Constitution of Phi Sigma Nu
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Constitution of Phi Sigma Nu Amended at the Chief Convention July 24, 2010 1 PREAMBLE We, the brothers of Phi Sigma Nu, come together to enlighten ourselves and all others about American Indian rituals, traditions, culture, history and practices. NAME The name of the organization shall be Phi Sigma Nu herein referred to as “the Fraternity”. FOUNDING FATHERS The Founding Fathers of Phi Sigma Nu are Earl Evans, Chadwick “Chad” Hedgepeth, Greg Richardson and Marvin “Marty” Richardson of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe; Clarence “Bo” Goins, III and James Worriax of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and Sandon Jacobs of the Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe of Indians. As the originators and founders of the Fraternity, the title of “Founding Fathers” is so conferred on them and shall be continued in perpetuity to them exclusively. The Founding Fathers shall continue to have, hold and enjoy all of their rights and privileges of membership as officers of every level of the Fraternity for their lifetime without the requirements, obligations and duties of membership. Notwithstanding, the Founding Fathers vest the governing authority of the Fraternity in the Chief Council of Phi Sigma Nu. FOUNDING PRINCIPLES The Founding Fathers have built the fabric of our Fraternity on the founding principles of Leadership, Individuality, Community, Honesty, Wisdom, Pride and Unity. As such, the founding principles are vital in our efforts to bring social, health, spiritual, cultural, economic, educational, and financial opportunities to our membership and others. SEVEN SACRED PHILOSPHIES The wisdom of our elders is contained in the seven sacred philosophies of Phi Sigma Nu so that we may be better fathers, sons, husbands, family members, friends, brothers, leaders and tribal citizens. These sacred philosophies manifest the values of our founding principles through the vows we take to be a vessel of the Creator, the responsibility we have to provide for our Family, the role we have in our Community, the manner in which we must respect our Earth, the tenderness with which we must cherish our Women, the duty we have to protect and nurture our Children, and finally the obligation we have to ourselves for our own individual walk with the Creator in manifesting His plan. SEVEN SACRED CEREMONIES RESERVED MISSION STATEMENT We, the Brothers of Phi Sigma Nu, empower Native men to collectively engage in academic, social, cultural and physical realms to promote and inspire growth in tribal families, tribal communities, the United States of America and the world at large. 2 MOTTO The Fraternity motto shall be “Men of Valor, Men of Pride”. ARTICLE I Brothers Section 1 The Fraternity’s brothers shall be those persons who have completed the Fraternity’s Membership Intake Process and have been duly initiated into the Fraternity. The Fraternity’s brothers shall be divided into three types Undergraduate, Graduate, and General. (a) Undergraduate Active Brothers of the Fraternity who were initiated into or transferred into an Undergraduate chapter of the Fraternity and enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning for certification of a degree. (b) Graduate Active Brothers of the Fraternity who were initiated into or transferred into a Graduate Chapter of the Fraternity and have completed a post-secondary degree conferred by an accredited college or university. (c) General Active Brothers of the Fraternity who have met the obligations of membership and who are not participating as a member in an Undergraduate or Graduate chapter. Section 2 The brothers shall be further divided into two subclasses, active and inactive, each with distinct obligations and privileges. a) Active Members Active Members include brothers who are in good standing as a member, regardless of Type or Class, that do not have or owe any outstanding obligations to the Fraternity or any of its Chapters. b) Inactive Members i. any member who doesn’t meet the requirements of an Active Member under Article I, Section 2(a) ii. An inactive member forfeits all membership privileges outlined herein except he may wear the letters and paraphernalia of the Fraternity and may attend social functions upon paying applicable dues. Should an In-active member fall into bad standing, he shall not enjoy any rights or privileges of membership until his outstanding obligations are honored. Section 3 The term in good standing shall designate those Brothers, active or inactive who do not have any outstanding obligations to any entity of the Fraternity. Section 4 All brothers, active or inactive, shall be obligated to refuse membership with another Greek letter organization, except those of a professional or honorary nature, and to hold in the strictest of confidence all matters deemed confidential by the Fraternity. 3 ARTICLE II Obligations and Privileges of Membership Section 1 The membership obligation of all members shall be the following: (a) to adhere to this constitution and the policies of the Fraternity; (b) to pay the Fraternity’s Chief Dues; (c) to attend no less than one function or meeting of the Fraternity per year; (d) and any other obligations specified in this constitution. Section 2 The membership privileges of an active member in good standing shall be the following: (a) to elect officers of the Chief Council, provided that he is registered and attended the Chief Convention; (b) to hold an office of the Chief Council provided he meets the eligibility requirements and is elected; (c) to receive a copy of the minutes of the Chief Council; (d) to attend the social affairs of the Fraternity; (e) to participate in the ceremonies of the Fraternity; (f) any other privileges specified in this constitution. Section 3 The membership obligations of a undergraduate chapter member shall be the following: (a) to attend no less than one function or meeting of the Fraternity or one of its chapters per year; (b) to pay the chapter’s dues and the Fraternity’s Chief Dues; (c) to complete the individual community service hour requirements of the Fraternity; (d) to attend the chapter’s meetings; (e) to adhere to this constitution and the policies of the Fraternity; (f) to adhere to the rules outlined in the chapter’s constitution, special rules of order and standing rules; (g) to attend one-half of his chapter’s membership intake activities; (h) to maintain no less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average; (i) to be enrolled at the College or University that the chapter was chartered; or with special provisions from each chapter unless otherwise approved by majority vote of the Chief Council; (j) to be considered a full-time student by the standards set by the College or University at which the chapter is chartered, unless otherwise approved by a majority vote of the Chief Council; and any other obligations specified in this constitution. Section 4 The membership privileges of an active undergraduate chapter member in good standing shall be the following: (a) to vote at chapter meetings; (b) to hold an office within the chapter, if elected; (c) to elect the officers of the Chief Council, provided that he is registered and attends the Chief Convention; (d) to attend the social affairs of the chapter and Fraternity; (e) to participate in the ceremonies of the Fraternity; (f) any other privileges specified in this constitution. Section 5 The membership obligations of a graduate chapter member shall be the following: 4 (a) to attend no less than one function or meeting of the Fraternity or one of its chapters per year (b) to pay the chapter’s dues and the Fraternity’s Chief Dues; (c) to complete the individual community service hour requirements of the Fraternity; (d) to attend the chapter’s meetings; (e) to adhere to this constitution and the policies of the Fraternity; (f) to adhere to the rules outlined in the chapter’s constitution, special rules of order and standing rules; (g) to attend one-half of his chapter’s membership intake activities; Section 6 The membership privileges of an active graduate chapter member in good standing shall be the following: (a) to vote at chapter meetings; (b) to hold an office within the chapter, if elected; (c) to elect the officers of the Chief Council, provided that he is registered and attends the Chief Convention (d) to hold an office of the Chief Council provided he meets the eligibility requirements and is elected; (e) to attend the social affairs of the chapter and Fraternity; (f) to participate in the ceremonies of the Fraternity; (g) any other privileges specified in this constitution. Section 7 The membership obligations of a general member shall be the following: (a) to attend no less than one function or meeting of the Fraternity or one of its chapters per year; (b) to pay the Fraternity’s Chief Dues; (c) to adhere to this constitution and the policies of the Fraternity; Section 8 The membership privileges of an active general member in good standing shall be the following: (a) to serve as a delegate at the Chief Convention; (b) to elect the officers of the Chief Council, provided that he is registered and attends the Chief Convention ; (c) to hold an office of the Chief Council provided he meets the eligibility requirements and is elected; (d) to attend the social affairs of the Fraternity; (e) to participate in the ceremonies of the Fraternity; (f) any other privileges specified in this constitution. Section 9 The term in good standing shall designate those chapters who do not have any outstanding obligations to any entity of the Fraternity. ARTICLE III Undergraduate Chapters