Triangle Fraternity National Constitution

As in effect on August 3, 2024.

Table of contents

ARTICLE 1 - NAME

SECTION 1

This organization shall be known and designated as TRIANGLE.

SECTION 2

TRIANGLE shall not become affiliated with any other organization so as to lose its name or purpose.

ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1

The purpose of TRIANGLE shall be to maintain a fraternity of engineers, architects and scientists. It shall carry out its purpose by establishing chapters that develop balanced men who cultivate high moral character, foster lifelong friendships, and live with integrity.

SECTION 2

The objectives of TRIANGLE, which apply to all members, are:

  1. To help develop the highest standards of personal integrity and character,

  2. To foster and provide an intellectual, mature environment for its members through individual and group effort and through the mutual companionship of men with similar professional interests and goals,

  3. To foster and provide the broadening experience of fraternity living with its social and moral challenges and responsibilities for the individual and the chapter,

  4. To recognize and support the objectives and goals of the alma mater and those of the community through responsible participation and action,

  5. To help bridge the gap between undergraduate study and the vocation of the individual in industry, the academic world or government,

  6. To foster and maintain a bond of fraternal brotherhood through a continuing program of activity for the alumni, and

  7. To bring into focus the elements of planned progress for the betterment of mankind.

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

The members of TRIANGLE shall be active, alumni, associate, chapter honorary, national honorary and distinguished fellow.

SECTION 2

At the time of election to membership, all members of TRIANGLE shall be men who:

  1. are enrolled in programs of study leading to degrees in engineering, architecture or science;

  2. are engaged in an engineering, architecture, or scientific profession; or

  3. qualify for membership as a distinguished fellow.

The status of a candidate and his initiation to the proper grade of membership shall be governed by the Ritual and Bylaws.

SECTION 3

TRIANGLE shall not allow dual membership with members of national academic college fraternities as defined in the Bylaws, except in the grades of chapter honorary, national honorary and distinguished fellow.

ARTICLE 4 - ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1

The government of TRIANGLE shall be vested in a National Convention and a National Council.

SECTION 2

TRIANGLE shall be organized into chapters and associations.

SECTION 3

Chapters shall be established only at technical institutions in which programs of study that lead to baccalaureate degrees in engineering, architecture, or approved sciences are taught.

SECTION 4

Associations may be organized by TRIANGLE alumni representing any or all chapters for the purpose of establishing and maintaining contact between members.

ARTICLE 5 - OFFICERS

SECTION 1

The officers of TRIANGLE shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Past President. Nothing shall preclude the offices of Secretary and Treasurer from being held by one person.

ARTICLE 6 - FUNDS

SECTION 1

For each candidate, the active organization shall pay to TRIANGLE the National Candidate Fee. This fee shall be waived for associate, chapter honorary, national honorary and distinguished fellow members.

SECTION 2

For each active, associate, alumni, chapter honorary, or distinguished fellow member initiated, the active organization shall pay to TRIANGLE the National Member Service Fee. The payment of this fee shall entitle the initiate to the official publication of TRIANGLE and other perquisites as long as he is a member of the Fraternity.

SECTION 3

Each year, each active organization shall pay to TRIANGLE the National Active Fee and National Education Fee for each active member of the chapter.

SECTION 4

Each year, each active organization and alumni organization shall pay to TRIANGLE a Chapter Fee.

SECTION 5

Voluntary National Alumni Dues shall be paid to TRIANGLE by alumni and associate members.

ARTICLE 7 - AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1

An amendment to the National Constitution shall be initiated as specified in the Bylaws; submitted to the chapters by the Secretary; and become enacted when it receives the favorable vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the active organization of three-fourths (3/4) of the chapters and the favorable vote of a majority of the duly authorized representatives of the alumni organizations of three-fourths (3/4) of the chapters.

SECTION 2

The National Constitution may be amended by a referendum vote of chapters upon the presentation to National Council of a documented petition supported by at least two hundred (200) members of TRIANGLE, representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the currently active chapters, requesting such referendum vote of the chapters. Upon receipt of such petition, the Secretary shall submit the proposed amendment to a vote of the chapters in accordance with this Article.

ARTICLE 8 - RITUAL

SECTION 1

The Ritual of TRIANGLE shall be a part of the National Constitution of TRIANGLE and shall be equally authoritative in establishing the fundamental principles of the Fraternity.

SECTION 2

The Ritual shall be amended in the same manner as the National Constitution, with the exception of the Abridged History, which shall be amended in the same manner as the National Bylaws.

ARTICLE 9 - GRADUATION CEREMONY

SECTION 1

The Graduation Ceremony of TRIANGLE shall be a part of the National Constitution of TRIANGLE.

SECTION 2

The Graduation Ceremony shall be amended in the same manner as the National Bylaws.

ARTICLE 10 - BYLAWS

SECTION 1

The Bylaws appended to this National Constitution shall conform to the fundamental principles expressed in the National Constitution and Ritual of TRIANGLE.

ARTICLE 11 - FRATERNITY REGULATIONS

SECTION 1

Fraternity Regulations, and changes thereto, shall be adopted by National Council to implement and provide for the continuance of those functions directed by the National Constitution, Ritual, Bylaws, mandates of the National Convention, and/or good administrative practices not contrary to TRIANGLE precepts and governing documents.