Proposed amendments to the National Bylaws will also be made at the 107th National Convention. Per Article XIV of the National Bylaws (“Amendments”), “all amendments to these by-laws shall be by an Act of National Convention and passed by a majority vote of voting delegates present.” Therefore, in order to vote on these amendments, you must attend the Business Meeting of the 107th National Convention. All amendments to the National Bylaws can be found below.
If you have any questions, please contact the National Office at 732.869.1895.
Article V, Section 1: “The Executive Council and Business Management”
Current text:
The Executive Council shall meet regularly each week during the academic year.
- It shall be the duty of the Council:
- To act as advisory council to the Chapter President.
- To enforce the National Constitution and By‑laws, the Chapter By‑laws and house rules; with power to impose and enforce Chapter disciplinary action for offenses against the same.
- To have general supervision of the Chapter finances and, in the performance of that duty, to see that the Chapter Treasurer immediately forwards all funds due to the National Fraternity, and to keep a constant check on the accounts between the Chapter and the National Fraternity.
- At or before the first Council of the school year the Council shall present to the Chapter for its approval an itemized budget for the ensuing year (or semester). The Chapter shall not incur any financial obligations or appropriate any money within the limits of its budget without the approval of the Executive Council unless it provides an offsetting source of revenue. In case a disagreement on a budget arises between a Chapter or Executive Council on one hand, and the Directors of a Building Association on the other hand, then final decisions shall rest with the National Council. A copy of each approved budget shall be submitted to the National Secretary for his approval.
- Review Resident Chapter Letters for publication in the Garnet and White.
Proposed Text:
The Executive Council shall meet regularly each week during the academic year.
- It shall be the expectations of the Council:
- To act as advisory council to the Chapter President.
- To enforce the National Constitution and By‑laws, the Chapter By‑laws and house rules; with power to impose and enforce Chapter disciplinary action for offenses against the same.
- To have general supervision of the Chapter finances and, in the performance of that expectation, to see that the Chapter Treasurer immediately forwards all funds due to the National Fraternity, and to keep a constant check on the accounts between the Chapter and the National Fraternity.
- At or before the first Council of the school year the Council shall present to the Chapter for its approval an itemized budget for the ensuing year (or semester). The Chapter shall not incur any financial obligations or appropriate any money within the limits of its budget without the approval of the Executive Council unless it provides an offsetting source of revenue. In the case a disagreement on a budget arises between a Chapter or Executive Council on one hand, and the Officers of the Graduate Chapter on the other hand, then final decisions shall rest with the Directors of the Chapter’s Building Association.
- Review Resident Chapter Letters for publication in the Garnet and White.
Article V, Section 3: “Scholarship Committee”
Current Text:
Each Resident Chapter shall have a Scholarship Committee of not less than three members, appointed by the Executive Council. One of the members shall be the Chapter’s Scholastic faculty advisor and another shall be a graduate student or upperclassman. It shall be the duty of the Scholarship Committee to supervise the scholarship of the members of the Resident Chapter according to National Fraternity policy. The National Council has power to make regulations, as it may deem expedient in conjunction with the National Scholarship Director to give effect to this rule.
Proposed Text:
Each Resident Chapter shall have a Scholarship Committee of not less than three members, appointed by the Executive Council. One of the members shall be the Chapter’s Scholastic faculty advisor and another shall be a graduate student or upperclassman. It shall be the expectation of the Scholarship Committee to cultivate the scholarship of the members of the Resident Chapter according to National Fraternity policy. The National Council has power to make minimum expectations, as it may deem expedient in conjunction with the National Scholarship Officer to give effect to this rule.
Article V, Section 6: “Risk Management Officer”
Current Text:
Each Resident Chapter shall be required to elect an Officer known as the Risk Management Officer. He shall become a non‑voting member of the Executive Council of each Chapter. His duties are to include, but are not limited to, reviewing all aspects of Chapter operations to the National Fraternity concerning clarification of the Policy, working with the National Office to develop programming which is consistent with the Policy, and educating all members of the Resident Chapter including Postulants of the Policy.
Proposed Text:
Each Resident Chapter shall be required to elect an Officer known as the Risk Management Officer. He shall become a non‑voting member of the Executive Council of each Chapter. His expectations are to include, but are not limited to, reviewing all aspects of Chapter operations relating to the Risk Management Policy, Policy on Alcohol Use, the Statement on Hazing, Good Samaritan Policy, and the Health and Safety Standards, ensuring that all programming is consistent with these policies, and educating all members of the Resident Chapter including Postulants of these policies.
Article IX, Section 9: “Leadership Development Committee”
Current Text:
There shall be a permanent committee of the Fraternity, the Leadership Development and Nominations Committee, whose purpose shall be to identify, recruit and develop the future leaders of the Fraternity, in addition to serving as the Committee which shall present to the National Convention, for its consideration, nominees for elected office. The Committee shall operate according to fair and regular procedures, which will serve to make leadership positions of the Fraternity in finding and presenting to the Convention the best Brother available for leadership consideration. The Committee will reach out into the Fraternity to find Brothers who have demonstrated leadership potential and encourage them to become involved with the Fraternity and naturally to accept interested potential candidates not otherwise solicited. It will be a convenient resource for educating Brothers about the duties and responsibilities of offices in which they may be interested in serving.
Proposed Text:
There shall be a permanent committee of the Fraternity, the Leadership Development and Nominations Committee, whose purpose shall be to identify, recruit and develop the future leaders of the Fraternity, in addition to serving as the Committee which shall present to the National Convention, for its consideration, nominees for elected office. The Committee shall operate according to fair and regular procedures, which will serve to make leadership positions of the Fraternity in finding and presenting to the Convention the best Brother available for leadership consideration. The Committee will reach out into the Fraternity to find Brothers who have demonstrated leadership potential and encourage them to become involved with the Fraternity and naturally to accept interested potential candidates not otherwise solicited. It will be a convenient resource for educating Brothers about the expectations and responsibilities of offices in which they may be interested in serving.
National X, Section 1: “Initiation Fee”
Current Text:
Each Resident Chapter shall send to the National Secretary a list of postulants prior to their Initiation. From this list, the National Secretary shall bill, individually, each new initiate for his Initiation Fee, as provided below. No Postulant shall be initiated until the National Secretary has acknowledged receipt of the Postulant’s initiation fee along with the Postulants Contract of Bailment and Registration card. A Chapter, that initiates any Postulant before the National Secretary has acknowledged receipt of the Postulant’s Initiation Fee, will be hold liable for the Postulant’s Initiation Fee to the National Fraternity. Failure to pay this Initiation Fee will lead to that individual’s Initiation being annulled and declared invalid by the National Council.
The total Initiation Fee for each new Postulant shall be as follows:
For each Undergraduate or Local Alumni Postulant $430.00
For each Faculty/Administration Postulant $175.00
The Initiation Fee for an undergraduate or Local Alumni Postulant shall be allocated as follows:
Registration Fee $75.00
General Fund $300.00
Reserve Fund $10.00
GARNET & WHITE General Fund $40.00
GARNET & WHITE Permanent Fund $5.00
The Initiation Fee for faculty and administration postulants shall be allocated as follows:
Registration Fee $75.00
General Fund $45.00
Reserve Fund $10.00
GARNET & WHITE General Fund $40.00
GARNET & WHITE Permanent Fund $5.00
If a Chapter initiates a Postulant prior to paying his initiation fee to the National Fraternity that Chapter shall pay a surcharge to the National Fraternity.
All Initiation Fees not paid to the National Fraternity prior to the initiation of a new member will be charged to the account of the Chapter which Initiated said member.
Proposed Text:
Each Resident Chapter shall send to the National Secretary a list of postulants prior to their Initiation. From this list, the National Secretary shall bill, individually, each new initiate for his Initiation Fee, as provided below. No Postulant shall be initiated until the National Secretary has acknowledged receipt of the Postulant’s initiation fee along with the Postulants Contract of Bailment and Registration card. A Chapter, that initiates any Postulant before the National Secretary has acknowledged receipt of the Postulant’s Initiation Fee, will be held liable for the Postulant’s Initiation Fee to the National Fraternity. Failure to pay this Initiation Fee will lead to that individual’s Initiation being annulled and declared invalid by the National Council.
The total Initiation Fee for each new Postulant shall be as follows:
For each Undergraduate or Local Alumni Postulant $230.00
For each Faculty/Administration Postulant $175.00
The Initiation Fee for faculty and administration postulants shall be allocated as follows:
Registration Fee $75.00
General Fund $45.00
Reserve Fund $10.00
GARNET & WHITE General Fund $40.00
GARNET & WHITE Permanent Fund $5.00
If a Chapter initiates a Postulant prior to paying his initiation fee to the National Fraternity that Chapter shall pay a surcharge of $100 per Postulant Initiated (i.e. 3 = $300) to the National Fraternity.
All Initiation Fees not paid to the National Fraternity prior to the initiation of a new member will be charged to the account of the Chapter which Initiated said member.
Article XIII, Section 3: “Trial by Resident and Graduate Chapters”
Current Text:
- Proceedings against a Brother which is to be tried by a Resident or Graduate Chapter must be based upon a written complaint containing an orderly statement of the facts and charges, said complaint must be signed by at least three Brothers in good standing. If two or more Brothers Are to be proceeded against, said complaints must be made separately against each Brother.
- In the case of trials by Resident Chapters, such complaint shall be filed with the Chapter President, who shall present it to the Chapter at its first regular Council thereafter, and if the Chapter, by a majority vote, agrees to entertain the complaint, it shall be entered in the minutes, and a copy thereof, shall be served on the accused by the Chapter Secretary personally or by mail. After the Chapter Secretary has served the accused with the complaint, the Chapter shall fix a time for the trial, of which the accused shall be promptly notified by the Chapter Secretary personally of by registered mail.
- In the case of trials by Graduate Chapters, such complaint shall be filed with the Graduate Chapter President, who shall immediately call a meeting of the Executive Committee to consider the complaint. If the Executive Committee by unanimous vote shall determine that the complaint should be entertained and a trial held, a special meeting of the Chapter for that purpose shall be called, notice of which meeting shall be sent to all members of the Chapter at least fifteen days preceding the time appointed, and a copy of the complaint duly certified and notice of such meeting shall immediately be served on the accused by registered mail. Twelve members of the Chapter, present in person, shall constitute a quorum at such meeting, unless the total membership of the Chapter is less than seventeen, in which case two‑thirds of all the members of the Chapter, present in person, shall constitute a quorum.
- Each member of the Chapter shall be notified of the date fixed upon; at a such Council or meeting, and during all the proceedings thereof, the accused shall be permitted to be present except when the Chapter shall proceed to its findings upon the testimony adduced, when the accused shall retire. The Chapter President shall appoint a Brother to make a Record of the trial.
- The accused shall have all the necessary opportunity for presentation of testimony in his defense, and all exceptions made by him to any testimony presented, shall be entered upon the Record. AR testimony shall be reduced to writing in the presence of witnesses and at its close shall be signed by them. Testimony of person not members of the Fraternity, if reduced to writing and sworn to before a person authorized to administer oaths, shall be admitted as evidence in the trial.
- When the testimony is in, the Chapter shall then proceed to determine its findings, and it shall require a two‑thirds vote to find a Brother guilty.
- If the accused shall fail to answer the complaint or shall fail to present himself or a Brother to represent himself on the day and at the place specified for the trial, he shall be tried in absentia, and notice thereof shall be promptly served upon him personally or by mail.
- At the close of the trial, it shall be the duty of the Chapter, at once, to make a full transcript of the record of the case and transmit it, with the original testimony, to the National Secretary.
- An appeal by a Brother from the decision of the Chapter must be made in writing, specifically stating the grounds of such appeal, and must be sent to the National Secretary, with a copy thereof to the Chapter President, within thirty days after receipt of notice of the decision from which appeal is taken.
- The National Council shall proceed to consider and determine such appeal, in the manner it may deem best. Appeal may be taken from the National Council to the National Convention.
Proposed Text:
Resident and Graduate Chapters are expected to provide due process to any Brother against whom a written complaint is made.
- An appeal by a Brother from the decision of the Chapter must be made in writing, specifically stating the grounds of such appeal, and must be sent to the National Secretary, with a copy thereof to the Chapter President, within thirty days after receipt of notice of the decision from which appeal is taken.
- The National Council shall proceed to consider and determine such appeal, in the manner it may deem best. Appeal may be taken from the National Council to the National Convention.
The Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho Statement on Hazing is currently in the National Bylaws. It has been proposed that it is removed from the National Bylaws.
The Statement on Position and Policy on Alcohol Use is currently in the National Bylaws. It has been proposed that it is removed from the National Bylaws.
The Sessions of the National Convention are outdated and are proposed to be updated to become current.
Article VI, which lists the National officers of the Fraternity, is outdated and is proposed to be updated to become current.
Page 47 and 48 list the Convention Attendance Cup winners. It has been proposed that this list be updated to become current.