alpha phi alpha fraternity, inc

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


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


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


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


Section 3 and 4Regional OfficersRepresentation

ARTICLE III


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


BY-LAWS


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


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


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


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


ofElected OfficersSection 4 and 5

General Treasurer and Comptroller

ARTICLE I


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


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


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


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


of Appointed Officers

Section 1General Counsel

ARTICLE III


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”


of Appointed Officers

Section 2Historian

ARTICLE III


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


ARTICLE VIII


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


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


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


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


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


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 [email protected]


alpha phi alpha fraternity, inc

Documents

incoverview22010 constitution

laws16bylaws2010 constitution

symbols article

removal article

responsibilities article

historian article

comptroller article

general counsel article