NATIONAL POLICY

MEMBER BILL OF RIGHTS

 

PURPOSE: To establish a standardization where all members are treated equally and with the intent of providing equity once all requirements have been satisfied. It is to also raise awareness on how to identify behaviors that do not foster equity.

 

USE BY: All members

 

SOURCE: National Executive Board, Standards Committee

 

HISTORY: First issued November 2017; Revised October 2021

 

GOVERNANCE: This Member Bill of Rights is designed to provide a proven framework around how we treat all members. Any violation of the Member Bill of Rights as it relates to any and all of this process, is strictly prohibited. Those who chose to condone, participate, or have a working knowledge of any deviance away from this policy, will be subjected to sanctions including but not limited to membership expungement.

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Each pledge meets with the Regional Director, the CROWN, and a member of the Membership Committee for local and virtual intakes during the Pledge Orientation which is prior to the start of Rush to discuss rush events, intake, and new member activities. They will work with chapters to facilitate a successful and positive experience for all involved in the recruitment and Rush process.

 

As a member, it is your responsibility to always conduct yourself in a manner that maintains your good standing with the "Chapter of One" and the Sorority. Listed below is the Member Bill of Rights that specifically outlines your rights as a member. 

 

EACH MEMBER HAS:

 

• The right to have a positive, safe and enriching membership intake.

• The right to be fully informed about the membership process, costs and requirements.

• The right to know all dates related to Rush for at least one month prior to the start of Rush.

• The right to new member activities that promote scholarship, promote service, develop leadership and/or social skills, assist career goals, involve members, improve relations with others, build awareness of Sorority history, instill a sense of sisterhood, foster chapter solidarity, or otherwise promote the institutional mission of the Sorority.

• The right to a process that respects their human dignity and protects their mental and physical well-being.

• The right to be treated as a human.

• The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from members.

• The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.

• The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others.

•  The right to have an engaged and qualified Big Sister to assist me through the New Member Orientation process. 

• The right to confront and hold accountable any new member or initiated member when she does not meet her obligations of membership or have violated our values and ideals.

• The right to refuse any duty or task that other initiated members would not do with me, are illegal, immoral, or unethical.

• The right to attend all meetings of my chapter, unless the meetings are exclusive to committees or leadership.

• The right to participate in activities outside of Eta Alpha Pi and in the community.

• The right to serve the chapter on a committee.

•  The right to wear the letters Eta Alpha Pi, our symbols and shield in an appropriate manner.

• The right to vote on all matters related to Eta Alpha Pi unless deemed unqualified due to position, rank or membership status.

 

Any questions regarding violations of new members’ rights or other questionable activities, including hazing, should be reported to the National Executive Board nationalexecutiveboard@etaalphasorority.org and/or Anti-Hazing Office nohazing@etaalphasorority.org.

 

REQUESTS FOR GUIDANCE REGARDING THIS POLICY: 

Requests for guidance regarding this policy will be directed to the National Executive Board.

 

BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND DISASTER (BCD) PLAN: 

Unless otherwise indicated, requirements in this document remain applicable during a business continuity and disaster (BCD) situation.