FRATERNITY BUSINESS

Fraternity Proposed Constitutional Amendment(s)

Download a PDF of the Proposed Constitutional Amendments here.

A. MOTION TO AMEND ARTICLE X. SECTION 1. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES –NOMINATING COMMITTEE.

1. Current Language:

ARTICLE X. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A Nominating Committee of eight alumnae members, preferably with Council/Cabinet level experience, shall be elected at each Convention.

Election of one representative each shall be in separate meetings of voting members of the eight geographic regions as defined by ARTICLE XIX Section 1.

Members who have submitted an application to Executive Offices by two weeks prior to the Opening General Session of Convention are eligible for

election. From these eight so elected, Council shall appoint the Chair. A plurality vote shall elect.

2. Proposed Language:

ARTICLE X. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A Nominating Committee of eight alumnae members, preferably with Council/Cabinet level experience, shall be elected at each Convention.

Election of one representative each shall be in separate meetings of voting members of the eight geographic regions as defined by ARTICLE XIX Section 1.

Members who have submitted an application to Executive Offices by two weeks prior to the Opening General Session of Convention are eligible for election. A majority vote shall be required to elect. From these eight so elected

to Nominating Committee, Council shall appoint the Chair. A plurality vote shall elect.

3. Rationale:

This proposed amendment clarifies the voting process for electing the eight members of the Nominating Committee and clarifies Council’s role in appointing a Chair.

The proposed amendment specifies that a majority vote is required to elect

Nominating Committee members. Regions have historically used a plurality vote, resulting in the election of the candidate with the highest number of votes after only one round of voting. A majority vote would necessitate run-off voting until a single candidate achieves support from more than half of the region. Moving to a majority vote aligns the Nominating Committee elections process with the Fraternity elections process.

Second, the proposed amendment removes the sentence “A plurality vote shall elect,” which in its current placement appears to apply to Council’s selection of the Chair. Because the Chair is appointed by Council and not elected, the existing language is confusing and contradictory. In short, the current language states that the Council both “appoints” and “elects” the chair, which is conflicting language.

This proposed amendment makes no substantive change to who is elected or how the committee functions; it simply clarifies the voting method and removes language that has caused confusion in past cycles.

B. MOTION TO AMEND – ARTICLE III. STRUCTURE; ARTICLE X. SECTION 1. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES – NOMINATING COMMITTEE; AND ARTICLE XIX. SECTION 1. REGIONS —DEFINITIONS.

1. ARTICLE III. STRUCTURE

a. Current Language:

ARTICLE III. STRUCTURE

The Fraternity shall be organized on the basis of collegiate and alumnae chapters, alumnae associations, other authorized groups and unaffiliated members. The chapters, associations and authorized groups shall be grouped geographically into regions.

b. Proposed Language:

ARTICLE III. STRUCTURE

The Fraternity shall be organized on the basis of collegiate and alumnae chapters, alumnae associations, other authorized groups and unaffiliated members. The chapters, associations and authorized groups shall be grouped geographically into regions.

2. ARTICLE X. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES – SECTION 1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

a. Current Language:

ARTICLE X. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A. A Nominating Committee of eight alumnae members, preferably with Council/Cabinet level experience, shall be elected at each Convention.

Election of one representative each shall be in separate meetings of voting members of the eight geographic regions as defined by ARTICLE XIX Section 1.

Members who have submitted an application to Executive Offices by two weeks prior to the Opening General Session of Convention are eligible for election. From these eight so elected, Council shall appoint the Chair. A plurality vote shall elect.

b. Proposed Language:

ARTICLE X. ELECTION, TERM AND VACANCIES

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A Nominating Committee of eight alumnae members, preferably with Council/Cabinet level experience, shall be elected at each Convention.

Election of one representative each shall be in separate meetings of voting members of the eight geographic regions as defined by ARTICLE XIX Section 1.

Members who have submitted an application to Executive Offices by two weeks prior to the Opening General Session of Convention are eligible for election. A majority vote shall be required to elect. From these eight so elected to Nominating Committee, Council shall appoint the Chair.

3. ARTICLE XIX. REGIONS

a. Current Language:

ARTICLE XIX. REGIONS

Section 1. Definition

A region shall be a geographical grouping of collegiate and alumnae chapters, and alumnae associations arranged by Council

b. Proposed Language:

ARTICLE XIX. REGIONS

Section 1. Definition

A region shall be a geographical grouping of collegiate and alumnae chapters, and alumnae associations arranged by Council.

4. Rationale For Proposed Amendments:

Regional groupings are currently defined by geography alone. Chapters or groups physically located near each other may have vastly different needs based upon group size, university or community setting, and a host of other factors. The explicit mandate to be “grouped geographically” limits Delta Gamma’s ability to consider alternative regional support structures.

These proposed changes remove the words “geographic”, “geographical” and “geographically”, so governing documents are less restrictive and more flexible.

These changes do not affect how regions are currently organized but allows for more nimble adjustments as the Fraternity’s needs evolve. By not limiting the field of vision to physical location, regional structures that allocate and optimize the use of financial and human resources can be considered.

Convention Rules

1. All attendees will follow Texas state law.

2. All sessions are mandatory for delegates unless labeled optional.

3. The parliamentary authority for the Convention shall be that which is listed in the Constitution, Article XXIV: “The parliamentary writings of General Henry M. Robert shall be the authority in all cases not otherwise covered by this Constitution.” Susan Eddy Kinney shall be the Fraternity Parliamentarian. Maura Brady Sharp will serve as Parliamentarian for the Foundation Annual Meeting.

4. Motions: 

a. Only delegates can bring a Motion. Visitors (non-delegate members) cannot originate a motion or vote. 

b. With the exception of a motion to call the previous question (“CPQ Motion”) or a motion to close debate, all motions shall be in writing, signed by the mover, and sent to the platform via a Convention Page.  

      •  The mover shall rise and address the Chair at the “Pro Microphone”, which is the microphone designated in favor of the motion. The mover shall give her name, Chapter of Initiation, and role for which she is a delegate. It is not necessary for the seconder of the motion to do so.  
      •  In priority, the delegate who proposes the issue (also known as the “mover”) may speak for two (2) minutes at a time on the issue and no more than twice to the same question without the permission by the assembly. Thereafter, any additional delegates or visitors (non-delegate members) wishing to speak on the subject shall have one (1) minute to speak.  
      • Any delegate or visitor (non-delegate member) wishing to speak shall rise and address the Chair at either the “Pro Microphone”, which is the microphone designated in favor of the motion, or the “Con Microphone”, which is the microphone in opposition to the motion, or the “CPQ Motion Microphone”, which is the microphone designated in favor of a CPQ Motion. 
      • The delegate or visitor (non-delegate member) shall give her name, Chapter of Initiation, and role for which she is a delegate, if applicable. 
      • A delegate may defer their time to another delegate if they are speaking to the same point and need more time to address the issue. Delegates may speak twice on the subject, and the visitor (non-delegate member) may speak once on the subject without permission of the assembly.  

 

c. For a CPQ Motion or a motion to close debate, only a delegate may make this motion and can do so verbally. The delegate who proposes a CPQ Motion shall rise and address the Chair at the “CPQ Motion Microphone”, which is the microphone designated in favor of a CPQ Motion. The delegate shall give her name and Chapter of Initiation, and the role for which she is a delegate.  It is not necessary for the seconder of the CPQ Motion to do so. 

      • The mover cannot interrupt a speaker on the original motion when making a CPQ Motion. 
      • Upon a CPQ Motion and second, the Chair will explain the meaning of a CPQ Motion, and it ends debate of the original motion. 
      • The Chair will restate the CPQ Motion and call for a vote on the CPQ Motion. A standing vote will take place. 
      • If the CPQ Motion passes, the original motion shall then be voted on. If the CPQ Motion fails, the debate continues on the original motion until that original motion is brought to a vote. 

d. All motions, including a CPQ Motion, require a two-thirds vote in the affirmative for the motion to pass. 

5. Voting: 

a. Only voting delegates in good standing may vote on any matter, including votes in General Sessions and Regional Meetings. 

b. When voting is conducted by electronic ballot, the delegate will take care in handling the equipment and not remove the electronic voting device from the General Session room. 

6. Per Delta Gamma Fraternity Election Guidelines, Council candidates and Nominating Committee candidates may not campaign for office, nor may others campaign on their behalf. 

7. All matters pertaining to resolutions shall be referred to the Resolutions Committee through the Fraternity Constitution and Elections Chair, no later than 12 p.m. CT on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Tina Syring shall be the Fraternity Constitution and Elections Chair. 

8. Announcements made from the platform must be submitted in writing to the Fraternity Executive Director before the meeting at which the announcement will be considered. Tracey Doebling Williams is the Fraternity Executive Director.  

9. All attendees are asked to dress in business casual for General Sessions, lunches and meetings. Attendees are encouraged to follow clothing guidance as indicated on the Convention website. 

10. Non-members and guests may attend workshops, social functions, General Sessions and all meetings for which they are registered, except those containing Fraternity rituals. 

11. All persons entering General Sessions, the Election Forum, workshops and meals must be properly registered and identified with a Convention name badge. 

12. All sessions will begin on time. Latecomers will be seated at designated intervals. 

13. At the conclusion of meetings and meals, promptly exit the room and proceed to the next scheduled event.  

14. All personal mobile devices (cell phones, iPad, etc.) shall remain in airplane mode and be out of sight during General Sessions. 

15. Only granola bars or a similar type of food is permitted, provided it is not disruptive to the General Sessions. Beverages must be in a container with a lid. 

 

 

Delegate Roles and Responsibilities

A voting delegate helps conduct and vote on the official business of the Fraternity . 

They are required to attend each General Session and Election Forum along with all other programming noted in the Convention schedule. They enjoy all the rights and responsibilities associated with delegate status. 

A Convention voting delegate serves in one of the following positions: 

  • Council 
  • Fraternity Director 
  • Constitution and Elections Chairman 
  • Regional Team member 
  • Collegiate chapter president (or approved alternate) 
  • Alumnae chapter president (or approved alternate) 
  • Designated Council-appointed volunteer 
  • Fraternity Executive Director 

One of the most important duties of a delegate is to elect the Council: 

  • Council is comprised of the seven women who lead the Fraternity between Conventions. It Is important that delegates review the biographies of the candidates, listen to each candidate’s speech and responses to questions at the Election Forum, and discern independently the best candidates to lead the Fraternity in the next biennium.