By-Laws

 

BYLAWS OF

 

THE SOCIETY OF HISPANIC PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

 THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON STUDENT CHAPTER

 

 

ARTICLE I

NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), The University of Dayton Chapter.

 

 

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

                 The purpose of this student chapter is to:

Attract and retain Hispanic students interested in engineering, technology, science, or math related fields.

Provide academic support and professional development to the members.

Serve as a moral and cultural support group.

Promote the influence of Hispanic students in the university and in the community.

 

 

ARTICLE III

ASSOCIATION

 

SECTION 1.  AFFILIATION

                 The University of Dayton student chapter will be an affiliated chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Inc. (SHPE Inc.).  The organization possesses the right to adopt its own rules and procedures within the framework of SHPE’s rules and regulations and the University’s rules and regulations.  This student chapter will be part of the “local” as defined by the Regional Vice-President and the local professional chapter presidents.

 

SECTION 2.  NON-DISCRIMINATION

                 No person shall be denied membership in this organization because of race, color, sex, handicap, nationality, religious affiliation or belief, etc.… even though the name of club was chosen.

 

 

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership is open to any currently enrolled student of The University of Dayton.

B. All members currently enrolled at The University of Dayton and in good standing with SHPE shall become members of SHPE, as defined by the By-Laws, and shall be able to vote on issues concerning both organizations.

C. The rights of members are to:

1. Attend all regular meetings of the organization to be held in a manner in accordance with the By-Laws.

2. Vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the membership.

3. Vote for the organization’s officers and representatives as provided in the By-Laws.

4. Vote on any proposed changes in the organization.

5. Hold office in the organization as provided in the By-Laws.

6. Participate in all activities planned by the organization.

D. The responsibilities of the members are to:

1. Be current with dues payments, as defined in the By-Laws.

2. To behave in a professional and/or appropriate manner during any organizational meeting or activity, and when representing the organization.

 

 

ARTICLE V

ADVISOR

                 The advisor to this organization shall be a full-time administrator, faculty, or staff of The University of Dayton.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

 

 

SECTION 1. - Officers

A. The officers of SHPE shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian/Webmaster and Social Chair and must be elected by the members.
B. At any point during the course of the academic year, the President may create a new officer position to meet the Organization’s current needs. Any member who meets the requirements outlined in Section 2 of this article may be appointed by the executive-board to the position and will be entitled to the same benefits enjoyed by the current officers.
C. The terms of office shall be for one year, beginning on the first day of fall semester, and ending the last day of winter semester.

 

SECTION 2. - Qualifications                             

A. Any member in good academic standing who has attended at least 60 % of the semester general meetings may be nominated for office.

SECTION 3. - Duties                           

The duties of the executive board shall be:

A. The President shall be the official leader of SHPE and shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Be the principal leader and role model for SHPE members.
2. Acts as the principal spokesperson for SHPE.
3. Serves as main contact with SHPE National.
4. Ultimately and wholly responsible for the matters dealing with the Organization. To expedite matters, he/she may assign tasks to any SHPE member.
5. May appoint any committee chairpersons deemed necessary to maintain or better the Organization or the campus community.
6. Represents SHPE on any campus-wide committees having a seat assigned to a representative of SHPE or may appoint his/her representative
7. Prepares agenda and acts as chairperson over meetings.
8. Serves as chairperson of the executive board.
9. Oversees SHPE’s funds management.
10. Votes only in the event of a tie.
11. Ensures all work is being done, officers are fulfilling their responsibilities.
12. Responsible for creating all funding proposals.

B. The Vice-President shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Act as President when the President is not available.
2. Oversees the committee chairs; Coordinates and facilitates the completion of projects by committees.
3. Manages the registration and update of the Organization with the university.
4. Keeps record of the point system.
5. Responsible for overseeing the academic component of SHPE.
6. Responsible for logistics having to do with all meetings.
7. Responsible for all outside communication (i.e. other SHPE Chapters, Private/Public Identities) deemed necessary by the President.
8. Responsible for maintaining all contacts.
9. Responsible for acquiring industry sponsorship.
10. Responsible for outside Organization publicity.

D. The secretary shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Responsible for maintaining the minutes of meetings, agendas, and attendance records.
2. Manages all paperwork of the Organization.
3. Presents minutes from previous meetings at every general and executive board meeting.
4. Maintains the SHPE calendar.
5. Notifies members of regular and specially scheduled meetings, with proper prior notice.

E. The Treasurer shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Manages all financial affairs of the Organization.
2. Assists the President in preparing a budget for the academic year.
3. Collects due from every member and keeps records of the financial status of each member.
4. Pays SHPE National membership dues for members.
5. Presents a written financial statement to the Organization each semester.

F. The Social & Outreach Chairperson shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Responsible for all social events.
2. Promotes activities for membership.
3. Maintains SHPE social calendar.
4. Operates any social event open to the public.
5. Responsible for social events committee.
6. Responsible for High School outreach programs.
7. Attend student involvement activities or equivalent every semester.
8. Work with the Vice-President to create promotional accessories.

G. The Historian/Webmaster shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Maintain up to date SHPE UD chapter website.
2. Keeps an updated scrapbook of all SHPE functions.
3. Post marketing materials and pictures to the website.
4. Stores and keeps a chronological order of:
a. Officers
b. Awards or recognitions given to the chapter and/or chapter’s members
c. Activities sponsored by SHPE
d. SHPE’s history

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

ELECTIONS/VOTING

 

SECTION 1.  NOMINATIONS

All persons who have become active regular members of the organization at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual election shall be eligible to vote.

                 The chapter shall hold elections annually during the last general membership meeting in April.  Nominations of the officers shall be submitted two weeks prior to the election

 

SECTION 2.  VOTING

Voting will take place by show of hands, with everybody resting their head on a desk to “ensure” confidentiality.  Majority constitutes a winning vote.

The existing secretary is responsible for counting votes.

Winning candidates assume office at the beginning of the fall semester in August.

 

ARTICLE VIII

MEETINGS

 

SECTION 1.  DEFINITION OF QUORUM

                 Quorum shall consist of 7 members and 3 officers.

 

SECTION 2.  GENERAL MEETINGS

                 General membership meetings shall take place once a month.

 

SECTION 3.  ELECTION MEETINGS

                 Officer elections will take place in the last membership meeting of the year in April.

 

SECTION 4.  SPECIAL MEETINGS

                 If found necessary, the board shall call upon a special meeting and will give general members a one week notice. 

 

ARTICLE IX

RESIGNATIONS AND IMPEACHMENTS

 

SECTION 1.  RESIGNATIONS

Any person willing to resign from office at least a week before the next chapter meeting shall submit a letter of resignation to the President or vice President.

During a meeting when a resignation is presented, nominations will be taken to fill the office.  The group shall elect a person during the following week by secret ballot.

 

SECTION 2.  IMPEACHMENTS

When any member feels that an officer is not fulfilling his/her duties, he/she may call upon the rest of the officers to meet within the next week to discuss/resolve the matter.

During the impeachment proceedings, the case will be presented.  The officer under investigation will be given the opportunity to present his/her defense before the officers’ vote.

A majority of the officers (51%) will decide whether the impeachment will be carried out.  A new officer will be nominated and elected as described under article VI, Sections 1 and 2.

 

 

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

 

Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the membership at a general meeting.

A favorable vote of the majority of the members on the issue is required for amendment passage.