SPSEE

Constitution of the SPSEE
June 3, 1994

MINUTES


Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Society of Penn State Electrical Engineers, hereinafter referred to as SPSEE. This society shall be an affiliate group of the Penn State Engineering Society (PSES).


Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to stimulate the continued interest of all graduates of the Electrical Engineering (EE) Department and to act as an informal advisory board to the Head of the Department. It will be an objective of this organization to promote fellowship and communication among the alumni, faculty and students of the Department in order to work for the improvement of the Department and the College.


Article III. Membership

Section 1.
All living graduates of the EE Department are automatically members.

Section 2.
Members, who by a formal statement of desire to become a part of the active segment of the EE alumni, will be designated active members.

Section 3.
Associate membership may be granted to non-alumni of Penn State upon approval of the Board of Directors (Article IV).

Section 4.
Honorary Membership - When appropriate, the Board of Directors may designate non-alumni as Honorary Members in recognition of acknowledged eminence in some area of engineering or who have rendered outstanding service to the EE Department. Honorary members are exempt from membership dues (if any).


Article IV. Organization

Section 1.
The general affairs of SPSEE shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 12 members:

(a) eight to be elected at large by the regular membership;
(b) the immediate past president of the society;
(c) the EE Department Head
(d) a current EE faculty member; and
(e) the President of PSES, or designee, who shall serve ex-offico, without vote.

Section 2.
The Board will elect the Society Officers: President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 3.
All actions of the Board of Directors shall be decided by majority vote. A majority vote is defined as a majority vote of those present at any regular or duly called meeting of the society. A quorum shall consist of six members of the Board.

Section 4.
The Board of Directors may assess dues as necessary to cover the cost of operations.


Article V. Election of the Board of Directors

Section 1.
The eight at-large members of the Board shall be elected by the regular membership for a term of three years. The initial at-large members shall begin their service on a staggered basis, one-half serving two year terms and one-half serving three year terms.

Section 2.
The at-large members shall be nominated by a nominating committee, appointed by the President, and shall be elected at the annual meeting of the society or by mail ballot.

Section 3.
At-large members may be appointed between annual meetings by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies. Members so appointed shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 4.
No officers or other Board member may be elected for more than two consecutive terms. (Exception: If the immediate past president has served two terms, he/she may serve a third term as a Board member.)


Article VI. Duties of Officers

Section 1.
The President shall preside at all meetings and shall be responsible for general supervision of all work of the society. The President must be a Penn State graduate.

(a) The President, or designee, shall serve on all committees as an ex-officio member.
(b) The President, or designee, shall serve as this society's delegate to the PSES Board of Directors.

Section 2.
The Vice-President shall serve in the absense of the President and shall also perform such duties as may be assigned by the President. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the event of the incapacity or absence of the President.

Section 3.
The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for the recording and reading of the minutes of all meetings, taking care of correspondence and reports, and shall be responsible for depositing, disbursing and accounting of all monies of the Society.


Article VII. Committees

The President may appoint standing and/or ad-hoc committees as required to accomplish the purposes and objectives of the Society.


Article VIII. Meetings

Section 1.
At least one meeting of the membership shall be held each year to be known as the annual meeting, and it shall be held at the time and place fixed by the Board.

Section 2.
Special meetings of the society shall be called at the discretion of the President. Written notices of the annual and special meetings shall be sent out by the Secretary at least one month in advance.

Section 3.
The Board shall meet at the call of the President or at the request of a majority of the members of the Board. Written notices of the Board meetings shall be sent out by the Secretary at least one month in advance.

Section 4.
The committees shall meet on the call of the committee chairman or at the request of the President.


Article IX. Amendments

Section 1.
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the society members present at the annual meeting provided (1) the amendments have been placed before the Board of Directors at least one month before the meeting; and (2) the amendments have been approved by a majority of the Board.

Section 2.
This constitution and its amendments must not be in conflict with the constitution of the PSES or the rules and regulations for constituent societies as established by the Executive Board of the Penn State Alumni Association.


Web page last updated on August 5, 1997, supported by: Tom.Walsh@psu.edu