Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity
Beta Mu Chapter Trial Board Operating Procedures
The George Washington University
Spring 2005
I) General Provisions
a. Detailed minutes of the proceedings shall be taken by the Recording Secretary
i. In the event that the Recording Secretary is the accused Brother in a disciplinary action, the Corresponding Secretary shall serve in their stead for the purpose of taking the minutes
b. The Trial Board shall convene in a formal setting, comparable to a courtroom in the United States judiciary
c. The Trial Board shall strictly abide by the time constraints set within this document
d. Proceedings shall be open but deliberations shall be closed
e. The Parliamentarian presides over the Trial Board in the same manner as a judge in a courtroom
i. The Parliamentarian may override statements and have them stricken from consideration, providing these statements detract from the purpose of the Trial Board proceedings
f. The Parliamentarian shall appoint, randomly, eight (8) Brothers to serve on the Trial Board
i. A Brother who has not been active at least one full semester shall have the opportunity to decline nomination to the Trial Board.
ii. Neither the accuser, if the accuser is a member of the General Body, nor the accused may serve on the Trial Board
g. In the event that the Parliamentarian is the accused Brother in a disciplinary action, the Vice President of the chapter shall be the presiding officer of the Trial Board and shall appoint the Brothers to serve
h. A Brother must be recognized by the Parliamentarian in order to speak
i. Failure to gain recognition or disregarding the Parliamentarian’s authority will result in a Brother’s expulsion from the proceedings and potential sanctions against said Brother
i. A Brother who has been recognized as having the floor shall have the respect of all in attendance
j. Time limits set in this document may be extended by a Motion of Extension, subject to approval by a majority of the members of the Trial Board
II) Call to Order and Explanation of Purpose
a. The Parliamentarian shall:
i. Explain the charges that have been brought against the Brother
ii. Explain job of the Trial Board
iii. Explain that the Trial Board is to make a recommendation to the Brotherhood based on the information presented during the proceedings
iv. Answer any questions regarding procedure
III) Order of Proceedings
a. Procedural Order:
i. The accused Brother will be called before the Board formally and the charges presented
1. The presentation of charges will be done by the Brother that originally called for the Motion of Impeachment and/or Motion of Expulsion.
2. In the event that the motion was made by the Recording Secretary or the Parliamentarian, the Parliamentarian shall present the charges
3. Five (5) minutes is allotted for the presentation of charges and reasoning behind the charges
ii. The charged Brother will then have the opportunity to refute the charges and present their defense or explanation to the Trial Board
1. Five (5) minutes is allotted for this defense period
2. The accused Brother may call witnesses in their defense, provided they do not exceed the five (5) minute time limit set for the defense period
a. This time limit may be extended with a Motion of Extension
iii. The Trial Board members will then have the opportunity to question the Accused and Accuser.
1. Ten (10) minutes is allotted for this question period
IV) Sequestration
a. After all evidence has been presented, the accused Brother has had the chance to present their defense, and the question period has expired, the Trial Board will sequester themselves
b. Once a sufficient time of discussion of the proceedings has passed and Trial Board members feel they can cast a vote in good conscience, a vote shall be taken by secret ballot
i. In addition to a “yes” or “no” vote, each member will also be provided with space to write an anonymous “opinion of the court”
V) Judgment
a. A simple majority vote either way shall be sufficient to present to the Brotherhood
i. The number of assenting and dissenting votes shall be read to the Brotherhood
ii. Opinions shall be read along with the votes for/against
b. Opinions and votes shall remain anonymous
i. Violations of this anonymity and confidentiality provision shall result in charges of Conduct Unbecoming a Brother
c. The Parliamentarian shall present the Trial Board’s decision to the Brotherhood at the next scheduled Regular Meeting with a quorum
d. After the presentation of the Trial Board’s decision, the Brotherhood will vote on the matter
i. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Brotherhood in favor of the motion will result in Expulsion and/or Impeachment
ii. Failure to gain two-thirds (2/3) majority in favor of the motion results in the Brother's acquittal
Beta Mu Trial Board Operating Procedures - Word Document