CONSTITUION OF THE OKLAHOMA CHAPTER OF TRIANGLE FRATERNITY Part 1: Chapter Article 1: Name and Object Article 2: Membership and Organization Article 3: Meetings Article 4: Board of Directors Article 5: Duties Article 6: Amendments and Bylaws Article 7: Limitations and Obligations of Officers Article 8: Transfer of Assets/Liabilities on Dissolution Part 2: Active Organization Article 1: Membership Article 2: Elected Officers Article 3: Meetings Article 4: Funds Article 5: Amendments and Bylaws PART I. - CHAPTER ARTICLE 1. - NAME AND OBJECT Section 1. This organization shall be known and designated as "Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle," by virtue of the charter granted to it on November 18, 1979, by TRIANGLE, a Fraternity of Engineers, Architects, and Scientists. Section 2. The objective of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall be the objective of TRIANGLE, as stated in the National Constitution of Triangle. It shall carry out its object by maintaining a chapter of TRIANGLE and a fraternity home for its members at the University of Oklahoma. Section 3. Any section or bylaw of this constitution not in accord with the National Constitution or the Ritual of TRIANGLE shall be void, and shall be amended, as hereinafter provided. ARTICLE 2. - MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION Section 1. The members of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall be all men who have been regularly initiated into the chapter, and all Honorary, Associate, and Affiliated members of the chapter, as defined in Article 3 of the National Constitution and Article 1 of the National Bylaws. It shall also include naturalized members of other chapters as defined in Section 6 of this Article. This Constitution defines a "Brother" to be a person who meets the requirements of membership at any chapter of TRIANGLE. Section 2. The Chapter shall consist of an Alumni Organization and an Active Organization, as hereinafter described. Section 3. The government of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall be vested in a board of directors, as hereinafter provided. Section 4. The Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Oklahoma. If the corporate name of the chapter differs from its fraternal name, the corporate name shall be used in legal matters only. Section 5. The corporation shall be governed according to this constitution, and according to its legal contracts. Section 6. Under the authority granted in the National Constitution, Article 1, Section 2, Paragraph 4, the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle may designate certain brothers of other chapters as naturalized members of Oklahoma Chapter. Such brothers should be brothers who have shown an ongoing desire to be a part of Oklahoma Chapter, its activities and culture. To be recommended as a naturalized member, the brother must have attended at least one Initiation Ceremony with our chapter and be an alumnus of his own chapter. Any current member of Oklahoma Chapter (including already naturalized members) may recommend a brother for this special status by making a motion to the Board of Directors, either in one of its regular meetings or by e-mail to the entire Board. The Board will announce the nomination to all current Oklahoma members prior to the Annual Meeting in whatever communications medium the Board sees as best for the time period. The vote will be taken at the Annual Meeting by secret ballot of those Oklahoma members present. The nominee must receive no more than 3 no votes to be granted naturalized status. A naturalized brother may take part in Oklahoma Chapter affairs to the same extent as any regular alumnus member while retaining membership in his original chapter. The next available page in the Oklahoma Chapter member book shall be used to record the naturalized member, though his place in chapter activities involving bond number shall be by his national bond number. ARTICLE 3. - MEETINGS Section 1. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held on the same day as the Local Founders' celebration at the Chapter House. This, and all other meetings, shall be open to all members of the Fraternity. Section 2. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time, when authorized by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, or upon written or email request of ten (10) members of the Chapter to the Board of Directors. Section 3. At least fourteen (14) days notice, in writing or email, shall be sent to all Members for both annual and special meetings. Section 4. A quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of voting members. Persons designated as proxy voters shall count toward quorum requirements. Section 5. The Board of Directors will set a uniform policy by which Members of Triangle who are not members or voting proxies of members of the Board of Directors will be afforded the opportunity to raise issues and opinions at meetings of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE 4. - BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of: • The Chairman • The Director of Finance • The Director of Alumni Correspondence • The House Director • The Director of Alumni Programming • The Director of Membership Development • The Active-at-Large Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Board to responsibly grow the Alumni and Active Organization, in whole and in part, and execute the business of the fraternity; it shall be ultimately responsible for the health of the organization and brotherhood. It shall make a complete report of the status of the Chapter at each Annual Meeting. Section 3. The Board of Directors shall administer the funds of the Chapter, and it shall authorize the disbursement of funds for such general purposes as the Chapter may direct. It shall serve as the governing body of the Oklahoma Chapter Corporation. Section 4. The members of the Board of Directors are chapter-wide offices and shall be elected by popular vote of the Active, Alumni, Associate, and Honorary membership of the Chapter. Section 5. The members of the Board of Directors must be elected by secret ballot. Section 6. The members of the Board of Directors shall be installed at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors during even-numbered years. They shall serve 2 year terms. There are no term limits on the positions for the Board of Directors. Section 7. One person may not be elected to more than one office on the Board of Directors at a time. At no time shall any member of the Board of Directors cast more than one vote on any matter. Section 8. The Chairman, Active-At-Large, and Directors of Finance, Alumni Correspondence, Alumni Programming, and Membership Development must all be members of Triangle Fraternity, though they need not initiated into the Oklahoma Chapter. All other positions may be held by non-Triangle members. Section 9. A new board position can be added at the unanimous consent of the Board of Directors. These members are considered full voting members of the Board of Directors and serve in the designated capacity and defined title. These ad-hoc positions may be removed by unanimous consent of the core officer listed in Section 1). Section 10. Members can be removed by 3/4 vote of no-confidence. Vacancies are appointed by the Chair to serve the remaining term. If the Chair is removed, a new chair is elected by the remaining board members. ARTICLE 5. - DUTIES Section 1. The Board of Directors shall elect and send an alumnus delegate to each National Convention of TRIANGLE. Section 2. The Board of Directors shall finance the preparation and mailing of all chapter newsletters. Section 3. Amendments shall be sent to the National Headquarters for the purpose of keeping the copy of the chapter constitution there up to date. ARTICLE 6. - AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS Section 1. The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall consider any amendment to this constitution which is submitted to it in writing with recommendation for approval by either by the Active Organization or by the Board of Directors. Section 2. Any amendment so submitted shall be adopted if it receives the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. Section 3. The Bylaws to this constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) favorable vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors, or by the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE 7. - LIMITATIONS AND OBLIGATION OF OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of this organization serve at the request of, and as a result of election by, the membership of the organization, and assume no personal responsibility for the debts and obligations of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle as a result of their service or the execution by them of documents on behalf of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle. The Oklahoma Chapter, its creditors, and its assignees shall have no claim against the personal assets of the officers, individually or severally, except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such officers have incurred a liability by reason of fraud, deliberate and willful misconduct, or mismanagement so gross as to constitute fraud. ARTICLE 8. - TRANSFERS OF ASSETS/LIABILITIES ON DISSOLUTION Section 1. In the event that the Active/Student organization of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle Fraternity shall cease activities, dissolve, or disband, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, all assets of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall remain in the possession of the University of Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle Fraternity, Inc. Section 2. In the event that this Chapter along with its Corporation entity shall cease activities, dissolve, or disband, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the assets of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall be transferred to the National Council of Triangle which shall apply such assets to the satisfaction of outstanding liabilities and thereafter shall hold or dispose of the unexpended balance of assets, if any, in a manner satisfactory to the National Council of Triangle. ______________________________________________________________ PART II. - ACTIVE ORGANIZATION ARTICLE 1. - MEMBERSHIP Section 1. The Active Organization of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall consist of all the members of the Chapter who are enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. Section 2. Active members shall be chosen from undergraduates whose course of study leads to a baccalaureate degree in a course of study on the chapter's Approved Courses List. Section 3. In all matters pertaining to membership, this chapter shall be governed by Article 3 of the National Constitution. ARTICLE 2. - ELECTED OFFICERS Section 1. The elected officers of the Active Organization shall be a President, a Vice-President (in charge of member education), a Secretary, a Treasurer, a House Manager, a Scholarship Chair, a Recruitment Chair, and a Programming Chair. Section 2. At least two men shall be nominated for each office. Nominations shall take at the fourth to the last meeting of the fall semester. The election shall take place at the next regular meeting. The candidate receiving a majority vote of the members present shall be declared elected to office for one year. In case no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a new ballot shall be taken, the men receiving the largest number of votes on the previous ballot being the nominees. Section 3. Nominees shall have a cumulative grade point average 2.25 from the University of Oklahoma. Officers whose cumulative grade point average falls below this criteria shall resign and be replaced by members who are scholastically eligible as defined in this section. Section 4. Newly elected officers shall be installed as outlined in Article 3 Section 2 of the National Bylaws at the fall semester initiation banquet, or in the event that no initiation is held, at the last meeting of the fall semester. Section 5. Any officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Active Organization, provided that notice was given at the regular meeting preceding. Section 6. If an officer, either elected or appointed, is slain by another officer in single combat, the fratricide shall take over that officer position. In the event that the officer is slain by a conspiracy of two or more brothers, the fratricide with the highest bond number will take over the post of the slain. ARTICLE 3. - MEETINGS Section 1. A regular meeting shall be held each week of the school year, excepting the week of spring break, the fall Thanksgiving break, and the week of Final Examinations. Alumni can vote in the active chapter meetings if they hold an office in the active organization. Members of the chapter who currently maintain active status with Triangle nationally, but are not enrolled (including but not limited to those on co-ops, internships, and study abroad) can vote in the active chapter meetings if they are in attendance. Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the President at any time. If less than one weeks notice is given for a special meeting then no fines may be assessed for lack of attendance. Section 3. A quorum shall consist of three-fourths (3/4) of the members of the Active Organization. ARTICLE 4. - FUNDS Section 1. The Active Organization shall have authority to assess, collect, and disburse such fees, dues, and assessments as may seem necessary for conducting the organization and its activities. ARTICLE 5. - AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS Section 1. An amendment to Part II of this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the Active Organization, but cannot be voted upon until the regular meeting following. Section 2. An amendment so submitted shall be adopted if it receives the favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the entire membership of the Active Organization. Section 3. The Bylaws to Part II of this constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) favorable vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the Active Organization. Section 4. Amendments shall be sent to the National Office for the purpose of keeping the copy of the chapter constitution there up to date. BYLAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS OF THE OKLAHOMA CHAPTER OF TRIANGLE FRATERNITY Bylaws to Part 1 Chapter Article 1 Duties of Officers Article 2 Annual Meeting Article 3 Standing Committees Bylaws to Part 2 Active Organization Article 1 Duties of Officers Article 2 Standing Committees Article 3 Meetings Article 4 Funds Article 5 Membership Article 6 Other Committees Article 7 Executive Council Rules and Regulations BYLAWS TO PART 1. - CHAPTER ARTICLE 1. - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Chapter of Triangle shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter, and at all meetings of the Board; he may sign legal documents on behalf of the Corporation; he shall perform such other duties as his office or the Board of Directors may require. In the absence of the Chairman, the Director of Finance shall assume his duties. Section 2. The Director of Finance shall have custody of all funds and securities of the Chapter; he shall keep regular books of account; he shall sign instruments requiring his signature; he shall make a complete financial report to the Chapter at the Annual Meeting; he shall be tasked with creation of the budget, and monitoring of its accounting; he shall ensure all steps are require to maintain tax status per the National Organization guidelines; he shall perform all other duties incident to his office, or required by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall be bonded. Section 3. The Director of Alumni Correspondence shall issue notice of all meetings and keep minutes of the same; he shall keep all Chapter records; he shall maintain a roll of addresses of Chapter alumni; he shall be responsible for the Chapter newsletter and regular announcements to members; he shall sign such legal documents as require his signature; he shall perform other duties incident to his office. Section 4. The House Director shall oversee the facilities and chapter equipment; he shall ensure life safety equipment if properly maintained and recommend improvements or updates to facilities as needed; he shall coordinate with and hire contractors on as as-needed basis; and he shall appoint a willing Steward from the chapter for the purpose of overseeing kitchen cleaning, meals, and obtaining other kitchen supplies. Section 5. The Director of Alumni Programming shall be responsible for maintaining an events calendar for alumni within and outside the Norman area; he shall promote an environment in which enduring friendships can be maintained for alumni. Section 6. The Director of Membership Development shall be responsible for ensuring undergraduate members of the fraternity are on a track for professional success; he shall provide scholastic, resume, professional, or personal help as needed for members; he shall be proactive in his approach in insuring the pipeline of talent is maintained within the chapter. Section 7. The Active-at-Large shall provide representation on the Board from the active organization; he shall be charged with representing the needs of the undergraduates and ensuring the Board stays on task and remains central to its core purpose. ARTICLE 2. - ANNUAL MEETING Section 1. The order of business at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be prepared by the Chairman, making due allowance for presentation of reports, old and new business, submission of amendments to the constitution, and Installation of the officers of the Chapter. ARTICLE 3. – STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1. The Director of Finance will chair the Finance committee. The committee will be responsible for ensuring the strategic financial planning of the chapter. Section 2. The Director of Alumni Correspondence will chair the Publicity committee, which will be responsible for ensuring the Alumni are informed on activities pertaining to the actives and alumni of Triangle. Section 3. The House Director will chair the House Committee, and is charged with ensuring a healthy and amicable environment is provided for the residents of the fraternity. The House Committee will also recommend improvements to the House Director as needed. The House Manager is a required member of the House Committee. Section 4. The Director of Alumni Programming will chair the Programming Committee, which is charged with tasks pursuant to programs relevant to Alumni of the fraternity. BYLAWS TO PART II. - ACTIVE ORGANIZATION ARTICLE 1. - DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. Duties shall include, but shall not necessarily be confined to those given in the Undergraduate Officers' Manual and Rules and Regulations. The President can form specific committees as circumstances merit. Section 2. The President shall preside at all business meetings of the Active Organization; he shall act as the executive officer of the Active Organization; he shall perform such other duties as his officers or the Board of Directors may require. Section 3. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in case of the absence of the President. In case of vacancy in the President's office, the Vice-President shall become President for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Vice-President shall be responsible for Ritual Equipment, and he shall act as supervisor for the pledge program. The Vice-President shall preside at all aftermeetings of the Active Organization. Section 4. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Active Organization, and he shall have custody of all records and files of the Active Organization; he shall carry on all regular fraternity correspondence and other correspondence as required by the President. Section 5. The Treasurer shall have custody of all money of the Active Organization; he shall keep regular books of account; he shall collect and disburse funds as directed by the President or Rush Chairman; he shall make a complete financial report at one regular meeting each month; he shall perform all other duties incident to his office or required by the President; he shall prepare a budget for approval of the Active Organization, the Chapter Board, and the National Treasurer. Section 6. The House Manager shall have charge of the house and grounds. He shall enforce the house rules, oversee house cleaning, and obtain house supplies. Section 7. The Scholarship Officer shall promote and encourage the highest possible academic achievement of each active and pledge. He shall cooperate with the National Director of scholarship by submitting form grade information on Form N as soon after the close of each term as grades are available. Section 8. The Recruitment chairman shall have authority and responsibility in organizing and overseeing all Recruitment related activities. He shall appoint the members of the Recruitment Committee. Section 9. The Programming Chair shall have the responsibility of overseeing the planning of all social events, philanthropy and service events, alumni events, and university events. ARTICLE 2. - STANDING COMMITTEES Section 1. There will be five active committees: Recruitment, Scholarship, Brotherhood, Programming, and the Executive Council. Section 2. The Recruitment Committee will formulate an effective rush strategy; plan events and maintain a calendar of events; manage formal rush; and investigate all men proposed for pledging, as prescribed in Article 1, Section 1 of the National Bylaws. It will be led by the Recruitment Chair. Section 3. The Scholarship Committee will formulate a plan to improve chapter GPA; reward good effort and achievement; and provide brothers with information regarding scholarships and other resources. It will be led by the Scholarship Chair. Section 4. The Brotherhood Committee will formulate a plan to improve brotherhood and chapter culture; plan retreat, I-Week, Initiation Ceremony, and other brotherhood events; implement a member education program; and supervise the pledge education program. It will be led by the Vice-President, with the Pledge Educator automatically appointed. Section 5. The Programming Committee will plan social events; coordinate with other organizations on campus to plan joint events; coordinate with chapter alumni to plan alumni events; and plan philanthropy events. It will be led by the Programming Chair. Section 6. The Executive Council will be led by the President, and will consist of the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President, and Recruitment Chair. Section 7. Each committee will be required to meet at least once per week. Section 8. At the start of each term, each committee will determine its goals for the term. Section 9. Each committee will be required to publish, by the third week of the semester, a list of members, a regular meeting time and location, and their list of goals for the semester. Section 10. Every active member and pledge must be a member of at least one committee. In order for someone to be a member of more than two committees, he must receive approval for admittance by a majority of the Executive Council. Membership in the house committee satisfies the requirement of this section. Section 11. The President will be responsible for making appointments, by the third week of the semester, such that every committee has at least three members. The committee Chair as well as the President may make appointments at any time, and may remove any non-automatic member at any time, as long as such appointment or removal does not violate the rules stated above. ARTICLE 3. - MEETINGS Section 1. The order of business at business meetings shall provide for roll call, officer reports, reports of the committees, old business, new business, and member announcements. The order of business at aftermeetings shall provide for proposals for new membership and repetition of the Triangle Oath. Other business may be included in each meeting, at the discretion of the presiding officer. Section 2. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with "Robert's Rules of Orders, Revised," wherein the same do not conflict with this constitution. Section 3. If a member is unable to attend a chapter roll call, he will notify a member of executive council who will be in attendance at the meeting. Missing first or second roll call for an unexcused reason shall be a $1.00 fine per roll call. Missing one chapter meeting for unexcused reasons will cause a loss of vote. Missing two chapter meetings for unexcused reasons will cause loss of vote and voice. The Secretary shall decide if the reason is a valid excuse. In case of an unprecedented excuse, the secretary should bring the matter up at the next Executive Council meeting before making a decision. Roll call fines are to be totaled at the end of the month by the Secretary and given to the Treasurer to add to the monthly bill. Required functions will be decided upon by the chapter, and roll call penalties incurred. If a pledge is unable to attend a chapter meeting, the same penalties for a member will be incurred until the third unexcused absence when a call is made for depledging. ARTICLE 4. - FUNDS Section 1. Each member shall pay monthly dues as set by the Active Organization. Section 2. During the entirety of a pledge's pledging semester, each pledge shall pay monetary dues required of him. These monies shall cover the national initiation fee, and the pledge program fees. The Treasurer of the active chapter shall provide to each pledge a detailed bill on how these monies are spent within the first three weeks of pledging. The Treasurer shall also determine the pledge fee during the same meeting as when the semesterly budget is calculated. These monies shall be called due ninety days into the pledging semester. The balance shall accrue to the general fund of the Active Organization. No part of the initiation fee shall be used for the purchase of official jewelry nor for the routine dues or assessments. Section 3. Special Assessments may be made upon the favorable vote of a majority of the Active Organization. Section 4. Each member and pledge shall receive a bill at the first of each month. That bill shall be paid in full by the fifth of the month or a note will be signed covering the balance. If neither is done, that person will lose vote in chapter meetings until the bill is covered. If by the second month the bill is not covered, the person will lose voice in chapter meetings. The Treasurer will be charged with developing a plan with each member to collect funds due to the chapter. Financial hardship will be considered, but will not excuse a member from developing a payment strategy with the Treasurer. ARTICLE 5. - MEMBERSHIP & OFFICERS Section 1. A majority vote of the Recruitment Committee or of the chapter as a whole, with the consent of the President, shall be required for bidding any person to pledge. All abstentions shall be considered "No" votes. Section 2. A Pledge can become a member if at the final vote for membership, the negative vote is less than 3 unfavorable votes. Section 3. The President shall, with the approval of the Executive Council, appoint the following minor offices: a. IFC Representative b. Athletic Chairman c. Alpha Sigma Kappa Liaison d. Librarian Section 4. The Vice-President shall, with the approval of the Executive Council, appoint the office of Pledge Educator. Section 5. Each elected and appointed officer will have a report at each business meeting, separate from the report of any committee that he may lead. Section 6. Each semester's pledge class shall elect officers, including, but not limited to, a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Rush Chairman. The pledge class President shall report for these officers at each active organization meeting between his election and initiation. ARTICLE 6. - OTHER COMMITTEES. Section 1. If circumstances merit, the President shall appoint an impartial Judiciary Committee to examine the situation. Such an appointment shall be mandatory in cases of calls for suspension or expulsion. ARTICLE 7. - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. Section 1. Executive council shall consist of the Active President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Rush Chairman, and At-Large members. The At-Large members may be any Chapter members elected by a simple majority vote of the chapter. Section 2. Executive council shall be convened at any time of the President's choosing with the consent of 3/4 of its members. Section 3. Executive council can levy reasonable fines. Section 4. The decisions of executive council can be overturned by a majority vote of the Chapter in any regular business meeting. _______________________________________________________________________ RULES AND REGULATIONS _______________________________________________________________________ 1. The Chapter will pay for intramural fees of members and their friends representing Triangle, subject to chapter approval. September 18, 1989 2. There will be a fifteen dollar charge for returned checks to the Chapter. October 21, 1990 3. There will be no smoking in the public areas of the house. September 2, 1990 4. Pledges are not to be charged for parties and banquets. April 17, 1977 5. Members must cover the cost of their parents at banquets. April 17, 1977 6. All motions to be submitted in writing when submitted on the floor for membership discussion. May 1, 1977 7. National active dues at initiation will be paid by the chapter if the new initiate had a 4.0 gpa the final semester of pledgeship if they were a full time student. September 17. 1978 8. The chapter news letter shall be named The Event Horizon. April 4, 1993 9. Users of the computer network at the Chapter House must have a modern, up to date virus scanner. July 13, 2004. 10. If a member questions another members personal hygiene, then the member in question will have 24 hours to fix the problem. July 13, 2004. 11. If in the event a Member who is scheduled to either cook or clean for the Steward and has not given a valid reasonable excuse to the Steward or a member of the Executive Council, then that Member shall be assessed a fee of $10.00, which is payable to the person who did the work for the missing member, and will be required to do the cooking and cleaning chores for that person during the next week. March 30, 2003 12. There shall be an alumni mailing list on the outriangle.org domain. This list shall maintain archives in which Active Members may examine. January 12, 2003