University of Iowa AISES Chapter Constitution

Preamble

The full, official name of the organization shall be University of Iowa Student Chapter American Indian Science & Engineering Society

 Article I

 Purpose

The Chapter is formed to advance the objectives of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, hereafter called Society, at the University of Iowa, which are as follows:  to stimulate and develop American Indian student interest in science and engineering:  to strive in promoting participation at all levels of responsibility in the fields of science and engineering by the American Indian communities;  and to endeavor in the advancement of the American Indian professional students and engineers within the individual scientific and engineering disciplines.  (Article II Objective.  Code for the Governing of Student Chapters, hereafter called the Code of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society)

Article II

Membership

Section 1:
The general class and qualifications of membership in a Chapter shall be as defined in the By-laws of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES)

Section 2:
Membership in the Chapter shall at all times conform to the rules set in the By-laws and Code.

Section 3:
Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the Chapter.

Section 4:
The Chapter “in no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, color, national origin, disability, age, gender, any consideration based on affectional, sexual, or associated preference, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual.”  The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.

 Article III

 Officers and Duties

Section 1:
The elected officers of the Chapter shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer or Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2:
The Executive Committee shall be made up of the elected officers, elected Faculty Advisor and committee chairpersons.

Section 3:
Officials appointed by the Executive Committee shall server until further action by the Executive Committee, or for a period designated by the Executive Committee.

Section 4:
The President serves as the Chapter leader, presiding at all meetings unless he/she designates another person.  As a spokesperson for the group, the President meets with other leaders of the University community, and private industry.  In all student activities, the President should keep in mind that he/she is a representative of both present and future AISES members.  A good leader should facilitate maximum member participation in order to ensure a strong organization.

Section 5:
The duties of the Vice-President are to preside in the absence of the President.  If the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason during the elected term, the Vice-President shall become the President for the remainder of the unexpired term, thereby creating a vacancy as Vice-President

Section 6:
The Secretary of the Chapter shall maintain complete and accurate records, including membership, minutes of meetings, and correspondence file, and shall forward an annual report to the Board of the Society at the end of each school year, giving a complete accounting of the chapter’s finances and reporting on such matters as the Board may inquire.

Section 7:
The Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer), as financial officer of the Chapter, is authorized to receive and disburse all monies under direction of the Executive Committee of the Chapter, an in conformance with the parent institution’s requirements.  All checks and other instruments for the payment of monies of the Chapter shall be drawn in the name of the Chapter and shall be signed by the Treasurer or President.

Section 8:
If any elected office other than the President becomes vacant, the Executive Committee of the Chapter shall designate a member to fill the vacancy by simple majority vote at an Executive Committee meeting.  All members of the Executive Committee shall receive at least six days notice prior to a meeting.

Article IV

Advisor

The Chapter shall have a Faculty Advisor who is a member of the University of Iowa faculty, holds current membership in AISES, and is willing and able to advise and assist the Chapter in carrying out it’s purposes.  The Executive Committee of the Chapter will select the Faculty Advisor annually.

Article V

 Meetings

Regular meetings of the Chapter will be held approximately monthly during the school term and as may be needed at other times.  Meetings may be called by the Chapter President, with consultation of the Faculty Advisor, or by the Executive Committee.  Notification of meetings will be by word and/or written notice at least 3 working days in advance of the meeting date.  Meetings of the Executive Committee will be called by the President at times and in a manner to be determined by the President.  A quorum for regular meetings of the Chapter membership or for meetings of the Executive Committee will be a majority of the voting members of the respective body.

Article VI

 Nominations and Elections

The Chapter shall elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer or Secretary-Treasurer by the end of the Spring semester to serve during the following academic year. 

Section 1:
To be eligible for election to an office in the Chapter, the nominee shall be a Member in good standing and shall have been a member of the Chapter during the immediately previous school term.

Section 2:
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed each year by the President.  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 as the Chapter sees fit.

Section 3:
The Nominating committee shall nominate (at least) one Candidate for each office.  The Nominating Committee Chairperson shall report these nominees to the Chapter President after the Chairperson has determined that each nominee:
(a)  is Member in good standing with the Society; and
(b)  is eligible to serve; and
(c)  has indicated an understanding of the duties required, is available, and willing to serve, if elected, in the position for which nominated.

Section 4:
The Chapter Secretary shall post to the Chapter membership, with the regular announcement for the Chapter meeting at which the election is to be held, the nominees selected by the Nominating Committee for Chapter office.

Section 5:
At the Chapter meeting at which the election is to be held, additional nominations may be made from the floor, providing the candidate has previously signified his/her eligibility and willingness to serve, if elected.

Section 6:
Officers of the Chapter shall be elected at a meeting of the Chapter to be held prior to the end of the Spring term, for a one year term by a majority vote of the Chapter members present; shall take office on such day, but not later than October 1; and shall serve until their successors are properly installed in office. If not more than one candidate is nominated for each office, election may be by acclimation.

 Article VII

 Fees and Chapter Finances

Section 1:  Membership Fees
(a)  The fee of membership shall be assessed in accordance with the AISES By-laws, and shall be forwarded directly to the AISES office.
(b)  No initiation fee shall be required of any Member.
(c)  The yearly fee shall accompany any application for membership.
(d)  Any Member whose fee has remained unpaid for a period of  three calendar months after a final bill has been mailed to him/her shall automatically cease to be a Member, except under special circumstances as specified by the AISES Board of Directors.

Section 2:  Chapter Finances and Dissolution
(a)  The Society shall not be held responsible for any payment of debts and/or obligations and/or activities of the Chapter or it’s Members.
(b)   Upon dissolution state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization.  Group fees should be divided as stated in the Constitution.
(c)  If the Chapter should return it’s Charter to the American Indian Science and Engineering Society for any reason, or should have it’s Charter revoked, the affairs of the Chapter shall be terminated immediately under the supervision of the Board of the Society, and all funds or other property remaining, exclusive of state money and          mandatory student fees, after payment of debts and obligations of Chapter, shall be transferred to and paid to the Society.

 Article VIII

 Limitations

Section 1:
The Chapter shall operate only under the Charter granted to it by the Society, giving it authority to carry on the work of the Society, subject to the rights, privileges, and obligations provided for in the By-laws and the Code.

Section 2:
No part of the net income of the chapter shall inure to the benefit of any private individual or company.

Section 3:
Each Chapter will use the Official American Indian Science and Engineering Society logo and Chapter name.

Section 4:
The Chapter shall not at any time possess powers, exercise authority or engage in activities either expressly or by interpretation, which are not permitted to be possessed, exercised or engaged in by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax

Article IX

Amendments

Section 1:
Amendments to the Code may be proposed by a member of the Executive Committee of the Chapter or by a written petition filed with the Secretary and signed by at least five members of the Chapter in good standing or by the Board of Directors of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Section 2:
Amendments to the Code may be adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the Society.

 Article X

 Effective Date

The Constitution shall become effective immediately after it has been adopted by 2/3 of those Chapters Members present and voting and following adoption by the Board of Directors of the Society.