(TAU GAMMA PHI)
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
WE, THE TRISKELIONS, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A LASTING SENSE OF BROTHERHOOD AMONG OURSELVES, TO PROMOTE THE MORAL AND ACADEMIC WELL-BEING OF THE INDIVIDUAL, TO INSTILL AND DEVELOP THE GREATEST SENSE OF UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY, DO HEREBY ORDAIN AND PROMULGATE THIS CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I NAME
Section 1. This Constitution shall establish a Fraternity called the Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity represented by the Greek letters, TAU GAMMA PHI.
ARTICLE II AIMS AND PURPOSES
Section 1. The Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity shall strive to foster fellowship among its members.
Sec 2. The Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity shall do its best to attain supremacy in all fields of human endeavor.
Sec 3. The Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity shall encourage scholarship, stimulate intellectual creativeness, and encourage physical strength among its members. In addition, it shall enjoin its members to participate in both academic and non-academic extra-curricular activities.
Sec 4. The Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity shall, to the best of its capacity, render services to the University, provided that the rendering of such services shall not be against the principles of the Fraternity.
ARTICLE III DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Section 1. The Triskelions staunchly advocate brotherhood of men regardless of race, creed, social and economic status.
Sec. 2. The Triskelions firmly believe that the Fraternity’s security and stability is attainable only when all of its members are loyal to the principles of the Fraternity and to the decision and policies formulated by the Grand Council, its highest ruling body.
Sec. 3. The Triskelions renounce Fraternity war as an instrument for supremacy but adhere to peaceful means for the attainment of such end.
Sec. 4. The Triskelions shall tolerate the existence of individual differences among its members if and only if such differences would not be detrimental to the Fraternity’s existence.
Sec. 5. The Triskelions believe in the power of reason and not in the use of force as reason.
Sec. 6. The Triskelions shall stand by the best traditions of the University of the Philippines.
ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The power to accept applicants shall be vested on the Distinguished Chamber on Membership. The Chamber however, shall not have the power to approve the membership of applicants but shall have the power to recommend to the Grand Council for approval of the membership of applicants it deem to have qualified to enter as members.
Sec. 2. Any student who believes in the principles of the Fraternity and who meets the following requirements is eligible for membership to this Fraternity:
a) He should be a bonafide student of the University of the Philippines with at least 24 academic units to his credit.
b) He should be of good academic standing.
c) He should be of good moral character.
d) He must not be a member of any other fraternity.
e) He should be sponsored by any of the Triskelions.
Sec. 3. Membership in the Fraternity may be lost in the manner provided for by the constitution and by-laws of the Fraternity.
ARTICLE V HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The power to grant honorary membership to deserving individuals shall be vested in the Grand Council upon proper consultation with the Most Distinguished Order of the Guardians.
Sec. 2. Any individual who believes in the principles of the Fraternity and who meets the following requirements may be awarded honorary membership to the Fraternity.
a) He should have distinguished himself from his line of career or endeavor, or have during his life proven to have possessed outstanding achievements in the fields of science, politics, civics, social or otherwise or for reasons deemed to be sufficient by the Grand Council.
b) His membership should not be inimical to the interest and purposes of this Fraternity.
c) He should be recommended by any of the Triskelions.
ARTICLE VI ELECTIONS
Section 1. Any member of this Fraternity, who shall be known as a Triskelion, shall have the freedom to exercise his inalienable right of suffrage in the selection of officers of the Fraternity.
Sec. 2. The Fraternity shall hold its general election every year on the second month of the academic year, the date and place of which shall be decided upon by the Grand Council. Be it provided further that the Fraternity shall hold special elections in cases and in a manner provided for by this Constitution.
ARTICLE VII GRAND COUNCIL OF THETRISKELIONS’ GRAND FRATERNITY
Section 1. The power to determine policies and to promulgate rules and regulations shall be vested in a Grand Council which shall be composed of a Grand Triskelion, a Deputy Grand Triskelion, and seven (7) Master Triskelions.
Sec. 2. The Grand Triskelion and the Deputy Grand Triskelion, together with the seven (7) Master Triskelions, shall be chosen by the members through direct secret vote and shall hold office for a term of one (1) academic year.
Sec. 3. No member may be elected to the office of the Grand Triskelion unless he be at the time of his assumption to office, at least a regular fourth year student of an undergraduate course and has been studying in the University for at least six (6) consecutive semesters. The elected Grand Triskelion should not hold any other position in any other organization.
Sec. 4. No member may be elected to the office of the Deputy Grand Triskelion unless he be at the time of his assumption to office, at least a third year student of an undergraduate course and has been studying in the University for at least four (4) consecutive semesters.
Sec. 5. Any member of the Fraternity may be elected to the office of the seven (7) Master Triskelions.
Sec. 6. In case of vacancy in the office of the Grand Triskelion due to disability, incapacity, resignation, or removal from office for a cause, the same shall devolve upon the Deputy Grand Triskelion.
Sec. 7. In the event that a vacancy to the office of the Deputy Grand Triskelion and/or that of a Master Triskelion occurs due to disability, incapacity, resignation, or removal from office for a cause, a special election shall be held within a month after the vacancy had occurred to elect officers for such vacant posts, provided that the elected officers shall serve only for the unexpired term of the vacant office filled.
Sec. 8.
a) The Grand Triskelion shall be the presiding officer of the Grand Council, but shall not vote except in case of a tie.
b) The Grand Council shall choose other officers and shall create such offices they deem necessary to carry out efficient legislation and policy formulation.
c) In the absence of the Grand Triskelion, the Deputy Grand Triskelion shall have the privilege to preside over the session.
Sec. 9.
a) Majority of the Deputy Grand Triskelion and the Master Triskelions shall constitute a quorum.
b) The Grand Council shall keep minutes of its meetings.
c) The Grand Council shall determine and adopt its own rules and proceedings.
Sec. 10.
a) All appropriation from the chest of the Fraternity shall be subject to the approval of the Grand Council.
b) No contributions of fees other than the membership and semestral fees shall be collected without the approval of the Grand Council.
ARTICLE VIII EXECUTIVE
Section 1. The Executive Power shall be vested in the Grand Triskelion.
Sec. 2. The Grand Triskelion shall have the power to appoint the Master Keeper of the Scrolls, the Master Keeper of the Chest, the Master Wielder of the Whip, and such other officers as may be provided by the by-laws or by the laws passed by the Grand Council, provided that in the appointment of such officers, the Grand Triskelion shall consult with and seek the advise of the Grand Council.
Sec. 3. The Grand Triskelion shall have the power to promulgate executive orders and regulations whenever he deems it necessary to meet emergency situation of which he has the sole power to determine.
Sec. 4. Notwithstanding the provision of section 10, Article VII, of this Constitution, the Grand Triskelion shall, in cases of emergency, have the power to order appropriations for such expenditures, the release of funds for emergency purposes and solicit contributions from the members without the approval of the Grand Council. However, the Grand Triskelion shall submit a report of his actions related to the release of funds, solicitation of funds to the Grand Council immediately after the emergency situation. Be it further provided that the Grand Triskelion can only exercise this power when he can not convene the Grand Council to decide on the matter.
Sec. 5. The Grand Triskelion shall have the power to create special chambers aside from those provided for by the by-laws. _____ chambers of which he can exercise full control.
Sec. 6. The Grand Triskelion shall be the presiding officer of all organizational meetings, be it general or special. In case of his absence, however, the Deputy Grand Triskelion shall assume the responsibility.
ARTICLE IX MOST DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF THE GUARDIANS
Section 1. The Fraternity shall have a special body called the MOST DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF THE GUARDIANS.
Sec. 2. The aims and purposes of the order are as follows:
a) To protect the highly honorable position of the elected officers of the Fraternity with special emphasis on the offices of the Grand Triskelion and the Deputy Grand Triskelion.
b) To successfully build the Fraternity’s morale and provide the member with the incentive to strive and achieve the highest possible fulfillment of the Fraternity ideals and goals.
c) To provide the incumbent officers of the Fraternity as a whole, the needed guidance towards the fulfillment of said aims and goals.
Sec. 3. The power to accept Triskelions in the Order is vested in the Order itself, before he can ever be admitted into the Order.
Sec. 4. Any Triskelion must satisfy the following requirements before he can be admitted into the order.
a. He should be at least a fourth year student of an undergraduate course.
b. He should have accomplished an outstanding achievement (relating to Fraternity Matters) or contributions to the growth, stability, and security of the Fraternity.
c. He must pass an interview to be conducted by the Guardians.
d. He must pass all the test the Guardians may devise in order to find out whether such Triskelion is fitted to be a member of the Order.
e. He should be an active member of the Fraternity (he may have been an officer or not). Incumbent officers of the Fraternity are disqualified to enter the Order. They can only be admitted into the Order after serving their term of office.
f. He must be recommended by either the Grand Triskelion or the Grand Council.
Sec. 5. The Grand Triskelion of the Fraternity is automatically admitted into the Order upon termination of his term of office.
Sec. 6. Any member of the Order may be expelled for any of the following causes:
a. Culpable violation of the Fraternity’s Constitution, by-laws, and rules governing conduct and behavior.
b. If it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that he has through any deliberate or covert manner, committed acts injurious to the prestige, honor, function and security of the Order and the Fraternity as a whole.
c. Expulsion of a Guardian can only be instituted upon unanimous approval of his expulsion by the members of the Order.
Sec. 7. A member of the Order shall have the power to advise the Grand Triskelion on vital matters and to sit on the deliberations of the Grand Council concerning vital issues.
Sec. 8. A Guardian will have the title Most Distinguished Guardian and the corresponding abbreviations MDG will be affixed after his name upon use of such on any Fraternity document, record, writing or manuscript.
Sec. 9. The Order shall have a special coat of arms bearing the likeness of the official seal to be utilized for exclusive use by the Guardians in all cases.
ARTICLE X IMPEACHMENT
Section 1. Any elected officers may be impeached for gross violation of the Constitution, by-laws and rules of conduct and behavior of the Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity.
Sec. 2. Any member can propose impeachment. Convictions shall be carried with the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present provided that the members present constitute a quorum, or at least 50 percent plus one (50% + 1) of the total membership.
Sec. 3. All impeachment proceedings shall be done only in the meeting specially called for such purpose by the Grand Council.
Sec. 4. Impeachment shall not extend further than suspension or removal from office or disqualification to hold any other office.
ARTICLE XI EXPULSION
Section 1. Any member and officer of the Fraternity may be expelled for any of the following causes:
a. Any impeached officer may be expelled.
b. Any member expelled from the Most Distinguished Order of the Guardian can be expelled from the Fraternity.
c. Any other member who has grossly violated the Constitution, by-laws, and rules of conduct and behavior of the Fraternity and has deliberately committed acts injurious to the prestige, honor, function and security of the Fraternity as a whole can be expelled from the Fraternity.
Sec. 2. Expulsion can only be instituted or carried if two-thirds (2/3) of all members vote in favor of expulsion.
ARTICLE XII GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. The Fraternity shall have an official seal, the shape and form of which is described by the provision of the by-laws.
Sec. 2. The Triskelions shall have its own set of uniforms, the design of which is to be decided by the Grand Council upon noting down all the recommendation given by the Triskelions.
Sec. 3. The Fraternity shall have a bulletin board to be posted in the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines.
Sec. 4. The Fraternity shall have an office to be located in the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines.
Sec. 5. The Fraternity shall see to it that it shall acquire either by lease or rent a house located in Quezon City to be called the Fraternity House. This is designed to promote solidarity and brotherhood.
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by the Grand Council by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of all the members of the Council, or by having the Council appoint or create a body to decide on the matter.
Sec. 2. Amendments to this Constitution shall become part of this Constitution only upon ratification by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the members present, there being a quorum in a special meeting called for such purpose.
