NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter Constitution

Approved 04/28/2013

PREAMBLE
The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, as a
national student and professional based organization, does hereby dedicate itself to the development of
intensive programs for increasing Black and other ethnic minority participation in engineering and
engineering technology. These programs will be initiated within the local community as well as the
continental United States and will serve to strengthen relations between professional industry and the
black community. Members of this organization are encouraged to join and participate in their individual
professional societies. This organization will endeavor to provide general counseling to all members.

ARTICLE I Name and Type

The name of this Chapter is the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter of the National Society of
Black Engineers, where Chapter is defined by the constitution of the National Society of Black
Engineers Article IV, Section 3 and described by the constitution of the National Society of Black
Engineers Article XI.

ARTICLE II Objectives
The objective of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter shall be to stimulate and develop
student interest in engineering; to strive to increase the number of students studying engineering at both
the undergraduate and graduate levels; and to endeavor in the advancement of the ethnic minority
engineer in professional industry.

ARTICLE III Membership

Section1.
The term member when printed without an initial capital where used in this Constitution, includes all
categories of membership. The term Member when printed in initial capital, where used in this
Constitution, is defined in Article III, Section 3(a).
Section 2.
Membership in the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter shall be designated as Member or
Affiliate member.

Section 3.
Members shall be defined as:
(a)

i) An undergraduate enrolled in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology who is a candidate

for a degree in engineering, engineering technology, applied/physical science, or
mathematics, or
ii) A graduate student who has received an undergraduate degree in engineering,
engineering technology, applied/physical science, or mathematics, and
iii) Has paid and received receipt of the payment of annual/quarter membership fees.

(b)

An Affiliate member shall be defined as a person who is not a candidate for a degree in
one of the areas defined in Article III, Section 3 (a) (i), and who does not have voting
power, and as such is exempt from positions including, but not limited to Chapter
Executive office, or a position of Senator.

Section 4.
Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic
group, age, national origin, or country of abode.
Section 5.
The good standing of a Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter member shall be defined as the
definition of good standing dictated by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

ARTICLE IV Dues
Dues of the Chapter shall be annually reviewed and can only be changed by two-thirds vote of the
Chapter Executive Board.

ARTICLE V Voting
Section 1.
Each Member who has fulfilled the requirements for Chapter membership, as specified by Article III,
shall be entitled to vote in Chapter general body meetings.
Section 2.
Two appointed senators, a junior and a senior senator, shall represent the Chapter in regional and
national business as a delegate. At least one senator must be appointed from the start of the academic year
in order to make the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter of the National Society of Black
Engineers compliant with the National Society of Black Engineers by-laws.

(a) A senior senator, a person of academic standing of sophomore or junior status shall serve a two
year term being appointed by the president of NSBE their first term.
(b) A junior senator, a person of academic standing of freshman, sophomore, or junior status shall
serve a two year term, not be served concurrently with the appointed senior senator.
(c) If either one or both senator(s) leaves the chapter, it is the responsibility of the President to
appoint new senators following the aforementioned specifications.
Section 3.
Impeachment
A member of the executive board can be impeached if they are not fulfilling the contract details and/or
informal duties of the office.
In order to impeach an executive board member, the following steps must be followed:
(a) A formal discussion with executive board members must be performed outlining what is not
being accomplished and steps to identify and resolve said issues.
(b) If significant changes discussed within Part (a) are not made within a month, then the chapter
general members/executive board can raise a formal letter declaring impeachment. The letter will
need at least of the executive boards signatures.
(c) The impeached executive board member can then either resign or contest the impeachment with
an open forum. The open forum will consist of general members and executive board in
attendance. The impeached member will be given 10 minutes to defend themselves and their
fulfillment of the position. Following this time, the other national society of black engineers
members will be allowed to ask clarifying questions. A formal vote will occur during the open
forum to validate the impeachment.
(d) If the open forum confirms the impeachment then the executive board member will be removed
from executive board and a chapter vote will occur at the next general meeting to replace the
impeached executive board member.

Article VI Administration
Section 1.
There shall be an Executive Board of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter which shall
consist of the:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)

President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Programs Chair
Parliamentarian
Standing Committee Chairs
a. Communications Chair
b. Finance Chair
c. Pre-College Initiative Chair

d. Membership Chair

Section 2.
The Executive Board shall:
(a) Administer the affairs of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter under the National,
Regional and Chapter Constitution and Bylaws.
(b) Be subject to the orders of the membership and none of its acts shall conflict with decisions made
by the vote of the Chapter general body, or the goals and objectives of the organization.
(c) Not receive any salary for service.
(d) Make recommendations to the Regional Executive Board.
(e) Coordinate activities within the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter.
(f) Appoint the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter Advisors.
Section 3.
Any executive board member(s) is subject to the orders of the executive board, as long as the orders of the
executive board do not conflict with the orders of the membership.

ARTICLE VII Committees

Section 1.
There shall be five standing committees of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter, which are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Academic Excellence Chair

Membership Chair
Communications Chair
Finance Chair
Pre-College Initiative Chair

Section 2.
Standing committees shall have the following duties:
(a) Academic Excellence
(i)

Collect and maintain data needed to establish the progress of the Chapter
Academic Excellence Program.

(ii)

Create and maintain academic excellence programs and activities.

(b) Membership
(i)

Listing all of the various Chapter status and problems incurred in renewing or
retaining membership or charter.
(c) Communications
(i)

Shall define mechanisms by which the Chapter will initiate communication.

(d) Finance
(i)

Identify and develop Chapter funding sources.

(ii)

Identify mechanisms for fund-raising.

(e) Pre-College Initiative

(i)

Shall manage and coordinate the activities of the Chapter Pre-College Initiative
Program.

Section 3.
In addition to the above duties, the committees will carry out assignments deemed necessary by the
Chapter Executive Board.
Section 4.
The Chapter Executive Board will create and appoint chairs for any special committee(s), as necessary.

ARTICLE VIII Offices

Section 1.
All elected and appointed offices will be held by Members in good standing.
Section 2.
The elected offices of the Chapter Executive Board are
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)

President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Programs Chair
Parliamentarian
Standing Committee Chairs
a. Communications Chair
b. Finance Chair
c. Pre-College Imitative Chair
d. Membership Chair

Section 3.
The Chapter Executive officers are the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Programs
Chair.
Section 4.
The Chapter Executive Board-Elect shall take office the second Tuesday following the second Monday of
May and shall serve until the second Monday of May of the following year.
Section 5.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the unexpired term shall be filled by the VicePresident. Should a vacancy occur in any Chapter Executive Board office other than President, the
unexpired term shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Chapter Executive Board.
Section 6.
Elections of the Chapter Offices will take place prior to the annual National Convention.
Section 7.
Transitioning of the Chapter Executive Board-Elect must occur prior to the day which the Chapter
Executive Board-Elect officers take office.

ARTICLE IX Duties of Elected Offices

Section 1.
The duties of the elected offices are:
(a) President:
i)

Shall preside over all official meetings of the Rose-Hulman Institute of

Technology Chapter.

ii)

Shall serve as the representative of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Chapter.

iii)

Shall appoint members of all standing, and special committees, with advice and
consent of the Executive Board, except where otherwise provided for in this
document.

(b) Vice-President:
i)

Shall preside in the absence or the inability of the President.

ii)

Shall develop programs of interest for the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Chapter meetings in cooperation with the Executive Board.

iii)

Shall perform any activities, duties, and responsibilities as designated by the

President.

iv)

Shall oversee the activities of the five standing committees.

(c) Secretary:
i)

Shall serve all notices required by law or by the Bylaws of the Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology Chapter and in case of absence, refusal or inability to act,
the duties of the office may be performed by any person who the Executive
Board may direct.

ii)

Shall accurately record the minutes of the Executive Board meetings and make
available the minutes to all members upon request.

iii)

Shall require from the Executive Board, standing committees, and special
committees of the Chapter, a record of activities of said body.

(d) Treasurer:
i)

Shall keep accounts and deposit organization funds of the Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology Chapter Treasury.

ii)

Expenditures made for the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter

business shall be in a manner approved by the Executive Board.

iii)

Shall maintain the membership roll and collect annual dues of the Rose-Hulman
Institute of Technology Chapter in a manner developed along with the Executive
Board.

iv)

Shall serve as the chairperson of the Convention Planning Committee.

(e) Programs Chair:

i)

Shall be responsible for the implementation of regional and Chapter projects and
programs.

ii)

Shall design and implement methods by which the Chapter may learn how to
create and maintain programs.

(f) Parliamentarian
i)

Shall serve as a resource on the governing documents of the Chapter.

ii)

Shall serve as a resource on proper parliamentary procedure.

iii)

Shall serve as Chairperson for the NSBE Congressional Dinner.

(g) Committee Chairs:

i)

Shall carry out the duties of the committees.

ARTICLE X Meetings
Section 1.
General Chapter meetings shall be held at a minimum of once per month. This meeting shall:
(a) Serve as a vehicle to incorporate business and professional growth.
(b) Allow for Chapter focus and networking.
Section 2.
Chapter Executive Board meetings shall be held at a minimum of once per month. This meeting shall:
(a) Serve as a formal meeting for Executive Board Members to determine Chapter policies
(b) Allow for Chapter focus and networking

ARTICLE XI Bylaws
The Bylaws of the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Chapter shall be amended by a two-thirds vote
of the members attending the Chapters final yearly meeting, or by a two-thirds vote of the Chapter
Executive Board.

ARTICLE XII Amendments

Section 1.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:
(a) A two-thirds vote of the Chapter Executive Board.
(b) One third of the voting Members through Chapter referendum.
Section 2.
Proposed Amendments must be submitted in written form to the Chapter Executive Board to be reviewed.
The proposal must be clearly stated and justified.
Section 3.
Ratification of any amendments to this constitution shall be subject to a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative
vote of the Members present during the selected meeting time approved by the Chapter Executive Board.