Alpha Phi Omega

The Constitution

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We, the brothers of the Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity, chartered at The University of Texas at San Antonio and established for the purpose of assembling college students in the fellowship principles of the Boy Scouts of America, to promote Leadership Friendship, and Service to the campus of our university, our community, the nation, and our members, do hereby adopt this Constitution.

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Alpha Gamma Omega of Alpha Phi Omega.

Article II - Conduction

This chapter shall be conducted as a service fraternity under the policies, principles, and provisions set fourth in the National Articles of Incorporation, National By-Laws, and this Constitution.

Article III - Membership

Section1 - Non-Discrimination Policy - Any student, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, creed, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation, irrespective of their course of study or other fraternal or organizational affiliation, duty enrolled at The University of Texas at San Antonio, and who, after a period of pledgeship has met all requirements, may become an active member.

Section 2 - Active Membership - A. All actives must have completed 20 hours of service (5 hours in each of the 4 fields of service as prescribed by the National Fraternity) each semester. B. All actives shall attend 8 fellowship activities each semester. C. All actives must have their dues paid, or arrangements made with the treasurer before the meeting where nominations shall take place. D. All actives in good standing shall be eligible to vote on all items of business at any regular or called meeting of the Chapter. Each active shall be able to hold office as long as he/she meets the requirements of the office set forth by the Constitution. All actives shall be able to participate in all activities of this Chapter. E. All actives shall be able to sit in or any regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee. F. Any active who misses three (3) or more business meetings in a semester shall be deemed inactive until he/she can petition the Executive Committee to justify the absences. A simple majority of the Executive Committee must accept the petition for the member to regain active status. G. All active members must participate in at least one committee by attending at least three (3) committee meetings per semester. If this requirement is not met before the meeting where nominations shall take place, the member shall be deemed inactive unless a petition is approved by the Executive Committee as prescribed in Article III, Sec 2E of the Constitution.

Section 3 - Pledge Membership - A. Pledgeship in this Chapter shall be conferred upon at student enrolled at The University of Texas at San Antonio who elects to participate in a period of preparation and training in the ideas and purpose of Alpha Phi Omega. B. The content and duration of the pledgeship shall be approved by ¾ of the affirmative vote each semester. Pledgeship shall be in accordance with the National by-laws, the operating policies of the national Fraternity, and any university rules and regulations. C. All pledges shall be able to vote in any and all pledge meetings. Pledges may participate in all Chapter activities unless deemed inappropriate by the Pledge master. D. With approval of the President and Pledge Master, pledges may attend active business meetings, but may not vote. E. Pledges may attend committee meetings with the approval of the officer or committee chair. F. Each pledge must be approved by 3/4 the affirmative vote of the chapter before he/she may be initiated.

Section 4 - Support Membership - A. Support membership shall be given to those actives that, being unable to participate fully in the Chapter activities, and having already completed two semesters of Active Membership of the Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter, and have brought a petition before the Executive Committee by the third meetings asking to be granted Support Membership. The petition must be approved by a simple majority of the Executive Committee. B. A Support Member carries all the rights, benefits, and privileges of Active Membership, except voting and serving a Big Brother. C. A Support Member may not attend an Alpha Phi Omega money-sponsored activity without first paying the Treasury Vice-President a fee that will compensate for the financial burden that would have otherwise been covered had the Support Member paid active membership dues. D. Support Membership dues shall be one-half of active membership dues.

Section 5 - Alumni Membership - A. Upon leaving the Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter, all who have held active or advisory membership within this organization shall be recognized as Alumni Members. B. Alumni status may be removed by this Chapter by a ¾s affirmative vote. C. Alumni Members may attend business meetings, as approved by the President, but may not have speaking privileges during nominations and elections.

Section 6 - Advisory Membership - Advisory Membership may not be given upon persons approved by a simple majority of the Chapter to serve on the Advisory Committee, who shall have rights and privileges of Active Membership except those of voting, direction and supervision of pledges, direction of the establishment of the Pledge and Active Membership programs and policies, and may not serve as a Big Brother. The only Chapter office an advisor may hold is the office of Chair of the Advisory Committee. Such membership may not be given to undergraduate students.

Section 7 - Inactive Status - A. Anyone coming into the semester regarded as active and does not fulfill the requirements outlined in Article III; Sec 2 by the last business meeting of the semester shall be considered an inactive member. B. Inactive members may only attend business meetings, but are not given speaking privileges unless pre-authorized by the Executive Committee. C. Inactive members shall not be allowed to vote at anytime. D. Members entering the semester as Active, but deemed inactive by the last meeting due to failure of filling Active requirements may not serve as a Big Brother the following semester.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1 - Elected Officers - The elected officers of the Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter shall be President, Service Vice-President, Membership Vice-President, Fellowship Vice-President, Fundraising Vice - President, Treasurer Vice-President, Secretary, Publicity/Rush Coordinator, Historian, Webmaster, Pledge Master, Alumni/Correspondence Coordinator, and Sergeant-at-Arms. These officers shall make up the voting members of the Executive Committee.

Section 2 - Eligibility - A. All officers must be in good academic standing at the time of elections and during their term of office. B. The individual holding the office of President must have been active for one full semester and held at least one elected office prior to taking office. C. The individuals holding the offices of President, Service Vice-President, Membership Vice-President, Fellowship Vice-President, Fundraising Vice - President, Treasurer Vice-President must have been active for one full semester prior to taking office. D. Anyone seeking office must be active at the time of elections.

Section 3 - Term of Office - A. The offices of President, Service Vice-President, Membership Vice-President, Fellowship Vice-President, Fundraising Vice - President, Treasurer Vice-President shall be elected at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Spring semester. B. The remainder of the offices shall be elected at the last regularly scheduled meeting of each Fall and Spring semester. C. The elected officers shall take office within one week after the elections and continue until not more than one week following the next elections. D. Advisors shall be elected at the first scheduled meeting of the Fall Semester. Advisors may be added at anytime with approval to the Chapter, but must seek re-election at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Fall semester. E. The offices of President, Service Vice-President, Membership Vice-President, Fellowship Vice-President, Fundraising Vice - President, Treasurer Vice-President are to be subjected to a vote of confidence at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the Fall semester and must have the confidence of at least a simple majority of the Chapter. If a simple majority is not received for the officers en block, then each of the officers who receive a vote of "no confidence" by 2/3 of the Active Chapter shall be removed from office and a replacement shall be elected at the beginning of the Spring semester.

Section 4 - Appointed Officers - A. The Pledge Master may appoint as many Pledge Trainers as he/she deems necessary. B. The office of Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President. C. All appointed officers must be approved by a simple majority of the Active Chapter at a meeting where quorum prevails. Section 5 - Nominations and Elections A. All nominations shall begin one week prior to elections. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the meeting where elections shall take place. B. The President and Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for the distribution and counting of the ballots, unless they are running for the office. In such a case, the highest-ranking officer not nominated shall be responsible. C. The President may not preside during voting for any office for which he/she has been nominated and must relinquish the chair to the highest-ranking officer not running for the office. D. If no nominee receives a simple majority, a runoff shall be held between the two nominees who receive the most votes.

Article V - Dues and Fees

Section 1 - Chapter Dues - A. The Chapter dues for Active Membership in this Chapter shall be at least the minimum according to the National By-Laws, with a portion going to the National office as required by the National By-Laws. B. The Alpha Gamma Omega Chapter fees and due will bet each Fall semester by the Executive Committee, but must be approved by 3/4ths affirmative vote of the Active Chapter.

Section 2 - Pledge Fees - A. The Chapter shall set a pledge fee to cover the expenditures of the pledge class. Portions of this fee will be for National Pledge Fee and National Initiation Fee. The remainder shall be used to pay for the miscellaneous expenses deemed necessary by the Chapter. B. The total amount of the pledge fees shall be determined by the Pledge Program Planning Committee and presented by the Pledge Master as part of the Pledge Program for approval. C. All Pledge Members must pay at least 1/4th of the pledge fees at Inductions, unless arrangements are made with the Treasury Vice-President.

Article VI - Finance and Property

Section 1 - Chapter Funds - A. Chapter funds shall be obtained through fundraising projects and must be used to further the principles of Alpha Phi Omega. B. The funds handled by this Chapter, from whatever source or for whatever purpose, shall be deposited by the Treasury Vie-President with the business office of The University of Texas at San Antonio or with an accredited financial institution. C. No Chapter funds may be expended on the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

Section 2 - Expenses - A. The necessary expenses of this Chapter shall be met from the funds secured through the Chapter membership dues and fees and through Chapter activities conducted in keeping with the activities and financial policies of the University of Texas at San Antonio. B. No Chapter treasury funds shall be expended except as approved by a majority vote of the Active Chapter at a meeting where quorum prevails.