INACTIVE/SUSPENDED/EXPELLED SORORS. Inactive Sorors. The purpose of this document is to expand and clarify existing bylaws and policies already

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1 INACTIVE/SUSPENDED/EXPELLED SORORS Inactive Sorors The purpose of this document is to expand and clarify existing bylaws and policies already adopted by this sorority which govern the actions and activities of members who are inactive, suspended or who have been expelled from the sorority. It is clear that there is some confusion about what is and is not allowable for these members who have a changed status. It is hoped that this document will resolve any these areas of confusion. Definition of Being In Good Standing The national bylaws, Article II, Section 211 clearly defines that in order to be considered financial and in good standing, a member must have fully paid dues at the local, regional, and national levels. There is no category in Sigma Gamma Rho for someone who is partially financial. In order to be active, a member must be financial on the local, regional and national levels. An inactive member is someone whose dues and assessments are not fully paid at the local, regional, and national levels AND who is not under any disciplinary sanctions. If a member attends her local chapter meeting and pays her local dues, she is still not financial, cannot vote in chapter meetings or participate in any sorority activities until her regional and national dues and assessments are fully paid. In addition to dues, if the local chapter bylaws provide authority for the chapter to levy assessments against the membership, these assessments must be paid in addition to the dues in order for a member to be considered active and in good standing. As of the writing of this document, the organization has not attempted to prevent inactive members from wearing the sorority name or Greek letters. Page 1 of 7

2 The Problem With Inactive Members Many chapters will use a variety of approaches in an effort to reactivate sorors who are inactive. This may include inviting them to participate on community service projects or to work on local chapter committees. However, the bylaws of the national body are clear; inactive sorors cannot participate in any sorority activities. In spite of the good intentions meant to keep inactive sorors close to the sorority, such violations of the national bylaws can have negative consequences. Historically in this sorority, some inactive members have been the source of some problems and concerns. Inactive members, by definition, are not in attendance at area meetings, regional conferences or boules. They are not apprised of current sorority policies and restrictions. Most of the time they are not T.O.R.C.H. certified, or have not been recertified in the current T.O.R.C.H. process. Sometimes inactive members will approach active sorors, particularly undergraduate sorors with offers of assistance. They may offer their home for meetings or events. They may offer assistance with step shows or to help with a community service project. To allow such participation is often the slippery slope to disaster. Once the chapter allows an inactive member to participate in sorority activities, and accepted their assistance in other ways, it becomes very difficult to limit their participation. Once that door is open, it is often the vehicle used to convince sorors to participate in pledging activities that can lead to expulsion. The inactive member has less to lose than the financial soror. She has not made any financial commitment to the sorority. She has the benefits without the financial obligations. Page 2 of 7

3 While it may be tempting to accept the help of someone who seems eager to offer assistance, the national bylaws clearly prohibits their participation. What Is Allowable With Inactive Sorors By definition, inactive sorors are members who are not under any disciplinary sanctions but who are not financial on the local, regional and national levels. The chapter may plan a reactivation event designed to encourage these members to pay their dues and reactivate their membership. Such an activity is allowable as long as no inactive sorors were involved on the committee, or helped to plan the activity. Suspended Members The disciplinary action of suspension can be levied against a member or a chapter for a period of days, months, or years. Members and/or chapters who have been suspended are notified of their suspension in writing via certified letter to the most recent address on file at the international headquarters. Members or chapters who have been suspended had a hearing to establish the facts of the charges levied against them and were given the opportunity to be heard in their own defense and to call witnesses to testify on their behalf. A hearing panel is established in each region to hear the evidence and make a recommendation to the Regional Syntaktes about the guilt or innocence of the member or chapter that has been charged. Any violation of sorority policy can result in suspension. If the initial charges are serious, a temporary suspension can be levied by the Regional Syntaktes until the hearing panel can be assembled to hear the evidence. Local chapters cannot suspend a member. A member or chapter that has been suspended can appeal that decision to the International Board of Directors (IBOD). The ruling of the IBOD is final and binding. Page 3 of 7

4 In addition to restricting participation in sorority activities and restricting the member from wearing any Sorority-related paraphernalia, suspensions can include other terms, such as fines, restitution, re-training in the T.O.R.C.H. process or other requirements. A member or chapter who has been suspended cannot participate in any sorority activities. This includes but is not limited to sorority social and civic events, but also events of affiliate organizations, such as the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Violations of the terms of the suspension or failure to comply can lead to more severe penalties being imposed. Current policies dictate that the names of suspended members will be published and made available to our membership and the public. If there are questions about the provisions of suspension, chapters are strongly advised to consult with the Regional Syntaktes to ensure compliance by all parties with the restrictions that have been imposed. Allowable Activities With Suspended Sorors The sorority often has a specific program or activity designed to recruit inactive sorors. However, these activities cannot include sorors who have been suspended. There are no allowable sorority activities that can include the participation of suspended sorors or chapters. If a chapter is hosting an event that is open to the general public, then anyone can attend, including sorors who have been suspended. But they cannot participate in such an event in any way (working on the committee, collecting tickets, putting programs on the table, etc.). Expulsion According to Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised, the harshest form of punishment an organization can impose is that of expulsion. In Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, Page 4 of 7

5 the highest form of punishment is expulsion. This section will address how chapters and individuals should handle contact with individuals who have been expelled from the sorority. Only the International Board of Directors (IBOD) can take the step of expelling a member from the sorority. Current policies dictate that the names of expelled members will be published and made available to our membership and the public. Members who have been expelled are notified of their expulsion via certified letter. Individuals who have been expelled are no longer members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. They are not allowed to attend sorority meetings, participate in sorority ceremonies, wear the Greek letters of the organization and are not to be addressed using the title Soror. Chapters are strictly advised against including such individuals on their sorority listserves, sorority Facebook pages, sorority Twitter accounts or any other sorority-related contact or social media platform. Obviously, the sorority does not control the level of personal contact that may be maintained between individuals who have been expelled and members of the sorority. However, such personal contact shall not include discussing sorority business or divulging any sorority information that is not available to the general public. The discussion of sorority business with someone who has been expelled can make it more difficult for that person to accept that they are no longer a member of this sorority. It reinforces an artificial relationship that no longer exists. It can also give rise to the belief that they might be welcomed to attend sorority events and to continue participating with the organization. Individuals who have been expelled are free to attend any event sponsored by the sorority that is open to the general public. However, they cannot participate in such event in any way that Page 5 of 7

6 would associate them with the chapter and/or the sorority. For example, they shall not be allowed to collect tickets, help with decorations, be on the program, be attired, or function in any way that would give the impression that they are members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. For example, members who have been expelled shall not wear apparel with the sorority s name, related images, shield, Greek letters, royal blue and gold, or the sorority pin at a sorority event. How to Handle Interactions With Inactive, Suspended or Expelled Sorors Over a period of time, the organization has experienced several reactions by members who have been subject to disciplinary action or who are inactive but not under any disciplinary sanctions. In some cases, the person ceases all association with all members of the sorority. However, there are some individuals who attempt to ignore their status, and will even tell others that they are still a member of the organization. With expelled members, it is very clear that they are not entitled to wear our sorority name or Greek letters. Sorority chapters and individuals are strongly advised to notify the International Headquarters when individuals who have been expelled wear our related symbols or attempt to participate in events that are not public. For example, it has been reported that some expelled members may attempt to participate in the Omega Rho ceremony. It has also been reported that at some public programs, e.g., Founder s Day, when all sorors are asked to stand, individuals who have been expelled may stand as if they are still a member of the organization. If an expelled or suspended member resides in a geographic area close to your chapter or undergraduate chapter, it would be wise to notify them about this person and ensure they know what to say and/or do if they are approached by someone who is inactive, suspended, or has been expelled. For example, if an undergraduate soror is approached by someone who is inactive, Page 6 of 7

7 suspended or expelled, the best approach is to be polite but firm that sorority business is not something she can discuss. She should firmly turn down any offers of assistance and end the encounter as quickly as possible. If a member who has inactive, or has been suspended or expelled attempts to participate in sorority activities, chapters and individuals are advised to carefully evaluate each situation. A public scene should be avoided, if at all possible. Physical confrontations are also to be avoided. Notify the Regional Syntaktes and our international headquarters of the infraction and if possible, try to ensure that their attendance is limited in the future. Page 7 of 7