Difference between revisions of "Delta Sigma SOP"

Revision as of 11:31, 7 February 2008

These governing documents are provided for reference only, and may be inaccurate, out-of-date, or simply incomplete. For full and accurate copies of the governing documents, please consult the Parliamentarian.

General

The Standard Operating Procedures govern Delta Sigma except where they conflict with the Delta Sigma bylaws or the National Constitution. When in conflict, these other documents take precedence. The SOP takes precedence over Robert's Rules of Order when in conflict.

Committees

Petitions Committee

The Petitions Committee shall consist of five (5) members chosen at the same time officers are chosen. Nominations for the committee are taken the same way nominations are taken for an office. Nominees are not allowed speeches. During voting, voters write the names of the five nominees they would like the committee to be formed of; the five nominees garnering the most votes are elected to the committee. The committee will choose its own chair. Committee members will serve a one-year term or until their successor is elected.
The Petitions Committee must keep a written log of every petition it receives, as well as whether the petition was granted or declined, and a brief explanation for the decision, citing precedent where appropriate. This log shall be available at the request of any Brother.
The Petitions Committee must briefly report any exemptions it grants to the Chapter.

Petition, Protest and Appeal

Appeal

The appellor should state what the decision was, that the decision should be overturned, and what the desired decision should be.
The assembly may overturn a decision without making a new decision, in which case it shall be as if the appealed decision were never made.
The question on whether to overturn and whether to grant the new decision may be considered separately.
An appeal may be brought on behalf of a person who has no right to appeal.
There is no recourse to the decision of the chapter in an appeal unless the chapter reconsiders the motion to appeal, and the motion to reconsider may not be brought by the original appellor.

Protest

The protestor should state what the decision was, that the decision should be over turned and what should be decided in its place.
There is no recourse to the decision of the chapter in a proest unless the chapter reconsiders the motion of protest, and the motion to reconsider may not be brought by the original protestor, and is subject otherwise to the regular limitations of reconsideration.

Discipline

Investigatory Committees

If anyone believes a punishable offense has occurred, but no evidence can be found to support the notion without investigation, two members may ask the Petitions Committee to form an investigatory committee.
The Petitions Committee will announce at the next meeting that it requires volunteers for an investigation, but will not announce the subject of the investigation.
The committee will meet with all parties in secret to attempt to hear all the facts. The committee will not disclose any facts it finds. If it learns any fact by testimony, it may only reveal that fact by permission of the attestant or by calling the attestant for examination during a trial. If it learns any fact by examination of sealed records, it must follow the proper procedure to unseal the record or obtain the record by public means.
The committee will have the power to request the testimony of any member, though no member is required to testify.
The committee will have access to all the Chapter's documents, including communication sealed under the "Keeping relevant communications" section of Article 6.
The committee will have the authority to coordinate with the National fraternity in its investigation.
If the committee believes it has enough evidence to convict the accused of an offense, the investigatory committee will take over the prosecution of the case and prefer charges at the next meeting.
If the committee does not believe enough evidence of wrongdoing exists, it will disband itself and report that the investigation did not reveal enough. Any copies of records retained by the committee should be destroyed.

Trial

Before the trial begins, the prosecutor must prefer charges against the accused. The charges should give specific grounds for punishment along with the general nature of the offense or offenses. The prosecutor may additionally suggest a punishment, but that does not preempt the chapter's right to decide the punishment after deciding whether a punishable offense occurred.
The Secretary will notify the accused of the charges and provide a copy of the relevant portions of Article X. The notification must alert the accused of his or her rights as outlined in this section.
The accused may elect to represent him- or herself at the trial, or delegate the defense to any willing member. The member acting in this stead is called the defendant.
The trial will take place at the next meeting unless the prosecutor opts to postpone it, but in no case will it occur before a week has passed.
The defendant may appeal to the chapter to extend this deadline; or any member who feels the defense needs more time may protest to the chapter to obtain an extension. The Secretary will notify the the defendant of an extension obtained by protest.
The prosecution and defense will alternate between one opening statement and one rebuttal each. Then they may call witnesses. The chair should not allow statements thta do not answer the question "Has the accused committed an offense?" The exposition will conclude with the prosecution and defense alternating between one closing statement and one rebuttal each.
After the closing statements, the assembly will decide whether a punishable offense occurred. The prosecution and defense are excused while the assembly deliberates. The chair should restrict debate to that which is germane to the question "Has the accused committed an offense?" The chair should put this question when debate has been exhausted.

Office Hours

All officers are required to spend at least two hours per week in the office, in order to fulfill the UMC office hours requirement.
All committee chairs are required to spend at least one hour per week in the office, in order to fulfill the UMC office hours requirement.
If an officer holds a chair position as well as an office, (s)he shall be required to spend at least two hours per week in the office in order fo fulfill the UMC office hours requirements.

Dues

Dues are set at $80 per semester per brother to be divided $25 for local dues, $54 for national dues, and $1 for the subrosa fund.

Events

The chapter may, at its discretion, consider national events as fulfillment of chapter requirements. This is done through a simple majority vote.
A brother may only get credit for one "bought" service event per semester. (Eg, Pink Lids, Pop tabs)

Initiate Event Requirements

Initiates of Phi Sigma Pi are required to complete the following events:
- 1 each Academic, Chapter Fundraising, Chapter Service, Chapter Social, Pinning, Induction, Big Brother, and a Study Table.
In addition: pass the national exam (80%), 75% of initiate meetings, 75% of chapter meetings, serve on committee, GPA check, pay dues, plan initiate project

Grade Reports

Each brother is required to submit his/her grade report to the recording secretary by no later than the third chapter meeting. Grade reports should be submitted in the form of an unofficial CU transcript, which can be obtained off of CUConnect. The Brother's name should be printed or written on the transcript to avoid confusion.

Meetings

To expedite the discussion and pro/con debates during meetings, the snapping of fingers shall be used to inform the audience of concurrence of opinion with the speaker and their remarks. Snapping of fingers shall in no way preclude one from engaging in discussion; rather the snapping of the fingers shall be used so that similar arguments need not be voiced more than once.
Regular meetings shall be called at 8pm.

Amending the SOP

The SOP may be amended at any regular meeting with a 2/3 vote.