Women's Panhellenic Association Constitution

Constitution of the

Washington University
Women’s Panhellenic Association
Revised 03.01.2010

Preamble

We, the representatives of the established Greek women’s fraternities, recognizing the need for coordination and cooperation in the activities of intercollegiate women’s fraternities, shall strive to create a preeminent women’s Greek system while fostering an understanding of the similarities and differences among out individual organizations. We shall strive to address matters of mutual concern by developing action strategies to insure positive interfraternal relations as well as constructive relations with the Washington University community and the outlying community.

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Washington University Women’s Panhellenic Association, abbreviated to WPA throughout the rest of this document.

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of the WPA shall be to develop and maintain Women’s Greek Life and interfraternity relations at a high level of accomplishment and in doing so:

1. Consider the goals and ideals of the member groups as continually applicable to campus and personal life.
2. Further refine intellectual accomplishment and sound scholarship.
3. Cooperate with member sororities and the university administration in the maintenance of high social and moral standards.
4. Act in accordance with the National Panhellenic Conference unanimous agreements and policies.
5. Act in accordance with rules established by the WPA so as not to violate the sovereignty, rights and privileges of member sororities.

Article III. Qualifications for Membership

In keeping with the responsibilities of the WPA to monitor and promote the Women’s Greek community at Washington University, there shall be general standards of excellence upheld by each women’s fraternity to measure and evaluate the health of the community. These standards enable review of each chapter’s capacity to fulfill the goals of the WPA by offering opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community involvement.

1. To qualify for membership in the WPA, a chapter shall maintain the following:
a. Each chapter shall be financially solvent such that it can fulfill its financial obligations on a timely basis, including payment of suite rent, WPA dues, recruitment fees, and any other assessments that a chapter may incur.
b. Each chapter shall ensure representation to the WPA council and support of all its activities.
c. Each chapter shall promote activities that foster and develop personal growth, leadership, community involvement for its members.
d. Each chapter shall have systems set in place to monitor and review member actions that are congruent with their organization’s standards.

2. There shall be three classes of membership, regular, provisional, and associate.
a. The regular membership of the WPA shall be composed of all members of chapters from NPC national and/or international organizations that hold charters recognized at Washington University and are in good standing with both Washington University and their national and/or international office.
b. Membership privileges shall be the following:
i. Voting representation at all Panhellenic Council meetings.
ii. Participation in all WPA activities.
iii. Eligibility for representation on the Panhellenic Council.
c. The provisional membership of the WPA shall be composed of all NPC member colonies and pledged chapters in good standing with their inter/national office and Washington University. Member privileges shall be the following:
i. Non-voting representation at all Panhellenic Council meetings.
ii. Participation in all WPA activities.
iii. Eligibility for representation on the WPA Council
d. The associate membership of the WPA shall be composed of all local sororities or interest groups or national or regional non-National Panhellenic Conference member groups that have met requirements of membership in the WPA.
i. The membership must consist of at least 15 women, who are not members of other WPA member organizations.
ii. The organization must have existed for at least 3 years.
iii. An application for membership may be submitted to the WPA President. This application should include:
1. A letter of intent explaining reasons for requesting membership
2. An explanation of the history of the organization at Washington University in St. Louis.
3. The organization’s bylaws, constitution, and other documents relevant to the organizations governance polices to the WPA Council. These policies must align with the WPA risk management policies, including polices on alcohol, social functions, recruitment, and hazing to be considered for membership.
4. A list of active chapter membership
iv. Membership may be granted by a 2/3 vote of the WPA Council.
v. Associate member chapters will:
1. Have a voice, but no vote on WPA issues.
2. Have eligibility to serve on the WPA executive board and committees.
3. Be subject to judiciary proceedings via the GLSB
4. Have a delegate to the GLSB
5. Pay half WPA member chapter dues
6. Be allowed to participate in any or all WPA or All-Greek programming, including honoraries.
7. May petition the WPA Council to participate in WPA formal recruitment.
8. Must submit semesterly recruitment plans to the WPA VP Recruitment.
3. Any chapter that fails to maintain one or more of the above standards shall be reviewed by the Executive Council for recommendations on further action, if further action is deemed necessary.

Article IV. The Panhellenic Council

The administrative body of the Washington University WPA shall be the Washington University Panhellenic Council.

It shall be the duty of the Panhellenic Council to administer all business related to the overall welfare of the Washington University WPA and to compile the rules governing the WPA, including those regarding membership recruitment and the new member period, which do not violate the sovereignty, rights, and privileges of member sororities.

1. Membership:
a. The Washington University Panhellenic Council shall be composed of one delegate from each member fraternity and the WPA officers.
2. Selection of Delegates and Advisors. Delegates to the Panhellenic Council shall be selected by their respective chapters to serve for a term of one year commencing no later than six weeks before the end of the spring semester.
3. Delegate Vacancies: Should a delegate vacancy occur, it shall be the responsibility of the chapter concerned to select a replacement delegate and to notify the WPA President and VP Communications of her name, address, and telephone number within two weeks of the date on which vacancy began. Should the Panhellenic Council meet while a delegate vacancy exists, the president of the chapter in concern shall fulfill the responsibilities of the delegate.
4. Meetings:
a. Regular meetings of the Panhellenic Council shall be held weekly at a time and place established at the beginning of each semester.
i. Regular meetings of the WPA shall be open to all new members, initiated members, and alumnae of WPA member sororities.
b. Special meetings of the Panhellenic Council may be called by the President when necessary and shall be call by her upon the written request of any member delegate of the Panhellenic Council.
c. Quorum. Two-thirds of the member chapters shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All of the member chapters with voting privileges must be present to vote to amend or change the constitution or bylaws.
5. Voting:
a. The voting body of the WPA shall be the Panhellenic Council.
b. The voting members of the Panhellenic Council shall be the delegates of each chapter holding regular WPA membership. If a delegate is absent, her proxy shall cast the vote of her chapter.
c. A 3/4 vote of the voting members of the Panhellenic Council shall be required to establish membership recruitment rules, to establish total chapter size, and to add a chapter. A majority vote shall be required for all other questions.
6. Voice. The officers of the WPA have a voice but no vote.
7. Motions, Resolutions, Policies and Rules:
The established procedures that shall be used in order to bring an issue before the WPA shall be as follows: Individual from WPA member chapter…
a. Shall contact the President with the intent to present an issue.
b. Shall present the issue at the next regular Panhellenic Council meeting.
c. Delegates will vote on the matter in respect to the needs and opinions of their respective chapters.
d. Delegates may submit an abstention vote, but will still be considered a part of quorum.
e. A chapter may petition the WPA Executive Board to table voting for a week by submitting a request in writing. The WPA Executive Board will vote to approve or disapprove this request.
8. Officers: The officers of the Washington University WPA shall serve as the officers of its Panhellenic Council and shall have such powers and duties as are described in the Bylaws of the Washington University WPA.
9. Privacy: All information and circumstances revealed and discussed before the WPA and Panhellenic Council shall remain within the confines of the WPA and Council.

Article VI. WPA Advisor

The Panhellenic advisor shall be chosen and appointed by Washington University to serve in an advisory capacity to the WPA.

Article VII. Standing Committees

The WPA shall appoint standing committees and special officers as necessary to carry out the work of the Panhellenic Council and WPA.

Article VIII. Unanimous Agreements and Policies

1. All members of the Washington University WPA shall act in accordance with the fundamental Panhellenic policies established by the National Panhellenic Conference in the Unanimous Agreements.
2. All WPA rules and policies shall be in harmony with those currently established by the National Panhellenic Conference and by Washington University.

Article IX. Violations
1. The WPA President, Director of Greek Life, and Greek Life Standards Board shall have the final power to interpret all parts of the Washington University WPA Constitution and Bylaws.
2. Violation of any regulations of this WPA Constitution or its related Bylaws may result in penalties. Such violations will be reviewed by the Greek Life Standards Board as is described in the bylaws.
Article X. Amendments to the WPA Constitution

The WPA Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the voting members of the WPA, provided that:
1. A proposal was submitted in writing at the preceding WPA Council meeting.
2. The proposal was submitted to the WPA President in writing prior to being proposed.
3. A forum for discussion is held prior to the vote being cast.

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