Constitution of the University of Iowa’s IEEE Student Branch

The University of Iowa Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Student Branch

Article I

The University of Iowa IEEE Student Branch is an organization meant to enhance the students learning experience. It is meant to prepare students professionally, as well as present them with opportunities to improve themselves in their respective field of study.

Article II

Membership

a.) In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.

b.) A member of the University of Iowa Student IEEE Branch must be a student at the University of Iowa, with at least 12 study hours to qualify.

c.)There are two separate classes of membership:

i.) An IEEE member who is a paying member of the IEEE international organization. They will be invited to inter-state IEEE events that are presented to this student branch, as well as other opportunities that a non-paying member would not have access to. These students must be in the college of engineering, or have a related minor (e.g. Computer Science, Physics, etc…)

ii.) An IEEE member who is not a paying member of the IEEE international organization. Because we wish to involve all students who are interested in IEEE and may not have the means to be a paying member, a student does not have to pay to participate in this branches activities, however will not be invited to inter-state events that may occur.

d.)The procedure for selecting students for membership:

Any student, regardless of major, will be allowed to participate in IEEE events, as we are an organization that wishes to spread our love of electrical and computer engineering.

    The procedure for revoking membership:

If a student is a disturbance to the inner machinations of this branch in a manner that is intentionally harmful or disruptive manner and is hindering the professional and intellectual development of other students in the organization, or the organization itself, a vote and/or trial can be held by the officers in which a decision regarding that whether that student can pursue further involvement with this branch.

Article III

Officers and Duties

President

The President oversees meetings, events, projects, and is the first line of communication for anyone trying to contact the IEEE branch.  The President is required to be of at least junior status at the university at the time of election. If no juniors are present or willing, a sophomore can run for the position of president.

Vice President

The Vice-President assists the President in all of their duties, and is the second line of communication for anyone trying to contact the IEEE branch.

Treasurer

The Treasurer takes care of all financial duties for this branch, including book keeping, fund-    raising, and budgeting projects and branch expenses.

Secretary

The Secretary keeps minutes of all branch meetings, as well as chronicles all progress on branch projects.

Officer Qualifications:

All currently active officers of IEEE must be paying members of the IEEE international organization, and must stay that way during the entirety of their term. Officers must meet this requirement before the first meeting of the Fall semester. Officers must also be students in the University of Iowa's College of Engineering.

A potential officer can be considered for a position by nomination from another member of the branch, or by self-nomination.

The election process will be as follows:

All nominated candidates are to present their case as to why they are fit for the position, and a vote will be held after all candidates for a position are done presenting. The candidates will be led out of the room, and the voting will begin. This will be done by written ballots, so that no member feels inclined to vote one way or another based on other member's opinions so that the vote is conclusive.

Removing an Officer:

If an officer fails to fulfill his duty, and is hindering the progress of the branch as an organization on campus, any member can declare that they would like to contest that officer's position and open an impeachment investigation. The investigation will only occur if three other members back up the motion to open an investigation. The impeachment trial will occur next week, with every IEEE branch member being able to vote.

The impeachment process will go as follows:

The member who initiated the impeachment process will present their case as to why that officer is not fit to be in their position. Then, after that member is done, they will be able to present any evidence that they view as being pertinent to the trial. After this phase, the officer in question will be able to present his case, and bring up any counter-evidence.

After this, a general consensus vote will be taken, with 2/3 of the active IEEE branch members agreeing needed to complete the impeachment process.

Article IV

Advisor

The Advisor of the organization must be a faculty member within the college of engineering at the University of Iowa.

Article V

Meetings

a.) Meetings will be held bi-monthly, during the second and fourth weeks of the month. The day of the week is a decision that the acting officers will make, though the meeting days must be consistent during the semester.

b.) The membership will be informed of special meetings at least two weeks in advance, and it will be through email and Orgsync.

c.) The quorum (minimum number of members to meet to constitute an official meeting) will be 8 members  in all, with the officers contributing to the total number of members.

d.) The only members with authority to call and hold meetings are the President and Vice-President of the branch. Though any other officer can call and hold meetings by approval of the President or VicePresident, and paying member of IEEE in the branch can call and hold a meeting with majority approval of the branch officers.

Article VI

Elections

a.)Official Elections will be held one month before the end of the semester, though any interim elections can be held to replace any branch officers who have stepped down or been expelled from the branch if deemed needed by the remaining officers

c.) The branch members will be informed of upcoming elections at least two months in advance.

Article VII

Finances

a.) There are no dues for this branch.

b.) The Treasurer of this branch will be in charge of any disbursement of funds and authoritative (e.g., authorization, expenditures) responsibilities.

c.) The University of Iowa Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Student Branch is required to deposit all receipts in and make disbursements through the Student Organization Business Office, Fraternity Business Services, or Recreational Services. Upon dissolution, state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization. Inactive organizations will be considered dissolved after five years of no account activity. Revenue generated dollars or “00 funds” must be divided as stated in this Constitution and carried out by our leadership. Our organization’s remaining revenue generated dollars or “00 funds” will be divided or disbursed to Engineering Student Council. If this organization has dissolved and revenue generated dollars or “00 funds” have not been divided as stated in this Constitution by five (5) years from last account activity, funds in our “00 account” will revert to an account specified for this purpose within UISG/ECGPS. These funds will then be available for distribution through SABAC or GPAC guidelines in accordance with University of Iowa policy.

Article VIII

Amendments

a.) The IEEE branch members will be informed by an initial announcement two weeks before the first reading the amendment. After the first reading, an email must be sent out to all IEEE branch members that contains an attached copy of the proposed amendment. Then, the second meeting will have the second reading, a question and answer, and then an eventual vote.

b.) A 2/3 vote of all present IEEE branch members will be required to ratify the amendment, though the number of present members must be at least 2/3 of the overall current member roster.

Article IX Ratification

Ratification of the original constitution will be achieved by a majority vote of the acting officers, as well as the approval of the current advisor.