The name of this organization shall be the Johns Hopkins University Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (JHU-SHPE).

The Purpose of this student chapter is to:

1. Increase the Number of Latino engineering students at Johns Hopkins University

2. Promote the advancement of Latino engineers and scientist in employment and education

3. Develop and participate in programs with industry and the university, which benefit students seeking technical degrees

4. Provide a forum for the exchange of information pertinent for Latino engineering/science students enrolled in Johns Hopkins    University

5. Create a learning environment where Latino engineers/scientists feel comfortable asking for help and where they can receive the proper advice

Section 1: Affiliation

The Johns Hopkins University student chapter will be an affiliated chapter of the Society of Hispanic Engineers Inc. (SHPE Inc.). The organization possesses the right to adopt its own rules and procedures within the framework of SHPE’s rules and regulations and that of Johns Hopkins University. This student chapter will be part of the “local” as defined by the regional Vice-President and the local professional chapter presidents.

Section 2: Non-Discrimination

No person shall be denied membership in this organization because of race, color, sex, handicap, nationality, religious affiliation or belief, etc … even though of club was chosen.

Section 1: Alpha Membership

Alpha members shall be any student enrolled at Johns Hopkins University intending to obtain a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, or Philosophiae Doctor,  degree that meets the following:

1. Be in good standing with the school (above a 2.0 GPA). 

2. Attend eighty percent of the meetings held by the chapter.

3. Attend at least one national or regional event during the academic year.

Section 2: Beta Membership

Beta members shall be any student enrolled at Johns Hopkins University intending to obtain a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, or Philosophiae Doctor  degree that meets the following:

1. Be in good standing with the school (above a 2.0 GPA).

2. Attend fifty percent of the meetings held by the chapter.

Section 3: Omega Membership

Omega members shall be any undergraduate student enrolled at another institution which does not have a SHPE chapter intending to obtain a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, or Philosophiae Doctor degree, any staff or faculty that works for Johns Hopkins University or any group that generously donates gifts for the improvement of the chapter. The following members will have the following exceptions:

1. They will not be able to hold an executive board position, but may vote in executive board elections.

2. They cannot use chapter funds to go on national or regional events.

Section 1: Executive Board

Officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The term of office is one year for each position.

Section 2: President

1. Shall represent the chapter and be responsible for all business concerning the chapter.

2. Shall have full power in the management and business of the chapter.

3. Shall set and establish all policy of the chapter and /or other functions or activities under the operation officers and manage the day to day affairs of the chapter. 

4. Shall be responsible for correspondence with regional bodies, representing the chapter at regional meetings and functions, and coordination of communication with other SHPE student chapters.

Section 3: Vice-President

1. Shall assist the President in all business concerning the chapter.

2. Shall act as a President Pro Tem in the latter’s absence.

3. Shall be in charge of the external and internal affairs of the chapter (industrial relations, campus relations, social activities). 

4. Shall assist President with regional responsibilities as described in Section 1.

Section 4: Secretary

1. Shall take the minutes of the minutes and post them.

2. Shall be in charge of the bulletin board.

3. Shall be responsible for registering the organization with the university each academic year.

4. Shall be responsible for all external and internal correspondences. 

5. Shall keep all records of attendance at meetings and events.

Section 5: Treasurer

1. Shall keep books and records on money received and disbursed.

2. Shall make semesterly financial reports listing all liabilities and assets of the organization to the executive board and the general membership.

3. Shall present annual budget and complete financial report to the executive board. 

4. Shall determine percentage each JHU-SHPE member earns through incentive system.

Section 1: Nominations

1. Alpha, Beta, and Omega members are eligible for nominating a JHU-SHPE member for candidacy. 

2. Nominations will be held at the third last meeting of second semester during the meeting or through email.

3. Only Alpha members are eligible for nominations.

4. All nominations must be seconded by another member of the chapter.

Section 2: Voting

1.       Elections will be held on the second to last meeting of the year during the meeting.

2.       Alpha, Beta, and Omega members present at the meeting are eligible to vote for executive board members for the following year.

3.       For elections each candidate will have an allotted time period for a speech.  This time will be agreed upon before the meeting depending on the number of candidates in the election.

4.       After all speeches are given, voting will be done by secret ballot.

5.       Three members will tally the vote.  Qualified persons include:

a.       An Alpha member that is not running in the election.  An Alpha member that is running in the election unopposed is not eligible.

b.       Any executive board member not running for a new or current position.

c.       The chapter or faculty advisor, if either is able to attend.

6.       Candidates will be determined by simply majority as defined by ½ people present at meeting plus one.

7.   In the event of a tie, the current Executive Board will cast their votes again for the position in question as a tie-breaker.

Section 1: Definition Of Quorum

A quorum shall consist of sixty-five percent of all active members which include all executive board members.

Section 2: General Meetings

General membership meetings shall be held twice a month. Days will be chosen at the first meeting of each semester to make sure everyone will be able to attend the majority of the meetings held.

Section 3: Election Meetings

The Election meeting will take place on the second to last meeting of the year.

Section 4: Special Meetings

The executive board has the privilege to call any special or emergency meetings throughout the year with a thirty-six hour notice.

Section 1: Resignations

1.       A letter of resignation shall be submitted to the President or Vice-President by any person willing to resign from office at least a week before the next chapter meeting.

2.       During a meeting when a resignation is presented, nominations will be taken to fill the office with a current executive board member. If no executive board member wants the position then it will be open to the alpha members. A person will be elected by the group during the following meeting by secret ballot.

Section 2: Impeachment

1.       When any Alpha member feels that an officer is not fulfilling his/her duties, he/she may call upon the rest of the officers to meet within the next two weeks to discuss/resolve the matter.

2.       During impeachment proceedings, the case will be presented. The officer under investigation will be given an opportunity to present his/her defense before the officer’s vote.

3.       All officers will decide whether the impeachment will be carried out. A new officer will be nominated to fill the office with a current executive board member. If no executive board member wants the position then it will be open to the Alpha members. A person will be elected by the group during the following meeting by secret ballot.

Section 1: Changes in Bylaws

1.       If any member wishes to propose an amendment to these bylaws they will have to have a written proposal directed to the executive board members. The executive board will discuss the amendment within them and then bring it up at the next general membership meeting,

2.       A favorable vote of seventy percent of all members on the issue is required for amendment passage.

3.       The amendment shall be submitted to the SHPE National Student Affairs Committee (NSAC) for approval.

Amendments

Section 1: Appointed Positions 

Appointed Positions shall consist of a Community Outreach Chair, Chapter Development Chair, Fundraising Chair, Academic Development Chair, Public Outreach Chair, and Webmaster.  The term of office is one year for each position.  These positions will be determined by the old and new executive board after the election meeting.

Section 2: Community Outreach Chair

1. Shall apply for ACE funds annually from national office.

2. Shall send in ACE Program Evaluation from previous year.

3. Shall implement and coordinate a tutorial program for Latino students attending Baltimore area school(s).

4. Shall devote time to introduce Latino youth to engineering disciplines and encourage them to pursue college educations.

5. Shall organize Tools for School drive once every semester.

Section 3: Chapter Development Chair

1. Shall plan Anniversary Banquet to take place at the end of the fall semester.  This includes (but is not inclusive to) contracting a caterer and speaker, making and following up with invitations, and making a program (including advertising boosters from local businesses).

2. Shall plan a minimum of two social events during the spring semester.

3. Shall work with the Multicultural Student Volunteers with Discovery Days planning to include an engineering point of view.

Section 4: Fundraising Chair

1. Shall identify and contact corporate and university funding sources.

2. Shall prepare and finalize solicitation packets for submission to corporations, foundations, and university departments.

Section 5: Academic Development Chair

1. Shall obtain old exams from JHU-SHPE members and maintain an archive.

2. Shall coordinate group study sessions.

3. Shall organize and recruit JHU-SHPE members for college bowl competitions.

Section 6: Public Outreach Chair

1. Shall identify and contact potential speakers for professional development meetings.

2. Shall work with the Vice President on keeping up to date with regional affairs.

Section 7: Webmaster

1. Shall maintain the webpage.

1. Dues to be collected by third general body meeting.

2. Dues are $10, which includes a $5 national due and a $5 chapter due.

3. Dues must be paid on time before a JHU-SHPE member can be considered for the incentive system.

2. Additional Points can be earned by:
   1. Donating Tests to Archive – 5%
   2. Donating Presentations to Archive – 5%
   3. Volunteer for an hour block at a T-shirt sale – 5%
   4. Volunteer for an hour block at a Tools for School Drive – 5%
   5. Attend an ACE Program event – 5%

3. Other activities may contribute to the incentive system at discretion of executive board.
4. Contribution price for conferences will then be calculated by percentage earned in incentive system and multiplied by the conference fee.  This number will be subtracted by the conference fee and the remaining amount will be the amount required of the JHU-SHPE member to pay.