THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY CHAPTER
OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS RULES FOR GOVERNMENT
Article I — Name
Section 1. The name of the chapter shall be the University of Kentucky Chapter of the
National Society of Black Engineers.
Article II — Objective
Section 1. To incorporate the objectives stipulated by the National Society of Black
Engineers which are:
1.) Stimulate and develop student interest in the various engineering disciplines.
2.) Strive to increase the number of students studying engineering at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels.
3.) Encourage members to seek advanced degrees in engineering or related fields and to
obtain professional engineering registrations.
4.) Encourage and advise disadvantaged youths in their pursuit of an engineering career.
5.) Promote public awareness of engineering and the opportunities for blacks and other
ethnic minorities in that profession.
6.) Function as a representative body on issues and developments that affect the
careers
of black engineers.
In addition, to provide an opportunity lectures, discussions, presentations and other means for
exploration in the different fields of Engineering. It shall also provide tutorial assistance for its
members.
Article III — Membership
Section 1. Qualifications for Membership: Any student of the University of Kentucky
who has a major in Engineering shall be eligible to become a member in the Chapter.
Section 2. Joining the Chapter: An applicant shall be considered a member after
presenting to the treasurer the dues specified by the Chapter, where upon, the applicant
shall be placed on the official roll of the Chapter.
Section 3. Remaining in Good Standing: To remain in good standing a member must
attend at least three (3) meetings each semester.
Article IV — Fees and Chapter Finances
Section 1. Member Fees: Financial aspects concerning the amount and payment of dues
are decided at the first regular meeting by a majority vote of those present.
Section 2. National Dues: National dues shall be paid as stipulated by the National
Society.
Article V — Chapter Organization and Operation
Section 1. Officers of the Organization: The elected officers ofthe Chapter shall consist of
the President, Vice—President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 2. Eligibility for Office: To be eligible for the offices of the Chapter, a candidate
must have attained and maintain an overall grade point standing of at least 2.0, be willing
to accept the responsibilities of the office, meet the qualifications for member ship in the
club, and have attained the rank of at least a sophomore.
Section 3. Duties of Officers
A. President: A primary duty of the president will be to provide leadership in club
affairs. The president shall also preside over Chapter meetings, cast a tie—breaking
vote in matters requiring majority vote, call special meetings when the need arises
and shall represent the Chapter at business and social functions.
B. Vice—president: The vice—president shall assist the president at Chapter meetings
and functions when necessary and represent the Chapter at business and social
functions when required to do so. When acting in the absence of the president, the
vice— president shall have the same duties, rights and privileges as the president.
C. Secretary: The secretary shall serve the Chapter by keeping an accurate account of the
proceedings of the meetings, by establishing and keeping up—to—date an official
roll of the Chapter and by handling all correspondence for the club. In addition, the
secretary shall forward an annual report to the Executive Board of the National
Society before February 1 of each year summarizing the activities of the Chapter
during the year and listing the elected officers.
D. Treasurer: The treasurer shall serve the Chapter by handling the financial affairs of
the Chapter, collecting and keeping dues and receipts, by preparing and submitting a
financial report of the Chapter at each regular meeting or when otherwise requested to
do so. In addition, the treasurer shall submit an annual report to the Executive Board
of the National Society before February 1 of each year, giving a complete accounting
of the Chapter’s finances and reporting other such matters as the Executive Board may
require.
Section 4. Dismissal of Officers: Officers should conduct themselves at all times in such a
manner as not to bring discredit to the Chapter or the University. In the event it becomes
necessary, an officer may be removed from office.
A.
Grounds for Removal: Officers considered incapable of performing of their office
or those guilty of negligence of the duties of their office shall be subject to
dismissal from their office. Absence of 2 consecutive meetings or 3 of 5
consecutive meetings shall be considered negligence. Officers will also be
expected to remain in good academic standing.
B.
Procedures for Removal: A member in good standing may submit to the
Chapter at a regular meeting valid reasons for considering an officer for removal.
At this time the officer in question must relieve himself of his office until the
presiding officer shall then call for a vote on whether to continue dismissal
proceedings or dismiss the charges. A plurality vote shall determine the outcome.
If dismissal proceedings are to continue, the officer in question shall then be
allowed to answer the charges brought against him. Next, a vote to determine the
status of the officer in question will be taken. A majority vote will be necessary to
dismiss an officer from the organization. An officer found innocent of the charges
is to assume his office with all rights and privileges as before. Voting in matters
concerning the dismissal of an officer shall be by secret written ballot.
Section 5. Payment of Monies: All monies received by the Chapter shall be deposited in the
Chapter’s account at a local bank determined by the Chapter. Checks and other financial
papers will be signed by the president and the treasurer.
Article VI — Offices and Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist of not less than one
faculty advisor and/or other advisors, all elected officers of the Chapter and one freshman
representative.
Section 2. Other Offices and Committees: Offices and committees other than the elected offices
of president, vice—president, secretary and treasurer, shall be elected by the Chapter, or
may be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Chapter.
Section 3. Offices or committees appointed by the Executive Committee shall serve until
dissolved by the Executive Committee.
Section 4. If the office of the president becomes vacant for any reason during the elected term,
the vice- shall become the president for the remainder of the unexpired term, thereby
creating a vacancy as vice—president.
Section 5. If any office other than that of president becomes vacant, the Executive Committee of
the Chapter shall fill the vacancy by majority Vote at an Executive Committee meeting
for which all members of the Executive Committee shall receive at least six (6) days
notice.
Article VII — Nomination and Elections
Section 1. No later than February 1, a nominating committee shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee. This committee shall consist of a chairperson, and at least two other
members. The past president of the Chapter shall be eligible to serve on the Nominating
Committee.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall nominate (at least) one candidate for each office
and (at least) one candidate for each position on the Executive Committee. The
Nominating Committee Chairperson shall report these nominees to the Chapter president
after the committee has determined that each nominee:
A. Is a member in good standing with the National Society; and
B. Is eligible to serve; and,
C. Has indicated an understanding of the duties required, his/her availability, and
willingness to serve, if elected, in position for which he/she is nominated.
Section 3. Additional Nominations: At the Chapter meeting at which the election is to be held,
additional nominations may be made from the floor, providing the candidate previously
signified his/her eligibility and willingness to serve if elected.
Section 4. Officers of the Chapter (and members of the Executive Committee) shall be elected
by April 1 of each year, for a one year term (by majority vote of the members present),
shall take office May 1 of the same year, and shall serve until their successor is properly
installed in office.
Section 5. The newly elected Executive Committee shall take office and assume responsibility
on the same date as that of the elected officers.
Section 6. During an election, a quorum of at least ten members or 50% of the membership
(whichever is greater) must be established.
Article VIII — Amending the Constitution
A member in good standing may present to the Chapter at a regular meeting proposed
changes and reasons for amending the Chapter Constitution. The organization shall then
determine by a plurality vote to consider the proposed changes. If a yes vote results, a
committee designated as the Rules Committee will be appointed to examine the pro
posed changes. At the next regular meeting the Rules Committee will report on its
investigations and present its recommendations. The presiding officer shall then call for a
vote on amending the Chapter Constitution. A two-third majority will be necessary to
amend the Constitution. The amendment becomes effective immediately.