Constitution

Ratified: Wednesday, September 14, 2000
Submitted by: Erica Whorley, Vice President (2000-2001)

PREAMBLE
The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University chapter of the American Society of Civil
Engineers does hereby dedicate itself to the
development of programs for increasing the number of
civil engineers and maintaining a higher retention
rate at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
State University.  These programs include those inside
and outside the university community.  Members of this
organization are encouraged to participate in
conferences, community service and social gatherings
within the department, and  other engineering and non-
engineering societies.

ARTICLE I - Name, Type, Location
The name and type of this organization shall be the American Society of
Civil Engineers, a non-profit student run organization; hereafter referred
to as the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University chapter.

 ARTICLE II - Objective
The objective of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers is to
provide a bridge between the academic and professional worlds of civil
engineering through education and social activities. These include, but are
not limited to Carolinas Conference, community service and social gatherings.
 

ARTICLE III  Relationships
Section I.
The chapter shall be under the jurisdiction of the
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Section II.
Specifically, the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University chapter lies in  Zone II, and falls under the jurisdiction of
the North Carolina Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
 
Section III.
The Chapter will subscribe to the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules of policy and
Procedure and the Code of Ethics as adopted by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

ARTICLE IV-Membership
 Section I.
 Membership in the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University chapter shall be designated as chapter member, national student
member, associate member and/or honorary member.
 
Section II.
Member shall be defined as:
A. An undergraduate enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
State University's Civil Engineering department who has paid either
national or chapter dues.
B. A graduate student enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and
Technical State University's Civil Engineering department who has paid
either national or chapter dues.
C. Any student enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University with in interest  in the profession of who has paid either
national or chapter dues.
 
Chapter Member shall be defined as one who only pays chapter dues.

National Student Member shall be defined as one who has received a
registered membership card through the payment of annual membership
fees.  A National Student Member must be a chapter member.

Associate member shall be defined as a person who, because of the field of
study or particular interest, wishes to cooperate with civil engineering
students in the advancement of professional knowledge and practice.

Honorary member shall be defined as a person who does not meet the
definition of student national, associate or national member but has
contributed through his/her efforts in support of the goals of the Society
and has been nominated by the chapter, region, or the National Executive Board.
 
Section III.
Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination on the
basis of sex, race, religion, ethnic group, age, or national origin.
 
 
ARTICLE V - Voting
 Section I.
Each chapter member shall be entitled to one (1) vote in all chapter
general body meetings in which voting is held.
 
Section II.
Honorary members shall not be entitled to vote.

ARTICLE VI - Dues
 Annual membership fees shall be reviewed annually by the Chapter Executive
Boards and can be changed only by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Chapter
Executive Board.
 
ARTICLE VII- Administration (Revised Feb. 20, 2001)
 
Section I.
There shall be a Chapter Executive Board of the North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University Chapter of the American
Society of Civil Engineers, which shall consist of the following:

A. President
        B. Vice-President
C. Secretary
 D. Treasurer

Section II.
The Chapter Executive Board shall:
A. Determine all questions of policy and shall administer the affairs of
the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University chapter
under the Constitution and By-laws, and national laws.
B. Be subject to the orders of the membership and none of its acts shall
conflict with decisions made by the vote of the general body, or the goals
and objectives of the organization.
C. Not receive any salary for service.
D. Set the hour, agenda and place of all chapter meetings.
E. Coordinate activities at all levels of the North Carolina Agricultural
and Technical State University chapter.
 
Section III.
The elected offices of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University, Chapter Executive Board are:
A. President
        B. Vice-President
C. Secretary
 D. Treasurer
 E. Mr. ASCE
    F. Miss ASCE

Section IV.
Any member of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
University chapter is eligible for a chapter elected office who:
A. Has a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5/4.0.
B. Has completed a minimum of fifteen credit hours at North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University (except in the case of
President and Vice resident who must have achieved at least junior status
by the beginning of their terms).
C. Is classified as a full-time student prior to the beginning of the
elected term and must maintain that status throughout his/her elected term.
D. Have participated in a satisfactory percentage of North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University Chapter sponsored events
(i. e. General Body, Committee Meeting, Social events, etc....) .
E. Graduate students who have fulfilled member status must remain a
full-time student throughout the elected term.
F. Be a national student member.

Section V.
The Chapter Executive Board-elect shall take office sixty (60) days
following the election and shall serve a one-year term.
 
Section VI.
Should a vacancy occur in the office of President, the Vice-President
shall fill the expected term.  Should a vacancy occur in an office other
than the President, the position shall be filled by a chapter election.
 
Section VII.
The previous Chapter President shall serve as President-Emeritus, or the
President-elect may appoint someone with the approval of the Chapter
Executive Board-elect.
 
Section VIII.
Elections to Chapter Offices:
(A) Elections of Chapter Officers will take place at least one week prior to Carolinas Conference.
(B) The Chapter Executive Board  shall serve as the elections committee to
compile and disseminate documents procedures to members seeking offices. 
(C) The Chapter President shall coordinate elections.

ARTICLE VIII - Duties of Elected Offices (Revised Feb. 20, 2001)
 Section I.
 The duties of the elected offices are:

A. Chapter President:
I. Shall preside over all official meetings of the Chapter.
II. Shall serve as the representative of the Chapter in the Council of Presidents.
III. Shall insure that the organization is running smoothly.
IV. Shall act as mediator for organizationally problems.
V. Shall preside over elections

B. Vice-President
I. Shall preside in the absence or the inability of the President.
II. Shall develop programs of interest for the General Body meeting in
cooperation with the other executive Board members.
III. Shall perform any activities, duties, and responsibilities as
designated by President.
IV. Shall oversee the activities of the standing committees.
V. Shall report to Chapter Executive Board on the standing of the
committees.

C. Secretary
I. Shall record the minutes of the Chapter Executive Board meetings and
all General Body meetings, also make available the minutes to all members upon request.
II. Shall update the scrapbook as necessary.
III. Shall keep in contact with the local Civil Engineering business.
IV. Make preparations for information sessions.
V. Prepare meeting and information sessions flyers.
VI. Shall be responsible for corporate solicitation activities for the chapter.

D. Treasurer
I. Shall keep accounts and deposit organizational funds of the Chapter Treasury.
II. Shall keep records of the expenditures made for Chapter business.
III. Shall maintain the membership roll and collect annual dues of the
chapter in a manner developed in conjunction with the Chapter Executive Board.
IV. Shall obtain food for meeting and information sessions when a company's inability presents itself.
V. Shall provide budget at the end of each semester.

E. Mr. ASCE
I. Represent ASCE at homecoming coronation.
II. Organize Chapters Social Service.

F. Miss ASCE
I. Represent ASCE at homecoming coronation.
II. Organize Chapters Community Service.

ARTICLE IX - Committees and Appointed Positions
 Section I.
The standing committees are formed for the purpose of completing
competition pieces for Regional Conference.

Section II.
There shall be seven (7) standing committees of the North Carolina
Agricultural and Technical State University chapter, which are:
 
A. Balsa Wood Bridge
B. Concrete Beam
C. Concrete Canoe
D. Mystery Design
E. Steel Bridge
F. Technical Paper
G. Visual Presentation

Section III.
Each standing committee with consists of a chairperson and committee
members. The Chairpersons shall be appointed, as deemed necessary by the
Vice-President, preferably at the beginning of the school term.

Section IV.
Each Chairperson must:
A. Sign a contract verifying his/her commitment to seeing the competition
piece through to completion.
B. Report biweekly to the Vice President on progress of competition piece.
C. Set meeting dates, places and times to meet with those members who are
willing to work on competition piece.
D. Inspire and promote teamwork within their committee.
E. Complete the competition piece by set date.
F. Keep a record (preferably weekly journal of all activities leading to
competition piece completion).

Section V.
In addition to the above duties, the committees will carry out assignments
deemed necessary by the Chapter Vice-President.
 
Section VI.
Standing committees can be added or deleted as deemed necessary by the
Executive Board based on offered competitions at Carolinas Conferences or
member participation.
 
Section VII.
Web Page Master will be appointed by the Executive Board.  His/her duties
will include updating the web page weekly with the minutes and other
committee updates.

 ARTICLE XI - Meetings
Section I.
Chapter general sessions shall be held twice a month .  These meetings shall:
  (A) Serve as a means to incorporate business and professional growth.
  (B)  Allow for chapter focus and networking.
  (C)  Shall have at least five (5) members per general body meeting
and at least three (2) elected officers per Chapter
Executive Board meeting.
 

ARTICLE XII---Demerit System
Section I.
When elected or appointed to a position, each member is expected to
perform the duties that he/she is assigned.  If the member fails to do
that in a satisfactory condition as determined by the executive board or
committee members, a demerit will be placed upon that member.

Section II.
Reasons for a demerit can include, but are not exclusive to:
(A) Failure to hold meetings
(B) Failure to produce, continue production of competition piece on schedule
(C) Failure to follow or fulfill office guidelines as set out in the Constitution.

Section III.
Demerits must be submitted in written form to the Executive Board
President (unless he/she is the one in question and then it shall be
submitted to the Vice President). 

Section IV.
Once a demerit is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Executive Board
(minus the member in question) before it is set in place.  The member in
question is allowed to defend his or her actions in a written statement
that must be submitted with 48 hours of notification of demerit. Every
officer and appointed position is allowed to one demerit. 

Section V.
Upon the Executive Board granting the second demerit, the member or
officer will be removed from his/her position.

Section VI.
Removal from an office or position will result in that members inability to
hold a position (elected or appointed) in the immediately following school year
 

ARTICLE XIII - By-laws
 Section I.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:
  (A) A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Chapter Executive Board.
  (B) One-third (1/3) of the voting members, through chapter referendum.
  (C) Two-thirds (2/3) of the members at general body meeting.
 
 Section II.
 Proposed amendments must be submitted in written form to the Chapter
Executive Board to be reviewed.  The proposal must be clearly stated and justified.
 
Section III.
Ratification of any amendments to this constitution shall be subject to a
three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of the members present at a scheduled
general body meeting.