ALPHA PHI ALPHA
FRATERNITY, INC
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS TRAINING
OVERVIEW
Constitution
Lists the principles / tenants of the Fraternity
By-Laws
Defines how we operate
Alpha
Regulations
Details administrative rules and regulations
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
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CONSTITUTION
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
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PREAMBLE
We, the members of this organization, in order
to promote a more perfect union among College
men; to aid in and insist upon 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.
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Incorporated
Name
Mission
Develops leaders
Promotes brotherhood
ARTICLE I
Name,
Mission,
Objectives and
Symbols
Academic excellence
Provides service and advocacy for
our communities
Objectives
Stimulate the ambition of
members
Prepare them for the greatest
usefulness in causes of
humanity, freedom and dignity
of the individual
Encourage highest and
noblest form of manhood
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Aid down-trodden humanity in
its efforts to achieve higher
social, economic and
intellectual status
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Symbols: Greek Letters: AΦA
Official Emblem:
Shield
ARTICLE I
Name, Mission,
Objectives and
Symbols (cont)
Fraternal Design:
Coat-of-Arms
Official Colors:
Old Gold and Black
Official Flower:
Yellow Rose
Official Seal
Official Organ:
“The Sphinx”
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Parent Body
Composition
Chapters
General Officers
Board of Directors (BOD)
Past General Presidents
Committees, Commissions & Foundations
ARTICLE II
Supreme
Governing
Body
General Convention
Biennial
Sole power to enact legislation
THE GENERAL
ORGANIZATION
(GO)
Composition General Officers
Past General Presidents
Chairman of Standing Committees
Chapter Delegates - 1 vote
Representation Delegates apportioned by chapters’
financial membership as of May 1 of
convention year
Convening
Conventions
Quorum
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
General President (GP)
¼ of the delegates registered
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5 Regions: E, S, W, SW, MW
Jurisdiction over chapters
Headed by RVP and ARVP
ARTICLE III
Regional
Organization
Sections 1&2
Designation &
Regional
Conventions
Regional
Conventions
Annual; lesser meetings acceptable
Elect RVP and ARVP
Limited legislative authority:
Laying and collecting fees and
taxes
RVP: convention call
Composition
(residency
requirement)
Regional Officers
General Officers
Past General
Presidents
Chairman of GO’s
standing committees
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Regional
Officers
Regional Vice President
Assistant Regional Vice
President
RVP: appoints other officers
ARTICLE III
Representation
Regional
Organization
Section 3 and 4
Regional Officers
Representation
(residency
requirement)
Member in good
standing with chapter
Delegates
Chapters’ financial
membership
First day of the
month preceding
the month of
convention
Immediate Past RVP and
ARVP
Current and immediate past
General Officers
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Chairman of Standing
Committees, Foundations
and Commissions
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Elective
Offices
General President
5 Regional Vice President
5 Assistant Regional Vice
President
ARTICLE IV
General Treasurer
General Offices
Sections 1 and 2
Elective Offices
and
Requirements
Comptroller
Requirements
Attended 2 of 3 GC’s
immediately preceding
convention of his election
(ARVP exempt)
ARVP
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Regularly enrolled;
taking courses to 1st
academic degree
during his entire term
of office
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Elections Committee recommends procedures
for election unless noted in Constitution
General
President
Election by ballot to each member in
good standing
GC narrows candidates to 2 nominees
ARTICLE IV
General Offices
Sections 3
Election
Procedure
Nominee is unable to complete the
process, the candidate receiving the next
largest number of votes becomes the
nominee
General
Treasurer &
Comptroller
RVP & ARVP
Nominated and elected by the GC
Residency Requirement
Nominated and elected at regional
convention
Ballot and majority vote
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Vacancies
General
President
Unable or incapacitated: Ad hoc
committee of Past General Presidents
Committee selects Acting General
President from RVPs
ARTICLE IV
General Offices
Sections 4 and 5
Election
Procedures (cont)
Tenure
Reports
GP fills vacancies (BOD recommends)
Acting GP serves until the inability or
incapacity of GP is removed or successor is
elected and qualified
Tenure
GP – four year term (no succession)
RVP – two year term (not to exceed two
terms)
ARVP – one year term (not to exceed 4
consecutive years)
General Treasurer/ Comptroller – four year
term may succeed himself for one 4 year
term
Reports
Biennial to GC
Annual to BOD
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Voting
Members
General President
Immediate Past General
President
General Treasurer
ARTICLE V
Comptroller
Board of
Directors (BOD)
Section 1
Composition
5 Regional Vice Presidents
5 Assistant Regional Vice
Presidents
Non-voting
Members
Past General Presidents
General Counsel
Executive Director (ED)
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Develops policies and programs within
constitutional limits
Recommends legislative changes to the GC
Examines and presents Budget and Finance
Committee proposals to the GC
ARTICLE V
Board of
Directors (BOD)
Section 2
Duties and
Responsibilities
Ensures financial integrity and the best interest
of the Fraternity between GC’s
Quorum – more than half of voting members
Performs duties and discharges responsibilities
as provided in Constitution
Establishes committees from its members
(finance excluded)
Co-opt non-members to act on its behalf
Meets at call of GP at least once per year or
by petition of min. of 2/3 of the voting
members
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Proposals
Majority vote of delegates
present and voting at the
regional convention
ARTICLE VI
Amendments
Member or chapter submits
proposal to their RVP within 60
days of the regional convention
Adoption
Affirmative vote of ¾ of
delegates present and voting
at the GC
Negative vote of 51% of
chapters veto the action of the
GC
Limitations
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
GC only considers proposed
amendments which have
been properly submitted in the
appropriate timeframe unless
it’s shown that the RVP or ED
intentionally failed to comply
with the provisions
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Constitution
and
By-Laws
Regions, districts,
chapters or subsidiaries
constitution can not
conflict with GO
ARTICLE VII
Constitutional
and
Parliamentary
Authority
Parliamentary Robert’s Rules of Order
Newly Revised
Authority
Where not specifically
noted as rule in GO’s
Constitution and ByLaws
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BY-LAWS
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Presides over GC’s
Ex-officio and President of the BOD
ARTICLE I
Appoints general officers, directors, chairmen
and members of all committees and commissions
with Board concurrence
Interprets the Constitution and By-Laws
Duties and
Responsibilities of
Elected Officers
Only GC can appeal his decision
Section 1
General President
Provides report to the GC which includes current
status of all legislation, recommendations and
resolutions
Provides guidance, supervision to ED, and other
officers within policy guidelines of the BOD
May delay amendments to the Constitution and
By-Laws for 30 days to chapters based on
budgetary implications
Performs other duties and represents the Fraternity
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Supervises chapters within region
Settles controversies and misunderstandings
ARTICLE I
Duties and
Responsibilities of
Elected Officers
Section 2
Regional Vice
President
Provides complete financial statements to
GC
Suspends members or chapters
Performs other duties assigned by GP
Appoints District Directors and other regional
officers
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Assists RVP with college chapter affairs
Performs such duties assigned by the GP or
their RVP
ARTICLE I
Duties and
Responsibilities of
Elected Officers
Section 3
Regional Assistant
Vice President
Represents all chapters on the BOD
Recommends members to standing and
special committees
Recommends, with RVP approval, fiscal
improvements or constraints to regional
convention
Assists in regional convention preparation
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General
Treasurer
Has charge / responsible
for all moneys, funds,
securities per accounting
section of the Fraternal
Regulations
Bondable
ARTICLE I
Comptroller Responsible to BOD for
Duties and
Responsibilities of
Elected Officers
Section 4 and 5
General Treasurer
and Comptroller
carrying out the financial
mandates of the GC
Bondable
Maintains continuous audits
of budgeted financials
Authorizes budgeted
expenditures approved by
GP or BOD
Reports on status of current
year budget and proposed
budget for next biennial
fiscal year
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ARTICLE I
Duties and
Responsibilities of
Elected Officers
Violating the oath of office,
Constitution, Standing Orders,
other rules and regulations of
Fraternity, malfeasance,
criminal or civil actions that
puts the Fraternity at risk
Section 6
Removal
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Full authority, (approved budget / policy guidelines)
GP supervision, to implement mandates, resolutions
authorized by GC
Keeps accurate accounts and minutes of BOD and
GC
Prints / sends GC minutes to chapters
ARTICLE II
Uses approved accounting principles and practices
Custodian of official records
Supervises and lets contracts
Office of Executive
Director
Provides convention report
Maintains membership records
Prepares, publishes, distributes membership directory
Provides notice of General or Special Conventions
Prepares list of GC’s voting delegates
Custodian of the corporate seal
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Provides to chapter approved amendments to the
Constitution and By-Laws
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Serves as Secretary of BOD
ARTICLE II
Death of ED or inability, or
refusal to act - GP, based on
board recommendation,
selects a member to act until
a qualified successor has
been appointed
Section 2
Procedure for
Interim
Replacement of
the Executive
Director
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Chief Legal Counsel
Legal advisor to General Officers
ARTICLE III
Duties and
Responsibilities
of Appointed
Officers
Section 1
General Counsel
Approves surety bonds of General Officers
and employees
Represents Fraternity in litigation involving
chapter or matters pertaining to chapter
house loans & financing
Authorization (BOD approval) to prosecute,
defend, negotiate & settle legal actions
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Official recorder, chronicler of events,
memoirs, symbols, biographies, etc. of
the Fraternity
ARTICLE III
Duties and
Responsibilities
of Appointed
Officers
Section 2
Historian
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Collects & guards official documents &
memorabilia
Publishes “The History of Alpha Phi Alpha:
A Development in College Life”
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Arranged, planned by BOD or designee with host
chapter
Officials
Director of Conventions
Parliamentarian
ARTICLE IV
Chaplain
General
Convention
Sergeant of Arms
Committees
Rules and Credentials
Resolutions and Recommendations
Awards and Achievements
Grievances and Discipline
GP may appoint other special
committee(s)
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Lists Standing Committees & Commissions
Composition 5-11 members: 1 from each
region; 2 College brothers
ARTICLE V
Standing
Committees and
Commissions
GP appoints chairs and
members (term limitation)
GP, upon recommendation by
chair, may approve the co-opt
of one or more members for
special or limited purposes
Responsibilities
Investigate, inquire,
prepare reports to GC, GP,
BOD
Chairs advise (directed by
GP) ED or RVP(s)
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Enabling
Authority
Fraternity establishes entity &
incorporates and creates rules for
governance
When needed, only GC can create
subsidiaries or affiliates
Corporate documents must stipulate
corporation is subsidiary or affiliate of
the Fraternity
ARTICLE VI
Permanent
Commissions,
Foundations and
Subsidiary Corp.
GC may fund affiliate or subsidiary
corporation
Annual
Reports
Assets
and
Property
Dissolution
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Include financial reports to BOD and GC
GP (RVP’s advise) approves names of
officers and members; General Treasurer,
General Counsel, Comptroller - ex-officio;
BOD included in entity’s membership
No assets or property can go or benefit
members, officers or members of GO
Assets after settlement: GO’s BOD
recommends
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College and Alumni
Life Membership to members who fulfill
requirements
ARTICLE VII
Membership
Section 1
Classes of
Membership
Member in Good
Standing
Financial with the
Chapter and GO
College Brothers: min.
or equivalent cum.
GPA of a 2.5 on a 4.0
scale
Can’t be a member of another college
or intercollegiate fraternity (honorary or
professional exempt)
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Male student of
an accredited
college /
university
ARTICLE VII
Membership
Section 2
Eligibility for College
Chapter
Membership
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Completed 1 semester
or 2 quarters of a regular
year’s program
Full time student leading
to first academic
degree
Min. cum. GPA. of 2.5 on 4.0
scale or equivalent
(institution override)
Good Character
Registered voter
Member in good standing of chapter
presents his candidacy
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Male holder of an
earned accredited
college/university’s
baccalaureate
degree
ARTICLE VII
Good Character
Registered voter
Membership
Section 3
Eligibility for
Alumni Chapter
Membership
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Member in good standing of chapter
presents his candidacy
Member who did not earn a
baccalaureate degree
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Payment of the Life Membership Fee as
contained in the Constitution and Bylaws
by any member
ARTICLE VII
Membership
Section 4
Requirements for
Life Membership
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
Exempt from payment of Grand Tax
Life Membership does not release or
excuse a member from his chapter
financial obligation
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Receives three-fourths vote of the
members present at a meeting of the
chapter duly called for balloting or a
meeting where prior notice is given
ARTICLE VII
Membership
He meets or has met all requirements
for initiation of the Constitution and
Bylaws
Section 5
Initiation
He receives written approval from the
RVP
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Districts are headed by District Director,
appointed by RVP
ARTICLE VIII
Regional
Organization
Area are headed by Area Director,
appointed by RVP
District and
Areas
Districts: are states or group
of states
States over 500 miles: RVP
may appoint two District
Directors
Areas contain several
chapters
Chapters within a District
may organize a District
Conference
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Organizational
Units
Alumni and College Chapters
Chapter in Good Standing
minimum of 7, risk management
certified; current chapter
directory; financial with GO
College chapter must have a
min. chapter cum. GPA of 2.5 or
equivalent on a 4.0 scale
ARTICLE IX
Chapter
Organization
and Structure
Chapter
Designations
Alumni Chapters same except
the suffix Lambda
Section 1-4
Chapter
Restrictions
Affiliations
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
College Chapters bear Greek
letters in order
Chapter can not create an
entity that abridges members’
rights
Standing Orders dictate
membership admission
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College
Chapter
Establishment
Accredited 4 year
institution; Two or more
acceptable
Establishment: male
student or an active
member
ARTICLE IX
Chapter
Organization
and Structure
Alumni Chapter
Establishment
7 or more active
members
Jurisdiction of
chapters
GC or BOD determines
jurisdiction
Property of the
General
Organization
Property provided by the
GO to chapter remains
GO property
Section 5 -8
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Discipline in
relation to
Chapter
GC, RVP, BOD can suspend a
chapter
Discipline Only GC may expel
of
Members BOD - suspends recommends or
expels
ARTICLE X
Discipline
RVP- may suspend; suspended
member may appeal to GC or BOD
Expulsion Chapter may recommend expulsion
Action by the GC is final
Request reinstatement after 3 years
2/3 majority of the GC needed
for reinstatement
Loss of
Privileges
Member who fails to affiliate with
chapter within 5 months is denied
privilege of chapter participation
Member suspended by chapter
cannot wear The Badge
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Grand and Chapter Tax due no later than November 15
Late fee $10 Grand and $50 Chapter
Grand Tax: Alumni $150.00; College $75
3% of Grand Tax and interest of each living Life Member
goes to regions
ARTICLE XI
1st year college graduate – 50% of GO fees
2nd year college graduate – 75% of GO fees
Fees and Taxes
Chapter Tax formula: Grand Tax # of chapter delegates
Life Membership Fee: $3,000
Alumni Chapter charter fee: $500
College Chapter charter fee: $250
Alumni initiation fee: $350
College initiation fee: $160
College Brothers $25 per year
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Proposal
ARTICLE XII
Adoption
Amendments
Submitted 60 days prior
to GC
Affirmative vote of ¾ of
delegates present and
voting at GC
Negative vote of 51% of
the chapters shall veto
action of GC
Limitations
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
GC only considers proposed
amendments which have
been properly submitted in
the appropriate timeframe
unless it’s shown that the
RVP or ED intentionally failed
to comply with the provisions
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Contents of this Presentation is based on materials
developed by the National Membership Development
Taskforce
Presentation Compiled by
John M. Williams
There shall be NO DEVIATIONS or
ADJUSTMENTS!!
Refer questions or comments to imdp@apa1906.net
2010 Constitution and By-Laws
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