In June 2020, at the direction of the National Council, the Alpha Chi Rho National Fraternity underwent a thorough Risk Management audit of all governing documents with an external law firm. The goal of the audit is to ensure that all the Fraternity’s documents were cohesive and current in the event of any future legal proceedings. The report from the law firm was submitted to the National Council in April 2021 and the National Council created an ad-hoc Committee to propose Constitutional amendments per Article IX, Section One (“Introduction of Proposed Amendments”) of the National Constitution. The Committee presented their proposed amendments in March 2022. The National Council, on May 26, 2022, voted on each amendment and in order to approve these changes based on the requirements of Article IX, Section Two (“Resident Chapter and Graduate Brother Approval”) so that the proposed amendments be voted upon at the 107th National Convention.
In the mailed envelope you received a paper ballot and a return envelope to affirm or deny your approval of the proposed amendments. Per Article IX, Section Two of the National Constitution, all Graduate Brothers in good standing shall vote by mail ballot and all ballots of Graduate Brothers shall be returned to the National Secretary within 90 days (July 1, 2023) of their submission in order to be counted as cast. Approval on any amendment shall be given by three-fourths of ballots cast.
Additionally, 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 here.
If you have any questions, please contact the National Office at 732.869.1895.
Proposed Amendments
All proposed edits are underlined, in bold, and italicized.
Article II, Section 2: Eligibility:
Current Text:
Any man is eligible for membership in Alpha Chi Rho if he is:
- a duly matriculated student, undergraduate or graduate, or
- a member of the faculty or administration or
- a graduate member of a local fraternity chartered as a Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho, and
- at an institution at which a Resident Chapter is located.
- a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the collegiate world or fraternal movement who has been nominated by the Resident and/or Graduate Chapter and approved by the National Council.
There shall be no honorary members of Alpha Chi Rho.
Proposed Text:
Any man is eligible for membership in Alpha Chi Rho if he is:
- a duly matriculated student, undergraduate or graduate, or
- a member of the faculty or administration or
- a graduate member of a local fraternity chartered as a Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho, and
- at an institution at which a Resident Chapter is located or
- a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the collegiate world or fraternal movement who has been nominated by the Resident and/or Graduate Chapter and approved by the National Council.
There shall be no honorary members of Alpha Chi Rho.
Article II, Section 3: Election:
Current Text:
Any man eligible for membership shall be offered a bid to become a Postulant (“pledge”) upon the vote of a Resident Chapter as follows:
- The name of an eligible man shall be nominated to a Resident Chapter in a Council meeting under Ritual. Reasonable time shall have been afforded every Resident Brother to become familiar with the nominee and to discuss the nomination thoroughly.
- All voting on membership shall be by open ballot. Any Brother who may cut a negative vote shall state his reasons for doing so.
- The vote of any Resident Brother absent from the Council shall be obtained, if possible, within three days after such meeting. Any Resident Brother who has not voted by such time shall be counted as having cast an affirmative vote.
- The nominee shall be elected and offered a bid upon a unanimous vote. In the event that but one negative vote be counted, that negative vote may be annulled by a three‑fourths vote of all Resident Brothers.
In the case of a member of a faculty or administration, or a graduate member of a local fraternity chartered as a Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho, the nominee shall also have the approval of the National Council.
Proposed Text:
Any man eligible for membership shall be offered a bid to become a Postulant (“pledge”) upon the vote of a Resident Chapter as follows:
- The name of an eligible man shall be nominated to a Resident Chapter in a Council meeting under Ritual. Reasonable time shall have been afforded every Resident Brother to become familiar with the nominee and to discuss the nomination thoroughly.
- All voting on membership shall be by open ballot. Any Brother who may cast a negative vote shall state his reasons for doing so.
- The vote of any Resident Brother absent from the Council shall be obtained, if possible, within two days after such meeting. Any Resident Brother who has not voted by such time shall be counted as having cast an affirmative vote.
- The nominee shall be elected and offered a bid upon a unanimous vote. In the event that but one negative vote be counted, that negative vote may be annulled by a three‑fourths vote of all Resident Brothers.
In the case of a member of the faculty or administration at an institution at which a Resident Chapter is located, or a graduate member of a local fraternity chartered as a Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho, the nominee shall require the approval of the National Council.
Article II, Section 4: Postulants and Pledging
Current Text:
A man who is offered a bid may accept and become a Postulant upon his taking of the Postulant’s pledge and his acceptance of a Pledge pin. The National Council shall be authorized and directed to establish the requirements and regulate the conduct of pledging to this Fraternity. A Resident Chapter may adopt as part of its bylaws such additional rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to govern the pledging of its Postulants, providing the same do not conflict with this Constitution or the National Bylaws.
A Postulant may be de‑pledged only upon a majority vote in Council if it becomes evident that the Postulant will not become a Brother true to the Landmarks of the Fraternity.
The Ritual Officer of the Resident Chapter shall prepare the Postulants for the exoteric examination, which shall be given before initiation. Upon successful completion of the exoteric exam and any other requirements of the National Council or Resident Chapter, including any financial obligations, the Postulant may be initiated as a Brother according to the Ritual.
Proposed Text:
A man who is offered a bid may accept and become a Postulant upon his taking of the Postulant’s pledge and his acceptance of a Postulant pin. The National Council shall be authorized and directed to establish the minimum expectations for pledging to this Fraternity and shall provide educational programming for Postulants. A Resident Chapter may adopt as part of its bylaws such additional rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to govern the pledging of its Postulants, providing the same do not conflict with this Constitution or the National Bylaws.
A Postulant may be removed from pledging only upon a majority vote by a Resident Chapter in Council under Ritual if it becomes evident that the Postulant will not become a Brother true to the Landmarks of the Fraternity.
The Ritual Officer of the Resident Chapter shall prepare the Postulants for the exoteric examination, which shall be given before initiation. Upon successful completion of the exoteric exam and any other expectations of the National Council or Resident Chapter, including any financial obligations, the Postulant may be initiated as a Brother according to the Ritual.
Article II, Section 7: Prohibition of Resignation or Withdrawal
Current Text: No Brother may resign his membership in Alpha Chi Rho or voluntarily withdraw from the Fraternity.
Proposed Text: No Brother may resign his membership in Alpha Chi Rho or voluntarily withdraw from the Fraternity. The membership of the Brother is perpetual as long as the Brother follows the Landmarks and Ritual of the Fraternity or enters the Chapter Eternal.
Article II, Section 8: Delegation of Authority
Current Text: The National Convention shall be authorized and directed to regulate all other aspects and matters of membership in this Fraternity not specifically delegated elsewhere herein. This authority expressly includes the fixing of any dues or fees or other financial obligations of the Fraternity.
Proposed Text: The National Convention shall be authorized and directed to set forth minimum expectations on all other aspects and matters of membership in this Fraternity not specifically delegated elsewhere herein. This authority expressly includes the fixing of any dues or fees or other financial obligations of the Fraternity.
Article III, Section 1: Grant of Authority
Current Text:
The government of the Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho is hierarchical in nature and is vested in the following bodies in descending order of jurisdiction:
- The National Convention,
- The National Council,
- The National President and National Secretary,
- The Resident and Graduate Chapters,
- The Resident and Graduate Chapter Officers.
Proposed Text:
The government of the Fraternity of Alpha Chi Rho is vested in the following bodies:
- The National Convention,
- The National Council,
- The National President and National Secretary,
- The Resident and Graduate Chapters,
- The Resident and Graduate Chapter Officers.
No Resident or Graduate member or Chapter is authorized to act on behalf of the Fraternity except where described herein. All Resident and Graduate Chapters are separate and distinct self-governing entities.
Article IV, Section 2: National Delegate
Current Text: The National Convention is authorized and directed to regulate the manner in National Delegates are selected for the Convention; provided that:
- Each Resident and Graduate Chapter shall elect two National Delegates apiece, and
- Each Phi shall be permitted to exercise equal representation with any other Phi, providing Brothers in good standing thereof are in attendance.
Proposed Text: The National Convention is authorized and directed to regulate the manner in which National Delegates are selected for the Convention; provided that:
- Each Resident and Graduate Chapter shall elect two National Delegates apiece, and
- Each Phi shall be permitted to exercise equal representation with any other Phi, providing Brothers in good standing thereof are in attendance.
Article IV, Section 3: Sessions
Current Text: The National Convention shall hold one regular session every other year at such time and place as the National Council may determine. The National Council is authorized to call and send notice of such sessions. A special session of the Convention may be called by the National Council upon its own motion or upon the petition of one‑half the Resident Chapters, provided said petition is approved by a majority vote in each petitioning Chapter in a Ritual Council or 25% of Graduate Brothers in good standing.
The National Council shall have the power by unanimous vote to postpone a regular session of the National prerogative; the members of the National Council whose terms were to expire shall remain in office until the following National Convention. This shall exclude Resident Councilors who shall be elected in the manner prescribed in this Constitution. Also, unless the circumstances that caused postponing the National Convention persist, a special session of the National Convention shall be automatically called in the first summer following the exercising of this authority.
Proposed Text: The National Convention shall hold one regular session every other year at such time and place as the National Council may determine. The National Council is authorized to call and send notice of such sessions. A special session of the Convention may be called by the National Council upon its own motion or upon the petition of one‑half of the Resident Chapters acting in Council under Ritual, provided said petition is approved by a majority vote in each petitioning Chapter in a Council under Ritual or by 25% of Graduate Brothers in good standing.
The National Council shall have the power by unanimous vote to postpone a regular session of the National Convention; the members of the National Council whose terms were to expire shall remain in office until the following National Convention. This shall exclude Resident Councilors who shall be elected in the manner prescribed in this Constitution. Also, unless the circumstances that caused postponing the National Convention persist, a special session of the National Convention shall be automatically called in the first summer following the exercising of this authority.
Article IV, Section 5: Expulsion or Revocation
Current Text: The expulsion of a Brother or the revocation of a Charter of a Chapter shall require a three-fourths vote of the Convention, exclusive of any vote of a Brother of the Phi to which the Brother or Chapter under consideration belongs.
Proposed Text: The expulsion of a Brother or the revocation of a Charter of a Chapter shall require a three-fourths vote of the National Council. If an appeal is made by the Brother or the Chapter, it shall automatically be sent to the National Convention, exclusive of any vote of a Brother of the Phi to which the Brother or Chapter under consideration belongs.
Article V, Section 4: General Powers
Current Text: The National Council shall be the legal Board of Directors of the Fraternity if it is incorporated. The National Council is the chief executive authority of the Fraternity, and it shall exercise a general power to conduct the business, control the property and handle the finances of the Fraternity. The National Council shall be authorized to act and regulate with respect to any matters not otherwise specifically delegated elsewhere by this Constitution or the National Bylaws.
Proposed Text:
The National Council shall be the legal Board of Directors of the Fraternity if it is incorporated. The National Council is the chief executive authority of the Fraternity, and it shall exercise a general power to conduct the business, control the property and handle the finances of the Fraternity. The National Council shall be authorized to act and set forth minimum expectations with respect to any matters not otherwise specifically delegated elsewhere by this Constitution or the National Bylaws.
Article V, Section 5: Jurisdiction over Chapter
Current Text:
The National Council shall be authorized to institute colonies by majority vote and to regulate the expansion of the Fraternity and the manner in which colonies are established.
The National Council shall be authorized to grant charters for new chapters by two‑thirds vote and to regulate the manner in which colonies qualify for charters. Once granted a charter, a new Chapter shall be instituted according to the Ritual.
The National Council shall be authorized to take into its own custody the charter of any Chapter by majority vote and to regulate the nature of such a custodial taking. During such period of custody, the National Council or its duly appointed representatives shall discharge the Ritual functions of said Chapter.
The National Council shall be authorized to suspend the charter of any Chapter by two-thirds vote and to regulate the nature of such suspension. During such period of suspension, no Ritual functions of the Chapter may be performed.
Any custodial taking or suspension must be reviewed at least annually.
The charter of a Resident Chapter may be taken into custody or suspended because of contumacy to the authority of the National Fraternity, because of a failure to hold regular Council meetings under Ritual, or because of a failure to make returns and pay duly imposed dues and fees.
Proposed Text:
The National Council shall be authorized to institute colonies by majority vote and to regulate the expansion of the Fraternity and the manner in which colonies are established.
The National Council shall be authorized to grant charters for new chapters by two‑thirds vote and to regulate the manner in which colonies qualify for charters. Once granted a charter, a new Chapter shall be instituted according to the Ritual.
The National Council shall be authorized to take into its own custody the charter of any Chapter by majority vote and to regulate the nature of such a custodial taking. During such period of custody, the National Council or its duly appointed representatives shall discharge the Ritual functions of said Chapter.
The National Council shall be authorized to suspend the charter of any Chapter by two-thirds vote for good cause. During such period of suspension, no Ritual functions of the Chapter may be performed.
The charter of a Resident Chapter may be taken into custody or suspended because of a failure to hold regular Council meetings under Ritual, violation of the Disciplinary Code, or because of a failure to make returns and pay duly imposed dues and fees.
Article V, Section 6: Jurisdiction over Brothers
Current Text: The National Council shall be authorized to suspend any Brother by majority vote and to regulate the nature of such suspension. Any term of suspension shall be reviewed and acted upon at the next session of the National Convention. The National Council shall determine the manner by which Brothers maintain their good standing in the Fraternity. No Brother may be designated as “inactive.”
Proposed Text: The National Council shall be authorized to suspend and expel any Brother by majority vote and to regulate the nature of such suspension or expulsion. The decision by the National Council shall be effective immediately. Any term of suspension and expulsion shall be reviewed and acted upon at the next session of the National Convention. The National Council shall determine the manner by which Brothers maintain their good standing in the Fraternity. No Brother may be designated as “inactive.”
Article V, Section 8: Supervisory Duties
Current Text: Section Eight is named “Supervisory Duties”.
Proposed Text: Section Eight is named “Supervisory Expectations”
Article VI, Section 3: National Secretary
Current Text:
(b) General Duties. The National Secretary is the chief administrative officer of the Fraternity. He shall keep a record of the business of the National Council and National Convention. He shall conduct the general correspondence of the Fraternity and is responsible for the rolls of Resident and Graduate Brothers and Chapters. He shall supervise the education of Postulants and Brothers in the principles, history, and laws of the Fraternity. He shall visit each Resident Chapter of the Fraternity at least once a year for an official visit to examine into the books, records, accounts and actions of the Resident Chapters. He shall be authorized to delegate any of his duties to a member of the National Staff and shall be responsible for the supervision of any staff. He shall make a report to each session of the National Council and National Convention.
Proposed Text:
(b) General Expectations. The National Secretary is the chief administrative officer of the Fraternity. He shall keep a record of the business of the National Council and National Convention. He shall conduct the general correspondence of the Fraternity and is responsible for the rolls of Resident and Graduate Brothers and Chapters. He shall set forth the minimum expectations of the education of Postulants and Brothers in the principles, history, and laws of the Fraternity. He shall visit each Resident Chapter of the Fraternity at least once a year for an official visit. He shall be authorized to delegate any of his duties to a member of the National Staff and shall be responsible for the supervision of any staff. He shall make a report to each session of the National Council and National Convention.
Article VI, Section 7: National Officers Elected by the National Convention
Current Text: (a) Duties. The Vice‑President, Graduate Councilors, and Resident Councilors shall perform such duties as may be directed by the President or the National Bylaws.
Proposed Text: (a) Expectations. The Vice‑President, Graduate Councilors, and Resident Councilors shall perform such expectations as may be directed by the President or the National Bylaws.
Article VI, Section 8: Other National Officers
Current Text:
(c) National Chaplain. The Chaplain shall perform such duties as may be directed by the President or National Bylaws.
(d) National Scholarship Officer. The Scholarship Director shall perform such duties as may be directed by the President or National By‑laws.
Proposed Text:
(c) National Chaplain. The Chaplain shall perform such expectations as may be directed by the President or National Bylaws.
(d) National Scholarship Officer. The Scholarship Director shall perform such expectations as may be directed by the President or National By‑laws.
Article VII, Section 2: Elected Officers
Current Text: Each Resident Chapter shall elect by majority vote the officers required by the Ritual, whose Ritual names and functions shall be esoteric. Each Resident Chapter shall also elect by majority vote a Chapter Correspondent who shall hold office for a term of one year. As duties shall include the preparation of Chapter letters to the GARNET AND WHITE and such other correspondence as required by the Resident Chapter and the National Fraternity.
Proposed Text: Each Resident Chapter shall elect by majority vote the officers required by the Ritual, whose Ritual names and functions shall be esoteric. Each Resident Chapter shall also elect by majority vote a Chapter Correspondent who shall hold office for a term of one year. Expectations shall include the preparation of Chapter letters to the GARNET AND WHITE and such other correspondence as required by the Resident Chapter and the National Fraternity.
Article VIII, Section 1: Graduate Chapter
Current Text: The Graduate Brothers of a Phi may form a Graduate Chapter subject to the regulation of the National Council. Any Graduate Brother in good standing may affiliate with any Graduate Chapter by obtaining permission from the National Council.
Proposed Text: The Graduate Brothers of a Phi may form a Graduate Chapter subject to the approval of the National Council. Any Graduate Brother in good standing may affiliate with any Graduate Chapter by obtaining permission from the National Council.
Article VIII, Section 2: Graduate Clubs
Current Text: Graduate Brothers may organize clubs for social purposes in any geographic area subject to the regulation of the National Secretary.
Proposed Text: Graduate Brothers may organize clubs for social purposes in any geographic area subject to the approval of the National Secretary.
Article IX, Section 2: Resident Chapter and Graduate Chapter Approval
Current Text:
(a) Upon approval by either the National Council or National Convention, the National Secretary shall submit a proposed amendment to the Resident Chapters and to the Graduate Brothers in good standing together with a written ballot and interpretive statement.
(b) The Resident Chapters shall call a Council under Ritual to vote on a proposed amendment. Approval shall be by three‑ fourths vote in each Resident Chapter and by three‑fourths of the Resident Chapter ballots cast.
(c) The Graduate Brothers shall vote by mail ballot, and approval shall be by three‑fourths vote of ballots cast.
(d) All ballots of Resident Chapters and Graduate Brothers shall be returned to the National Secretary within 90 days of their submission in order to be counted as cast.
(e) A proposed amendment shall be ratified upon the approval of the Resident Chapters and Graduate Brothers and shall take effect immediately unless otherwise specified in the amendment.
Proposed Text:
(a) Upon approval by either the National Council or National Convention, the National Secretary shall submit a proposed amendment to the Resident Chapters and to the Graduate Brothers in good standing together with a written ballot and interpretive statement.
(b) The Resident Chapters shall call a Council under Ritual to vote on a proposed amendment. Approval shall be by three‑ fourths vote in each Resident Chapter and by three‑fourths of the Resident Chapter ballots cast.
(c) The Graduate Brothers shall vote by electronic ballot, and approval shall be by three‑fourths vote of ballots cast.
(d) All ballots of Resident Chapters and Graduate Brothers shall be returned to the National Secretary within 90 days of their submission in order to be counted as cast.
(e) A proposed amendment shall be ratified upon the approval of the Resident Chapters and Graduate Brothers and shall take effect immediately unless otherwise specified in the amendment.