PHI ALPHA DELTA LAW FRATERNITY, INTERNATIONAL

REGIS COLLEGE PRE-LAW CHAPTER

PRE-LAW CHAPTER BY-LAWS

Regis Chapter

Section1- Name- As chartered by the International Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the name of this chapter is Regis College Pre-law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International.

Section 2- Location- This chapter is chartered and established at Regis College and shall remain chartered at this school unless lawful action to the contrary is taken by the International Executive Board.

Section 3- Duties of Chapter- As provided in the pre-law chapter charter as issued by Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, this chapter shall promote the principles, ideals and precepts of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, shall abide by the Constitution and International By-laws of the Fraternity, as may, from time to time, be lawfully amended, adhere to the rules and procedures as may, from time to time, be lawfully promulgated by the International Executive Board, and shall submit such reports and transmit such fees as may, from time to time, be required of the chapter by the duly constituted authorities of the Fraternity.

Section 4- Statement of Non-Discrimination- This chapter of Phi Alpha Delta shall not discriminate on the basis of conditions or characteristics protected by law, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, and veteran status. Nor shall this chapter affiliate or associate with any organization that discriminates against any of the groups so named above.

Section 5- Policy Adherence- This chapter of Phi Alpha Delta shall adhere to all Regis College policies as well as any and all local, state, or federal laws.

Purpose

Section 1- The purpose of this chapter shall be to provide an effective, cohesive forum, smaller than that of the entire undergraduate school student body, to promote the principles, ideals, and precepts of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International; to promote the principles for the professional advancement of its members; to promote the principles of liberty and equal justice under law for all citizens; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to provide a forum for the interchange between members of this chapter and the other members of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, and to develop lasting friendships among its members.

Membership

Section 1- Members- The membership of this chapter shall be composed of those persons accepted into Pre-Law Membership of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International and this chapter, who are in actual attendance at this school, and such other pre-law members of the Fraternity duly accepted into the Fraternity by other Pre-Law Chapters of the Fraternity, and who are in actual attendance at this school.

Section 2- Eligibility for Membership-

Eligibility for pre-law membership into Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International shall be as follows:

1. Student Membership- Any student of Regis College shall be eligible to be accepted into pre-law membership of this Fraternity as a student member of this chapter.
2. SPS Program (Lowell Campus)- Any undergraduate student attending the School for Professional Studies matriculating on the Lowell Campus of Regis University shall be eligible to be accepted into pre-law membership of this Fraternity as a student member of this chapter.
3. SPS Program (Satellite Campuses)- Any undergraduate student attending the School for Professional Studies at any campus other than the Lowell Campus of Regis University may apply freely for membership within this Fraternity as a student member of this chapter. Consideration for acceptance will be voted upon by the elected Executive Committee based on the respective candidate’s ability to participate in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International sponsored events.
4. Regis University Graduate Student- Any graduate student attending Regis University shall be eligible to be accepted into membership of this Fraternity as a student member of this chapter.
5. Administration and Faculty Membership- Any full time or part-time administrator or faculty member at the school where this pre-law chapter is charted shall be eligible for acceptance into pre-law membership.

Section 3- Acceptance into Membership- All invitations to pre-law membership into Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, shall be majority vote of the pre-law chapter membership.

Section 4- Membership in Chapter- Only students, administration, and faculty members who have been accepted into pre-law membership in this Fraternity shall have any status in this chapter. There shall be no other type of affiliation with the chapter under any circumstances.

Active membership may be given to members of this chapter who:

                    a. Have successfully completed the Pledging Program, as determined by this Chapter

                        and the National Fraternity; or

After having successfully completed the Pledging Program over the course of the semester and being received into the fraternity upon Initiation, a member is considered an active member of the chapter for the following semester. (Note: Every current initiated member of the chapter as of September 1, 2001 will be considered active for the Fall 2001 semester.) In order to retain one’s active status in the chapter in the semesters to follow, one must complete the following requirements per semester:

1. Pay dues on time
2. Attend 2/3 of all Chapter meetings unless prior academic classes or engagements prevent attendance at specific chapter meetings and/or functions
3. Attend 1 planned community service event
4. Participate in both the Rush and Pledge processes as determined by the Membership Director
5. Be an active member of at least one of the standing committees
6. Be is good academic standing with Regis College defined by general school policy

            b. Attend all pledge meetings or apply to Membership Director for exemption

1. Must attend all chapter meetings during pledging period unless academic classes or engagements prevent attendance at specific chapter meetings and/or functions

Discipline

Section 1- Suspension of Membership- This section applies to members who are suspended from the chapter for not fulfilling requirements from the previous semester.

I. Process of Suspension

1. A member’s delinquent status is brought to the Executive Board by the Secretary;
2. After due consideration by the Executive Board, a recommendation for suspension may be brought to the full membership;
3. The member in question may address the Chapter one week prior to the vote;
4. A vote by secret ballot will be taken at the Chapter meeting. A 2/3 majority vote of Active Members present is required to suspend a member.

1. A suspended member may be reinstated by making up the unfulfilled requirements in addition to present requirements.

Section 2- Termination of Membership- Pre-law membership in this Fraternity may be terminated by (a) expulsion by a legally constituted pre-law chapter of this Fraternity for violating the purposes of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the provisions of the International By-Laws or of the By-laws of this chapter; (b) by voluntary resignation from membership; or (c) by graduating from the undergraduate school at which this pre-law chapter is chartered.

I. Expulsion- According to Article IV, Section 5, Part b of the International By-laws, "Any member charged with (1) violating the Membership Oath, Constitution, International By-Laws, or the By-Laws of any District or Chapter; or (2) otherwise engaging in unworthy conduct tending to bring disrepute on the Fraternity shall be subject to expulsion from this Fraternity." The Process of Expulsion of a Member who violates purposes of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, or the provisions of the International By-Laws or the By-laws of the chapter is as follows:

1. Secretary notifies the Executive Board of the delinquency;
2. A recommendation of expulsion is made to the membership;
3. The member may address the chapter prior to voting;
4. Two-thirds of the active members present must vote by secret ballot to approve the expulsion.

Section 3- Removal of Elected Officers- Any elected official of the chapter shall be subject to removal for misconduct or neglect of duty.

I. Process of Impeachment and Removal from Office

1. Any member of the chapter may bring charges against any elected official and may petition the Executive Board to have an officer removed.
2. The Executive Board will hear the accusations and determine if the accusations are justified and may request the officer in question to resign his/her position.
3. After such a petition, if the officer in question has not resigned, the complainant or any member of the Executive Board may impeach the officer before the chapter.
4. The impeachment process is conducted at a meeting where a panel of five members of the chapter shall hear the arguments of each side. The panel shall be chosen in a lottery conducted by the Chapter Advisor. No executive committee members may serve on the panel. Upon the date the panel is chosen, the officer(s) shall be suspended from office until the conclusion of the set forth process.
5. By a 2/3 vote, the panel shall decide if the charges are warranted. If the vote finds them warranted, they shall make a recommendation of removal to the chapter at the next regular or special meeting of the chapter membership.
6. At the chapter meeting, the charges and recommendation will be read. The

defendant shall have the floor for five (5) minutes to state his/her defense beforea vote is taken. Upon a majority vote (50% +1) of those members of the chapter, the officer shall be removed from office immediately. A majority of the active membership of the chapter must be present for a vote of removal to take place.

 

Chapter Officers

I. Elected Positions- This chapter shall annually elect a chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, and Fellowship Director.

II. Terms of Office- The terms of office of the officers shall be for a one-year period. The elected officers shall assume the duties of their individual offices immediately upon being elected thereto.

III. Election Process- The following procedures constitute the election process for the chapter:

1. A list of those active members eligible to vote and/or run in the upcoming

1. Nominations shall be held at a chapter meeting at least two (2) weeks prior to the election;
2. Chapter Officer Elections shall be held at least two (2) weeks prior to the end of regular Spring semester courses;
3. A Chapter Advisor, Pre-law Director, or a representative of the Board of Elections of Regis College must be present to witness and facilitate the election;
4. At Elections, nominees will be allowed to speak to and answer questions for the membership for a time approved by a majority vote of those members present at the nomination meeting;
5. The order in which the nominees will speak will be determined by alphabetical order;
6. Only those active members present at the voting meeting will qualify for write-in voting;
7. Vote will be conducted by secret ballot;
8. A majority vote by those active members present is required to elect a nominee to office;
9. In the event of a tie, a runoff election will occur the same day as the initial;
10. Nominees will be allowed to speak to and answer questions for the membership for two (2) minutes and the order that the nominees will speak in will be determined by alphabetical order;
11. Only active members who voted in the initial election will be permitted to vote in the runoff election;
12. The vote will be conducted again by secret ballot and a majority vote by those active members present is required to elect a nominee;
13. In the event of another tie, the above process will be repeated until a majority vote is gained by a nominee.

IV. Vacancies- In the event any member of the Executive Committee is removed from office, resigns, or is disabled from performing his/her regular duties for more than thirty consecutive calendar days, they shall be replaced by an election of the chapter.

Section 2- Duties of Officers- The officers of this chapter shall have the following duties:

1. President- The President shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the Chapter. He/She shall insure that all other chapter officers perform the duties of their respective offices and shall be responsible for the welfare and dignity of the chapter during his/her term of office. He/She shall act as the chief facilitator at all chapter meetings and all Executive Board meetings and be the only person in charge of the list serve—this includes adding and subtracting people from the list serve as well as keeping an accurate record as to who subscribes to the list serve. The President shall be the chair of the Policy Committee.
2. Vice President- The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of such chapter duties as may be requested by the President. In the event of the absence, death, resignation, disqualification, or removal from office of the President, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President. The Vice President shall be the public relations and historical officer of the chapter and shall submit written articles of chapter and Fraternity interest to the Pre-law Director for publication; and shall perform such other duties relating to publicity as the chapter President or the Pre-Law Director may request. As chair of the Professional Development and Program Committee, he/she shall have the responsibility of developing programs that shall aid in the professional development of the chapter members.
3. Secretary- The Secretary shall be the chief recorder and correspondent of the chapter. He/she shall keep a true and complete record of all matters pertaining to this chapter and shall certify thereto when necessary. The Secretary shall be the custodian of the chapter By-laws, minutes, and administrative records and reports of this chapter. He/She shall maintain a record of all chapter members, together with their current addresses and shall dispatch notices of meetings to members as appropriate. He/She shall maintain a close liaison with the chapter’s advisor or advisors and with the clerk of the local PAD law school chapter. He/She shall be responsible for submitting the official reports required of the chapter by the procedures promulgated by the International Executive Board, Pre-Law Director and Chapter President with such information as each may request. The Secretary shall be the Chair of the Publicity Committee.
4. Treasurer- The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the chapter. He/she shall have charge of all chapter funds and of the collection and disbursement thereof. He/She shall certify prior to acceptance into membership that all financial obligations of new members have been paid. The Treasurer shall pay out money on itemized vouchers counter-signed by the President or Vice President when acting for the President and he/she shall keep a chronological record of monies received and disbursed. He/She shall remit to the Pre-Law Director such monies as the procedures promulgated by the International Executive Board prescribe and submit such reports and other information as the International Executive Board, Pre-Law Director, or Chapter President may request. The Treasurer shall be the chair of the Finance Committee.
5. Membership Director- The Membership Director of the chapter shall insure the continuation of this chapter by seeking membership through the coordination of a rush program and is also responsible for the pledging program. He/She shall work closely with the other officers of the Executive Board to secure the success of these two vital programs. The Membership Director shall be the chair of the Membership Committee.
6. Fellowship Director- It is the duty of the Fellowship Director of the chapter to encourage the development of a close bond of friendship among the members. He/She shall be responsible for planning and executing social programs for the members of the chapter as chair of the Fellowship Committee.

Chapter Meetings

Section 1- Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held on a time set by the executive committee, but the chapter must meet at least twice a month. Holidays and partial months shall be the exception. The executive committee shall create a separate meeting for this exception.

Section 2- Special meetings of this chapter shall be held at the call of the President, Chapter Advisor or at the call of any two of the other officers of this chapter.

Section 3- All chapter meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 9^th Edition. The President may employ a relaxed approach to Robert’s Rules whenever practical to do so, subject to the agreement of the membership.

Executive Committee

Section 1- Composition- The Executive committee of this Pre-Law Chapter shall be composed of the duly elected chapter officers and the chairpersons of other committees.

Section 2- Duties- The Executive Committee shall have the responsibility for the proper, efficient, and effective operation of the Chapter. It shall schedule, plan, and implement chapter programs, projects, functions, and meetings with the major objective of providing for the professional advancement of the members of the chapter, ensuring the continuity of this chapter by acquiring new members and of providing professional service to the members of this chapter, to the Fraternity and to the school. It shall carefully study and review all policies and procedures as promulgated by the International Executive Board to insure compliance therewith by this chapter.

Section 3- Meetings- The Executive Committee shall meet weekly to consider, discuss, plan, direct, and implement the operations of the chapter. It shall coordinate the work of the various committees of the chapter and shall develop a projected schedule of chapter operations.

Chapter Committees

Section 1- Standing Committees- The following standing committees of the chapter must meet at least once per month. Their duties are as follows:

1. Policy Committee- This committee shall be chaired by the President and minutes will be taken at each meeting by a person selected by the President. The purpose of this committee will be to write, amend, and make recommendations to the chapter on matters of constitution, by-laws, policy, and procedures.
2. Professional Development and Program Committee- This committee shall be

chaired by the chapter Vice President. It shall have the responsibility of developing programs that shall aid in the professional development of the chapter members and shall plan, direct, and implement seminars, speaker programs, tours to legal bodies, and other programs designed to advance the professional development of members of this chapter.

3. Communications Committee- This committee shall be chaired by the Secretary.

It shall develop methods of publicizing the various activities of the chapter at the school, in the local community, and the Fraternity generally. It shall publicize the activities of the Pre-Law Chapter among the school’s student body to aid in the development of an identity for the chapter among all students enrolled at the school; it shall seek to obtain publicity for the chapter activities in the local new media and other publications to further establish its chapter identity; and shall submit articles and pictures for inclusion in official publications of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International.

4. Finance Committee- This committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer. The

main responsibility of this committee shall be to develop sources of revenue for the chapter in addition to chapter dues. It shall be responsible for making recommendations to the chapter as to the establishment of chapter dues. It shall review and analyze the financial condition of the chapter on a continuing basis and shall report to the chapter its recommendations thereof.

5. Membership Committee- This committee shall be chaired by the chapter

Membership Director. It shall insure the continuity of the chapter by seeking for pre-law membership in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International all appropriate prospective members. This committee shall conduct a rush program and shall distribute all appropriate pre-law rush materials of the Fraternity to members of the student body. It shall plan and implement effective rush programs for the chapter, coordinating rush with other activities of the chapter and the general school calendar. It is also responsible for facilitating the pledging process.

6. Fellowship Committee- This committee shall be chaired by the Fellowship             

Director. It shall plan, develop, and execute social programs for the members of the chapter to encourage the development of a close bond of friendship among the members of the chapter while in undergraduate school and the continuation of such associations into law school. It shall also developappropriate functions to aid in the development of acquaintances between pre-law members and the other members of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International.

Section 2- Other committees- Other committees may be established by the chapter for special purposes as determined by the chapter, which membership shall be appointed by the President.

Pre-Law Director

Section 1- It shall be the responsibility of the Chapter President and the Chapter Advisor to develop a close working relationship with the Pre-Law Director and to seek his/her aid and advice to insure the development of contacts for the chapter members with the local law school and alumni chapters of Phi Alpha Delta. The chapter President shall keep the Pre-Law Director fully informed of all chapter meetings, programs, projects and other activities, and shall seek his/her advice thereon when appropriate.

Fiscal Matters

Section 1- Pre-law Membership Fee- Each candidate for Pre-Law Membership shall pay the International Membership Fee of Seventy Dollars ($70) to the Treasurer of the chapter prior to acceptance into membership. The International Membership Fee shall be remitted, in the proper form, to the Executive Office, by the Chapter Treasurer, within ten (10) days of Initiation. All International Membership fees shall be deposited by the Chapter Treasurer in a special trust account and shall not be commingled with the general funds of the chapter.

Section 2- Chapter Dues- Each member of the chapter is required to pay chapter dues every year by the fourth week following the first chapter meeting of the Fall semester unless other arrangements are made with the Treasurer. The amount of dues shall be suggested by the Treasurer and approved by a majority of the active members present at the first chapter meeting of the semester. Failure to pay dues or failure to lay down a payment plan with the Treasurer by the fourth week will result in an additional $5 charge to be paid for each week following the due date. The maximum additional charge to be paid is set at twenty-five dollars ($25) per semester.

Section 3- Administration and Faculty Members- The Pre-Law membership fee is waived for administration and faculty members of this chapter.

Section 4- Assessments- The chapter may, from time to time, by a majority vote, levy special assessments upon members of the chapter, provided that such be levied at a regular or special meting called for such purposes and the members of the chapter are notified of such proposed action prior to such meeting. No such assessment shall exceed an amount equal to the annual dues of the chapter. Upon approval of the chapter, such assessment shall be a financial obligation of each member of the chapter, and shall be paid to the chapter Treasurer.

Section 5- Fundraising- Under the coordination of the Finance Committee and the Treasurer, the chapter must organize at least one fundraiser per year.

Section 6- The affairs of the chapter shall be conducted upon a sound financial basis and no outstanding chapter indebtedness shall be incurred without the prior approval of a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the chapter membership.

Official Reports

Section 1- The chapter shall submit reports as required by the Executive Office or the Pre-Law director, including the forms as hereinafter set forth:

1. The chapter Secretary shall prepare a Membership Enrollment form for each membership application received.
2. The Membership Enrollment Form, Membership Applications, and International Membership Fees shall be remitted to the Executive Office by the chapter Secretary within ten (10) days of Initiation by said officer of the Membership Application and Fees.
3. An updated Roster of Officers shall be submitted to the Executive Office by the Chapter Secretary immediately upon the election of officers or immediately upon any change in information included therein.

Pre-Law Chapter By-laws

Section 1- Authority- These chapter by-laws are adopted under the authority of and are subject to the rules and procedures of the International Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International. Any section that conflicts with such rules and procedures shall be null and void without, however, voiding the remainder of the chapter by-laws.

Section 2- Amendments- Those sections of these by-laws, which are not prescribed by the International Constitution, By-laws, or rules and procedures promulgated by the International Executive Board of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of this chapter present at a meeting called for that purpose and shall be effective immediately; provided, however, that notice of the proposed amendment to these by-laws shall be given to all chapter members at least one week prior to the meeting and provided further that no meeting for the amendment of these by-laws shall be called during a vacation period of the school at which this chapter is located.

Section 3- Filed with the Executive Officer- Under adoption, a copy of the chapter by-laws shall be immediately mailed to the Executive Office of the Fraternity to be reviewed and approved by the International Executive Board and filed with the records of this chapter, and maintained by the Executive Officer. Any amendments to these by-laws, officially adopted by the chapter, shall likewise be filed with the Executive Office.