NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS Clarkson University Chapter BYLAWS

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1 NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS Clarkson University Chapter BYLAWS PREAMBLE The National Society of Black Engineers, as a national student and professional based organization, does hereby dedicate itself to the development of intensive programs for increasing Black and other ethnic minority participation in the field of engineering and engineering technology. These programs will be initiated both within and outside the university community and will serve to strengthen relations between professional industry and the black community. Members of this organization are encouraged to join and participate in their individual professional societies. ARTICLE I: NAME OF ORGANIZATION The name of this chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers shall be known as the National Society of Black Engineers at Clarkson. Hereinafter referred to as NSBE at Clarkson. ARTICLE II: MISSION The NSBE at Clarkson mission, in accordance with the national mission, is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically. succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. ARTICLE III: NSBE VISION The NSBE experience empowers every member to reach their full potential. NSBE encourages its members to continue the legacy while maintaining leadership roles in NSBE, Black communities, and other professional organizations. NSBE instills pride and adds value to its members, and asks each student to give back to their cultural community after graduation, thereby becoming more than professionals in a technological world - they become architects of a new destiny. The NSBE vision is achieved by addressing seven Key Business Areas: Academic Excellence Technical Excellence Leadership Communications Financial Vitality Cultural Awareness Academic Education and Career Access ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES Section 1: The primary objective of NSBE at Clarkson is to act as an academic support organization for its members majoring in engineering or in other technical fields. Section 2: NSBE at Clarkson shall recommend, coordinate and legislate programs to develop the technical proficiency of its members. Section 3: NSBE at Clarkson shall provide an active network between its members and the institution, its faculty and administration, industry, and the greater community. 1.1

2 Section 4: NSBE at Clarkson dedicates itself to increasing the number of Black students who enter and graduate from college. members. Section 5: NSBE at Clarkson will acknowledge and/or reward achievement of its past and present ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP Section 1: Membership and participation in this organization shall be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, ethnic group, national origin, creed, or academic discipline. Section 2: Membership in NSBE at Clarkson shall be designated as General Member, Alumni Member, or Honorary Member. (a) General Member shall be defined as: 1. An undergraduate matriculating at Clarkson University and majoring in a field of engineering, engineering technology, applied/physical sciences, or another accredited degree earning program, and 2. A graduate student who has received an undergraduate degree in engineering, engineering technology, applied/physical science, or another accredited degree earning program, and 3. Has paid national and chapter membership fees. (b) Alumni Member shall be defined as: 1. A person who has received a Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in engineering, engineering technology, or applied/physical sciences, and has met the criteria to receive a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees to the National Society. 2. A graduate student who qualifies for membership to the National Society may participate as a Clarkson General Member or an Alumni Member, but not both. (c) Honorary Member shall be defined as: 1. A person who does not meet the definition of a General Member or Alumni Member but has contributed through efforts in support of the goals of the National Society and the Clarkson Chapter, and has been nominated by the Executive Board of NSBE at Clarkson. 2. An Honorary Member is precluded from holding a position on the Executive Board ARTICLE VI: VOTING Section 1: Only General Members are entitled to cast votes. Section 2: Alumni, Honorary Members, and advisor(s) are not eligible to vote. Section 3: Voting privileges for Executive Board Members of appointed positions will be determined annually by the Elected Executive Board officers for Executive Board meetings. 1.2

3 Section 4: Members holding appointed Executive Board positions may vote in general body meetings. Section 5: Voting will be determined by yes, no, and in absentia, unless otherwise stated Section 6: Passage of voted issues will be determined by a majority, i.e., 50% + 1, of members in attendance at meetings, unless otherwise stated. Section 7: To represent the Chapter's vote regionally and nationally, the Executive Board shall select two senators from among the membership. Section 8: A quorum shall be designated as two-thirds of the total General Membership. In the event members have graduated or otherwise departed from campus, they are exempted from the quorum count. Section 9: The Parliamentarian shall refrain from voting except in the case of a tie. Section 10: In the case of a nomination or election, a candidate may vote for him/herself. ARTICLE VII: ADMINISTRATION Section 1: NSBE at Clarkson shall have an Executive Board that consists of both elected and appointed positions. Elected positions in order of presiding officer shall Include the President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer, Programs Chair, Academic Excellence Chair, Publications and Media Chair, Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Chair and Historian. Appointed positions will include Parliamentarian, Freshman Chair, Conference Planning Chair, and Chapter Development Program (COP) Chair. Section 2: The Executive Board shall (a) Administer the affairs of NSBE at Clarkson under its Constitution, under the general provisions of the National Society, and In accordance with the Region 1 Long-Range Plan; (b) Revise regulations, which are not consistent with the Constitution; (c) Conduct mandatory Executive Board meetings, which shall be implemented by the second week of each semester; (d) Not act in conflict with the decisions made by the vote of the General Body; (e) Be responsible for overseeing membership recruitment efforts; (f) Become a member of Achiever's Plus; (g) Prepare a Long Range Plan, which is to be submitted to the appropriate body in a timely manner; (h) Develop Chapter goals for the academic year consistent with the needs of the Chapter; (i) Appoint a member, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Board, to fill a position in the event an elected or appointed position becomes vacant, or share the duties within the Board if the decision is not to fill the position; (j) Serve on behalf of the Chapter as official representatives for external interactions, or designate an official person to fulfill this function; 1.3

4 (k) Serve as liaisons to Regional and National Executive Boards on behalf of the NSBE at Clarkson Chapter; (I) Initiate a meeting with the newly elected officers for the purpose of transition of office; (m) Install the newly elected Executive Board a minimum of three weeks prior to the end of the spring semester; (n) Turn over all relevant materials to the newly elected Board so they can hold a minimum of one general body meeting before the close of the spring semester; (o) Not receive any salary for service. Section 3: Executive Board members are expected to attend all Executive Board and General Body Meetings. However, in unusual circumstances, Executive Board members may, in lieu of their presence, submit written reports to the president before an Executive Board meeting. Section 4: NSBE at Clarkson shall work with the guidance and support of faculty or staff advisors. The advisor will aid the Executive Board in the development of chapter goals. ARTICLE VIII: DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS Elected Officers (a) President. Guide the purpose and direction of the organization in accordance with Regional and National Regulations;. Preside over all official meetings;. Ensure the Chapter is chartered;. Prepare a weekly meeting agenda with the Vice President;. Oversee the activities of the Executive Board members to ensure implementation of programs;. Work closely with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts;. Act as Chapter Development Program Chair in the absence of a CDP Chair; (b) Vice-President. Act to directives requested by the President that are consistent with the mission of the Chapter;. Preside in the absence or inability of the President;. Oversee all inter-chapter communications;. Assumes responsibility for collating and submitting the Chapter Monthly Report (CMR) to the appropriate officials;. Act as Parliamentarian in the absence of the Chapter Parliamentarian;. Prepare corporate and alumni solicitations, when appropriate;. Work with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts; (c) Secretary. Provide the primary record of all NSBE at Clarkson meetings and oversee communications;. Record and distribute detailed minutes and attendance records of all Executive Board and General Body meetings;. Develop a monthly calendar of Chapter events;. Work closely with the Vice President and the Publications and Media Chair to improve internal communications; 1.4

5 . Distribute annually a NSBE at Clarkson telephone directory and NSBE Alumni directory;. Submit a monthly Chapter report to Chapter Vice President;. Work with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts; (d) Treasurer. Generate revenue for the Chapter;. Retain the financial accounts of NSBE at Clarkson;. Monitor the expenditures and cash flow of the chapter under the direction of the Executive Board;. Be responsible for development of an annual Chapter budget;. Submit monthly Chapter reports to Chapter Vice President;. Be responsible for fund-raising throughout the year;. Maintain an up-to-date list of all paid members;. Act as the Conference Planning Chair (CPC) in the absence of a CPC;. Work with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts; (e) Programs Chair. Plan informative programs to aid in professional development of Chapter members;. Oversee all Chapter programs and may establish committees to achieve this purpose;. Ensure Chapter participation in regional and national programs and competitions;. Develop technical and professional programs;. Submit monthly Chapter reports to the Chapter Vice President;. Work closely with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts; (f) Publications and Media Chair. Increase the internal and external knowledge about the mission, vision, and accomplishments of NSBE at Clarkson.. Publish a monthly Chapter newsletter;. Be responsible for all publicity of NSBE at Clarkson utilizing a variety of technologies and communications avenues;. Maintain the NSBE at Clarkson website;. Feature a member(s) or alumni in each Newsletter;. Submit articles to Grassroots or other relevant publications;. Verify Chapter address with the Regional Publications Chair;. Submit a monthly Chapter report to the Chapter Vice President;. Work with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts; (g) Academic Excellence Chair. Foster the importance of strong academic performance and provide programs, which increase the GPA of the membership;. Develop and implement ideas that reward members who excel or improve their academic performance;. Oversee all Chapter academic excellence programs;. Ensure Achiever's Plus is implemented by the third week of each semester;. Reserve rooms and inform members of available academic support services, e.g., tutoring, workshops, test bank, help sessions, etc.. Ensure Chapter participates in regional and national academic excellence programs;. Work closely with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts;. Submit a transition report at the close of office;. Shall submit monthly Chapter reports to Chapter Vice President; 1.5

6 (h) Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Chair. Create programs designed to expose high school students to fields of engineering and other technical majors, and encourage students to want to pursue a college education;. Oversee the implementation of Chapter PCI programs;. Hold at least one PCI event each semester to instill math and science skills in junior and senior high students;. Develop mentoring efforts;. Submit a monthly report to the Chapter Vice President;. Work closely with Upstate Zone and Regional counterparts; i) Historian. Utilizes a variety of mediums for preservation of the historical perspective of the Chapter's development;. Overviews Constitutional changes for consistency;. Develops a chapter scrapbook which will include publications, photographs, and information from special projects and activities;. Be responsible for holding a minimum of one NSBE-history workshop per semester;. Submit a monthly report upon request; Appointed Positions (j) Parliamentarian. Provide unbiased and fair set of rules for conduct at meetings;. Conduct nomination and election process of Chapter Executive Board members;. Serve as a resource on parliamentary procedure;. Provide at least one workshop each semester on parliamentary procedure;. Provide assistance to maintain order at all meetings;. Train Chapter senators for participation at Conferences; (k) Freshman Chair. Be a liaison for communication between freshmen class members and the Executive Board;. Work in conjunction with the Programs Chair to plan workshops solely for the well-being of the freshmen (time-management, study skills, etc.);. Work with the Academic Excellence Chair to establish mentors for each freshman member;. Become versed in NSBE mission and vision and share information with freshmen;. Submit a monthly report to the Chapter Vice President; (I) Conference Planning Chair (CPC). Increase participation in Regional and National Conferences;. Improve the planning processes for attendance at Conferences;.Coordinate the logistical aspects of Conference attendance (registration, travel, housing) and collect monies for such activities in coordination with the Treasurer;. Motivate Chapter to bid as hosts for Zone Conferences. (m) Chapter Development Plan (CDP) Chair. Term of office is January to January I or in accordance with the date the COP is to be submitted;. Be responsible for timely submission of the COP to maximize points;. Work closely with Board members to collect data for the COP;. Work closely with the Vice President on the CMRs;. Provide training for the incoming COP Chair;. Submit a transition report at the close of office 1.6

7 ARTICLE IX: NOMINATIONS and ELECTIONS Section 1: The Executive Board will a) establish a time frame for the nomination period, b) ensure all nominations are seconded, and c) determine annually the absentee ballot procedure. Section 2: By the fall semester following his/her election, the nominee for elected positions must have a minimum classification of sophomore undergraduate status. Section 3: To be eligible for nominations, potential nominees are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Section 4: The nominee must be a full-time student, matriculating at Clarkson, for the duration of the elected term. Section 5: Of the members present at the election meeting, opposed candidates will be elected by a 50%+ 1 majority vote; unopposed candidates must be voted by a 2/3 majority vote. Section 6: Chapter Executive Board elections will be done by secret ballot, which will be closed after the ballots have been collected. Section 7: At the designated election meeting, the candidates must a) submit to the voting membership a biography (content to be determined by the Executive Board), b) present a verbal presentation of his/her platform, and c) be available for a question and answer period. Section 8: Candidates running for the same position(s) may not be present when the opposing candidate is giving his/her presentation. ARTICLE X: CHAPTER ADVISOR(S) Section 1: NSBE at Clarkson shall work with the guidance and support of faculty or staff advisor(s) who are current employees at Clarkson University. Section 2: The advisor will aid the Executive Board in the development of Chapter goals. Section 3: The Executive Board shall choose a faculty advisor(s) as soon after the election process each spring as possible. Section 4: The advisor(s) is expected to attend a minimum of one Executive Board and one General Body meeting per month. Section 5: The advisor(s) acts in a non-voting capacity. ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS Section 1: Amendments and By-Laws to this Constitution may be proposed at any duly authorized General Body meeting provided that the session is not the result of a special notice to consider another specific topic. Section 2: An Amendment or By-Law shall be considered proposed when stated verbally or in writing at a General Body meeting. 1.7

8 Section 3: An amendment shall be deemed ratified and thus annexed to this Constitution when 2/3 of the elected Executive Board concur with the amendment, and when 50+1 of the membership present vote yes to the Amendment or By-Law. ARTICLE XII. TERMINATION OF AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER Section 1: Any elected Board member can be removed from office by the affirmative vote of a quorum {i.e., no less than 2/3 of the current membership}. Section 2: The grounds for termination are: embezzlement, fraud, or other felony, malfeasance in office, neglect of duties, acts contrary to the NSBE at Clarkson constitution, its amendments, or By-Laws. Section 3: The President of the NSBE at Clarkson Executive Board shall preside at all hearings except that the Vice President shall preside if the President is on trial or has disqualified him/herself. In the event that both these officers are on trial or have disqualified themselves, the serving chair will revert to the order of presiding officer as listed in Article VII. Administration. Section 4: A formal complaint is required, in writing, detailing the reasons why the individual is to be removed from office. Section 5: The Executive Board shall establish a formal hearing date, and in at least two weeks (14 days) in advance of his/her hearing, the accused and the membership shall be provided with the date, time and location of the hearing. Section 6: A written notice of the charges made against him/her, a list of all witnesses who may be expected to give testimony, and a description of other types of evidence which is held and may be used against the accused. Section 7: The officer charged shall respond to the Executive Board within three days (including weekends) if he/she accepts or rejects the termination notice. If the officer accepts the termination, he/she will vacate the position immediately and submit all materials relevant to the office to the presiding official. In the case that the termination notice is rejected, the case will proceed to the hearing stage. Section 8: Each side shall have the right to cross-examine, call witnesses, and to introduce evidence within the context of due process. A stenographic and/or audio recording of all proceedings shall be maintained by the presiding officer. 4/14/01 11/13/02 1.8