A plan assists the voting body in determining the fraternity's need for your proposed policy. Help them gauge whether the risk or value is sufficient to warrant the dedication of resources for its development and management. They'll be wondering if the purpose and goal of your proposed policy may be accomplished in a different way.

Following is an example policy plan. Print this out or copy-paste it into your notes as you begin your development process.

Date: 
Administrative Policy Title: 
Policy Owner: 

Summarize the proposed policy. What is the policy's purpose?

Explain the reason for the proposed policy. Why is it needed?

Please respond to the following questions relating to risk:

• Is there a national law or state law that requires the fraternity to have this policy? yes/no
• Is there a collegiate policy that requires the fraternity to have this policy? yes/no

In the absence of the proposed policy, estimate risk:

• Likelihood that unwanted behavior will occur? high/medium/low
• Severity of financial consequences? high/medium/low
• Severity of reputational consequences? high/medium/low
• Severity of health and safety consequences? high/medium/low
• Severity of management and operational consequences? high/medium/low
• Overall risk if this policy did not exist? high/medium/low

Explain any medium or high responses to the questions above.

Provide details to explain medium or high risk.

If not driven by risk, what other factors drive the need for this policy?

What recent incidents prompted the request for this proposed policy?

Does the proposed policy:

• Comply with Articles of Incorporation? yes/no
• Comply with existing collegiate policies? yes/no
• Comply with existing federal and state laws, rules, and regulations? yes/no
• Impact existing fraternal policies, procedures or forms? yes/no
• Impact other relevant areas in the National Organization or Chapters? yes/no

What are the financial, technology, or operational resources affected by this policy?

Financial resources impacted (cost savings, initial cost, ongoing costs):

Technology resources impacted (unlocking possible features, needed features, ongoing maintenance):

Operational impacts (processes, preparation to implement, ongoing oversight):

When answering the questions below, consider your responses to the risk assessment. Higher-risk policies need more frequent and extensive activities related to consultation, communications and training, enforcement and compliance, measures for effectiveness, and regular review. Lower-risk policies allow more flexibility, discretion, and opportunity for exception.

List the individuals who fill the specified roles:

Responsible (implements policy and procedures): 
Accountable Policy Owner (develops, owns, and answers to leaders about the policy): 
Stakeholders (those affecting/affected by the policy):

Explain how stakeholders were (or will be) involved in the policy development.

When is the desired (or required) implementation date?

What mechanisms are needed to implement this policy?

Awareness (communications and training) activities: 

Compliance (maintenance and monitoring) activities: 

Archival (historian) activities: 

Review / revision frequency (typically one to four years): 

To what extent will the policy allow discretion or flexibility?

If relevant, what is the criteria and process to grant exceptions to this policy?