National ConstitutionPlease note: This document does not contain amendments made during the 1997 Grand Chapter Preamble Believing that all men are social creatures and that friendships of college men are lasting ones, we do hereby seek to promote these associations through a social fraternity which will uphold the true standards of brotherhood, and do hereby adopt the following constitution: ARTICLE 1. Name and Purposes SECTION 1. The name of this Fraternity shall be Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 2. The purpose of this Fraternity shall be to promote the welfare of its members as provided in this Constitution, and the Laws of the Fraternity which are based upon it. It shall endeavor to promote the highest ideals of manhood, brotherhood and citizenship according to the Principles of the Fraternity. It shall uphold the tradition and ideals of the institutions in which its collegiate members are students. ARTICLE 2. Organization of the Fraternity SECTION 1. This Fraternity shall consist of collegiate chapters and alumni chapters governed by a Grand Chapter made up of representatives of the chapters. SECTION 2. Collegiate chapters shall be organized on the campuses of colleges and universities. Members of this Fraternity shall join the Fraternity as members of one of these collegiate chapters. SECTION 3. Alumni chapters shall be organized among members of this Fraternity who are no longer undergraduate members of collegiate chapters. ARTICLE 3. Membership SECTION 1. There shall be three classes of membership in this Fraternity: collegiate, alumni and honorary. SECTION 2. Any male student who is regularly enrolled in a college or university at which a collegiate chapter of this Fraternity is established shall be eligible for initiation into membership in this Fraternity as a collegiate member, provided that he is not a member of another general social fraternity that is a member of the National Interfraternity Conference, and that he is, prior to nomination for pledging or initiation, in good, acceptable academic standing as defined by the college or university. SECTION 3. Members of the Fraternity who have left college shall be alumni members. Members who are graduate students and are not affiliated with a collegiate chapter are also alumni members. Men who are alumni of groups accepted into the Fraternity as collegiate chapters, who are in good standing and who are otherwise eligible according to the Constitution and Laws, shall be granted the privilege of initiation into the Fraternity and shall thereafter enjoy the rights and privileges of alumni members. SECTION 4. Honorary membership in this Fraternity may be bestowed upon men who are eligible according to the Constitution and Laws. SECTION 5. Men accepted for membership in this Fraternity shall be intiated according to the Laws and the Rituals of the Fraternity. SECTION 6. Initiates of this Fraternity shall pay initiation fees and membership dues according to the Laws. SECTION 7. Membership in this Fraternity shall be for life, except when terminated by expulsion as hereinafter provided by the Constitution and Laws. Every member shall be obligated to obey the Constitution and Laws. ARTICLE 4. Chapters SECTION 1. The membership of this fraternity shall be organized into collegiate and alumni chapters. SECTION 2. Collegiate chapters shall be organized on college and university campuses which grant bachelors degrees, or in two-year colleges which are accredited as two or four-year degree granting institutions by the appropriate regional association. SECTION 3. Alumni members of the Fraternity living in a general locality may organize and belong to an alumni chapter. SECTION 4. Authority to grant charters to petitioning groups shall be vested in the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. ARTICLE 5. The Grand Chapter SECTION 1. Authority to legislate for the good of the Fraternity, and to adopt and amend the Constitution and Laws of the Fraternity, shall be vested in the Grand Chapter. SECTION 2. The Grand Chapter shall consist of the Board of Directors and three elected delegates from each collegiate chapter and one elected delegate from each alumni chapter, together with such other members as may be hereafter provided by the Laws of the Fraternity. SECTION 3. Each authorized member of the Grand Chapter shall have one vote. SECTION 4. The Grand Chapter shall meet biennially. ARTICLE 6. Board of Directors SECTION 1. The governing body of this Fraternity shall be the Board of Directors, which shall have the final authority for all actions not otherwise provided by the Constitution and Laws. SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, President-Elect, four Members at Large and the two immediate Past Presidents. SECTION 3. The members of the Board of Directors shall have been initiated as members of the Fraternity. SECTION 4. The members of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the President and the two immediate Past Presidents, shall be chosen by the Grand Chapter at the biennial meeting, and shall serve a term of two years or until their successors are elected. SECTION 5. If at any time the Executive Director receives a petition in writing from 15 percent of the collegiate chapters representing three or more regions of the Fraternity asking for a recall of any elected officer or member of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director shall submit a ballot to each member of the Grand Chapter for each charge of recall. If the proposal for recall receives a majority of the votes, he shall inform the party in question of his dismissal from the Board. The Grand Chapter will also be notified. Without a proper vote for recall, the petition shall be dismissed. SECTION 6. An executive officer shall be employed by the Board of Directors to direct the daily operation of the Fraternity. ARTICLE 7. Regions SECTION 1. There shall be geographical Regions established to facilitate the development and administration of the program of the Fraternity. The responsibility of establishing boundaries of Regions and sub-divisions of Regions shall be vested with the Board of Directors. SECTION 2. Each Region shall have administrative officers appointed by the Board of Directors who shall be alumni or honorary members of the Fraternity. ARTICLE 8. Ritual SECTION 1. There shall be an official Ritual adopted by the Grand Chapter which shall be used by all chapters of the Fraternity. SECTION 2. A Ritualist shall be appointed by the President to assist in the administration of the Ritual. ARTICLE 9. Insignia SECTION 1. The badge of this Fraternity shall be a four-pointed shield with a sword thrust diagonally through it from the upper left to the lower right. A chain shall connect the hilt of the sword with the point. The face of the badge shall be of blue enamel with a chevron of black enamel, faced with gold. Across the chevron shall be the Greek letters Sigma Tau Gamma, in gold. Below the chevron shall be a Grecian urn, of gold. The badge shall be of gold, or gold set with jewels. SECTION 2. The emblem signifying that a man has been pledged to membership in this Fraternity shall be a four-pointed shield of silver divided into two equal parts vertically, the left side to be blue enamel and the right side to be silver. SECTION 3. The coat of arms of this Fraternity shall be a armorial bearings as described; per pale azure and argent, a chevron countercharged. In chief, a scroll fesswise per pale, or and gules. On an esquire's helmet, the Crest; a circle of eighteen links, argent, Motto: Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 4. The colors of this Fraternity shall be blue and white. The hues of the colors shall be specified by the Grand Chapter. SECTION 5. The flower of this Fraternity shall be the white rose. SECTION 6. The flag of this Fraternity shall be rectangular and divided into two equal parts, the background to be blue on the upper left half and white on the lower right half. The Crest, a circle of 18 links, shall be contained over the blue background and the Greek letters, Sigma Tau Gamma, shall be contained in blue over the white background. ARTICLE 10. Publications SECTION 1. The Fraternity shall publish an esoteric journal called The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 2. The Board of Directors is authorized to publish any material for the use of the Fraternity. ARTICLE 11. Amendments SECTION 1. If the call for the Grand Chapter meeting includes a proposed amendment, and this amendment is adopted by a three-fourths vote at this meeting, it will become a part of the Constitution. If a proposed amendment does not accompany the call for the Grand Chapter meeting, but is adopted by a three-fourths vote at the meeting, it will become a part of the Constitution, provided that the amendment shall, within sixty (60) days after the Grand Chapter meeting, be submitted for approval to all members of the Grand Chapter and shall receive a dissenting vote from less than one-third of those members of the Grand Chapter in good standing within sixty (60) days after the date of the mailing proposal. LawsForewardThe Laws of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity are enacted by the Grand Chapter. The Laws are based upon and are subordinate to the Constitution and are intended to give direction, definition and effect to the purpose of the Constitution. LAW 2. Organization of the Fraternity SECTION 1. The program of the collegiate chapter shall be planned for the successful accomplishment of the purposes of the Fraternity among collegiate members. SECTION 2. Alumni members of the Fraternity shall share an active role in the direction and guidance of the collegiate chapters. SECTION 3. The program of the alumni chapter shall be planned primarily for the successful accomplishment of the purposes of the Fraternity among the alumni members of the Fraternity. LAW 3. Membership Law 3A. Collegiate Members SECTION 1. Election to collegiate membership in this Fraternity shall be in accordance with the Laws of the Fraternity and of the chapter. SECTION 2. An invitation to pledge this Fraternity is an invitation to become a member and, upon acceptance, implies an obligation on the part of both the chapter and the pledged man. SECTION 3. A prospective member shall be called an associate. To complete requirements for membership, each associate shall pursue an official course of study prescribed by the Fraternity and shall satisfactorily complete it before being initiated. SECTION 4. Initiation into membership shall be by the prescribed Ritual and in conformance with the Laws. Every candidate shall sign the Obligation for Membership before being initiated. SECTION 5. A member of the Fraternity who enrolls as an undergraduate student in a college or university at which there is a collegiate chapter of the Fraternity, other than the chapter by which he was initiated, shall affiliate with that chapter and shall continue full obligations to the Fraternity. SECTION 6. A member of the Fraternity who enrolls as a graduate student in a college or university at which there is a collegiate chapter of the Fraternity, other than the chapter by which he was initiated, may affiliate with that chapter and continue full obligations to the Fraternity. SECTION 7. A collegiate chapter need not accept the affiliation of a transfer member from another chapter unless he is in good standing in the chapter from which he is transferring. If his affiliation is accepted, the name of the transferring member shall be entered upon the current roll, but shall not be inscribed upon the roll of initiated of the second chapter. SECTION 8. An initiate of this Fraternity shall receive a membership card and a membership certificate and a life subscription to The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 9. There shall be an Alumni Association for each collegiate chapter with which each alumni member of that collegiate chapter shall affiliate. Each alumni association shall promote the fraternal interest of its members in its collegiate chapter through regular communications. It shall advise and counsel with its collegiate chapter officers. The alumni association, which shall be incorporated as a non-profit organization, shall also own the real property of the chapter and be responsible for its supervision. LAW 3B. Alumni Members SECTION 1. Collegiate members of this Fraternity shall become alumni members when they leave college or university. Graduate students who are members may choose to become alumni members while in graduate school. SECTION 2. Every alumni member may participate in the alumni program of the Fraternity. He is encouraged to participate fully in the rights and privileges of membership by affiliating with a regularly organized alumni chapter in the area of his residence. LAW 3C. Honorary Members SECTION 1. A chapter desiring to initiate an honorary member shall petition and receive permission from the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. SECTION 2. An honorary member of this Fraternity shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership. SECTION 3. An honorary member, having been initiated according to the Constitution, Laws and Ritual, and having signed the Obligation of Membership, shall be subject to the disciplines of the Fraternity. LAW 3D. Fees SECTION 1. Every initiate into this Fraternity shall pay a membership fee before his initiation. The Grand Chapter shall set, by resolution, the amount and structure of the membership fee. SECTION 2. Each collegiate chapter shall pay to the Fraternity the membership fee for each collegiate member initiated by that chapter into the Fraternity. SECTION 3. Collegiate members shall pay chapter dues to support their chapter program. Chapter dues shall be set by the chapters. SECTION 4. Alumni members may support the alumni program through a system of dues or fees. SECTION 5. Payment of membership fees must be made within the time limits, procedures and conditions set by policy of the Board of Directors. Thereby, each initiate shall receive a membership manual, a badge, a membership card, a membership certificate and a life subscription to The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 6. Each alumni member of a local fraternity or colony which is installed as a collegiate chapter of this Fraternity, who is certified in good standing and eligible according to ARTICLE 3 of the Constitution, may be initiated as a member upon payment of a fee set by resolution of the Grand Chapter, and shall receive a membership card, a membership certificate and a life subscription to The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 7. A person who is eligible for honorary membership in this Fraternity according to ARTICLE 3 of the Constitution, may be initiated following approval of a petition from a collegiate chapter or alumni chapter accompanied by a fee set by resolution of the Grand Chapter, and shall receive a membership card, a membership certificate and a life subscription to The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma. LAW 4. Chapters Law 4A. Admission of Collegiate Chapters SECTION 1. Collegiate chapters shall be established as authorized by the Constitution and Laws, and upon installation shall henceforth be bound by the Constitution and Laws, as shall all the members. SECTION 2. Chapters shall be designated by the letters of the Greek alphabet in order, provided that when the single alphabet has been used, the alphabet shall be repeated with the prefix Alpha, then Beta, then Gamma, and the other letters in order as long as they are necessary. SECTION 3. A fee set by Grand Chapter resolution shall be charged for the chartering and installation of a new chapter. SECTION 4. Accepted petitioning groups shall pay all expenses incident to the installation except the expenses of the installing officer. SECTION 5. members of a colony may be initiated as members of the Fraternity, and if initiated, they shall be obligated to the Constitution, Laws and Rituals. SECTION 6. A colony shall be obligated to the Constitution, Laws and Rituals, and shall have all the privileges of a collegiate chapter except that it shall not have a vote in the Grand Chapter, provided that it shall be under the guidance of designated members of the fraternity during the period it remains in the status of a colony, and shall make reports as required and shall submit the names of all candidates for membership to these membres for their approval, prior to initiation. SECTION 7. A colony may be installed as a collegiate chapter or dissolved at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity, but if dissolved, this action shall not affect the membership obligation, rights and privileges of members of the Fraternity in good standing upon the date of dissolution, and they shall then become alumni members of the Fraternity. LAW 4B. Collegiate Chapters SECTION 1. Each collegiate chapter shall hold a regular meeting once each week during the college year, provided that for sufficient reasons a regular meeting may be postponed for not more than one week. It shall be the duty of every member to attend all chapter meetings unless excused in advance for reasons considered sufficient. SECTION 2. Each collegiate chapter shall have an alumni association composed of the alumni members of the chapter. 1. Each alumni association shall meet at least once per year at which time directors shall be elected. 2. Each alumni association shall be eligible for certification by the Fraternity provided that it submits to the National Office by June 30 of each year an annual report consisting of a roster of members, directors and officers together with a fee set by Grand Chapter resolution. SECTION 3. Each collegiate chapter shall follow the procedures and shall furnish such reports using specified forms as are required by the Laws and by request of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. SECTION 4. Each collegiate chapter shall emit promptly to the Executive Office the dues and fees which are prescribed by the Constitution and Laws. SECTION 5. Collegiate chapters shall have no power to amend these Laws, but shall each adopt chapter laws which deem it necessary, provided that said laws are not in conflict with the Constitution, Laws or Rituals of the Fraternity. A copy of the chapter laws and any changes shall be deposited by each chapter with the Executive Office. SECTION 6. Each collegiate chapter shall hold its regular election of officers annually. Members must meet academic eligibility requirements set by Grand Chapter resolution to hold elective office in a collegiate chapter. SECTION 7. Each collegiate chapter shall pay into the General Fund of the Fraternity, dues to be set by Grand Chapter resolution. SECTION 8. The Collegiate chapter organization shall be according to a common plan throughout the Fraternity. It shall be defined by resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in the official membership manual A Chain of Honor. SECTION 9. Each collegiate chapter may levy fees and dues upon its members in addition to fees, dues and other payments to the Fraternity. SECTION 10. Each college chapter shall observe Founders Day, on its anniversary or on a date as near it as possible with appropriate ceremonies. SECTION 11. Each collegiate chapter shall observe Fellowship Day on or about February 26, the birthday anniversary of Wilson C. Morris, first sponsor of the Fraternity, with appropriate ceremonies. LAW 4C. Alumni Chapters SECTION 1. Upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 15 alumni members of the Fraternity in good standing, residing in a given general locality, the Board of Directors of the Fraternity may grant a charter to operate as an alumni chapter. The charter fee shall be set by Grand Chapter resolution. SECTION 2. Each alumni chapter shall bear a name denoting the general locality in which the chapter is located. SECTION 3. Any alumni member of the Fraternity in good standing, residing in the locality of an alumni chapter, shall be eligible for membership in that chapter. SECTION 4. Alumni chapters may make such laws as they deem necessary for the conduct of their affairs provided that such laws shall not conflict with the Constitution, Laws or Rituals of the Fraternity. SECTION 5. Each Alumni Chapter shall submit an annual report to the Fraternity regarding its activities and meetings on or before June 30 in order to remain in good standing. Each Alumni Chapter shall pay an annual fee set by Grand Chapter resolution to the Fraternity on or before June 30 in order to remain in good standing. LAW 4D. Collegiate Chapter Advisory Board SECTION 1. Each collegiate chapter shall have a Chapter Advisory Board. SECTION 2. The Chapter Advisory Board shall be composed of four members, at least one of whom shall be an alumnus of the Fraternity, without regard to chapter affiliation. SECTION 3. The Regional Vice President shall appoint the Chairman of the Chapter Advisory Board. SECTION 4. The Chairman of the Chapter Advisory Board, the officers of the Alumni Association or of the house corporation and the officers of the collegiate chapter shall select the remaining three members of the Chapter Advisory Board. SECTION 5. The purposes of the Chapter Advisory Board shall be primarily to assist the collegiate chapter to achieve the objectives and ideals of the Fraternity, through an advisory relationship. These shall be comprehensive and shall include all helpful measures necessary to assure the continuous operation of the collegiate chapter and chapter house at high levels of efficiency and usefulness, and conformance to the Constitution and Laws of the Fraternity, and to chapter laws and house rules. SECTION 6. The Chapter Advisory Board shall meet regularly once a month during the college year, and may meet as often as necessary. LAW 5. Grand Chapter SECTION 1. Each collegiate chapter in good standing shall be entitled to three delegates to meetings of the Grand Chapter provided that two of the said delegates be elected by and from the undergraduate members of the collegiate chapter and the one remaining delegate shall be elected by and from the members of the alumni association of the collegiate chapter, provided that the alumni association is certified by the Fraternity. Each such delegate shall be entitled to one vote. Between meetings, the vote of each collegiate chapter shall be cast as a unit of one. SECTION 2. Each alumni chapter in good standing shall be entitled to one delegate to meetings of the Grand Chapter. Each such delegate shall be entitled to one vote. Between meetings the vote of each alumni chapter shall be cast as a unit of one. SECTION 3. Members of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity shall each have one vote. SECTION 4. Past Presidents of the Fraternity shall each have one vote. SECTION 5. No vote shall be cast by proxy. SECTION 6. The delegate representing a collegiate chapter or an alumni chapter shall be a member in good standing of that chapter and the Fraternity. SECTION 7. The biennial meeting of the Grand Chapter shall be called by the President not less than sixty (60) days before the convening. SECTION 8. Each collegiate chapter shall send a representative to the Grand Chapter. Failure to send a representative shall result in a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) to the chapter, payable to the Fraternity. SECTION 9. Each undergraduate chapter shall pay a semiannual fee set by resolution of the Grand Chapter to the Fraternity, to be used as Grand Chapter meeting registration fee. The remainder of the total sum collected in the interim between the Grand Chapter Meetings shall be refunded to the chapter following their registration at the Grand Chapter meeting. Failure to register at the Grand Chapter shall result in forfeiture of the Grand Chapter fee. Such forfeiture shall not constitute payment of the Grand Chapter fine. SECTION 10. Each Alumni Chapter shall send a representative to the Grand Chapter meeting. SECTION 11. Two-thirds of those present at the Grand Chapter meeting who are eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum. SECTION 12. Before each meeting, the Board of Directors shall determine the amount of funds available for the cost of the Grand Chapter meeting, and shall determine the amount of expense allowance, if any, which will be paid to each chapter for attendance at the Grand Chapter meeting. SECTION 13. The President of the Fraternity shall report to each Grand Chapter meeting as to the disposition of all resolutions and new business adopted at the previous Grand Chapter meeting. LAW 6. Board of Directors LAW 6A. Election of the Board of Directors SECTION 1. Members of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity shall be elcted at the Grand Chapter meeting. SECTION 2. Election to any office on the Board of Directors of the Fraternity shall be by majority vote of the qualified members of the Grand Chapter. SECTION 3. Nominations for officers on the Board of Directors of the Fraternity shall be made by a committee appointed by the President, but additional nominations may be made from the floor of the Grand Chapter. SECTION 4. The order of election shall be: 1. President Elect and 2. Members. SECTION 5. The Board of Directors, at its first meeting, shall elect from its members the secretary and the treasurer and such other officers as the members deem necessary. SECTION 6. No more than one member of any collegiate chapter shall be eligible to hold elective office on the Board of Directors of the Fraternity at one time. SECTION 7. A vacancy on the Board shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors of the Fraternity, the appointment to be effective until the next election is held. LAW 6B. Responsibilities of the Board of Directors SECTION 1. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is responsible to the Grand Chapter for the operation of the Fraternity between Grand Chapter meetings. SECTION 2. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to create advisory offices or committees, and to appoint members of the Fraternity to such offices and committees. Such officers or committees shall be non-salaried, but they shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the interest of the Fraternity when specifically provided for in the budget. SECTION 3. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to establish a Fraternity office and it authorized to pay rents for office quarters, incur expenses for operation, purchase of office equipment supplies and other costs incident tot he functions of the Fraternity's office. SECTION 4. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized, as they deem necessary, to employ members of the Fraternity to supervise the daily operation of the Fraternity. SECTION 5. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to employ persons not members of the Fraternity to perform secret arial and similar duties, and to pay salaries, the amounts to be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. SECTION 6. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to create a retirement program and other benefits for salaried employees. SECTION 7. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity shall collect monies, maintain bank accounts and disburse funds of the Fraternity according to an adopted budget. SECTION 8. The Board of Directors of the Fraternities may be authorized by the Grand Chapter to pay from Fraternity funds and to incur indebtedness for the construction of a building to house the Fraternity's office. SECTION 9. Members of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the interests of the Fraternity. SECTION 10. At each meeting of the Grand Chapter the President of the Fraternity shall present a report fo the progress of the Fraternity since the preceding meeting, and recommendations for the good of the Fraternity. LAW 7. Regions SECTION 1. The chief administrative officer in each region shall be the Regional Vice President and shall represent the Board of Directors of the Fraternity within the boundaries of the Region and shall speak and act with authority in all matters according to the Constitution and Laws, and according to specific directions of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. SECTION 2. The Regional Vice President shall nominate and the Board of Directors shall appoint such other regional officers as may be authorized by the Board of Directors. SECTION 3. The regional officers authorized and appointed by the Board of Directors shall be directly responsible to the Regional Vice President and shall execute the responsibility and authority of the Regional Vice President within the jurisdiction of their respective job descriptions, as defined by the Board of Directors. SECTION 4. Regional officers shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the interest of the Fraternity, provided that such expenses are specifically authorized by the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. LAW 8. Discipline Law 8A. Collegiate and Alumni Member Discipline SECTION 1. Charges may be brought against a collegiate member or alumni member of the Fraternity by any Fraternity member or chapter advisor for one or more of the following offenses. <0l> Flagrant breach of the obligations assumed upon initiation. Violation of the Constitution, Laws, Policies or Ritual of the Fraternity. Persistent failure to meet financial obligations to the Fraternity. Failure to comply with college or university regulations. Condoning the practice of hazing or violating the provisions of the Code of Conduct as defined by the Fraternity. Violation of the Risk Management Policy, as defined by the Fraternity, including the prohibition against the purchase of beverage alcohol through the chapter treasury or by individual members in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The possession, sale and/or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance on chapter premises or at any chapter-sponsored event or at any event that would suggest association with the Fraternity to a normal observer. Violation of chapter by-laws or policies by collegiate members. Encouraging or conspiring by an alumni member with a collegiate member or chapter to violate the Constitution, Laws, Policies or Rituals of the Fraternity or provisions of the Code of Conduct and Risk Management Policy as defined by the Fraternity. SECTION 2. Disciplinary action concerning collegiate members shall be made by the proper standing collegiate Chapter Judicial Board, the Regional Vice President or the Executive Vice President, with provision for appeal. Every chapter shall have a Chapter Judicial Board. The Board shall consist of three undergraduate members and one alternate elected by and from the undergraduate members of the chapter, and a chapter advisor and alumni member of the chapter. The president of the chapter shall make nominations and coordinate with the Regional Vice President who shall appoint the advisor and alumni members. If charges are brought against an undergraduate member of the Chapter Judicial Board, a member feels that they cannot objectively serve or if a member is not available, the alternate shall take the place of the member for that hearing. The Chapter Judicial Board shall elect a chairman. The jurisdiction Chapter Judicial Board is limited to only those cases where charges are being brought against a collegiate member by his chapter or by another collegiate member of the same chapter. SECTION 3. When a hearing is held, the following procedures shall be followed:
SECTION 4. If an appeal is filed with the Executive offices of the Fraternity, or if any decision made by the Regional Vice President or Executive Vice President has been appealed, there shall be a review before a Judicial Review Board. The Board of Directors shall establish one or more Judicial Review Boards, as needed or desired, which have complete authority to render decisions on any complaint properly brought under the appeal provisions of this section. The Board of Directors shall establish such rules of procedure as are necessary for the Judicial Review Boards. SECTION 5. Any decision of a Judicial Review Board may be appealed to the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. The Board of Directors shall render a decision to uphold, uphold but modify the penalty or reverse the decision of the Judicial Review Board. SECTION 6. Any decision of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity may be appealed to the Grand Chapter. The Grand Chapter may allow a committee to conduct hearings and provide a recommendation to the full House of Delegates who shall render a decision to uphold, uphold but modify the penalty or reverse the decision of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. The decision of the Grand Chapter shall be final. Law 8B. Collegiate Chapter Discipline SECTION 1. Charges may be brought against a collegiate chapter of the Fraternity by any Fraternity member or chapter advisor for one or more of the following offenses:
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall establish one or more Judicial Review Boards, as needed or desired, which have complete authority to render decisions on any complaint properly brought under the provisions of the Constitution or Laws of the Fraternity as herein described in this Law 8B. SECTION 3. The Board of Directors shall establish such rules of procedure as are necessary to comply with Law 8B. SECTION 4. Upon an adverse finding against a collegiate chapter, the Judicial Review Board shall direct one or more of the following sanctions:
SECTION 5. Any decision of a Judicial Review Board may be appealed to the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. The Board of Directors shall render a decision to uphold, uphold but modify the penalty or reverse the decision of the Judicial Review Board. SECTION 6. Any decision of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity may be appealed to the Grand Chapter. The Grand Chapter may allow a committee to conduct hearings and provide a recommendation to the full House of Delegates who shall render a decision to uphold, uphold but modify the penalty or reverse the decision of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. The decision of the Grand Chapter shall be final. SECTION 7. Upon an emergency condition, in which it is not feasible to wait for a meeting of the Judicial Review Board, a meeting of the Board of Directors or a conference call of either of these boards, the Executive Director or the Executive Vice President may suspend temporarily the charter of a chapter provided that charges are brought against the chapter within ten (10) days of the temporary suspension. The maximum severity of a temporary suspension shall be defined by the Board of Directors. A temporary suspension shall remain in effect until changed by a Judicial Review Board or the Board of Directors. Law 8C. Alumni Chapter and Alumni Association Discipline SECTION 1. Charges may be brought against an Alumni Chapter or Alumni Association by any Fraternity member or chapter advisor for one or more of the following offenses:
SECTION 2. The President of the Fraternity shall appoint an investigator who shall be a member of the Fraternity. Should the investigator determine there is just cause to pursue the charge, a hearing of the alumni chapter or alumni association shall be initiated through the Board of Directors. SECTION 3. A hearing shall be conducted according to the following procedures:
SECTION 4. Any decision of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity may be appealed to the Grand Chapter. The Grand Chapter may allow a committee to conduct hearings and provide a recommendation to the Full House of Delegates who shall render a decision to uphold, uphold but modify the penalty or reverse the decision of the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. The decision of the Grand Chapter shall be final. SECTION 5. Upon an emergency condition, in which it is not feasible to wait for a full investigation, the Board of Directors may suspend temporarily the charter of an alumni chapter or alumni association, provided that charges are brought against the chapter within ten (10) days of the temporary suspension. A temporary suspension shall remain in effect until changed by the Board of Directors. LAW 9. Ingisnia LAW 9A. The Badge SECTION 1. Every initiate of the Fraternity is supplied a badge, and is entitled to wear it at all times. If a member is expelled, the badge supplied to him shall be returned to the Executive Office. SECTION 2. Every alumnus of the Fraternity in good standing shall be entitled to wear the badge of the Fraternity at all times. SECTION 3. Any member of the Fraternity shall be entitled to purchase and wear any style of badge that is declared official that differs in ornamentation from the badge supplied by the Fraternity upon initiation. SECTION 4. The badge of the Fraternity shall be worn only upon the left breast, above the heart, upon vest, shirt or sweater. SECTION 5. Authority for the manufacture and distribution of the badge is vested in the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. The Board of Directors may appoint and contract with one or more jewelers to reproduce the design, manufacture, and sell the badge in any size, quality or manufacture and materials, and combinations of metals and jewels. Jewelers thus appointed shall be known as official jewelers, and they alone shall be entitled during the effective period of contracts, to reproduce the design, manufacture and sell the badge. Appointments of official jewelers and contracts with the same shall be subject to re-negotiation or cancellation within the terms of the contracts. SECTION 6. Each order for a badge shall be written upon an official order blank, which shall be available from the Executive Office. Orders for collegiate members must be approved by the treasurer and the president of the chapter. SECTION 7. Each order for a badge shall be approved by the Executive Director before it is placed with an official jeweler. SECTION 8. Wearers of the badge may be permitted to purchase and wear with it an auxiliary known as a guard, linked to the badge by a chain of gold. The guard shall consist of the Greek letter or letters of the chapter name, worked in gold or gold and pearls. No other style of guard shall be worn with the badge. LAW 9B. Coat-of-Arms SECTION 1. The coat-of-arms of the Fraternity shall be displayed only in a dignified manner. The Grand Chapter is authorized to prescribe how it may or may not be displayed. SECTION 2. All reproductions shall be approved by the Board of Directors of the Fraternity, and must conform with the official drawing of the coat-of-arms in possession of the Fraternity. Copies of the drawing shall be available to members and chapters. SECTION 3. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to have matrices cut in various sizes for the purpose of casting type reproductions of the coat-of-arms for printing stationery and such other forms as may be approved, and to have type cuts available at cost to members and chapters. SECTION 4. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to have the coat-of-arms reproduced by official jewelers in the form of a small gold or silver emblem to be worn on the lapel of a coat for purposes of recognition, or in the form of a gold or silver charm or pocket piece. LAW 10. The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma SECTION 1. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to publish The SAGA of Sigma Tau Gamma. SECTION 2. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity is authorized to set aside funds derived from initiation fees, dues or other revenues, to establish a separate fund for The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma. LAW 11. Amendments SECTION 1. If the call for the Grand Chapter meeting includes a proposed amendment and this amendment is adopted by a two-thirds vote at this meeting, it will become a part of the Laws. If a proposed amendment does not accompany the call for the Grand Chapter meeting but is adopted by a two-thirds vote at that meeting, it will become a part of the Laws, provided that the amendment shall, within sixty (60) days after the Grand Chapter meeting, be submitted for approval to all members of the Grand Chapter and shall receive a dissenting vote from less than one-half of those members of the Grand Chapter in good standing within sixty (60) days after the date of the mailing proposal. SECTION 2. The Board of Directors of the Fraternity may at any time between meetings of the Grand Chapter submit an amendment in writing to all the chapters of the Fraternity and the amendment shall be adopted and become a part of the Laws if it shall receive a dissenting vote from less than one-third of those chapters in good standing within sixty (60) days after the date of the mailing proposal. SECTION 3. Voting members of the Grand Chapter may at any time between meetings of the Grand Chapter submit an amendment in writing to the Board of Directors of the Fraternity. If endorsed by the Board, the amendment shall be distributed to the members for vote. If a dissenting vote is cast by the Board, the amendment may be re-submitted to the Board and all the other voting members of the Grand Chapter. If the amendment receives an endorsement by at least one-third of those members in good standing, the Board of Directors shall distribute the amendment to the members of the Grand Chapter and the amendment shall be adopted and become part of the Laws if it shall receive a dissenting vote from less than one-third of all those members in good standing within sixty (60) days after the date of mailing the proposal.
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