Some former members will attempt to return without mentioning their former membership status. For this reason, processing of [[Regular Membership]] includes checking for former membership status, and diverting the petition to this procedure if such is discovered.
The primary differences in the petitions are that the Return Petition does not require payment of makes option the fees for a certificate or and insignia, as the member may have retained these from their former membership. They may be ordered if desired.
The Return Petition also asks the reason for the previous departure and the return. One-word explanations of such as "health" or "finances" will be sufficient; rarely a more lengthy explanation will be requierd.
Once the petition and payment are received by [[Headquarters Staff]], the procedure is:
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<li>The [[Assistant Secretary]] will check the [[Membership Book]] to confirm the petitioner's status as a former member.</li>
<li>The Assistant Secretary will place his reelection on the next available [[Agendae|Agenda]] for [[Board]] review and approval. The Board will want to know the petitioner's reasons for dropping his membership and returning.
<ol type="a">
<li>If the Board rejects the Petition, [[Headquarters Staff]] will notify the petitioner and refund all but the [[Petition Fee]] (presently $15).</li> <li>If the Board tables the petition for additional information, Headquarters Staff will inform the petitioner and place the petition on the next Board agendaafter a response is received.</li>
<li>If the Board re-elects the petitioner to membership, proceed as follows:</li>
</ol></li>
<li>The Assistant Secretary will find the petitioner's former [[Membership Number]] from the [[Membership Book]], or assign one if necessary.</li> <li>The Assistant Secretary will add the date returned (the date of the Board meeting where elected) to the Master Membership Book and Roster./li>
<li>Headquarters Staff will create a new Membership Card./li>
<li>Headquarters Staff will create a new Certificate of Membership if ordered (with the date of return to membership).</li>
<li>Headquarters Staff will create a returning letter of welcome from the [[Secretary]] (presently signed electronically)./li>
<li>Headquarters Staff will create a returning memo of welcome./li>
<li>Headquarters Staff will mail the above three items, plus the current ''[[Augustæum]]'' and the current ''[[Augustan Omnibus]]'' to the returned member (unless these were already sent).</li> <li>If the petitioner has ordered replacement insignia, Headquarters Staff will notify the [[Custodian of Insignia]] who will send such.
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