NSBE-U CONSTITUTION

 

Constitution

PREAMBLE

The Union College Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, as a national student-based organization, does hereby dedicate itself to the recruitment, retention, and graduation of a more representative population in the field of engineering, the sciences, and other technical fields. Members of this organization are encouraged to join and participate in their individual professional societies.

ARTICLE I - Name and Address

The name of this organization shall be the National Society of Black Engineers at Union College, hereafter called NSBE-Union (NSBE-U). The address of NSBE-U shall be designated as:

NSBE - Union
College Center Rm. 408
Schenectady, NY 12308

ARTICLE II - Objectives

The objectives of NSBE-U shall be in accordance with the objectives of the National Society of Black Engineers ( NSBE ), including recruitment, retention, graduation and placement in jobs of Blacks and other ethnic minorities in engineering, the sciences, and other technical fields. These programs will be initiated both within and outside the university community and will serve to strengthen relations between professional industry and the Union College community.

ARTICLE III - Meeting

General meetings of NSBE-U shall be conducted every other week on a day to be agreed upon by the members. Executive board (CEB) meetings shall be scheduled weekly on a day to be agreed upon by the CEB.

ARTICLE IV - Dues

Annual membership dues shall be set annually by the review of the National Executive Board (NEB), and can be changed only by a two-third vote of the delegates attending the National Conference upon recommendation of the NEB.

ARTICLE V - Membership

Section 1.

Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic group or national origin.

Section 2.

Membership shall be open to all students who are interested in promoting a more representative population of engineers at Union College.

Section 3.

Members shall be defined as:

  1.  
    1. an undergraduate enrolled in an accredited educational institution or program, or
    2. a graduate student, and
    3. has received a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
  2. Affiliate member shall be defined as person who is not a student and has received a degree and has received a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
  3. Alumni member shall be a person who has received a BS or advanced degree, and has registered as an alumni member through the payment of annual membership fees to the National Society.
  4. A graduate student who qualifies for membership to the National Society may participate as a member or an alumni member, but not both.
  5. Alumni members shall vote only in alumni meetings and only on alumni matters.
  6. Honorary member shall be defined as a person who does not meet the definition of member or affiliate member but has contributed through efforts in support of the goals of he National Society and has been nominated by the chapter.

ARTICLE VI - Delegates

Delegates are defined as members of NSBE-U who have been elected to be delegates by a majority vote of the membership.

ARTICLE VII - Administration

Section 1.

There shall be an executive board of NSBE-U which shall consist of elected officers, appointed officers, and committee chairpersons.

Section 2.

The executive board:

  1. shall determine all questions of policy and shall administer the affairs of NSBE-U under the by-laws and the general provisions of the law under which it is incorporated.
  2. shall develop programs of interest for NSBE-U.
  3. shall present the aforementioned program proposals to the general membership for vote.

ARTICLE VIII - Officers

Section 1.

The elected positions of NSBE-U are:

  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. Treasurer
  4. Secretary

Section 2.

The appointed positions of NSBE-U are:

  1. Communications Chairperson
  2. Historian
  3. Publications Chairperson
  4. Academic Excellence Chairperson
  5. Finance Chairperson
  6. Fundraising Chairperson
  7. Membership Chairperson
  8. Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Chairperson
  9. Programs Chairperson
  10. Telecommunications Chairperson
  11. Class Representatives
  12. Alumni Relations Chairperson

ARTICLE IX - Duties

Section 1.

Duties of officers are:

  1. President
    1. Preside over all official meetings, both general and CEB of NSBE-U.
    2. Serve as spokesperson of NSBE-U.
    3. Appoint chairpersons to appointed positions on the CEB with the advice and consent of the elected officers on the CEB.
    4. Coordinate activities of Chapter Executive Board (CEB) to ensure implementation of all internal and external tasks.
    5. Present ideas and propose direction for the organization.
    6. Maintain open lines of communication with other CEB members.
    7. Delegate any duties he/she is unable to complete or incapable of doing.
    8. Serve on any additional campus committees or appoint a delegate.
    9. Develop and finalize general body and CEB meeting agendas in conjunction with the vice president.
  2. Vice President
    1. Preside in absence or the inability of the President.
    2. Chair the organizational board composed of the committee chairperson.
    3. Develop and evaluate projects in conjunction with the programs chairperson
    4. Develop and finalize general body and CEB meeting agendas in conjunction with the president.
    5. Perform any assigned task delegated by the president.
    6. Track and evaluate all information needed for the Chapter Development Program.
  3. Treasurer
    1. Maintain organization's financial accounts.
    2. Determine, along with the CEB, the allocation of NSBE-U funds.
    3. Draft annual budget to be reviewed by the Union College Finance Committee.
    4. Aid fundraising and finance chairs in evaluation of ideas.
  4. Secretary
    1. Gather information from other CEB members to develop calendar for the academic year.
    2. Reserve rooms and all necessary equipment for general body and CEB meetings.
    3. Send and receive all correspondence.
    4. Provide all correspondence to president and appropriate CEB members
    5. Copy and file all correspondence
    6. Keep attendance at general body and CEB meetings
    7. Record and distribute minutes for aforementioned meetings to all concerned parties.
    8. Maintain accurate records of all documentation pertaining to the organization.
    9. Maintain an updated membership list.
  5. Communications Chairperson
    1. Maintain an updated list of NSBE-U members and students of color.
    2. Advertise all functions hosted by the chapter.
    3. Utilize innovative ways to relay information.
    4. Send meeting reminders to members about general body functions.
  6. Historian
    1. Maintain or begin chapter scrapbook which includes publications and information from special projects and activities sponsored by the chapter as well as photographs, programs, and workshop information from national and regional conferences.
    2. Direct any constitutional changes in conjunction with the President.
  7. Publications Chairperson
    1. Produce 2 to 3 newsletters per trimester.
    2. Develop and produce chapter brochure.
    3. Maintain records of all upcoming events.
  8. Academic Excellence Chairperson
    1. Foster the ultimate importance of a strong academic performance.
    2. Develop and implement the ideas that reward members who excel and improve.
    3. Work with PCI chairperson to help prepare middle and high school students for academic excellence.
    4. Support and promote all national and regional academic excellence programs.
  9. Finance Chairperson
    1. Develop and deliver corporate solicitation packets
    2. Choose gifts of recognition for corporate sponsors.
    3. Document and maintain all information on current and potential corporate sponsors.
    4. Generate "thank you" notes and all other pertinent correspondence concerning corporate sponsors.
    5. Provide secretary with copies of all correspondence.
  10. Fundraising Chairperson
    1. Solicit, develop and implement fundraising ideas.
  11. Membership Chairperson
    1. Provide membership applications at all general session meetings.
    2. Organize at least two membership drives per trimester.
    3. Maintain an accurate membership database.
    4. Provide secretary with all membership information.
    5. Communicate with regional and national boards on all membership issues.
  12. Pre-College Initiative
    1. Compile list of high school counselors in immediate area.
    2. Coordinate at least four activities per semester with selected students.
    3. Develop a mentor program with PCI students and NSBE membership.
    4. Organize and conduct SAT/ACT workshops.
    5. Organize financial aid and college choices workshops.
  13. Programs Chairperson
    1. Coordinate all social service projects.
    2. Coordinate interaction with other technical and Black organizations.
    3. Develop workshop ideas.
    4. Coordinate specific functions for each individual academic class in conjunction with class representatives.
  14. Telecommunications Chairperson
    1. Maintain Chapter homepage.
    2. Distribute any information generated electronically.
    3. Train membership in effective use of the World Wide Web.
  15. Class Representatives
    1. Solicit and develop ideas to specifically benefit each individual academic class.
    2. Make mentor assignments.
  16. Alumni Relations Chairperson
    1. Serve as liaison between the Alumni Office, Administration, and NSBE-U.
    2. Keep an updated list of NSBE-U alumni.
    3. Responsible for keeping alumni up to date of NSBE-U activities.

Section 2.

Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the unexpired term shall be filled by the Vice-President. Should a vacancy occur in any office other than President, the unexpired term shall be filled by appointment by the President and approved by the CEB.

Section 3.

The previous President shall serve as President-Emeritus, with the approval of the CEB.

  1. The President-Emeritus shall serve as an advisor to the CEB and shall not have a vote as Chair-Emeritus. The term will be one (1) year beginning thirty (30) days after elections of chapter offices.

ARTICLE X - Voting

Section 1.

Each member has one vote at all chapter meetings.

Section 2.

The NSBE-U delegate is the member that votes at the national convention.

Section 3.

A majority vote is required for proposals to pass at general and CEB meetings.

Section 4.

Appointed officers shall not vote at CEB meetings.

Section 5.

Amendments to the constitution must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the membership.

Article XI - Elections

Section 1.

Nominations will be held the second to last chapter meeting prior to the National Convention.

Section 2.

Elections will be held the chapter meeting prior to the National Convention.

Section 3.

The CEB-elect shall take office thirty (30) days following the election and shall serve a one year term. Those thirty (30) days will serve as a transition period between officers.

  1. All records of NSBE-U shall be transferred from the outgoing officers to the incoming officers.
  2. All outgoing officers must have prepared records for transfer.

ARTICLE XII - Impeachment

The reason for impeachment is the inadequacy in the performance of the duties of the position held as stated in Article IX.

Section 1.

Impeachment may be proposed by any member of NSBE-U.

Section 2.

The proposal must be made available in written form to the general membership.

Section 3.

A three-fourths vote of the membership is required to initiate a proposed impeachment preceding.

ARTICLE XIII - Amendments / Ratification

Section 1.

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by any member of NSBE-U.

Section 2.

All proposed amendments shall be submitted in written form to the CEB before the first week in April of the concurrent year.

Section 3.

The CEB shall present the proposed amendments at the nomination meeting in April of the concurrent year.

Section 4.

Voting of the proposed amendments shall be held at the general meeting for elections in April of the concurrent year.

Section 5.

A two-thirds vote is required for amendments to be ratified and become part of the Constitution.

Revisions:

Last revised May 24, 1998 - KBCjr

April 22, 1992

 

 

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