Governing Documents Revisions

The Governing Documents Committee has received proposals from members and entities in good standing to amend the governing documents of the Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority at the 46th National Convention. In accordance with the Bylaws, all submissions were due by midnight on October 11, 2025.

All voting delegates should review these proposed amendments. If you’re voting on behalf of an entity (collegiate chapter, alumnae group, etc.), please confer with your group prior to Convention.

The Governing Documents Committee has received proposals from members and entities in good standing to amend the governing documents of the Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority at the 44th National Convention. In accordance with the Bylaws, all submissions were due by midnight on October 20, 2023.

All voting delegates should review these proposed amendments. If you’re voting on behalf of an entity (collegiate chapter, alumnae group, etc.), please confer with your group prior to Convention.

2026-2028 Governing Documents Committee Report

December 15, 2025

To: Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority, National Council
From: Violet De Stefano (Epsilon Phi/Winona State), Governing Documents Committee Chair
RE: 2026-2028 Governing Documents Committee Report

Members of the Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority Governing Documents Committee (collectively referred to as ‘the committee’) are charged with compiling and reviewing proposed amendments. The committee received three submissions in the proper format by the October 11, 2025, deadline. The committee extends its sincere gratitude to all individuals and groups that submitted proposals for consideration by the Convention body. The committee met to review all the proposals.

The committee worked with the National Council and the Parliamentarian to ensure the proposals were formatted correctly and did not conflict with existing Governing Documents or state or federal law. Distribution of this report will allow the membership ample time to review the proposals before the Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority’s 46th National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from June 11 – 14, 2026.

The committee reviewed the proposals to certify that the amendments are in correct parliamentary form. On behalf of the Governing Documents Committee, I present the following proposed amendments to the membership:

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View Details of Proposed Amendment 1
View Details of Proposed Amendment 2
View Details of Proposed Amendment 3

Legislation

During the 45th National Convention, Alpha Sigma Tau delegates passed two pieces of legislation. On Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21, 2024, delegates voted on proposed amendments to Alpha Sigma Tau’s governing documents. The following are the results of the votes:

  • The Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority have been revised to eliminate term limits for volunteer personnel.
  • The Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority have been updated regarding member dismissal to align with the Member Support and Accountability process for collegiate chapters.

Each piece of legislation was presented to the membership before voting, via the Alpha Sigma Tau website, by email, live info sessions, and in the Convention program book. Each proposal was adopted with the two-thirds majority vote as required for changes to the Bylaws. 

The Governing Documents Committee is now receiving proposals from any member or entity in good standing who wishes to submit an amendment to the governing documents of the Alpha Sigma Tau National Sorority.

In accordance with the Bylaws, all submissions are due by midnight ET on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Submissions are now closed.

Learn More About the Governing Documents Revisions Process

If you’re interested in submitting a proposal for the Governing Documents Committee to review but aren’t sure where to start, here are some ways to learn more:

Instructions for Submitting an Amendment

Amendments should be drafted according to the format provided by the committee and on the form provided by the committee.

Step 1:

Step 2:

  • Complete the online 46th National Convention Governing Documents Submission Form below. It opens on Friday, September 26, 2025.
  • Upload the completed Proposed Amendment Form using the online form below bearing a time stamp of no later than midnight ET on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
  • Please complete one form for each individual proposal submitted.

Review:

  • Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received by the committee.
  • All submissions must be drafted in accordance with the current National Bylaws of Alpha Sigma Tau (Adopted June 21, 2024).
  • Submissions must comply with the committee’s instructions to be considered.
  • Submissions that do not comply with the Committee’s instructions will be returned to the submitter for corrections.

Questions: For questions regarding the submissions process, please contact the Governing Documents Committee at govdocs@alphasigmatau.org.

Procedures to amend the Alpha Sigma Tau Governing Documents

According to Article XI, Parliamentary Authority, of the Bylaws:

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of Alpha Sigma Tau in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, any special rules of order that the Sorority may adopt, and any statutes applicable to the Sorority that do not authorize the provisions of these bylaws to take precedence.

Therefore, in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, Standing Rules may be amended by the National Council at any time between Conventions or by majority vote of the Convention body if submitted in a timely manner to the Governing Documents Committee.

According to Article XII, Amendments, of the Bylaws:

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting body at any Convention provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Governing Documents Committee no later than eight months prior to the Convention and has been made available to the membership five months prior to the start of Convention by the Governing Documents Committee. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee by the National Council, a division or committee, or a member of the Sorority in good standing.

Section 2. Any amendments to the Ritual shall be adopted only by a two-thirds vote of the initiated voting delegates of the convention body provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Governing Documents Committee no later than eight months prior to the start of Convention and has been made available to the membership five months prior to the start of Convention by the Governing Documents Committee. Proposed amendments to the Ritual may be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee by the National Council, a division or committee, or a member of the Sorority in good standing.

Submission Form

Meet the Governing Documents Committee

HIDDEN – UPDATE & UNHIDE AS NEEDED USING ADVANCED CSS

Procedures to amend the Alpha Sigma Tau National Bylaws and Standing Rules

According to Article XI, Parliamentary Authority, of the Bylaws:

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the proceedings of Alpha Sigma Tau in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws, any special rules of order that the Sorority may adopt, and any statutes applicable to the Sorority that do not authorize the provisions of these bylaws to take precedence.

Therefore, in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, Standing Rules may be amended by the National Council at any time between Conventions or by majority vote of the Convention body if submitted in a timely manner to the Governing Documents Committee.

According to Article XII, Amendments, of the Bylaws:

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting body at any Convention provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Governing Documents Committee no later than eight months prior to the Convention and has been made available to the membership five months prior to the start of Convention by the Governing Documents Committee. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee by the National Council, a division or committee, or a member of the Sorority in good standing.

Section 2. Any amendments to the Ritual shall be adopted only by a two-thirds vote of the initiated voting delegates of the convention body provided that any proposed amendment has been submitted to the Governing Documents Committee no later than eight months prior to the start of Convention and has been made available to the membership five months prior to the start of Convention by the Governing Documents Committee. Proposed amendments to the Ritual may be submitted to the Governing Documents Committee by the National Council, a division or committee, or a member of the Sorority in good standing.

 

Post-Convention Update

On Saturday, June 27, 2020, delegates voted on proposed amendments to Alpha Sigma Tau’s governing documents. The following are the results of the votes:

  • All references of National Panhellenic Conference Delegate and Alternate Delegates are now struck from the Sorority’s governing documents due to the altered governing structure of The National Panhellenic Conference.
  • The Nominations Committee is again a standing committee appointed by the National Council. The timeline for the process and call for applications are forthcoming.
  • Prior to the 43rd National Council business meeting, the 2018-2020 National Council worked with the amendment proposer to adopt a revision to the National Attire Policy. This revision, which introduces a draping of the Badge when prominent members enter the Eternal Chapter, is outlined in our National Attire Policy available in AΣT Connect (for any member) and Officer Portal and MCR (for collegiate members).
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