Our Constitution

The Constitution 

of the 

Philonomosian Society

 of 

Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.

Founded January 8, 1839 — Revived August 30, 2023

Preamble

Though anxious and resolved to reap all the benefits, which it is the peculiar property of Debating Societies to confer, yet our more immediate aim, will be to promote eloquence and acquire an accurate knowledge of history — these acquisitions we deem useful for all men, but believe them indispensable for us, considering the peculiar form of Government under which we live, and the independent character of the nation, to which it is our good fortune to belong.

Aware that youth, if not the only, is undoubtedly the fittest time, and College, the most proper place to plant that, the fruits of which we desire to reap hereafter, we have formed ourselves into a body for that purpose, hoping by the following regulations, to effect its accomplishment. (1839)

Article I: Name, Purpose, & Objectives

Section 1. This association shall be styled “The Philonomosian Society of Georgetown University.” The Society shall further identify itself as “founded 1839, revived 2023.” It shall translate its name as “Love of the Nomos” or “Love of Truth, Law, and Traditions.” (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 2. The Society’s motto shall be “Lex, Libertas, Salusque Gentis,” translated as “Law, Liberty and the People's Well-Being.” Its salutation shall be “Nomos!” Its guiding ethic shall be“Debate is the Servant of Truth.”  The Society shall preserve these ancient mottos in a logo or badge that members may purchase at their option. (1903, 2023)

Section 3. The Society’s purpose shall be to promote eloquence and acquire an accurate knowledge of history and the leading social and political questions of the day. To be held regularly, debates shall be decorous, thoughtful, and unfettered over any question in the humanities, business, history, philosophy, logic, ethics, law, policy, choices, and questions relevant to Georgetown’s ethos and particularity.  (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 4. The Society shall meet every Wednesday evening at a suitable location during the scholastic term. This meeting shall be subject to the restrictions defined in the By-Laws. (1903)

Section 5. There shall be a debate at every meeting, except at those meetings specifically called to transact business, and said debate shall be carried on by two regular debaters chosen in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws. After the regular debate and after the Society has voted on the merits of the debate, the question shall become the property of the Society for voluntary discussion. (1903)

Section 6. The Society shall not hinder or impede any voice from being heard on any question before the house. The Society shall not allow itself to be censored from debating any question, nor shall any Philonomosian participate in such activities directed against the Society or prevent or disturb any open debate of the Society, and if they do so, their membership shall be considered resigned and forfeit without more. (2023)

Section 7. The Society shall state rules of decorum. If anyone should suggest that a Philonomosian has violated a rule of decorum or in any way given offense by their speech or writing, the matter shall be put to the Committee on Questions, who shall determine if a reprimand or an apology is warranted.  If an apology, the matter shall be scheduled for an open debate of the Society unless an apology is made and accepted. (2023)

Section 8. Privacy concerning the proceedings of meetings or any business of the Society is enjoined on the members. (1903, 2023)

Article II: Membership 

Section 1.  This Society shall comprise undergraduate and graduate students and members of the faculty of Georgetown University and its affiliated institutions who have taken the Oath and signed the Declaration. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023) 

Section 2.  Membership shall not be denied based on race, ethnicity, creed, political affiliation, sexual or gender identity, age or physical ability, national origin or status, wealth, or course of study. (2023) 

Section 3. Upon achieving full membership, all Members shall also be part of the Philonomosian Alumni Association, whose members and honorary members shall be deemed Members of the Society with voice but without other membership rights. (2023) 

Section 4. Those seeking membership through Induction (the Petitioners) shall be in good academic standing with the University. Petitioners are responsible for paying an induction contribution in an amount determined by the Society. Petitioners shall sit with the Cohort in which they request membership. (2023)

Section 5. Membership shall be divided into Cohorts based on political affiliation. Petitioners shall express their desired Cohort during the process of formation, either in floor speeches, consultations with Cohort Leaders or Sponsors, or in any other appropriate fashion. (2023)

Section 6.  Petitioners shall give floor speeches at two separate debates and attend one Georgetown-sponsored lecture on the Main Campus. Each condition shall be recorded by the Clerk and noted with dates in the aspirant’s Petition. The lecture may be one that the President promotes. Once eligible, the Petition for Induction shall be presented in writing as a letter addressed to the President and contain the required information. The names of eligible candidates shall be brought to the Committee on Arrangements.  The Clerk shall inform the Moderator and the Members of the list of Petitioners regularly or upon request.  The Petitioner shall select a Sponsor or be assigned one by the President and will be allowed to enter their preferred Cohort upon submission of their Petition pending their Induction. (2023)  

Section 7. The Society may confer honorary membership to any individual, living or dead, who emulates the principles of “Lex, Libertas, Salusque Gentis” or who has greatly served the Philonomosian Society or Georgetown University. This honor shall be nominated and confirmed by a vote of two-thirds present and voting at the Eklessia. Living Honorary Members are entitled to Member debate privileges, membership in a Cohort of their choice, and may speak but may not vote in the Ekklesia. (2023)

Section 8. Alumni of the Society shall include all members of the Philonomosian Alumni Association.  Alumni members shall be considered Members for purposes of debates. (2023)

Section 9. At the beginning of each scholastic year, all returning  Members of the previous year must make a Membership financial contribution to advance the mission of the Society. These contributions may be waived for hardship reasons in consultation with the Treasurer. Members may be suspended from the Society for failure to make contributions or any act in violation of the Charter, Constitution, or By-Laws, that prejudices the existential welfare of the Society. (2023)

Section 10. Expulsion from the Society may occur in cases of egregious violation of the laws or ethos of the Society. Such expulsion must first be put to and recommended by the Moderator and further recommended by two-thirds of the Committee on Arrangements. Upon submission to the Committee on Questions for the wording of the charge, a hearing allowing for a defense against the charge, which the charged Member or his advocate can make, a vote shall be put to the Members. Expulsion requires a supermajority of two-thirds of the Members who may vote by ballot, in person, or by electronic device. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023) 

Section 11.  Members who wish to withdraw from the Society shall present their resignation in writing to the President. (1839)

Article III: General Governance 

Section 1. A meeting may be called at any time by the President or by a quorum of the members and the majority shall form a quorum. (1839)

Section 2. The Society shall conduct a semi-annual assembly known as the Ekklesia for Society business. (2023)  

Section 2I.  The Fall Ekklesia.  The Orders of the Day of the Fall Ekklesia shall be:

• Roll call and Adoption of Minutes.

• Report of Committees and Announcements.

• Old Business

• Membership Matters (if any)

• New Business

• Elections of Officers

Section 2II.  The Spring Ekklesia.  The Orders of the Day of the Spring Ekklesia shall be:

• Roll call and Adoption of Minutes.

• Report of Committees and Announcements.

• Old Business

• Constitutional or By-law amendments (if any).

• Membership Matters (if any)

• New Business 

• Elections of Officers

Section 3. The Society shall be subject to the Charter, this Constitution, the Bylaws, and any Trust instrument that it may adopt. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern all meetings of the Society so long as they do not conflict with the Constitution or Bylaws or any special rules the Society may adopt. Unless otherwise stated, the Ekklesia, regular membership meetings, and Committees shall decide all questions by a simple majority vote of those present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum prevails. (1921, 2023)

Section 4. The Election of Officers shall require a simple majority of Members present and voting.  If contested, such elections shall be effected by ranked-choice written ballot if there are multiple candidates or by written ballot if there are only two candidates.  Elections may be effected remotely via electronic devices. Elections shall require a candidate biography and a written statement, which may be communicated electronically, a brief one-minute speech, and answering up to three questions (if any) about the office’s duties. No discussion regarding the candidates can occur during the Ekklesia. The speech and questioning may be waived. Any impugnation on a member's integrity during an Election shall be out of order and punishable by a fine. (2023)

Section 5. No Cohort can possess a majority of the offices on the Committee on Arrangements in any given scholastic semester. Once a Cohort reaches a majority of these offices during the Ekklesia, candidates for subsequent offices will be ineligible to run. (2023)

Section 6. Any proposed amendments to an organizational document must be provided to the Committees on Arrangements and the Committee of Advisors fourteen (14) calendar days before the date of the Spring Ekklesia for vetting.  Proposals shall be provided to Members together with the notice of the meeting no less than ten days before the meeting. Constitutional amendments shall require both a majority of the Committee on Arrangements present and voting and three-fourths of other Members present and voting.  Bylaw amendments shall require both two-thirds of the Committee of Arrangements present and voting and two-thirds of other Members present and voting. (2023)

Section 7. Honorary membership proposals, consisting of a biography and nominating statement,  shall be submitted to the Committee on Arrangements in writing fourteen (14) days before any Ekklesia and to the Members with the notice of the meeting. Such privilege is conferred by a majority of Members present and voting. Honorary Membership shall only be withdrawn if the member has been credibly convicted of a crime. (2023) 

Article IV:  Officers and Governing Committees 

Section 1. Adjudication of the Society’s business shall be vested in two committees of jurisdiction, the “Committee on Arrangements” and the “Committee on Questions.” Each committee shall have separate responsibilities that do not overlap with the authority of the other.  In addition, there shall be a Committee of Advisors that the Moderator shall chair. The respective chair shall call regular meetings of the three committees.  Special meetings may be called jointly by the President and Moderator. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023) 

Section 2. The “Committee on Arrangements” shall comprise the President, serving as chairperson, Vice President, Treasurer, Clerk, Historian, Director of External Affairs, Social Chair, two Censors, and the Moderator or his Advisor designee.  The Committee may create other special task committees of no more than three members to be appointed by the President. (2023, 2024) 

Section 3. Each student officer's term of office shall be for one (1) scholastic semester.  Only students of the upper classes may hold the positions of President, Vice-President, and Critic. No member shall hold two offices at the same time. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 4. The Moderator shall serve as the faculty advisor of the Society. They shall represent the Society before the Faculty and administration, may criticize the performances of the members, may restrain all breaches of order, and explain all rules of order.  The Moderator shall chair the Committee of Advisors and shall be a member of every standing and special committee, except the “Committee on Questions.” The Moderator must preserve all the property of the Society, use all reasonable means to augment its resources, and cause its debates to be conducted with regularity. The Moderator must vet administrative decisions and constitutional proposals and give their advice. (2023)

Section 5. The President shall preside at all the meetings of the Society, except on such occasions when the President surrenders the chair to another as an honor, such as to an alumnus, honorary member, or member of the Faculty.  They are a member of every standing and special committee except the “Committee on Questions” and have the right to give the casting vote only should a debate end in a tie. They shall sign all orders, acts, and other proceedings of the Society and act as its public representative. The President is required to vacate their Cohort affiliation for the duration of their service. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 6. The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President.  The Vice President also acts as the chair of the “Committee on Questions” and has the right to give the casting vote only should a procedural motion end in a tie. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 7. The Treasurer shall keep the financial accounts of the Society, receiving all money and making all disbursements. They shall be ready to state the financial condition of the Society on the demand of the President or the Society and shall present a written report at the expiration of their term of office. (1839) The Treasurer shall carry the sword of the Philonomosian Society.

Section 8. The Clerk shall call the roll, read messages or proclamations to the Society, keep time during debates, record the minutes of all business meetings, note the absentees, and remind debaters of the date set for their debates. The Clerk shall vacate their Cohort affiliation for the duration of their service. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 9. The Historian shall be responsible for composing and updating an accurate history of the Philonomosian. The Historian shall also be responsible for curating the Charter, Constitution, and By-Laws, creating and printing the weekly debate program and flyers, and filing a copy with the University Archivist after the scholastic semester.  During the Revival, the Historian shall ensure the execution of the Charter. (2023)

Section 10. The Director of External Affairs shall be responsible for relations with the Philonomosian Alumni Association, the Critic, new members, faculty, and guest speakers. This position shall invite guest keynoters and Critics from the community at large, engage alumni of the Society, and coordinate member projects and speaker compensation funding requests from the Trust. They shall be permitted to sit ex-officio on the Committee on Questions and be a full voting member of the Committee on Arrangements to facilitate this purpose. (2024)

Section 11. The Social Chair shall be responsible for planning and implementing social events for the Society, to promote merriment and strong fellowship. These social events shall include any Society dinners and special events, such as the St. Cecilia’s, Chaucer, Washington Cup, and McGuigan debates. The Social Chair shall henceforth chair all committees and working groups related to the promulgation of the aforementioned events. (2024)

Section 12. The President shall appoint two Censors who shall preserve order in the Society and be responsible for publicizing all business of the Society. The First Censor shall be from the junior or senior class. They shall fine members for disorder and deliver them to the Treasurer. The First Censor shall present a report to the Society on instances of extreme disturbance or vulgarity. The Second Censor shall be from the freshman or sophomore class. They shall be responsible for maintaining the Society’s digital presence and may record segments of debates or business meetings for public viewing and archival purposes, with permission of the speaker. Each Censor must be from a separate Cohort. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024)

Section 13. The Moderator shall appoint a Critic who shall criticize the debate at each meeting after voting has concluded and shall be provided five minutes for their remarks. This position is reserved for a graduate student or member of the faculty. Should the Critic be a full member, they must vacate their Cohort affiliation for the duration of their service. (2023)

Section 14. The “Committee on Questions” shall comprise the Vice President, serving as chairperson, the Critic, and Cohort Leaders. Its responsibilities are to approve debate resolutions, formulate key tenets, and organize keynoters. The proposal of debate resolutions shall alternate among Cohort Leaders, though a majority of the Committee must approve the final language. The Committee shall meet at least once per month to set subsequent debates.  A debate resolution may only be vetoed by the President and Moderator acting together. (1903, 2023)

Section 15. The “Committee of Advisors” shall comprise the Moderator and at least two other members but no more than five. The Committee shall determine its membership, but any Member may recommend advisors. (2023)

Section 16.  Each year until he shall accept, the President and the Moderator shall write, in a solemn manner, a letter to H.R.H. Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, reporting on the progress of the Society, inviting him to attend a debate and to preside over it, and to accept the invitation to be the Honorary President and Patron of the Philonomosian. The letter shall begin or end with “Nomos!” (2023)

Article V:  Cohorts 

Section 1.  Striving to thrive as a traditional debating society in modern times, to ensure balance in the selection of debate topics, and to prevent self-censorship or bias in the selection of resolutions raised for debate, as befitting our University, the Society’s membership shall form into Cohorts solely for this purpose.  Each Cohort shall confer to select and propose resolutions to the Committee on Questions that it shall select and schedule in equal numbers. (2023)

Section 2. Each Cohort shall be led by a Cohort Leader responsible for organizing a Cohort platform, ensuring participation and attendance, and canvassing, selecting, and coordinating debate topic proposals to the Committee on Questions. Cohort Leaders may create auxiliary officers if the need arises. Cohorts may develop their laws and traditions provided they do not contradict the laws and ethos of the Philonomosian Society. (2023)

Section 3. Cohorts shall be styled as Progressive, Liberal, Independent, Federalist, and Tory.  Revival Members will organize Cohort leaderships and rally Cohort memberships to form. New Cohorts may organize solely on socio-political principles and not on identities of sex, gender, race, religion, or course of study. (2023)

Section 4. No Cohort shall comprise more than 30% of Members. Except in the initial Revival period, Cohorts shall be formed by at least 15% of Members upon notice to and with the approval of the President and Moderator. A Cohort shall be dormant if its membership falls below ten percent of Members. (2023)

Section 5. The Cohort leaders shall be required to hold monthly meetings to discuss business and topic selection. (2023)

Section 6. Cohort leaders shall present new members for induction at the end of each debate and assign them a Sponsor for their first semester. (2023)

Section 7. Members who wish to switch their Cohort membership shall submit a letter of resignation to their Cohort leader and give a speech on the floor renouncing their previous Cohort, upon the completion of this speech, they shall relocate to their desired Cohort. (2023)

Article VI: Debates 

Section 1.  The Society shall meet every Wednesday evening during the scholastic term at a suitable time in an agreed-upon location (known as the Agora), and this meeting shall be subject to the restrictions laid down in the By-Laws. A majority of the Members shall constitute a quorum. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024)

Section 2. Any subject is debatable, but no irreverence to any religion’s creed or debasing distinctions of identity shall be in order.  Speech during a debate may also be restricted by the doctrine of “imminent lawless action” adopted in Brandenburg v. Ohio. Members and Petitioners are enjoined from boycotting any debate due to the nature of the resolution or keynoters or otherwise assisting a disturbance.  (2023)

Section 3.  Debate resolutions shall be styled with affirmative and negative sides and shared with the Society at least three (3) days before a debate. (2023)

Section 4. The weekly debate shall be organized into two main portions: the Common Debate and the Ex tempore Debate. Weekly debates of the Society shall not exceed two-and-a-half (2.5) hours except in special circumstances. (2023) 

Section 5. The Common Debate shall consist of two Keynoters selected by the Committee on Questions, who may be Members, Petitioners, or guests of the Society. One Keynoter will speak in the affirmative, the other in the negative. Each opening Keynoter is provided five (5) minutes for their oration. Following the opening keynotes, each Cohort will be provided two (2) questions to ask of one or both of the Common debaters. At the end of the debate, each Keynoter shall offer a  ninety (90) second Declamation to reply and rally support. Before the Division, the Critic may offer two-minute remarks on the quality of the debate. (2023)

Section 6. The Ex tempore Debate shall be characterized by unscripted floor speeches irrespective of argument or seniority of Induction. A Member of each Cohort shall be recognized to speak if no Member raises their hand. A Cohort leader may present the President with a list of expected Cohort participants in their order of speech or other status. Each speaker will have two (2) minutes for their remarks. Before the Division, the Critic may offer two-minute remarks on the quality of the debate. (2023)

Section 7. In special circumstances, the Committee on Questions shall endow a debate with the “Grand Debate” format. The Grand Debate shall consist of four or six Keynoters selected by the Committee on Questions, who may be Members,  Petitioners, or guests of the Society.  If four, two Keynoters shall affirm and negate the resolution for five minutes each, and two Keynoters shall offer Replies in turn of three minutes each.  If six, two additional Senior members shall end the debate with Declamations of no more than ninety (90) seconds to reply and rally support.  After the Division, the Critic may offer five-minute remarks on the quality of the debate. (2023)

Section 8. At each debate, the President may call on Alumni, Petitioners, or guests to speak on the floor at any time but shall do so before the last round of floor speeches. If a Petitioner shall have raised their hand in three separate debates but fails to be recognized by the President, on the fourth try and thereafter, they shall stand until all those standing are recognized to speak by the President. (2023, 2024)

Section 9. Voting on a resolution shall occur as follows: by affirmative and negative voters walking out of different doors, by dividing into two sides of the room, or by standing in turn at their seats to be counted. The Censors and Keynoters shall count the number of individuals voting. Abstaining voters will remain in their seats. The winning side constitutes a majority of voting participants. (2023)

Article VII: Special Events

Section 1. The George Washington Debate. On the Wednesday in February closest to February 22, the Society shall organize a debate honoring the life and legacy of President George Washington. The Washington Cup shall be awarded to the speaker who best encapsulates President Washington’s moral authority, sincerity, humility, and decorum. (2023)

Section 2. The McGuigan Debate. On a day in April, as agreed to by the Society, there shall be an annual debate in honor of Rev. John A. McGuigan, S.J., the first President of the Philonomosian Society. Said debate is to be keynoted by one member representing each cohort of the Society, who shall be decided upon by a manner of each cohort’s choosing. If the number of Cohorts is odd, an additional keynoter from the senior class shall be selected, and who shall debate the question chosen by the Society according to the prescriptions laid down in the bylaws. The McGuigan Medal shall be awarded to the best keynote debater in the judgment of three judges appointed by the Committee on Arrangements selected from the Faculty or who is accomplished in the professions. All winners of the McGuigan Medal earn the privilege to wear it during their respective Commencement Exercises. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024)

Section 3. The Capitol Debate Series. At the discretion of the Committee on Arrangements,  particular debates may be commissioned, and the format selected.  In said debates, a speaker may be asked to keynote the debate topic. Said keynoter shall be an expert in the question at hand or a prominent member of Georgetown’s alumni community. Capitol Debates shall not interfere with the regular debates. Capitol Debates may be held in an off-campus setting should a willing host present itself. (2023)

Section 4. The Chaucer Debate. The Society shall conduct a debate, at least annually, on a great work of literature. The Committee on Questions (in consultation with the Committee of Advisors) shall announce the scholastic material for such debate a month preceding the debate. The debate may be conducted in place of a regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting or can be scheduled for an alternative date. Such debates, however, may not coincide with the Capitol Debate Series. (2023)

Section 5.  St. Cecilia’s Day Celebration.  Whether through a debate on or nearest to November 22 of each year or otherwise, the Society shall commemorate the traditional Georgetown day of celebration. The commemoration events shall be the special charge of the Committee on Arrangements. The commemoration must include music. (2023)

Section 6. The Challenge. In its solicitude for college debating, unless forestalled, the Society shall challenge the Philodemic Society to a joint debate, suggesting the President of the University choose the question. The challenge shall be issued before the end of the fall scholastic semester. (1921, 2023)  

Section 7. Future Events. The Society shall consider and may accept donations that would serve to endow debates on topics of specific interest or fund single special debates. (2023)

Article VIII: Dissolution

Section 1. Should this Society and its Alumni Association be dissolved or suspended, be it enacted: That the Charter, Constitution, logo and all items be entrusted to the custody of the Archivist of the University with the following entrustment: “That they are to be bestowed upon any Association in the University which will assume the name of ‘The Philonomosian Society of Georgetown University’ and abide by the same Constitution, By-laws, and customs of the Society, and not on any other conditions whatsoever.” (1921, 2023) 

Ratified July 15, 2023 

Last Amended June 1, 2024