BYLAWS for the
PREAMBLE
Recognizing
that service to the public, to the state and to the profession is a fundamental
obligation of the professional engineer, the Alabama Society of Professional
Engineers does hereby dedicate itself to the promotion and protection of the
professional engineer as a social and economic influence vital to the health,
safety and welfare of the community, the State of Alabama, the United States of
America and all mankind.
BYLAW 1 – NAME OF THE
ORGANIZATION
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be the Alabama Society of Professional
Engineers, hereinafter called the Society.
Section 2. The Society is incorporated as a 501.c.6
organization under the laws of the State of
Section 3.
The Society is a member state society of the National Society of Professional
Engineers, a national organization of like aims and purposes, hereinafter
called NSPE. The Society shall
participate actively in all NSPE
Meetings and other state/NSPE functions and activities.
Section 4. The Society subscribes to and supports the Code
of Ethics of NSPE.
BYLAW 2 - OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
The objectives of this Society shall be to:
a. Advance
and promote the public health, safety and welfare.
b. Advance
the professional, social and economic interests of the professional engineer.
c.
Strive throughout the profession to make licensure more meaningful in terms of
acknowledgment of individual achievement in engineering as reflected by
education and practice, and encourage all qualified engineers to seek legal
status through licensure.
d. Unite
all qualified engineers of the state in one organization.
e.
Stimulate and develop professional concepts among all engineers.
f.
Advance self-education and self-improvement, motivating practicing engineers to
upgrade and expand their competence by continuing study.
g.
Develop the civic consciousness of members of the engineering profession, and
serve the public good by support of, and cooperation with public officials.
h.
Represent the engineering profession in legislative matters in the interests of
the state and the profession.
i. Promote high standards of engineering
education.
j.
Establish and preserve high standards of ethical conduct and practice by members
of the profession.
k.
Cultivate public appreciation for the work of the engineer through improved
public relations, and provide a forum for effective exchange and advancement of
knowledge of matters of concern to the profession.
l.
Assist young people in obtaining reliable information concerning the profession
of engineering.
m. Mentor
young engineers and assist them in their career track toward licensure.
BYLAW 3 - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
The membership grades shall coincide with those grades as set by NSPE and shall
consist of Licensed Member, Member, Graduate Member, Student Member, Life
Member, Retired Member, Grandfathered Member and Honorary Member as defined by
the Bylaws of NSPE.
Section
2. All members shall pay annual dues as
set forth in the Operating Procedures. A
member’s dues shall be current, as defined in the Operating Procedures, for the
member to receive the privileges and benefits of membership.
Section 3.
All members other than Honorary Members, Graduate Members and Student Members
shall have voting privileges in the Society.
Section 4.
All members eligible for membership in NSPE shall be members of NSPE to
continue membership in good standing in the Society.
Section 5.
Should the licensure of a member be revoked for any reason, other than
retirement from active practice, the person shall automatically cease to be a
member of the Society.
Section 6.
A member may be disciplined by the Society for cause as provided in the
Society’s operating procedures. In disciplinary matters, the Board may: (a)
authorize joint action with other state societies; (b) waive jurisdiction to
another state society; or (c) request the assistance of NSPE where, in the
Board's judgment, the circumstances warrant.
BYLAW 4 - OFFICERS
Section 1.
The officers of the Society shall consist of the president, president-elect,
three (3) area vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, NSPE Delegate and
immediate past president.
Section 2.
The president-elect, vice president(s), and secretary and shall be elected for
a term of one year. The president-elect shall automatically assume the
presidency for the year following election.
The treasurer shall be appointed annually by the president.
Section 3. There may be one vice president elected from
the practice division leadership. This
individual shall be an officer in one of the practice divisions to be eligible
for election and shall be elected by the entire membership.
Section 4.
There may be one vice president elected from the Young Engineers’ Advisory
Council. This individual shall be an
officer in the Young Engineers’ Advisory Council and shall be elected by the
entire membership
Section 5.
Eligibility to nomination, election or retention of a position as an elective
officer of the Society shall be contingent upon residence or employment in the
state and membership in the State Society.
Section 6. The duties of the officers shall be as defined
in the operating procedures.
Section 7.
The treasurer and the executive director (if this position is established)
shall provide security, at the expense of the Society, for such amount as may
be determined by the Board.
Section 8.
The officers shall take office, and the president-elect elected the previous
year shall become president, on the first day of the Administrative Year
following their election, and shall hold office until their successors have
been duly elected and installed.
Section 9.
In the event the president becomes unable to serve, the president-elect shall
succeed the president and complete the term of office of the vacating president
and then their own term as president. The office of president-elect shall
remain vacant until the next Annual Meeting, at which meeting a president-elect
shall be installed. A vacancy occurring in any other position shall be filled
through election by the Board, with the exception of the chair of each practice
division who shall be selected by that division. Any vacancy shall be filled
for the un-expired term of the officer being replaced.
Section 10. A Delegate to the NSPE House of Delegates
shall be elected by the Society to represent the Society at the NSPE House of
Delegates Assembly, as set forth in Bylaw 5.
This member shall serve as Delegate for a two year term and shall be
eligible to serve no more than two consecutive terms.
BYLAW 5 -ELECTIONS
Section 1.
Nominations for elective offices shall be made by the Nominating Committee or
by petition signed by 10 percent of the members eligible to vote or 50 such
members, whichever is less.
Section 2.
The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of the most recent available past
president as its chair, and a minimum of two other members as set forth in the
operating procedures. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive years
and not more than two years in a four-year period.
Section 3.
The Nominating Committee shall report the names of nominees, together with a
brief biographical sketch of each nominee, to the secretary and/or executive
director by April 1st.
Section 4.
Nominations by petition must be delivered to the secretary and/or executive
director by April 1st. Nominees, by
petition, may include members of the Nominating Committee.
Section 5. Whenever there is more than one nomination
made for any office to be filled, the Secretary and/or executive director shall prepare an
official ballot that shall be mailed to each voting member in good standing on
or before April 15th. The
official ballot shall contain a listing of all offices to be filled and the
nominations therefore. Voting shall be
limited to these nominations for office.
Section 6.
Election of officers shall be made annually by a plurality vote on individual
letter or electronic ballots sent to all voting members of the Society in good
standing. Procedures for collecting and
counting ballots shall be defined in the Operating Procedures.
Section 7.
The elected officers shall be known by
the title of the office to which elected, with the suffix “elect” until they
assume the duties of their respective offices.
BYLAW 6 -
ADMINISTRATION
Section 1.
The Officers and Chapter Presidents will constitute the Board of Directors
(Board). The Board shall determine all questions of policy and shall administer
the affairs of the Society under these Bylaws, Operating Procedures and the
general provisions of the law under which it is incorporated.
Section
2. The latest version of Robert’s Rules
or Order shall be the parliamentary authority for conducting votes and
administering the society.
Section 3.
A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum. An affirmative vote
of a majority of the Board members present at any regular or duly called
meeting shall be required to pass any motion not inconsistent with the Bylaws
of the Society. The president shall vote only when necessary to break a tie.
Section 4.
The Board shall have authority to decide upon any question by means of a letter
or electronic ballot directed to all members of the Board. Procedures for
determining a vote by letter or electronic ballot shall be specified in the
Operating Procedures. At any point
during the voting period when a ballot is voted up or down by a majority of
those eligible to vote, that determination is final.
Section 5.
The Board shall direct the investment and care of funds for the Society and
shall adopt an annual budget and make appropriations for other specific
purposes.
Section 6.
No member of the Board shall receive a salary or compensation from the Society,
except for expenses incurred on behalf of the Society as approved by the Board.
Section 7.
The Board may appoint an executive director, when the financial and other
conditions warrant, and fix compensation and define the duties of the office.
Section
8. The administrative and fiscal year of
the society shall be the same as the administrative and fiscal year of NSPE.
Section 9. The Board shall determine the location of the
Headquarters of the Society.
Section
10. The Board shall develop written
Operating Procedures, which shall become effective, be amended or be rescinded
upon a majority vote of the Board, unless otherwise indicated by the Board.
BYLAW 7 - MEETINGS
Section 1.
The Society shall hold an Annual Meeting at such time and place as may be
selected by the Board, which meeting shall be open to all members and their
guests.
Section 2.
Special meetings of the Society shall be called by the president, on a
two-thirds vote of the Board or upon petition by 50 members of the Society, or
10 percent of the membership, whichever is less.
BYLAW 8 - CHAPTERS
Section 1.
The membership of the Society shall be organized into chapters (as determined
by the Board). The Board of Directors shall authorize and charter such
chapters; defining boundaries as may best serve the members of the Society.
Each chapter thus formed shall have a minimum of 10 voting members. All members
of the chapter shall also be members of the State Society and NSPE.
Section 2.
The Board of Directors shall have authority to make rules and regulations for
and decisions affecting the chartering, combining or dissolving of chapters.
Section 3.
Each chapter chartered by the Society shall adopt such bylaws for its operation
as it may deem proper; provided that nothing contained therein shall conflict
with or contravene the Bylaws of the Society. Such bylaws and any changes
thereto are subject to approval of the Board.
Section 4.
Chapters shall engage only in such activities as are consistent with the
objectives of the Society. Such activities shall be restricted to the
geographical area, for which the chapter is chartered, except as authorized by
the Board.
Section 5.
In all matters of local concern not covered by these Bylaws, chapters shall
retain full autonomy, but may call upon the Society and NSPE for advice,
counsel and assistance.
Section 6.
Chapters shall not contract any debt or obligation on behalf of the Society
unless expressly authorized by the Board.
Section 7. The fiscal and administrative years of the
chapters shall be concurrent with those of the Society.
Section 8.
Student members in engineering colleges and universities may be organized into
student chapters, as provided in the Operating Procedures.
Section 9. The annual chapter dues shall be determined by
the Society as set in the Operating Procedures.
Section 10. The Board may charter Virtual Chapter(s).
Section
11. Amended May 9,
2008. The Society’s chapters shall be
grouped geographically as follows:
North – Decatur,
Central –
South –
BYLAW 9 - PRACTICE
DIVISIONS
Section 1.
To further the objectives of the Society, establishment of practice divisions,
consistent with those defined by NSPE, is authorized.
Section 2.
The Board of Directors may sanction the creation or order the dissolution of
practice divisions as provided in the Operating Procedures.
BYLAW 10 – YOUNG
ENGINEERS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
Section 1.
To further the objectives of the Society, a Young Engineers’ Advisory Council
is authorized. This Council shall be
modeled after and consistent with the structure and operation of the NSPE Young
Engineers’ Advisory Council.
BYLAW 11 - COMMITTEES
Section 1.
Such committees as may be appropriate shall be established as provided in the
Operating Procedures.
Section 2. The duties of committees shall be defined by the
President and approved by the Board.
Section 3.
Appointments to committees shall be made as set forth in the Operating
Procedures.
BYLAW 12 - AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by: (a) a majority vote of the
entire Board; or (b) a petition signed by not less than 10 percent of the
members of this Society or 50 such members whichever is smaller.
Section 2.
An amendment to these Bylaws shall become effective upon the affirmative vote
of two-thirds of the Board. A minimum of
15 days must pass between the presentation of the amendment proposal to the
Board and the vote to approve or disapprove the amendment proposal.
BYLAW 13 – SAVINGS
CLAUSE
Section
1. Any article or section of the Bylaws
and Operating Procedures found to be in conflict with the NSPE Bylaws shall be
null and void. However, this shall in no
way invalidate the remaining articles and sections of the Bylaws and Operating
Procedures.
BYLAW 14 -
DISSOLUTION
Section 1.
The Society shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes
specified in these Bylaws, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be
distributed, to the members of the Society. On dissolution of the Society, any
funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and
qualified charitable, educational, scientific or philanthropic organizations to
be selected by the Board. Any residual shall be contributed to NSPE.
BYLAW 15 - EFFECTIVE
DATE
Section 1.
These Bylaws shall become effective upon its adoption in the manner prescribed
for voting on amendments and thereupon the previous Constitution and/or Bylaws
and prior amendments thereto are repealed.
Adopted______March 30, 2007___________________
Last
Amended ___May 9, 2008___________________
OPERATING PROCEDURES
OP No. 1 - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Membership applications may be received at either the state Society or NSPE. If
submitted to the state Society, the secretary and/or executive director will
review the application for eligibility and, if eligible, the application will
be forwarded to NSPE.
Section 2.
Membership in the Society imposes the obligation to uphold the honor and
dignity of the engineering profession. It is therefore required of members to
be familiar with ethical and legal standards, to observe them, to aid in
preventing violations by others and to be familiar with the Society's policies
and procedures relating to handling of alleged violations.
Section 3.
Violation of the Society Bylaws, NSPE Bylaws or of the Code of Ethics, or
criminal conviction shall be considered as just cause for discipline as
hereinafter provided.
OP No. 2 - DUES
Section 1.
Dues become due and payable January 1 of each year, or as otherwise determined
by the NSPE Board of Directors.
Section
2. The Board shall set the annual dues
for membership in the Society, as well as the annual dues for membership in
chapters and practice divisions.
Section 3.
Members admitted for the first time and paying full dues shall receive services
as follows:
a. Members admitted between January 1 and June
30 – for the remainder of the current calendar year.
b. Members admitted between July 1 and December
31 -- for the remainder of the current calendar and for the following calendar
year.
Section 4. NSPE shall collect annual dues, unless directed
otherwise by the Board of the state Society.
Section 5.
If the dues of any member remain unpaid on the due date, said member shall be
listed as "delinquent" and shall be dropped from the membership rolls
of the Society if unpaid for a period of 90 days. Payment of delinquent dues
must accompany the request of such person for readmission for the current year.
Section 6.
A member shall become eligible for Honorary, Life or Retired membership status,
with waiver or reduction of dues after meeting the requirements as set forth by
the NSPE Bylaws.
Section
7. Dues may be waived for a period of
one year in hardship circumstances, including unemployment. The member’s State
Society and the NSPE Executive Director shall approve application for a waiver
of dues.
Such
application, if approved by the Society, shall be submitted to NSPE for
approval of the waiver of any NSPE dues.
Section 8.
Upon receipt of a bachelor's degree in engineering, Student Members in good
standing shall be advanced without filing an application to the next higher
membership grade for which qualified, except that graduate students may retain
Student Membership by written request to the Society.
OP No. 3 - FISCAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE YEARS
Section 1. The fiscal year of the Society shall be from
July 1through June 30.
Section 2. The administrative year of the Society shall be
from July 1 through June 30.
OP No. 4 - CHAPTERS
Section 1.
A chapter may organize within the provisions of the Bylaws of the Society and
may, upon application, receive a charter from the Society and then be known as
a chapter of the Society.
Section 2.
A charter may be issued upon approval of an application by the Board and shall
be signed by the president and the secretary of the Society.
Section 3.
In advance of the Society's Annual Meeting, each chapter shall elect officers
as required. The secretary of each chapter shall send a report of such election
results to the secretary and/or executive director of the Society at least 30
days prior to the date fixed for the Annual Meeting.
Section 4.
The Board may authorize and issue charters for student chapters at approved
engineering colleges or institutes of technology. Rules and regulations for the
organization and operation of student chapters shall be determined by the Board
and shall be designated according to the policies of NSPE.
a. Each student chapter shall have a faculty
adviser who shall wherever possible be a member of the Society. The student
chapter adviser shall be appointed by the Society, through the local chapter
concerned, on the recommendation of the dean of the college or school involved.
b. Each student chapter shall have a liaison
officer from the sponsoring chapter who shall not be directly affiliated with
the college or school involved. The sponsoring chapter shall appoint the
liaison officer.
Section
5. Each chapter shall provide a written
report of its activities during the past year at the annual meeting.
Section
6. Amended May 9,
2008. The State of
Decatur – All of Cullman,
Northeast – All of Calhoun,
Cherokee,
Montgomery – All of Autauga, Bullock,
Chilton,
Muscle Shoals – All of Colbert,
Lauderdale,
Southeast – All of Barbour,
OP No. 5 - AFFILIATED
GROUPS
Section 1.
Affiliated groups may be established with approval of the Board. The purpose of
such affiliations shall be to assist in promoting the best interests of the
professional engineer and the Society and shall be defined in a charter
agreement establishing the affiliation. The affiliated group shall be
responsible to the Board for fulfilling the actions defined in the charter.
OP No. 6 - BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Section 1.
The Board of Directors shall have the direction and general supervision of all
matters pertaining to the Society. It shall adopt and monitor a budget and
cause the accounts of the treasurer to be audited not less than once a year.
Section 2.
The Board shall provide for and superintend the publication and distribution of
all proceedings or transactions of the Society and shall have authority to
appoint an editor and publish an official periodical for the Society.
Section 3.
The Board shall be empowered to invest and reinvest such funds as may be
available for the creation of a reserve fund. A three-fourths vote of the Board
shall be required to authorize expenditures from this fund, which are other
than for investment or reinvestment.
Section 4.
The Board shall hold a regular meeting at the time of the Annual Meeting and at
least once each quarter thereafter. It shall hold special meetings at the call
of the president or on the petition of 25 percent of the Board.
Section 5.
A notice of each meeting of the Board shall be transmitted in writing to each
member of the Board at the member's last recorded address at least 10 days prior
to the scheduled date thereof. An agenda and copy of each report and
resolution, which are to be considered at such meetings, shall accompany the
notice of the meeting and no other matters shall be considered at such meetings
without the consent of the majority of the members of the Board in attendance.
OP No. 7 - BALLOTS OF
THE BOARD
Section 1.
The president may at any time direct the secretary and/or executive director to
submit any question to the members of the Board by means of a letter or electronic
ballot.
Section 2.
Upon direction of the majority of the members of the Board present at any
meeting, where less than all members of the Board are present, the secretary
shall submit any question to the members of the Board by means of a letter or electronic
ballot.
Section 3.
In the event of any meeting at which less than all members of the Board are
present and the majority vote on any question constitutes less than a majority
of all members of the Board, any member of the Board may direct the secretary
and/or executive director to submit the question to all members of the Board by
means of a letter or electronic ballot.
Section 4.
A majority of all votes received within 15 days of the mailing of the ballots
shall decide the question, provided votes are received from at least two-thirds
of the total membership of the Board.
Section 5.
The secretary shall record as a part of the minutes of the appropriate meeting
the data concerning each letter ballot, including the dates of the mailing and
the return of the ballots, and the names and votes of all members voting. The
secretary shall notify all members of the Board of the results within three
weeks of the date of the original action.
OP No. 8 - ELECTIONS
Section
1. A Nominating Committee shall be constituted
on or before December 1 of the administrative year. The committee shall be proposed by the
President and approved by the Board. The
Nominating Committee shall solicit candidates for office from the chapters*,
practice divisions*, Young Engineers’ Advisory Council* (*if they exist) and
membership-at-large by contacting each organizations leadership and notifying
the membership through the state publication.
Section
2. Any member can submit nominations to
the Nominating Committee for consideration.
Nominations may be submitted to the Secretary and/or executive director
or directly to the Nominating Committee.
The nomination shall contain the name of the member being nominated
along with a brief description of the member’s biography. Endorsements and testimonials of the member’s
capabilities to fulfill the duties of the office for which they are being
nominated for shall be encouraged. A
member may be self-nominated for an office.
No member may be nominated without his/her consent.
Section
3. The Nominating Committee shall review
the nominations for each office and consider whether candidates are
qualified. They may contact the
candidate or others who may be familiar with the candidate’s qualifications and
capabilities to determine whether they are capable of serving in the office for
which they are nominated. The Nominating
Committee shall report all qualified candidates for each office to the
Secretary for inclusion on the official ballot for voting, not later than April
1st.
Section 4.
A valid ballot shall be one, which is returned to the secretary and/or
executive director in an envelope bearing a postmark date on or before June
1st, and which bears the signature of the member in the designated space.
Section 5.
The secretary shall promptly deliver unopened valid ballots to the Executive
Director, who shall canvass the ballots and report the number of votes cast for
each nominee to the Board on or before June 15th. This information shall be
transmitted to the Board no later than June 15th, and published in
the next issue of the Society publication.
Section 6.
The election of chapter officers shall be completed on or before June 1st of
each year. They shall assume their duties on the first day of the
administrative year and shall hold office until their respective successors
assume such duties. The procedures for
electing chapter officers shall be established in the chapter bylaws.
Section 7.
Each practice division, if active, shall elect a chair and chair-elect. The
procedures for nomination and election to these positions shall be established
in the Practice Division Operating Procedures.
Section 8. The Young Engineers’ Advisory Council, if
active, shall elect a chair and chair-elect.
The procedures for nomination and election to these positions shall be
established in the Young Engineers’ Council Operating Procedures. These positions shall constitute the officers
of the Young Engineers’ Advisory Council.
OP No. 9 - OFFICERS
Section 1.
President -- The president shall preside at all meetings of the Society and of
the Board of Directors; shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees; shall
appoint chairs and members of all committees; and have general direction of the
business of the Society. The President shall exercise supervision over the
operations of the executive director, and keep the Board apprised concerning
that office. The president shall stay
apprised of the conditions and operation of each chapter, and shall assist as
needed. At a minimum, s/he shall make
personal contact with every chapter president during his/her term in office.
Section 2.
President-Elect -- The president-elect shall act as president in the
president's absence, and shall undertake assignments at the request of the
president or the Board. The principal activity of the president-elect shall be
an assessment of the Society, and the development of plans for the following
year. Additionally, the president-elect
shall ensure leadership training for all incoming officers to the Society, and
shall chair the Membership and Chapter Development Committee.
Section 3.
Vice Presidents -- The vice presidents shall have such duties as the president
or Board may assign. In the absence of, or in case of the inability of the
president and president-elect to serve, it shall be the duty of one of the vice
presidents to perform all the duties of the president. The selection of which vice-president shall
assume the duties of the president shall be determined by a majority vote of
the Board. The area vice presidents shall
be members of the Membership and Chapter Development Committee. The area vice
presidents shall attend at least one chapter meeting of every active chapter in
their area, for the purpose of inquiring into the condition of the profession
and to improve the communication between the chapter membership and the
Society.
Section 4.
Treasurer -- It shall be the duty of the treasurer to protect all money and
records of account of the Society, make an annual report of receipts and
disbursements to the Society; give such security, to secure the faithful
discharge of duties as may be determined from time to time by the Board. The
fee for security shall be paid out of the treasury of the Society. At the
expiration of the term of office, all books, papers, and money belonging to the
Society shall be turned over to the successor treasurer, who shall give the
preceding treasurer a receipt therefore.
Section 5.
Secretary -- The secretary shall record proper proceedings of meetings and
perform such duties as are required by law, or assigned by the Board.
Section 6.
Executive Director--The executive director shall keep an accurate record, and
have custody, of all official papers and records, including the State
membership roster; issue all calls and notices ordered by the president or the
Board; submit at the Annual Meeting a written report covering the duties and
activities of the position, including a statement of the membership of the
Society; give security, to be paid out of the treasury of the Society, to
secure the faithful discharge of assigned duties; receive such salary as the
Board shall determine; and have such other duties and prerogatives as the Board
may assign. At the expiration of service, the executive director shall turn
over to a designated successor all books, documents and other property of the
Society in the custody of the executive director, receiving a receipt
therefore. The executive director shall
act as the official liaison between the Society and NSPE.
Section
7. NSPE Delegate –The Delegate to the
House of Delegates shall attend and represent the Society at the NSPE House of
Delegates Assembly and represent the Society in all other matters of the House
of Delegates. The Delegate shall report
actions taken by the House of Delegates to the Society Board of Directors and
shall consult with the Board of Directors on a regular basis to properly
represent the wishes of the Society before the House of Delegates. The Delegate shall maintain the State
society’s proxy vote at NSPE Regional Meetings.
On the occasions that s/he cannot attend, s/he shall designate his/her
proxy to a Society Member in good standing.
OP No. 10 -
COMMITTEES
Section 1.
The
Standing Committees of the Society shall be as set forth by the Board. The Standing Committees shall be:
Audit and Budget
Communications
In
responsible charge of development and/or maintenance of
·
State
website
·
State
newsletter, “The Alabama Engineer”
Continuing professional Competency (CPC)
In responsible charge of developing
statewide held seminars in the areas of
·
Ethics
training
·
Leadership
and business management skills
E-Week
In
responsible charge of
·
Encouraging
and coordinating appropriate activities throughout the state with associate
groups (MACE, HATS, ECOB, ACEC, etc)
Higher Education
In
responsible charge of
·
Communicating
with the Deans in the Colleges/Schools of Engineering in-state
·
Organizing
student chapters
·
Mentoring
·
Promoting
the FE Exam
K-12 Education
In
responsible charge of
·
MathCounts
·
Promoting
Engineering as a career
·
Mentoring
Legislative and
Government Affairs
(L&GA) to be Chaired by the JECA
Director of ASPE
In
responsible charge of
·
Encouraging
members to be active in legislative and governmental affairs
·
Attending
all JECA meetings and functions
Membership and
Chapter Development to be Chaired by the President-elect
In responsible charge of
·
Membership
growth
·
Contacting
delinquent and dropped members on a regular basis
·
Coordinating
activities between chapters
·
Organizing
new chapters
·
Activating
one chapter each year
Nominating
to be Chaired by the Past President
Public Relations
In
responsible charge of
·
Developing/maintaining
relationships with Sustaining Partners
·
Developing/maintaining
relationships with associate groups
·
Promoting
the engineering profession in the community (“What Engineers Do for You”)
Section 2.
Each of the standing committees shall consist of members appointed annually by
the president, who shall also designate the chair of each committee. The
practice divisions may appoint such committees as are necessary to carry on
their activities.
Section 3.
Each standing committee shall inform the Board of its activities at least once
each year, or as otherwise directed by the president.
Section 4.
The president shall appoint such other special committees as may be desirable
for the conduct of the business of the Society.
Section 5. No committee shall commit the Society without
specific authorization from the Board.
OP No. 11 - PRACTICE
DIVISIONS
Section 1.
Practice divisions, comprised of members having common professional interests,
shall operate under the Bylaws of the Society. Operating Rules and any changes
thereto must have the approval of the Board before becoming effective. The
Board may create or dissolve a practice division after conducting a hearing on
the need for such action. The president may appoint a committee to conduct the
affairs of the practice divisions.
Section 2.
The practice divisions shall provide effective forums for discussion and united
action for members grouped according to type of professional employment. The
goal of practice divisions shall be improved professional recognition, improved
conditions of employment, and other matters of mutual benefit.
Section 3.
Membership in each practice division shall be limited to members of the
Society, except as specifically provided for in the Rules of the division.
Section 4.
The officers of each practice division shall include a chair, chair-elect, the
immediate past chair, and such other officers as determined by the division and
approved by the Board.
Section 5.
Officers shall assume the duties usually performed by officers in like
positions, subject to rules, which may be adopted by the division and approved
by the Board.
Section 6. The officers shall constitute the practice division
executive board.
Section 7.
When considered necessary for promoting or forwarding its special objectives,
any practice division may establish a fund for that purpose, to be maintained
in the treasury of the Society. Such funds may be obtained through dues and/or
assessment of its own members; or by other means, which are authorized by the
Board. The treasurer of the Society shall be the custodian of all practice
division funds, the expenditure of which shall be subject to the approval of
the officers of the division.
Section 8.
Minutes shall be kept and filed for all meetings of practice divisions and the
division executive board. An annual report outlining the division's activities
for the year, including financial statement and officers, shall be made to the
Board.
Section 9. All actions by practice divisions shall be
consistent with the policies of the Society.
Section
10. Practice divisions serving the Society shall be as follows:
Professional
Engineers in Construction
Professional
Engineers in Education
Professional
Engineers in Government
Professional
Engineers in Industry
Professional
Engineers in Private Practice
OP No. 12 – YOUNG
ENGINEERS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL
Section
1. All Society members who are 35 years
old or younger at the beginning of the administrative year shall be members of
the Young Engineers’ Advisory Council (hereafter referred to as YEAC). Only those members who are voting members of
the Society shall be voting members of the YEAC.
Section
2. The YEAC shall provide effective forums
for discussion and united action for issues related to the professional
employment and development of young engineers. The goal of the YEAC shall be
improved professional development and recognition, improved conditions of
employment, and other matters of mutual benefit for its members.
Section
3. The YEAC shall establish Operating
Rules that shall govern their activities.
These Operating Rules and any changes thereto shall receive approval by
the Board before becoming effective.
Section 4.
The officers of the YEAC shall include a chair, chair-elect, the immediate past
chair, and such other officers as determined by the YEAC and approved by the
Board.
Section 5.
Officers shall assume the duties usually performed by officers in like
positions, subject to rules, which may be adopted by the YEAC and approved by
the Board.
Section 6. The officers shall constitute the YEAC’s
executive board.
Section 7.
When considered necessary for promoting or forwarding its special objectives,
the YEAC may establish a fund for that purpose, to be maintained in the
treasury of the Society. Such funds may be obtained through dues and/or
assessment of its own members; or by other means, which are authorized by the
Board. The treasurer of the Society shall be the custodian of all funds, the
expenditure of which shall be subject to the approval of the officers of the
YEAC..
Section 8.
Minutes shall be kept and filed for all meetings of the membership and the
executive board. An annual report outlining the YEAC's activities for the year,
including financial statement and officers, shall be made to the Board.
Section 9. All actions by the YEAC shall be consistent with
the policies of the Society.
OP No. 13 - MEETINGS
Section 1.
The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held as ordered by the Board for
receiving the annual reports and the transaction of any other business. All members of the Society are welcome at
this meeting.
Section
2. Periodic and/or special meetings of
the Board, called as provided for in the Bylaws shall be meetings open to all
members of the Society. A “closed” or
“executive” session may be called only to discuss personnel, disciplinary or
other legal matters that require strict confidentiality. A “closed” meeting shall be called only upon
a vote of the Board. Only business
specifically allowed for in a “closed”
meeting shall be discussed.
Section 3.
The order of business at meetings of the Board shall be determined by the
president and shall be subject to approval of the Board.
Section 4. Robert's Rules of Order (revised) shall govern
matters of parliamentary procedure of the Society.
OP No. 14 - OFFICIAL
PERIODICAL
Section 1.
The Society shall publish an official periodical to be known as "The
Alabama Engineer". This publication
shall be produced on a not less than quarterly basis and shall be distributed
to all members of the Society, either via mail or electronically. The subscription cost for members shall be
included in their annual dues fee. The
Board shall establish a subscription rate for non-members interested in
receiving the publication.
Section
2. Paid advertisements may be sold to
generate revenue in conjunction with the official periodical. The Board shall establish advertising
standards and rates. Any revenue
generated shall be deposited in the general fund of the Society.
OP No. 15 - DISCIPLINE
Section 1.
Charges or complaints of alleged violations of the Code of Ethics or of laws
and regulations governing the profession may be filed in writing by anyone
having factual knowledge of the matters; charges concerning the NSPE Bylaws or
Society Bylaws shall be filed by a member in good standing. Each member is
responsible to render written reports of factual knowledge of alleged
violations of the Code of Ethics. Such charges shall be filed with the
secretary of the Society.
Section 2.
A special Ethics and Practices Committee, as formed by the state president,
shall conduct an initial informal investigation of alleged violations. When
such informal investigations indicate that a formal investigation is advisable,
the Society president shall direct the Ethics and Practices Committee to
conduct a formal investigation and recommend whether or not a hearing is
warranted.
Section 3.
Hearings will be conducted by a Hearing Commission of not less than three past
officers, appointed by the president, which shall render a decision in the
matter.
Section 4.
The accused shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Board of
Directors, in which case the Hearing Commission members who sat earlier shall
not participate in the appeal proceedings.
Section 5.
A two-thirds vote of the Board in an appeal shall be necessary to a finding
sustaining a charge or charges.
Thereafter the penalty shall be determined by majority vote.
Section 6.
Disciplinary action may be taken by the Society against a member who resigns
his membership after charges of unethical conduct have been filed against such
member, in which case the former member shall have the same rights of defense
and procedure as prescribed for members in good standing. In the case of
resigned members, the Society may issue a notice of censure or prescribe that
the Society records show that such member shall not be eligible for membership
for a stipulated number of years, or indefinitely, or both, and may publish its
findings.
Section 7.
If a professional engineer is charged who is not a member, the accused will be
advised of the charges and offered the service of the Society in investigating
and adjudicating the charges. If the person charged consents, the case will be
handled in the established manner.
Section 8.
The person who filed the charges will be notified of the final decision and it
shall be published in the official publication of the Society unless the Board
shall have determined that justice is better served by withholding publication.
Section 9.
The Board shall adopt and publish a policy and procedures to govern the
handling of disciplinary matters. The procedures shall provide for due process,
for representation by counsel, for cooperation and exchange of information with
and recommendations to the State Registration Board, for recording and
disposition of records, for use of advisory counsel by the Society and for
cooperation with other state societies and the National Society.
OP No. 16 -
ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS
Section 1.
The administrative areas of the state for the election of vice presidents shall
be as follows:
North,
Central and South.
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