As we approach the 111th Anniversary Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, the Committee on Constitution provides this memo to offer key dates and direction to brothers, chapters, and regions when submitting proposed changes to the constitution and bylaws of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Constitution
Pursuant to Article VI, Section 1.1, Amendments of the Fraternity’s Constitution, “any member or chapter wishing to amend the General Constitution shall submit the proposed change to their respective Regional Vice President not less than 60 days prior to the next succeeding Regional Convention.” The due date, by region, for submission to the RVP is:

• Midwestern Region – January 15, 2017*
• Southern Region – January 23, 2017*
• Eastern Region – January 30, 2017*
• Western Region – February 5, 2017
• Southwestern Region – February 20, 2017

*Dates have passed. Please consult your RVP.
In submitting proposals, it is important that the following format is used per Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 11th Edition (RONR):

I, [insert your name], move to amend/add…by striking/inserting…

For example, I, Cash Sutton III, move to amend Article IV, General Offices, Section 3, Election Procedure, Subsection 3.2, by striking the word “mailed” and inserting the word “distributed” after “ballots” and “be.”

Please take care in reviewing the fraternity’s constitution and bylaws to ensure the proposed change does not conflict with another article, section, or subsection. If the committee determines a conflict and a proposed change was not offered, the committee will have no other option but to recommend the proposed change not be approved.

Upon receipt, the RVP must submit proposed changes to chapters within 30 days of their regional convention. Chapters should expect to see the proposed changes by:

• Midwestern Region – February 15, 2017
• Southern Region – February 23, 2017
• Eastern Region – February 28, 2017
• Western Region – March 5, 2017
• Southwestern Region – March 20, 2017

Upon approval by simple majority of the delegates present and voting, proposed amendments must be submitted immediately to the executive director to ensure he meets the submission due date to chapters: May 12, 2017.

Adoption of proposed amendments requires a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the delegates present and voting at the General Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

Bylaws
Article XII, Section 1.1, Proposals for Amendment of the Bylaws states, “all proposed amendments to the General By-Laws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Director not less than sixty (60) days before the next succeeding General Convention.” All proposed amendments to the bylaws must be submitted by May 10, 2017, in time for the executive director’s distribution to chapters on May 12, 2017.

Again, in submitting proposals, it is important that the following format is used per RONR:

I, [insert your name], move to amend/add…by striking/inserting…

Adoption of proposed amendments to the bylaws requires three-fourths (3/4) vote of the delegates present and voting at the general convention in Baltimore, MD.

Official Governing Policy Guidance and Regulations of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Please take care when submitting proposed changes to our constitution and bylaws by NOT offering administrative changes. Administrative changes (due dates, etc.) belong in the Official Governing Policy Guidance and Regulations of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which was created by the delegates at the 2007 General Convention in Orlando, FL, when they bifurcated the fraternity’s constitution and bylaws, removing all administrative items. If the committee determines the change is administrative in nature, the committee will have no other option but to recommend the proposed change not be approved.

Time Until an Amendment Takes Effect—Constitution and Bylaws
Upon ratification by chapters, the amendment shall take effect on December 8, 2017, unless the amendment provides a due date; the due date cannot supersede the approval process contained in the constitution and bylaws. For example, an amendment cannot become effective immediately upon the adoption by the delegates at the General Convention because chapters must vote on the action taken by the convention. However, an amendment may become effective later than December 8, 2017, provided it is stipulated at the time it is offered.

Finally, please take care in crafting proposed changes. The fraternity’s historical practice is to greatly limit delegates from amending amendments, which is consistent with RONR. “If bylaws require previous notice for their amendment…no amendment to the bylaw amendment is in order that increases the modification of the article or provision to be amended. This restriction prevents members from proposing a slight change and then taking advantage of absent members by moving a greater one as an amendment to the amendment.… The same principle applies to an amendment in the nature of a substitute for sections or articles.… The proposed amendment substitute is open to amendments that diminish the amount of change, but not to amend to increase it or to introduce new changes” (RONR, 11th ed., p. 595). For reference, when RONR mentions bylaws, it means in principle constitution and/or bylaws.

If you have any questions or you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the constitution committee chair, Brother Cash Sutton III, at constitution@apa1906.net.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has always valued the history and culture of people of African ancestry on the African continent and throughout the diaspora. Since our inception in 1906, we have consistently advocated for the discovery, preservation, and promotion of our past. Our brothers have been at the forefront of correcting the errors, omissions, and distortions about our past, while telling of our trials and tribulations to the nation and to the world.

Drs. Carter G. Woodson, an Omega, and Jesse E. Moorland, an Alpha—the founders of Black History Month—incorporated The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) on October 2, 1915 in Washington, DC. Brother Dr. George Cleveland Hall was the first president of ASALH. Eleven Alpha men, more than any other fraternity, have served as ASALH presidents.

Before the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926 (now Black History Month), Alpha Phi Alpha promoted the study of black history with a regular column in the Sphinx Magazine. One hundred years ago, in 1917, the General Convention, meeting in Philadelphia, called on each chapter within the fraternity to appoint a historian to pursue research and discussion of black history.

We have a legacy to uphold in observing Black History Month. Brother Dr. Charles H. Wesley, past general president and national historian, who also served as executive director of ASALH reminded us that the purpose of Black History Month (Negro History Week) is “… to change the image of the Black Americans through history. The current consideration of the advancement made by Negroes in political life and in civic activities should be paralleled by the view of his experiences in our past.”

As part of Alpha’s advocacy and action initiative, we must therefore make certain that our past is recorded accurately and completely, that it is reflected in every area of American life, and especially that it is competently taught in our schools at every level. We cannot assume that because there is general recognition of Black History Month, even from the White House, our history and heritage is well known and respected. As Brother Dr. Martin Luther Jr. reminded us: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Robert L. Harris, Jr. National Historian
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
ASALH National President, 1991-92
February, 2017

It is our pleasure to announce the 20th anniversary Alpha Leadership Academy for college brothers, which is scheduled for June 3–10, 2017, at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

The purpose of the academy is to provide a thorough, intense experience for young men who have been elected to some leadership role within the various levels of our fraternity. What makes this program unique is the student development foundation on which it is based. Several student development theories will be used as the theoretical framework within which this academy will operate. Such theories include the Student Wellness Model for holistic development, involvement theory, moral development, service learning, and much more. The Wellness Model will be of particular importance because it allows us to tap the cognitive, social, spiritual, physical, and cultural dimensions of our college brothers’ development.

The academy’s faculty will be comprised of several alumni brothers who are outstanding training and development specialists as well as student affairs practitioners who work with college brothers on a daily basis and whose expertise will add to the breadth and depth of the academy. To date, there are 564 academy alumni, whose names are included in this packet.

At the bottom of this page is a link to the sample academy schedule based on previous years and an application for the Upsilon Class. Please consider applying for the academy if you will be in a leadership position for the next academic year. The registration fee is $500 per participant, which includes housing and most meals. Also, all participants will be responsible for their travel expenses to and from Baltimore.

If you represent an alumni chapter, please encourage the leadership of the college chapter(s) in your area to apply. Any financial assistance that alumni chapters give to assist college chapter officers will greatly enhance the success of this program. Moreover, this will be a great way to strengthen your portfolio should you choose to compete for the coveted Charles H. Wesley Award, which recognizes exemplary college and alumni chapter relations. Please feel free to contact Brother Ralph Johnson, Ph.D. at Rjohns1706@gmail.com or 443.538.7602 if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you!