NKU GSE Bylaws (Adopted May 2005)
Printable copy (.pdf)
I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Northern
Kentucky University Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society
(NKU SAACS).
II. Objectives
The objectives of this chapter shall be to afford an
opportunity for chemistry students to become better acquainted, to secure
the intellectual stimulation that arises from professional association, to
obtain experience in preparing and presenting technical material before
chemical audiences, to foster a professional spirit among members, to
instill a professional pride in chemistry, and to foster an awareness of
the responsibilities and challenges facing the modern chemist.
III. Membership
III.1. Criteria for membership
III.1.1. Membership in NKU SAACS shall be in two levels:
1) Local member; and 2) National student affiliate.
III.1.2. A student shall be an active local member of
NKU SAACS by attending regularly scheduled meetings and seminars as
outlined below. Active local members shall have voting rights for
organizational matters, including officer elections.
III.1.3. A student shall be an active national student
affiliate of NKU SAACS by fulfilling the local member obligations in
addition to applying for student affiliate membership through the ACS
website. National student affiliate members have all rights of local
members and may also hold office in the organization.
III.1.4. Members of NKU SAACS may be eligible for
membership in the NKU chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor
Society (NKU GSE). Guidelines for membership are described in that
organization’s bylaws.
III.1.5. This organization does not subscribe to
discrimination as to race, sex, or creed, sexual orientation, age, veteran
status, or national origin.
III.2. Continuation of Membership
III.2.1. Members should subscribe to the NKU SAACS
listserv to receive all announcements regarding organization activities and
upcoming meetings.
III.2.2. To verify national student affiliate status,
students must provide a copy of their national membership card to the
faculty advisor.
III.2.3. To retain active status, a member must attend a
least two meetings/seminars each semester. An inactive member will regain
active status upon attending two consecutive meetings.
IV. Article IV: Officers
IV.1. The officers listed below (along with the Faculty
Advisor) constitute the Executive Committee of the organization. This
committee shall meet regularly to discuss organization business and plan
upcoming activities.
IV.2. The officers of the society and their duties shall
be the following:
IV.2.1. President
IV.2.1.1 Preside at all meetings (or designate an
officer to preside in his/her absence)
IV.2.1.2 Appoint all committees and committee chairs
IV.2.1.3 Represent the organization at student
orientation meetings (or designate an organization representative)
IV.2.2. Vice President
IV.2.2.1 Chair program committee and assist in
organizing meetings with the assistance of the Executive Committee and Faculty
Advisor
IV.2.2.2 Organize food for meetings
IV.2.3. Secretary
IV.2.3.1 Make all announcements and post signs regarding
upcoming meetings and events
IV.2.3.2 Help Faculty Advisor with website as needed
IV.2.3.3 Keep all records and papers pertinent to the
chapter, including minutes of meetings, roll of members, list of eligible
perspective members, all correspondences, and an annual historical account
of the chapter’s activities
IV.2.4. Treasurer
IV.2.4.1 Responsible for the funds and finances of the
chapter in conjunction with the faculty advisor
IV.2.4.2 Chair the fundraising committee
IV.2.4.3 Work with President to organize volunteers for
goggle sales and model kits
IV.2.4.4 Organize locker sales
IV.2.4.5 Give monthly finance reports to the Executive
Committee
IV.2.5. Activities Coordinator
IV.2.5.1 Organize at least one group outing per semester
plus an end of the year party
IV.2.5.2 Give Executive Committee monthly reports on
upcoming activities
IV.3. The election of officers shall be by secret ballot
at a regularly scheduled meeting before spring break each year (typically
in February). This time period will allow new officers to work with the
outgoing officers and ensure a smooth transition. All officers will take
office in May and have one year terms with no term limits.
IV.4. It is anticipated that chapter officers will also
hold an equivalent officer position in NKU GSE (and will be encouraged
whenever possible). However, this is not a requirement, especially if NKU
SAACS officers do not meet the NKU GSE membership requirements.
IV.5. If the office of President should become vacant,
the duties of that office shall be assumed by the Vice President. Special
elections shall be held to fill all other unexpired terms of officers that
become vacant for any reason. The Secretary shall advise all members of the
intended special election at least one week in advance of the date set for
the election.
V. Committees
V.1. The Executive Committee shall request the formation
of standing and temporary committees from the membership of the
organization. The committees shall be chaired by an officer or a designate
of the Executive Committee.
V.2. The committee chairs shall make regular reports (at
least twice a term) to the Executive Committee.
V.3. Standing Committees
V.3.1. Fundraising: Assist Treasurer with organization
of goggle sales / locker rental / model kits, and come up with fundraising
ideas.
V.3.2. Program: Assist Vice President in organizing
programs and selecting speakers for meetings
V.3.3. Demonstrations/NCW: Organize demonstrations for
schools; Plan programs for National Chemistry Week.
V.3.4. Graduate Schools: Keep graduate school
information up to date.
V.3.5. Community Service: Organize community service
events that are chemistry related.
V.3.6. University Relations: Keep organization up to
date on campus events that NKU SAACS can participate.
VI. Faculty Advisor
VI.1. The faculty advisor should be a faculty member of
the chemistry department who is a member of the American Chemical Society.
VI.2. The duties of the faculty advisor may be split
between multiple faculty members as needed.
VI.3. Duties of the faculty advisor
VI.3.1. Advise the chapter both in its local activities
and in its relations with the Society.
VI.3.2. Oversee the financial aspects of the
organization, maintaining control of the organization bank account(s)
VI.3.3. Invite speakers selected by the Program
committee and coordinate schedules for speaker visits
VI.3.4. Ensure that rooms are available and reserved for
organization meetings
VII. Meetings
VII.1. Regular meetings shall be held on the First and
Third Wednesday of every month at 12:00 PM.
VII.2. Special meetings shall be arranged through the
Executive Committee.
VII.3. A quorum consisting of 50% of the active membership
shall be required to conduct business.
VII.4. There shall be at least one group outing each
semester arranged by the activities coordinator.
VIII. Financing
VIII.1. There are no dues for local members of this
organization.
VIII.2. The annual dues for national student affiliates
shall be sent individually to the Society.
VIII.3. This organization shall be financed by
fundraisers carried out by the members and by donations from the
department, college and other outside organizations.
VIII.4. Proceeds from any fundraiser or donations will
not be used for the purpose of furthering the private financial gain of an
individual and/or select number of individuals.
VIII.5. Requests for disbursement of organization funds
shall be made through the Treasurer to the Faculty Advisor. The Faculty
Advisor shall disburse money at his/her discretion for amounts below $50
and maintains ultimate responsibility for the funds. Approval of an
additional officer is needed for expenses above this limit.
VIII.6. In the event that this organization is
dissolved, the remaining funds shall be transferred to the account of the
Chemistry Department of NKU.
IX. Annual Reports
IX.1. The Chapter shall send to the ACS Department of
Higher Education / Student Affiliates Program an annual report of its
activities.
IX.2. The report shall be submitted on the Student
Affiliates Chapter annual report form sent to the Chapter in the spring.
IX.3. The Society shall be informed promptly of the
results of all elections of officers and when new faculty advisors are
chosen.
X. Discipline
X.1. This Chapter shall provide for “due process” in any
disciplinary or expulsionary procedures regarding its members, in
accordance with NKU policy.
XI. Amendments
XI.1. Amendments to this constitution and bylaws shall
be proposed at least one meeting previous to the time of voting. The
Secretary shall communicate such amendments to the organization membership.
XI.2. These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of
the active members.
XI.3. Amendments shall conform to the ACS regulations
established for Student Affiliates Chapters.
