Wind Energy Student Organization Constitution
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Wind Energy Student Organization at Iowa
State University.
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote wind energy education and
research at both the university level and K-12 level. Wind energy education will be
promoted through monthly lectures from members of the academic and industrial sector
at the university level as well as through an Outreach Committee whose purpose shall
be to engage both university and K-12 students. This organization shall serve as an
opportunity for collaboration between students engaged or interested in wind energy
research through the development of collaborative projects. Furthermore, the Wind
Energy Student Organization will work closely with the Wind Energy Science,
Engineering and Policy program in the development of activities and research projects.
Article III: Statement of Compliance
● Section One: The Wind Energy Student Organization abides by and supports
established Iowa State University policies, State and Federal Laws and follows
local ordinance and regulations.
● Section Two: The Wind Energy Student Organization agrees to annually
complete President’s Training, Treasurer’s Training and Adviser Training (if
required).
Article IV: Non-Discrimination Statement
Iowa State University and the Wind Energy Student Organization do not discriminate on
the basis of genetic information, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, race, ethnicity,
sex, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or status as a U.S. Veteran.
Article V: Membership
Membership shall be open to all registered students, undergraduate, graduate or
professional, in good standing at Iowa State University.
Article VI: Risk Management
The President of the Wind Energy Student Organization shall be responsible for fulfilling
the duties of risk management officer. The role of the risk management officer is to [a]
help minimize potential risks for club activities, [b] to recommend risk management
policies or procedures to the Wind Energy Student Organization, [c] to submit
documentation to ISU’s Risk Management Office, [d] to ensure that Iowa State
University policies are followed at all of the Wind Energy Student Organization’s events,
and [e] to ensure that proper waivers and background checks are on file with Risk
Management for events (if applicable).
Article VII: Officers
Officer Duties and Term of Service:
President: Shall conduct meetings and oversee the activities of the organization. Shall
delegate any responsibilities necessary for the success of the organization. Shall act as
the risk management officer.
Treasurer: Shall monitor and arrange for safe keeping of the monies collected and
disbursed by Wind Energy Student Organization. Shall fulfill duties of the President in
his or her absence.
Outreach Committee Director: Shall be director of the Outreach Committee and be
responsible for overseeing and coordinating outreach activities at both the university
level and the K-12 level.
Wind Energy Research Collaboration Committee Director: Shall be director of the Wind
Energy Research Collaboration Committee and be responsible for overseeing and
coordinating wind energy research activities and projects.
Lectures Committee Director: Shall be director of Lectures Committee and be
responsible for scheduling and coordinating monthly wind energy lectures as well as
any additional educational activities.
Method of election of officers: Officers will be elected through a simple majority in an
online poll. The general membership will be given the opportunity to self nominate two
weeks prior to election. Candidates will submit a bio and plans for fulfillment of officer
duties, to be included on the organization website at least one week prior to election.
Date(s) for election of officers: Elections for officers will be held at the end of the spring
semester and, if needed, early fall semester.
Impeachment/Removal of Officers: The advisor must initiate the process of removal,
which will be brought to the attention of the officers. A special meeting will be held
where the charges brought against the individual are read and the individual will have
five minutes to speak in defense of these charges to the general membership. The
general membership will vote; a simple majority is required for impeachment. Possible
reasons for impeachment may include non fulfillment of duties and not attending officer
meetings.
Replacement of officers: In the event that an officer must be replaced the advisor and
remaining officers can make a special appointment that will last until the next general
election.
Minimum Cumulative GPA for Officers: The officers of this organization must meet the
following requirements:
(a) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or more
credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate
in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four or
more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final
stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during
their term of office.
(b) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet
that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the
semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. For
undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order
for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken
for the semester under consideration.
(c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as
prescribed in (a) and (b).
Article VIII: Advisor:
Advisor Duties: The duties of the advisor include maintaining communication and
meeting with the president and treasurer regularly throughout the semester. The term
for the advisor is two years, but there is no limit on the number of terms an advisor can
serve. Awareness and approval of financial expenditures is also required of advisors
along with ensuring that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards
set forth by Iowa State University and the Student Activities Center.
Method of election/selection of advisor: Advisors are selected by the officers with a
simple majority vote.
Impeachment/Removal of Advisor: An officer must initiate the process of removal, which
will be brought to the attention of the other officers. A special meeting will be held where
the charges brought against the advisor are read and the advisor will have five minutes
to speak in defense of these charges to the general membership. The general
membership will vote; a simple majority is required for impeachment. Possible reasons
for impeachment may include non-fulfillment of duties or failure to attend meetings with
officers.
Replacement of Advisor: A new advisor will be appointed by the officers by a simple
majority vote.
Article IX: Finances
● All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed
through a bank account established for this organization at the Campus
Organizations Accounting Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive
authorization via Campus Organizations Accounting Office). All funds must be
deposited within 48 hours after collection. The Adviser to this organization must
approve and sign each expenditure before payment.
● Description of dues: Dues may be assessed by officers of the Wind Energy
Student Organization if there are not sufficient funds available from other
sources; collection of dues must be approved by 75% of the general
membership.
● Possible funding sources include the Wind Energy Science, Engineering and
Policy Program.
Article X: Amendments and Ratification
Constitutional amendments may be proposed by officers; general members may
present amendments to officers. The officers shall decide whether to submit a
constitutional amendment to general membership for a vote. Constitutional
amendments must be voted on and approved by the general membership of the Wind
Energy Student Organization by a simple majority. Amended or ratified constitutions
shall be submitted within 10 days to Student Activities Center for approval.