Section 1: Membership Statuses

 

The types of membership in the Alpha Zeta Chapter will be: Active, Associate, Inactive, Pledge, Alumni, Advisory, Honorary, Newly Initiated Active, Study Abroad/Co-op, and Active Without Meeting.

 

Section 2: Pledge Membership

 

Clause 1: Requirements to Become a Pledge

 

To become a Pledge of the Alpha Zeta Chapter, the Prospective Member must be enrolled at the University of Kentucky and express interest in participating in a period of preparation and training in the ideals and principles of Alpha Phi Omega.

 

Clause 2: Pledge Requirements

 

To qualify for Active Membership in this Chapter, each Prospective Member shall serve a formal period of pledging. During this period the Pledge shall participate in a documented pledging program as outlined by the Chapter Standing Policy. No part of this program shall involve hazing of any type, or require the performance of personal service for any Pledge or Member. Upon the successful completion of this pledging program, the Pledge shall become eligible for Elevation to Active status.

 

 

Clause 3: Privileges of Pledge Status

Pledge members shall have the following privileges:

 

1)                  a voice on Chapter affairs if called upon by the Chair of the meeting

2)                  the opportunity to participate in events or activities partially or fully paid for by the Chapter

3)                  the opportunity to use Chapter funds for the purpose of partially or fully subsidizing the costs of attending conferences, projects or fellowships

4)                  the opportunity to chair a Pledge Committee

 

 

Clause 4: Elevation of Pledges into Active Status

 

If a Pledge has met all of the pledging requirements as defined in the Chapter Standing Policy, he/ she is eligible for a vote of Elevation from Pledge to Active status. Before being allowed to be elevated to Active status and to participate in the official Initiation Ceremony, Pledges must pass a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting (provided that notice has been given at the previous regular meeting and that a quorum is present), or a vote of a majority of the Active membership. An Elevation meeting for the purpose of this Elevation will be held no later than 48 hours prior to the Initiation Ceremony. If this Elevation meeting is not held, all Prospective Members that completed the pledging requirements as designated in the Chapter Standing Policy will be permitted to initiate.

Pledges shall be elevated to Newly Initiated Active membership in Alpha Zeta Chapter immediately after paying the Initiation fee, undergoing the Initiation Ceremony, being registered with the National Office, and completion of the pledging requirement as stated in the Chapter Standing Policy. At the beginning of the following semester, Newly Initiated Actives will be automatically changed to Active status.

 

Section 3: Active Membership

 

Clause 1: Maintaining Active Membership

All Active members in good standing from the previous semester who are still students at the University of Kentucky shall be considered Active until the dues payment deadline specified by the Chapter. Active members in good standing from the previous semester who pay their dues after the deadline shall be restored to Active status at the first Chapter meeting following payment of the dues. In order to vote at the Pledge Elevation Meeting and in meetings subsequent to it, and in order to retain Active status in the next semester, excluding summer sessions, an Active member must complete the following:

1)                  pay chapter dues by the fifth Chapter meeting or have made suitable arrangements with the Treasurer to pay those dues before that date.

2)                  fulfill all other financial obligations to the Chapter and the National Office in a timely             manner.

3)                  refrain from any hazing activities or other behavior specifically denounced by the Chapter’s Governing Documents, Bylaws, and Rules.

4)                  The Active requirements as stated in the Chapter Standing Policy.

 

Dues are to be paid by the date as designated in the Chapter Bylaws. If dues are not paid by the designated date, or suitable arrangements have not been made with the Treasurer, the member will immediately become Inactive and a $5.00 late fee will be assessed upon that member per week until the end of the current semester. Upon payment of the dues or at such time as suitable arrangements are made with the Treasurer for payment of those dues, full Active status will be restored for that semester.

 

An Active member who cannot complete the attendance requirement as set forth in the Chapter Standing Policy may petition the chapter to maintain Active status. To petition, an Active member must show proof of class, work or another valid reason keeping him/her from attending meetings. The member must submit a written statement to the chapter stating the reasons that he/she would like to be excused from Chapter Meetings. Upon approval of the Vice President of Membership he/she shall retain Active membership.

 

Clause 2: Privileges of Active Status

 

Active members shall have the following privileges:

 

1)                  a voice and vote on Chapter affairs and on Pledge Elevation

2)                  the opportunity to hold a chapter elected or appointed office

3)                  the opportunity to chair a committee

4)                  the opportunity to have a Little Brother

5)                  the opportunity to serve as a Chapter Delegate to any sectional, regional or national conference or convention*

6)                  the opportunity to participate in events or activities partially or fully paid for by the Chapter

7)                  the opportunity to use chapter funds for the purpose of partially or fully subsidizing the costs of attending conferences, projects or fellowships

 

*Any member who graduates at the end of an academic semester may serve as Delegate at any convention held before the beginning of the next academic semester.

 

 

Clause 3: Transfer Policy

 

Upon enrollment at the University of Kentucky, a member in good standing of any other chapter of Alpha Phi Omega may become a member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter by submitting acceptable proof to this Chapter of that fact, and then being given permission to join this Chapter by a majority vote at a regular Chapter meeting.

 

Section 4: Associate Membership

 

Clause 1: Associate Requirements

 

Associate membership may be granted only under the discretion of the Vice President of Membership. An associate member must pay half the required Active dues per semester, complete half the required Active service hours, and fulfill all financial obligations to the Chapter and the National Office in a timely manner and refrain from any hazing activities or other behavior specifically denounced by the Chapter’s Governing Documents, Bylaws, and Rules. They must also give the Vice President of Membership current contact information.

 

Clause 2: Privileges of Associate Status

 

An Associate member can:

1)                  have a voice and vote on Chapter affairs (excluding voting at Pledge Elevation meeting)

2)                  have the opportunity to participate in events or activities partially or fully paid for by the Chapter

 

An Associate member cannot:

1)                  hold any office

2)                  chair any committee

3)                  have a Little Brother

4)                  serve as a delegate to a sectional, regional, or National Conference or convention

5)                  vote at the Pledge Elevation meeting

Associate membership is limited to two (2) semesters for the first eight (8) semesters of undergraduate studies. If a member is still Active following their eighth undergraduate semester, the opportunity for Associate membership is unlimited. This opportunity is also extended to graduate students.

 

 

 

 

Clause 3:  Returning to Full Active Status from Associate Status

 

Associate members do not have to petition the Chapter or fulfill any special requirements to become full Active members again after being an Associate member.

 

Section 5: Inactive Status

 

Clause 1: Inactive Status

 

A member will be considered Inactive if s/he:

 

1)                  does not or cannot meet the Active or Associate membership requirements for the semester as outlined in the Chapter Standing Policy

 

Inactive members may attend any public Fraternity function, but will have no rights or privileges associated with Active or Associate membership.

 

Clause 2: Returning to Full Active Status from Inactive Status

 

A member returning to the Chapter from Inactive status shall be considered eligible for Active membership upon completion of the following requirements:

1)                 make up any incomplete fellowship points, up to two (2) points

 

2)                 make up any incomplete leadership points, up to one (1) point

 

3)          make up any incomplete fundraising hours, up to one (1) hour

4)                 make up any incomplete meeting attendance, up to two (2) meetings

5)                 make up any incomplete service hours, up to five (5) hours, must be completed inside

6)                 make up any remaining balance of the inter-chapter point, up to one (1) point

7)                 pay current semester dues with maximum late fee from previous semester

 

These requirements only apply to the semester immediately prior to the current one.  For Brothers who have been Inactive for more than one (1) semester, these requirements do not accumulate for multiple semesters.

 

Until those requirements are fulfilled, the member does not have the privileges associated with Active status (e.g. voting, serving as a Big Brother, etc.) or Associate status.

 

If certain special circumstances (illness, death in the family, etc.) prevented a Brother from fulfilling his/her requirements, the Brother in question may submit a formal request to the appropriate officer to have his/her requirements to attain Active status decreased or eliminated.  If the Brother is missing one (1) requirement they should submit their request to the officer in charge of that requirement (e.g. missing services hour requests should be submitted to the Vice Presidents of Service).  If the Brother is missing multiple requirements they should submit their request to the Vice President of Membership.   The decisions to grant these requests will be at the discretion of the appropriate officer and the Executive Committee.

 

Section 6: Alumni Membership

 

Clause 1: Privileges of Alumni Membership

 

An Alumni member is defined as any Brother of Alpha Zeta chapter who has:

1)                  left the University of Kentucky, due to graduation or any other reason, without the intention to return

2)                  been Inactive for three consecutive semesters after the first semester that they became Inactive 

3)         decided to end their activity within Alpha Zeta altogether and does not wish to make use of the Active, Active without Meeting, or Associate status

4)        not enrolled in courses for the current semester (excluding summer and winter session,) but intends to re-enroll in courses at a later date.

There are no duties or privileges associated with this type of membership.  Alumni members may attend any activity of the Fraternity and may have a voice when called upon by the President.

 

Clause 2: Returning to Full Active Status from Alumni Status

A member returning to the Chapter from Alumni status shall be considered eligible for Active membership upon completion of the following requirements:

1)      The member must have previously left the University of Kentucky. A member who chose to end their time with APO early, or one who was consecutively Inactive, is not eligible for this transformation.

2)      The member must send an expression of desire to complete this change to the Vice President of Membership by the status change deadline.

3)      The member must receive a majority chapter vote of approval to reinstate their activity at the first chapter meeting immediately following the acquisition of the Alumni’s request.

An Alumni Brother who returns to Active status will not have to make up any past requirements from semesters missed.

 

Section 7: Honorary Membership

 

Honorary membership may be conferred upon persons who have contributed significantly to the ideals and purposes of Alpha Phi Omega.  Persons so honored shall have the same rights of Alumni members of this Chapter.  Selection of Honorary members shall require a vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the Chapter’s Active membership.  Honorary membership cannot be granted to undergraduate students. 

 

Section 8: Graduate Student Membership

 

Graduate students may serve in the Alpha Zeta Chapter either as Active members or as Advisory members. Before participating in any Chapter activities, the graduate student must choose and announce to the Chapter which role is desired; once this decision has been presented to the Chapter, it cannot be changed until the beginning of the next semester. If a graduate student desires to become an Active and has never been an Active member of Alpha Phi Omega, s/he must go through the usual Pledging Program.

 

Section 9: Study Abroad/Co-op Status

 

Active members who engage in either term-long or yearlong studies abroad or in off-campus related activities shall be considered Active members of the Chapter directly upon their return and shall be entitled to all privileges of Active membership. They will be considered Inactive for purpose of quorum establishment unless present, then they will be taken into account for quorum. The Chapter shall attempt to maintain contact with these members abroad the same ways that contact is maintained with Alumni. They are to be treated as if they were Associate members with Inactive Chapter requirements.

 

Section 10: Suspension and Expulsion

 

For just cause and after due deliberation, a member may be put on suspension or expelled. Some of the causes may include, but are not limited to: hazing, violation of risk management, violation of university policies, or violation of public laws.

Types of Suspension:

·         Suspension – A member on suspension will not have Active member privileges for a limited period of time.

·         Expulsion – In extreme cases, the members of Alpha Zeta chapter may petition the National Fraternity to have a member expelled from Alpha Phi Omega. Expulsion of members from Alpha Phi Omega will be carried out in accordance with National Fraternity’s policies and guidelines for the removal of members.

Charges for any type of suspension shall be submitted in writing to the Chair of the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee shall assemble, hear charges, and investigate within one week of receiving this notice (as detailed in Article III of the Code of Conduct). The charged member must also be notified in writing prior to the first meeting of the Grievance Committee. Upon completion of the investigation, the Grievance Committee will recommend a course of action to the Executive Board. These charges may be brought up for discussion at the next regular chapter meeting. Of those present and voting a majority vote is required for suspension and a three–fourths (3/4) vote is required for expulsion.

Once suspension is decided upon, the Executive Board will determine the length at the next Executive Board meeting. All types of suspension shall be considered as having been exercised only when the charged member has been notified in writing. The notice is to be addressed to the member being suspended, must be signed by the President and shall contain reason(s) and terms for the suspension period. Suspension may be terminated at an early date with a three–fourths (3/4) vote at a regular chapter meeting after making a personal appearance before the Executive Board.