Schedule for Submitting Constitutional Changes

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.