To qualify for active membership in this Chapter, each prospective member shall serve a formal period of pledging. During this period the pledge shall participate in a documented pledging program. The length, content and requirements of this program shall be outlined in chapter standing policy. No part of this program shall involve hazing of any type, or require the performance of personal service for any pledge or member. Upon the successful completion of this pledging program, the pledge shall become eligible for elevation to neophyte status.

To become a pledge of the Alpha Zeta Chapter, the prospective member must be enrolled at the University of Kentucky or Lexington Community College, and must register his or her intent to pledge with the Vice-President of Membership. The pledge period shall begin no later than the third regular meeting of the semester, and shall extend up to the day of the pledge elevation meeting. Prospective pledges may, at the discretion of the Pledge Trainer, join the pledging program at any time from the beginning of the pledge period up to the date six weeks in advance of the pledge elevation meeting.

If a pledge has met all of the pledging requirements as defined in chapter standing policy, they are eligible for a vote of elevation from pledge to active status. Confirmation of this eligibility must be given to the chapter by the Pledge Trainer and Vice President of Membership no later than 3 days before the initiation ceremony. Before being allowed to be elevated to active status and to participate in the official initiation ceremony, pledges must pass a two-thirds vote of those present and voting (provided that notice has been given at the previous regular meeting and that a quorum is present), or a vote of a majority of the active membership. A special meeting for the purpose of this elevation voting shall be called by the chapter president. This special meeting shall be held no later than the day of and immediately prior to the initiation ceremony, but may be held at any other point up to one week prior to the initiation ceremony, provided that notice is given at the previous regular meeting.

Elevated Pledges:
Elevated pledges shall become active members in Alpha Zeta Chapter immediately after paying the initiation fee, undergoing the initiation ceremony, and being registered with the National Office.

Transfers from other Chapters:
On enrolling at the University of Kentucky, a member in good standing of any other chapter of Alpha Phi Omega may become a member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter by submitting acceptable proof to this Chapter of that fact, and then being given permission to join this Chapter by a majority vote at a regular Chapter meeting.

Graduate Students:
Graduate students may serve in the Alpha Zeta Chapter either as active members or as advisory members. Before participating in any Chapter activities, the graduate student must choose and announce to the membership which role they desire; once this decision has been presented it to the membership, it cannot be changed. If a graduate student has never been an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, they must go through the usual pledging program.

All active members from the previous semester who are still students at the University of Kentucky shall be considered active until the dues payment deadline specified by the Chapter. Active members from the previous semester who pay their dues after the deadline shall be restored to active status at the first Chapter meeting following payment of the dues. In order to vote at the Pledge Elevation Meeting and in meetings subsequent to it, and in order to retain active status in the next semester, excluding summer sessions, an active member must do the following:

1. Complete a minimum of ten hours of service (including one fundraising hour) from at least two different projects during the current semester. Up to 5 hours of service towards this total can be obtained through outside projects not officially sponsored by the chapter. Approval for these outside hours must be given by a Vice President of Service in order for them to count towards the 10 required hours. Fundraising activities can be counted as service hours.
2. Do any one of the flilowing:
1. Plan or co-plan a service project, fellowship or fundraising activity.
2. Serve on a committee planning and running a service project, fellowship or fundraising activity.
3. Sponsor or co-sponsor a service project for a group or organization outside of the chapter. All Service projects must be approved by a Vice-President of Service, all Fellowship activities must be approved by a Vice-President of Fellowship, and all Fundraising activities must be approved by the Treasurer.
3. Attend at least five regular standing or special chapter committee meetings.
4. Attend at least fifty percent of the regular meetings held during the current semester, and not miss more than two regular meetings in a row without an excuse. Excuses will be determined by the parliamentarian and should be submitted within one week of the absence.
5. Attend at least two official fellowship events.
6. Pay chapter dues by the last day to drop classes or have made suitable arrangements with the treasurer to pay those dues before that date.
7. Fulfill all other financial obligations to the Chapter and the National Office in a timely manner.
8. Refrain from any hazing activities or other behavior specifically denounced by the Chapter’s governing documents, bylaws, and rules.
9. It shall be the obligation of each of the active members to transmit their current mailing aliress to the Vice-President of Membership.

Active members shall have the following privileges:

1. the right to vote on chapter affairs and on pledge elevation
2. the opportunity to hold a chapter elected or appointed office
3. the opportunity to chair a committee
4. the opportunity to have a little brother
5. the opportunity to serve as a chapter delegate to any sectional, regional or national conference or convention*
6. the opportunity to participate in events or activities partially or fully paid for by the chapter
7. the opportunity to use monies set aside by the chapter for the purpose of partially or fully subsidizing the costs of attending conferences, projects or fellowships.

* Any member who graduates at the end of an academic semester may serve as delegate at any convention held before the beginning of the next academic semester.

An active member who cannot attend at least fifty percent of the regular meetings may petition the chapter for Associate status. To petition, an active member must show proof of class, work or another valid reason keeping them from attending meetings. The member must submit a written statement to the chapter stating the reasons that they would like to be placed on associate status. Upon an affirmative majority vote of the chapter at any regular meeting after the petition has been received he/she shall become an associate member. An associate member can participate in chapter functions but cannot:

1. hold any office.
2. chair any committee.
3. have a little brother.
4. serve as a delegate to a sectional, regional or national conference or convention.
5. vote on any issue or in any election.

Associate membership is limited to two semesters of associate status for the first eight semesters after a member initiates. If a member is still active following their eighth semester, the opportunity for associate membership is unlimited. Co-op semesters do not count towards the total number of associate status semesters allowed. An associate member must pay discounted dues of $10 per semester they are associate, complete 15 service hours, and fulfill all financial obligations to the Chapter and the National Office in a timely manner and refrain from any hazing activities or other behavior specifically denounced by the Chapter’s governing documents, bylaws, and rules. They must also give the Vice-President of Membership a current mailing address.

Associate members do not have to petition the chapter or fulfill any special requirements to become full active members again after being an associate member.

A member will be considered inactive if they:

1. are enrolled in classes at the University of Kentucky or Lexington Community College and do not wish to or are not approved to be placed on active or associate status.
2. are not currently enrolled in classes (excluding summer classes), but are still enrolled at the university of Kentucky or Lexington Community College and intend to return to classes at a later date.
3. do not or cannot meet the active membership requirements for the semester as outlined in Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2 of these by laws.

Inactive members may attend any fraternity functions, but will have no rights or privileges associated with active or associate membership. If an inactive member attends a fraternity function where the fraternity had purchased food or other items they must pay a minimum $3 fee for partaking in the items.
If dues are not paid by the last day to drop classes at UK, and suitable arrangements have not been made with the treasurer, the member will immediately become inactive and a $5.00 late fee will be assessed upon that member. Upon payment of the dues or at such time as suitable arrangements are made with the treasurer for payment of those dues, full active status will be restored for that semester.
If a member did not complete the required number of service hours from the previous semester, that member will be considered inactive until the remaining balance of their service hours have been completed and recorded by a Vice-President of Service. Once those service hours have been completed, the member will be immediately reinstated (if eligible) to active membership.
If a member does not complete the required number of service hours for two consecutive semesters, that member must make up the balance of both semester’s service hours, complete an additional five hours of service, and must pass a majority chapter vote before they will be reinstated to active membership.

A member returning to the chapter from a semester of inactive status shall be considered eligible for active membership and shall retain all the rights and privileges of active membership. Members who were on inactive status for two or more consecutive semesters must pass a majority affirmative chapter vote at any regular chapter meeting in order to be reinstated to full active status.

An Alumni member is defined as any brother of Alpha Zeta chapter who has left the University of Kentucky, due to graduation or any other reason, without the intention to return. There are no duties or privileges associated with this type of membership. Alumni members may attend any activity of the fraternity.

At the discretion of the chapter, any of its members may be suspended for just cause. Said suspensions shall be of definitely specified length and shall consist of the complete loss of duties, responsibilities and privileges in the chapter for the duration of the suspension. The member shall also not be allowed to participate in fraternity activities during the term of their suspension. A three fourths (3/4) majority of all active members shall be required to suspend an individual member. Furthermore, the member affected must be informed of the charges against them in writing by the chapter at least two weeks prior to the suspension vote, and the advisory committee should be notified of the charges and intent to suspend the member. The chairman of the advisory committee shall preside over the suspension vote.

In extreme cases, the members of Alpha Zeta chapter may petition the national fraternity to have a member expelled from Alpha Phi Omega. Expulsion of members from Alpha Phi Omega will be carried out in accordance with national fraternity policies and guidelines for the removal of members.