Alpha Chapter Parliamentarian Policy

Fall 2016

  1. Swear Jar
    1. If an Active, Special Active, Alumni Active, or Affiliate Brother uses obscene language or obscene gestures during General Meetings or Special Meetings, then the Brother shall be fined twenty-five (25) cents for each infraction.
      1. Exceptions shall be during the non-serious announcement portion of the General Meeting or Special Meeting, during the entertainment portion of the General Meeting or Special Meeting, or any other portion that the Parliamentarian or President deem appropriate.
      2. The Chapter President may overrule the decision of the Parliamentarian.
    2. What is considered to be obscene language and/or obscene gestures shall be determined by the President, with the advising of the Parliamentarian.
      1. The approved list of obscene language and gestures from the previous semester will be in effect for the current semester until an updated list is presented during a General Meeting before the Brotherhood.
    3. If an Inactive Brother uses obscene language and/or gestures during a General Meeting or Special Meeting, the Brother will be issued a warning by the President or Parliamentarian. If the Inactive Brother continues to use such language or gestures, the Brother will be asked to leave.
      1. Exceptions shall be during the non-serious announcement portion of the General Meeting or Special Meeting, during the entertainment portion of the General Meeting or Special Meeting, or any other portion that the Parliamentarian or President deem appropriate.
      2. The Chapter President may overrule the decision of the Parliamentarian.
    4. Brothers with fines have until the next General Meeting to pay the fine.
      1. Fines are to be payable to either the Treasurer or put into a designated “Swear Jar” to be deposited by the Treasurer after the final General Meeting of the semester.
  2. Disruptions
    1. The President or Parliamentarian may ask Brothers who disrupt or violate Robert’s Rules of Order to stop. If the Brother continues in this behavior, then the Brother must leave the meeting and the Brother is issued an unexcused absence for that General Meeting or Special Meeting.
  3. Electronics during General Meetings
    1. Electronic devices may not be in use during the General Meeting or Special Meeting.
      1. The President and the Secretary may use their electronics for business purposes.
      2. Brothers may be granted permission by the President to use electronic devices if the purpose of doing so is related to Fraternity issues, such as officer reports.
      3. Brothers may also request permission from the President to use electronics for non-Fraternity purposes.
    2. If a Brother insists on using electronic devices without permission, the Brother will be issued a warning, and if the behavior persists, the Brother will be asked to leave the General Meeting or Special Meeting with an unexcused absence.
  4. Presiding Officer of General Meetings or Special Meetings
    1. If an officer is the chair of the General Meeting or Special Meeting, then the Brother shall be granted all privileges of the President in this Policy.