ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.

Transcription

1 ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. Upsilon Chapter University of Kansas Est. December 21, 1917 * * * * * * * CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Inception by Elden L. Mitchell, Kareem A. Wall & Jaime R. Wilson Aug 28 th, 2016 * * * * * * * 1 of 12

2 PREAMBLE We, the members of the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in order to promote a more perfect union among college men; to aid in and insist upon the 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. JEWELS * * * * * * * Henry Arthur Callis Charles Henry Chapman Eugene Kinckle Jones George Biddle Kelley Nathaniel Allison Murray Robert Harold Ogle Vertner Woodson Tandy Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York On December 4, 1906 * * * * * * * Upsilon Chapter was chartered at University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas On December 21, of 12

3 ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. Upsilon Chapter - Constitution and By-Laws TABLE OF CONTENTS CONSTITUTION Page ARTICLE I Name, Symbol, Mission, Objectives 4 ARTICLE II Chapter Membership 4 ARTICLE III Chapter Organization and Structure 5 ARTICLE IV Chapter Officers 5-7 ARTICLE V Committees 7 ARTICLE VI Executive Committee 7 ARTICLE VII Voter Power 7-8 ARTICLE VIII Discipline 8 ARTICLE IX Fees and Dues 8 ARTICLE X Membership Intake 8-9 ARTICLE XI Amendments 9 BY-LAWS of 12

4 ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. Upsilon Chapter CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I Name, Symbol, Mission, Objectives Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Kansas Section 2. The symbol of the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc shall be the Greek letter Upsilon and the Greek letters Alpha Phi Alpha. Section 2.1. The Chapter shall maintain the fraternity colors of Old Gold and Black. Section 2.2. The seal of the Chapter shall be the same as that of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Section 2.3. The insignia shall be a pin bearing the Greek letters Alpha Phi Alpha with the letter Phi superimposed on the letters Alpha and Alpha, and such pin shall contain seven jewels. Section 2.4. The official pin shall be worn by fraternity members only. Section 2.5. All Symbols of the Upsilon Chapter shall be in accordance with Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution of the General Organization. Section 3. The Mission of the Upsilon Chapter shall be to develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities Section 4. The objectives of the Upsilon Chapter shall be to stimulate the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and, to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status. ARTICLE II Chapter Membership Section 1. Members of the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., shall be male students who are duly initiated into the Fraternity and are perusing an undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas. Section 2. A member in good standing shall be one who has fulfilled all of his financial and other obligations to the Upsilon Chapter, Kansas District, Midwest Region and the General Organization of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and has a cumulative Grade point average of 2.5 Section 3. A member shall be granted authorization by the District Director to participate in Area, District, or Regional Intake Membership Development Process Activities when he has met ALL of the following criterion for the current fraternal year: Section 3.1. The member is in good standing per Article II, Section 1.1 of this Constitution. Section 3.2. The member s Risk Management Certification is current. 4 of 12

5 Section 3.3. The member has no disciplinary action imposed against him by the Upsilon Chapter, Kansas District, Midwest Region or the General Organization of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. ARTICLE III Chapter Organization and Structure Section 1. Upsilon Chapter shall keep and adhere to up-to-date copies of the following fraternal documents: Constitution and By-Laws of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Chapter and Officer Development Training Manual, Chapter Operations Guide, Risk Management Handbook and Ritual. Section 2. The officers of the Upsilon Chapter shall be: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Chaplain, Chairman of Intake Activities, Historian, Director of Educational Activities, Associate Editor of The Sphinx, Step-master, and other offices as subsequent condition may merit. Section 3. There shall be three (3) Standing Committees: Executive Committee, Fundraising Committee and Community Action Committee Section 4. Elections shall be held in April of each year and the tenure of all newly elected officers shall NOT be effective until the 1 st of June of that calendar year. Election procedures shall be consistent with the provisions in the Constitution of the General Organization. Section 4.1. No member shall be elected to serve more than two (2) consecutive years in any one office Section 5. All funds shall be deposited in the name of the Upsilon Chapter in a single bank selected by the Chapter President and Treasurer and also approved by the membership body. Section 5.1. Any bank in which funds of the Upsilon Chapter are deposited shall be FDIC insured and provide coverage in an amount to protect all funds on deposit such that there is no chance for loss of principal or interest to the Upsilon Chapter. Section 5.2. The funds of the Upsilon Chapter shall not be invested in any type of security or placed in any account that is not fully guaranteed as to principal and interest. ARTICLE IV Chapter Officers Section 1. Officers of the Upsilon Chapter shall be as stipulated in Article III, section 2. Section 2. The chapter President is the chief administration officer for the chapter. His duties shall be to provide leadership, direction, and vision for the chapter. He is to organize and facilitate National Programs while maintaining a positive impact on chapter membership. He is to oversee the financial and community welfare of the chapter. The president shall be the chair of executive committee meetings, and direct all standing committees as an ex-officio member. Additionally, the president must break voting ties when necessary and appoint committee chairs and other leaders as necessary. He is to work with officers and committee chairs to develop their growth; request chapter reports as necessary; and attend cluster, district, regional, and national conventions. Section 2.1 The President must update the Chapter Directory and submit a report of the chapter s activities during his presidency on AlphaNet before the end of his 1 year tenure. Section 3. The duties of the Vice-President shall be to act in the President s absence and to act as an exofficio member of all activities. He should act as the Chapter s official auditor, it being required that he audit and/or supervise the auditing of the Treasurer s books at least twice, once during April and once during November. He should establish relationships with the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic 5 of 12

6 Association (PHA), and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) on campus. It is also his responsibility to organize and/ or oversee service projects for the Chapter. Section 4. The duties of the Corresponding Secretary shall be to handle all mailing correspondence of the Chapter and to keep other Chapters, the brothers, and the campus community informed of Chapter activities on a timely basis. His role may change to Recording Secretary in the absence of the Recording Secretary. Section 5. The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be to record the minutes of every Chapter meeting including discussions, motions, announcements, etc.; and file all reports of committees upon their acceptance by the Chapter. He is to read correspondence when the Corresponding Secretary is absent; write and send correspondence for the Corresponding Secretary if needed. He shall maintain the chapter s Constitution and By-Laws. He shall present the minutes of the previous meeting at the subsequent meeting for the Chapter s approval and record attendance to help facilitate the existence of a quorum. Section 6. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to have charge of all monies, funds, and other securities of the chapter. He makes monthly reports of finances at Executive Committee and regular chapter meetings. The treasurer works with the Budget and Finance Committee to prepare a chapter budget for review and adoption. He shall be the chief financial officer for the chapter and maintains all financial records of checking, savings and investment accounts he shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements. Section 6.1. No reimbursements without receipts. Section 6.2. Receipts must be given to all people handing in money. The Treasurer shall keep an itemized statement of all transaction in the form of a journal and such journal shall be open to inspection at all times by any member of the Executive Committee. Section 7. The duties of the Parliamentarian shall be to guide meetings so as to avoid mishaps and misunderstandings, using as his reference Robert s Rules of Order. He is to interpret constitutional issues during debates and works closely with the Sergeant-at-Arms, if one is appointed. Section 7.1. In the event both the President and Vice-President are absent from a meeting, the Parliamentarian shall chair an immediate election for a temporary President to preside over that meeting. Section 8. The duties of the Director of Education Activities shall be the coordination of the Scholarship Committee to deal with the selection of the recipients and the awarding of Chapter scholarships and grants. He is to be aware of all educational functions promoted and sponsored by the State, Regional, and/ or National Office. He is to develop and publish a report of educational programs for the fraternal year. He is to coordinate risk management seminars, organize tutoring and mentoring opportunities for the chapter and Omega Services. Section 9. The duties of the Chaplain shall be to direct the religious activities of the Chapter and to create opportunities for the personal development of members. He shall assists with preparation of the Omega Services. Section 10. The duties of the Historian shall be to keep records in publishable form of any information which may be pertinent to the Chapter and/ or National organization. He shall keep a record of Chapter s activities during his tenure as well as direct the written and learned history of the intake process as mandated by the Standing Orders. Section 11. The duties of the Chairman of Intake Activities shall be to oversee the Intake Process as mandated by the Standing Orders. He must be Risk Management certified. Section 12. The duties of the Associate Editor to The Sphinx shall be to submit a written report of the chapter s activities to The Sphinx on an annual basis. Section 13. The duties of the Step-master shall be to plan and teach all step shows to the Chapter. 6 of 12

7 Section 14. All officers of the chapter shall be Risk Management Certified. Section 15. The positions of President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Chairman of Intake Activities, Historian, Director of Educational Activities, Associate Editor of The Sphinx shall be the elected offices of the Upsilon Chapter. All other positions are appointed by the chapter President. Section Election to office shall be by a majority (more than 50%) of ballots cast by members is in good standing per Article III, Section 2 of this Constitution Section A run-off election shall be held immediately between the two candidates receiving the largest number of votes should no one candidate receive a majority of the ballots cast. Section All other officers shall be appointed by the President before he takes office. Section All officers of the Upsilon Chapter, shall serve a term of 1 year or until their successors are appointed and vacancies shall be filled as prescribed by the Constitution of the General Organization. ARTICLE V. Committees Section 1. The Committees of the Upsilon Chapter shall be as stipulated in Article III, section 3 Section 2. The committees of the Chapter shall be standing and special. Section 3. The Committees shall serve in their respective capacities throughout the year and the Chairman of each Committee shall report to the Chapter at every Chapter meeting. Section 4. The Special Committees shall be appointed for current assignment as the Chapter might require and shall be automatically dissolved after the completion of their assignment. ARTICLE VI. Executive Committee Section 1. The following officers shall compromise the Executive Committee: President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of Intake Activities, and one additional member at large elected by the Chapter. Each member of this Committee shall have one vote. This Executive Committee shall be required to report its minutes to the Chapter at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Section 2 The Executive Committee shall be the governing body between meetings and shall interpret all policies and conflict of the Constitution. It shall investigate all forms of delinquencies both financial and moral in the Chapter and take appropriate action. This Committee may approve the payment of emergency expenses. ARTICLE VII. Voting Power Section 1. A majority of the members that are in good financial standing with the Chapter shall constitute a quorum of a regularly scheduled meeting to transact all business except in the following cases: - Assessment of dues and taxation which causes two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good financial standing to be required. - During the meeting for the election of Chapter officers where two-thirds (2/3) of the member in good financial standing are required. 7 of 12

8 Section 2. The body shall legally act on all matters not provided for in the Constitution that pertain to the organization as a whole. Such action must comply with state, regional, and national Constitutions. Section 3. Each financial member shall have a vote, the Chapter President voting only in the case of a tie. Section 4. A majority vote shall be sufficient to govern all motions not otherwise provided for in the Constitution. ARTICLE VIII. Discipline Section 1. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Chapter shall be sufficient to serve the penalty of censure, fine, or suspension upon any member of the Chapter. Section 2. When, for any reason, a member is suspended from the Chapter, he must refrain from wearing the fraternity s pin or any other ALPHA PHI ALPHA paraphernalia until the suspension is lifted. Failing to do so after appropriate request he may be referred for discipline to the National Organization through the State organization and the Regional Vice-President. Section 3. Should the Chapter deem that the offense of a member warrants expulsion, it must serve upon the member subject to such action, written notices of the intended action, together with a specification of the charges against such member at least (30) days before the meeting of the next State or Regional Convention, at which time such case is to be heard and shall refer copies of such information to the General Convention for action. Section 4. Brothers on inactive status shall refrain from voting, wearing of the fraternity s pin, or any items with the Greek letters ALPHA PHI ALPHA on it. He shall not participate in any activities for which expenditures from the Chapter Treasury are incurred, or any other activities which shall be prescribed by the Chapter. Failure to comply with this ruling shall lead to suspension by the Chapter and or expulsion by the National Organization. ARTICLE IX Fees and Dues Section 1. The dues to the National Office shall be paid by the Chapter Treasurer on an annual basis, payable and due on the 1 st day of November of each year. Section 2. Dues as prescribed by the Chapter at the beginning of each semester must be paid in accordance with the national organization; or, on the date designated by the Treasurer. A late charge of $5 shall be added to a member s dues for each week that passes before his dues are paid. If a member fails to pay such dues, he shall be considered inactive until such dues are paid. Section 3. The Chapter may choose to impose an additional monetary fine or other sanctions it deems necessary if chapter dues are not paid in a timely fashion. A majority vote of the brothers present is necessary for this action. Section 4. Chapter dues for newest members are due at the first chapter retreat immediately following their initiation. ARTICLE X. Membership Intake Section 1. No male student shall be considered for membership to the upsilon chapter unless he has at least a 2.7 cumulative grade point average on a four point scale and has completed at least one semester at the University of Kansas. 8 of 12

9 Section 1.1. Scholastic standing of prospective male students shall be certified by the Registrar of the University of Kansas. Section 1.2. NO student may be considered for admission unless he is sponsored by a brother in good standing of the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Section 1.3. The student must be certified by the Cashier s Office as to financial standing, certified by the Registrar as to scholastic standing, and certified by physical examination by a licensed medical doctor as to health. Section 1.4. An open vote shall be taken for each prospective male student and they must receive at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote to commence the Intake Membership Development Process to become a member of the Upsilon chapter. Section 2. Procedure for membership intake and the initiation of new members shall be induced in the Standing Orders and one copy shall be with the Ritual of the National Organization and one shall be on file in the State and Regional offices. No deviations from this procedure will be allowed. Section 3. An Academician shall be appointed to oversee and properly direct the educational portion of intake under the guidelines approved by the Standing Orders. Section 4. No action involving membership intake shall be taken by this chapter, or any of its members, which deviates from the Constitution and By-Laws of the General Organization, the Standing Orders, the Risk Management Handbook, or the Ritual of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA Fraternity, Incorporated. ARTICLE XI Amendments Section 1. All proposed amendments to the Upsilon Chapter Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Chapter President no later than thirty (30) days prior to the next Chapter meeting. Section 1.1. The Chapter President shall provide copies of all proposed amendments to each member no later than twenty (20) days prior to the next Chapter meeting. Section 2. Adoption of amendments to the Upsilon Chapter Constitution shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at the Chapter meeting. Section 3. The Upsilon Chapter shall consider only such proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws as shall have been submitted in the manner and within the time limit prescribed in this Constitution, unless it can be shown that the Chapter President intentionally failed to comply with the provisions of this Article, or that any act of omission on his part was the result of some act of gross negligence. 9 of 12

10 ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. Upsilon Chapter BY-LAWS Section 1. The Chapter shall hold its annual election of officers at the last regularly scheduled meeting in April. The Newly-elected officers shall take office on the 1 st day of June that same year. Section 1.1 The newly elected President and Executive Committee shall prepare an anticipated program and budget for the coming year. Section 2. The Chapter shall complete all of the National Service Programs and Projects annually under the leadership of the Service Chairman. Chapter participation in all other National Projects and Programs will be headed by the President. Section 3. The Chapter shall require that all member come to business meetings in the appropriate attire of dress shirt, slacks, and tie. Section 4. When the President calls an emergency meeting an all members having been duly notified, those present can transact business on the emergency issue. Section 5. The Chapter shall have two (2) scholarships annually to deserving students with these scholarships known as the Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Lucius Larry McGee Scholarship. The Upsilon Scholarship goes to a high school senior who intends to go to college. The Lucius Larry McGee Scholarship shall go to a second semester sophomore. Section 6. The Chapter shall fine each member five dollars ($5.00) for being absent from a meeting, this being waived provided the member notifies the President at least forty-eight (48) hours after the meeting from which he was absent and give the President a valid reason for his absence. Section 6.1. The Chapter shall fine each member three dollars ($3.00) for being late for a meeting, this being waived provided the member notifies the President at least twenty four (24) hours before the meeting of a valid reason for being late. Section 6.2. Each member shall be fined five dollars ($5.00) for failing to carry out an assigned duty. The fine shall be waived if the member assigned the duty notifies the President at least twenty-four (24) hours before the duty is to be carried out and give the President and/or their respective committee chairman a valid reason for his irresponsibility. If his reason is not disclosed within the specified time, the Executive Committee shall pass judgment. Section 6.3. Members who are designated the task of participating in Upsilon Step Performances, and failed to attend a regularly scheduled practice must notify the Step-master(s) of absences from practice twenty four (24) hours before they occur; or, who fail to pay their fines will be banned from stepping in the performance immediately following their offense. Section 6.4. The Secretary shall keep a record of such fines and shall turn them over to the Treasurer to be added to the member s dues. Section 7. The Chapter shall enforce the Constitution of the State, Regional, and National Organization. Section 8. The Chapter shall meet bi-weekly as the scholastic schedule permits. Section 9. The Chapter shall maintain an Alpha advisor who is a member of the graduate chapter in good financial standing. He shall serve in an advisory capacity with no vote. Section 10. The office of President shall not be held by a neophyte unless such is necessary due to the absence of a prophyte in good academic and financial standing. If such necessary action is to occur, the 10 of 12

11 neophyte will continue to hold office until becoming a prophyte himself or until the semester term concludes. Section 11. The procedure and requirements for amending the by-laws shall be the same as amending the Constitution. Section 12. All brothers shall participate in all Upsilon events unless excused from participation according to section 6.2 of the By-Law. Section 13. The Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. shall not tolerate any form of hazing, physical, or mental abuse of any aspirants. Section 14. The Social Committee shall be responsible for bringing all planned social activities to the general body. Section 15. The Chapter shall give the following awards annually at an appropriate ceremony: - BROTHER OF THE YEAR- to be awarded to the brother who has demonstrated outstanding service to the fraternity. - NEOPHYTE BROTHER OF THE YEAR- to be awarded to the neophyte brother who has excelled in giving outstanding service to the fraternity. - SENIOR BROTHER OF THE YEAR- to be awarded to the senior who has upheld the principles and goals of Alpha Phi Alpha in an exemplary manner. - UNSUNG BROTHER OF THE YEAR to be awarded to the brother who has been dedicated to the Chapter in ways not necessarily seen by everyone (the campus and the fraternity), but still has made for the major success of the Chapter. 11 of 12

12 Edition # Amended by Date Accepted 001 Elden L. Mitchell, Kareem A. Wall, Jaime R. Wilson August 28, of 12