ENGINEERS IN ACTION BRIDGE PROGRAM AT VIRGINIA TECH CHAPTER CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION

1. The name of the organization shall be Engineers In Action Bridge Program at Virginia Tech (EIAVT). EIAVT is a university chapter of Engineers In Action Bridge Program (EIABP).

2. The organization may, by a 2/3 vote of the active membership body, change its name.

ARTICLE II PURPOSES

The following are the purposes for which EIAVT has been organized:

Section 1. To effectively accomplish its mission:

Engineers In Action Bridge Program at Virginia Tech is a student-led service organization that seeks to empower developing communities through footbridge building, thereby advancing community public works, economic prosperity, and community access to schools, medicine, jobs, and markets.  EIAVT seeks to advance the lives of each student involved by providing an opportunity to broaden cultural perspectives, gain hands-on professional experience, and use our education to serve others who are less fortunate.

Section 2. To support the mission of EIABP:

          Engineers In Action Bridge Program provides isolated communities with access to essential health care, education, and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers. 

Section 3. To support the mission of Virginia Tech:

          Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is a public land-grant university serving the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. The discovery and dissemination of new knowledge are central to its mission. Through its focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement, the university creates, conveys, and applies knowledge to expand personal growth and opportunity, advance social and community development, foster economic competitiveness, and improve the quality of life.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this organization shall be open to individuals in accordance with the following:

Section 1. Membership in the Chapter shall not be denied to anyone on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

Section 2. Active members: all undergraduate and graduate students of Virginia Tech (full or part time status) are eligible for active membership in EIAVT. To be considered an active member, participation in a majority of a semester’s regular weekly meetings and club activities is required. In the case of uncertainty, the Director of Fundraising and Membership has ultimate discretion on a student’s membership status.

Section 3. Honorary members: community members, faculty, and students from other universities can apply to be considered honorary members of EIAVT. While honorary members are invited to participate in supporting the chapter mission, they are not eligible for chapter voting rights or funding.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Weekly Meetings

Chapter meetings will be held weekly on the Virginia Tech campus. Directors are expected to attend all meetings. Minutes will be recorded by the Director of Communications. The President is primarily responsible for running the regular weekly meeting. The weekly meeting, at a minimum, shall provide all chapter members with updates on current chapter and project issues.

Section 2. Board of Directors Meetings

Board of Directors meetings will be held weekly, in addition to the chapter meetings.  All officers are expected to attend or notify the president if unable to attend.  Time and place will be decided by the officers.  Minutes will be recorded by the Director of Communications.


ARTICLE V VOTING

Section 1. Voting Method

At all meetings, except for the election of officers and directors, all votes shall be by show of hand, and the decision shall be made by the majority vote.

Section 2. Elections

Board of Directors elections shall take place in the middle of the spring semester. For election of officers, blank ballots shall be provided and there shall not appear any place on such ballot that might tend to indicate the person who cast such ballot. Any current member may nominate themselves for an officer position. Votes for officers may only be cast by current active members. To be nominated, a member must plan to be an active Virginia Tech undergraduate or graduate student for both of the terms to be served. Nominees receiving the greatest number of votes shall be the winner of the election. If multiple nominees receive the same number of votes, a runoff between the tying nominees shall be held. If the nominees again receive the same number of votes, the nominees shall leave the room and the current Board of Directors shall facilitate respectful discussion amongst the group. The vote shall then be held again. Discussion and voting shall continue until one nominee receives the greatest number of votes.

Section 3. Board Meetings

In order for a vote to occur during a board of directors meeting, a quorum of 2/3 of the directors must be present. Issues shall be decided by a majority vote. Each director shall have one vote. In the case of a 50/50 voting split, the President shall make the final decision.

ARTICLE VI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Board Structure and Functionality

The business of this organization shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of 7 members, as outlined in Article VI, Section 2. The directors, chosen as outlined in Article V, Section 2, shall serve terms that run from the beginning of fall semester to the end of summer. Elected directors will shadow current directors following elections until the end of the spring semester. The Board of Directors shall have the control and management of the affairs and business of this organization.

Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled by the process outlined in Article V, Section 2, for the balance of the year.

A director may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal. The Board of Directors may entertain charges against any director. The Board of Directors shall adopt such rules for this hearing as it may in its discretion consider necessary for the best interests of the organization.
Section 2. Board Positions

The officers of the organization shall, at a minimum, perform the following functions:

President

The President, by virtue of their office, shall be Chairman of the Board of Directors.

…shall preside over all Board of Directors meetings.

…shall preside over all regular chapter meetings.

…shall have such powers as may be reasonably construed as belonging to the chief executive of any organization.

…shall coordinate news release and publications.

…shall give and serve all notices to members of this organization.

…shall coordinate with EIABP Corporate.

 Vice-President

The Vice President shall in the event of the absence or inability of the President to exercise their office become acting president of the organization with all the rights, privileges and powers as if he had been the duly elected president.

…shall oversee and support the Project Manager on existing project operations.

…shall oversee all project site logistics including coordinating travel, boarding, meals, etc.

…shall coordinate site selection processes.

…shall maintain faculty and professional partnerships pertinent to the chapter.

…shall work with the Director of Public Relations and Outreach on speaking engagements.


Director of Finance

The Director of Finance shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies or securities of the organization.

…shall maintain an up to date Income/Expense report.

…shall maintain all EIAVT accounts.

…must be one of the officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization. 

…shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer.

…shall coordinate with the Vice President and Project Manager(s) on financial aspects of project logistics.

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

The Director of Corporate Sponsorship shall create, maintain and update the corporate sponsorship package as needed. 

…shall be responsible for networking and setting up meetings with alumni, potential donors and companies’ representative.    

…shall coordinate sponsorship campaigns in cooperation with the President.

…shall present at all corporate sponsorship events along with Vice President and Director of Public Relations & Outreach.

…shall renew and maintain corporate relationships for continued long-term corporate support.

…shall coordinate grant applications and required follow up.

Director of Fundraising and Membership

The Director of Fundraising and Membership shall be responsible for organizing and managing all small scale fundraising.

…shall manage on campus awareness functions.

…shall be in charge of member recruitment events.

…shall manage internal membership engagement.
Director of Public Relations & Outreach

The Director of Public Relations & Outreach shall be responsible for managing the public perception and understanding of the chapter.

…shall participate in all speaking engagements.

…shall represent the chapter to other campus organizations.

…shall manage the SGA chair.

…shall manage the SEC representative.

Director of Communications

The Director of Communications shall be responsible for keeping the minutes for both Board of Directors and regular chapter meetings.

…shall maintain the chapter website and social media.

…shall keep and organize all chapter related pictures and videos taken by members.

…shall be the official custodian of the records of this organization.

…shall manage the chapter listserv.

…shall coordinate the creation of marketing media.

Section 3. Additional Positions

Advisor(s)

Faculty Advisor(s) to the chapter shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The Advisor(s) shall provide guidance to the Board of Directors as the board may require. 


Project Manager(s)

The Project Manager(s) shall be selected by a process unique from general officer elections. This process shall include the following, at a minimum:

·        Interview with faculty advisor(s) and previous Project Manager(s) (if possible)

·        Final decision made by Board of Directors, based on interviewers’ recommendations

The Project Manager(s) has the option to attend Board of Directors meetings, but will not be an eligible voter at such meetings.

…shall be responsible for overall management of all active bridge projects.

…shall create and oversee individual project teams, as needed.

…shall be the club’s main point of contact for all project personnel (i.e. Technical Mentors, Bridge Corps Builders).

…shall work with the Director of Finance to manage project budget and funding.

…shall, if possible, be present on all project trips.

…shall work with the Vice President to plan and manage all project trips.

…shall serve as the Project Manager(s) for the duration of their bridge and then mentor the following project manager as needed.

…shall be eligible to become a member of the Board of Directors after their bridge is completed.

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed, or added to by an affirmative vote of not less than 2/3 of the active chapter members.