====== By-Laws of Alpha Chapter ====== These By-Laws shall govern the structure of Alpha Chapter of Mu Beta Psi, National Honorary Musical Fraternity, at North Carolina State University in conjunction with the [[policies:articles-of-incorporation|Articles of Incorporation]], [[policies:national-constitution|National Constitution]], and [[policies:|National Policies]] of Mu Beta Psi. Any portion of these By-Laws that conflicts with the documents listed above is null and void, and must be stricken or amended immediately. All procedures and operations of Alpha Chapter not set forth in this document shall be determined by [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Chapter Policy]], [[policies:chapters:alpha:standingrulesoforder|Standing Rules of Order]], or other action taken by the officers of the Chapter; policy is subject to amendment or alteration by the Will of the Brotherhood, in accordance with [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws#section_1amendment|Article Ⅵ, Section 1]] of these By-Laws. These By-Laws were last amended on November 17th, 2019. ===== Article Ⅰ — Membership ===== ==== Section 1 ==== 1. All Brothers shall abide by the [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Alpha Chapter By-Laws]] and all [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Chapter Policies]]. ==== Section 2: Chapter Active Statuses ==== === A: Active Brothers === 1. Any Brother who is a college student may obtain Active status. - Active Brothers shall be classified as Nationally Active. - Dues - Active Brothers shall pay semesterly dues equal to Chapter Active dues and applicable National dues. - Active Brothers shall pay semester dues or submit an approved payment plan by the third regularly scheduled general meeting of the semester. - Chapter Active dues shall be $60.00 per semester. - Attendance - Active Brothers shall be required to attend all general meetings and other required Fraternity events, in accordance with the Executive Committee Operating Procedures, during each semester in which they are Active. - An Active Brother with three (3) or more unexcused absences shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee, in accordance with the Executive Committee Operating Procedures. - Service requirements for Active Brothers shall be determined by Service Policy. - Active Brothers shall be required to serve on at least two (2) Chapter committees, standing or special. - Active Brothers may vote in any matter decided by voting in a general meeting. - No Brother with two (2) consecutive semesters of a Grade Point Average (GPA) of less than 2.25 may become Active. - Proof of GPA must be submitted to the Secretary prior to payment of Active dues. - GPA requirement exemption may be granted by the Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Committee, before Pledging begins. - If an Active Brother does not meet the minimum GPA requirement for a semester, then that Brother is on academic probation. - Active Brothers that are on academic probation become Special Active Brothers. - Newly Initiated Brothers - Brothers who are newly initiated may, for all practical purposes, be considered as Active Brothers during the remainder of the semester in which they pledged and be entitled to all the privileges defined in Article Ⅰ, Section 2.A above, pending approval of a majority of the Brotherhood. - For such Brothers, all requirements to maintain Active status, including service requirements, shall be considered fulfilled by the successful completion of Pledging requirements. === B: Special Active Brothers === 1. Any Brother who is a college student may obtain Special Active status by submitting a petition requesting approval by majority vote of the Executive Committee. - Special Active status may not be approved while Pledging is in session. - Special Active status may not be approved for a Brother more than two (2) semesters consecutively. - Special Active Brothers must read all minutes for the current semester upon approval of Special Active status. - Special Active Brothers shall be classified as Nationally Active. - Dues - Special Active Brothers shall pay semesterly dues equal to half Chapter Active dues and applicable National dues. - Special Active Brothers shall pay dues or submit an approved payment plan upon approval of Special Active Status. - Attendance - Special Active Brothers shall be required to attend half of all general meetings and other required Fraternity events, in accordance with the Executive Committee Operating Procedures, during each semester in which they are Special Active. - A Special Active Brother failing to meet attendance requirements shall be declared Inactive by the Executive Committee. - Service requirements for Special Active Brothers shall be determined by Service Policy, but may be equal to no more than half of the service requirements for Active Brothers. - Special Active Brothers shall be required to serve on at least one (1) Chapter committee, standing or special. - Special Active Brothers may not hold elected Chapter office, but may serve as an Officer Elect with the intent to obtain active status for the semester(s) elected to serve. - Special Active Brothers may vote in any matter decided by majority or plurality vote in a general meeting. - No Brother with two (2) consecutive semesters of a Grade Point Average (GPA) of less than 2.25 may become Special Active. - Proof of GPA must be submitted to the Secretary prior to payment of Special Active dues. - GPA requirement exemption may be granted by the Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Committee, before Pledging begins. - If a Special Active Brother does not meet minimum GPA requirements, s/he is said to be on academic probation. - A Special Active Brother on academic probation must show proactivity in meeting the GPA requirement. - Proactivity must be shown in the most applicable way possible. This will be determined by the Secretary. - Options for showing proactivity include, but are not limited to: attending class, attending tutorial sessions (if available), attending office hours, or submitting proof of academic progress to the Secretary. === C: Alumni Active === 1. Any Brother who has graduated from the host school with a degree may obtain Alumni Active status by submitting a petition requesting approval by majority vote of the Executive Committee. - Alumni Active status may not be approved after dues have been collected. - Alumni Active Brothers must read all minutes for the current semester upon approval of Alumni Active status. - Alumni Active Brothers shall be classified as Nationally Active. - Dues - Alumni Active Brothers shall pay semesterly dues equal to half Chapter Active dues, applicable National dues, and applicable activation fees. - Alumni Active Brothers shall pay dues or submit an approved payment plan upon approval of Alumni Active Status. - Attendance - Alumni Active Brothers shall be required to attend half of all general meetings and other required Fraternity events, in accordance with the Executive Committee Operating Procedures, during each semester in which they are Alumni Active. - An Alumni Active Brother failing to meet attendance requirements shall be declared Inactive by the Executive Committee. - Service requirements for Alumni Active Brothers shall be determined by Service Policy, but may be equal to no more than half of the service requirements for Active Brothers. - Alumni Active Brothers may not hold elected Chapter office, but may serve as an Officer Elect with the intent to obtain active status for the semester(s) elected to serve. - Alumni Active Brothers shall be required to serve on at least one (1) Chapter committee, standing or special. - Alumni Active Brothers may vote in any matter decided by majority or plurality vote in a general meeting. === D: Affiliate Brothers === 1. Any Inactive Brother may obtain Affiliate status by informally requesting approval from the Executive Committee. - Affiliate status may be approved by the Executive Committee at any regularly scheduled Executive Committee meeting during a semester, except during Coda Week of Pledging season. - Affiliate Brothers must read all minutes for the current semester upon approval of Affiliate status. - Affiliate Brothers shall not be classified as Nationally Active. - Affiliate Brothers shall pay semesterly dues equal to half Chapter Active dues. - Affiliate Brothers shall pay dues or submit an approved payment plan upon approval of Affiliate Status. - Affiliate Brothers shall not be subject to activation fees. - Affiliate Brothers shall be subject to no attendance requirements. - Affiliate Brothers shall be subject to no service requirements. - Affiliate Brothers may serve on Chapter committees. - Affiliate Brothers may not hold elected Chapter office, but may serve as an Officer Elect with the intent to obtain active status for the semester(s) elected to serve. - Affiliate Brothers may vote in Chapter officer elections if they have attended at least half of all general meetings during the semester in which the elections take place. - Affiliate Brothers shall be subject to no Grade Point Average requirements. === E: Inactive Brothers === 1. Any Brother, excluding Honorary Brothers, who is not classified as Active, Special Active, Alumni Active, or Affiliate, shall be classified as Inactive. - Inactive Brothers shall not be classified as Nationally active. - Inactive Brothers shall not pay dues. - Inactive Brothers shall be subject to no attendance requirements. - Inactive Brothers shall be subject to no service requirements. - Inactive Brothers may not serve on Chapter Committees. - Inactive Brothers may not hold elected Chapter office but may serve as an Officer Elect with the intent to obtain active status for the semester(s) elected to serve. - Inactive Brothers may not chair Chapter Committees. - Inactive Brothers shall not vote in any matter decided by voting in a general meeting. - Inactive Brothers shall be subject to no Grade Point Average requirement. === F: Honorary Brothers === 1. Honorary Brothers initiated at Alpha Chapter shall be limited only to the privileges pertaining to Alpha Chapter herein enumerated. - Honorary Brothers not initiated at Alpha Chapter shall have no privileges pertaining to Alpha Chapter. - Honorary Brothers may attend approved portions of Alpha Chapter general meetings and committee meetings. - Honorary Brothers may attend Alpha Chapter Formal Initiations. - Honorary Brothers may attend official Alpha Chapter social events. === G: Change of Status === 1. All statuses for the semester are final after the start of Pledging. Any Brother wanting to change status after Pledging has begun may appeal to the Executive Committee. ==== Section 3 ==== 1. Any Active, Special Active, or Alumni Active Brother failing to meet Chapter requirements, in accordance with these By-Laws and Alpha Chapter Policy, may be declared Inactive by Majority vote of the Executive Committee. - The Vice President shall notify any brother declared Inactive of his or her change in status. - Appeals - A Brother declared Inactive may appeal the decision of the Executive Committee to the Rules Committee within one (1) week of notification by the Vice President. - Any decision of the Executive Committee concerning a Brother’s status may be overturned on an appeal by two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Rules committee. - The decision of the Rules committee on an appeal may be overturned on a final appeal by two-thirds (⅔) vote of the Active Brotherhood during the general meeting following the announcement of the Rules Committee’s decision. ==== Section 4: Good Standing ==== 1. Any Brother having outstanding debts to the Fraternity, as determined by the Treasurer, in accordance with the Finance Policy, shall not be considered in good standing with the Chapter - Any Brother failing to meet other Chapter requirements, as determined by majority vote of the Executive Committee, shall not be considered in good standing with the Chapter. - Any Active, Special Active, Alumni Active, Affiliate, or Inactive Brother in good standing with the chapter may attend any Chapter event. - Any Brother not in good standing with the Chapter may not attend any Chapter event. ===== Article Ⅱ — Officers ===== ==== Section 1 ==== 1. The elected officers shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Member-at-Large, Treasurer, Service Coordinator, Historian, Chair of the Rules Committee, the Representative to the National Committee of Chapter Maintenance, and the Pledgemasters. ==== Section 2: Elections ==== 1. Provisions for the election of officers shall be determined by standing rule of order. - Candidates for election to a particular office shall not vote in the election for the office. - Incumbent officers shall instruct officers-elect in the particulars of their officers prior to their installation. - Provisions for the installation of elected officers shall be determined by standing rule of order. ==== Section 3: Officer Duties ==== 1. The President shall: - Preside at all general meetings and ensure the efficient transaction of business. - Ensure the implementation at Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Chapter By-Laws, the National Constitution, and the goals of the Fraternity and of Alpha Chapter. - Act as Chair of the Executive Committee. - Serve as a member ex officio of all committees, except Rules. - Contact all Active, Special Active, and Affiliate Brothers concerning any changes in regularly scheduled general meeting times or places, and any special general meetings not announced in a regularly scheduled general meeting. - Appoint representatives to National Committees and the Legislative Council as necessary, according to the [[policies:national-constitution|National Constitution]], [[policies:|National]] and [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Alpha Chapter Policy]], and the [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Alpha Chapter By-Laws]]. - Assume the duties of the Treasurer in the event of a vacancy of the office of Treasurer. - Serve as the Faculty Liaison - The Faculty Liaison shall act as an intermediary with both the Brothers and the faculty relevant to Alpha Chapter. - The Faculty Liaison shall attend faculty meetings as allowed. - The Faculty Liaison shall inform the faculty relevant to Alpha Chapter of events to which they are invited. - The Vice President shall: - Assist the President as requested - Preside at all general meetings and ensure the efficient transaction of business in the President’s absence. - Act as Chair of the Pledging Committee. - Plan Pledging Committee Meetings - Work with the Pledgemasters to create a Pledging Policy by the third regularly scheduled meeting. - Cast a tie-breaking vote on the Pledging Committee - Assist and advise the Pledgemasters. - Resolve disagreements between the Pledgemasters: - Bring disagreements before the Pledging Committee, as appropriate. - Serve as the Alpha Chapter Representative to the National Committee on Chapter Maintenance. - Fulfill all duties prescribed by [[policies:chapter-maintenance|National Policy]]. - Lead workshops to better the functionality of the Chapter, as needed or requested. - Be a neutral party within the Brotherhood when resolving disagreements. - Serve as a mediator of all maintenance issues affecting the Chapter, excluding Pledging. - Temporarily delegate the mediation duties to a neutral Brother if incapable of remaining neutral during any specific dispute. - Plan and lead at least two (2) Brother’s Grievances a semester. - One grievance shall be prior to Pledge recruitment. - One grievance shall be after Initiation of new Brothers. - The Secretary shall: - Keep minutes of all general meetings. - Establish an official roll and provide the President and Service Coordinator with copies immediately after the third regularly scheduled general meeting of the semester. - Take roll at all scheduled and special general meetings and notify the Vice President concerning attendance infractions as stated in Article Ⅰ, Section 2.A.4 and Article Ⅰ, Section 2.B.4 of the Alpha Chapter By-Laws, and in appropriate Alpha Chapter Policies. - Review proof of GPA of Active and Special Active Brothers, when applicable, by the third regularly scheduled general meeting of the semester. - Oversee progress of Brothers on academic probation. - The Member-at-Large shall: - Fulfill the duties of Alpha Chapter Member-at-Large as prescribed in the National Constitution and National Policy. - The Member-at-Large shall be responsible for arranging Convention details. - The Member-at-Large shall submit reports to the National Editor of //The Clef// as requested. - The Member-at-Large shall serve as the Alpha Chapter Representative on the National Executive Committee. - The Treasurer shall: - Act as Chair of the Finance Committee. - Establish the Finance Policy by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - Collect and receive all funds due to Alpha Chapter. - Disburse funds as instructed by the Active Brotherhood. - Maintain records of all financial activities. - Place in bad standing any Brother with outstanding debts to Alpha Chapter. - Inform any Brother of a change in standing within twenty-four (24) hours of the change in standing. - Inform the Brotherhood of any change in standing at the next regularly scheduled general meeting after the change in standing. - Coordinate fundraising activities for the Chapter. - Request funds from [[https://sg.students.ncsu.edu/|Student Government]] as instructed by the Executive Committee. - Present all financial records to the Executive Committee for auditing no less than one (1) week before the expiration of the term of office. - Order and distribute jewelry as requested, as described in the National Jewelry Policy. - Distribute shingles. - The Service Coordinator shall: - Recruit Brothers to fulfill Chapter service activities and commitments. - Act as Chair of the Service Committee. - Coordinate and inform the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood about [[https://music.arts.ncsu.edu/|Music Department]] service events. - Coordinate additional Chapter service events. - Establish the Service Policy by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - Assess fines in accordance with Service Policy. - Notify the Vice President of any infractions of Service Policy. - The Historian shall: - Act as Chair of the History and Archives Committee. - Coordinate the annual creation of an Alpha Chapter scrapbook. - Submit the Alpha Chapter scrapbook to the National Historian at the annual National Convention. - Catalog, maintain, and preserve the Alpha Chapter archives. - Photocopy, in consultation with the History and Archives Committee, pertinent archived material necessary for daily Alpha Chapter operations before submission to the National Historian. - Maintain a registry of Pledgeclasses, including the following information: - Semester and year of Pledging season; - Pledgeclass name; - Pledge names; - Big Brother names; - Pledge Captain name; - Pledge First Lieutenant name, if applicable; and - Pledgemaster names. - Fulfill the duties of Alpha Chapter Historian as prescribed in [[policies:national-history-and-archives|National Policy]]. - Prepare and present information sessions regarding the history of Alpha Chapter and Mu Beta Psi at the request of the President or Vice President. - Conduct Campus Tour during each Pledging season. - Establish the History and Archives Policy by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - The Chair of the Rules Committee shall: - Act as Chair of the Rules Committee. - Fulfill the duties of the Rules Chair as prescribed by the Brothers Court Policy. - Not serve on the Executive Committee throughout the tenure of office. - Serve as the Policy Manager for National records. - Establish the Rules Policy by the third regularly scheduled general meeting of the semester. - The Pledgemasters shall: - Guide the Pledgeclass through a course of training that prepares the Pledges to be accepted as Brothers into the Fraternity. - Serve as a liaison between the Brotherhood and the Pledgeclass during the Pledging season. - All elected officers shall submit to the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood an office summary each semester. The contents of these summaries shall include an accurate detailed statement of events pertinent to the office during the semester. ==== Section 4: Order of Ascension ==== 1. In the event of a vacancy of an office, the duties of the office shall fall to the next officer, in order of ascension, until the office is filled in accordance with the [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Alpha Chapter By-Laws]], except as provided in Article Ⅱ, Section 3.1.7. - The order of ascension shall be: - President; - Vice President; - Secretary; - Member-at-Large; - Treasurer; - Service Coordinator; and - Historian. - If the Chair of the Rules Committee position is vacant, the Brothers Court Chair shall fulfill the duties of the Chair of the Rules Committee until the Chair of the Rules Committee position is filled. ==== Section 5: Appointed Officers ==== 1. Alumni Correspondent - The Alumni Correspondent shall be appointed by the President from among the Brotherhood. - The Alumni Correspondent shall be an Active Brother, Special Active Brother, or an Alumni Active Brother throughout his/her term. - Serve as the liaison between the Active Brotherhood and the Alpha Alumni. - Maintain a list of emails of Alpha Alumni. - Inform the Alumni of upcoming events that they are invited to. - Be responsible for the nominations of Honorary Brothers when requested. - Educate the Brotherhood and Pledgeclasses of Honorary Brothers when requested. - Inform the Honorary Brothers of events to which they are invited. - Brothers Court Chair - The Brothers Court Chair shall be nominated by the President from among members of the Rules Committee with the exception of the chair, and be approved by a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the eligible Brotherhood by the third regularly scheduled meeting of each semester. - The Brothers Court Chair shall establish a Brothers Court Policy by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - This policy shall provide for a Brothers Court and govern its proceedings, should one be needed. - Chair of the Brotherhood Committee - The Chair of the Brotherhood Committee shall be appointed by the President from among the Active Brotherhood. - The Chair of the Brotherhood Committee shall implement activities to maintain a positive spirit of Brotherhood. - The Chair of the Brotherhood Committee shall plan the annual Brothers retreat with the Brotherhood Committee. - Establish the Brotherhood Policy by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee - Chair of the Public Relations Committee - The Chair of the Public Relations Committee shall be appointed by the President from among the Active Brotherhood. - The Chair of the Public Relations Committee shall remain an Active Brother throughout his/her term. - Act as the Chair of the Public Relations Committee. - Establish the Public Relations Committee Policy by a date established by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - Maintain good relations with [[https://sg.students.ncsu.edu/|NCSU Student Government]] and [[http://www.ncsu.edu|NCSU]] itself. - National Committee on Chapter Expansion Representative - The National Committee on Chapter Expansion Representative shall be appointed by the President from among the Active Brotherhood. - The National Committee on Chapter Expansion Representative shall remain an Active Brother throughout his/her term. - Serve as the Chapter representative on the National Committee on Chapter Expansion. - Perform any duties as prescribed by [[policies:expansion|National Policy]]. - National Information Technology Committee Representative - The National Information Technology Committee Representative shall be appointed by the President from among the Active, Special Active, or Alumni Active Brotherhood. - The National Information Technology Committee Representative shall remain an Active Brother, Special Active Brother, or Alumni Active Brother throughout his/her term. - Serve as the Chapter representative on the National Information Technology Committee. - Perform any duties as prescribed by [[policies:information-technology|National Policy]]. - Parliamentarian - The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President from among the Active Brotherhood. - The Parliamentarian shall remain an Active Brother throughout his/her term. - The Parliamentarian shall assist the President, at his/her request, in procedural matters during and outside of general meetings. - The Parliamentarian shall coordinate the procedural education of the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood. - The Parliamentarian shall act as Sergeant-at-Arms during general meetings. - Establish the Parliamentarian Policy by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - Risk Manager - The Risk Manager shall be appointed by the President from among the Active Brotherhood. - The Risk Manager shall remain an Active Brother throughout their term. - Establish and maintain a Crisis Management Plan for the Chapter. - The Crisis Management Plan shall be established by a date determined by the Chair of the Rules Committee. - Perform any duties as prescribed by National Policy. - These appointed officer positions shall be appointed no later than the third regularly scheduled meeting of the Fall semester. - Appointed officers shall serve until the end of the Spring semester. - If an appointed officer position is vacant, then the President shall appoint a Brother to that position within one (1) week of the position’s becoming vacant. - An exception is at the beginning of the fall semester, when the President can wait until the third regularly scheduled meeting. - The President shall assume the duties of the vacant office until one is appointed. - The President may instead delegate these duties to another Brother until the appointed officer position is filled, with exception of the Brothers Court Chair. - The Chair of the Rules Committee will assume the duties of the Brothers Court Chair if the position is vacant. ===== Article Ⅲ — Committees ===== ==== Section 1: Standing and Special Committees ==== 1. A charter shall be defined as the documentation of a committee’s purpose, leadership, and membership. - A standing committee shall be defined as any Alpha Chapter committee, permanent or circumstantial, chartered by [[https://policy.mubetapsi.org/doku.php?id=policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws&do=edit#article_%E2%85%A2_committees|Article Ⅲ of the Alpha Chapter By-Laws]]. - Open seats on all standing committees shall be filled within one (1) week after the establishment of the official roll of the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood. - No standing committee shall have less than three (3) members including its chair. - A special committee shall be defined as any Alpha Chapter committee, permanent or circumstantial, chartered by the President or by main motion or motion to Commit during a general meeting and dissolved by the President at his/her discretion. - Committee attendance requirements shall be determined by policy. - The President shall not count as a member of any committee for the purposes of determining quorum, except for the Executive Committee. ==== Section 2: Executive Committee ==== 1. The Executive Committee shall act as an advisory, administrative, and leadership body for the Alpha Chapter Brotherhood. - The Executive Committee shall undertake reviews of officers, committee chairs, and National representatives in accordance with the Executive Committee Operating Procedures. - The President shall serve as chair ex officio of the Executive Committee. - The Executive Committee shall consist of the Vice President, Secretary, Member-at-Large, Treasurer, Service Coordinator, and Historian ex officio. - Brothers cannot serve on Executive Committee and Rules Committee simultaneously. ==== Section 3: Rules Committee ==== 1. The Rules Committee shall act as an adjudicative body for the Alpha Chapter Brotherhood. - The Rules Committee shall review all [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Chapter policies]] to ensure compliance with the [[policies:national-constitution|National Constitution]], [[policies:|National Policy]], and [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Alpha Chapter By-Laws]]. - The Rules Committee shall render a binding decision on any question submitted to the chair by any Brother, including self-initiated questions. - The Rules Committee shall act as Brother's Court in all Alpha Chapter Brother's Court proceedings in accordance with Brothers Court Policy with Chair of the Rules Committee fulfilling their duties as prescribed by the Brothers Court Policy. - The Chair of the Rules Committee shall serve as chair ex officio of the Rules Committee. - The Rules Committee shall consist of two to four members, appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and the Chair of the Rules Committee. - The President shall not serve as a member of the Rules Committee. - Members of the Executive Committee shall be ineligible for appointment. - Membership shall be for the duration of continuous Active, Special Active, or Alumni Active Brotherhood. - If a member of Rules Committee is elected to Executive Committee their seat on Rules becomes vacant. If there is an open seat on Rules Committee after their term on Executive Committee they may reclaim their seat. ==== Section 4: Brotherhood Committee ==== 1. The Brotherhood Committee shall assist the Chair of the Brotherhood Committee in performing his/her duties related to fellowship and Chapter membership. - The Chair of the Brotherhood Committee shall be appointed by the President from the Active Brotherhood. - The Brotherhood Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members appointed by the President. - The Brotherhood Committee shall be responsible for the planning and execution of the annual Brothers Retreat. - Organize the Spirit of the Brotherhood competition every semester. ==== Section 5: Pledging Committee ==== - The Pledging Committee shall assist the Vice President and Pledgemasters in performing their duties related to the Pledging season. - The Vice President shall serve as chair ex officio of the Pledging Committee. - The Pledging Committee shall consist of the Pledgemasters ex officio and up to two (2) members appointed by the Vice President. ==== Section 6: Finance Committee ==== 1. The Finance Committee shall assist the Treasurer in performing his/her fiscal and fundraising duties. - The Treasurer shall serve as chair ex officio of the Finance Committee. - The Finance Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members appointed by the President. ==== Section 7: Service Committee ==== 1. The Service Committee shall assist the Service Coordinator in performing his/her duties. - The Service Coordinator shall serve as chair ex officio of the Service Committee. - The Service Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members appointed by the President. ==== Section 8: History and Archives Committee ==== 1. The History and Archives Committee shall assist the Historian in his/her archival and historiographical duties, including the construction of an annual Alpha Chapter scrapbook for submission to the “Price”less Memories Scrapbook Competition. - The Historian shall serve as chair ex officio of the History and Archives Committee. - The History and Archives Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members appointed by the President. ==== Section 9: Public Relations Committee ==== 1. The Public Relations Committee shall fulfill Alpha Chapter’s publicity and external relations needs and coordinate special events for Alpha Chapter. - The chair of the Public Relations Committee shall be appointed by the President. - The Public Relations Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members appointed by the President. ===== Article Ⅳ — Meetings ===== ==== Section 1 ==== 1. General meetings will be held once per week, or as necessary, during the Fall and Spring semesters. The President may cancel meetings if necessary by motion of the Brotherhood or by executive privilege. The time and place of the meeting is left to the Executive Committee. ==== Section 2 ==== 1. Special meetings may be called by the President. For attendance to be required, these meetings must be announced three (3) days in advance. ==== Section 3 ==== 1. The President shall contact all Active Fraternity members concerning any changes in general meeting time or place and any special meetings not announced in a general meeting. ==== Section 4: Order of Business ==== 1. The order of business shall be: - Call to order; - Approval of minutes; - Treasurer’s report - Member-at-Large report; - Reports of all committees, standing (except for Finance, History & Archives, and Pledging) and select (except for Pledging), respectively; - Reports of all representatives to National deliberative bodies, standing (except for Finance, Executive, Legislative Council, and the Board of Trustees) and select (except for Information Technology), respectively; - Reports of all other appointed positions (i.e. Parliamentarian, Faculty Liaison, Brothers’ Court Chair); - Historian Report; - Recess; - Entertainment; - Consideration of unfinished business; - Consideration of new business; - Pledging report; - Announcements; and - Adjournment - The order of Business may be altered by a motion to //reslate// subject to approval by two-thirds (⅔) vote. - The President may alter the Order of Business by announcement to the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active brotherhood, with requirement of prior notice. - The President may alter the Order of Business by consent of the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood. ==== Section 5 ==== - Quorum shall be defined as one-half (1/2) of the Active Brotherhood. - Only Active Brothers shall be considered part of the Active Brotherhood for the purposes of determination of quorum. ===== Article Ⅴ — Pledge Regulations ===== ==== Section 1: Pledging Provisions ==== 1. General Pledge procedures will be subject to Policy. - All subsequent Pledge procedures will be subject to Pledgemasters’ discretion unless the Will of the Brotherhood prevails. - Pledging shall be discussed at all meeting during Pledge training. - There will be a Pledge review session at each regularly scheduled general meeting during Pledging. ==== Section 2: Pledges ==== 1. The Pledges will be referred to only by their names, their Pledge class name, or the title Pledge. No derogatory name, epithet, or title shall be used in reference to any Pledge. - Pledges must wear a Pledge pin at all times, except when engaged in strenuous activities which may harm the pin. Exceptions will be stipulated in Pledging Policy. - A Pledge Book must be carried, except when engaged in strenuous activities which may harm the Book. Exceptions will be stipulated in Pledging Policy. Book design and specifications are to conform with established [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Chapter Policy]]. - Pledgemasters will assign at least two (2) Big Brothers per Pledge. - In the case that the Active Brotherhood cannot effectively produce enough Big Brothers to attend to a Pledgeclass, Inactive Brothers may be assigned as Big Brothers at the discretion of the Pledgemasters. Inactive Brothers who are to act as Big Brothers may only do so upon paying National Dues. All Inactive Big Brothers will be responsible for all the duties of an Active Big Brother as specified by the Pledging Policy. - Pledges will be required to meet with their Big Brothers at least once per week. - No special favors are to be required of Pledges by the Brothers. ==== Section 3: Pledge Information ==== 1. Pledges must know the following information by Coda Week or subsequently be penalized. - Active Brothers, Special Active Brothers, Alumni Active Brothers, Inactive Big Brothers Pledge Brothers, and their information; - The [[https://policy.mubetapsi.org/doku.php?id=policies:national-constitution#article_%E2%85%A1_purpose|four purposes]] of the Fraternity; - Basic Fraternity information: Founding Chapter and date, Founder, Fraternity colors, Fraternity flower, Fraternity song, National Fraternity publication, and Alpha Chapter Sweetheart; - Names, locations and dates of installation of all Chapters; - Hail the Spirit of Mu Beta Psi, the Fraternity song; - The Sweetheart Song; - Alma Mater. (the original); - The School Songs; - National Officers; and - Directors and ensembles at North Carolina State University. - Questions pertaining to music or Alpha Chapter that are asked by Brothers must be answered. All other questions are optional and do not necessarily have to be answered. - Book signatures may not be refused, unless time forbids. ==== Section 4: Coda Week ==== 1. Pledges will be required to read the [[policies:national-constitution|National Constitution]] and [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Chapter By-Laws]] during Coda Week. - Coda Week dress requirements shall be determined by Policy. - A Pledge paddle and container must be carried during Coda Week except when engaged in strenuous activities which may harm the paddle or container. Exceptions will be stipulated in Pledging Policy. Paddle and container design and specifications are to conform with established Chapter Policy. - Pledge dues must be paid by the end of Coda Week, in accordance to the guidelines set forth by the Mu Beta Psi, Alpha Chapter Pledging Policy. ==== Section 5: Initiations ==== 1. Informal Initiations - The purpose of Informal Initiations is to unite the Pledgeclass with common bonding experiences. Pledgemasters shall notify Pledges that everything done in Pledging has a specific bonding purpose. Pledges will never be instructed to do anything against their honor. - The events of Informal Initiations shall be brought before the Brotherhood and approved, with three-fourths (¾) of the Active Brotherhood present, by the last scheduled meeting prior to Informal Initiations. These procedures shall be in the form of a complete itinerary submitted by the Pledgemasters. This itinerary shall not be debated by the Brotherhood; it may only be approved or disapproved. If disapproved, it is referred back to the Pledgemasters. - The Vice President shall lead the Brothers and instruct them in how Informal Initiations will occur according to Ritual. - Formal Initiations - Formal Initiations shall be in compliance with the [[policies:national-constitution|National Constitution]]. - The Chapter President shall conduct the Ritual. - The Vice President shall prepare and be responsible for the Chapter’s copy of the Ritual. - Formal dress is required. ==== Section 6: Disciplinary Procedures ==== 1. Votes of Discontent - A Vote of Discontent can be called if a Brother feels that a Pledge’s progress is unsatisfactory. - Votes of Discontent shall be called and administrated during the Pledging Committee report in General Meetings. - A successful Will of the Brotherhood vote during the Pledging Committee report of the General Meeting in which a Vote of Discontent was called overrules a Vote of Discontent. - A Vote of Discontent should not be feared nor taken lightly. It is a way to inform a Pledge that improvement must be made. Without this, the Pledge may not otherwise realize that the Brotherhood is concerned with progress during the Pledging season. - A Vote of Discontent shall immediately be discussed with the Pledge in question by the Pledge’s Big Brothers. This discussion shall contain the sentence, “The Brotherhood is concerned with your progress as a Pledge.” The Pledge must show improvement before the next regularly scheduled General Meeting. - Any Active, Special Active, Alumni Active Brother or any Big Brother who determines that the Pledge’s progress is not satisfactory can call a vote during the Pledging Committee report at the next regularly scheduled General Meeting. - The status of satisfaction or non-satisfaction of a Vote of Discontent ultimately resides with the Pledgemasters. - Voting Procedures - Brothers may vote “Yes”, “Maybe” or “No”. - If a Pledge receives three (3) “Yes” votes, they will be required to depledge. If a Pledge receives two (2) “Yes” votes, they will be asked to depledge. - Three (3) “Maybe” votes are equal to one (1) “Yes” vote. - There will be no Votes of Discontent during Coda Week unless three-fourth (3/4) of the Active Brotherhood deem it necessary. - Only the Big Brothers of the Pledge in question and/or the Pledgemasters may discuss Votes of Discontent with said Pledge. ===== Article Ⅵ — Amendments and Will of the Brotherhood ===== ==== Section 1: Amendment ==== 1. Amendments to these By-Laws may be recommended to the Brotherhood by majority vote of the Rules Committee. - Amendments to these By-Laws may be proposed to the Brotherhood by petition signed by one-fourth (¼) of the Active Brotherhood submitted to the Executive Committee. - Amendments to these By-Laws may be approved by three-fourths (¾) vote of the Active Brotherhood, with a requirement of prior notice. ==== Section 2 ==== 1. The Will of the Brotherhood shall be defined as three-fourths (¾) of the Active Brotherhood and may overrule any action or decision by any officer or committee. ==== Section 3 ==== 1. In extreme circumstances of Chapter Active membership of ten (10) or fewer, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to propose during a general meeting with prior notice a resolution providing for the preservation and restoration of the Chapter, to be adopted by three-fourths (¾) vote of the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood. - Resolutions so adopted may allow for the suspension of the By-Laws under explicitly specified conditions. - The President shall publish, either electronically or in hard copy, to the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood, the National President, and the National Vice President of Chapter Maintenance any resolution so adopted within twenty-four (24) hours of its adoption. - All resolutions so adopted shall expire, as explicitly determined by the resolution, no later than the last regularly scheduled general meeting of the semester for which the resolution is adopted. ==== Section 4 ==== 1. Prior notice shall be defined as the publication, either electronically or in hard copy, of the complete text of a motion, proposal, resolution, or amendment to the Active, Special Active, and Alumni Active Brotherhood at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the beginning of the general meeting during which the question is to be considered. ==== Section 5 ==== 1. The Chair of the Rules Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Alpha Chapter By-Laws]], Alpha Chapter Standing Rules of Order, and other [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Alpha Chapter Policies]], which may include correcting spelling, grammatical, and typing errors. The Chair of the Rules Committee may also alter the format of the Alpha Chapter documents to improve readability. - Alteration to these documents by this method requires approval of the President, and may be negated by the majority of the Active Brotherhood. - The Chair of the Rules Committee shall give notice of any change of the [[policies:chapters:alpha:bylaws|Alpha Chapter By-Laws]], Alpha Chapter Standing Rules of Order, and other [[policies:chapters:alpha:|Alpha Chapter Policies]] to the Active Brotherhood at least forty-eight (48) hours before becoming effective.