California Chi Chapter

CALIFORNIA CHI CHAPTER
BYLAWS
THE TAU BETA PI ASSOCIATION
AT
CALIFORNIASTATEUNIVERSITY, FULLERTON

BylawI – General

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Tau Beta Pi: The Engineering Honor Society, California Chi Chapter, CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton.

Section 2. The purpose of this organization is to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their alma mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as students.Distinguished scholarship, while the primary requisite for admission, is not considered the sole criterion. After the scholastic requirements have been fulfilled, the selection shall be based on integrity, breadth of interest both inside and outside of engineering, adaptability, and unselfish activity.

Section 3These Bylaws shall govern the proceedings of this Chapter in all matters not expressly provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws of The Tau Beta Pi Chapter. The constitution and Bylaws of the National Honor Society of Tau Beta Pi is adopted as a model by California Chi Chapter, Tau Beta Pi.

Section 4.This Chapter shall conform to such rules and regulations of CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton and of its College of Engineering as may apply to honor societies.

Section 5. In the event of conflict between the Constitution of the Tau Beta Pi Chapter and Bylaws of the California Chi Chapter and the rules and regulations of California State University, Fullerton and/or its College of Engineering, the rules of California State University, Fullerton and/or the college of Engineering shall prevail, and the Secretary Treasurer of the Chapter shall be notified of the circumstances of the conflict.

Section 6. Abbreviated references herein to the constitution and bylaws of the Chapter and to the various Bylaws of this document shall be made in the form illustrated by the following examples:

a.C-VI, 1 --National Constitution of Tau Beta Pi, Article VI, Section 1.

b.B-V, 5.02 -- Tau Beta Pi National Bylaw V, Section 5.02.

c.CA-C, B-1, 4 -- CA-Chi chapter Bylaw 1, Section 4.

Section 7. Membership in this organization shall not be denied to any student of CaliforniaStateUniversity, Fullerton because of race, creed, religion, sex, political affiliation, sexual orientation or disability.

Section 8. There shall be a minimum of five (5) CaliforniaStateUniversity,Fullerton students who are currently enrolled in at least one class with a maximum of 20 percent of the members who are not CaliforniaStateUniversity,Fullerton students.

Section 9.There shall be only one class of members, but for convenience,

they shall be called Undergraduate Members if they are undergraduate students,

Graduate Student Members if they are graduate students and Alumnus Members if theyare no longer in college.

Section 10.Voting membership is limited to regularly enrolled (non-extended education) students.

Bylaw II - Government and Officers

Section 1. The Chapter shall be composed of members chosen from among eligible students and alumni on the bases of distinguished scholarship or professional attainment and exemplary character, as enunciated in C-VIII and in the Eligibility Code of Tau Beta Pi.

Section 2. The Chapter shall have full control over its individual affairs, subject to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter, which control shall be exercised by the active membership of the Chapter and its Advisory Board. An "active member" of thisChapter shall be defined in C-VI, 1, and only active undergraduate and graduate-student members, as defined therein, shall have the privilege of voting on new members and on the amounts of the initiation fee, dues, fines, and assessments. A student may become inactive only under the provisions of B-VI, 6.05.

Section 3. The officers of this Chapter shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Cataloger, who shall be active members of the Chapter; a Treasurer, who may be an active member of the Chapter or a member of the faculty; and four alumnus advisors, elected from among the faculty of the College of Engineering and alumni. Special officers may be elected at chapter recommendation.

Section 4. The Advisory Board of the Chapter shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary and four alumnus members of the Chapter. The Chair of the Advisory Board shall be elected by its members at the first Board meeting of the year.

Section 5. Alumnus members of the Advisory Board shall serve one, two, three or, four-year terms, as specified in C-VI, 7. All other officers shall serve for one semester or until their successors are duly elected and installed.

Section 6. The duties of the officers shall be those performed by persons holding such offices, those prescribed by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter, and those prescribed in these Bylaws or by Chapter action.

Section 7. The President shall be this Chapter's delegate to the Convention of Tau Beta Pi. The other officers shall be alternate delegates, in the order given in CA-C, B-II, 3.

Section 8. The following extra duties shall be required of the officers:

a. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

b. The President shall see that each officer and committee chair is provided with a written list of specific duties for which each is responsible. A copy of each list shall be placed in the Recording Secretary's notebook and in the president's Book.

c. The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization. S/He shall be the official spokesperson of the organization, representing the policies, views and opinions of the organization in its relations with the campus and the community at large. S/He has further power and duties prescribed by the constitution of Tau Beta Pi.

d. The Recording Secretary shall see that each candidate accepting election receives copies of the Constitution and Bylaws and Eligibility Code of The Tau Beta Pi Chapter, Information about Tau Beta Pi, these Bylaws, and such other materials as the Chapter may deem desirable.

e. The Corresponding Secretary shall notify each active member and Advisor of the time, place, and purpose of each Chapter meeting at least one week in advance of the meeting.

f. The Corresponding Secretary shall serve as Secretary of the Advisory Board.

g. The Treasurer handles all financial affairs and budgeting of the organization. S/He maintains AS Agency Accounts in the organization’s name, which requires signatures of the Treasurer, President and Advisor.

Section 9. Officer Qualifications (President and Treasurer Only)

a. The President and Treasurer of the student organization are required to meet the minimum requirements established for Minor Student Representative Student Officers by the CALIFORNIASTATEUNIVERSITY, FULLERTON Chancellor’s Office.

b. Officers must be matriculated and enrolled (non-extended education) at California State University Fullerton.

c. Officers must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average each term.

d. Officers must be in good standing and not be on probation of any kind.

e. Undergraduates are required to earn six semester units per term whileholding office. Graduate and credential students must earn three semester units per term while holding office.

f. Undergraduate officers are allowed to earn a maximum 150 semester units or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater. Graduate and credential officers are allowed to earn a maximum of 50 semester units or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate credential objective, whichever is greater.

Section 10. Petition by 1/2 of the total number of members is cause for a recall election. The offense must be stated in writing by a member. After the offense is submitted to the organization, the offending officer has the right to a 48 hour notice of hearing. A recall election will be conducted at the next general meeting. Recall requires a quorum and an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the voting membership.

Section 11. In the event of an elected officer is unable to fulfill his/her term of office, there will be a special election at the next general meeting. Any eligible member may be nominated for a vacated position.

Section 12. Voting Privileges. Voting privileges are determined by attendance of the first meeting or written communication with the chapter president by the first meeting of the semester. Member voting privileges shall be suspended if member is absent at two consecutive meetings and do not communicate in writing before the second meeting's call to order. Member voting privileges shall be reestablished by attendance at any meeting or written communication

Bylaw III - Meetings

Section 1. The following regular meetings shall be scheduled and held once each semester; Organization, Election of Officers, Installation of Officers, Discussion of Election Procedures, Election of Candidates, Initiation of Electees, and one general meeting of a social, literary, or technical nature.

Section 2. Regular meetings are scheduled at least once per month.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, any alumnus member of the Advisory Board, or upon written request to the President signed by 20% of the active members of the Chapter.

Section 4. "Robert's Rules of Order" shall be the parliamentary guide of the Chapter in all matters not covered in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter or in these Bylaws.

Section 5. The first meeting of each semester shall be held within two weeks of the start of the semester.

Section 6. The officers shall present a complete calendar of the regular meeting of the Chapter for the semester to the active members for their approval no later than the second meeting of the semester.

Section 7. Notices sent to the active members and alumnus advisors announcing meetings shall clearly state the time, place, and purpose of the meeting.

Section 8. Business meetings, other than the Election Meeting, shall last no longer than two hours, unless extended by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the active members present. The order of business at these meetings shall be as follows:

a. Roll Call

b. Minutes of the previous meeting

c. Reports of officers

d. Reports of committees

e. Unfinished business

f. New

g. Adjournment

Section 9. Attendance of active members shall be required at all regular, scheduled meetings of the Chapter, unless excused by the President for reasons which he or she judges to be good and sufficient. A member who must miss a regular, scheduled meeting shall submit his or her reasons to the President, in writing, before the meeting, unless the excuse is illness.

Section 10. The President or chairman of the advisory board shall call a meeting of the Advisory Board at the beginning of each semester to discuss Chapter activities for the semester. The minutes of each Advisory Board meeting shall be read at the following regular meeting of the Chapter. Additional meetings of the Board may be called by any of its members or upon written request to the Chair of the Board signed by 20% of the active members of the Chapter.

Section 11. A quorum for the consideration of routine business shall be a majority of the active membership of the Chapter; for the election of new members, for changing the initiation fee or Chapter dues, for passing an assessment on the members of the Chapter, for amending the Chapter Bylaws, and for approval or disapproval of a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the Chapter, a quorum shall be three-fourths of the active membership; for the election of officers, the quorum shall be two-thirds of the active membership. A quorum for an Advisory Board meeting shall be five members of the Board.

Section 12. Any issue not directly written in this document will be resolved by referring to the Rules of Order.

Bylaw IV - Committees

Section 1. Subject to the provision of B-V, 5.02, the President shall appoint the chair and members of the following committees: Membership, Initiation, Program, Social Activities, and such other committees as the chapter shall desire and establish. Appointments shall be made at the next Chapter meeting following each initiation of new members.

Section 2. As early as possible after committee appointments are made the President shall provide each committee chair with a list of his or her specific duties and responsibilities.

Section 3. Each committee chair shall make a report on the progress of his or her group's activities at each association meeting.

Bylaw V - Election of New Members

Section 1. All provisions of C-VIII and B-VI shall be strictly followed.

Section 2. Scholastically eligible full-time junior or seniorengineering student in the following curricula shall be considered for membership in the Chapter: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Engineering. A minimum of 15 units in approved engineering courses is required.

Section 3. Part-time students, pursuing equivalent curricula to those named in Section 3, may be considered for membership in this Chapter, subject to the provisions of C-VIII, 2(a). However, such students shall be considered separately from day students, and no such student shall be considered more than twice as a junior or more than twice as a senior.

Section 4. Transfer students shall be eligible for consideration at the third regular election after their registration. Such students may be eligible at the second regular election after their registration, provided the consent of five-sevenths of the Advisory Board is obtained.

Section 5. The cases of students whose scholastic eligibility is in doubt because of irregularities in standing or curriculum shall be determined by the Advisory Board of the Chapter.

Section 6. The Chapter may elect to specify scholastic requirements higher than those stated in C- VIII.

Section 7. The membership committee shall periodically consult with the chairs of the various engineering departments to determine the names of graduate students, alumni, faculty members, and others who may be eligible for membership under the provisions of C- VIII, 3-6.

Section 8. Exemplary Character Evaluation

a. Letters shall be sent to scholastically eligible candidate inviting them to sign

up for participation in one of the Chapter projects.

b. A member of the membership committee shall serve as candidate participationcoordinator for each of the projects available for candidate participation.

c. Each of the candidates shall be required to participate actively in a project toreceive further Chapter consideration.

d. Candidates may submit independent service activity for consideration.

e. Projects that involve physical violence, offense to dignity or decency, and/or

public exercises that make the candidate ridiculous in any way are strictly

prohibited.

f. At the election meeting the membership committee shall make recommendations based on the candidates' participation in their assigned projects.

Section 9. Voting Procedures

a. At the Election Meeting, the Eligibility code shall first be read.

b. The names of eligible candidate will be submitted to the Chapter membership individually by the membership committee along with the committee's favorablerecommendation for each candidate.

c. A Chapter vote shall be taken on the remainder of the group. Election required approval of three fourths of the members present. (The quorum required for

voting on membership as defined in B-III, 11, is three-fourths of the active membership,

d. Each candidate removed from the general candidates who did not receive a favorable recommendation from the membership committee shall beconsidered separately after all candidates have been voted on. Each name shall bepresented for discussion and voted on before the following name is considered.

e. After all names have been considered and voted on, there shall be a second

individual ballot for each candidate who failed election on the first ballot.

f. No candidate who fails election on the second ballot shall be consideredfurther unless 25% of the members present so request.

g. No candidate who fails election on the third ballot shall be considered again at

this election. He or she may be considered again at the next election if he or she is then eligible.

Section 10. The President shall direct the membership committee to have sufficient

letters of notification of election prepared in advance of the Election Meeting. These letters should be signed by the President, addressed to the electees, and mailed within a timely manner of the Election Meeting.

Section 11. All members shall keep the election results in absolute confidence so that

no candidate shall learn of his or her election except by means of the official letter; likewise, no candidate shall be informed of the details of the vote, especially concerning the personal matters discussed at the time of voting.

Section 12. At the first meeting of electees, the President shall explain the

requirements, objectives, and activities of the Chapter. Those electees desiring to accept election shall formally state their acceptance in writing or verbally to the President.

Section 13. Each electee who refuses initiation for financial reasons shall be interviewed by the Advisory Board, as required by C- VIII, 10(a).

Section 14. Each electee shall be required to take part in an activity recommended or approved by the Chapter officers to foster a spirit of liberal culture. This activity may take the form of a project and/or the writing of an essay, as specified in B-VIII, 7.01. (This requirement may be met by service activity in connection with CA-C B-V, 8.c.) They shall also be required to read the Constitution and Bylaws of the Chapter.

Section 15. The Chapter may assign additional duties to electees, subject to the provision of B-VIII, 7.02.

Bylaw VI - Election and Installation of Officers,

Section 1.The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Cataloger, and special officers shall be elected each semester. The term will begin the last day of each semester. An alumnus member of the Advisory Board shall be elected in the spring semester if a member on the advisory board’s appointment expires.

Section 2. All nominations may be made from the floor at the Election of Officers Meeting.

Section 3. The Election of Officers Meeting shall be held immediately following initiation. All newly elected members shall be immediately eligible for officer positions. Officers-elect shall be formally installed at the last meeting of the semester. The Chapter Officer Installation Procedure given in the President's Book shall be employed to install the new officers. During the period following the election until the installation, each officer-elect shall work closely with his or her officer counterpart to learn the duties and responsibilities of the office. Transfer of financial records between the past and newly elected Treasurer is contingent upon an audit as required by CA-C, B-VII, 8.