ALPHA PHI OMEGA National Bylaws

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Adopted by the National Constitutional Convention of 1967. As amended through the 1994 National Convention.

Article I. Name

The name of this Fraternity shall be ALPHA PHI OMEGA.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this fraternity shall be to assemble college students in a National Service Fraternity in the fellowship of the principles of Alpha Phi Omega; to develop Leadership, to promote Friendship, and provide Service to humanity; and to further the freedom that is our national, educational, and intellectual heritage. The rich heritage of Alpha Phi Omega is derived from the fellowship of the principles of the Boy Scouts of America as embodied in its Scout Oath and Law.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Open Membership.
Membership in Alpha Phi Omega shall be open to all students, upon the approval of the respective collegiate chapter and after fulfilling the membership requirements prescribed by the National Fraternity and by that chapter.
Section 2. Types and Conditions of Membership.
(1) Pledge Membership.
Pledge membership shall be conferred upon enrolled students of an institution of higher education in which a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega is located who are selected by that chapter to participate in a period of preparation and training in the ideals and purposes of Alpha Phi Omega. The pledge ceremony shall be according to the official ritual of the Fraternity. The content and duration of the preparatory period are to be determined by the collegiate chapter in so far as these matters do not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or operating policies of the National Fraternity.
(2) Active Membership.
Active membership shall be conferred upon enrolled students who are in the fellowship of the principles of Alpha Phi Omega; who, to the satisfaction of their chapter, are so oriented; who are encouraged, but not required, by their chapter upon activation to be a registered member of any Scout movement; and who have successfully completed an approved membership education program. Initiation shall be according to the official ritual of the Fraternity. Active membership shall carry all rights and responsibilities in the chapter, except that the individual chapters may determine the degree of participation of members in graduate school. Active membership shall be continued so long as the member remains in good standing with the chapter and continues enrollment in the institution. Active membership may be transferred from one chapter to another if the member transfers institutional enrollment, provided that the new chapter accepts the member as an active member, and that new member completes the necessary form and sees that they are forwarded to the National Office.
(3) Associate Membership.
Associate membership may be conferred upon active members who find it necessary to cease full involvement in chapter affairs, because of other commitments of time and effort, and who petition the chapter for associate membership. Procedures for conferring such status, for reinstatement of active status, and rights and responsibilities of associate members are left to the discretion of the chapter.
(4) Advisory Membership.
Advisory membership may be conferred upon persons approved by the chapter to serve on the Advisory Committee, who shall have all rights and privileges of active membership, except those of voting or holding office in the chapter, other than Chairman of the Advisory Committee. Such membership may not be conferred upon undergraduate students.
(5) Honorary Membership.
Honorary membership may be conferred by any collegiate chapter or the National Board of Directors, upon persons who have contributed significantly to the ideals and purposes of Alpha Phi Omega. Persons so honored shall have all rights and privileges of active membership, except those of voting and holding office. Such membership may not be bestowed upon undergraduate students. Selection of honorary members by a collegiate chapter shall require the approval by vote of at least three-fourths of the chapter's active membership. Selection of National Honorary members shall require the approval by vote of three-fourths of the membership of the National Board of Directors.
(6) Life Membership.
Life Membership shall be conferred upon and active, advisory, or alumni member who contributes to the National Fraternity an amount specified in Article VIII, Section 7. If requested, Life Members shall receive a free subscription to the Fraternity magazine, renewable at no cost every five years.
(7) Alumni Membership.
Upon leaving their respective chapters without having been suspended or expelled by their chapters or the National Fraternity, all who have held active, advisory, or honorary membership in a collegiate chapter shall be recognized as alumni members. Advisory members shall be recognized as alumni members when they become Life Members or upon leaving their respective chapters.
(8) Extension Membership.
Extension membership shall be conferred by a chapter upon students enrolled in a nearby institution of higher education in which a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega is not located. In order to grant such membership the chapter shall first obtain written authorization of the National Membership & Extension Committee. Such authorization may be given for up to four students from an institution without a chapter. Upon application of the fifth student for extension membership, these students must form a Petitioning Group at the institution without a chapter. Extension members shall have all rights and privileges and responsibilities of active members of the chapter until a chapter is established at their institution.
(9) Petitioning Membership.
Petitioning Membership shall be conferred upon enrolled students of an institution of higher education in which a petitioning group of Alpha Phi Omega is located and upon selection by the petitioning group to participate in the establishment of a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.
(10) Suspension Of Chapter Membership.
Upon the suspension of a member by a chapter, the chapter may, at its discretion, petition the National Board of Directors for a letter of suspension to be affixed to the individual's membership record.
(11) National Suspension and/or Expulsion of Members and Officers.
Any member of this Fraternity may be suspended or expelled. The National Board of Directors, for just cause and after due deliberation, by a two-thirds vote thereof, may suspend a member of the Fraternity until the next National Convention and may recommend to that convention that such member be expelled. The suspension of such member shall terminate at the end of the last day of this convention, unless the convention has taken specific action against the member. The National Convention can expel any member from the Fraternity by an affirmative ballot vote of two-thirds of the votes of the registered delegates present and voting, and such expelled member cannot be eligible for subsequent pledge, active, associate, advisory, honorary, life, or alumni membership in Alpha Phi Omega, unless two-thirds of the registered delegates present and voting at a National Convention approve.

Article IV. National Conventions

Section 1. Membership.
The supreme authority of the Fraternity consistent with the provisions of the Bylaws, shall be vested in the National Convention composed of the members of the National Board of Directors, the Sectional Chairmen, two delegates from each chapter who shall be active members or chapter advisors, and one Alumni Voting Delegate from each region, and two delegates from each Petitioning Group who shall be petitioning members or Petitioning Group advisors. Other members of the Fraternity may observe but may not participate in floor debate. Members who have not been initiated shall not be allowed to observe debate over rituals.
Section 2. Voting Power.
Each collegiate chapter in good standing represented at a National Convention shall have two votes. If a chapter has only one delegate registered, that delegate shall have the power to cast both votes. Each voting member of the National Board of Directors and each Alumni Voting Delegate registered at a convention shall have only one vote. Delegates from any chapter not in good standing but represented at a National Convention shall be entitled to all privileges of delegates from chapters in good standing, with the exception of voting.
Section 3. Quorum.
A quorum to do business shall consist of two- thirds of the registered delegates entitled to vote.
Section 4. Vote Required To Adopt A Measure.
A simple majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to adopt a measure.
Section 5. Parliamentary Authority.
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern all meetings of the National Convention in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the convention may adopt.
Section 6. Powers And Duties Of The National Convention.
The National Convention shall have:
Section 7. Time And Place.
The National Convention shall be held biennially in even numbered years. The time and place for each convention shall be brought as a motion by a reference committee and presented for ratification by the delegates in accordance with the following rotation:

There shall be four convention areas, the areas to be defined as follows:

Eastern
The states of Vermont, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and all Atlantic Seaboard states except Florida and Georgia.
Southern
Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
Western
All Pacific Seaboard states, and the states of Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Island of Guam.
North Central
Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
The convention site shall be rotated so that in each eight-year period the convention shall be held once in each area, rotating consecutively through the Eastern, Southern, Western, and North Central in that order. It shall not be held in the same city in the same area two consecutive times.

Suggestions for proposed sites for the National Convention shall be submitted in writing to the National Executive Director at least ninety (90) days before the first legislative session of the next National Convention; suggested sites shall be submitted by the National Executive Director to the chapters and the Board of Directors at least eighty (80) days before the first legislative session of the next convention.

In the event that, between the time of the National Convention and the time of the negotiation of a contract with a hotel in the chosen host city, an agreeable contract cannot be made, the National Board of Directors will have the option of choosing a substitute host city from among those cities which submitted bids at the National Convention. If no other cities submitted bids, then the National Board of Directors will have the option of choosing any city within the same convention area.

Article V. National Officers

Section 1. Elected National Officers.
The National Convention shall elect the following National Officers to serve for term of two years or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified: National President, National Vice President. The National Convention shall also elect six members to the Board of Directors as Members-at-Large to serve for a term of two years or until their successor shall have been elected and qualified.
Section 2. Appointed Officers.
The National President shall appoint, with the approval of the National Board of Directors and to serve at its pleasure, the National Executive Director, the National Legal Counsel, and the National Archivist.
Section 3. Honorary National Officers.
The National Convention may appoint Honorary Officers to serve for a fixed term or at its pleasure.
Section 4. Duties Of The National President.
It shall be the duty of the National President to preside at all National Conventions; to call meeting of the National Executive Committee; to enforce a due observance of the Article of Incorporation, the National Bylaws, and the Standard Chapter Articles of Association of Alpha Phi Omega; to serve as chairman of the National Board of Directors and of the National Executive Committee; to appoint, in the manner specified in these Bylaws, such national officers, national committee chairmen, national committee members and other persons as are specifically designated for presidential appointment; to appoint all national committees not otherwise provided for; to serve as an ex-officio member of all national committees; and to perform such other duties as the office may require.
Section 5. Duties Of The National Vice President.
It shall be the duty of the National Vice president to preside in the absence of the National President and perform the duties of that office, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the National President.
Section 6. Duties of Members-At-Large of The National Board of Directors.
The National President shall appoint five of the Members-at-Large of the National Board of Directors to serve as chairmen, respectively, of the National Service Committee, the National Membership and Extension Committee, the National Finance Committee, the National Alumni Committee and the National Leadership Development Committee. The President shall appoint the remaining Member-at-Large of the National Board of Directors to serve as chairman of one of the remaining national standing committees or to serve in such other capacity as the President deems is in the best interest of the Fraternity.
Section 7. Duties Of The National Executive Director.
The National Executive Director shall work under the direction of the National President and shall perform such duties as are prescribed by the National President and the National Board of Directors. The National Executive Director shall employ and supervise the office and professional staff of the National Fraternity subject to policies adopted by the National Board of Directors. The National Executive Director shall receive and provide security for all monies of the National Fraternity, and issue all withdrawals made against National Fraternity funds in accordance with procedures and policies as shall be established by the National Board of Directors. The National Executive Director shall be the general editor of all publications of the Fraternity.
Section 8. Duties Of The National Legal Counsel.
It shall be the duty of the National Legal Counsel to advise the National Board of Directors, National Executive Committee, National President and National Executive Director, on all corporate legal matters.
Section 9. Duties Of The National Archivist.
It shall be the duty of the National Archivist to receive and provide for the security and proper display of items of national historical importance.
Section 10. Succession.
In the event the office of National President shall become vacant between National Conventions, the National Vice President shall become the National President.
Section 11. Vacancy In The Officer Of Vice President.
Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the office of the National Vice President, the National Board of Directors shall elect one of the Members-at-Large to serve as National Vice President.

Article VI. National Board of Directors

Section 1. National Board Of Directors.
There shall be a National Board of Directors which shall be the governing body of the Fraternity between National Conventions, with power to act on all matters for the best interest of the Fraternity, consistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 2. Members Of The National Board Of Directors.
The National Board of Directors shall consist of the following elected members: The National President, the National Vice President, six Members-at-Large, ten Regional Directors, and the following ex-officio members: The National Executive Director, the National Legal Counsel, the National Archivist, Past National Presidents, Life Members of the Board, and a representative of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The ex-officio members shall also serve as advisors to the Board and assume responsibility for special assignments on appointment by the National President. Each member of the Board shall have one vote at meetings of the National Board of Directors, except for the National Executive Director, the National Archivist, and the National Legal Counsel, who shall have voice, but no vote.
Section 3. Executive Committee Of The National Board.
There shall be an Executive Committee of the National Board of Directors with the authority to act in the name of the Board between Board meetings on those matters which the Board delegates it. The Executive Committee of the National Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the National President or by petition of a majority of its members. The time and place of all Executive Committee meetings shall be determined by the National President.
Section 4. Membership Of The Executive Committee.
Membership of the Executive Committee of the National Board of Directors shall consist of the National President, the National Vice President, the six Members-at-Large, and, as ex-officio, non-voting members, the National Executive Director, the National Legal Counsel and the immediate Past National President.
Section 5. Regional Directors.
There shall be ten (10) Regional Directors serving on the National Board of Directors. They shall be elected in the manner prescribed in Article XI, Section 2 of these National Bylaws to serve until the next National Convention but only as long as they maintain residence within the region they were elected to represent.
Section 6. Board Meetings.
The National Board of Directors shall meet at least once each calendar year. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee of the National Board of Directors or by petition of a majority of the elected members of the National Board of Directors. The time and place of all regularly scheduled board meetings shall be determined by the National Board of Directors. A quorum at all Board meetings shall consist of a majority of the currently elected members of the National Board of Directors. All action taken by the Board shall be reported to the chapters in the next edition of the Torch and Trefoil, or other national publication if there is one, within sixty (60) days.
Section 7. Board Life Membership.
Life Membership on the National Board of Directors may be conferred by the affirmative vote of two- thirds of the delegates present at a National Convention upon persons who have served on the Board twenty years or more. Life Members of the National Executive Board as of February 29, 1968, shall retain Life Membership on the National Board of Directors.
Section 8. Resignation And Board Vacancies.
Any member of the Board may resign form the Board by submitting a letter to the National Executive Director. Such resignation by a past National President or Life Member of the Board shall not constitute a Board vacancy. Vacancies occurring from among currently elected members of the National Board of Directors shall be filled by a vote of the remaining members of the Board until the next National Convention. Any person selected to fill a vacancy shall meet the eligibility requirements prescribed in these Bylaws for the predecessor.
Section 9. Impeachment.
Members of the National Board of Directors and other elected officials of the National Fraternity, including regional officials, may be impeached for misconduct or malfeasance in office. Charges shall be submitted in writing to the National Board of Directors. The National Board of Directors shall investigate and hear the charges. If two-thirds of the members of the National Board of Directors present and voting sustain the charges, the official shall be suspended and removed from office.

The National Board of Directors may impose any lesser penalty or take other appropriate action in lieu of impeachment where deemed warranted. Actions constituting formal discipline, such as censure or reprimand, shall require the approval of two-thirds of those members present and voting.

Impeachment by the National Board of Directors of national officials may be appealed to the next National Convention. If two-thirds of the registered delegates present and voting affirm the Board's decision, the charges shall be sustained. If the board action is not sustained, the official shall be immediately reinstated for the remainder of the term of office.

Impeachment by the National Board of Directors of regional officials may be appealed to the membership of the region at the next National Convention. If two-thirds of the registered delegates from the region present and voting at a regional meeting at said National Convention affirm the Board's decision, the charges shall be sustained. If the board action is not sustained, the official shall be immediately reinstated for the remainder of the term of office.

Article VII. National Committees

Section 1. Appointment Of Committees.
It shall be the duty of the National President, with the approval of the National Board of Directors, to appoint chairmen of all standing committees and to appoint or consent to the appointment of sub-committees shall be derived from membership of the appropriate standing committee. The chairment of such sub-committees shall be derived from the membership of the appropriate standing committee. There shall be at least one member of the National Board of Directors on each national standing committee.
Section 2. National Advisory Committee.
The National Advisory Committee shall consist of a chairman and members appointed by the National President. It shall be the duty of the National Advisory Committee to advise the National President in matters concerning the welfare of the Fraternity.
Section 3. National Alumni Committee.
The National Alumni Committee shall consist of a Chairman, appointed by the National President from among the six elected Members-at-Large, one alumni member from each region, and other members as deemed necessary. The National Alumni Committee member from each region shall be nominated by the chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.

It shall be the duty of the National Alumni Committee to coordinate all alumni affairs and to promote continued interest in the Fraternity's ideals and program. The National Alumni committee shall be the governing body of the alumni.

Section 4. National Membership and Extension Committee.
The National Membership and Extension Committee shall consist of a Chairman, appointed by the National President from among the six Members-at-Large, and members nominated by the chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.

It shall be the duty of the National Membership and Extension Committee to promote and encourage programs that aid chapters in membership growth, to promote and encourage programs and activities for the enhancement of membership in the Fraternity, to promote and encourage the reactivation of previously voided charters, and to promote and encourage the formation of new chapters.

Section 5. National Finance Committee.
The National Finance Committee shall consist of a Chairman, appointed by the National President from among the six elected Members-at-Large, and two or more members nominated by the chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.

It shall be the duty of the National Finance Committee to propose ways and means to adequately finance the Fraternity, and to propose expenditures through annual budget recommendations and a written report.

Section 6. National Service Committee.
The National Service Committee shall consist of a Chairman, appointed by the National President from among the six Members-at-Large, and members nominated by the chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.

It shall be the duty of the National Service Committee to develop a two year National Service Program of Emphasis fro consideration and action of the biennial National Convention; to stimulate effective, well-rounded chapter service programs by instigating resource development and distribution; to encourage quality in chapter service programs through an effective program of recognition; and to accept and consider suggestion from the National Scouting Relations Committee to enable the Fraternity to be of service of the Boy Scouts of America and other scouting and youth movements.

Section 7. National Leadership Development Committee.
The National Leadership Development Committee shall consist of a Chairman, appointed by the National President from among the six elected Members-at-Large, and members nominated by the chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.

It shall be the duty of the National Leadership Development Committee to establish and coordinate leadership development programs on the Sectional, Regional and National levels.

Section 8. National Public Relations Committee.
The National Public Relations Committee shall consist of a chairman and members nominated by the chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.

It shall be the duty of the National Public Relations Committee to foster good relations with administrations and faculties of colleges and universities, and with the general public; and to provide promotional resources for Sectional, Regional and National conferences.

Section 9. National Scouting Relations Committee.
The National Scouting Relations Committee shall consist of a Chairman appointed by the National President, a representative from the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and other members nominated by the Chairman of the committee and appointed by the National President.