1. Honor Council Presentation
February 23, 2010
Amanda
Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.
– James Baldwin

2. Honor Council Purpose
Tri Sigma was founded to ensure a perpetual bond of friendship, develop strong womanly character, and to promote high standards of conduct. Honor Council is charged with upholding the standards of membership as outlined in Honor Council Jurisdiction and for ensuring positive member development through accountability.
Jaime

3. Current HC members Honor Council Chairman Meeting Planner
Amanda Strobel
Meeting Planner
Christina Bonke
Goals Coordinator
Lyndsie Mannix
Recording Secretary
Nicole Rego
Resource Counselor
Jaime Fitzpatrick
Jaime

4. Elections
Elections will take place each year with Officer Elections and when a vacancy occurs.
If the vacancy occurs in the HC Chairman position, the Chapter President appoints a current HC Member as Chairman and a Council Representative election should occur.
Nominations are from members of the chapter.
Honor Council Chairman calls those nominated to find out if the sister accepts the nomination. All those nominated are turned into Slating Committee. Slating Committee does not slate for particular positions.
Honor Council members are voted on by Chapter.
Honor Council Chairman appoints positions within the council, once appointed by the President.
Jaime

5. General procedures Timing Reporting Incidents
IRF must be submitted within 30 days of the incident
Including university breaks or holidays
Member is given written notice at least 7 days prior to the date of the meeting
Member being notified must respond within 48 hours of meeting notification
Reporting Incidents
Any member can submit an IRF except Honor Council members
Anonymous reports will not be addressed
Bonke

6. General Procedures Cont.
Special Consideration Status
Submit IRF to Chairman and Meeting Planner to request Special Consideration
Review sister's request for Special Consideration
Complete Special Consideration contract if granted
Appeals Meeting
If you would like to appeal the decision made by HC in a previous meeting, you submit an appeals form.
Member submitting appeal does NOT attend, only HC members are in attendance
Must have 2/3 affirmative vote to overturn original HC decision
Notification will be sent to member if decision is overturned
Meeting Dress
All members must be dressed in BADGE ATTIRE
Bonke

7. General Procedures Cont.
Automatically Accountable
Below GPA
Finances owed
New Members can be sent to HC
New Member cannot be initiated if on a Phase of Intervention until goals are met
If IRF is filed immediately prior to initiation, every effort is made to hold the meeting prior to initiation
If this is not possible, initiation is at discretion of HC
However, it is inappropriate to find (or create) reasons to submit a New Member so she is prevented from being initiated
Goals Completion
If found Accountable during Intervention Meeting, HC and the member will work together to establish goals and a timeline for completion.
There is a 6-month Provisional Period from the date of goals completion. Another violation within the 6 months and being found Accountable, will result in progression to the next Phase of Intervention.
Lyns

8. What can be addressed in HC?
Financial
Owing more than $25 for National or Local dues for more than 7 days past due.
Scholastic
CUM GPA below 2.75
Participation
Less than 85% total possible participation points for 2 consecutive months
Violation of National Policies
Possession or use of illegal substances, hazing, alcohol, or any other action that may result in a university or local citation at chapter sponsored events or any action that may violate our National Bylaws
Honor Council Accountability
i.e. confidentiality, duties, etc.
Inappropriate Representation of Chapter
“any behavior that causes concern for a member’s well being or misrepresents the goals, mission, values, or Rituals of Sigma Sigma Sigma”
Appeal
Special Consideration Status
Rego

9. Special Consideration
∑∑∑ expects each chapter member to be a fully participating member
When a collegian has a special problem, HC can help her solve it on an individual basis
Special Consideration is granted to those with legitimate reasons:
i.e. financial or time difficulty
Can be granted for a specified length of time, but no longer than one school year
Must be loyal, participating member
Special Consideration agreements will be established through HC
Options (not requirements)
Adjustment of local fees and dues (National dues and fees cannot be waived
Limited chapter participation until time conflicts are resolved
Others at request of member
In unusual cases, inactive status may be requested from the Chapter President
Only can be granted through National
If a member is out of Boston on co-op or abroad, she must speak to the Chapter President, NOT HC
Lyns

10. Meeting Agenda 1. Call to Order
2. Reading of Intervention Request Form
3. Accuser Statement (2 minutes)
4. Statement from member (5 minutes)
5. Honor Council Questions for Clarification (5 minutes)
6. Member’s Closing Remarks (3 minutes)
7. Notice of Appeal Procedures and Member’s Rights information given to member in question
8. Signing of Confidentiality Agreement Form (All present)
9. Honor Council Discussion (both members are out of the meeting room for this segment)
10. Honor Council decision presented to member in question
11. Conclusion of Meeting (meeting adjourned)
Rego

11. Confidentiality Confidentiality 101:
Sharing names, topics, or discussion that occurred during this meeting would be considered a violation of confidentiality. All members and advisors present are held to the same standard of confidentiality. Talking about how decisions were determined or revealing personal information shared during the meeting IS a violation.
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of success for Honor Council. Therefore all parties attending an Honor Council Intervention Meeting sign an agreement.
This agreement discusses the need for confidentiality under all circumstances with regards with Honor Council issues.
All paperwork, s, meeting minutes, etc. are held confidential in our records.
Rego

12. Good standing
Good standing simply means a woman is not on a Phase of Intervention.
A woman is no longer in Good Standing once found accountable
Simply having an Intervention Form submitted does not constitute being “Not in Good Standing”
A woman must be found accountable first
Amanda

13. Additional information
HC is not intended to be something that is "if you do anything wrong you will be sent”
As Honor Council, we encourage sisters to try to deal with issues on their own; however, we are available as a resource if this is not possible
Treasurer submits IRFs for delinquent dues
Education Director submits IRFs for not meeting our scholastic standards (2.75)
Secretary submits IRFs for lack of participation
Other chair positions may submit IRFs if they feel a member has not fulfilled her duties
An IRF cannot be submitted based on hearsay. Sisters submitting the IRF must be present at the time of the incident.
Amanda

14. Thank you
All of this information and more can be found in the Honor Council 101: Resource Guide and Handbook
To help us work more effectively, we have compiled a list of Honor Council Precedents to present to the Chapter now. They have already been reviewed by our Chapter advisor.
Amanda – new guide due out in Fall 2010

15. Questions?