National Constitution Article IV

Article Summary: Article IV of the National Constitution defines Membership, classes of Membership, requirements for becoming a Member, Activity and Inactivity, good standing, transferring, disciplinary actions, and resignations. This Article also includes a non-discrimination statement and sets out definitions and requirements for Membership Drives and rush and Initiation events.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Definition of Membership

Members are those individuals who have been inducted into Phi Sigma Pi by use of the Ritual Induction Ceremony. Membership may only be terminated by expulsion or resignation from the National Fraternity.

Section 2: Membership Eligibility Requirement

Initiates shall be undergraduate students currently enrolled in a program of study at the sheltering institution who have been asked to enter a Collegiate Chapter’s Initiation Program via the Ritual Pinning Ceremony. Upon entering the Chapter’s Initiation Program the Prospective Member shall:

1. have completed a minimum of one (1) semester or one (1) quarter of college work;
2. have one (1) semester or 2 (2) quarters of prescribed undergraduate study remaining following the Initiation semester; and
3. have earned at least a 3.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale (where an A=4.00)

Section 3. Non-Discrimination Policy

Phi Sigma Pi shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, National origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age or disability status in admission to, access to, treatment of or employment in Phi Sigma Pi's programs and activities.

Section 4: Collegiate Members

Collegiate Members shall be undergraduate students currently enrolled in a program of study at the sheltering institution and who have successfully completed a Collegiate Chapter’s Initiation Program and been Inducted into Phi Sigma Pi by use of the Ritual Induction Ceremony.

Section 5: Alumni Members

Alumni Members shall be any Collegiate Members who have left or who have graduated in good standing from the sheltering institution of a Collegiate Chapter. Collegiate Members shall become Alumni Member if their Chapter becomes inactive.

Section 6: Honorary Members

Honorary Members shall be individuals who are ineligible to become Collegiate Members of Phi Sigma Pi but who have demonstrated the highest qualities exemplified by Phi Sigma Pi through outstanding service to the Fraternity or the local community. Honorary Members shall not be required to participate in any Chapter’s Initiation Program and shall not obtain the status of Collegiate Membership. Honorary Members may be elected into Phi Sigma Pi by a Collegiate Chapter, an Alumni Chapter or the National Council.

Section 7. Nominating and Voting

Phi Sigma Pi Members in good standing may nominate qualified individuals to become Collegiate or Honorary Members. Voting shall be by ballot and shall be completed at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled Ritual Induction Ceremony at a prior called meeting with quorum and with notice of voting on the meeting agenda. No less than forty-eight (48) hours notice shall be given for this meeting. At least a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Active Collegiate Members in good standing present and eligible to vote at the meeting with quorum shall be required for confirmation.

Section 8: Special Membership Designations

The following designations may be used by Members meeting the criteria specified:

Founding Members

Founding Members shall be Members who have been recognized formally by the National Council as the individual(s) responsible for a particular Chapter's founding. A Chapter may have one, more than one, or no Founding Members. Founding Members shall not have any additional rights above those Members who are not Founding Members.

Charter Members

Charter Members shall be Members who have been inducted during the interval between the granting of the Chapter Charter and the induction of the first Initiate class. Charter Members shall not have any additional rights above those Members who are not Charter Members.

Section 9: Active and Inactive Collegiate Members

All Collegiate Members shall be considered Active, and thus subject to the attendance requirements and financial obligations of the Collegiate Chapter unless the Member has applied for, and been granted, one of the following:

National Inactivity

Collegiate Members who are currently participating in an accredited or academically recognized cooperative education program, internship or study abroad program which does not meet or hold classes at the sheltering institution shall be eligible for National Inactivity. Nationally Inactive Collegiate Members shall be exempt from paying National dues and shall not be subject to attendance requirements of the Collegiate Chapter. National Inactivity may only be granted by the National Office.

Local Inactivity

Locally Inactive Members are Active Members, with permission from their Collegiate Chapter, who do not wish to be active in Phi Sigma Pi's affairs. Further status of Inactive Members shall be left to the discretion of the Collegiate Chapter. Locally Inactive Members pay to the National Headquarters, via the Collegiate Chapter, the National Dues by the appropriate due dates.

Section 10: Active and Inactive Alumni and Honorary Members

Alumni or Honorary Members who have paid annual dues to the National Alumni Association shall be considered Active.

Section 11: Definition of Collegiate Members in Good Standing

Collegiate Members shall be considered “in good standing” provided that the Member:

1. is not currently delinquent in the remittance of any dues, fees, or fines; and,
2. is not currently the subject of any disciplinary action by the National Council or the Collegiate Chapter; and,
3. has met or exceeded the minimum requirements for attendance and participation in the Collegiate Chapter’s events and activities.

Section 12: Definition of Alumni and Honorary Members in Good Standing

Alumni or Honorary Members shall be considered “in good standing” provided that they are not currently the subject of disciplinary action by the National Council or the Alumni Chapters.

Section 13: Transfer from one Collegiate Chapter to Another

A Collegiate Member who has transferred from one sheltering institution to another may apply to transfer into the Chapter at the new sheltering institution, provided that the Member is in good standing at the time of the application. Transferring Members shall be inducted into the Collegiate Chapter by signing the Chapter Roll Book.

Section 14: Resignation

Any Member not currently delinquent in the remittance of any dues, fees or fines may resign from Phi Sigma Pi. To resign, the Collegiate Member must submit a request to either their Collegiate Chapter or the National Council. All other Members must submit a request to the National Council.

1. If submitting by way of the Collegiate Chapter, the Member must be a current Collegiate Member of the Chapter and shall tender their letter to any Chapter Officer. The letter must be presented to the Chapter during the next business meeting by any Chapter Officer or the resigning Member. Upon presentation of the letter to the Chapter, the membership of the Member seeking to resign shall be terminated. Former Members who have resigned via their Chapter are not eligible for re-instatement into Phi Sigma Pi without at least a two- thirds (2/3) vote of approval from the Active Members of the Collegiate Chapter.
2. If submitting by way of the National Council, the Member shall submit their letter via the National Staff. Upon review of the letter by the National Council, the Membership of the Member seeking to resign shall be terminated. Former Members who have resigned via the National Council are not eligible for re-instatement into Phi Sigma Pi without at least a two- thirds (2/3) vote of the National Council.

Section 15: National Council Authority to Modify Member Status

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Article, the National Council shall have the authority to determine the Membership of any Member of Phi Sigma Pi. Any Membership change under this provision shall require a 3/4 vote of the National Council and the consent of the Member.