>> Constitution

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Society of Women Engineers hereafter referred to as SWE. SWE shall be known as the SUNY Stony Brook Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, a non-profit, student run organization.

ARTICLE II – Objectives

SWE is a non-profit educational service organization dedicated to making known the need for women engineers and encouraging young women to consider an engineering education. The organization's four objectives are as relevant today as they were almost 50 years ago:

• To inform young women, their parents, counselors, and the public in general of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and the opportunities open to them.
• To assist women engineers in readying themselves for a return to active work after temporary retirement.
• To serve as a center of information on women in engineering.
• To encourage women engineers to attain high levels of educational and professional achievement.

The mission statement, adopted in 1985, states: The Society of Women Engineers stimulates women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers and leaders, expands the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in the quality of life, and demonstrates the value of diversity.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

a. All members must be currently registered, matriculated students of SUNY at Stony Brook and must subscribe to, or be interested in, the purpose of this organization.

b. No person shall be denied membership or office because of sexual preference, national origin, race, sex, physical disability, and political or religious beliefs.

ARTICLE IV - DUES

The Council of Section Representatives for the Society of Women Engineers shall set annual membership fees for the Society of Women Engineers. Student dues are $20.

ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1

All nominees for organization board positions must have the following requirements:

1. Minimum cumulative index of 2.5 and, if elected, must maintain a cumulative index of at least 2.5,
2. Must be a full time SUNY Stony Brook student during the academic school year they are to serve.
3. Must be involved in at least three activities sponsored by SWE.
4. Must be a member of SWE for at least one semester.

All officers shall serve for one year and may be re-elected as long as they maintain a cumulative index of 2.5 and are registered each semester.

Section 2

a. The President shall be the official representative of the organization; he/she shall also be a non-voting ex-officio member of all committees of the organization.
b. The President shall have the power to convene and preside over the meetings of the executive board and the general membership and prepare the agenda for the meetings of the executive board and the general membership. The President shall further perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office.

Section 3

a. The Vice-President shall be required to see that standing committee chairpersons are fulfilling their duties. The Vice-President shall further perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office.
b. If the President is unable to perform his/her duties (due to impeachment, leave of absence or resignation), the Vice-President shall assume the position of President.
c. Should a vacancy occur in the office of Vice President, a new Vice President will be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board

Section 4

a. The Treasurer shall keep detailed record of all monies allotted to the organization. The Treasurer shall also submit all payment requests.
b. Each month the Treasurer shall perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office.
c. Should a vacancy occur in the office of Treasurer, a new Treasurer will be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board

Section 5

a. The Secretary shall take attendance of all meetings and maintain an up-to-date active voting membership roster. The Secretary shall further perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office.
b. Should a vacancy occur in the office of Secretary, a new Secretary will be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

There shall be standing committees of SWE, which are:

Events Chairperson
a. Assist the Executive Board with the organization and preparation of activities.
b. Create awareness of the Society of Women Engineers and help outreach to minority engineering students at Stony Brook.
c. In the event that the Executive Board is unable to attend meetings pertaining to collaboration of activities, the Events Chairperson shall be responsible for attending.

Community Chairperson
a. Establish and implement community outreach events such as Pre-College Day to help promote minorities in science and engineering to high school students.
b. Develop new sources of funding and contributions.
c. In the event that the Executive Board is unable to attend meetings pertaining to collaboration of activities, the Community Chairperson shall be responsible for attending.

Community Relations Chairperson
a. Spokesperson for SWE at other minority engineering groups’ general body meetings
b. Liaison between SWE and other organizations at Stony Brook.
c. Collaborate with minority engineering groups at Stony Brook to produce events such as Pre-College Day and the Engineering Ball.
d. In the event that the Executive Board is unable to attend meetings pertaining to collaboration of activities, the Community Relations Chairperson shall be responsible for attending.

Webmaster
a. Maintain and frequently update the website, www.sinc.sunysb.edu/clubs/swe, and e-mail account, swe@ic.sunysb.edu.
b. Assist the Executive Board with the organization and preparation of activities.

All officers that miss three meetings, without reasonable excuse, will be automatically removed from his/her office (dishonorably discharged).

All officers that have been dishonorably discharged will not be given credit for his/her current term as officer of the organization.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

General body meetings will be held at the discretion of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII – ELECTIONS

Section 1.

No person shall seek the position of President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer unless he/she has been a member of this organization for one semester prior to the semester when he/she would assume office.

Section 2.

The President shall vote on all general issues on the floor only to break a deadlock during an election.

Section 3.

All officers must be elected by majority vote during the month of April. Elections must be held no later than the end of the Spring Semester. New officers will assume their positions at the end of May.
a. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor at a meeting prior to the election.
b. Election shall be by majority vote of the active voting members present whose names appear on the membership roster.

ARTICLE IX - RESIGNATION

Any officer, who resigns from his/her position, must allocate another person in accordance with Executive Board, Article V, as stated above. The allocated person shall be voted upon a ¾ vote of the existing Executive Board.

ARTICLE X - IMPEACHMENT

Section 1

Any officer of the club may be brought up on impeachment charges if he/she is acting detrimentally to the organization or he/she has significantly disregarded the major responsibilities of his/her office.

Section 2

If a list of charges, signed by three-four (3/4) of the officers, is submitted to the President he/she must call for impeachment proceeding. If the President is being brought up on charges, the petition shall be submitted to the Vice-President. Upon receipt of the petition, the President shall suspend the officer and prevent him/her from exercising all powers and voting rights pending the outcome of the impeachment proceedings.

Section 3

If a list of charges, signed by two-third (2/3) of the active members is submitted to the president, he/she must call for impeachment proceedings (see section two (2) for remaining steps).

Section 4

After proper impeachment proceedings, the officer(s) so charged may be impeached by a ¾ vote of organization members. If impeachment passes, the officer shall be removed from his/her position.

Section 5

Upon impeachment of

a. President - the Vice-President assumes the Presidency.
b. Other officers, a new officer will be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Amendments to this constitution may be introduced from the floor and must be submitted to the Secretary in writing at a general membership meeting.

Section 2

The entire voting membership shall be notified in writing at least five (5) school days prior to a vote on a proposed amendment.

Section 3

A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active voting membership is necessary for the passage of an amendment.