Standard Chapter Articles of Association of Alpha Phi Omega

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

Preamble

We, the members of ______ Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity, chartered on the campus of _______, and established for the purpose of assembling college students in the fellowship of the principles of the Boy Scouts of America as embodied in its Scout Oath and Law, to develop Leadership, to promote Friendship and provide Service to humanity, and to further the freedom that is our national, educational, and intellectual heritage, do adopt these Standard Chapter Articles of Association.

Article I. NAME

The name of this organization is the ______ Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.

Article II. Purpose And Policy

This chapter shall be conduced as a Service Fraternity under the policies, principles, and provisions set forth in the National Articles of Incorporation, National Bylaws, and these Standard Chapter Articles of Association of Alpha Phi Omega.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Open Membership.

Membership in this chapter of Alpha Phi Omega shall be open to all students. Membership in this chapter shall be granted only upon the approval of the applicant by this chapter and after the applicant has fulfilled the membership requirements prescribed by the National Fraternity and by this chapter.

Section 2. Pledge Membership.

Pledge membership in this chapter shall be conferred upon students enrolled in the institution where this chapter is located who are selected 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. This chapter shall determine the content and duration of the pledge period in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, the National Bylaws, and the operating policies of the National Fraternity.

Section 3. Active Membership.

Active membership in this chapter shall be conferred upon enrolled students of this educational institution who are in fellowship with the principles of Alpha Phi Omega; who, to the satisfaction of this chapter, are so oriented; who are encouraged, but not required, by this chapter upon activation to be registered members of any Scout movement; and who have successfully completed an approved membership education program. Active membership shall carry all rights and responsibilities in this chapter, except that this chapter shall determine the degree of participation of members in graduate school. Active membership shall continue so long as the member remains in good standing in this chapter, does not become an associate member, and continues enrollment in this educational institution.

Section 4. Associate Membership.

The chapter may confer associate membership on an active member who find it necessary to cease full involvement in chapter affairs, because of other commitments of time and effort, and who petitions for such membership. This chapter shall determine the procedures for conferring associate membership, the rights and responsibilities thereof, and for reinstatement to active membership.

Section 5. Advisory Membership.

This chapter may confer advisory membership upon persons approved to serve on its Advisory Committee and they 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.

Section 6. Honorary Membership.

This chapter may confer honorary membership 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. Honorary chapter membership may not be bestowed upon undergraduate students. The approval by vote of at least three-fourths of this chapter's membership shall be required for the conferring of honorary chapter membership.

Section 7. Alumni Membership.

Upon leaving this chapter, without having been suspended or expelled by this chapter or the National Fraternity, all who have held active, advisory, or honorary membership in this 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.

Article IV. Officers

This chapter shall elect a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and other such officers as the chapter deems necessary. Such officers shall be elected at least annually. Such officers shall be properly installed by a traditional ceremony according to the official ritual book and as added to by this chapter. This chapter may remove an officer for not meeting assigned responsibilities only in a method prescribed by this chapter's bylaws.

Article V. Executive Committee

This chapter shall have an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall meet between chapter meetings as deemed necessary by the chapter. Membership shall consist of the Chapter President, all Vice Presidents, the Treasurer, Chairman of the Advisory Committee, and other members selected by the chapter.

Article VI. Advisors

This chapter shall have an Advisory Committee consisting of one or more Scouting Advisors, three or more advisors from the faculty or administration of this educational institution, and any other advisors which it deems necessary. One of the advisors shall be elected by the chapter as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee and shall serve on the chapter's Executive Committee. Advisors shall have all privileges of active membership, except those of voting and holding chapter office.

Article VII. Meetings

There shall be a minimum of two chapter meetings per month throughout the academic year as permitted by the college calendar. The type of meeting shall be determined by the chapter.

Article IX. Suspension

This chapter shall have the authority to suspend members for just cause and after due deliberation. Upon suspension of a member, 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.

Article X. Registration of Pledges and Active Members

The officers of this chapter shall cause pledge applications and the required national pledge fees to be mailed to the National Office not later than ten days after the pledge ceremony. The officers shall also cause applications for active membership and the required national active initiation fees to be mailed to the National Office not later than ten days after the initiation ceremony. In addition, the officers of this chapter shall submit the require annual active membership dues no later than November 15. Any initiation not followed by the registration of pledges or active members with the National Office shall be considered null and void.

Article XI. Membership Records

This chapter shall maintain a permanent record of all its members. To the extent that such records are practically available, these records shall include: 1) a permanent file of each duplicate pledge and/or active membership form, beginning with the charter members and including all subsequent members; and 2) a current roster of all pledge, active, associate, advisor, honorary, and alumni members.

Article XII. Permanent Mailing Address

This chapter shall maintain a post office box or other permanent chapter mailing address.

Article XIII. Chapter Dues

This chapter may establish reasonable chapter initiation fees, dues and assessments, in addition to those established by the National Fraternity.

Article XIV. Hazing

There shall be no hazing or informal initiation in connection with the functions of the chapter. Any mistreatment of pledges, members or other persons at any time shall be considered a violation of the purpose of this chapter and of the National Fraternity.

Article XV. Housing Policy

As a Service Fraternity, this chapter does not operate nor maintain a fraternity house as lodging quarters for members nor for any other persons. It maintains rooms for meetings at the discretion of its members.

Article XVI. Policy On Association Membership

This chapter of Alpha Phi Omega shall not seek nor accept membership in any association consisting solely of social fraternities, except on approval of the National Board of Directors.

Article XVII. Service Program

This chapter shall have a service program for all of its members. The service program shall be planned and carried out such that a reasonable balance is achieved among Alpha Phi Omega's four areas of service, which are:

1. Service to the college;
2. Service to the Fraternity;
3. Service to the community;
4. Service to the nation as participating citizens

Article XVIII. Authority Of Chapters

This chapter may adopt bylaws, rules, or regulations not in conflict with the National Articles of Incorporation, the National Bylaws, these Standard Chapter Articles of Association, or the rules, regulations, or policies of the educational institution at which this chapter is located.

Article XIX. Finance And Property

The officers of this chapter shall, annually, cause the appropriate local, state, and federal income tax to be filed. The financial records of each chapter shall be audited annually by an official approved by the institution in which the chapter is located; and a confirmation of the audit will be sent to the National Office upon request by the National Executive Director. Upon dissolution of this chapter a written report of any money or property on hand shall be filed by its officers with the educational institution and a copy with the National Executive Director of Alpha Phi Omega. Such money or property shall be held in trust by the educational institution, or by the National Office of Alpha Phi Omega, until the reactivation of the chapter, and delivered to the chapter at such time. Should reactivation of a chapter not be accomplished within five years of dissolution, such funds shall be paid to an organization exempt within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article XX. Amendments

The National Convention shall have the sole power to amend these Standard Chapter Articles of Association. The procedure for amendment shall be the same as that prescribed for amending the National Articles of Incorporation and the National Bylaws.

Alpha Phi Omega - National Service Fraternity, aponed@aol.com.