Alpha Kappa AXE Constitution.Docx
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Alpha Chi Sigma Alpha Kappa Chapter Constitution & Bylaws 2012 The Constitution of the Alpha Kappa Chapter of the Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity With the express purpose of presenting, addressing and rectifying a list of grievances derived from the collective argument of the general body of the chapter and ensuring the perpetual well-being and efficiency of the chapter, begun this day, February the 24th, 2012. Article I – Purpose Article II – Structure Article III – Voting Article IV – Penal System Article V – Miscellany Article VI – Ratification Article I. Purpose of the Constitution Section 1.01 The chapter as a whole has brought to bear the following list of grievances, which we unanimously agree must be addressed for the well- being of the chapter. (a) There should be an increased level of attendance and participation in fraternity-sanctioned events. (b) There should be a system of consequences should a brother not meet his or her responsibilities. (c) There should be an explicit hierarchical structure to which the fraternity must abide. (d) A consistent pledging and initiation tradition should be established that allows constancy over time irrespective of leadership. (e) Tasks should be delegated to standardized positions. (f) A financial system should be standardized that allows stability, strength of income, and transparency. Section 1.02 This document is in accordance with all the rules and bylaws of the constitution of the National Chapter of the Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity. In certain cases, it has been modified and/or consolidated to meet the specific needs of the Alpha Kappa Chapter. Article II. Structure of the Alpha Kappa Chapter Section 2.01 Membership (a) Potential Pledges i. A person may be considered for membership if he or she is a student at the University of Virginia with a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 and with any coursework in the areas of the physical and life sciences with significant interest in the field of chemistry. ii. To be given a bid for membership in the fraternity, a potential pledge must meet the requirements as defined by the Vice Master Alchemist during the rush process. iii. A potential pledge will be given a bid after a discussion and voting meeting held by the chapter, during which a four-fifths majority must vote to accept him or her. This meeting shall be held no more than 12 hours before the distribution of bids for membership. iv. Alpha Chi Sigma does not discriminate based on age, sex, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, citizenship, gender identity or status as a veteran of any foreign war. v. Alpha Chi Sigma strictly prohibits hazing at all times during a person’s period of involvement with the fraternity. vi. Alpha Chi Sigma is a dry fraternity. A dry fraternity is one that does not force its members to partake in the consumption of alcohol and other substances. (b) Pledges i. A pledge is defined as a person who has been inducted as a potential brother into the fraternity. ii. Pledges must attend all required pledge events, but are allowed one excused absence under extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the Vice Master Alchemist. In extreme circumstances, the Vice Master Alchemist has the authority to grant additional excused absences. iii. If a pledge misses more than one pledge event, he or she may be removed from pledgeship by a simple majority vote. A pledge event is any event that pledges are mandated to attend. iv. Pledges must attend all pledge education meetings and must pass each quiz and exam with a percentage decided upon by the Vice Master Alchemist. v. At any time during the pledge process, the chapter may call a vote to dismiss a pledge from pledgeship. If a vote has been called, it shall proceed as a formal vote. (c) Active Brothers i. An active brother is defined as a person who has been initiated into the fraternity and has paid his or her lifetime membership fee. ii. An active brother is responsible for meeting all attendance and service requirements as well as for promptly meeting all financial obligations. iii. Brothers are required to attend all rituals without exception. Under extenuating circumstances, a brother may be excused from a ritual with the two-thirds consent of the Master Alchemist, Vice Master Alchemist and the Master of Ceremonies. If the brother to be excused is one of the aforementioned officers, he or she must receive consent from the other two aforementioned officers. Failure to attend a ritual event immediately places the brother on probation. iv. Active brothers have the benefits of attending fraternity meetings, voting, bringing up matters of business in meetings, participating in ritual, and running for offices within the fraternity. Brothers are also privileged to enjoy all service and social events sanctioned by the fraternity. Active brothers are the only members that may have littles. A little is defined as a pledge under the guidance of an active brother in good standing. v. A brother may remain active as long as he or she is a student at the University of Virginia and is in good standing with the fraternity. Furthermore, an active brother must be in the collegiate branch of Alpha Chi Sigma. (d) Probationary Members i. A brother may be recommended for probation during any official fraternity meeting if he or she is unable to fulfill his or her requirements, financial or otherwise. ii. Any brother is able to recommend another brother for probation. A discussion will be held at the following meeting, and the vote will be taken immediately afterward. The vote must pass by a two-thirds majority. iii. If a brother has been placed on probation as a result of not meeting his or her requirements, he or she is expected to make up those requirements during the following semester in addition to that semester’s requirements. Failure to do so will result in immediate inactivation as a member. iv. If a brother has been placed on probation as a result of nonattendance at any ritual event, a suitable punishment will be decided upon by the Executive Board. If said brother is a member of the Executive Board, the subsequent vote will exclude the temporary custodian of the position formerly held by the brother placed on probation. v. When a probationary brother meets his or her probation requirements, he or she will immediately return to active status. If the brother held an office, the brother will immediately resume his or her duties as an officer and the temporary custodian of the position will step down. Brothers who have been placed on probation as a result of nonattendance will resume active status once they have complied with all terms of their punishment. vi. Probationary brothers retain all the requirements and privileges offered to active brothers, except that they are not allowed to hold or run for any elected position. An elected official who is put on probation immediately and temporarily loses his or her position. The Master Alchemist is obligated to appoint a temporary person to the position until an election can be held for a temporary officer. (e) Inactive members i. A brother may be recommended for inactivation at any time by any active brother. ii. The reasons for which a brother may be inactivated are at the discretion of the fraternity. iii. If a brother knows that he or she will be unable to meet his or her requirements to the fraternity for an extended period of time, he or she may request to be made an inactive brother. After his or her return, he or she is not required to fulfill any missed requirements and is not subject to any punishments. These brothers will be further mentioned in the constitution as inactive brothers by choice. iv. A brother may be inactivated by a four-fifths majority vote. v. Inactive members cannot attend meetings, hold or run for a position, vote, bring up matters of business, or attend rituals or social events. However, an inactive brother can be requested to attend any event. vi. An inactive member by choice will be allowed back into active status at the moment of their choosing. However, he or she is required to meet all financial obligations within a week of his or her decision to return to active status. vii. A member that has gone inactive as a result of a chapter vote must be approved by a four-fifths vote in order to return to active status at the beginning of a new semester. viii. Inactivation does not constitute the absolving of debts, and inactive brothers wishing to return to active status must settle all debts to the fraternity at the discretion of the Treasurer. (f) Professional Brothers i. Any person in good standing with the fraternity may become a professional brother when he or she graduates from the University. ii. A brother may also decide to become a professional brother after one year of being an active brother. ii. Professional brothers may attend fraternity meetings, participate in rituals, present ideas and opinions to the fraternity, and may attend all social and service events. Professional brothers cannot vote and cannot hold offices except for Housing Treasurer and Chapter Advisor. Section 2.02 Leadership (a) The officers of the Alpha Kappa Chapter shall be a Master Alchemist, Vice Master Alchemist, Reporter, Recorder, Treasurer, Alumni Secretary, Master of Ceremonies, Parliamentarian and the Historian. (b) The top five positions in order of increasing hierarchy are: Reporter, Treasurer, Master of Ceremonies, Vice Master Alchemist, Master Alchemist. (c) All offices held in the Alpha Kappa Chapter, with the exception of the Parliamentarian, correspond with the offices laid out in the National Constitution.