National Convention
Proposed Legislation
(by Committee)
Alumni
Awards
Chapter Operations
Finance
Leadership Development
Long-Range Planning
Membership
National Organization I
National Organization II
Nominations
Publications/Public Relations
Rules & Credentials
Scouting
Service
Time and Place
Legislation for the Chapter Operations Committee
| Submitted by Christopher Nelms, Life Member, Beta Psi, Director, Region VII | Chapter Operations Reference #: A-4 |
Amend by replacing the words "Pledge Trainer" with the words "Fraternity Education Officer" in all instances throughout the National By-Laws, the Articles of Association, (if applicable), Pledge Manual, National Pledge Standards, Ritual Ceremonies Book, National Board Policy Manual, Leadership Series, and all other applicable Fraternity publications.
Rationale:
Ever since I pledged the Fraternity myself in 1982, I thought the office of Pledge Trainer was
titled incorrectly. Consistently over the years as I have observed chapters in action at the chapter,
Sectional, Regional, and National levels, pledge programs have consistently demonstrated
increased attention to Fraternity history, meaningful fellowship, and outstanding service. As these
programs have progressed, it became more apparent to me that we are indeed not training
students to be pledges, but educating students to be viable, long-term, active members. Pledge, at
best, is a transitional type of membership, and must continue to be. I have said it myself and
heard it said many times by others - Îwe are not training pledges, we are training actives'. The
title of Fraternity Education Officer (FEO) more accurately describes the function of this office,
and projects a more positive message to rushees and the external world.
Secondly, there is a movement on the part of University and College administrations,
predominately in the Eastern U.S., to eliminate traditional pledging among Greek letter
organizations. Pledging and pledge activities are in the news and in the collegiate administration
journals. The message is usually bad news. While our pledge programs have so far been spared
scrutiny, pledging in general is developing a negative connotation. Changing the title of this very
important membership office at the chapter level allows for our Fraternity to participate early in
this evolution, thereby gaining Alpha Phi Omega additional respect where we have Chapters, and
to project a more positive image where we desire to start Chapters.
| Submitted by Aaron Wendt, Interchapter Relations Officer, Xi Delta Chapter | Chapter Operations Reference #: A-9 |
Article III - Membership, Section 2. Types and Conditions of Membership.
Subsection 2. Active Membership.
Amend by inserting the following Subsection after Subsection 2 and renumbering others
accordingly:
- IN GOOD STANDING. A member is said to be in good standing with the chapter if, and only if, the member has completed at least 20 hours of service to the college, to the Fraternity, to the community, or to the Nation as participating citizens in both the fall and spring semesters. All service hours must be completed before chapter elections. If a member fails to complete at least 20 hours of service he is said to be not in good standing. A member not in good standing may not vote on any item of business at any chapter, Section, Region, or National meeting or convention. A member not in good standing may not hold an elected or appointed office within the chapter, Section, Region, or National level.
Rationale:
While pledges are often required by chapters to complete a certain number of service hours before
they may become active members, it is uncommon for chapters to require active members to do
the same on a semesterly basis. This proposed amendment hopes to stimulate a reaffirmation of
each active member's lifelong obligation to provide Service to humanity. Active members must
be role models for pledges. We cannot ask them to do something we are not willing to do
alongside them. Active members who do not fulfill their lifetime commitment to be unselfish in
service and devotion to the welfare of others cannot be allowed to lead on organization so
dedicated. Active members must be ever mindful of their duty to help other people at all times.
| Submitted by:
Robert E. Lee Correll, IV, Region III Director John Conover, Jr., Region III Extension Coordinator Jamie Conover, Section 81 Chair Michael Leahy, Zeta Beta Advisor |
Chapter Operations Reference #: A-10 |
Article III-Membership, Section 2. Types and Conditions of Membership.
Subsection 4, Advisory Membership.
Amend by adding, "directing the supervision of pledges, directing the establishment of pledge or
active membership programs and policies," after the words "except those of voting."
Rationale:
This verbage is taken directly from Alpha Phi Omega Membership Policies, Section III, paragraph
H. It further clarifies the appropriate role of an advisor, and places this limitation on advisors in a
document which chapters are more likely to refer to, when attempting to understand limitations of
advisor membership.
| Submitted by Mu Zeta Chapter of San Francisco State University, Region X, Section 4 | Chapter Operations Reference #: A-57 |
Article IX - Chapters, Section 2. Requirements for Establishing a Chapter. Paragraph
2
Amend Paragraph 2 by replacing "three" with "one" so that it reads:
- "A group which submits an application for charter shall have one or more advisors from the faculty, administration or staff of the college or university and one or more scouting advisors. The group shall meet the published requirements for charter established by the National Membership and Extension Committee."
Rationale:
No rationale submitted
| Submitted by Aaron Wendt, Interchapter Relations Office, Xi Delta Chapter | Chapter Operations Reference #: A-74 |
Article III - Membership, Section III. Active Membership.
Amend by inserting after Section 3, the following section and renumbering subsequent sections:
- IN GOOD STANDING. A member is said to be in good standing with the chapter if, and only if, the member has completed at least 20 hours of service to the college, to the Fraternity, to the community, or to the Nation as participating citizens in both the fall and spring semesters. All service hours must be completed before chapter elections. If a member fails to complete at least 20 hours of service he is said to be not in good standing. A member not in good standing may not vote on any item of business at any chapter, Section, Region, or National meeting or convention. A member not in good standing may not hold an elected or appointed leadership position within the chapter, Section, Region, or National level.
Rationale:
While pledges are often required by chapters to complete a certain number of service hours before
they may become active members, it is uncommon for chapters to require active members to do
the same on a semesterly basis. This proposed amendment hopes to stimulate a reaffirmation of
each active member's lifelong obligation to provide Service to humanity. Active members must
be role models for pledges. We cannot ask them to do something we are not willing to do
alongside them. Active members who do not fulfill their lifetime commitment to be unselfish in
service and devotion to the welfare of others cannot be allowed to lead on organization so
dedicated. Active members must be ever mindful of their duty to help other people at all times.
| Submitted by Mu Zeta Chapter of San Francisco State University Region X, Section 4 | Chapter Operations Reference #: A-75 |
Article VI - Advisors
Amend by replacing "three" with "one" so that it reads:
Rationale:
No rationale submitted
| Submitted by Robert E. Lee Correll, IV, Region III Director and Region III Staff | Chapter Operations Reference #: A-76 |
Article VI - Advisors
Amend by adding "such as community or alumni advisors" after the word "necessary" in the first
sentence.
Rationale:
Recognizes current practice, and gives merit to other advisor types.
| Robert E. Lee Correll, IV, Region III
Director John Conover, Jr., Region III Extension Coordinator Mike Ogilvie, Region III Parliamentarian Jamie Conover, Section 81 Chair Diane Trafton, Section 83 Chair Lee Peters, Section 84 Chair Michael Leahy, Zeta Beta Advisor Linda Prevatte, Alpha Delta Delta Advisor |
Chapter Operations Reference #: R-5 |
Be it resolved that:
Any perceived agreement allowing gender discrimination, commonly referred to as the "1976
Gentleman's Agreement", authorizing all-male chapters at co-educational institutions, is no longer
in force and is to be considered null and void.
Rationale:
The National Convention is the supreme authority of the National Fraternity, and is never bound
by past decisions. Therefore, the Fraternity has the right to reevaluate the actions of previous
conventions, and the obligation to enforce the Fraternity's open membership policies.
| Robert E. Lee Correll, IV, Region III
Director John Conover, Jr., Region III Extension Coordinator Mike Ogilvie, Region III Parliamentarian Jamie Conover, Section 81 Chair Diane Trafton, Section 83 Chair Lee Peters, Section 84 Chair Michael Leahy, Zeta Beta Advisor Linda Prevatte, Alpha Delta Delta Advisor |
Chapter Operations Reference #: R-6 |
Be it resolved that:
This convention reaffirms the "1976 Gentleman's Agreement" allowing or authorizing the
continuation of all-male chapters at co-educational institutions chartered before 1976.
Rationale:
The National Convention is the supreme authority of the National Fraternity and is never bound
by past decisions. The Fraternity has the right and obligation to reaffirm the right of a chapter to
discriminate based on gender.
| Robert E. Lee Correll, IV, Region III
Director John Conover, Jr., Region III Extension Coordinator Mike Ogilvie, Region III Parliamentarian Jamie Conover, Section 81 Chair Diane Trafton, Section 83 Chair Lee Peters, Section 84 Chair Michael Leahy, Former Section 82 Chair Linda Prevatte, Alpha Delta Delta Advisor |
Chapter Operations Reference #: R-7 |
Be it resolved that: The 1998 National Convention Rules and Credentials Reference Committee deny certification to those chapters not in good standing due to their violation of Alpha Phi Omega's published Membership Policies. The Rules and Credentials Reference Committee will disallow any unwritten agreement between the Fraternity and any other entity.
Rationale:
This is one mechanism to enforce the Fraternity's published membership policies.
| Robert E. Lee Correll, IV, Region III
Director John Conover, Jr., Region III Extension Coordinator Jamie Conover, Section 81 Chair Lee Peters, Section 84 Chair Michael Leahy, Former Section 82 Chair |
Chapter Operations Reference #: R-8 |
Be it resolved that:
The National Spirit and Standards Committee recommend to the 1998 National Convention the
revocation of the charter of any chapter not in compliance with the Fraternity's published
Membership Policies. The National Spirit and Standards Committee will disallow any unwritten
agreement between the Fraternity and any other entity.
Rationale:
This is one mechanism to enforce the Fraternity's published membership policies.
| Submitted by M. Tomusiak, National Board Member at Large | Chapter Operations Reference #: R-13 |
Proposal:
Be it resolved that every Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega shall review its membership policies with
respect to the exclusion of potential members based on gender, and by the 1998 National
Convention, take action to open membership to all students.
Rationale:
Banning students of either gender on co-ed campuses is contrary to the open membership policy
stated in our Bylaws, and inconsistent with the Fraternity ideals of world-wide Leadership,
Friendship and Service.