposed amendments are presented for discussion at the Scheduled Meeting. Adoption requires a two-thirds vote of the Active, Legacy and Life Members in good standing who are in attendance or represented by proxy.
Questions regarding the proposed amendments may be directed to Pi Chi Omega Executive Staff,office@pichiomega.org or 540/376-3617
Kind regards,
Andrea Coron
Executive Director
Pi Chi Omega
Office: 540-376-3617
