The Bylaws of the Southeastern Michigan Alumnus Chapter

The Bylaws of the Southeastern Michigan Alumnus Chapter

of the Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc.

Bylaw I

General

Section 1.01. Name. The name of this organization shall be the Southeastern Michigan (SEMI) Alumnus Chapter of The Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc., hereafter referred to as the “Chapter.”

Section 1.02. Purpose. The purpose of the Chapter shall be:

(a) to uphold the principles, esprit de corps, and ideals of the Tau Beta Pi Association;

(b) to advance the causes of the engineering profession;

(d) to assist the Michigan Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Eta, Theta, and Iota collegiate chapters with their programs;

(e) to aid the Michigan Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Eta, Theta, and Iota collegiate chapters with the selection of suitable alumni and eminent engineers for election to membership in the Association; and

(f) to provide opportunities for alumnus members to meet and discuss common interests.

Section 1.03. Governance. These Bylaws shall govern the proceedings of this Chapter in all matters not specifically provided for in “The Constitution and Bylaws and Eligibility Code” and the Convention Acts of the Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc.

Section 1.04. Definitions. Herein, The Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc. shall be referred to as the “Association.”

Section 1.05. Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern this Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.

Section 1.06. References. Abbreviated references herein to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association and to the various Bylaws of this document shall be made in the form illustrated by the following examples:

(a) C-VII, 2(a) – National Constitution Article VII, Section 2, Subsection a

(b) B-IX, 9.04 – National Bylaw IX, Section 9.04

Bylaw II

Membership

Section 2.0.1 Eligibility. Any member of Tau Beta Pi, who is not an undergraduate student, is eligible for membership in this Chapter.

Section 2.02. Requirements. Anyone eligible for membership may become a member by expressing his or her willingness to become affiliated with the Chapter, his or her willingness to comply with these Bylaws, and by paying annual dues to the Treasurer of the Chapter.

Bylaws of The Detroit Alumnus Chapter -- Page 2 of 4

Bylaw III

Officers

Section 3.01. Officer List. The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and at least three directors, who shall compose the Board of Directors. At least three directors must be elected by the membership of the Chapter, while additional directors may be appointed by a 3/4 favorable vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.02. Nominations. A nominating committee composed of the officers and shall contact possible nominees, and (with the nominees' permission) nominate at least two members for each office. The names of those persons nominated are to be mailed with the notice of the election meeting by the Secretary. Further nominations may then be made from the floor at the election meeting.

Section 3.03. Election of Officers. An election of officers shall be held at the election meeting each year. Elected officers shall hold offices for a term of one year from April 1 to March 31 of the year following their election or until their successors are elected. Appointed directors shall hold office from the date of their appointment until March 31 or until their successors are appointed. Elected officers may be reelected and appointed directors may be reappointed.

Section 3.04. Resignation of Officers. In the event of the resignation of an officer, the Board of Directors shall nominate a replacement from the membership (with the member's approval) to fill the office for the remainder of the term, except that the office of President shall automatically be filled by the Vice-President, and a new Vice-President shall be elected at the next meeting of the Chapter.

Section 3.05. Committees. The President shall appoint members to serve on committees, as deemed necessary by the officers.

Section 3.06. Duties of the President. It shall be the duty of the President to:

(a) Perform the normal duties of that office.

(b) Make certain that the other officers perform their duties in accordance with these Bylaws.

Section 3.07. Duties of the Vice-President. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to:

(a) Assist the President.

(b) Be responsible for Chapter programs.

Section 3.08. Duties of the Secretary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:

(a) Maintain records of the Chapter's membership, and to keep the roll and take the minutes of the Chapter meetings and to keep them completely written up-to-date.

(b) Preside at Chapter meetings in the absence of the President and Vice-President, in which instance the Secretary shall appoint another member to take the minutes.

(d) Send to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association such items of news and interest as honors received, election to office, and similar events with regard to members of the Chapter.

(e) Send to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association a copy of the Chapter's Bylaws within two weeks of their adoption or amendment.

(f) Send to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association the names and addresses of the Chapter's official Convention delegate and alternate delegate on the official credentials form.

(g) Carry on such other correspondence of the Chapter as the President of officers may direct.

Section 3.09. Duties of the Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

(a) Send promptly in January of each year to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association the annual Chapter dues, and provided in C-VII, 1(c).

(b) Collect the annual membership dues in January of each year.

Section 3.10. Duties of the Directors. It shall be the duty of the Directors to serve with the other officers as an executive committee to administer the affairs of the Chapter between meetings.

Section 3.11. Convention Representation. An official delegate shall represent the Chapter at the annual Convention of the Association, if possible. It shall be the duty of the delegate to represent the best interests of the Chapter and the Association. The delegate shall be the President of the Chapter. The other officers shall be alternates in the order given in D-III, 3.01. If none of the officers are able to attend, they shall name a delegate from the membership.

Bylaw IV

Chapter Finances

Section 4.01. Membership Dues. Annual dues shall be payable in January and shall be an amount set forth by the Board of Directors and is subject to review by the Chapter.

Section 4.02. Assessments. Assessments must be proposed by a majority of the Board of Directors and may be voted on at any business meeting of the Chapter. Assessments may be made by the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the Chapter membership entitled to vote thereon, or 75% of the members voting, whichever is less.

Section 4.03. Projects. The Chapter may sponsor various projects provided any proceeds from said projects would be used to finance scholarships, fellowships, or similar awards.

Section 4.04. Donations. The Chapter may accept private donations, which have been designated for the purpose of providing scholarships, fellowships, or similar awards, or for defraying the expense of Chapter operations.

Section 4.05. Solicitations. No member, nor individual, nor organization may solicit any support (including moral or financial) without prior knowledge and approval by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.06. Chapter Dues. The Treasurer, in accordance with C-VII, 1(c), shall pay the annual chapter dues to the Association.

Section 4.07. Distribution of Net Earnings. No part of the net earnings of the Chapter will insure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, members, officers, or Directors of the Chapter or to any other individual.

Section 4.08. Dissolution. Upon the dissolution of the organization, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liability of the organization, distribute all assets of the organization to the Tau Beta Pi Association, Inc., or to one or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) (non private) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or to the Federal, State, or Local Government for exclusive public purposes, with the preference to be given to 501 (c)(3) (non private) organizations.

Bylaw V

Meetings

Section 5.01. Board of Directors Meetings. The President, as deemed necessary, or upon receiving, in writing, a petition signed by three officers, will call within ten days a meeting of the Board of Directors to plan Chapter activities or to act upon urgent business.

Section 5.02. Chapter Meetings. The regular meeting of the Chapter shall be the election of officers in during the first quarter of the calendar year. The Secretary shall be responsible for sending notices of the time, date, and place of the meeting to the members. If a quorum is not present at the time of the regular meeting, the appropriate election will be handled by mail ballot. The time limit is specified in D-VI, 3. Other meetings shall be held at the discretion of the officers, as they deem necessary.

Section 5.03. Quorum. At least 20% of the active members must be present at a meeting of the Chapter before any business may be transacted.

Section 5.04 Time Limit of Vote. Any member who fails to return his or her ballot to the Secretary within two weeks of the time the ballot was mailed to him or her shall forfeit his or her vote to the officers of the Chapter who shall be empowered to vote for him or her in a manner which they believe to be in the best interests of the Chapter and of the Association.

Bylaw VI

Amendments

Section 6.01 Proposed Amendments. Amendments to these Bylaws shall be proposed in the following manner:

(a) by an active member of the Chapter at a regular meeting; or

(b) by a majority of the officers at any time

Section 6.02 Adoption. Any amendment proposed in the manner specified in Bylaw 6.01 will be adopted if approved by the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the Chapter membership entitled to vote thereon or 75% of the members voting, whichever is less. Ballots will be mailed to all members eligible to vote, if the matter cannot be handled at a regular Chapter meeting.

Section 6.03 Enactment. These Bylaws shall be in force when signed by at least ten alumnus members of The Tau Beta Pi Association.

Bylaws of The Detroit Alumnus Chapter -- Page 2 of 4