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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Constitution and By-Laws Training. Overview. Constitution. Preamble. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS TRAINING
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC
OVERVIEW
Constitution
Lists the principles / tenants of the Fraternity
By-Laws Defines how we operate
Alpha Regulations
Details administrative rules and regulations
22010 Constitution and By-Laws
CONSTITUTION
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 3
PREAMBLE
We, the members of this organization, in order to promote a more perfect union among College men; to aid in and insist upon personal progress of its members; to further brotherly love and a fraternal spirit within the Organization; to discountenance evil; to destroy all prejudices; to preserve the sanctity of the home, the personification of virtue and the chastity of women, do hereby enact and establish this Constitution for the government of its members.
42010 Constitution and By-Laws
Name Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Mission
Develops leaders
Promotes brotherhood
Academic excellence
Provides service and advocacy for our communities
Objectives Stimulate the ambition of membersPrepare them for the greatest usefulness in causes of humanity, freedom and dignity of the individualEncourage highest and noblest form of manhoodAid down-trodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status
Name, Mission,
Objectives and Symbols
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 5
Symbols:
Greek Letters: AΦA
Official Emblem: ShieldFraternal Design: Coat-of-ArmsOfficial Colors: Old Gold and BlackOfficial Flower: Yellow RoseOfficial SealOfficial Organ: “The Sphinx”
Name, Mission,
Objectives and Symbols
(cont)
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 6
Parent Body Composition
ChaptersGeneral OfficersBoard of Directors (BOD)Past General PresidentsCommittees, Commissions & FoundationsSupreme
Governing Body
General ConventionBiennial
Sole power to enact legislation
Composition
General OfficersPast General PresidentsChairman of Standing CommitteesChapter Delegates - 1 vote
Representation
Delegates apportioned by chapters’ financial membership as of May 1 of convention year
Convening Conventions
General President (GP)
Quorum ¼ of the delegates registered
THE GENERAL ORGANIZATIO
N (GO)
ARTICLE II
2010 Constitution and By-Laws7
5 Regions: E, S, W, SW, MW
Jurisdiction over chapters
Headed by RVP and ARVPRegional Conventions
Annual; lesser meetings acceptable
Elect RVP and ARVPLimited legislative authority: Laying and collecting fees and taxes
RVP: convention call
Composition (residency requirement)
Regional Officers
General Officers
Past General Presidents
Chairman of GO’s standing committees
Regional Organization
Sections 1&2Designation &
Regional Conventions
ARTICLE III
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 8
Regional Officers Regional Vice President
Assistant Regional Vice PresidentRVP: appoints other officers
Representation (residency requirement)
Member in good standing with chapter
Delegates Chapters’ financial membershipFirst day of the month preceding the month of convention
Immediate Past RVP and ARVPCurrent and immediate past General OfficersChairman of Standing Committees, Foundations and Commissions
Regional Organization
Section 3 and 4Regional OfficersRepresentation
ARTICLE III
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 9
Elective Offices
General President
5 Regional Vice President
5 Assistant Regional Vice PresidentGeneral Treasurer
Comptroller
Requirements
Attended 2 of 3 GC’s immediately preceding convention of his election (ARVP exempt)
ARVP Regularly enrolled; taking courses to 1st academic degree during his entire term of office
General OfficesSections 1 and 2
Elective Offices and
Requirements
ARTICLE IV
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 10
Elections Committee recommends procedures for election unless noted in Constitution
General President
Election by ballot to each member in good standing
GC narrows candidates to 2 nominees
Nominee is unable to complete the process, the candidate receiving the next largest number of votes becomes the nominee
General Treasurer & Comptroller
Nominated and elected by the GC
RVP & ARVP
Residency Requirement
Nominated and elected at regional convention
Ballot and majority vote
General OfficesSections 3
Election Procedure
ARTICLE IV
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 11
Vacancies GP fills vacancies (BOD recommends)
General President
Unable or incapacitated: Ad hoc committee of Past General Presidents
Committee selects Acting General President from RVPs
Acting GP serves until the inability or incapacity of GP is removed or successor is elected and qualified
Tenure GP – four year term (no succession)
RVP – two year term (not to exceed two terms)
ARVP – one year term (not to exceed 4 consecutive years)General Treasurer/ Comptroller – four year term may succeed himself for one 4 year term
Reports Biennial to GCAnnual to BOD
General OfficesSections 4 and 5
Election Procedures (cont)
TenureReports
ARTICLE IV
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 12
Voting Members
General President
Immediate Past General President
General Treasurer
Comptroller
5 Regional Vice Presidents
5 Assistant Regional Vice Presidents
Non-voting Members
Past General Presidents
General Counsel
Executive Director (ED)
Board of Directors
(BOD)Section 1
Composition
ARTICLE V
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 13
Develops policies and programs within constitutional limits
Recommends legislative changes to the GCExamines and presents Budget and Finance Committee proposals to the GC
Ensures financial integrity and the best interest of the Fraternity between GC’s
Quorum – more than half of voting membersPerforms duties and discharges responsibilities as provided in ConstitutionEstablishes committees from its members (finance excluded)
Co-opt non-members to act on its behalfMeets at call of GP at least once per year or by petition of min. of 2/3 of the voting members
Board of Directors (BOD)
Section 2Duties and
Responsibilities
ARTICLE V
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 14
Proposals
Member or chapter submits proposal to their RVP within 60 days of the regional conventionMajority vote of delegates present and voting at the regional convention
Adoption
Affirmative vote of ¾ of delegates present and voting at the GC
Negative vote of 51% of chapters veto the action of the GC
Limitations
GC only considers proposed amendments which have been properly submitted in the appropriate timeframe unless it’s shown that the RVP or ED intentionally failed to comply with the provisions
Amendments
ARTICLE VI
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 15
Constitution and By-Laws
Regions, districts, chapters or subsidiaries constitution can not conflict with GO
Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised
Where not specifically noted as rule in GO’s Constitution and By-Laws
Constitutional and
Parliamentary Authority
ARTICLE VII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 16
BY-LAWS
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 17
Presides over GC’s
Ex-officio and President of the BOD
Appoints general officers, directors, chairmen and members of all committees and commissions with Board concurrence
Interprets the Constitution and By-LawsOnly GC can appeal his decision
Provides guidance, supervision to ED, and other officers within policy guidelines of the BODProvides report to the GC which includes current status of all legislation, recommendations and resolutions
May delay amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws for 30 days to chapters based on budgetary implications
Performs other duties and represents the Fraternity
Duties and Responsibilities of
Elected Officers
Section 1General President
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 18
Supervises chapters within region
Settles controversies and misunderstandings
Provides complete financial statements to GC
Suspends members or chapters
Performs other duties assigned by GP
Appoints District Directors and other regional officers
Duties and Responsibilities
ofElected Officers
Section 2Regional Vice
President
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 19
Assists RVP with college chapter affairs
Performs such duties assigned by the GP or their RVP
Represents all chapters on the BOD
Recommends members to standing and special committees
Recommends, with RVP approval, fiscal improvements or constraints to regional convention
Assists in regional convention preparation
Duties and Responsibilities of
Elected OfficersSection 3
Regional Assistant Vice President
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 20
General Treasurer
Has charge / responsible for all moneys, funds, securities per accounting section of the Fraternal RegulationsBondable
Comptroller
Responsible to BOD for carrying out the financial mandates of the GCBondable
Maintains continuous audits of budgeted financials
Authorizes budgeted expenditures approved by GP or BOD
Reports on status of current year budget and proposed budget for next biennial fiscal year
Duties and Responsibilities
ofElected OfficersSection 4 and 5
General Treasurer and Comptroller
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 21
Violating the oath of office, Constitution, Standing Orders, other rules and regulations of Fraternity, malfeasance, criminal or civil actions that puts the Fraternity at risk
Duties and Responsibilitie
s ofElected Officers
Section 6Removal
ARTICLE I
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 22
Full authority, (approved budget / policy guidelines) GP supervision, to implement mandates, resolutions authorized by GCKeeps accurate accounts and minutes of BOD and GC
Prints / sends GC minutes to chapters
Uses approved accounting principles and practicesCustodian of official records
Supervises and lets contracts
Provides convention report
Maintains membership records
Prepares, publishes, distributes membership directoryProvides notice of General or Special ConventionsPrepares list of GC’s voting delegates
Custodian of the corporate seal
Provides to chapter approved amendments to the Constitution and By-LawsServes as Secretary of BOD
Office of Executive Director
ARTICLE II
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 23
Death of ED or inability, or refusal to act - GP, based on board recommendation, selects a member to act until a qualified successor has been appointedSection 2
Procedure for Interim
Replacement of the Executive
Director
ARTICLE II
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 24
Chief Legal Counsel
Legal advisor to General Officers
Approves surety bonds of General Officers and employees
Represents Fraternity in litigation involving chapter or matters pertaining to chapter house loans & financing
Authorization (BOD approval) to prosecute, defend, negotiate & settle legal actions
Duties and Responsibilities
of Appointed Officers
Section 1General Counsel
ARTICLE III
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 25
Official recorder, chronicler of events, memoirs, symbols, biographies, etc. of the Fraternity
Collects & guards official documents & memorabilia
Publishes “The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life”
Duties and Responsibilities
of Appointed Officers
Section 2Historian
ARTICLE III
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 26
Arranged, planned by BOD or designee with host chapter
Officials Director of Conventions
Parliamentarian
Chaplain
Sergeant of Arms
Committees Rules and Credentials
Resolutions and Recommendations
Awards and Achievements
Grievances and Discipline
GP may appoint other special committee(s)
General Convention
ARTICLE IV
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 27
Lists Standing Committees & CommissionsComposition
5-11 members: 1 from each region; 2 College brothersGP appoints chairs and members (term limitation)GP, upon recommendation by chair, may approve the co-opt of one or more members for special or limited purposes
Responsibilities
Investigate, inquire, prepare reports to GC, GP, BOD
Chairs advise (directed by GP) ED or RVP(s)
Standing Committees
and Commissions
ARTICLE V
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 28
Enabling Authority
Fraternity establishes entity & incorporates and creates rules for governance
When needed, only GC can create subsidiaries or affiliates
Corporate documents must stipulate corporation is subsidiary or affiliate of the FraternityGC may fund affiliate or subsidiary corporation
Annual Reports
Include financial reports to BOD and GC
GP (RVP’s advise) approves names of officers and members; General Treasurer, General Counsel, Comptroller - ex-officio; BOD included in entity’s membership
Assets and Property
No assets or property can go or benefit members, officers or members of GO
Dissolution Assets after settlement: GO’s BOD recommends
Permanent Commissions,Foundations
and Subsidiary
Corp.
ARTICLE VI
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 29
College and Alumni
Life Membership to members who fulfill requirements
Member in Good Standing
Financial with the Chapter and GO
College Brothers: min. or equivalent cum. GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Can’t be a member of another college or intercollegiate fraternity (honorary or professional exempt)
Membership
Section 1Classes of
Membership
ARTICLE VII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 30
Male student of an accredited college / university
Completed 1 semester or 2 quarters of a regular year’s programFull time student leading to first academic degreeMin. cum. GPA. of 2.5 on 4.0 scale or equivalent (institution override)Good Character
Registered voter
Member in good standing of chapter presents his candidacy
Membership
Section 2Eligibility for
College Chapter Membership
ARTICLE VII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 31
Male holder of an earned accredited college/university’s baccalaureate degree
Good Character
Registered voter
Member in good standing of chapter presents his candidacy
Member who did not earn a baccalaureate degree
Membership
Section 3Eligibility for
Alumni Chapter Membership
ARTICLE VII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 32
Payment of the Life Membership Fee as contained in the Constitution and Bylaws by any member
Exempt from payment of Grand Tax
Life Membership does not release or excuse a member from his chapter financial obligation
Membership
Section 4Requirements
for Life Membership
ARTICLE VII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 33
Receives three-fourths vote of the members present at a meeting of the chapter duly called for balloting or a meeting where prior notice is given
He meets or has met all requirements for initiation of the Constitution and Bylaws
He receives written approval from the RVP
Membership
Section 5Initiation
ARTICLE VII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 34
Districts are headed by District Director, appointed by RVP
Area are headed by Area Director, appointed by RVP
District and Areas
Districts: are states or group of states
States over 500 miles: RVP may appoint two District DirectorsAreas contain several chaptersChapters within a District may organize a District Conference
Regional Organization
ARTICLE VIII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 35
Organizational Units
Alumni and College Chapters
Chapter in Good Standing minimum of 7, risk management certified; current chapter directory; financial with GOCollege chapter must have a min. chapter cum. GPA of 2.5 or equivalent on a 4.0 scale
Chapter Designations
College Chapters bear Greek letters in order
Alumni Chapters same except the suffix Lambda
Chapter Restrictions
Chapter can not create an entity that abridges members’ rights
Affiliations Standing Orders dictate membership admission
Chapter Organization and Structure
Section 1-4
ARTICLE IX
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 36
College Chapter Establishment
Accredited 4 year institution; Two or more acceptableEstablishment: male student or an active member
Alumni Chapter Establishment
7 or more active members
Jurisdiction of chapters
GC or BOD determines jurisdiction
Property of the General Organization
Property provided by the GO to chapter remains GO property
Chapter Organization and Structure
Section 5 -8
ARTICLE IX
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 37
Discipline in relation to Chapter
GC, RVP, BOD can suspend a chapter
Discipline of Members
Only GC may expel
BOD - suspends recommends or expelsRVP- may suspend; suspended member may appeal to GC or BOD
Expulsion
Chapter may recommend expulsionAction by the GC is finalRequest reinstatement after 3 years2/3 majority of the GC needed for reinstatement
Loss of Privileges
Member who fails to affiliate with chapter within 5 months is denied privilege of chapter participationMember suspended by chapter cannot wear The Badge
Discipline
ARTICLE X
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 38
Grand and Chapter Tax due no later than November 15Late fee $10 Grand and $50 Chapter
Grand Tax: Alumni $150.00; College $75
3% of Grand Tax and interest of each living Life Member goes to regions1st year college graduate – 50% of GO fees
2nd year college graduate – 75% of GO fees
Chapter Tax formula: Grand Tax # of chapter delegatesLife Membership Fee: $3,000
Alumni Chapter charter fee: $500
College Chapter charter fee: $250
Alumni initiation fee: $350
College initiation fee: $160
College Brothers $25 per year
Fees and Taxes
ARTICLE XI
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 39
Proposal Submitted 60 days prior to GC
Adoption Affirmative vote of ¾ of delegates present and voting at GC
Negative vote of 51% of the chapters shall veto action of GC
Limitations GC only considers proposed amendments which have been properly submitted in the appropriate timeframe unless it’s shown that the RVP or ED intentionally failed to comply with the provisions
Amendments
ARTICLE XII
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 40
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Contents of this Presentation is based on materials developed by the National Membership Development
Taskforce
Presentation Compiled by John M. Williams
There shall be NO DEVIATIONS or ADJUSTMENTS!! Refer questions or comments to imdp@apa1906.net
2010 Constitution and By-Laws 41
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