Written By: Chris Carter Grand Sage E. Andrew Morris (Murray State ’70) of Sigma Pi Fraternity, International has appointed Nate Carlson (Missouri State ’66) as the Chairman of the Elections Board. Carlson will be responsible for overseeing the elections process as defined by Bylaw 6.
The Grand Chapter at the 52nd Biennial Convocation of Sigma Pi Fraternity, International, held August 2014 in Orlando, FL, made significant changes to the process for the election of Grand Council members. The Nominating Committee has been retired. Going forward, Bylaw 6, Section 1 now provides for members to self nominate by completing a candidate filing process, much as one would when seeking an elected public office.
The Elections Board, a standing committee of the Grand Chapter, shall be charged with supervision of Grand Chapter Elections and enforcement of the policies and procedures for elections described in this bylaw.
The Grand Sage shall appoint a new Chairman each biennium, and at least two other members, no less than 120 days prior to the Biennial Convocation.
- The Elections Board shall consist of Active Brothers and Alumni. The majority of the members of the Elections Board shall be active undergraduates.
Candidates seeking election to the Grand Council shall submit a candidate filing, as defined by the Elections Board, prior to the Convocation. The filing must meet the following requirements:
- All required submissions must be received by the Elections Board by January 15 before the Convocation.
- Candidates will declare their intention to stand for election and should detail their qualifications to serve. Candidates may include in their filing their vision for the future of the Fraternity and campaign positions.
- Candidates must fully disclose in writing any financial interests or any involvement in the Grand Chapter or a subordinate body’s holdings which may create a conflict of interest. Failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest, which is later deemed to be material, is grounds for expulsion as a Grand Council Member as provided in the Fraternity’s Constitution.
- Candidates will provide the Elections Board with written consent for the Fraternity to conduct a background and criminal records check.
- Candidates will attest that they can fulfill the expectations of the service of a Grand Council member, including time commitments and required attendance at Fraternity Events.
The Elections Board, upon the filing deadline, shall provide to the Executive Office with the candidate filings which shall then be posted on the same day to the Fraternity’s member-secure website. The same shall also be included in the Convocation materials distributed to Delegates at the Convocation.
The Elections Board will review the results of the background check and will bring potentially exclusionary issues to the attention of the Grand Chapter, but the Elections Board will not exclude any candidate who has met the filing requirements above.
At the Convocation, a public forum shall be organized for Delegates and interested Brothers to interact with candidates as part of the Convocation Agenda, to be held sometime before the lunch break on the second day of Convocation.
Sigma Pi Fraternity was founded in 1897 at Vincennes University, in Vincennes, Indiana. Our Executive Office is located in Lebanon, Tennessee. The Fraternity is one of the top men’s collegiate organizations in North America, with more than 120 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada. With over 100,000 alumni and 5,000 undergraduates; our men strive for excellence by living our core values to promote fellowship, develop character and leadership, advance heightened moral awareness, enable academic achievement, and inspire service. Sigma Pi is the only Greek-letter organization with an international service program, The ACE Project, specifically designed to give back to our host institutions.