Alumni Greek Council Description - Greek Life at Bucknell University

Statement of Purpose

March, 1995

The Alumni Greek Council was founded in May, 1989 in order to promote Greek unity, provide for effective governance and to ensure effective cooperation and communication between and among Bucknell University and its Fraternity and Sorority Chapters. Our purpose, as stated in our Constitution (updated through October, 1993) indicates:

The Alumni Greek Council (AGC) sets as its supreme goal the perpetuation of a fraternity/sorority system at Bucknell University in which each and every undergraduate fraternity and sorority chapter achieves and maintains the highest standards of intellectual, moral and social deportment in all areas of operations and development. While the AGC recognizes the individual variations from chapter to chapter regarding basic fraternal goals, governance and philosophy, we also recognize the common goals and join t needs which we all share. It is the perpetuation of these high standards and goals which necessitates the existence and support of our mutual endeavor. We take as a given the premise that with the support and guidance of alumni members, an individual fraternity or sorority chapter can enjoy a higher quality existence than could be realized in the absence of this support. Further, we believe that with increased cooperation and communication between alumni and undergraduate arms our chapters, and between these bodies and the University Administration, a higher standard of excellence can be reached by each of our chapters.

The AGC Constitution also lists specific purposes to which the AGC pledges to strive to attain. Among them are the following:

b.   The AGC shall act as a forum for its members to ensure an active dialogue on matters of common concern and provide an interactive environment for the University and Alumni Greek Organization s to exchange ideas.

c.   The AGC shall act in an advisory role for the University Administration and the undergraduate Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council in matters pertinent to the effective operation and control of the Fraternity/Sorority System.

d.   The Council, shall meet and work with appropriate individuals and groups to help solve problems and create programs relating to the operations and activities of the Undergraduate Chapters and the Fraternity System.

Further, the AGC Constitution sets the authority of our organization to be:

The Alumni Greek Council shall serve as an advisory body only. It may pass Resolutions and make Position Statements for dissemination to the various members of the University Community (specifically and primarily to the Bucknell Interfraternity Council and/or Panhellenic Council, University Administration, and individual chapters) or to other groups or bodies...It shall have the ability to establish, in concert with the IFC, PHC, and other university bodies, policies and procedures for itself. The Council shall, whenever possible, have a voice in the determination of policies which impact on the Greek System.

Given this framework, the AGC hereby establishes itself to operate under the following structure:

Committee Framework

The Alumni Greek Council shall establish committees to more effectively promote action and communication. These committees will meet whenever necessary to conduct the business assigned to them, and will be encouraged to submit resolutions and actions plans to the AGC for approval. The AGC President shall have the authority to establish standing committees, ad-hoc committees and task forces. He/she shall also appoint membership to committees as deemed expedient and appropriate. All Chapters with membership in the AGC will be assigned to committees. Undergraduate representatives of the AGC Chapters will also be invited to serve on committees, with the input of the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council Presidents. All committees should include a mix of men and women, alumni and undergraduates whenever feasible and possible. Committees will be established as follows:

Standing Committees

The AGC President shall establish Standing Committees. Standing Committees will continue for an unspecified amount of time, and will be chaired by one of the four AGC Vice Presidents. Each AGC Chapter will be assigned membership to at least one standing committee, and undergraduate chapter representatives will also be invited to join standing committees. Standing Committees may be formed or disbanded at the directive of the AGC President, of AGC action.

Among the Standing Committees to be formed are the following:

1.   Constitution, Membership and Rules: The Constitution, Membership and Rules Committee will review the AGC Constitution from time to time in order to suggest revisions, updates, and corrections. This Committee will also work to encourage participation from all Fraternities and Sororities, and suggest enforcement of any rules or guidelines as established by AGC resolution.

2.   Chapter House/Suite Maintenance: The Chapter House/Suite Maintenance Committee will review issues relating to the upkeep, improvement, purchase and safety of Chapter Residential areas.

3.   Recruitment: The Recruitment Committee will review issues pertinent to membership recruitment for all Chapters.

4.   Risk Management: The Risk Management Committee will address issues relating to security and safety within our Chapters.

5.   Legal: The Legal Committee will investigate issues of a legal nature and suggest actions or remedies as appropriate,

6.   Fraternity Education: The Fraternity Education Committee will address issues relating to the process of assimilating new members into Chapters, offering suggestions and advice to ensure effective education or pledges/associate members and initiates, and to address any issues relating to hazing.

Ad-Hoc Committees

Ad-Hoc Committees will be created by the AGC President for a more limited period of time. The AGC President shall appoint members to ad-hoc committees as deemed appropriate. Ad-Hoc Committees will focus on a very specific issue or topic and report back to the AGC with suggested actions and/or resolutions.

Task Forces

The AGC President shall establish task forces when necessary and appropriate. Task Forces will meet to address very specific goals, and will differ from committees in the scope of their efforts. A Task Force will be established to perform extensive study and investigation into a significant issue, offering detailed actions and plans to the AGC at prescribed times.

Meeting Structure

The AGC will utilize a variety of meeting formats, based on the agenda and needs of any particular meeting. A new standard format is hereby adapted, however, in order to implement the committee framework most effectively.

Standard Meetings

The Standard meeting format will begin with a brief large-group gathering for necessary information distribution and orientations/introductions for new members. This will be followed by sessions for committee meetings. Time and number of sessions available will be determined by the needs of committees and task forces. If all committees do not meet, members should be invited to join with the proceedings of other committees. Input by all in attendance at committee meetings is to be sought and encouraged.

Following a break, the AGC will meet in formal business meeting format. This session is to be chaired by the AGC President, and run under appropriate parliamentary procedures. Included in this meeting will be reports from committee chairs, with very limited discussion. Resolutions and appropriate actions are to be voted on, approved and implemented. Voting is to be run under the rules of the Constitution: each Chapter in good standing is allowed one vote. Voice without vote can be extended to individuals with the consent of the majority. It is during this time that resolutions, elections and other actions requiring votes of the membership are to be conducted.

Special Meetings

The AGC President may call and organize Special Meetings that do not follow this format at his/her option.

Rationale

This new structure allows for more effective and productive meeting times for the AGC. It provides for continuity from meeting to meeting with the creation of an ongoing committee structure, allows for special needs to be addressed by task forces or d-hoc committees, and formalizes our business meetings to create more efficient, result-oriented gatherings. By passion resolutions and taking appropriate actions on pertinent issues, the AGC will gain respect and influence we now seek, but do not have. This format also provides for greater accessibility for more people in productive involvement in the resolution of issues.