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NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS
CONSTITUTION
Approved March 1988
Revised March 17, 2001
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. This organization will endeavor to provide general counseling
to all members.
ARTICLE I - Name and Type
The name and type of this organization shall be the National
Society of Black Engineers, a non-profit student run organization; hereafter
referred to as the National Society.
ARTICLE II - Objectives
The objective of the National Society shall be to stimulate
and develop student interest in engineering; to strive to increase the
number of students studying engineering at both the undergraduate and
graduate levels; and to endeavor in the advancement of the ethnic minority
engineer in professional industry.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Section 1.
Membership in the National Society shall be designated
as member, affiliate, NSBE Jr., alumni, lifetime, or honorary.
Section 2.
Members shall be defined as:
(a) i) an undergraduate enrolled in an accredited educational
institution or program that offers a degree in the
field of engineering and is a candidate for a degree
in engineering, engineering technology, or
applied/physical science, or
ii) a graduate student who has received an undergraduate
degree in engineering, engineering technology, or
applied/physical science, and
iii) has received a registered membership card through
the payment of annual membership fees.
(b) An Affiliate member shall be defined as a person
who is not a candidate for a degree in one of the areas defined in
Article III, Section 2 (a) (i), and who does not have voting power,
and as such is exempt from positions including, but not limited to
a National or Regional office, or a position of Delegate.
(c) A NSBE Jr. member shall be defined as a pre-college student enrolled
in junior high or high school and who has met the criteria to receive
a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership
fees.
NSBE Jr. members shall vote only in NSBE Jr. meetings and only on
NSBE Jr. matters.
(d) An Alumni Member shall be defined as
i) a person who has received a Bachelorís degree or advanced degree
from an Accredited Educational Institution in engineering, engineering
technology, or applied/physical science as defined using an approved
standard, or
ii) a candidate for an advanced degree in engineering, engineering
technology or applied science as defined using an approved standard,
from an Accredited Educational Institution,
and who has met the criteria to receive a registered membership card
through the payment of annual membership fees.
(e) A Lifetime Member shall be defined as a person
that qualifies for any of the membership categories described in Article
III, Section 2 (a), (b), or (c), has completed the Lifetime Membership
Application, and has received a receipt verifying that lifetime membership
dues have been paid in full.
(f) An Honorary Member shall be defined as
i) a person who does not meet the definition of Student,
Affiliate, NSBE Jr., Alumni, or Lifetime Member but has contributed
through efforts in support of the goal of the National Society and
has been nominated by a Chapter, Regional, or National Executive
Board.
ii) this person may be granted a one year membership
or lifetime membership at the discretion of the National Executive
Board.
iii) and who does not have voting power. And as such
is exempt from positions including, but not limited to, a National
or Regional office with voting power, or the position of Delegate.
Section 3.
A graduate student who qualifies for membership to the
National Society may participate as a member or an alumni member, but
not both.
Section 4.
Alumni members shall vote only in alumni meetings and
only on alumni matters.
Section 5.
Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination
on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic group, age, national origin,
or country of abode.
Section 6.
The "good standing" of a NSBE member shall be defined
as the definition of good standing dictated by the respective institution
or chapter of that member.
ARTICLE IV - Organization
Section 1.
The National Society shall consist of all Chapters in
six regions.
Section 2.
Chapters ‚ Shall be defined as ten or more members attending
the same educational institution and who have chartered as a chapter
of the National Society.
Members may petition the National Executive Board to
allow for chapters of less than ten members.
Section 3.
Regions - A region shall be defined as all the chapters
in the following geographical locations:
(a) Region I - North Eastern; defined by the States
of - Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Rhode
Island, and New Jersey; Montreal (Canada), and all international
affinity chapters assigned to Region I.
(b) Region II - South Eastern; defined by the States
of - Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia; and
all international affinity chapters assigned to Region II.
(c) Region III - Southern; defined by the States
of - Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida;
and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region III.
- Region IV - Great Lakes; defined by the States of - Wisconsin, Illinois,
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and
Minnesota; and all international affinity chapters
assigned to Region IV.
(e) Region V - Mid-West/South Central; defined by
the States of - North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas,
Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana; and all international
affinity chapters assigned to Region V.
(f) Region VI - Pacific/Rocky Mountain; defined by
the States of - California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana,
Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, and
Hawaii; and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region
VI.
ARTICLE V - Voting
Section 1.
Each chapter in good standing shall be entitled to two
(2) votes during regional and national conferences and meetings.
Section 2.
Each member shall be entitled to one vote in all chapter
general body meetings in which membership is held.
Section 3.
Each chapter shall select two delegates to represent
the chapter in regional and national business.
Section 4.
Affiliate, NSBE Jr., Alumni, Lifetime, and Honorary members
shall not be entitled to vote.
ARTICLE VI - Dues
Section 1.
Annual membership fees shall be reviewed annually by
the National Executive Board (NEB) and can be changed only by a two-thirds
vote of the delegates attending the National Convention upon recommendation
of the NEB.
Section 2.
Lifetime Membership dues shall be $1200.
ARTICLE VII - Administration
Section 1.
There shall be an Executive Board of the National Society
which shall consist of the:
(a) National Chair
(b) National Vice-Chair
(c) National Secretary
(d) National Treasurer
(e) National Programs Chair
(f) Six (6) Regional Chairs
(g) Standing Committee Chairs
(h) Alumni Extension Chair, who shall serve as a non-voting
member.
Section 2.
The Executive Board shall:
(a) Determine all questions of policy and shall administer
the affairs of the National Society under the Constitution and Bylaws,
and the general provisions of the law under which it is incorporated.
(b) Be subject to the orders of the membership and
none of its acts shall conflict with decisions made by the vote
of the general body, or the goals and objectives of the organization.
(c) Not receive any salary for service.
(d) Make recommendations to the National Society.
(e) Set the hour, agenda and place of the National Convention.
(f) Coordinate activities at all levels of the National
Society.
ARTICLE VIII - Committees
Section 1.
There shall be seven standing committees of the National
Society, which are:
(a) Academic Excellence
(b) Charter/Membership
(c) Communications
(d) Finance
(e) Pre-College Initiative
(f) Publications
(g) Public Relations
Section 2.
Standing Committees shall have the following duties:
(a) Academic Excellence
i) Collect and maintain data needed to establish the
progress of the National Academic Excellence Program.
ii) Create and maintain academic excellence programs
and activities.
(b) Charter/Membership
i) Listing all of the various chapter status and problems
incurred in establishing a charter
ii) Reviewing Charters of those organizations proposing
membership and forwarding reviewed charters to the Executive Board
for approval.
(c) Communications
Shall define mechanisms by which the Executive Board
will initiate communication following the Annual Convention.
(d) Finance
i) Identify and develop national funding sources.
ii) Identify mechanisms for fund-raising.
(e) Pre-College Initiative
Shall manage and coordinate the activities of the Pre-College
Initiative Program and Regional and Alumni Pre-College Initiative
Chairs.
(f) Publications
Shall develop mechanisms for establishing and sustaining
the National Society Newsletter. This includes the funding and publication
responsibilities for the Newsletter and all other publications.
(g) Public Relations
i) Identify other Black engineering student/professional
organizations for publicity and/or support.
ii) Establish interface mechanisms with above-mentioned
organizations when expedient and viable.
iii) Establish mechanisms to define resources of the
National Society by industry and vice verse.
iv) Select committee to administer speakers bureau;
the committee reports to Public Relations Chairperson.
Section 3.
In addition to the above duties, the committees will
carry out assignments deemed necessary by the National Executive Board.
Section 4.
The National Executive Board will create and appoint
chairs for any special committee(s), as necessary.
ARTICLE IX - Regions
Section 1.
Each region shall have an executive board consisting
of a chair and officers, and shall have established working rules approved
by the NEB and filed as an official document of the National Society.
Section 2.
Regional executive boards shall serve as liaisons between
its chapters and the National Executive Board and shall carry out the
objectives of the National Society.
ARTICLE X - Alumni Extension
Section 1.
There shall be an Alumni Extension to the National Society
consisting of alumni members for the purpose of enhancing the National
Society's ability to achieve its goals and objectives.
Section 2.
The Alumni Extension shall have an alumni executive board,
and shall establish operation guidelines approved by the National Executive
Board and filed as an official document of the National Society.
ARTICLE XI - Chapters
Section 1.
Chapters shall serve as the primary program vehicle for
the members; programs should be in accordance with the objectives of
the National Society.
Section 2.
Each chapter shall have a chapter constitution to be
filed as official documents of the National Society.
Section 3.
Chapters must register annually with the National Society
to be officially recognized as a chartered chapter.
ARTICLE XII - Offices
Section 1.
All elected offices will be held by members in good standing.
Section 2.
The elected offices of the National Executive Board are:
(a) National Chair
(b) National Vice-Chair
(c) National Secretary
(d) National Treasurer
(e) National Programs Chair
(f) Regional Chairs
(g) Standing Committee Chairs
(h) Alumni Extension Chair, who shall serve as a non-voting
member.
Section 3.
The National Executive officers are the National Chair,
National Vice-Chair, National Secretary, National Treasurer, and National
Programs Chair.
Section 4.
Any Student Member of the National Society is eligible
for a National elected office who:
- has a minimum classification of junior undergraduate status or the
equivalent for the elected term, and
(b) has been registered as a full-time student the
academic semester prior to the beginning of the elected term and
must maintain student status the academic term prior to and throughout
the elected term.
Graduate students who have fulfilled member status must
maintain full-time student status throughout the elected term.
Section 5.
(a) The National Executive Board-Elect shall take office
May 1 following the election and shall serve a one year term.
(b) The outgoing National Treasurer will function under
the title of National Treasurer Emeritus. The term of office shall
coincide with the term of the National Executive Board.
Section 6.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of National Chair,
the unexpired term shall be filled by the National Vice-Chair. Should
a vacancy occur in the office of Regional Chair, the Region will fill
the position according to the region's working rules. Should a vacancy
occur in any office other than National or Regional Chair the unexpired
term shall be filled by appointment by the National Chair and approved
by the National Executive Board.
Section 7.
Regional offices and their duties shall be defined by
each regionís working rules in accordance with all regulations of the
National Society.
Section 8.
Chapter offices and their duties shall be defined by
Chapter Constitutions in accordance with all regulations of the National
Society.
Section 9.
The previous National Chair shall serve as Chair-Emeritus,
with the approval of the Executive Board.
(a) The Chair-Emeritus shall serve as an advisor
to the National Executive Board and shall not have a vote as Chair-Emeritus.
The term shall coincide with the term of the National Executive
Board.
Section 10.
There shall be a National Parliamentarian appointed by
the National Chair and approved by the National Executive Board.
(a) He shall serve as an advisory member of the board
and shall not vote.
(b) He shall serve as a resource on parliamentary procedure.
Section 11.
Elections to National Offices:
(a) Elections of National Offices will take place
at the annual National Convention and meeting; Regional Chairs may
be elected at Regional meetings.
(b) The NEB shall appoint an elections committee
to compile and disseminate documents and procedures to members seeking
office. This elections committee will also coordinate the election
at the Annual Convention and meeting with the supervision of the
National Parliamentarian.
Section 12.
The previous National Treasurer shall serve as the National
Treasurer Emeritus.
(a) The National Treasurer Emeritus shall serve as
an advisor to the National Finance Zone and shall not have a vote
as National Treasurer Emeritus.
(b) The National Treasurer Emeritus will be responsible
for the following:
(i) Complete and efficient transitioning of the
National Treasurer-Elect
(ii) Assisting the National Treasurer-Elect with
final development of the National Budget for the subsequent fiscal
year.
(iii) Year-end budget preparation for the annual
audit process.
(iv) Advising the National Treasurer-Elect on year-end
expenditure reduction, namely the National Leadership Institute,
National Executive Board Meeting, and regional/national year-end
activities.
ARTICLE XIII - Duties of Elected Offices
Section 1.
The duties of the elected offices are:
(a) National Chair:
i) Shall preside over all official meetings of
the National Society.
ii) Shall serve as the representative of the National
Society.
iii) Shall appoint members of all standing, and
special committees, with advice and consent of the Executive Board,
except where otherwise provided for in this document.
(b) National Vice-Chair:
i) Shall preside in the absence or the inability
of the National Chair.
ii) Shall develop programs of interest for the
National Society meetings in cooperation with the Executive Board.
iii) Shall perform any activities, duties, and
responsibilities as designated by the National Chair.
iv) Shall oversee the activities of the six standing
committees.
(c) National Secretary:
i) Shall keep the corporate seal, fill out and
countersign all certificates issued, and make proper entries in
the books of the National Society.
ii) Shall serve all notices required by law or
the Bylaws of the National Society and in case of absence, refusal
or inability to act, the duties of the office may be performed
by any person who the Executive Board may direct.
iii) Shall record accurately the minutes of the
Executive Board meetings and make available the minutes to all
members upon request.
iv) Shall require from the Executive Board, standing
committees, and special committees of the National Society, a
record of the activities of said body.
(d) National Treasurer:
i) Shall keep accounts and deposit organization
funds of the National Society Treasury.
ii) Expenditures made for National Society business
shall be in a manner approved by the Executive Board.
iii) Shall maintain the membership roll and collect
annual dues of the National Society in a manner developed along
with the Executive Board.
(e) National Programs Chair:
i) Shall be responsible for the implementation
of national projects and programs.
ii) Shall design and implement methods by which
chapters may learn how to create and maintain programs.
iii) Shall work with the Regional Programs Chairpersons
in order to develop uniform programs in keeping with the goals
of the Society.
iv) Shall assist the Convention Planning Committee
in developing the agenda for the National Convention.
(f) Regional Chairs:
i) Shall act as regional director of region activities,
including communication among local chapters National Society
affairs.
ii) Shall represent the thoughts and wishes of
the region in executive board meetings, and in some instances,
at annual convention meetings.
(g) Committee Chairs:
i) Shall carry out the duties of the committees.
ARTICLE XIV - Meetings
Section 1.
An Annual Convention and meeting shall be held each year
during the spring. This convention and meeting shall:
(a) Serve as a vehicle to incorporate business and
professional growth.
(b) Allow for national focus and networking.
(c) Review the past fiscal year of the National Society.
Section 2.
A Convention Planning Committee shall be formed annually
to coordinate this convention and meeting; a Convention Planning Committee
Chair shall be appointed by the host region and approved by the Executive
Board.
Section 3.
There shall be at least two (2) Regional meetings prior
to the annual National Convention and meeting to update chapters on
organizational matters and give opinions and ideas on a regular basis.
Section 4.
Chapter meetings shall be determined by each individual
chapter.
ARTICLE XV - Bylaws
The Bylaws of the National Society shall be amended by
a two-thirds vote of the delegates attending the annual National Convention,
or by a two-thirds vote of the National Executive Board.
ARTICLE XVI - Amendments
(a) i) an undergraduate enrolled in an accredited educational institution or program that offers a degree in the
field of engineering and is a candidate for a degree in engineering, engineering technology, or
applied/physical science, or
ii) a graduate student who has received an undergraduate degree in engineering, engineering technology, or
applied/physical science, and
iii) has received a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
(b) An Affiliate member shall be defined as a person who is not a candidate for a degree in one of the areas defined in Article III, Section 2 (a) (i), and who does not have voting power, and as such is exempt from positions including, but not limited to a National or Regional office, or a position of Delegate.
(c) A NSBE Jr. member shall be defined as a pre-college student enrolled in junior high or high school and who has met the criteria to receive a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
NSBE Jr. members shall vote only in NSBE Jr. meetings and only on NSBE Jr. matters.
(d) An Alumni Member shall be defined as
i) a person who has received a Bachelorís degree or advanced degree from an Accredited Educational Institution in engineering, engineering technology, or applied/physical science as defined using an approved standard, or
ii) a candidate for an advanced degree in engineering, engineering technology or applied science as defined using an approved standard, from an Accredited Educational Institution,
and who has met the criteria to receive a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
(e) A Lifetime Member shall be defined as a person that qualifies for any of the membership categories described in Article III, Section 2 (a), (b), or (c), has completed the Lifetime Membership Application, and has received a receipt verifying that lifetime membership dues have been paid in full.
(f) An Honorary Member shall be defined as
i) a person who does not meet the definition of Student, Affiliate, NSBE Jr., Alumni, or Lifetime Member but has contributed through efforts in support of the goal of the National Society and has been nominated by a Chapter, Regional, or National Executive Board.
ii) this person may be granted a one year membership or lifetime membership at the discretion of the National Executive Board.
iii) and who does not have voting power. And as such is exempt from positions including, but not limited to, a National or Regional office with voting power, or the position of Delegate.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Alumni members shall vote only in alumni meetings and only on alumni matters.
(a) Region I - North Eastern; defined by the States of - Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and New Jersey; Montreal (Canada), and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region I.
(b) Region II - South Eastern; defined by the States of - Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia; and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region II.
(c) Region III - Southern; defined by the States of - Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida; and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region III.
Minnesota; and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region IV.
(e) Region V - Mid-West/South Central; defined by the States of - North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana; and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region V.
(f) Region VI - Pacific/Rocky Mountain; defined by the States of - California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii; and all international affinity chapters assigned to Region VI.
(a) National Chair
(b) National Vice-Chair
(c) National Secretary
(d) National Treasurer
(e) National Programs Chair
(f) Six (6) Regional Chairs
(g) Standing Committee Chairs
(h) Alumni Extension Chair, who shall serve as a non-voting member.
(a) Determine all questions of policy and shall administer the affairs of the National Society under the Constitution and Bylaws, and the general provisions of the law under which it is incorporated.
(b) Be subject to the orders of the membership and none of its acts shall conflict with decisions made by the vote of the general body, or the goals and objectives of the organization.
(a) Academic Excellence
(b) Charter/Membership
(c) Communications
(d) Finance
(e) Pre-College Initiative
(f) Publications
(g) Public Relations
i) Collect and maintain data needed to establish the progress of the National Academic Excellence Program.
ii) Create and maintain academic excellence programs and activities.
i) Listing all of the various chapter status and problems incurred in establishing a charter
ii) Reviewing Charters of those organizations proposing membership and forwarding reviewed charters to the Executive Board for approval.
Shall define mechanisms by which the Executive Board will initiate communication following the Annual Convention.
i) Identify and develop national funding sources.
ii) Identify mechanisms for fund-raising.
Shall manage and coordinate the activities of the Pre-College Initiative Program and Regional and Alumni Pre-College Initiative Chairs.
Shall develop mechanisms for establishing and sustaining the National Society Newsletter. This includes the funding and publication responsibilities for the Newsletter and all other publications.
i) Identify other Black engineering student/professional organizations for publicity and/or support.
ii) Establish interface mechanisms with above-mentioned organizations when expedient and viable.
iii) Establish mechanisms to define resources of the National Society by industry and vice verse.
iv) Select committee to administer speakers bureau; the committee reports to Public Relations Chairperson.
(a) National Chair
(b) National Vice-Chair
(c) National Secretary
(d) National Treasurer
(e) National Programs Chair
(f) Regional Chairs
(g) Standing Committee Chairs
(h) Alumni Extension Chair, who shall serve as a non-voting member.
(b) has been registered as a full-time student the academic semester prior to the beginning of the elected term and must maintain student status the academic term prior to and throughout the elected term.
(a) The National Executive Board-Elect shall take office May 1 following the election and shall serve a one year term.
(b) The outgoing National Treasurer will function under the title of National Treasurer Emeritus. The term of office shall coincide with the term of the National Executive Board.
(a) The Chair-Emeritus shall serve as an advisor to the National Executive Board and shall not have a vote as Chair-Emeritus. The term shall coincide with the term of the National Executive Board.
(a) Elections of National Offices will take place at the annual National Convention and meeting; Regional Chairs may be elected at Regional meetings.
(b) The NEB shall appoint an elections committee to compile and disseminate documents and procedures to members seeking office. This elections committee will also coordinate the election at the Annual Convention and meeting with the supervision of the National Parliamentarian.
(a) The National Treasurer Emeritus shall serve as an advisor to the National Finance Zone and shall not have a vote as National Treasurer Emeritus.
(b) The National Treasurer Emeritus will be responsible for the following:
(i) Complete and efficient transitioning of the National Treasurer-Elect
(ii) Assisting the National Treasurer-Elect with final development of the National Budget for the subsequent fiscal year.
(iii) Year-end budget preparation for the annual audit process.
(iv) Advising the National Treasurer-Elect on year-end expenditure reduction, namely the National Leadership Institute, National Executive Board Meeting, and regional/national year-end activities.
i) Shall preside over all official meetings of the National Society.
ii) Shall serve as the representative of the National Society.
iii) Shall appoint members of all standing, and special committees, with advice and consent of the Executive Board, except where otherwise provided for in this document.
i) Shall preside in the absence or the inability of the National Chair.
ii) Shall develop programs of interest for the National Society meetings in cooperation with the Executive Board.
iii) Shall perform any activities, duties, and responsibilities as designated by the National Chair.
iv) Shall oversee the activities of the six standing committees.
i) Shall keep the corporate seal, fill out and countersign all certificates issued, and make proper entries in the books of the National Society.
ii) Shall serve all notices required by law or the Bylaws of the National Society and in case of absence, refusal or inability to act, the duties of the office may be performed by any person who the Executive Board may direct.
iii) Shall record accurately the minutes of the Executive Board meetings and make available the minutes to all members upon request.
iv) Shall require from the Executive Board, standing committees, and special committees of the National Society, a record of the activities of said body.
i) Shall keep accounts and deposit organization funds of the National Society Treasury.
ii) Expenditures made for National Society business shall be in a manner approved by the Executive Board.
iii) Shall maintain the membership roll and collect annual dues of the National Society in a manner developed along with the Executive Board.
i) Shall be responsible for the implementation of national projects and programs.
ii) Shall design and implement methods by which chapters may learn how to create and maintain programs.
iii) Shall work with the Regional Programs Chairpersons in order to develop uniform programs in keeping with the goals of the Society.
iv) Shall assist the Convention Planning Committee in developing the agenda for the National Convention.
i) Shall act as regional director of region activities, including communication among local chapters National Society affairs.
ii) Shall represent the thoughts and wishes of the region in executive board meetings, and in some instances, at annual convention meetings.
i) Shall carry out the duties of the committees.
(a) Serve as a vehicle to incorporate business and professional growth.
(b) Allow for national focus and networking.
(c) Review the past fiscal year of the National Society.
Section 1.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:
(a) A two-thirds vote of the National Executive Board.
(b) One-third of the voting members or chapters, through national referendum.
(c) Two-thirds of the delegates at a regional meeting.
Section 2.
Proposed Amendments must be submitted in written form to the National Executive Board to be reviewed. The proposal must be clearly stated and justified.
Section 3.
Ratification of any amendments to this constitution shall be subject to a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of the delegates present at an annual National Convention and meeting of the National Society.