The Fraternal Values Society
Governing Policy Document
for the Fraternal Values Society
Approved by the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
Board of Directors January 14, 2011
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Fraternal Values Society, in order to promote our collective founding
ethical values, develop a greater understanding among all general/social fraternal
organizations, to educate the membership of the fraternity/sorority community regarding
individual and organizational values, and to assist each other and the host institution in
attaining their educational and cultural objectives, do hereby establish this Governing Policy
Document.
DECLARATION
Section A:
We consider fraternal organizations responsible for a positive contribution to the
primary functions of the College/University, and therefore, under obligation to
encourage the most complete personal development of their members
intellectually, morally, and developmentally.
Therefore, we declare:
1. The Fraternal Values Society shall advance fraternal ethical values
congruence, alignment, and the continued relevance of fraternities and
sororities;
2. The Fraternal Values Society shall work to influence the structures; and
programs, and shall work to influence the structure, programs and traditions
of organizations that are not in congruence;
3. The objectives and activities of the Fraternal Values Society shall be in accord
with the mission, vision and goals of the institution at which it has chapters;
4. The Fraternal Values Society shall promote conduct consistent with, our
ethical values and ideals modeling values congruence;
5. The Fraternal Values Society shall create and shape an environment which
stimulates substantial intellectual progress and superior intellectual
achievement; and
6. The Fraternal Values Society shall assert and promote the ethical decisionmaking skills of all members of fraternal organizations.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 1 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
ARTICLE I: Name
Section A:
The general name of this organization shall be the “Fraternal Values Society” and
may hereinafter be referred to as “The Society”.
ARTICLE II: Vision, Mission, and Purpose
Section A:
Vision: The Society will create, develop, and support the most trusted values
congruent fraternal organizations.
Section B:
Mission: To illuminate the central values that guided the historical founding of
general fraternities and sororities, and to incorporate these values into the
contemporary fraternity and sorority experience.
Section C:
Purpose: The Society asks and expects its members to reflect and model these
fraternal ideals in their daily and lifelong membership experiences. We address
this mission through:
1. The sponsorship of various educational programs throughout the year;
2. Creating opportunities for ongoing values-based dialogue and discourse;
3. Increasing awareness and personal reflection about fraternal values through
program, resources and support materials;
4. Empowering individuals to live their lives according to the fraternal rituals,
assisting individuals and organizations who struggle to reach these standards,
and confronting individuals and organizations who fail to uphold these
ethical values; and
5. Publicly recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify their
organizational values.
ARTICLE III: Affiliations
Section A:
This organization shall be affiliated with the Association of Fraternal Leadership
& Values and shall abide by its constitutions, (singular) bylaws and governing
documents.
ARTICLE IV: Insignia, Emblems, Motto and Colors
Section A:
The Insignia of The Society shall be the official badge.
Section B:
The Emblems of The Society shall be the Fraternal Values Society Logo and the
Coat of Arms.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 2 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
Section C:
The Motto of The Society shall be Ethos Amoibe Ekklesia (Values. Change.
Community).
Section D:
The Colors of The Society shall be Ivory, Black, & Crimson.
ARTICLE IV: Chapter Chartering Process
Section A:
Any institution of higher education with a fraternity/sorority community is
eligible to petition for a chapter of the Fraternal Values Society.
Section B:
Institutions interested in chartering a chapter must submit a Petition Form and a
copy of the proposed chapter constitution to the Central Office of the
Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values.
1. Chapter constitutions shall follow the prescribed template for Chapter
Constitutions. Changes may not be made to the Preamble, Declaration, or
first three articles of the constitution. Individual chapters may choose to
modify the content of the other sections where they deem necessary, but
may not compromise, reduce or lower specific standards and expectations as
listed in the template. Example: reducing the grade point average
requirement.
2. Chapter constitutions shall be subject to the approval and provisions of the
staff of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values; the AFLV Bylaws
and Amendments; the Governing Documents of the Fraternal Values Society,
and other organization regulations and policies.
Section C:
Upon acceptance of the constitution and receipt of the chapter charter fees, a
certificate of charter shall be issued to the chapter at the host institution by the
Central Office.
Section D:
The charter of a chapter shall be considered lapsed should the chapter become
financially delinquent for a period of longer than 90 days or should the chapter
fail to initiate new members within a 24 month period. In the event a charter
has lapsed, the chapter must apply for a new charter before it can induct any
new members.
Section E:
The Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values Board of Directors reserves the
right to suspend and or revoke a charter for any reason the Board deems
necessary. Should a chapter’s charter by revoked, a chapter must apply for a
new charter before it can operate, bear the insignia of the Fraternal Values
Society, or initiate any new members.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 3 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
ARTICLE V: Individual Membership
Section A:
Individual Members can be anyone affiliated and initiated through a fraternity or
sorority. Members must be and remain in good standing with their organization.
The Society members must be in good standing with their College/University and
maintain a cumulative GPA above their all-College/University grade point
average.
Section B:
The selection of individual members shall follow the process as outlined by the
Central Office and available on The Society website. Additionally, prospective
members will utilize the Fraternal Values Society application for membership as
provided by the Central Office.
Section C:
The Central Office and the local society may choose outstanding individuals
exemplifying good character and fraternal values who are not currently
members of a fraternal organization for honorary membership. Honorary
members should be individuals who exemplify the principles of the Fraternal
Values Society, but may or may not be affiliated with a fraternity or a sorority.
Such honorary membership should be reserved for those individuals whose
affiliation with The Society will enhance the forward momentum of the values
movement (ie. a University President, Vice President, Dean of Students,
University Staff that support the fraternal movement, Student Body President,
etc.)
ARTICLE VI: Human Dignity, Non-Discrimination and Anti-Hazing
Section A:
Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and
protected. The Society is dedicated to perpetuating an atmosphere in which
respect for human dignity of all people is the primary goal reflected in our
attitudes and actions as members of the Society.
Section B:
Members of the Society shall not engage in or tolerate any action that
discriminates or degrades based on race, religion, ethnic group, sexual
orientation, national origin, political persuasion, veteran status, age, gender, or
physical ability. Furthermore, The Society does not and will not tolerate sexual
abuse or harassment of any kind.
Section C:
Regardless of definition, The Society prohibits any and all forms of hazing or
actions that could be suggested, implied, considered, or thought of as hazing by
any person, and these actions are explicitly banned.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 4 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
ARTICLE VII: National Dues
Section A:
National dues shall be paid to the Fraternal Values Society in order for an
individual to be considered a member.
Section B:
Collection. Dues shall be collected from each pending member by either of the
following ways:
1. Members may pay directly online via the Fraternal Values Society website at
www.fraternalvalues.org.
2. Members may pay the local Society and give them to the Director of
Administration & Finance and/or the Society Advisor who will send a
consolidated payment in the form of a check made out to the Association of
Fraternal Leadership & Values to the Central Office.
Section C:
Upon payment of such dues, participants are considered members and will
receive a pin, certificate, and membership card.
ARTICLE VIII: Organization
Section A:
The Society programming is guided by an Inter/National Program Advisory
Committee.
Section B:
The Inter/National Program Advisory Committee is composed of professional
staff and volunteers who have completed an extensive interview and
appointment process conducted by the staff of the Association of Fraternal
Leadership & Values.
Section C:
The Inter/National Program Advisory Committee shall be made up of no less
than five (5) and no more than twelve (12) committee members.
Section D:
The Fraternal Values Society and the Inter/National Program Advisory
Committee shall be governed by the Association of Fraternal Leadership &
Values and Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX: Chapter Membership Subscribers
Section A:
Chapters will be considered Membership Subscribers of the Association of
Fraternal Leadership & Values.
Section B:
As outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association of Fraternal
Leadership & Values, member subscribers are organizations that receive certain
benefits from the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values. Membership
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 5 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
Subscribers do not have voting rights in the Association of Fraternal Leadership
& Values or in the Fraternal Values Society.
ARTICLE X: Board of Directors for Local Chapters
Section A:
The Board of Directors for local chapters shall be composed of enrolled and
undergraduate members of the Fraternal Values Society of the
College/University.
Section B:
The Board of Directors for local chapters will be comprised of at least five
leadership positions.
Section C:
The positions of the Board of Directors for local chapters shall be the Board
Chairperson, Director of Values Education, Director of Administration and
Finance, Director of Character Development, and Director of Communication and
Marketing.
Section D:
Members of the Board of Directors for local chapters must have and maintain a
minimum cumulative GPA at or above the all-College/University average to be
eligible to serve.
Section E:
The Board of Directors for local chapters shall:
1. Set policies governing the Board of Directors for local chapters;
2. Set policies governing the local chapter of the Fraternal Values Society;
3. Seek counsel and work collaboratively with the local campus Fraternal Values
Society Advisor;
4. Attend local chapter Board of Directors meetings and functions; and
5. Abide by decisions reached by the Board of Directors of the local chapter.
Section F:
Board of Directors meeting procedures:
1. The Board of Directors for local chapters shall meet regularly at a time and
place to be determined by the local chapter Board at the beginning of each
academic term;
2. The Board Chairperson of the local chapter shall conduct the meetings; and
3. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Director of Values Education for the
local chapter shall conduct the meetings.
Section G:
Local chapters of the Fraternal Values Society have the authority to add up to
two (2) additional Board Directors officers to meet the needs of the chapter.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 6 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
ARTICLE XI: The Society Advisor for Local Chapters
Section A:
The Society Advisor(s) for local chapters shall be faculty/staff members of host
institution. The Society Advisor shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board
of Directors for the local chapter and must be approved by a majority vote of its
membership.
Section B:
The Fraternal Values Society Advisor may attend all sessions of the Board of
Directors for the local chapter, the local chapter Society meetings, and shall
maintain regular communication with officers and members of the local chapter.
Section C:
Adjunct advisors to assist with special operations may be appointed by the Board
of Directors and The Society Advisor for the local chapter.
Section D:
The Society Advisor for the local chapter shall serve as a mentor to The Society –
providing guidance to the Board of Directors and members of the local chapter in
development and implementation of programs and activities, as well as policy
and procedure. Additionally, The Society Advisor will monitor all expenditures of
The Society in coordination with the chapter’s Director of Administration &
Finance.
Article XII: Suspension, Expulsion, and Resignation of Individual Members
Section A:
Any individual found to be in violation of any member responsibility, policy,
intent, or spirit of The Society shall be deprived of membership and required to
surrender The Society pin which remains the property of the Association of
Fraternal Leadership & Values.
Section B:
Any person may file charges in writing against a member of The Society for a
violation. Charges may be filed with any member of the Board of Directors and/
or The Society Advisor for the local chapter.
Section C:
A copy of the charges against the accused member, together with written notice
of the time and place for the hearing of such charges shall be served upon such
member either personally, by official university email account, or by registered
mail, addressed to her/his last known address, at least 7 days before the date of
the hearing and not more than 7 days after formal notification of the violation.
Section D:
Any member with a pending violation hearing shall be suspended until the
matter is resolved. Suspension prohibits participation in any Society activity,
formal or informal, social or business.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 7 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Fraternal Values Society
Section E:
A Hearing shall be held by the Board of Directors for the local chapter. Hearings
shall follow the procedures/guidelines as established by the Association of
Fraternal Leadership & Values.
Section F:
A member may resign, provided her/his financial obligations to The Society are
current. The resigning member must, prior to her/his submission of resignation,
return to The Society all Society insignia and any evidence s/he may have of
her/his affiliation with The Society. The resignation shall specify the reasons for
such resignation which shall be submitted to the local chapter’s Board of
Directors. Within 10 days after receipt by the Board of Directors a record of the
resignation shall be submitted to the Central Office.
ARTICLE XIII: Revocation and Suspension of Chapter Charters
Section A:
The AFLV Board of Directors shall have the exclusive right to suspend, or revoke
any Charter granted to any Chapter for any reason that the Board deems
appropriate. Short of such suspension, or revocation it may determine that
there is a default in the discharge of responsibilities of a Chapter and upon the
determination of such default, take such action as it deems appropriate for the
good and welfare of The Society.
Section B:
The AFLV Board of Directors shall have the exclusive right to reactivate or
reorganize any Chapter in an inactive status, and to restore any Charter
previously revoked or suspended.
ARTICLE XIV: Policies and Procedures
Section A:
The individual policies and procedures of The Society set forth by the AFLV Board
of Directors shall complete the Governing Document.
Section B:
The Fraternal Values Society shall also follow all guidelines, policies, and
procedures of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values.
www.fraternalvalues.org
Page 8 of 8
an organization of the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values