CORE SESSION 3: SN POLICIES & GUIDELINES

COMMANDER RESOURCES

Commander’s Officer Resource Pagewww.sigmanu.org/commander

Important Due Dateshttp://www.sigmanu.org/documents/important_due_dates.pdf

THE LAW OF SIGMA NU FRATERNITY, INC.

WHAT COLLEGIATE CHAPTERS NEED TO

KNOW

THE LAW AT A GLANCE

WHAT IS IT?

Our Constitution

44 Pages

14 Articles +

Section on TRIAL

CODE

WHAT MATTERS (TO CHAPTERS)?

Establishes rights &

obligations

26 Pages

7 Articles (mostly just 2) +

Section on TRIAL CODE

ARTICLE 1

NAME, PRINCIPLES, AND DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE 1

Empowers The LAW Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. is established “Knight”, “Brother”, and “Candidate” defined Sigma Nu Dictionary Charged with upholding fundamental principles

HONORFRIENDSHIPASSISTANCE

UNITYCOMMUNICATION

ARTICLE 2

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

ARTICLE 2

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?

Attend Grand Chapter and have voice heard & recorded

Can only be expelled via Trial Code

Can resign via High Council or Grand Chapter

Can enact The Rules (i.e. Bylaws)

WHAT ARE MY OBLIGATIONS?

Always sworn to secrecy

Obligated to report violations of The Law

ARTICLE 3

CHARTERS

ARTICLE 3

OUTLINES…

How a charter can be sought

The approval/installation process

Alumni Chapter Charters

ARTICLE 3

Injunction

Probation

Suspension

Revocation

Reinstallation

Replacement

High Council Powers Over

Chapter Charters

ARTICLE 4

MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE 4

SETS SOME GROUND RULES

Membership can only be attained via chapters

“Must be a man and have the character and

bearing of a gentleman”

No dual or honorary membership

ARTICLE 4

Requires unanimous vote with ¾ chapter present

With ¾ majority vote, chapter can petition HC for a waiver to establish its own procedures with a two-thirds majority vote

Legacies need a ¾ approval Voting is anonymous but with ¾ approval, an oral vote can be conducted

Cannot vote by proxy Individual only becomes a candidate upon completion of the Candidate Ceremony

De-pledge with a majority vote

Specific Procedure

for Electing

Candidates

INITIATION REQUIREMENTS

Matriculate

Satisfied chapter’s candidate education program

Met chapter’s and institution’s academic requirements

Paid the Initiation Fee and any other financial obligations

Also outlines non-matriculate initiation

ARTICLE 4

OUTLINES FEES

All fees must be paid to the Treasurer at or before Initiation

$90 Candidate Fee before Induction

$220 Initiation Fee before Initiation Same is required of non-matriculates and colony

members

ARTICLE 4

OUTLINES AFFILIATION

Affiliation is optional A ¾ majority vote of the chapter can admit a prospective affiliate

ARTICLE 5

THE RITUAL

ARTICLE 5

TWO SIMPLE TAKEAWAYS…

1. The Ritual is the property of Sigma Nu

2. Don’t make or have unauthorized copies,

which is punishable by expulsion

ARTICLE 6

OFFICIAL INSIGNIAS AND PUBLICATIONS

ARTICLE 6

Establishes Sigma Nu’s colors Provides detailed information on the insignias of Sigma Nu Badge, Coat of Arms, Flag, Candidate Pin, Etc.

Explains by whom and how these items are worn

Authorizes Executive Director to enter into contracts with vendors (Trademark & Licensing)

Translates your Certificate of Membership

ARTICLE 7

COLLEGIATE CHAPTERS AND OFFICERS

POWERS AND DUTIES OF CHAPTERS

Enact Bylaws (The Rules) Enact internal disciplinary procedures (the Procedures) as alternative to the Trial Code If no Procedures exist, Trial Code must be used

Outlines minimum requirements for Procedures

Stance of opposition to hazing Can reinstate expelled members with unanimous vote

POWERS AND DUTIES CONT.

Can charge dues Can send representatives to Grand Chapter Death of a Brother – for 15 days, members may wear the sign of mourning Draping the upper half of the Badge

OR attaching a black ribbon to the Badge

Chapters are expected to maintain a GPA at least equivalent to the average all-male GPA for their

campus.

A Chapter or the Council may adopt rules and methods to encourage above average performance.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

In cases where chapters or brothers of the Fraternity would be in a position to sign contracts

or agree to obligations, they must do so as an agent of themselves or of the local chapter.

For example, signing a contract as Sigma Nu Fraternity is forbidden, instead a chapter would

sign, for example, as the Upsilon Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity.

NO BINDING

ARTICLE 7

Commander

Lieutenant Commander

Treasurer

Recorder

Marshal

Chaplain

LEAD Officer

Recruitment Officer

Alumni Relations Officer

Sentinel

Reporter

Historian

Ranks the Officers of

the Chapter and

outlines their duties

ARTICLE 7Candidates cannot be officers

Elections must occur at least annually

Vacancies must be filled as soon as possible via majority vote

Provides the Oath of Office

Outlines eligibility

and terms of office

THE 30/60/90 DAY POLICY

HOW ALL MATTERS OF INDEBTEDNESS ARE REQUIRED TO BE HANDLED

On day 30, member is automatically

suspended.

Day 60, Treasurer announces debt to

chapter. Two choices:

Payment removes

suspension

2. Grant hardship to member allowing payment of debt within a year. Suspension

remains.

Treasurer required to initiate TRIAL CODE. Hearing to

take place on day 90.

*Payment plans do not apply in these situations

1. Suspension from any activity requiring chapter

funds and no voice or vote at chapter meetings

QUESTIONS?

ANY PART OF THE LAW CAN BE ALTERED OR AMENDED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE AT GRAND CHAPTER

RISK REDUCTION

SIGMA NU’S RISK REDUCTION POLICY & GUIDELINES

RISK REDUCTION

Commander’s Officer Resource Page

www.sigmanu.org/commander

Risk Reduction Policy & Guidelines

http://www.sigmanu.org/documents/risk_reduction_policy_and_guidelines.pdf

GROUND RULES

1. Don’t break the law2. Don’t buy or provide alcohol for anyone3. No Drinking Games4. Always use a guest list (no open parties)5. Safety of members and guests is priority #16. No co-sponsoring with distributors or bars7. All or Nothing – co-sponsoring and co-

financing8. Recruitment is always dry9. No alcohol in the candidate program10. No illegal drugs

THE SOCIAL PLANNING GUIDE

Risk Reduction Basics and Making Them Work for Your Chapter

http://www.sigmanu.org/documents/officer_resources_social_planning_guide.pdf

QUESTIONS?

THE RISK REDUCTION POLICY & GUIDELINES CAN BE ALTERED OR AMENDED BY A TWO-THIRDS VOTE AT GRAND CHAPTER

RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENTS

WHAT COMMANDERS NEED TO KNOW

RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENTS

WHAT ARE THEY?

A contract between a chapter and host institution aimed toward defining the expectations placed upon Greek-letter groups and how institutions will support them

At face-value this is an understandable practice with pure intentions

WHY DO THEY MATTER? Sometimes there is

inequitable language within these relationship agreements

National groups are attempting to proactively identify host institutions with inequitable relationship agreements and renegotiate the terms

WHAT COMMANDERS NEED TO

DO If asked to execute a relationship agreement by your host institution (college/university), contact the General Fraternity.

The General Fraternity will help determine if inequitable language exists and will advise you accordingly.

DO NOT execute a relationship agreement until you’ve received advisement from the General Fraternity.

DO NOT sign contracts on behalf of “Sigma Nu Fraternity”’ only as [Designation] Chapter of Sigma Nu.

GREEKLIFEEDU

FINANCIAL INCENTIVE POLICY

Collegiate chapters of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. may qualify for the lowest available, per member risk management assessment within their applicable tier after 90% of the chapter’s membership has completed the GreekLifeEdu education and prevention program. A per member risk management assessment surcharge of $25 per member will be billed to a collegiate chapter in which less than 90% of the chapter’s membership has completed the program. Any such surcharge will be applied annually, toward the end of the applicable academic year (with specific time to be determined by the Executive Director).

MAINTAINING 90%

At start of this academic year, 99% of chapters were already at 90% and qualified for last year’s incentive

Integrate GreekLifeEdu completion into your candidate program

Making completion a local expectation for initiation can ensure the chapter qualifies for the incentive each year If already above 90%, having 100% of new initiates

complete the program will theoretically keep the chapter above 90% completion each year

QUESTIONS?

OVER ANYTHING WE HAVE COVERED DURING THIS CORE SESSION