Article I.  Preamble

Section A.

The California Polytechnic State University Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers club shall exist for the advancement of Hispanic engineering and science students, for the recruitment and retention of Hispanic students entering into fields of science and engineering and for the development and implementation of programs benefiting Hispanics seeking to become engineers and scientists.

Section B. 

It is the intent of this organization to abide by pertinent State, University and ASI regulations.

Article II.  Purpose

Section A.

The specific and primary purposes are:

1.  To educate the Hispanic community.

2.  To implement programs which provide academic support to members.

3.  To assist Hispanic science and engineering students with personal and professional development.

4.  To increase the number of Hispanics entering the fields of engineering and science.

Article II.  Identification

Section A.

This organization shall be recognized as the California Polytechnic State University Student
Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Section B.

Affiliated with National Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.  All meetings, activities, and business shall be conducted under this name.

Section C.

This club shall be affiliated with the College of Engineering.  A representative shall be elected to the Engineering Student Council (ESC).

Article IV.  Membership

Section A.

Membership may include registered students, associate, honorary, and faculty. 1.  Members must be registered students at the California Polytechnic State University who have paid their dues.
2.  An active member is defined as a paid member.
3.  Associate members shall be persons who believe and support the purpose of this student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.  Associate members may attend whatever activities the organization my designate and vote but may not debate, hold office or represent the organization.
4.  Honorary members shall be:

a.  Persons who have accomplished an outstanding achievement in their engineering/scientific endeavors.

b.  Persons who have participated beyond requirements for the advancement of Hispanic persons in the fields of science and engineering.

c.  Honorary membership shall not exceed 10% of the active members.5.  Faculty members shall be person who believe and support the purpose of this student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.  Faculty members may attend whatever activities the organization may designate, and may vote, but they may not debate, hold office or represent the organization.

Section B.

Active members may participate in meetings, be elected to office, vote, debate, and represent the organization.

Section C.

There may be no membership discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion or national origin.

Section D.

This organization or any of its members shall not conspire to commit any act which causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger, physical, or emotional harm to any member of the campus community.

Article V.  Officers

Section A.

Officers for the chapter shall consist of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Engineering Council Representative, Sergeant at Arms, La Comision Representative, New Student Representative, and Chief Technology Officers.  They shall comprise the Executive Board.

Section B.

Each officer shall have and maintain at least a Cal Poly cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of nominations and throughout the time of office.

Section C.

Duties:

1.  President:  The duties of the President shall be to represent the chapter and be responsible for all business concerning the chapter.  The President shall have full power in the management and business of the chapter subject to the approval of the Executive Board and the majority of the members.

2.  First Vice President:  The duties of the First vice President will be to assume the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence and to assist him/her in carrying out the business of the chapter.  Additionally, the First Vice President is responsible for providing programs that promote the professional development of the members.

3.  Second Vice President: The duties of the Second Vice President will be to assume the duties of the President and First Vice President in the event of their absence.  The Second Vice President’s responsibilities also include outreach to the community.

4.  Secretary:  The duties of the Secretary will be to keep a record of all proceedings, conduct the chapter correspondence, record all chapter business in a ledger for future reference, and is responsible for the public relations of the organization.

5.  Treasurer:  The duties of the Treasurer will be the responsibility for the collection of dues, the disbursement of authorized funds, and the banking and accounting of all club funds. The Treasurer shall make periodic reports to the membership and to the Executive Board.

6.  Engineering Student Council Representative:  The duties of the Engineering Student Council Representative will be to attend all Engineering Student Council meetings, to represent the views of the organization at these meetings, and to service as the liaison between Engineering Council, the Associated Students, and the organization.

7.  Sergeant at Arms:  The duties of the Sergeant at Arms will be to maintain the assembly in proper conduct and to assure its comfortably.  He/she also serves as parliamentarian and historian.

8.  La Comision Estudantil Representative:  The duties of the La Comision Estudantil Representative shall be to attend all Comision Estudantil meetings, to represent the views of the organization at these meetings, and to serve as liaison between SHPE and the additional Latino organizations on campus.

9.  New Student Representative:  The duties of the New Student Representative shall be to represent the special interests of new students to the Executive Board and the general membership.

10.  Additional positions may be elected as needed.

Section D.

Nominations shall be taken from the floor during Spring Quarter.

Section E.

Elections shall be held the following meeting after nominations.  The elections shall be conducted by ballot.  Majority shall determine the new officers.  If there is no majority, there shall be a run-off election at the next meeting between the top two candidates to determine the outcome.  The SHPE Advisor and the Sergeant at Arms shall be responsible for counting the votes.

Article VI.  Meetings

Section

A.

Regular business meetings will be held at least bi-monthly.

Section B.

Special or emergency meetings may be called by the chapters Executive Board, provided there is  twenty-four (24) hours notice given.

Section C.

A quorum shall consist of 40% of the active membership.

Section D.

Sturgis Rules of Order shall apply in all instances not specified in these bylaws.

Article VII.  Committees

Section A.

Duties:

1.  Advancing Careers in Engineering Committee:  Primarily responsible for providing outreach programs to primary, secondary, and high school students in our community.  This committee shall be headed by the Second Vice President.

2.  Banquet Committee:  Responsible for organizing SHPE’s End-of-the Year Awards and Installation Banquet.  This committee shall be headed by the Secretary.

3.  Corporate Development Committee:  Responsible for providing workshops and other activities to promote professional development.  This committee shall be headed by the First Vice President.

4.  Fundraising Committee:  Intended to supplement the chapter’s income.  This committee shall be headed by the Treasurer.

5.  National Technical and Career Conference (NTCC) Committee:  Responsible for organizing all aspects of the trip to the SHPE National Annual Conference.  This committee shall be headed by the First Vice President.

6.  Newsletter Committee:  Responsible for the production and disbursement of the SHPE newsletter.  This committee shall be headed by the Sergeant at Arms.

7.  New Student Committee:  Responsible for organizing a mentor/mentee program.  In addition, the committee will organize social activities amongst themselves.  This committee shall be headed by the New Student Representative.

8.  Open House Committee:  Responsible for the participation of SHPE in Cal Poly’s Annual Open House.  This committee shall be headed by the Engineering Council Representative.

9.  Scholarship Committee:  Responsible for part of the selection of the chapter’s scholarship recipients.  This committee shall be headed by the Treasurer.

10. Shadow an Engineer Committee:  Responsible for organizing the Shadow and Engineer Program, which is to be held twice a year during Christmas and Spring breaks.  This committee shall be headed by the First Vice President.

11. Social Events Committee:  Responsible for the planning and implementation of the clubs social events.  This committee shall be headed by the Sergeant at Arms.

12. Test Files and Evaluations Committee:  Responsible for setting up a test and teacher evaluation file and making them available to the general membership.  This committee shall be headed by the First Vice President.

Section B.

Special committees shall be formed as needed.

Section C.

Any activities proposed by any committee shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Board.

Article VIII. Finances

Section A.

The amount of the dues will be decided by a majority of the Executive Board.  A collection may be taken for special purchases or activities to be approved by a majority of the Executive Board and the general membership.

Section B.

Funds will be administered through the ASI account service and within ASI policies and procedures.

Section C.

The President and Treasurer shall have the authority to allocate funds with the approval of the Advisor and the Executive board.

Section D.

Scholarship recipients will be selected by the Scholarship Committee and the SHPE advisor.  No funds shall be disbursed to any member until full qualifications have been approved by the Advisor.  In addition, no winners shall be announced to the general membership until the members of the Executive Board have been notified.

Section E.

SHPE Scholarship selection procedure rules and regulations are available through the Treasurer.  Any modifications to these rules may be formally proposed by the Scholarship Committee to the Executive Board for approval.

Article IX.  Standing Rules

Section A.

Standing rules may be adopted by a 2/3 majority vote of the chapter members.

Section B.

All votes to be taken by the organization shall require a 50% majority of members present.

Article X.  Advisor

Section A.

There shall be an advisor or advisors who shall be selected from the faculty or staff of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  His/her duties shall be to consult and advise the organization on matters relating to the general conduct of the chapter.  The advisor(s) must be approved by his/her respective department head and/or college dean.  The advisor will also be required to be part of the selection process for SHPE scholarships.

Article XI.  Amendments

Section A.

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed and acted upon by a 2/3 majority vote or quorum at any meeting, provided that the proposed amendment or amendments have been announced at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.

Section B.

All amendments to these bylaws shall be approved by the Activities Planning Center and the University before becoming effective.

Article XII.  Conflicts

Section A.

These bylaws shall be in accordance with the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Bylaws  and Codes and the policies of the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.