Article I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Sec. 1.

This organization shall be known as the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Student Branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Sec. 2.

The purpose shall be the dissemination of knowledge of the theory and practice of all aspects of electrical engineering, computers, electronics, radio, allied branches of engineering or the related arts and sciences, as well as the furtherance of the professional development of members.

Sec. 3.

The organization and operation of the Branch shall be in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the IEEE.

Article II: MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1.

Full Membership shall be limited to undergraduate and graduate students of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University , who are taking at least 50% of a full-time academic program. Faculty and staff who are members of the IEEE shall be granted Associate Membership in the Branch.

Sec. 2.

Membership and participation in Branch activities shall be free from discrimination based on gender, race, religion, handicap, or sexual orientation.

Article III: DUES

Sec. 1.

The Executive Committee of the Branch shall have the power to levy special assessments upon endorsement by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the Branch. Associate members will be exempted from any special assessments levied by the Branch.

Sec. 2.

Nonpayment of annual IEEE membership fees will automatically result in suspension of membership in the IEEE and in the local Branch. Nonpayment of local dues will result in the loss of voting rights and the right to hold office, but will not result in suspension of membership in the IEEE.

Article IV: OFFICERS

Sec. 1.

The Officers of the Branch shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Treasurer, and a Secretary.

Sec. 2.

Only Full Members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office. Associate members shall not be entitled to vote or to hold office.

Sec. 3.

The term of office shall ordinarily be one year and shall begin upon election.

Sec. 4.

Election of Officers for the following year shall be held not later than the last meeting of each year.

Article V: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sec. 1.

The management of the affairs of the Branch shall be in the hands of the Executive Committee, consisting of the duly elected officers of the Branch and Counselor. The Branch Chair shall also chair the Executive Committee. Other committee chairs and appointed Officers shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

Sec. 2.

The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Branch and shall transact all business it deems advisable, including the filling of vacancies in offices, authorization of expenditures, etc.

Article VI: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1.

The Branch Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Branch, shall appoint all committees, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, and shall assume all other executive duties not otherwise delegated.

Sec. 2.

The Vice-Chair shall perform all functions of the Branch Chair if the latter is absent or upon the request of the Chair.

Sec. 3.

The Branch Secretary shall keep a record of activities of the Branch and shall record the number of members at each meeting or activity. The Secretary is responsible for filing the Annual Plan of Activities and the Annual Report of Activities with IEEE Student Services, in a timely manner. The Secretary shall carry on all other communications necessary to the activity of the Branch and ensure that all activities of the Branch are in accordance with this Constitution and the Bylaws of the IEEE.

Sec. 4.

The Treasurer shall receive all money and pay all debts of the Branch authorized by the Executive Committee, and shall keep an exact account of all receipts and expenditures. The Treasurer shall also complete the year-end Financial Statements for inclusion in the Annual Report of Activities.

Article VII: Selection of Officers

Sec. 1

Active voting membership will be limited to all students who are active members, currently enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and in good financial standing with the organization. Faculty, staff, ERAU alumni, student spouses, etc., may be affiliate members but may not vote or hold office.

Sec. 2

The nomination of officers shall occur at a specified meeting during the spring semester. Any eligible member (as defined in Article II Section 1) present may nominate someone or themselves for office by verbal, electronic, or written nomination of the individual during this procedure. However, the nominee must be considered an eligible member (as defined in Article II Section 1). Absentee ballots and proxy ballots are permitted in the nomination or election process

Sec. 3

The election of officers shall occur at the specified meeting during the spring semester. The nominated candidates will be given a chance to address the organization to discuss his/her qualifications and reasons why they should be selected. Once each candidate has had the opportunity to speak, all eligible members (as defined in Article II Section 1) present will have the opportunity to vote. The faculty/staff advisor and current highest-ranking officer not running for office will tabulate all votes. The highest-ranking officer not running for office shall announce the officer with a simple majority of votes cast by eligible members. After announcing the new officer the highest-ranking officer not running for office shall ask if any eligible members contest the count. If no eligible member contests the count the new officer shall take office immediately. If an eligible member contests the count the faculty/staff advisor and the highest-ranking officer not running for office will recount all votes. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote for office unless he/she is running for the said office. In that case, the next highest-ranking officer shall make the deciding vote.

Article VIII: Officer Vacancies

Sec. 1

Any officer may be removed from office upon a 2/3 majority vote of eligible members. The officer will be notified in writing of the possible termination or removal at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to address the organization in order to relate to members any relevant defense prior to the voting for removal.

Sec. 2

Officers no longer wishing to serve on the board must submit their resignation to the President at least two (2) weeks in advance. Prior to the officers final day he/she shall provide all documents relating to the organization and brief his/her replacement of current projects in his/her care.

Sec. 3

In the event an officer is removed or resigns, the nomination process as stated in Article VII Section 2 will take place at the next scheduled meeting. The election process will take place as stated in Article VII Section 3 at the next schedule meeting following nomination. The newly elected officers term shall end at the annual election scheduled in the spring semester.

Article IX: STANDING COMMITTEES

Sec. 1.

The following Standing Committees or their equivalent shall be appointed by the Chair: Program Committee, Publicity Committee, and Membership Committee.

Sec. 2.

The Program Committee shall prepare the programs for all meetings and shall be responsible for all arrangements for these meetings. The Program Committee shall normally be chaired by the Student Branch Vice-Chair.

Sec. 3.

The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for proper advertisement of each meeting.

Sec. 4.

The Membership Committee shall bring the advantages of membership in the Branch, and in the IEEE, to the attention of all potential Student members.

Sec. 5.

In addition to the above standing committees, the Student Branch Chair may appoint other committees deemed necessary.

Article X: Advisor

Sec. 1

The advisor shall be selected by the officers of this organization and must be approved by a simple majority vote of eligible members. The advisor shall serve as a mentor to the organization providing guidance to the officers and members. The advisor has no voting rights. The advisor position has no term limit other than he/she must be a current ERAU faculty or staff member

Sec. 2

The advisor will be notified in writing of the possible removal at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to address the organization in order to relate to members any relevant defense prior to the voting for removal. Upon a 2/3 majority vote of eligible members the advisor will be remove from his/her duties. In the event that an advisor is removed or resigns, a new advisor shall be elected within 14 calendar days.

Article XI: MEETINGS

Sec. 1

The Branch shall hold regular and special meetings at such places and time as designated by the Executive Committee, with a minimum of three meetings a year. At least one of these meetings shall be held jointly with the local Section.

Article XII: AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1

The Branch is empowered to adopt Bylaws which are consistent with this Constitution.

Sec. 2

Amendments to the constitution must be proposed in writing to the Branch Chair. The amendment must then be presented to the organization during a scheduled meeting and should include a full explanation and/or rationale for the amendment. The amendment must be voted on at the next scheduled meeting. The amendment shall not take effect until approved by a 2/3 majority vote of eligible members of the organization.