20131201-NP-03

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This page is a proposal being developed or completed by a National Council member. This page is protected and can only be edited by a user with admin rights. Only members working on this proposal, namely the National Council Member drafting the proposal, should edit this page. For purposes of preserving national records and transparency this page should not be edited after National Council has voted on this proposal.

• Council Member Name:
• Council Position—Proposal Number: NP 03
• Meeting Date for Proposal: none
• Objective this proposal falls under:
• What costs are associated with this proposal? (if none state "none") none
• Additional Pertinent Information: (if none state "none") none

Proposal

amending the National Council Standards

National Council Meetings

Each National Officer is expected to make their best effort to attend all regularly scheduled National Council Meetings. Attendance is required at the Grand Chapter Conference and National Convention, unless the National Council approves a partial or full absence. The financial responsibility of that attendance is provided for in the Operating Budget. It is understood that the National Council Members are volunteers who have job, family, and civic obligations that must at times take precedent over National Council matters. It is also understood that unanticipated issues and emergencies will happen that will require National Council Members to be excused.

Intent

National Council Members have long been given reasonable leeway in attending Council meetings and National Convention when there is a justifiable need to be absent or remotely or partially in attendance. As unpaid volunteers there are numerous legitimate reasons why a Council Member may not be able to attend or fully attend one of these meetings, including but not limited to work requirements, family needs, jury and other civic duties, military service, medical needs/emergencies, and other unexpected situations. This proposal clarifies the original intent of this section to address potential abuse by a Council Member intentionally interfering with the business of the Fraternity by not actively participating in meetings, not to force Council Members to forgo needs in their daily life. This also addresses any misconceptions that National Council Members should put their volunteer service ahead of more significant life obligations.