Page:BairdsmanualofAmericancollegefrate8.pdf/65

Rh The government of the fraternity is vested in a National Convention, which now meets annually about the time of Washington’s birthday. The Convention is composed of two delegates from each Resident and each Graduate chapter. The work of the fraternity during the interim of sessions is carried on by a National Council, comprising a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and three councilors-at-large, chosen for a term of three years.

The vice-president of the fraternity is an important officer, having charge of all graduate organizations and building corporations. There are several other officers who are appointed by the National Council,—such as the national treasurer, the national editor and the publication manager. Much of the executive work falls upon the National Secretary. He keeps the records of the Conventions and the National Council, receives the files, reports and documents of the fraternity, edits its publications and supervises the examinations of the members concerning its ritual and customs. He visits each chapter twice a year and oversees the scholarship of the members.

In order to encourage scholarship the fraternity offers an annual prize called the Graduate Cup to the chapter most successful in such respect.

The fraternity has a distinctive alumni organization. All the graduates of each chapter are grouped together; and their government is carried on by an executive committee of three members: president, secretary-treasurer, and a resident, who lives, whenever possible, in the house of the Resident chapter, and acts as graduate adviser to the undergraduate chapter.