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The Society of Women Engineers Constitution
Constitution Preamble: The Society of Women Engineers is a non-profit educational service organizational with the following mission: To stimulate women to achieve full potential in academics as well as in careers as engineers and leaders. To expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life. To demonstrate the value of diversity. Article I: Name A. The name of this organization shall be The Society of Women Engineers, hereafter referred to as SWE. B. The Executive Board of SWE, hereafter referred to as the Board, shall be made up of the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Newsletter Secretary, the Publicity Secretary, and the First Year Representative. Article II: Purpose A. The purpose of SWE shall be to: 1. Inform young women, their parents, counselors, and the general public of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and the opportunities open to them. 2. Assist young women engineers in readying themselves for the work force. 3. Serve as a center of information on women in engineering. 4. Encourage young women engineers to attain high levels of education and professional achievement. B. The purpose of the Executive Board shall be: 1. President: The President is responsible for the initial planning of all events. She shall conduct a weekly meeting with the officers to discuss the scheduling and organization of programs, delegate assignments, and confirm that all tasks are completed in a timely fashion. She shall also act as a liaison between SWE and the administration, especially for recruitment of new students. Other duties shall include corresponding with campus groups and outside organizations, drafting the annual summer correspondence to all SEAS female students, editing the SWE Newsletter, and pursuing new SWE members. 2. Vice-President: The VP is responsible for the Big Sister/Little Sister Program for Spring and Fall. She shall also assist in the conception, coordination, and execution of all SWE academic and social programs. She must preside over meetings or events in the absence of the President. She shall also act as a support for the President whenever necessary in all aspects of SWE. 3. Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for all the monetary aspects of SWE. She must keep accurate records of all monetary transactions. She shall act as a liaison to the USO (Union of Student Organizations) and the accounting office. She shall make budget projections for each semester; submit mid-year and final budget reports to USO; submit forms and reimbursement requests to Accounting and/or the FBH Activities advisor. 4. Publicity: The Publicity Secretary shall be responsible for keeping all SWE members informed of upcoming activities. She shall design, produce, and post flyers to advertise meetings and functions. She shall send phonemail messages to ensure member participation in events, and distribute the newsletter. Periodically, she shall be given special assignments. 5. Newsletter: The Newsletter Secretary's main responsibility shall be to produce a periodic newsletter informing SWE members of upcoming activities as well as providing useful academic, career, and personal information that may be of interest. The Secretary shall decide, with the suggestions of the other officers, on the content of each issue; research and gather information and write the articles. She shall be responsible for the distribution of the summer newsletter. 6. First Year Representative: The First Year Rep shall be responsible for informing the Board of various first year activities and concerns. She shall act as a liaison between the first year class, the Board, and the administration. Article III: Membership A. General membership shall be granted to any student from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Barnard College, or Columbia College, who pay the required national membership fee, determined by SWE National Headquarters. SWE does not discriminate for membership on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Article IV: Meetings and Procedures A. Executive Board meetings shall be held on a weekly basis on a day and time that is agreed upon by the entire Board. Any member of the Board may call a Board meeting. Board meetings are open to all members. The President reserves the right to call General meetings, but another Board member may ask her to call a meeting on her behalf. B. The Board members shall all have equal voting power. C. Attendance Policy: Board members are not permitted to miss more than three events or meetings per semester without a valid excuse. A valid excuse may include a family emergency or a scheduled class or exam as the event or meeting. Any Board member who fails to comply with this policy will come under the scrutiny of the Board Article VI: Elections/Terms A. Nominations and elections of all officers, excluding the first year representative, are to be held by the last week of March. Election of the First Year Representative will be held at the first general meeting of the Fall Semester. Offices will be given to those receiving a majority of the membership vote present at the elections. No proxy or call in votes shall be considered. 1. The elected offices shall be restricted to undergraduates in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. B. If for any reason the President should be unable to fulfill her duties, the Vice President shall take over the Presidential position. C. In the event that any other executive board member should be unable to fulfill her position, the position shall be filled by presidential appointment. D. Voting rights shall be granted only to members. E. A non-member may run for office, but shall be required to pay the national membership fee for the following academic year. Article VII: Impeachment A. Executive Board members may be impeached for the following reasons 1. Failure to adhere to the aforementioned attendance policy. 2 Failure to perform stated duties.
3.Engaging in actions compromising the general welfare of the SWE. B. A board member may be impeached by a majority vote of the Executive Board. Article X: Ratification A. This constitution shall be established by a vote of a 3/4 majority present at the voting proceedings. |