Attendance requirements

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This page is a resource for known best practices relating to various attendance requirements for Chapters. This is not a comprehensive list. It is intended to show different ways Chapters address attendance requirements in the bylaws and operating policies.

Methods for measuring requirements

Attendance based on number of events

Some Chapters outline specific events that they require as well as a number of other events that need to be attended. Mandatory events tend to include events such as Pinning, Inductions, banquet/formal, and certain major Chapter specific events like a large service event such as a dance marathon. Chapters that utilize attendance based on a number of events also then require Brothers attend a predetermined number of Business and Committee Meetings as well as committee events: Service, Scholarship, Social, Fund Raising, Initiate, etc.

For examples of bylaw best practices see based on number of events in this Google Document.

Attendance based on points system

Some Chapters utilize a points system where events are given a point value if attended and Brothers need to meet a minimum number of event points per semester/quarter.

For examples of bylaw best practices see based on points system in this Google Document.

Combination systems

Some Chapters may combine systems based on number of events as well as requirements. In these cases a Chapter may require Brothers to attend a minimum number of different types of events however allows them to choose which events beyond those to attend to fulfill a points requirement.

Oversight of attendance requirements

Approval of attendance requirements

Many Chapters that utilize a system for requiring attendance will agree to those requirements as a Chapter before the start or the semester/quarter or at the first meeting. This ensures everyone is aware of the requirements and has time to plan for events they are going to attend. Some Chapters also use this time to approve an event calendar.

For examples of bylaw best practices see of attendance requirements in this Google Document.

Lateness

Some Chapters outline what happen to Brothers who show up late to an event. This may allow a Brother to show up within the first X minutes of the start of the event to be considered in attendance. This may also reduce the points a late attendee can earn based on how much of the event they have missed. Some Chapters may also outline acceptable and unacceptable reasons for being late and any corresponding action.

Partial activity

Because local inactivity is up to a Chapter to approve, some Chapters define a category of partial activity for a semester/quarter. This usually is somewhere in between fully active and inactive with some level of reduced rights and requirements. Partial activity may outline a reduced amount of events required for that Brother, if their partial activity is approved, and often comes with a trade off prohibiting them from having voting rights and/or the ability to hold an elected or appointed position within the Chapter.

Special case allowances

Some Chapters may allow a different set of requirements in special cases, such as the last semester/quarter of senior year. This is often outlined in Chapter policies and made available to anyone who meets the requirements rather than on a case by case basis.

Resources

For examples of bylaw best practices see [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wATN6CzOKKGQu0FoOR7PJPoSOCBXbqeMi1wK2kNsy-8/edit#bookmark=id.8bj1p3k3moa8 |Attendance excuses] in this Google Document.

Failure to meet requirements

Automatic disciplinary action

Some Chapters outline automatic disciplinary action for a Brother who does not fulfill their attendance requirements. This may be a loss of privileges such as holding office or being a Big Brother. These actions also tend to outline an automatic way to return to good standing.

Alternative disciplinary action

Some Chapters outline options for alternative discipline for a Brother who does not complete their attendance requirements. These may be allowing them to attend events outside of the Chapter that fulfill a missed requirement or allows them to work with the committee whose event they have missed to plan an event or attend additional events the following semester/quarter.

Resources

For examples of bylaw best practices see [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wATN6CzOKKGQu0FoOR7PJPoSOCBXbqeMi1wK2kNsy-8/edit#bookmark=id.3z8f8jbjcnxh |Failure to Meet Attendance requirements] in this Google Document.