Constitution

Stetson University Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery Adopted 11/5/97

Name:

1.  This organization shall be called the Stetson University Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery.  In these Bylaws it is referred to as the Chapter; the Association for Computing Machinery is referred to as the ACM.

Purpose:

1.  The Chapter is organized and will be operated exclusively for education and scientific purposes to promote the following:
 
a.  An increased interest and understanding of the concepts of computer operations and their development in the university and the community.
b.  An increased interest and understanding of the various branches of computer science, and issues relating to design, development, and language.

2.  The Chapter will serve students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Stetson University and other interested persons in the DeLand, Florida, community.
 
3.  The Chapter is chartered by the ACM.

Membership:

1.  Membership in the Student Chapter shall be open to all ACM members and non-members.
 
2.  Membership Categories:

a.  General Members:  This membership is open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Stetson University who have paid annual dues to the Chapter (if Chapter dues are required).  Chapter dues are to be determined by the Executive Board.  General Members are granted voting rights.  General Members may or may not be members of the ACM.
 
b.  Associate Membership:  This membership is open to anyone in the community who demonstrates the interests and supports the goals mentioned in Article II.  Associate Members may serve on committees, but Associate Members may not be the chair of a committee.  Participation in certain chapter events may require financial cost beyond that of General members.

Officers:

1.  The officers of this Chapter shall be: President, Vice President of Computer Science, Vice President of Digital Arts, Vice President of Computer Information Systems, Secretary and Treasurer.  All Officers must be General Members and must be members of the ACM.
 
2.  No member may server in an office for more than two consecutive years.
 
3.  The officers shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the annual election meeting.  They shall take office on January 1, and serve for one year.
 
4.  An officer may be removed from office with a 2/3 majority of the Executive Board and a 2/3 majority of the Chapter members.
 
5.  If an officer is impeached or resigns, the Executive Board will appoint an acting officer.  A special election will be held at the next regular meeting to select a new officer.
 
6.  If the Executive Board sees fit and a majority of the voting members agree, the duties of the Secretary and Treasurer may be combined.  The new office will be called Secretary/Treasurer.
 
7.  No member shall hold more than one office at a time.

Duties of the Officers:

1.  The President is the principle officer and is responsible for leading the Chapter and managing its activities in accordance with the policies and procedures of the ACM and these bylaws.  The President will preside at all meetings of the chapter and of its Executive Board. The President is responsible for recommending the removal of any Executive Board member for failing to perform his/her duties as described in the constitution or its amendments.
 
2.  One of the Vice Presidents shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President.  Each Vice President must be a major in the department he/she represents.  The Vice Presidents will assist the President in management of the Chapter and perform other duties that may be assigned by the President.
 
3.  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all Chapter and Executive Board meetings.  Other duties of the Secretary include:

a.  Maintaining the records of the Chapter.
b.  Preparation of the Chapter’s activity report and officer contact information, and submission of these to the ACM.
c.  Submission of any proposed amendment to these bylaws to the Chair of the Membership Activities Board.  Proposed amendments must be approved by the Membership Activities Board before they can be submitted to the Chapter’s membership for a vote.
d.  Perform other duties as assigned by the President.
 
4.  The Treasurer shall collect dues, pay all bills, and maintain the Chapter’s financial records.  Duties of the Treasurer also shall include:

a.  Preparation of the Chapter’s Annual Financial Report for presentation to the Chapter at the Annual Election meeting.
b.  Completion and submission of the Annual Financial Report to ACM Headquarters.
c.  Performance of other duties as assigned by the President.

Chapter Sponsor:

The Sponsor shall be a faculty member or full-time staff member of Stetson University.  The Chapter will have one Sponsor.

1.  The Chapter Sponsor shall be a voting member of the ACM.
 
2.  The Student Chapter Sponsor shall be selected by the Executive Board.
 
3.  The Chapter Sponsor shall be responsible for:

a.  providing continuity from year to year as student leadership and personnel change.
b.  promoting good student-faculty relationships.
c.  maintaining university standards in all activities of the Chapter.
d.  providing financial supervision.
e.  representing the Chapter interests to the faculty and administration.

Executive Board:

1.  The President will be the presiding officer.
 
2.  The Executive Board shall consist of the Chapter’s officers, the Student Chapter Advisor, and chairs of the Chapter’s Standing committees.

Standing Committees:

1.  If the Chapter has less than 35 actively involved members, one or more of the committees may be omitted from the Executive Board if the Board determines that there is insufficient membership to maintain them.  In that event, individuals shall maintain the responsibilities otherwise assigned to the committees.  Committees may be added as the voting body deems beneficial for efficient and effective operation of the Chapter.

a.  The Public Relations Committee shall be responsible for representing the chapter in the Organizational Fair, and promoting the ideals and events of the Chapter through general advertising.
b.  The Chapter Events Committee shall be responsible for assisting the elected officers in organizing special events such as trips, contests, and guest speakers.
c.  Membership Activities Board shall be responsible for handling proposed amendments to these bylaws.

Temporary Committees:

With the advice of the Chapter’s Executive Board, the President may appoint temporary committees as appropriate.

Meetings:

1.  The Chapter shall hold meetings only in places that are open and accessible to all members of the Association.  Meetings will meet local requirements for openness to the public and accessibility for the handicapped.
 
2.  Written notices of meetings will be distributed prior to the meetings.
 
3.  An Annual Election Meeting will be held at the last meeting of the Fall Semester.  At this meeting, the Secretary and Treasurer shall present the required reports.  The elections of officers will be held at this meeting.
 
4.  Special Meetings may be called by the Executive Board and may or may not be open to the public.

Dues:

1.  Dues shall be fixed annually by the Executive Council.

Amendment and Voting Procedures:

1.  All proposed changes to these Chapter Bylaws shall be approved by the Membership Activities Board and the ACM Constitution and Bylaws Committee before being presented to the Chapter membership for a vote.
 
2.  Officers will be elected by a plurality of votes cast.
 
3.  A 2/3 majority shall be required to alter the Chapter Bylaws.
 
4.  A majority vote shall be required to carry out any other motion.
 
5.  No official business of the Chapter shall be conducted unless a quorum is
 present.  A quorum of the Chapter shall be defined as 60% of the voting membership of the Chapter.
 
6.  Amendments, unless otherwise indicated, take effect immediately upon adoption.

Dissolution of the Chapter:

1.  Dissolution of this Chapter by consent of the members shall consist of unanimous agreement of all its officers together with a majority vote at a meeting which has been publicized in advance to all members of the Chapter for the purpose of taking this vote.
 
2.  Should this Chapter be dissolved, its assets and liabilities shall be transferred to ACM and shall be supervised by the Membership Activities Board.