ABOUT US / The UCONN-NSBE Constitution
The University of Connecticut Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, as a national student-based organization, does hereby dedicate itself to the recruitment, retention, and graduation of a more representative minority population in the fields of engineering, the sciences, as well as other technical fields. Members of this organization are encouraged to also join and participate in their individual professional societies.
ARTICLE I - Name and Address
The name of this organization shall be the University of Connecticut chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and shall hereafter be called UCONN NSBE. The address of UCONN NSBE shall be designated as:
University of Connecticut Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers
Engineering Diversity Program
191 Auditorium Road U-187
Storrs, CT 06269
ARTICLE II - Objectives
The objectives of UCONN NSBE shall be in accordance with the objectives of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), including recruitment, retention, graduation, and placement in jobs of Blacks and other ethnic minorities in engineering, the sciences, and other technical fields. These programs will be initiated both within and outside the university community and will serve to strengthen relations between professional industry and the University of Connecticut community.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE III - Meeting
General Body meetings of UCONN NSBE shall be conducted at least once every two weeks on a day and at a time to be agreed upon by the members. Chapter Executive board (CEB) meetings shall be scheduled weekly on a day and at a time to be agreed upon by the CEB.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE IV - Dues
Annual National membership dues shall be set annually by the review of the National Executive Board (NEB), and can be changed only by a two-third vote of the delegates attending the National Conference upon recommendation of the NEB. Annual Chapter dues shall be set annually by the CEB-elect and shall never exceed twice the amount set by the NEB for National membership dues. Membership dues must be paid in order to process membership affliction with UCONN NSBE. The CEB has the right to adjust the chapter membership dues if the Chapter Membership Application deadline has passed.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE V - Membership
Section 1.
Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic group, national origin or disability.
Section 2.
Membership shall be open to all students of all majors who are interested in promoting a more representative population of engineers at the University of Connecticut.
Section 3.
Members shall be defined as:
i. an undergraduate enrolled (full-time or part-time) in an accredited educational institution or program,
ii. A graduate student
iii. Has received a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
a. Affiliate member shall be defined as person who is not a student and has received a degree and has received a registered membership card through the payment of annual membership fees.
b. Alumni member shall be a person who has received a BS or advanced degree, and has registered as an alumni member through the payment of annual membership fees to the National Society.
c. A graduate student who qualifies for membership to the National Society may participate as a member or an alumni member, but not both.
d. Alumni members shall vote only in alumni meetings and only on alumni matters.
e. Honorary member shall be defined as a person who does not meet the definition of member or affiliate member but has contributed through efforts in support of the goals of the National Society and has been nominated by the chapter.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE VI - Senators
Senators are defined as members of UCONN NSBE who have volunteered and/or been elected to be Senators by a majority vote of the CEB.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE VII - Administration
Section 1.
There shall be an executive board of UCONN NSBE, which shall consist of elected officers; elected chairpersons; appointed officers, and other committee chairpersons are offered a seat on the CEB, (i.e. A committee chair person or appointed officer does not automatically become a member of the CEB).
Section 2.
The executive board:
i. shall determine all questions of policy and shall administer the affairs of UCONN NSBE under the by-laws and the general provisions of the law under which it is incorporated.
ii. shall develop programs of interest for UCONN NSBE
iii. shall pay chapter and national membership dues
iv. shall present the aforementioned program proposals to the general membership for vote.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE VIII - Executive Board
Section 1.
The elected positions of UCONN NSBE are:
Officers
i. President
ii. Vice President
iii. Treasurer
iv. Secretary
v. Programs Chairperson
Section 2.
The appointed positions of UCONN NSBE are:
i. Historian
ii. Membership Development Chairperson/ Senator1
iii. Senator2
iv. Telecommunications Chairperson
v. Pre-College Initiative (PCI) Chairperson
vi. Publications/Public Relations Chairperson
vii. Academic Excellence Chairperson
viii. Finance Chairperson
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE IX - Duties
Section 1. Duties of officers are:
1) President
i. Preside over all official meetings, both general body and CEB of UCONN NSBE
ii. Serve as spokesperson of UCONN NSBE
iii. Appoint officers to vacant positions on the CEB with the advice and consent of the elected members on the CEB.
iv. Coordinate activities of Chapter Executive Board (CEB) to ensure implementation of all internal and external tasks.
v. Present ideas and propose direction for the organization.
vi. Maintain open lines of communication with other CEB members.
vii. Delegate any duties he/she is unable to complete or incapable of doing.
viii. Serve on any additional campus committees or appoint a delegate.
ix. Develop and finalize general body and CEB meeting agendas in conjunction with the vice president.
2) Vice President
i. Preside in absence or the inability of the President.
ii. Develop and evaluate projects in conjunction with the programs chairperson
iii. Develop and finalize general body and CEB meeting agendas in conjunction with the president.
iv. Perform any assigned task(s) delegated by the president.
v. Track and evaluate all information needed for the Chapter Development Program.
3) Treasurer
i. Maintain organization's financial accounts.
ii. Determine, along with the CEB, the allocation of UCONN NSBE funds.
iii. Draft annual budget to be reviewed by the UCONN NSBE Finance Committee.
iv. Aid fundraising and finance chairs in evaluation of ideas.
v. Attend and advise members of the Finance committee.
4) Secretary
i. Gather information from other CEB members to develop calendar for the academic year.
ii. Reserve rooms and all necessary equipment for general body and CEB meetings.
iii. Send and receive all correspondence.
iv. Provide all correspondence to president and appropriate CEB members
v. Copy and file all correspondence
vi. Keep attendance at general body, CEB meetings, and all other UCONN NSBE events
vii. Record and distribute minutes for General Body meetings and CEB meetings to all concerned parties.
viii. Maintain accurate records of all documentation pertaining to the organization.
ix. Maintain an updated membership list.
x. Send meeting reminders to members about general body functions.
5) Programs Chairperson
i. Coordinate all social and service projects.
ii. Coordinate interaction with other technical and Black organizations.
iii. Develop and plan workshops.
6) Telecommunications Chairperson
i. Maintain Chapter homepage.
ii. Distribute any information generated electronically.
iii. Train membership in effective use of the World Wide Web.
7) Pre-College Initiative
i. Compile list of high school counselors in immediate area.
ii. Coordinate at least four activities per semester with selected students.
iii. Develop a mentor program with PCI students and NSBE membership.
iv. Organize and conduct workshops geared toward PCI student.
v. Develop or maintain a NSBE Jr. Chapter.
8) Publications/Public Relations Chairperson
i. Produce at least 1 newsletter per semester.
ii. Develop and produce chapter brochure.
iii. Utilize innovative ways to relay information.
iv. Work in conjunction with Public Relations chair to advertise chapter programs.
v. Advertise all functions hosted by the chapter.
vi. Maintain an updated list of UCONN NSBE members and minority students.
vii. Maintain records of all upcoming events.
9) Academic Excellence Chairperson
i. Foster the ultimate importance of a strong academic performance.
ii. Develop and implement ideas that will help members excel academically
iii. Develop and implement the ideas that reward members who excel and improve.
iv. Work with PCI chairperson to help prepare middle and high school students for academic excellence.
v. Support and promote all national and regional academic excellence programs.
10) Finance Chairperson
i. Develop and deliver corporate solicitation packets
ii. Choose gifts of recognition for corporate sponsors.
iii. Document and maintain all information on current and potential corporate sponsors.
iv. Generate "thank you" notes and all other pertinent correspondence concerning corporate sponsors.
v. Provide secretary with copies of all correspondence.
11) Historian
i. Maintain or begin chapter scrapbook that includes publications and information from special projects and activities sponsored by the chapter as well as photographs, programs, and workshop information from national and regional conferences.
ii. Direct any constitutional changes in conjunction with the President.
13) Membership Chairperson
i. Provide membership applications at all general session meetings.
ii. Organize at least two membership drives per semester.
iii. Maintain an accurate membership database.
iv. Provide secretary with all membership information.
v. Communicate with regional and national boards on all membership issues.
14) Senator
i) Be familiar with chapter, and national constitution
ii) Run elections
iii) Serve a one year term
iv) Advise the Executive board on constitutionals basis.
Section 2.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the Vice-President shall fill the unexpired term. Should a vacancy occur in any office other than President, the unexpired term shall be filled by appointment by the President and approved by the CEB.
Section 3.
Should a vacancy occur in any other office of the CEB the CEB has the choice to either appoint a new person to the position or leave it vacant.
Section 4.
The previous President shall serve as President-Emeritus, with the approval of the CEB.
a. The President-Emeritus shall serve as an advisor to the CEB and shall not have a vote as Chair-Emeritus. The term will be one (1) year beginning thirty (30) days after elections of chapter offices.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE X - Voting
Section 1.
Each member has one vote at all chapter meetings.
Section 2.
The UCONN NSBE senators are the members that vote on behalf of the chapter on the regional and national level.
Section 3.
A majority vote is required for proposals to pass at general and CEB meetings.
Section 4.
Appointed officers shall not vote at CEB meetings.
Section 5.
Amendments to the constitution must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the membership.
^ back to top ^
Article XI - Elections
Section 1.
Nominations will be held during the first chapter meeting after National Convention.
Section 2.
Elections will be held during the next chapter meeting following the nominations. Nominees will bring their completed nominations packet to the elections meeting, and are given an opportunity to speak on his or her behalf.
Section 3.
The CEB-elect shall take office immediately after the transitional meeting and shall serve a one-year term.
a. All records of UCONN NSBE shall be transferred from the outgoing officers to the incoming officers.
b. All outgoing Executive Board members must have prepared records for transfer.
c. All outgoing Executive Board members should advise incoming officers on any tips to make their job more efficient.
d. The current executive board and the executive board-elect shall have a transitional meeting before the end of the semester.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE XII - Impeachment
The reason for impeachment is an officer's inadequacy in the performance of his or her duties of the position held as stated in Article IX.
Section 1.
Impeachment may be proposed by any member of UCONN NSBE with an official petition with 2/3 of the chapter's signatures or any member of the CEB.
Section 2.
The proposal must be made available in hard copy written form to the CEB.
Section 3.
A three-fourths vote (closed ballot) of the CEB is required to remove an executive board member. A hearing will be held in a general body meeting, where both sides are given an opportunity to speak with an objective moderator.
Section 4.
In the case that the president is removed the Vice President will take his place. However if it is any other executive board member is removed then the remaining executive board members will decide whether or not to fill that position and how to go about doing so.
^ back to top ^
ARTICLE XIII - Amendments / Ratification
Section 1.
Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by any member of UCONN NSBE
Section 2.
All proposed amendments shall be submitted in written form to the CEB
Section 3.
The CEB shall present the proposed amendments to the chapter.
Section 4.
Voting of the proposed amendments shall be held at the general meeting.
Section 5.
A two-thirds of the chapter vote is required for amendments to be ratified and become part of the Constitution.
^ back to top ^
Revisions: Last Revised June 19, 2006 RAR.
