NJ BETA CHAPTER BYLAWS
Last amended April 2010
Article I -Scope
Sec. 1. These bylaws shall govern the proceedings of this Chapter in matters not specifically
provided for in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Tau Beta Pi Association. In the case of
conflict, the National Constitution and Bylaws shall supersede the Chapter Bylaws.
Article II - Election of Members.
Sec. 1. A list of scholastically eligible students (as defined in the National Bylaws, Article VI)
will be compiled by the Chapter membership committee. To be eligible, a student must have an
undergraduate academic major of: Biomedical, Bioresource, Ceramics and Materials, Chemical
and Biochemical, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer, Industrial, Mechanical or
Aerospace Engineering, or Applied Sciences in Engineering or a graduate academic major of
Biomedical, Bioresource, Chemical and Biochemical, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and
Computer, Industrial and Systems, or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Sec. 2. These students will be notified by mail that they are being considered for membership
in Tau Beta Pi. The mailing will ask interested students to attend a candidate's meeting and to
bring a resume of their college activities to this meeting.
Sec. 3. Suitable pledge duties will be assigned at the candidate's meeting according to the
National Bylaws Article VII. The pledge duties will require no less than ten hours of service.
All candidates will be given a copy of the National Constitution and Bylaws and the Chapter
Bylaws. Candidates shall be impressed with the absolute necessity of faithfully supporting all
Chapter functions.
Sec. 4. All candidates will be required to have an interview with a member of Tau Beta Pi.
The interview will evaluate the candidate's activity resume, intentions for seeking
membership, and knowledge of the constitution and bylaws of Tau Beta Pi. Interviews must
be conducted in a standardized fashion and a written report must be made on each candidate
by the interviewer.
Sec. 5. The membership committee will also try to determine if there are any graduate
students, alumni, or eminent engineers who are eligible for election to Tau Beta Pi.
Sec. 6. The membership committee will sort the candidates' files into those who have
submitted a resume and completed their pledge duties, those who have not submitted a
resume, those who have not completed their pledge duties, etc.
Sec. 7. Election of new members will occur at a meeting of the Chapter's active membership
as described in the National Bylaws Article VI. Each candidate's name will be presented as
part of a group, and voting will take place as defined in section 6.03 of the National Bylaws.
Recommended graduate students, alumni, and eminent engineers will also be voted on at this
meeting.
Article III -Election of Officers
Sec. 1. A quorum for nomination and elections shall be a majority of the active
undergraduate membership Nominations shall be made from the floor, and each shall be
seconded, One member may not second more than one nomination for any one office.
Similarly, a member may not nominate more than a single candidate for any one office, and
if he nominates a member, he may not second any nomination for that same office. Secret
balloting shall be conducted when the nominees shall have left the room. A majority of the
number of votes tabulated shall be required for election.
The chairman of the elections shall have a vote. In the event of a tie vote, the ballot shall be
repeated with the chairman of the elections abstaining.
Sec. 2. The order of election shall be as follows: Faculty member of the Advisory Board,
President, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer,
Cataloger, Convention Delegate, Engineering Governing Council Representatives, Web Page
Coordinator, External Vice President, Committee Chairs.
The Convention Delegate may or may not be a previously elected officer.
The nominees for one office shall be voted upon before nominations for the successive office
are made.
Sec. 3. Vacancies shall be filled by a special election at the next Chapter meeting.
Article IV -Meetings.
Sec. 1. Regular Chapter meetings shall be held once a month during the school year.
Sec. 2. The President may call special meetings with 24 hours advance notice.
Article V - Induction of Officers
Sec. 1. The election meeting shall be held before the District Convention at which time the
retiring officers shall turn over their complete, up-to-date records, files, and paraphernalia to
the incoming officers.
Article VI -Fees
Sec. 1. The initiation fee shall be limited to $30 above the national dues.
Sec. 2. There shall be no dues levied upon the members, with the exception of special
assessments approved by three-quarters vote of the total active undergraduate membership.
Article VII -Committees
Sec. 1. Subject to the provisions in National Bylaw V, section 5.02, the president shall
appoint the committee chairman for those chairs positions not fulfilled through election. The
president shall appoint members for the committees: Membership, Initiation, Social,
programming, and Special Activities, and such other committees as the Chapter shall desire
and establish.
Article VIII - Discipline
Sec. 1. The Advisory Board of the Chapter shall serve as the discipline committee and shall
take action against members only as defined in the National Constitution, Article IX, Sec. 5.
Article IX -Amendment
Sec. 1. Amendment or temporary suspension or these Chapter Bylaws may be effected by a
three-fourths vote of the total active undergraduate membership and a five-sevenths vote of
the Advisory Board.
Article X Retaining Active Status
Sec. 1. In order for a member to retain active status for the current semester, s/he must attend
any two of the member meetings and any one of the Tau Beta Pi sponsored events as defined
by the chapter officers.
Sec. 2. Any active member may attain distinguished active status by completing the
requirements specified in Appendix A-1. These members may also be given the benefits
accorded a distinguished active as outlined in Appendix A-2.
Sec. 3. The executive board and the Membership committee shall oversee the status of all
members.
Article XI - Presidential Succession
Sec. 1. The president elect will serve three periods of time. The first term will consist of
shadowing the 'lame duck' president. The next term will consist of serving as full president.
The final term to be served will consist of mentoring the new president elect.
Appendix A
1. Members may achieve Distinguished Active status by completing the following
requirements in the course of one semester:
a) Serve as either a group leader, project chair, or officer
b) Take part in the exemplary character assessment process, which includes
conducting interviews and attending the Election of New Members meeting
c) Attend one meeting in addition to the two required for active status
d) Take part in at least four hours of service
e) Attend at least two more Tau Beta Pi sponsored events
2. At the end of each term, as a reward for their devotion to the society, each Distinguished
Active will be given the following benefits according the number of terms of distinguished
activity:
After one term: A Tau Beta Pi certificate pronouncing her/his accomplishment and
the chapters appreciation. (This may be given every term.)
After two terms: A TBP gift to be determined by the Membership Committee.
After three terms: Invitation to the initiation banquet, where she/he will receive special
recognition for her/his achievement and a gift determined by the
executive board.
Any graduating member who has been distinguished active for any term will be given a Tau
Beta Pi stole to wear at all commencement exercises.