The Sig Fiji Alumni Association (SFAA) Board of Trustees adopted new SFAA bylaws on June 3, 2025

BY-LAWS

OF

THE SIG-FIJI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

 

(Adopted by the Sig Fiji Alumni Association Board of Trustees on June 3, 2025)

 

ARTICLE I - PRINCIPAL OFFICE

 

The name of this corporation, in accordance with its charter, is the Sig-Fiji Alumni Association (the “Association”). Its principal place of business shall be in Springfield, Ohio. These by-laws supersede any and all prior by-laws or constitutions previously enacted (the “By-laws”).

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES

 

The purposes for the Association are:

 

(i)            to support the operation, existence, maintenance, and, as necessary, reestablishment, of the undergraduate chapter of the Greek letter fraternity known as PHI GAMMA DELTA, an international college fraternity duly chartered to maintain and maintaining such local chapter known as “Sigma Chapter” at Wittenberg University in the City of Springfield, Ohio (the “Undergraduate Chapter”);

 

(ii)           the purchasing or erecting, acquiring and owning, equipping and maintaining a building or buildings, together with all necessary real estate on which the same shall be located, in the City of Springfield, Ohio; such building or buildings to be used and occupied by the pledged, active and alumni members of Sigma Chapter; and

 

(iii)          the promotion and cultivation of:

 

a.    the educational, cultural, social and spiritual welfare of the members of the Undergraduate Chapter to the end that Sigma Chapter will achieve and maintain the high purposes of the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, this Association and its By-laws;

 

b.    the enduring bonds between the members of this Association, the graduate alumni of Sigma Chapter (“Sigma Graduate Brothers”);

 

c.    the continued friendly relationship between and among the members of the Undergraduate Chapter, Sigma Graduate Brothers, other members of the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, and the faculty and staff of Wittenberg University; and

 

d.    the continued cooperation with and support of Wittenberg University for the betterment of all current and future students and alumni, educationally, culturally, socially and spiritually.

 

ARTICLE Ill - GOALS

 

The goals of the Association shall be:

 

(i)            the promotion of the educational, spiritual, mental, social, and physical growth of the members of the Undergraduate Chapter in its collegiate setting;

 

(ii)           to build, foster and sustain relationships between and among Sigma Graduate Brothers, between members of the Undergraduate Chapter and Sigma Graduate Brothers, and with other members of the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta;

 

(iii)          to support the Undergraduate Chapter by providing the best options for housing, gathering, and communing in accordance with the goals of the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta and the desires of the Undergraduate Chapter.

 

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

 

The members of the Association shall be all duly initiated members of Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta who are not undergraduates of Wittenberg University.

 

ARTICLE V - MANAGEMENT

 

The management of the Association shall be vested in a board of trustees consisting of fifteen members (each such member, a “Trustee”, and collectively, the “Board of Trustees”).

 

ARTICLE VI - ELECTION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

(i)            Terms. The Board of Trustees shall be elected by the members of the Association for a term of three years commencing at the Annual Spring Meeting. Each year, five Trustees shall be elected for a three-year term (each such elected group of Trustees, a “Class”). The results of each year’s election shall be announced at the Annual Spring Meeting and at the earliest of the Norris Pig Dinner or the next Required Meeting.

 

(ii)           Nomination of Candidates. Any member of the Association may nominate a member, including themselves, for election as a Trustee by sending written notice of his intention to nominate such member to any Officer of the Board of Trustees by U.S. mail or any suitable electronic means (“Nomination Notice”). The Officers shall then promptly confirm that the member nominated by such Nomination Notice wishes to stand for election to the Board of Trustees (the “Nominated Member”). If the Nominated Member refuses to stand for election, the Board of Trustees shall not add such Nominated Member to the ballot. If the Nominated Member assents to be nominated, the Board of Trustees shall add such Nominated Member to the ballot. To be eligible for nomination, the Nomination Notice shall be received by any Officer of the Board of Trustees no later than February 1^st of the calendar year in which said election is held.

 

(iii)          Conduct of Elections. The Board of Trustees shall prepare a ballot containing the names of all of the Nominated Members who have agreed to stand for election, such that the ballot contains at least five nominees. The ballot does not have to contain more than five nominees. The Board of Trustees shall submit that ballot to the members of the Association by (i) mail-ballot, (ii) suitably accessible, secure electronic means, or (iii) any other acceptable method in accordance with Ohio law, as determined by the Board of Trustees at the time nominations are solicited. All ballots shall be returned in the manner designated on the ballot. The top five nominees in votes received shall be declared Trustees of the Board of Trustees.

 

(iv)         Legacy Trustees. The current Trustees of the Board of Trustees serving under a previously enacted constitution, by-laws, or other governing documents, shall serve out the remainder of their terms in accordance with the terms of those instruments.

 

(v)          Delayed and Missed Elections. Elections to the Board of Trustees shall be held annually in accordance with the procedures outlined above. However, in the event an election to the Board of Trustees has not been held or has been delayed beyond the timeline outlined in this Article, the following provisions shall apply:

 

a)            Continuation of Service: Trustees whose terms would have expired at any missed annual election shall continue to serve in their respective Classes until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

b)            Sequential Class Elections: the Board of Trustees shall, at the next reasonable opportunity, hold new elections for Trustees. If more than one election has been missed, when elections are resumed, only one Class of Trustees shall be elected, beginning with the Class whose terms expired earliest (i.e., the oldest-expired Class first). Subsequent elections shall be held in this sequential manner until all missed elections have been completed.

 

c)            Election Procedures: for any election held outside of the normal procedures outlined in this Article, the Board shall:

 

A.    solicit nominees from the members of the Association, provided that members have at least 30 days to send a Nomination Notice to any Officer of the Board of Trustees before nominations are closed; and

 

B.    hold elections for the Board of Trustees in accordance with this Article.

 

d)            Restoration of Original Schedule: Following an election held pursuant to this clause (v), the staggered election schedule aligned specified in clause (i) of this Article shall be restored, and elections shall be held at the Annual Spring Meeting as specified therein. Trustees elected to fill positions from missed elections shall serve terms calculated to restore this original schedule, which may result in initial terms shorter or longer than three (3) years.

 

e)            Term Calculation: For purposes of restoring the original schedule, Trustees elected during the catch-up period shall serve until the third Annual Spring Meeting following the restoration of their Class's position in the original rotation, ensuring the eventual return to three-year terms aligned with the original schedule.

 

(vi)         Purple Legionnaire. The Purple Legionnaire of Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta shall be an ex­officio member of the Board of Trustees.

 

(vii)        New Member Trustee Apprenticeship. The Undergraduate Chapter shall nominate and announce at the Annual Spring Meeting a graduating senior to serve as a one-year apprenticeship as a non-voting member of the Board of Trustees.

 

ARTICLE VII - VACANCY

 

If a Trustee dies, is permanently incapacitated, or withdraws before the expiration of his term, a majority vote of at least a quorum of Trustees shall fill this opening and the newly appointed Trustee shall serve out the remainder of the vacated term.

 

ARTICLE VIII - OFFICER-ELECTION

 

The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer (each an “Officer” and collectively, the “Officers”). They shall be elected from among the Trustees by majority vote of the Board of Trustees at the Annual Spring Meeting. The Officers shall be elected for a term of one year, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers so elected shall take office upon their election.

 

ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF PRESIDENT

 

The President shall be the chief executive officer of this Association, shall preside at all meetings thereof, and shall exercise general supervision over all the affairs and interests of this association. He shall appoint all chairmen and members of all Committees (as defined below), subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. He shall exercise such other authority and perform such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time prescribe.

 

ARTICLE X - DUTIES OF VICE-PRESIDENT

 

The Vice-President shall act in the absence or inability of the President with the same authority as stated in Article IX.

 

ARTICLE XI - DUTIES OF SECRETARY

 

The Secretary or his designate shall record in writing, including by electronic means, all minutes of all Board of Trustees meetings. Minutes of any meeting shall be available to any Trustee or member at large within a reasonable time of a request by a Trustee or member at large. A reasonable time shall be defined as no more than sixty days from receipt of said request. The Secretary shall compile a current mailing and electronic list of all Trustees which shall be available to any Trustee or member at large within a reasonable time of said request. A reasonable time shall be defined as no more than ten days from receipt of said request. The Secretary shall perform all such other duties which are incident to the office of secretary.

 

ARTICLE XII - DUTIES OF TREASURER

 

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of this Association. He shall deposit all moneys received by the Association in a financial institution or investment approved by the Board of Trustees. He shall timely pay by check or any lawful means all expenses incurred by this Association. He shall collect the rent due by the Undergraduate Chapter. He shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and expenditures. He shall provide a written or oral financial report at each Required Meeting or Special Meeting, and a written financial report at least once a year.

 

ARTICLE XIII - COMPENSATION

 

An Officer or Trustee shall receive reimbursement for his actual expenses incurred by him in conducting his duties as an Officer or Trustee. No Officer or Trustee shall be paid for any services he may render to the Association unless approved by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees.

 

ARTICLE XIV - COMPLIANCE

 

All Trustees, including Officers, must comply with all rules, regulations, and laws of the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta and Wittenberg University.

 

ARTICLE XV - COMMITTEES

 

The Board of Trustees may form special committees by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees (a “Committee”). Any member of the Association is eligible to serve on a Committee, regardless of whether they are or are not a Trustee. The President shall appoint a chairman and members to serve on a duly-formed Committee, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. A member of each Committee shall report to the Board of Trustees at each Regular Meeting. The function, form, and duties of each Committee shall be set forth by the Board of Trustees in the resolution forming the Committee and shall also be reflected in the minutes of the Association.

 

ARTICLE XVI - MEETINGS

 

(i)            Annual Meetings. The Board of Trustees shall convene and conduct an annual meeting of the members of the Association for the election of Officers to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, to be held each spring between March 1 and June 30 of that year (the “Annual Spring Meeting”).

 

The Board of Trustees shall convene and conduct a second annual meeting open to all members, other than the Annual Spring Meeting, to conduct such business as may properly come before the meeting (such meetings, with the Annual Spring Meeting, the “Required Meetings”).

 

(ii)           Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by any Trustee (each a “Special Meeting”). The purpose of Special Meetings is to conduct any business as necessary for the operation of the Association.

 

(iii)          Notice. Notice of each Required Meeting shall be sent in advance, in writing, to all members of the Association. Notice of each Special Meeting shall be sent in advance, in writing, to each Trustee. Any notice provided pursuant to this Article may be sent by any of (a) mail, postage prepaid, (b) any permissible electronic means, or (c) any other acceptable service in accordance with Ohio law.

 

(iv)         Conducting Meetings. Required Meetings and Special Meetings may be held in-person at any designated place, by telephone, by any electronic means, or by any combination thereof.

 

ARTICLE XVII - VOTING

 

(i)            Majority Vote Requirement. All matters or resolutions presented before the Board of Trustees, except those related to “Article XXII - By-Laws” and “Article XXI - Transfer of Assets”, shall pass by majority vote of those Trustees present, provided a quorum of the Board of Trustees is present. Those matters or resolutions related to “Article XXII - By-Laws” and “Article XXI - Transfer of Assets” shall pass in accordance with the terms of those respective Articles.

 

(ii)           Quorum. For all matters or resolutions presented before the Board of Trustees, except those related to “Article XXI - Transfer of Assets”, the presence of a majority of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum.

 

(iii)          Trustee Voting Rights. Each Trustee shall be entitled to one vote upon all matters or resolutions presented for vote at a Required Meeting or Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees.

 

(iv)         Ballot & Proxy Voting. Voting by ballot shall not be required. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

 

ARTICLE XVIII - UNDERGRADUATES

 

The Undergraduate Chapter shall be invited to attend all Required Meetings. The Board of Trustees shall send notice in advance of any Special Meeting to an Undergraduate Chapter officer. No undergraduate is a member of the Association, and as such no undergraduate shall be permitted to vote at any Required Meeting or Special Meeting.

 

ARTICLE XIX - INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS

 

No Officer of the Association shall be liable to any Trustee, member, or nonmember of the Association for any action taken or refused to be taken by him as an Officer with respect to any matter within the scope of his official duties, except such action or neglect or failure to act as shall constitute gross misconduct in the performance of his duties as an Officer. Each Officer of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association against all costs and expenses (including counsel fees) actually and necessarily incurred by or imposed upon him in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding to which he shall be made a party by reason of his being or having been an Officer of the Association (whether or not he continues to be an Officer at the time of incurring such costs or expenses), except in relation to any matter as to which he shall be adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding, without such judgment being reversed, to have been liable for gross misconduct in the performance of his duties as such Trustee or Officer. In the event of the settlement of any such action, suit, or proceeding, prior to final judgment, the Association shall also make reimbursement or payment of the costs, expenses, and amounts paid or to be paid in settling any such action, suit, or proceeding, when such settlement appears to be in the interest of the Association in the opinion of a majority of the Trustees who are not involved, or if all are involved, in the opinion of counsel for the Association.

 

ARTICLE XX - PROOF OF INSURANCE

 

The Board of Trustees shall maintain insurance coverage sufficient to cover the costs to repair or replace any chapter house structure, grounds, and contents owned or leased by the Association.

 

ARTICLE XXI - TRANSFER OF ASSETS

 

If the charter of Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is revoked, permanently suspended, or voluntarily surrendered, or the chapter becomes inactive for any other reason, the Board of Trustees may vote to transfer the assets of the Association, including any chapter house property, furniture, furnishings, equipment, and funds, absolutely to the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta’s national housing corporation, 1848 Properties, Inc., or its successor organization, by the Officers of this Association. A transfer of assets pursuant to this Article may only be made upon a unanimous vote of those Trustees present, for which a quorum shall constitute two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Trustees.

 

ARTICLE XXII - BY-LAWS

 

These By-laws may be amended, altered, supplemented, or repealed by a three-quarter (3/4) supermajority vote of those Trustees present, for which a quorum shall constitute that set out in accordance with Article XVII hereto.

Summer 2019 Sig Fiji Newsletter is Now Available

Because our current undergraduate Sigma Chapter is suspended, the Sig Fiji Alumni Association produced the Summer 2019 Sig Fiji newsletter.

There are some really great articles in this 12-page edition:

- 2019 Homecoming Schedule
- 2019 Pig Dinner Wrap-up
- Diamond, Gold, and Silver Owl Awards
- Call-for-Volunteers Meeting on 10/26/19
- More...

Here's the link to view / download the PDF version:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zvy9aIyWPPevPmS29LjaZhJgP4YziAd6/view?usp=sharing

Skip Buckley '80

Perge!

The Demolition of Sigma Chapter's House at 20 West Ferncliff Place

The Springfield mansion at 20 West Ferncliff Place was originally built in 1905, and was purchased by the Sig Fiji Alumni Association in 1954.  The Tenement was constructed and added in 1955, and the new home of Sigma Chapter was dedicated at the Pig Dinner in 1956.  At one point, over 50 Brothers lived at 20 West.

After 60-plus years of wear and tear, as well as decades of fond memories from hundreds of Sig Fijis who lived in the house at 20 West, the decision was made to demolish the structure in October 2018.  The chapter by then had purchased the old adjacent Chi Omega house next door at 2 West Ferncliff Place, and our Brothers moved over in August 2018 to their "new" house (although originally built in 1879.)

I have wanted to capture the "final" days of 20 West before the demolition began on October 8, 2018, and below are several photos.  The demo took several days to complete...

This is one of the final photos I took of 20 West before it was demolished.  This was taken on Sunday, October 7, 2018, soon after sunrise as the sun was rising from the east and profiling so well the beautiful mansion.

Here's just another view of 20 West, the morning before the demolition began.

Among the many cool features of the old house was the water drainage system from the front porch. Here, you can see the drainage spouts.

Before the demo began, we had a professional contractor remove the Black Diamond from the front porch.  We have it preserved in the new chapter house.  The Black Diamond was originally placed there by Devon Ratchford '95 (now deceased) when he was an undergraduate.  Because it was never stepped on by a Fiji, it held up perfectly for about 25 years!

This was taken just after dawn on October 8, 2018, before the demo began.

On the morning of October 8, 2018, it was pretty weird to see the demo equipment that had arrived to begin the work.

The equipment was poised to begin attacking the back door of the Tenement.

Before the work got underway, we were intrigued as to whether anything was behind the cornerstone of the Tenement, originally added on to the mansion in 1955.  We didn't know.

The demo contractors delicately dismantled the cornerstone to see if anything was encapsulated.

The cornerstone was removed.  It's been preserved intact.

Behind the cornerstone was a lead box.  We were surprised and excited, but had no clue as to what it contained. 

Anticipation...

Doc Prescott '77 and Doug Myser '77 pulled up their chairs to witness history unfolding.

Inside the lead box we found a Springfield News-Sun newspaper from 1955.

We also found an old Wittenberg yearbook and what appeared to be remnants of a Phi Gamma Delta flag.  If you look carefully at this photo, you will see the Greek letters still preserved after 60-plus years. And look above the Phi Greek letter, and you will see the Sigma Greek letter. Amazingly, all that remained of the flag were the Greek letters.  How poignant was that... 

The demolition then continued.  I took one last photo of the front steps...a place I personally loved and had sat there myriad times, thousands of hours, over 40 years.  Tough to see that go...

Then they attacked the front steps.  Sigh...

After only a few hours, the entire house was down!

The contractors saved us an entire pallet of bricks from the old mansion.  We have them stored in the new chapter house.  We will make them available to Sigma Graduate Brothers at a later date.

It only took them four days to eliminate 113 years of history, but here is a photo of the leveled property.

Here's another view of the now-vacant lot, with our "new" house at 2 West Ferncliff Place in the background.

I don't know how well this will work, but here is one of two videos sent to me by Undergraduate Brothers who filmed some of the final moments of the demolition.  Both sad and incredible to witness...

Here's another final video of the 20 West house crumbling...

So, a major and significant part of Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta's proud history at Wittenberg University is preserved in these photos and videos, since our founding in 1884.  What a run...

Skip Buckley '80

Perge!