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1 MARK S. TILLMAN GENERAL PRESIDENT WILLIAM DOUGLASS LYLE COO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR May 1, 2013 To: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Chapters in Good Standing From: Executive Director & COO - William Douglass Lyle Re: Proposed Constitution & By-Laws Amendments Attached you will find the proposed amendments submitted approved by the delegates of their respective regions convention or members and received by my office prior to May 1, These proposed amendments have been submitted to my office and John Williams - Chairman of the Constitution Committee to be vetted and presented to the 92 nd General Convention being held in Austin, TX. THIS SECTION INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY GENERAL OFFICE 2313 SAINT PAUL STREET, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND W: APA1906.NET P: F:

2 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION 2 OF 2

3 PROPOSAL 1 New Section in constitution Proposed Language Addition: Article V, Section 2.8 If the General President is incapacitated or refuses to approve a petition for a meeting, then the Board of Directors, by two-thirds majority, may call a Board meeting. There is no direct statement in the constitution that allows the Board of Directors to have an official board meeting if the General President is unable to or unwilling to call a meeting. This amendment allows a supermajority of the Board to call a meeting to take care of important matters Amendment Sponsor: (2012 Southern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 2 Article IV, Section 3.2 Article IV Election Procedure Section 3.2 Except as provided for in 3.22, election to the office of the General President shall be by ballots mailed to each member who is in good standing according to the records of the Executive Director, as of the first (1st) day of April of the year in which an election is held. Ballots shall be mailed not later than the twenty-first (21st) day of April of an election year, and sent by the Election Committee. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected to the office. Article IV Election Procedure Section 3.2 Except as provided for in 3.22, election to the office of the General President shall be by ballots distributed to each member who is in good standing according to the records of the Executive Director, as of the first (1st) day of April of the year in which an election is held. Ballots shall be distributed not later than the twenty-first (21st) day of April of an election year, and sent by the Election Committee. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected to the office. The word mailed constitutionally requires the Committee on Elections to utilize one method to provide ballots to membership for voting. By striking the word mailed and inserting the word distribute will constitutionally allow the Committee on Elections to provide election ballots to membership using alternative methods such as AlphaNET, , or telephone for the most efficient method of delivery. Amendment Sponsor: Southern Region (2013 Southern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 3 Article IV, Section 3.22 Article IV Election Procedure Subsection 3.22 The General Convention shall present no more than two nominees for the office of General President on the mail ballot for election; except when there is only one (1) nominee where he shall be declared the General President-elect. Article IV Election Procedure Subsection 3.22 The General Convention shall present no more than two nominees for the office of General President on the distributed ballot for election; except when there is only one (1) nominee where he shall be declared the General President-elect. The word mailed constitutionally requires the Committee on Elections to utilize one method to provide ballots to membership for voting. By striking the word mailed and inserting the word distribute will constitutionally allow 3 OF 3

4 the Committee on Elections to provide election ballots to membership using alternative methods such as AlphaNET, , or telephone for the most efficient method of delivery. Amendment Sponsor: Southern Region (2013 Southern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 4 Article II, Section 2.2 Article II Section 2 The General Convention Supreme Governing Body Subsection The Board of Directors shall have authority to determine the time or place for holding a General Convention when such time or place for holding a General Convention has not been determined by the preceding General Convention Article II Section 2 The General Convention Supreme Governing Body Subsection 2.2 The Board of Directors shall have authority to determine the time or place for holding a General Convention when such time or place for holding a General Convention has not been determined after debate and deliberation by a prior General Convention. This amendment will allow the general membership to participate in the decision of where conventions will be held at least one (or more) years in advance. Amendment Sponsor: Southern Region (2013 Southern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 5 Article 5, Section 2.3 of the Constitution New Section: When the General Convention is not in session, the Board of Directors, by not less than two-thirds (2/3) vote of its members present and voting, shall approve, prior to spending, all non-budgetary items and items exceeding the approved budgeted amount. This proposal requires the Board to approve all expenditures not previously approved by the General Convention. Amendment Sponsor: Southwestern Region (2013 Southwestern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 6 Article II, Section 5 of the Constitution The General Convention, or any Special Convention, shall meet upon the call of the General President. The General Convention, or any Special Convention, shall meet upon the call of the General President or by petition of not less than two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. This gives the Board the authority to convene a General Convention or Special Convention. Amendment Sponsor: Southwestern Region (2013 Southwestern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 7 Article I, Section 6 of the By-laws (amends prior section) Article I, Section 6 - Elected officers of all units of the General Organization are subject to removal from office for, violation of his oath of office, the Constitution, the 4 OF 4

5 Standing Orders and other such rules and regulations of the fraternity, malfeasance, or participation in any criminal or civil action that pus the fraternity at risk. Article I, Section 6 - Elected officers of all units of the General Organization are subject to removal from office by the General Convention or by two-thirds (2/3/) vote of the Board of Directors for, violation of his oath of office, the Constitution, the Standing Orders and other such rules and regulations of the fraternity, malfeasance, or participation in any criminal or civil action that pus the fraternity at risk. Currently the By-laws do not set out exactly who can remove an Elected Officer from office for any wrongdoing. This gives the General Convention and the Board of Directors the authority to remove Elective Officers for wrongdoing. Amendment Sponsor: Southwestern Region (2013 Southwestern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 8 Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution Article II, Section 2 - The supreme governing body of the General Organization shall be the General Convention, which shall meet biennially at such time and place, as the previous General Convention shall determine. Article II, Section 2 - The supreme governing body of the General Organization shall be the General Convention, which shall meet annually at such time and place as the previous General Convention shall determine. Chapters shall not be penalized for failing to send delegates to the General Convention. This will allow annual meetings of the General Organization and more oversight. Chapters will not be penalized for failing to send delegates to the General Convention due to the cost burden of sending delegates annually. Amendment Sponsor: Southwestern Region (2013 Southwestern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 9 New Section in Constitution Article VII, Section 5 Proposed New Article: Article VII, Section 5 Subsection All candidates shall only be initiated according to the Standing Orders, and subordinate membership intake and initiation programs as approved by the General Convention We currently have ambiguity as to who is authorized to conduct intake/new membership, and whether or not any officer of the fraternity has the authority to conduct intake/new membership separate from the program prescribed in the Standing Orders and subordinate documents (IMDP Manual). This is known as SPECIAL INTAKE. This amendment seeks to return the authority of allowing any deviations to the intake program to the control and vote of the General Convention, whereas the General Convention adopts the Standing Orders and Intake programs and manuals. If there is to be a special program constructed for candidates considered SPECIAL or CELEBRITY, the General Convention should make that decision by amending the governing documents that the Fraternity has adopted; the Standing Orders, and the IMDP Manual if IMDP is adopted. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 10 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection OF 5

6 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection In the event of the incapacity or the inability of the General President to serve, a special ad hoc committee composed of Past General Presidents, convened upon the notice to them for such purpose by the Executive Director, shall have the authority to determine from amongst the Regional Vice Presidents who shall serve as Acting General President of the Fraternity until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed, or until his successor is elected and qualified. Such appointment shall in no case extend beyond the next succeeding General Convention. Proposed New Article Reads: Article IV, Section 3, Subsection In the event of the incapacity or the inability of the General President to serve, a special ad hoc committee composed of Past General Presidents, convened upon the notice to them for such purpose by the Executive Director, shall have the authority to determine, from amongst the convened group of Past General Presidents, who shall serve as Acting General President of the Fraternity until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed, or until his successor is elected and certified, or until such time as the proceeding General Convention has convened and determined who shall assume the Office of the General President for the remaining unexpired term. Having a Past General President assume the Office of the General President, on an interim basis, while the current General President is incapacitated or otherwise unable to hold the office serves several purposes: It places in the Office someone who is familiar with the operations of the fraternity at the level of General President; there needn t be any learning curve for the Acting General President. the Board of Directors by a Regional Vice President who had been selected to serve as Acting General President. The remainder of the amendment helps to clarify the situations in which the tenure of the Acting General President comes to a close. In addition to the removal of the incapacity or inability of the General President to serve, the amendment clarifies that the certification and election of a new General President or a determination of the next General Convention shall also serve to end the tenure of the Acting General President. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 11 Article V, Section 2 Proposed Language Addition Article V, Section When the General Convention is not in session, the Board of Directors, by not less than two thirds (2/3) vote of its members present and voting, shall approve, prior to spending, all non budgetary items and items exceeding the approved budgeted amount. This amendment seeks to secure prior approval of more than half of the board in order to allocate non- budgetary expenditure(s) and potential expenses exceeding approved budget amounts. Note: If approved old 2.3 becomes 2.4 and require renumbering of subsections following Additionally, it assures the General Organization that any assumed political posturing will play little role during the interim term since the Past General President will have no opportunity (nor desire) to remain in the Office once the a General Convention has determined what happens next. It also prevents a situation where a Regional Vice President is required to serve the dual role of Acting General President and Regional Vice President, or, in the alternative, where a region is no longer represented on Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 12 Proposed Language Addition Article V, Section 2, Subsection 2.3.1: When the General Convention is not in session, the Board of Directors, by not less than two thirds (2/3) vote of its members present and voting, shall approve any 6 OF 6

7 amendments to the budget as approved by the General Convention. This amendment seeks to gain control over spending and enables the budget to be changed only by a super majority of the board of directors. This ensures that any new budgetary items are of sufficient importance and in alignment with the Fraternity s strategic goals. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 13 Article V, Section 2 Proposed Language Addition: Article V, Section A meeting of the board of the directors shall be called by the General President or by 2/3 of the Board of Directors if the General President is willfully not present. If the General President is not present, the members of the Board of Directors present shall elect the meeting chairman. This amendment allows the business of the Fraternity to be conducted by the board and not rely on the General President to chair the meeting. This amendment only takes effect if there General President willfully doesn t attend. The 2/3 threshold ensures that an overwhelming majority of the board have to petition for the meeting such that it doesn t usurp the authority of the General President. When the General President is present, he is in control of the meeting. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 14 Article II, Section 5 Article II, Section 5 - The General Convention or any Special Convention shall meet upon the call of the General President. Article II, Section 5 - The Biennial General Convention shall meet upon the call of the General President. All other Special Conventions shall meet upon the call of the General President and 2/3 approval of the Board of Directors. There should be congruence between the General President and the Board of Directors, to ensure that the resources of the General Organization are sufficient enough, and the business issues are pertinent enough to warrant the call of an additional PROPOSAL 15 Article III, Section 2.4 Article III, Section 2.4 The Regional Convention shall be composed of the Regional Officers; those General Officers, Past General Presidents and Chairmen of the General Organization s Standing Committees residing within the convening region; and, others as stipulated in Article III, Section 4 of this Constitution. Article III, Section 2.4 The Regional Convention shall be composed of the Regional Officers; those General Officers as defined in Article IV, Past General Presidents and Chairmen of the General Organization s Standing Committees residing within the convening region; and, others as stipulated in Article III, Section 4 of this Constitution. This proposal clearly identifies the eligible General Officers of the Regional Convention. 7 OF 7

8 PROPOSAL 16 Article IV, Section 3.2 Article IV, Section Except as provided for in Section 3.22, election to the office of the General President shall be by ballots mailed to each member who is in good standing according to the records of the Executive Director, as of the first (1st) day of April of the year in which an election is held. Ballots shall be mailed not later than the twenty-first (21st) day of April of an election year, and sent by the Election Committee. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected to the office. Article IV, Section 3.2 Except as provided for in Section 3.22, election to the office of the General President shall be by ballots mailed distributed to each member who is in good standing financial with the General Organization according to the records of the Executive Director, as of the first (1st) day of April of the year in which an election is held. Ballots shall be mailed distributed not later than the twenty-first (21st) day of April of an election year, and sent by the Election Committee. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected to the office. By removing the word mailed opens the opportunity for the Fraternity to distribute ballots via other means (electronic, paper, etc.) as presented by the Committee on Elections and adopted by the General Convention. Per Article VII Membership Section 1.3: A member in good standing shall be one who has fulfilled all of his obligations to his chapter, and to the General Organization and for college brothers, has a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a four point scale; or its equivalent. Presently, the ED does not have official records to determine who has fulfilled all his financial obligations to his chapter and college brothers who meet the GPA requirement. By changing the language, we align with our current process and practice of all financial brothers with the General Organizations receiving a ballot. PROPOSAL 17 Article IV, Section 3.2, Subsection 3.22 Article IV, Section 3.2, Subsection The General Convention shall present no more than two nominees for the office of General President on the mail ballot for election; except when there is only one (1) nominee where he shall be declared the General President-elect. Article IV, Section 3.2, Subsection The General Convention shall present no more than two nominees for the office of General President on the mail ballot for election; except when there is only one (1) nominee where he shall be declared the General President-elect. By removing the word mail opens the opportunity for the Fraternity to distribute ballots via other means (electronic, paper, etc.) as presented by the Committee on Elections and adopted by the General Convention. PROPOSAL 18 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection None Article IV, Section 3, Subsection In the event the General President s successor, hereto referred to as General President-elect, is elected based on the balloting process noted in this section, and the Board of Directors has certified the accuracy of the Election Committee s report, the General President-elect shall complete the unexpired term and assume the office of General 8 OF 8

9 President. By adding this clause, it removes the ambiguity and issue with the General President-elect having the ability to assume office immediately upon certification of election results during an incapacity of the General President. PROPOSAL 19 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection 3.6 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection In the event of the incapacity or the inability of the General President to serve, a special ad hoc committee composed of Past General Presidents, convened upon the notice to them for such purpose by the Executive Director, shall have the authority to determine from amongst the Regional Vice Presidents who shall serve as Acting General President of the Fraternity until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed, or until his successor is elected and qualified. Such appointment shall in no case extend beyond the next succeeding General Convention. Article IV, Section 3, Subsection In the event of the incapacity or the inability of the General President to serve, a special ad hoc committee composed of Past General Presidents, convened upon the notice to them for such purpose by the Executive Director, shall have the authority to determine from amongst the Regional Vice Presidents who shall serve as Acting General President of the Fraternity until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed, or until his successor is elected. Such appointment shall in no case extend beyond the next succeeding General Convention where a special election shall be held to choose an Acting General President of the Fraternity to serve the unexpired term or until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed. Elections procedures for this special election shall be prescribed by the Standing Committee on Elections and adopted by the General Convention. Removes an unintended ambiguity placed in the Constitution by use of the word qualified without changing the intent of the amendment. This proposal also clarifies what is to happen at the next General Convention. PROPOSAL 20 Article IV, Section 4, Subsection 4.1 Article IV, Section 4, Subsection The General President shall serve a term of four (4) years with no succession, and shall assume office on January 1 of the year following the certification of his election. The Special Convention or Board of Directors shall meet in the year of a General Presidential election no later than August 31st of that election year and certify the accuracy of the Election Committee s report. Article IV, Section 4, Subsection 4.1 The General President shall serve a term of four (4) years, unless noted in of this article, with no succession, and shall assume office on January 1 of the year following the certification of his election. The Special Convention or Board of Directors shall meet in the year of a General Presidential election no later than August 31st of that election year and certify the accuracy of the Election Committee s report. Upon approval of the proposed subsection 3.6.1, this section must be amended to remove the conflict of the General President only allowed to serve one four year term. PROPOSAL 21 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection OF 9

10 Article IV, Section 3, Subsection In the event of the incapacity or the inability of the General President to serve, a special ad hoc committee composed of Past General Presidents, convened upon the notice to them for such purpose by the Executive Director shall have the authority to determine from amongst the Regional Vice Presidents of the Fraternity until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed, or until his successor is elected and qualified. Such appointment shall in no case extend beyond the next succeeding General Convention. There are a number of matters requiring Board attention occurring throughout the year, as such one meeting per year is insufficient and if a GP were to ignore a petition there would be no way for the Board to meet to conduct fraternal business. Based on events traditionally held throughout the year, this change would codify existing practice and as the Board continues to utilize conference calls more regularly, the fiscal impact of this change would be minimal. Article IV, Section 3, Subsection 3.6- In the event of the incapacity or the inability of the General President to serve, The President Pro Tempre shall serve as the Acting General President until the incapacity or inability of the General President is removed, or until his successor is elected. Such appointment shall in no case extend beyond the next succeeding General Convention. Eliminates ambiguity of Succession. PROPOSAL 22 Article V, Section 2, Subsection 2.7 Article V, Section 2, Subsection The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the General President at least once in each year, or by petition of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the voting members of the Board of Directors. Article V, Section 2, Subsection The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the General President at least once per quarter but not less than four (4) times in each year, or by petition of not less than two thirds (2/3) of the voting members of the Board of Directors. PROPOSAL 23 Article VI, Section 1, Subsection 1.1 Article VI, Section 1, Subsection Any member or chapter wishing to amend the General Constitution shall submit the proposed change to their respective Regional Vice President not less than 60 days prior to the next succeeding Regional Convention. Article VI, Section 1, Subsection Any member or chapter wishing to amend the General Constitution shall submit the proposed change to their respective Regional Vice President not less than days prior to the next succeeding Regional Convention. Information is not always known, or discovered in a timely manner. Significant issues should not have to wait until the next scheduled Regional Convention, if there is a convention pending. PROPOSAL 24 Article II, Section 5 10 OF 10

11 Article II, Section 5 The General Convention, or any Special Convention, shall meet upon the call of the General President. Article II, Section 5 - The General Convention, or any Special Convention, shall meet upon the call of the General President or by petition of not less than twothirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. Currently only the General President may call a general or special convention. This amendment would authorize the Board of Directors to call a convention in the event the majority of the Board deems a convention necessary. PROPOSAL 25 Article V, Subsection 2.3 None. Article V, Subsection 2.3 When the General Convention is not in session, the Board of Directors, by not less than two-thirds (2/3) vote of its members present and voting, shall approve, prior to spending, all non-budgetary items and items exceeding the approved budgeted amount. Note: If approved old 2.3 becomes 2.4 and so on This amendment seeks to secure prior approval of more than half of the board in order to allocate nonbudgeted expenditure(s) and potential expenses exceeding approved budget amounts. 11 OF 11

12 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS 12 OF 12

13 PROPOSAL 1 By-Laws Article I, Section 1.14 Current Section He shall interpret the Constitution and By-laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. Proposed Amendment He, with the consent and two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors, shall interpret the Constitution and By-laws of the Fraternity and the decision shall be final except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. This amendment requires constitutional disputes to be settled by the representatives of the membership when the General Convention is not in session. The entire Board of Directors is adequate representation of the membership on matters of interpreting the Fraternity s governing laws. Amendment Sponsor: Southern Region (2012 Southern Region Convention) budgetary items are of sufficient importance and in alignment with the Fraternity s strategic goals. Amendment Sponsor: Southern Region (2012 Southern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 3 New Section in By-Laws Article I Section 5 Duties and Responsibilities of the Comptroller New subsection 5.33 He shall report to the Board of Directors all proposed amendments to the budget approved by the General Convention, when the General Convention is not in session. In the description of the duties and responsibilities of the Comptroller, there is no direct mandate for the Comptroller to report proposed changes to the approved budget to the Board of Directors. This corrects this oversight. Amendment Sponsor: Southern Region (2012 Southern Region Convention) New Section in By-Laws PROPOSAL 2 Proposed Language Addition: Article I Section 6 Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors When the General Convention is not in session, no amendments to the budget approved by the General Convention shall be approved unless confirmed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors present and voting. PROPOSAL 4 l, A. Wendell Wheadon, member Delta Alpha Lambda Chapter, move to amend ARTICLE Xl, Section 1- Fees and Taxes, by adding Subsection None Proposed Language Addition: This amendment seeks to gain control over spending and enables the budget to be changed only by a super majority of the board of directors. This ensures that any new 1.61 The John Buckner "25year Life Membership Pin" may be purchased by, or on behalf of, any brother who has been a "Life Member" for 25 years - 49 years, 11 months, and 29 days upon payment of and receipt by the 13 OF 13

14 General Office of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) and the John Buckner "50 year Life Membership Pin" may be purchased by, or on behalf of, any brother who has been a "Life Member" for 50 or more years upon the payment of and receipt by the General Office of five hundred and fifty dollars ($550.00). Brother John Buckner was primarily responsible for the expansion of the life membership program and these pins are intended to be a voluntary targeted fund raising activity to provide an official opportunity for those brothers who qualify to donate tangible fiscal support for Fraternity programs and/or projects, and encourage unlimited chapter initiatives to rekindle that old Alpha spirit during public and fraternal events. Amendment Sponsor: Wendell Wheadon PROPOSAL 5 I, Darren M. Morton, move to amend Bylaws of Alpha Phi Alpha Article I, Duties and Responsibilities of Elective Officers, Section 2, Duties of the Regional Vice Presidents by adding "within the confines of this constitution and Bylaws, and the policies and procedures established by the General Convention Article I, Duties and Responsibilities of Elective Officers, Section 2, Duties of the Regional Vice Presidents: The Duties of the Regional Vice Presidents shall include but shall not necessarily be limited to the following: Proposed Language Change: The Duties of the Regional Vice Presidents shall include, within the confines of this constitution and Bylaws, and the policies and procedures established by the General Convention, but shall not necessarily be limited to the following: established rules and regulations. The addition of these words will help to eliminate conflicts over this section or questions about the authority of the Regional Vice Presidents. Amendment Sponsor: Darren M. Morton PROPOSAL 6 Article I, Section 1, Subsection 1.14 of the Bylaws Article I, Section 1, Subsection He shall interpret the Constitution and By-laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. Proposed Amendment Article I, Section 1, Subsection He, with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors, shall interpret the Constitution and By-laws of the Fraternity and the decision shall be final except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. Rationale This allows the General President along with a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors to settle constitutional disputes when the General Convention is not in session. Amendment Sponsor: Southwestern Region (2013 Southwestern Region Convention) PROPOSAL 7 Article I, Section 5, Subsection 5.33 of the Bylaws By adding the words "within the confines of this constitution and Bylaws, and the policies and procedures established by the General Convention clarifies the intent of this section and specifies that the duties of Regional Vice President must be in accordance with New Section: Article I, Section 5, Subsection He shall report to the Board of Directors all proposed amendments to the budget, when the General Convention is not in session. 14 OF 14

15 This adds an additional check to non-budget items by mandating that the Comptroller take all non-budget items before the Board of Directors. Amendment Sponsor: Southwestern Region PROPOSAL 8 Article I, Section 1, Subsection 1.14 Article I, Section 1, Subsection He shall interpret the Constitution and By-Laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final, except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. Proposed Amended Language: Article I, Section 1, Subsection He shall interpret the Constitution and By-Laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final, except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention, or by not less than two thirds (2/3) of the voting members of the Board of Directors at a duly authorized Board of Directors meeting, when the General Convention is not in session. As written, this article provides a single individual with enormous, unchecked power. The only check on that power is the General Convention, which only convenes every two years. In that time the General President s sole interpretation of the Constitution and By-Laws could result in enormous damage to and internal strife within the Fraternity. This change would still provide the General President with the authority and responsibility to make interpretations when needed, but provides a check on that authority when the General Convention is not in session. It also provides for a high enough threshold (2/3 of the BoD) so that the General President is not encumbered with frivolous challenged to his interpretations. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 9 Article I Section 1, Subsection 1.14 Article I Section 1, Subsection He shall interpret the Constitution and By- laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final, except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. Proposed Amended Language: Article I Section 1, Subsection He shall enforce the Constitution and By laws of the Fraternity. The role of interpreting the constitution should belong to a body representative of the membership. The General President s role should be to enforce the constitution, Bylaws and Alpha regulations. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region PROPOSAL 10 Article I, Section 2, Subsection 2.1 Article I, Section 2, Subsection The Board of Directors shall interpret the Constitution and By- laws of the Fraternity and its decision shall be final, except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention. This amendment enables constitutional disputes to be settled by the representatives of the membership when the General Convention is not in session. The entire board of directors is adequate representation of the membership on matters of interpreting the Fraternity s governing laws. Note: This would require renumbering of all sections following. Amendment Sponsor: Eastern Region 15 OF 15

16 PROPOSAL 11 Amendment to the By-Laws Article I, Section 1, Subsection 1.14 Article I, Section 1, Subsection He shall interpret the Constitution and By-laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final, except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention Article I, Section 1, Subsection He shall interpret the Constitution and By-laws of the Fraternity and his decision shall be final, except upon an objection being raised and sustained by a majority vote of the delegates to a General Convention or the Board of Directors when the General Convention is not in session. Currently the only check and balance on the General President s interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws is the General Convention. This amendment extends the check and balance to the Board of Directors, who governs when the General Convention is not in session. Amendment to the By-Laws Article I, Section 6 PROPOSAL 12 Article I, Section 6 - Elected officers of all units of the General Organization are subject to removal from office for, violation of his oath of office, the Constitution, the Standing Orders and other such rules and regulations of the fraternity, malfeasance, or participation in any criminal or civil action that puts the fraternity at risk. Article I, Section 6 - Elected officers of all units of the General Organization are subject to removal from office by the General Convention or by the Board of Directors when the General Convention is not in session, by twothirds (2/3) vote, for, violation of his oath of office, the Constitution, the Standing Orders and other such rules and regulations of the fraternity, malfeasance, or participation in any criminal or civil action that puts the fraternity at risk. Currently the by-laws state that an Elective Officer shall be removed from office, but it does not specify who shall remove him. This amendment gives the General Convention and the Board the authority to remove an Elective Officer. PROPOSAL 13 I, George D. Mc Neal (Life Membership Number 12619), move to amend Article VII, Membership, Section 3 Eligibility for Alumni Chapter Membership, Subsection 3.1, by adding the Proposed Wording after an Alumni Chapter provided that Article VII, Membership, Section 3, Eligibility for Alumni Chapter Membership, Subsection 3.1; 3.1 Any male holder of an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university, which has been accredited by a regional accrediting agency, may be presented as a candidate for membership in an Alumni Chapter provided that he is of good character, that he submit proof, if eligible and qualified, that he is registered to vote and his candidacy is presented by a member of the Chapter in good standing 3.1 Any male holder of an earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university, which has been accredited by a regional accrediting agency, may be presented as a candidate for membership in an Alumni Chapter provided that: - He shall submit official documentation certifying completion of his baccalaureate degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or 16 OF 16

17 higher on a four-point scale, or its equivalent. - He is of good character - He shall submit proof, if eligible and qualified, that he is registered to vote; and - A member of the Chapter in good standing presents his candidacy. The proposed amendment eliminates an inconsistency in the scholastic standard between college and alumni criteria for membership. As currently written a candidate with an earned baccalaureate degree and GPA less than 2.5, meeting all other requirements may be presented for membership in an Alumni Chapter. However, this same individual would not meet the membership requirements of a college chapter. This proposed amendment will provide uniform application of the scholastic standard to male candidates for membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc via an alumni chapter. PROPOSAL 14 - He has successfully completed at least 12 graduate level credits: - He is of good character: and - A member of the Chapter in good standing presents his candidacy. This proposed New Subsection (3.11) establishes a postbaccalaureate scholastic criteria for membership in an Alumni Chapter. In particular, this new amendment addresses the situation where individuals, for some reason, may have met the membership requirements, except that of the scholastic standard as an undergraduate. However, if that individual now has successfully earned a graduate degree (certificate) from an institution of higher education, which is accredited by a regional accrediting agency, or is currently enrolled in a recognized accredited graduate degree program, the proposed new section establishes consistent and uniform application of the fraternity s scholastic standard for membership candidacy via an alumni chapter. I, George D. Mc Neal (Life Membership Number 12619), move to amend Article VII, Membership, Section 3 Eligibility for Alumni Chapter Membership, by adding Subsection 3.11 to follow Subsection 3.1. None Proposed new subsection under Article VII, Membership, Section 3, Eligibility for Alumni Chapter Membership, Subsection Any male holder of an earned academic graduate degree or certificate from a college or university, which has been accredited by a regional accrediting agency, may be presented as a candidate for membership in an Alumni Chapter provided that; - He meets all other requirements as specified under Article VII, section 3 of these bylaws; or - He is currently enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program at the time of membership application: 17 OF 17