By-Laws and Constitution

By-Laws
Article I: Membership

Section I: Membership shall be open to all those with genuine interest in the organization and its activities. The classifications of membership as provided by the constitution are Student Member, Faculty/Staff Member, and Community Member. Sub-Section 1: Student Members are those who are enrolled in the University and classified by the University as a student. Student members are active upon paying dues until such time as they are deemed inactive by these By-Laws. Only active Student Members shall have voting privileges. Sub-Section 2: Faculty/Staff Members are those who have paid dues or otherwise provide a service to the organization and are gainfully employed by the University but cannot be classified as a Student Member. Sub-Section 3: Community Members are taken from the community-at-large. Community Members shall work or reside within an acceptable distance from one of the University Campuses. Community Members may elect to pay dues but are not required to do so. Section II: Members may resign or be expelled from the Chapter and all attempts shall be made to make the process as simple and fair as possible. Sub-Section 1: Members may elect to resign from the Chapter for any reason. The reason for the resignation need not be known by the organization officers or members. The President and the Secretary should be notified by the member wishing to resign by either of the following methods. Provision A: In person or by phone: The member shall speak in person or by phone to the applicable officers. The member cannot be represented by anyone unless said representative is allowed to make legal decisions for said member, i.e. parent or guardian of member under 18 years of age, spouse, or power-of-attorney holders. Provision B: By e-mail: The member may send an e-mail to the said officers. The e-mail must come from the account on file with the Chapter Provision C: By written notice: The member shall state in the notice that they are resigning and affix their signatures to said notice. The note shall be sent and delivered in a secure manner such that the member is reasonably sure one of the Executive Board shall receive said notice. Sub-Section 2: Members may be expelled if the Executive Board feels they are a significant detriment to the organization. The Executive Board shall vote on the matter in private and the

reasons for the expulsion shall not be made public. A vote must be called for by a member of the Executive Board. Provision A: The member to be expelled shall be allowed to make a defense before the Executive Board and as such shall be aware of the charges against them, as well as, the time, date, and location of the meeting during which the vote shall take place. Provision B: The vote shall be made no earlier than the next previously scheduled meeting of the Executive Board. In order for a vote to pass, three fourths of the Executive Board must vote affirmative. Provision C: The member to be expelled shall be allowed to appeal the decision at any time to the Executive Council. Provision D: If a member offers a charge against another member said member making the charge must make a case in private to one of the Executive Board. The Officer must make a movement to expel the member at the next Executive Board meeting if said Officer believes that the charges brought about by said member regarding the member to be expelled are adequate. Section III: Members may be considered inactive if they fail to meet adequate requirements Sub-Section 1: If a Student Member fails to attend the majority of the meetings said member shall be considered inactive unless deemed otherwise by the Executive Board or these By-Laws. Provision A: Student Members unable to attend a meeting may obtain an excuse from a member of the Executive Council and shall be counted, in terms of status, as being present at the meeting. Provision B: Student Members unable to attend a business meeting may vote in absentia if informed of the vote and allowed to do so by the President. Sub-Section 2: Faculty/Staff and Community Members may be deemed inactive if they cease to provide a useful function or otherwise support for the Chapter. Provision A: Faculty/Staff and Community Members status shall be determined by the Executive Council on a case-by-case basis.
Article II: Dues

Section I: The amount of dues to be paid may vary according to membership classification and or status. Sub-Section 1: Membership dues for Student Members, who wish to be active and are not honorary, shall be $20. Sub-Section 2: Membership dues for Faculty and Staff Members shall be $20 with the option to join the National organization.

Sub-Section 3: Membership dues for Community Members are optional and shall be $20 with the option to join the National organization. Section II: Membership dues shall be for the year beginning and ending in October. Dues cannot be prorated. Membership dues may be paid in advance of the approaching year. Section III: Members may be asked, but not compelled in anyway by the Executive Council or members thereof, for additional donations in the form of monies or property.
Article III: Executive Board and Executive Council

Section I: The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Advisor. These officer positions are elected by a simple majority vote by all local members at the last General Meeting. Sub-Section 1: The President shall be the figure-head of the Chapter and thus shall have all powers applicable to governing the organization except those powers expressly forbidden by these By-Laws or University Policy. The President shall supervise and oversee the work of the other officers, ensuring the organization works effectively. The President shall act as spokesperson and representative for the local chapter to the community at large. Provision A: The President shall have been previously an officer in the local chapter or shall have been a ranking officer of another organization while at an institution of higher learning. Sub-Section 2: The Vice-President shall act as Chair of the Executive Council. The VicePresident shall act as assistant to the President performing other duties as needed. Provision A: The Vice-President shall assume all powers and responsibilities of the President if the President is absent or otherwise not able to perform duties. Provision B: As Chair of the Executive Council the Vice-President also responsible for helping to oversee the work done by those Officers not included in the Executive Board. Sub-Section 3: The Treasurer shall oversee the annual budget of the Organization. The Treasurer shall account for the financial transactions of the Organization, including the collecting of receipts and writing of checks or withdrawal of cash. Provision A: The Treasurer shall have veto powers in all matters regarding the budget of the organization with the exceptions outlined by Provision C. Provision B: Only a unanimous vote by the Executive Council, minus the Treasurer, may override a veto by the Treasurer. Provision C: The Treasurer may not veto votes relating to the setting of the amount of the dues.

Sub-Section 4: The Secretary shall act as the record keeper of the Chapter. The Secretary shall keep a record of membership and help ensure information is distributed to the members. Provision A: In the absence of Liaisons, as provided for by Article III, Section II, the Secretary is responsible for distributing information and leading recruitment efforts. Provision B: The Secretary shall ensure that the Advisor is remains updated if the Advisor is unable to attend a meeting or a new situation that may require the attention of the Advisor develops. Provision C: In the absence of a Web-Master, as provided for by Article III, Section II, the Secretary shall assure that the website of the Organization is updated regularly. Provision D: The Secretary shall assume all powers and responsibilities of the President if the President and Vice-President are absent or otherwise not able to perform duties. Sub-Section 5: The Public Relations officer shall be involved in all maters regarding the advertising and reputation of the Chapter to the community-at-large and the student body. Provision A: In the event that the Secretary is unable to perform their duties the Public Relations Officer may assume all roles and responsibilities of the Secretary. Provision B: The Public Relations Officer shall chair the Publicity Committee. Sub-Section 6: The Advisor shall provide support to the Chapter in general, especially in those matters regarding the University System and act in the role of conflict management between officers if necessary. Provision A: The Advisor shall be a faculty member in an engineering related discipline so as to best be able to provide adequate support. Provision B: The Advisor shall remain in power until the Advisor resigns or a vote of noconfidence is called for in a general meeting and passes with 4/5ths of the members attending. The vote may be called for in private before the meeting and the Advisor shall not be present for the voting. Provision D: The Advisor shall chair the Advisor Committee. Provision E: The Advisor shall have the power to appoint interim officers if the President, VicePresident, and Secretary are unable to perform their duties. Sub-Section 7: Vacant positions in the Executive Board should be filled as soon as possible at a general meeting. An Interim Officer may be appointed by a simple majority of the Executive Board if the President or Acting President feels that the length of time between meetings is sufficiently long to warrant a temporary placement.

Section II: The Executive Council shall consist of the Executive Board and any additional officers or chairpersons elected by the Chapter. The additional officers may include Web-Master, departmental Liaisons, Representatives, and Chairpersons. These officers may be appointed by Executive Board unless otherwise stated. Sub-Section 1: The Web-Master shall be responsible for maintaining the website of the Organization and ensuring that it is updated regularly. Sub-Section 2: Department Liaisons or Liaisons-at-Large shall be responsible for distributing information and leading recruitment efforts in their respective departments, and assisting in the communication between the Executive Board and the Liaisons respective departments. Sub-Section 3: Representatives shall represent the organization only in their assigned areas. Their respective duties shall be assigned or designated by theExecutive Board before the Member accepts position. Sub-Section 4: Chairpersons shall oversee the respective committees to which they are assigned. Chairpersons are responsible for the selection of committee members. Chairpersons may perform other duties if they elect and are allowed by the Executive Board and University Policy to do so.
Article IV: Committees

Section I: Standing Committees shall be defined as those committees which are in a continual state of existence or preparedness. Standing Committees shall have well defined functions, goals and rules. Sub-Section 1: The Advisory Committee shall consist of Faculty and Staff members who have elected to assist the organization with efforts in their respective departments, as deemed necessary and possible by the Executive Board. The Chair of the Committee shall be the Advisor as set forth in Article III; Section I; Sub-Section 5; Provision D. Provision A: No Department may be represented by more than one Committee Member. The Chair of the Committee represents the Chairs own department. Provision B: Committee members shall act as a point of contact and information within their respective departments, and as such may elect to assist with recruitment and fundraising efforts. Section II: Special Committees shall be defined as those which are formed temporarily to full-fill a short-term need. Rules, goals, and functions of Special Committees shall be set by the Executive Board. Sub-Section 1: Special Committees are formed when 3/4 of the Members of the Executive Board affirm that the Committee is necessary. Provision A: . The majority of the Members must also be members of the Organization.

Provision B: Special Committees shall be dissolved once the Committee has completed the tasks set forward by the Executive Council. Provision C: Special Committee member selection may be vetoed by the President. Sub-Section 2: Special Committees may become Standing Committees by a 4/5ths vote of the Executive Council.
Article V: Order of Business

Section I: General Meetings shall be those in which a vote or business concern is addressed by the Membership. The agenda for general meetings shall be set by the Executive Board. Sub-Section 1: All officers on the Executive Board must attend the meeting or be represented by a member of the Executive Council. Sub-Section 2: The meeting shall first be opened by the President for business. Second the Secretary shall give a review of the minutes of the previous meeting. Third the Treasurer shall give the report of the treasury, then any reports by Special or Standing Committees may be given. Fourth any old followed by new business concerns or votes are addressed, after which the meeting is free to be closed. Provision A: A parliamentary procedure shall be used. Provision B: In order to end the meeting a motion to close meeting must be seconded after the President has asked for new business from the Members and a suitable time has elapsed. Section II: Informational Meetings shall be those meetings in which no vote or business concern is addressed. Sub-Section 1: At least one representative from the Executive Board must be in attendance. Sub-Section 2: The order of business and agenda for these meetings shall be set by the Executive Board.
Article VI: Amendments

Section I: Amendment Proposals must be brought forth by or through a special committee consisting of Student Members. Sub-Section 1: Members may motion to propose amendments in general meetings at which time the Executive Board may elect to create the special committee. Provision A: The motion must be seconded by an active Student Member. Provision B: The proposal must be written and signed by five active Members.

Sub-Section 2: Proposed amendments shall be made available to active members 14 days prior to the meeting during which the vote is to occur. Section II: Amendments shall be approved by 3/4ths of the active membership present or voting in absentia. Sub-Section 1: Members shall be able to vote in absentia by a signed written notice clearly indicating the vote of the member and delivered to a member of the Executive Council before the beginning of the meeting in which the vote is to take place. The Executive Council member shall then sign the notice and ensure that it is delivered to the Secretary at the earliest convenience. Sub-Section 2: The Secretary shall be reasonably sure that the voting has been accurately counted and that members have not voted more than once. Section III: The amendment shall take effect, unless otherwise proposed, the semester following its passing. Sub-Section 1: In order for an amendment to take affect immediately the special committee must submit the argument to the Executive Council. The Executive Council must then pass an agreement that the amendment shall be exempt from the semester following rule. Sub-Section 2: Amendments which are exempt from the semester following rule shall take affect midnight following the meeting during which said amendments are adopted.

Constitution
Preamble:
This Constitution is designed to provide the basic operational tenets while the accompanying ByLaws will provide specifics and be more easily maintainable
Article I

The name of the organization shall be Engineers Without Borders Tech Chapter or EWB at TTU.
Article II

Engineers Without Borders is a non-profit humanitarian organization established to partner with developing communities worldwide in order to improve their quality of life. This partnership involves the implementation of sustainable engineering projects, while involving and training internationally responsible engineers and engineering students.*
Article III

Membership shall be open to Texas Tech University students, faculty, staff and the community at large.
Member Classifications:

I Student Members shall have paid dues and be currently enrolled and in good standing with the University II Faculty and staff members shall currently employed in the University system but can not be classified as a student member III Community Members shall live within an acceptable distance from a Texas Tech University Campus and provide a useful service to the organization.
Article IV

The officers shall include a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and faculty advisor. Additional offices may be commissioned as needed and shall be detailed in the By-Laws.
Article V

General Meetings will be held at least three times per long semester. The time will be determined by the President and will be posted at least ten days before the meeting date.
Article VI

The Engineers Without Borders Tech Chapter shall be affiliated with Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA)
Article VII

EWB-TTU will plan, design and implement humanitarian engineering projects around the world.
Article VIII

The structure of the organization shall be outlined in the By-Laws.

Article IX

The faculty advisor shall be a member of EWB-USA and will be consulted on all fiscal matters as well as matters of chapter policy. The faculty advisor shall be nominated by the Executive Council and approved by the chapter. The advisor shall remain in office until a replacement is needed or desired.
Article X

Rules of Order shall be defined in the By-Laws

Article XI

Any proposed amendment to the constitution shall become effective upon an affirmative vote by three-fourths of a quorum.