American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists Vanderbilt University Student Chapter Constitution Article I Name Section 1 The name of this organization shall be The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) of Vanderbilt University Section 2 This student organization is a recognized student chapter of the organization of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists Article II Purpose Section 1 The purpose of this organization shall be: a. to provide the students within the university community a means for professional development by its programs, and by its relationship with other Student chapters within the Academy; b. to contribute towards the development of environmental engineering and science at the University through activities in which student member and faculty may participate; c. to serve as a focal point within the University community for interchange of information in the area of environmental engineering and science.
Article III Membership Section 1 Membership shall be open to all students and faculty. There are no dues to join nor to retain membership privileges of AAEES Vanderbilt Student Chapter. Section 2 Members must be registered as a member of the national organization AAEES in which membership dues for students are optional. Article IV Officers Section 1 The officers of this organization shall consist of: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary 1. President a. Preside over all Officer and General meetings. Make all necessary arrangements for those meetings, including setting the agenda and conducting business of meeting in accordance with all provisions of the AAEES Constitution and Bylaws. b. Attend and prepare an annual report on General Meetings and activities for the AAEES Faculty Advisor. c. Organize transition period training for new officers. Provide paperwork records to the new Officers. d. Work with Treasurer to compile annual budget request.
2. Vice President a. Represent President in the case that President must be absent. Meet with President and update after meeting. b. Attend all General and Officer meetings unless excused by President and Advisor. c. Assist President with duties when requested. d. Responsible for AAEES Vanderbilt Chapter membership. This includes record- keeping, advertising, and recruiting. e. Maintain contact with all members by officially informing them of upcoming meetings and events. f. Aid in organizing transition period training for new officers. 3. Treasurer a. Responsible for working together with President to compile annual budget request. b. Attend General meetings and all Officer meetings unless excused by President and Advisor. c. Handle all accounts and keep records of all budget allocations. d. Maintain AAEES Vanderbilt Chapter budget and all allocations. Create separate Excel sheet of all expenditures and allocations. e. Notify organizations of all funding updates and/or deadlines.
f. Maintain clear and constant communication with all Officers. g. Aid with organization transition period training for new officers. Provide any and all paperwork to new officers. 4. Secretary a. Record minutes at all General and Officer meetings. Make minutes available to officers within 24 hours of meeting. b. Respond to all general emails in a timely manner (within 2 business days of email sent). c. Must attend all General and Officer meetings unless excused by President and Advisor. Section 2 Qualifications 1. All Officers must be a student at Vanderbilt University. 2. Must be available to meet at designated meeting times decided upon by the Officers. Section 3 Term of office shall be: One (1) academic school year. Section 4 Elections 1. Officers may be elected in an open election, where they may be nominated beforehand or at the time of election. Majority (2/3) verbal acceptance of a candidate shall decide the election. If there is a tie, the Faculty Advisor shall decide between the tied candidates.
2. The election of new officers will take place during the last General meeting of the academic year. 3. Any vacancy among Officers occurring during the year shall be filed by appointment by the Faculty Advisor for the unexpired term, excepting a vacancy of the office of President, which shall be filled by the Vice President. The Faculty Advisor shall then appoint a new Vice President. 4. Any member of the Chapter may initiate the removal of an Officer by submitting to the Faculty Advisor a written petition signed by no fewer than twenty percent (20%) of the Chapter membership. Within 30 days of receiving the petition, the President shall call for a vote of the Chapter members to decide the question. If the majority of voting members votes for removal, the President shall appoint a replacement to take office immediately upon appointment. In the case that the President is the subject of a removal petition, the Vice President shall call for the vote. If the vote passes, the Vice President shall assume the office of Presidency and appoint a new Vice President. Article V Meetings Section 1 A minimum of three (3) General meetings shall be held per year. a. The President shall decide the time and location of each meeting.
b. The Vice President shall be responsible for notifying all members of upcoming meetings. Section 2 A minimum of two (2) of Officer meetings shall be held per year. a. The President shall decide the time and location of each meeting. b. All Officers and the Faculty Advisor are required to attend these meetings unless excused in advance by the President and Faculty Advisor. Article VI Advisors Section 1 There shall be at least one full time Faculty/Staff Advisor at all times in the organization. Article VII Amendments Section 1 Amendments to Constitution a. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed at any Officer meeting. Amendments may also be proposed at any General meeting of the Chapter. Proposed amendments must be endorsed by a 2/3 vote of the Officers. b. The proposed rule must then be check for consistency with the Constitution, and then may be distributed to the Chapter membership for comment. c. A 2- week comment period must be provided. The Officers shall then vote by simple majority whether to formally approve the proposed amendment. The Officers may optionally choose to present the proposed amendment to the Chapter membership for approval by a simple majority; in this case, the total vote shall
no be less than twenty- five percent (25%) of the total voting membership of the Chapter. d. The proposed amendment shall become effective following Chapter approval and the Secretary s filing of a copy of the amended rule with the President of the Chapter.