As in effect on August 3, 2024.

ARTICLE 1 - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 - ACTIVE MEMBERS

Para. 1 - Qualifications for Membership

Active members shall be chosen from undergraduate or graduate students whose curriculum leads to a baccalaureate or higher degree in engineering, architecture or science and whose curriculum has been:
1. requested for approval by the member's chapter, and
2. approved by the Approved Courses Committee.
No man shall be pledged until he has matriculated for full-time study.
A man may be pledged only if his cumulative grade point average is at least 2.5 on a 4.00 scale or, if he has not completed the first term of the freshman year, if his high school cumulative grade point average is at least 2.5 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent. The scholastic requirements above shall be a minimum national standard; chapters may have more stringent standards.
A man may be initiated only if his cumulative grade point average is at least that required for graduation in his curriculum and at least 2.5 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent. This requirement shall be waived if the man has not completed the first term of the freshman year. The scholastic requirements above shall be a minimum national standard; chapters may have more stringent standards.
Any man pledged or repledged after completing his first academic term shall, at the time of pledging, meet the minimum scholastic requirements for initiation and shall have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.00 scale or equivalent.
Membership is for life. Once he has been initiated, a member does not relinquish membership in Triangle as a result of any changes such that the member no longer meets the initial qualifications for membership.

Para. 2 - Recruitment and Pledging

Any member of TRIANGLE may suggest the name of a man for consideration for membership in the Fraternity.
A recruitment committee or team shall make proper and convenient arrangements to entertain and/or interview prospective members in an informal way to enable as many of the active members as practicable to become acquainted with the prospective member and to enable him to become acquainted with the membership of the chapter.
After the name of a prospective member has been suggested, and as soon as sufficient information is available, his suitability for membership shall be discussed.

After the discussion, any active member may propose him as a candidate. The vote upon each individual prospective member shall be conducted by secret ballot in a regular meeting or in a special meeting of the active organization (or recruitment team, if provided by the chapter constitution) that has been previously announced to the active members of the chapter.

Each active member of the chapter shall indicate his favorable vote by casting a white ball in the ballot box, or his unfavorable vote by casting a black cube; but every active member of the chapter shall have the opportunity to vote on each prospective member. However, by provision of its constitution, an active organization may use any other method of determining the eligibility of a potential candidate.

A prospective member shall be selected as a candidate unless three or more unfavorable votes are cast; however any chapter may by provision of its constitution change the number of such unfavorable votes.
The invitation to a prospective member shall be extended as soon as possible after his election has been announced. The prospective member shall be allowed ample time to privately consider the invitation of the Fraternity. No attempt shall be made to urge him to make an immediate decision. However, the invitation shall not be extended beyond a reasonable period of time.
Having voluntarily stated his acceptance of the invitation to become a candidate in TRIANGLE, the prospective member shall be promptly pledged in a ceremony which shall include the administration of the candidate oath before two or more members of the chapter. The president of the active organization or his designee shall administer the candidate oath as follows:
"Mr. __________(state full name), please raise your right hand and repeat these words after me:

I solemnly swear (or affirm) upon my word and honor as a gentleman that I will become a member of ____________ Chapter of TRIANGLE at such time as it may prescribe, and that I will follow to the best of my ability any directions regarding my actions which TRIANGLE may offer, and that I will so conduct myself as to warrant the respect and esteem of my fellow men. I promise to in no way make intelligible to others any of the secrets of TRIANGLE that may become known to me."
The president or his designee shall then affix the candidate pin to the coat lapel or shirt or sweater of the candidate, telling him that he is expected to wear it in an appropriate manner until initiated.
Following administration of the candidate oath, the active organization shall forward to the National Office a Notice of Candidacy and the appropriate National Candidate Fee. A separate form shall be filed for each candidate. These forms and fees shall be received by the National Office not more than fourteen (14) days following the date of pledging.

Para. 3 - Education and Probation Period

During the probation period, each candidate should be made to feel that he has a part in the affairs of the Fraternity, and he should be required to attend chapter meetings, except those parts related to membership, initiation, the Ritual, and the Graduation Ceremony. The candidates should be encouraged to take an active part in the social, professional, and athletic programs of the chapter, but may not vote for active organization officers or hold elective active organization office. Candidates should be urged to live in the chapter house and attend meals there; if a candidate is unable to do this, he should be encouraged to visit the chapter house frequently to associate with the members.
Candidates shall be encouraged to take part in special or routine work of a constructive nature, in and about the chapter house, to the advantage of the chapter. All special or routine duties shall be shared equally among candidates and actives and there shall be NO special duties or work required of a candidate solely as a result of his candidate status. Members of the chapter shall not be permitted to impose requests for personal service upon the candidates.
There shall be NO activity or function required of a candidate by any member of TRIANGLE which violates the precepts of TRIANGLE, the National Constitution, Ritual, Bylaws, or Fraternity Regulations or which violate any national, state, university, or local laws or regulations.
The TRIANGLE Candidate Pin must be worn at all times except when it is impractical, such as participation in athletic events or while sleeping.
The requirements to be met before a candidate may be initiated into TRIANGLE include attending at least eight classes of a member education program which shall include the following information:
1. the responsibilities of members,
2. the chapter roll,
3. the Founders of TRIANGLE,
4. the National Organization,
5. the Greek Alphabet,
6. review of the National Constitution, Bylaws and Fraternity Regulations,
7. chapter history,
8. school history,
9. chapter officers' duties,
10. chapter constitution and bylaws,
11. Robert's Rules of Order, and
12. risk management and the effects of alcohol consumption on human physiology.
The chapter should supplement the above information with programs such as how to study and time management.
These classes are to be completed in no less than twenty-one (21) days and no more than eighty-four (84) days.

Para. 4 - Initiation

During the probation period each candidate shall read the History of TRIANGLE and the play "Everyman". He shall prepare a neat synopsis of each, which he shall present for approval to the secretary of the active organization at least two days before the initiation ceremony.
Eligibility of each candidate for active membership shall be determined in a secret ballot at a regular meeting of the active organization. Every member of the active organization shall have the opportunity to vote on each candidate. Such vote shall not be taken upon any candidate who has not been a candidate of the chapter for at least four weeks.
A candidate shall be elected to membership unless three or more unfavorable votes are cast; however, any chapter may by provision of its constitution change the number of such unfavorable votes. Any candidate who fails to be so elected shall be released immediately, in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws.
After selection of a date for initiation, the active organization shall forward to the National Office a Request for Initiation, the form of which shall be specified by the National Office, and the appropriate National Member Service Fee. Such requests and fees shall be forwarded to reach the National Office at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the proposed initiation.

No candidate shall be conducted through any part of the initiation ceremony until definite permission to initiate has been received from the National Office.
The initiation ceremony shall be conducted in accordance with the Ritual.
A banquet shall be held as part of the initiation ceremony.

The new initiates, all active members of the chapter, and other members of TRIANGLE shall attend the banquet.

A suitable program shall be planned primarily with the motive of extending a hearty welcome to the initiates and to advance the knowledge of TRIANGLE ideals, traditions, history and fraternal spirit among the members.
After completion of the initiation ceremony and the banquet, each initiate shall have no voting rights beyond those accorded candidates until he has satisfied the following requirements:
1. Each initiate shall fill out and sign a Membership Record which he shall present to the secretary of the active organization for approval;
2. Each initiate shall fill out and sign a sheet in the Membership Book of the chapter;
3. Each initiate shall read the National Constitution, Bylaws, Fraternity Regulations, and Ritual within a few days after the initiation; and
4. Each initiate shall memorize the Oath and shall repeat it correctly, from memory, at a regular meeting of the active organization.

Para. 5 - Posthumous Initiation

National Council, upon request from a chapter, may approve the posthumous initiation of a candidate. Such approval shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of National Council.
After selection of a date for initiation, the active organization shall forward to the National Office a Request for Initiation, the form of which shall be specified by the National Office. Such requests shall be forwarded to reach the National Office at least fourteen (14) days before the date of the proposed initiation.
The initiation of member shall be acknowledged by the chapter in a manner consistent with the Ritual of TRIANGLE.
Following the initiation the secretary of the active organization shall complete a Membership Record for the initiate.

Para. 6 - Affiliation

When an active member withdraws from one technical institution and enters another at which a chapter of TRIANGLE is located, he may affiliate with this chapter upon its invitation to do so. A candidate for affiliation, before he can receive an invitation, must receive a three-fourths (3/4) favorable vote of the active organization of that chapter.

Affiliation with another chapter shall confer upon a member all rights and responsibilities of an active member in that chapter. Upon graduating from or leaving the technical institution, he shall become an alumni member of that chapter. He may at any time request that he be designated an alumni member of the chapter which initiated him. Upon receipt of such request the Secretary shall revise the membership records of the Fraternity.

Para. 7 - Graduate student active members

An alumni member enrolled in a graduate course of study at a technical institution at which a chapter of TRIANGLE is located, may request active member status with this chapter. Such request shall be granted upon a three-fourths (3/4) favorable vote of the active organization of that chapter.
A member granted active member status in a chapter other than the chapter at which he was initiated shall be deemed to have affiliated with the second chapter.
A member granted active member status shall have all rights and responsibilities of an active member in that chapter. His change in member status from alumni to active shall take effect immediately.

Para. 8 - Cooperative Education Programs

During the time that an active member is participating in a cooperative education program and is away from the technical institution at which he holds active membership, he shall continue to be considered an active member of his chapter.