Mock Suspension Trial

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Mock Suspension Trial
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Step 1

• A Member Violates
• His Obligation
• to the Fraternity

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Step 2

• A Member Reports
• the Violation to the President of the Group

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Step 3

• Notification
• to the Accused

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The Steps of Notification

• Establish the Meeting to Consider the Matter
• The President needs to set a reasonable date and
  time
• President Notifies the Accused Member
• The President, or officer designated by the
  President, of the group needs to personally hand
  the accused a written notification at least 7
  days prior to the meeting
• President Notifies the Chapter
• The President notifies the undergraduate members
  of the meeting

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The Notification to the Accused Must Include
The date, time, and place of the meeting The
specific charges against the member If unable to
personally deliver notification, the notice
should be sent by registered mail or similar
method to be delivered at the last known address
at least 14 days prior to meeting (Mail usually
takes two to three business days)
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Step 4

• The Meeting

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The Order of the Meeting

• Call the Meeting to Order and Determine Quorum
• Quorum 51 of the members in good standing.
  Good standing is determined by the local
  chapters rules and By-Laws. You need quorum to
  continue the meeting.
• The President Reads the Accusation
• Withholding the name of the member who made the
  accusation
• Witnesses Are Called to Testify
• Witnesses (Members or Non-Members) may be called
  by the President or any other member to testify
  about the incident

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The Order of the Meeting

• Witnesses Are Asked Questions
• Members, including the accused member, may ask
  questions of the witnesses
• Accused Member Speaks
• The accused member can speak on his own behalf
• The Accused is Asked Questions
• Members may ask the accused questions about the
  incident
• The Accused is Asked to Leave the Meeting
• The accused member is asked to leave for the vote
  to take place

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Step 5

• The Vote

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The Voting Process
Members Can Discuss the Testimony and
Evidence Members Shall Ballot Upon the Motion to
Suspend Remaining members, eligible to vote under
applicable chapter (by-laws and rules)
remaining in the room vote whether to suspend the
member or not to suspend the member The Vote
Total The vote needs to be at least two-thirds
(66) of all chapter members eligible to vote
whether they are present or not in order to to
sustain the motion to suspend. For example, if
the chapter has 100 eligible members, 67 have to
vote to suspend, even if only 50 members are
present at the meeting.
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Suspension Vote and Expulsion Vote
If Vote to Suspend is Sustained - The Chapter
Must Vote on Whether or Not to Recommend to Expel
the Suspended Member The Vote Total to Recommend
to Expel The vote needs to be at least
three-fourths (75) of all chapter members who
are eligible to vote whether they are present or
not in order to sustain the motion to recommend
to expel. For example, if the chapter has 100
eligible members than 75 have to vote to
recommend to expel, even if only 50 members are
present at the meeting. It is important to point
out that ultimately, only the Grand Chapter can
expel a member
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Step 6

• After the Vote

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After the Vote has Taken Place
Accused Member Needs to be Informed on
Decision If Not Suspended, the Record of the
Event Needs to be Discarded If Suspended, the
Chapter Needs to Inform the International
Headquarters that the member has been Suspended
If Recommend to Expel, the Chapter Needs to File
the Expulsion/Suspension Proceedings Form to the
International Headquarters, who will Forward it
to the Grand Chapter
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What does Suspension Mean?

• A suspended member is considered to be a member
  of the Fraternity but shall not participate in
  any activities of the Fraternity so long as he
  remains an undergraduate members. Upon
  graduation, the member becomes an alumnus member
  in good standing.

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What does Expulsion Mean?

• An expelled member shall be ineligible to join or
  in any way affiliate or associate with any
  chapter or colony of the Fraternity unless
  reinstated by the Grand Chapter by unanimous vote
  based on new evidence presented to the Grand
  Chapter.

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Common Mistakes
Not Giving Seven Days Notice Members are afforded
those seven days, Failure to do so, voids the
vote of the chapter. President Gets Involved with
Debate In a sense, the President is a judge. He
is to stay neutral and is there to help run the
meeting and trial portion. He can vote, but
should not join in on the discussion or help to
move members one way or the other. Confusion
Between Suspension and Expulsion There is a big
difference between the two, know that each means
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Common Mistakes
Not Informing the International Headquarters The
IHQ is the keeper of all of the membership
records of the Fraternity. They need to be
informed when anyones membership status has
changed. Not Having a Hearing Because Accused is
not There Even if Accused is not Present, the
Hearing Must Be Held Not Separating a Friend From
a Brother Some members are good friends, but that
does not mean they are good brothers