Society of Environmental Professionals

Constitution and Bylaws

Article I:            Name and Affiliation

Section i:        The name of this Chapter shall be The Society of Environmental Professionals, and hereinafter referred to as the “Chapter.”  The Chapter shall maintain affiliation with the Air & Waste Management Association, the New York Water Environment Association, the Water environment Federation, …., hereinafter referred to as the “Associations.”

Section ii:       The officers of the Chapter shall be located at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th St., Troy, New York 12180

Article II:         Purpose

            Section i:  The purposes of the Chapter are:

a.      To promote student interest in the environment

b.      To provide an avenue for the exchange of information and ideas between students and members of professional Associations

c.       To provide a common ground where students from various disciplines related to air, waste, and water environment management can advance their understanding of environmental management through an organized exchange of knowledge

d.      To promote a better understanding of the scope and opportunities in air, waste, and water environment management

e.      To present educational programs of general interest topics in the science of air, waste, and water environment management, as well as other related technological fields

f.        To encourage its members to participate in the Associations’ conferences, meetings, and social events

Article III:        Compatibility with the Association

Section i:        The Chapter’s Bylaws shall not be in conflict with the Bylaws of the Associations

Section ii:       The Chapter shall not adopt any policy that is considered contrary to school policy

Section iii:      The Chapter shall make no endorsement of individuals, actions, devices, or achievements except in the interest of the public welfare

Section iv:      The Chapter shall not affiliate with, nor shall it give assistance to sales, political, trade, or labor organizations

Article IV:          Membership

            Section i:        SEP

a.      Any student enrolled at RPI, with an interest in the environment, shall be eligible for membership. 

            Section ii:       NYWEA

a.      Membership – Membership is open to any matriculating student hat is in good academic standing regardless of the level of study.  Student members must be student members in both the State and Federal organization

b.      Suspensions – Any member can be suspended or terminated by the officers or advisor for any conduct, which is deemed to be in violation of Student Code Handbook, and/or harmful acts to this organization.

c.       Rights – All student members shall have the privilege of total participation in chapter activities, including the right to vote and hold office

            Section iii:      Membership Qualification and Rights

a.      Any person enrolled in an accredited college or university as a full-time student may become a member of the Society of Environmental Professionals by written application using the appropriate form. 

b.      Student members of the Associations may become members of the Chapter

c.       All members not in arrears for dues and otherwise good standing may be present and participate in the discussion or proceedings of any regular, annual, or specialty meeting, of the membership, and may vote on all questions and in all elections at such meetings

d.      Chapter membership will not be limited on the basis of age, color, gender, handicappers, status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight

Article V:           Dues

            Section i:        NYWEA

a.      The NYWEA dues and payment shall be $25.00

            Section ii:       A&WMA

a.      The A&WMA dues and payment shall be $35.00

Article VI:          Management

            Section i:        These Bylaws shall govern the acts of the Chapter

Section ii:       The officers of the Chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and __________.  Only students may be officers

Section iii:      The Executive Council in conformity with these Bylaws and input and advice from the Faculty Advisor shall conduct the business of the Chapter

Section iv:      The Executive Council shall consisted of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian.  The President shall be Chairman.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall stand in.  The Chapter Advisor shall be an ex-officio member

Section v:       General policies of the Chapter shall be controlled by the Executive Council through its powers to initiate changes and amend the Bylaws, to establish budget policies, and to review the annual reports of the officers, including the determination of operating policies and control of Chapter property and funds

Section vi:      The method of voting may be determined by the membership

Section vii:     Only students may be voting members.  Each member shall be entitled to one vote on all questions submitted to the Chapter

Section viii:    Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, where applicable, shall determine the conduct of business in all of the Chapter and its governing bodies and committees, except where inconsistent with the Bylaws of the Chapter

Article VII:         Elections

            Section i:        Only members in good standing may nominate, be nominated, or vote. 

Section ii:       The nominations for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian will be accepted at the general chapter meeting one month prior to the scheduled election.  All nominations will be collected and considered for validation by the executive council or a nominating committee to be appointed by the council

Section iii:      Officers shall be elected at a regularly scheduled meeting, publicized at least one month in advance

Section iv:      The officers of the Chapter shall be elected by popular vote via secret ballot

Section v:       The term of office of each officer shall be:

a.      President:

b.      Vice President:

c.       Secretary:

d.      Treasurer:

e.      Historian:

Section vi:      The succession of officers during an incomplete term shall be as follows: Vice President, Secretary, Historian, Treasurer may succeed to the next office in order of – graduation or termination of the student in the next highest office.  A temporary officer may be elected by the membership to any permanent office

Section vii:     An officer failing to maintain membership in good standing, may be removed at any meeting by vote of the general membership

Section viii:    If the executive council fails to promote the ideals held out in the purpose of this organization, the general membership can call for a recusal by a two-thirds majority vote at any of the general meetings.  Immediately a nomination and election process shall proceed, electing all new members for the executive council.

Article VIII:        Duties

Section i:        President – The President shall preside at all chapter meetings, serve as Chair of the Executive Council,  and represent the society on all appropriate occasions

Section ii:       Vice President – The Vice President shall serve as Chair of the Program Committee, shall preside over Chapter meetings in the absence of the President, and take charge of the organization if the President  cannot perform the duties of his office

Section iii:      Treasurer – It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to be the custodian of all Chapter funds, to collect dues or and make Chapter disbursements.  He/she shall maintain accurate records of the finances of the Chapter and shall render an annual report or such other statements as the Executive Council or the membership, by resolution, may require.  He/she will consult the Executive Council as to the custody of funds and investment of Funds.  All funds of the Chapter shall be deposited in the name of the chapter in a bank designated by the council.  The Treasurer shall issue checks, receipts and keep records of financial transactions of the Chapter’s funds.  In conjunction with the President, the Treasurer will prepare a draft budget for the Chapter activities.  All checks will be co-signed by the President or the Vice President.  Accounting of all funds will be done at the end of each semester.

Section iv:      Secretary – The secretary will be the guardian of the organization’s records.  The responsibilities will include the maintenance of complete and thorough records on all chapter activities.  The Secretary must keep records of all meeting proceedings and minutes and distribute the draft minutes before the next scheduled meeting for approval by the members.  The secretary must keep all project records, make and retain copies of all chapter publications, correspondences, and other important documents.  It is the duty of the secretary to notify the membership of all meetings and of other business conducted by the Chapter.

Section v:       Historian – The Historian will maintain a complete up-to-date file of Chapter Records, handed down from the Secretary, concerning every activity that goes on.  These records shall include membership lists, meeting minutes for all major and minor meetings, attendance records of each regular Chapter meeting, complete reports on each activity or project including names of participants, date functions performed, etc., copies of correspondences, copies of Chapter publications, and other equally important records.  The Historian is responsible for maintaining a photographic record of events as appropriate.  It is the duty of the Historian to report the Student Chapter Reports to be filed with the Associations.