BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SOCIETY THE COLUMBIA RIVER PROFESSIONAL CHAPTER

PREFACE

These by-laws are for the conduct of the affairs of the Columbia River Professional American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Chapter and are in harmony with the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of National AISES. The provisions of the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of National AISES shall cover the provisions of the Columbia River professional AISES Chapter, By-Laws, and rules of this Columbia River Professional AISES Chapter, but no action or obligation of the chapter shall be considered an action or obligation of National AISES as a whole. The AISES is a non-profit, professional and education organization founded in 1977 whose principal mission is to improve Indian education and to increase the number of American Indian Scientists and Engineers.

ARTICLE I

GENERAL

  1. This chapter shall be named the Columbia River Professional Chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and shall be a non-profit organization.
  2. The principal office of this chapter shall be in the State of Washington.
  3. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, revised, shall govern the Chapter in all cases to which they are applicable, when not in conflict or inconsistent with the By-Laws or rules of National AISES.
  4. MEMBERSHIP FEES
  5. A Quorum shall be required in order that business of this AISES Chapter be conducted.

ARTICLE II

OBJECTIVES

The Columbia River Professional AISES Chapter was founded in 1992 for the purpose of advancing American Indians in the Science and Engineering and related business fields. Chapter activities to accomplish their purpose include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Provide role models for students and professionals by identifying community contributions of American Indian scientists and engineers.
  2. Provide support/membership for students as they transition from student status to professional status.
  3. Provide support/membership for other professionals by organizing seminars and workshops to develop management, communication, and other skills.
  4. Provide networking resources by:
    1. Establishing community relations.
    2. Sharing job opportunities.
    3. Organizing student scholarships.
    4. Encouraging Sequoyah Fellowships.
    5. Maintaining a Speakers Bureau for conferences for high school and college functions.
    6. Providing science fair judges.
    7. Supporting educational partnerships.
    8. Encouraging participation in other technical societies.
  5. Educate the public to American Indian capabilities in engineering, science and other technical areas.
  6. Promote communication among AISES members.
  7. Nominate and support individuals for AISES board of directors.
  8. Promote Indian Fellowship among AISES members an the community.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this Chapter shall be compromised of the General Membership, Associate Membership, Student Membership, and Corporate Membership as defined in the following:

General Membership:
General members are American Indians who are recognized by their tribes or can provide proof of Indian Blood, and hold a bachelor or advanced degree in the science (physical or natural), engineering, forestry, architecture, medicine, business, law, or related field; or have related experience. This person or persons is authorized to call special meeting of the board, may fix any place, either within or outside Columbia River, as the place for holding any special meeting of the board called by them.
Associate Membership:
Anyone not qualifying for general membership - that is, persons who are not of Indian blood, or American Indians who are not scientists or engineers- may apply for an Associate Membership.
Student Membership:
Any individual of Indian Blood who is currently enrolled at a college, university, or technical institute may participate in this chapter. This will include students who are participating in internship and coop programs who are not currently attending their respective institution.
Corporate Membership:
Shall consist of those companies which support the goals and objectives of the Columbia River Professional AISES Chapter.

General and Associate Members shall have voting rights. The rights and privileges of these members shall be personal to himself and shall not be transferable except that each shall be entitled to vote on any question before the chapter either in person or by a proxy duly executed and given to another member.

Every person admitted to membership shall be subject to the Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of the Society.

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS

General Membership Meetings:
At least one membership meeting shall be held annually. The board of Directors shall determine the frequency and location of all other meetings. The Board of Directors shall give sufficient notice of the times and locations of the General Membership Meetings.
Regular Meetings:
A regular monthly meeting of the board of directors shall be held without other notice than this by-law, prior to the monthly meeting of members. The Chapter board of directors may provide by resolution the time and place, within Columbia River, for the holding of additional regular meetings of the board without other notice than such resolution.
Special Meetings:
Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the president or any two directors.
NOTICE:
Notice of any special meetings of the board of directors shall be given by writtennotice delivered personally or sent by mail or telegram to each director at his address shown by the records of the Chapter. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by telegram, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. The business to be transacted at the meeting need not be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these by-laws.
QUORUM:
A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board; but if less than a majority of the directors are present at said meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from the time without further notice.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

The management of the Columbia River Professional AISES Chapter shall be by the membership, through a collective body, the officers, made up of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. The office of Parliamentarian may be combined with either the office of Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer. Only General Members and Associate Members may be elected as officers. Duties and responsibilities are as follows:

President:
The president shall preside at all meetings of the membership and shall conduct the meetings in accordance with the Robert's Rules of Order. The President shall appoint the necessary committees to carry out delegated duties and Chapter business. The President shall uphold National AISES's Constitution, By- Laws, and Rules and all other duties and responsibilities incumbent upon his office.
Vice-President:
The Vice-President shall have supervisory control over such committees and work areas as assigned by the President. The Vice-President may assume the office of the President and all duties, responsibilities and power upon the resignation, removal, or any other circumstances causing the absence of the President.
Secretary:
The Secretary is responsible to keep in secure places all pertinent and permanent records, inventories, and property lists belonging to the local chapter. The secretary shall handle all correspondence as may be assigned by the President. The Secretary shall maintain in a designated volume all resolutions, National AISES Constitution, By-Law Amendments as may be adopted by this AISES Chapter.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall receive and place in an appropriately designated bank, all monies paid as membership dues, assessments, contributions, and donations. Such funds may be placed in specially designated funds. The Treasurer shall register his signature and that of the President at the bank and co-sign all check for authorized expenditures. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping and maintaining current set of books in accordance with proper accounting procedures. The Treasurer shall make financial reports upon the request of the President as well as make the accounts available for audit when necessary.
Parliamentarian:
The duties of the Parliamentarian are to assist the President in carrying out these responsibilities by keeping, and becoming familiar with a copy of Robert's Rules of Order, as revised. Assistance to the President is provided through advice regarding the Rules of Order.
Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers elected by the Columbia River Professional AISES Chapter members.

ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES

The following standing committees are authorized under these by-laws:

Membership:
Is responsible for the election, termination and reinstatement of members of the Chapter and other such duties consistent with the intent of the committee as authorized by the officers.
Scholarship:
Is responsible for the generation of funds required to award scholarships to qualified students of Native American Heritage in engineering or scientific fields; for selecting students to receive these scholarships; for presenting these scholarships at appropriate schools and/or Chapter functions; and other such duties consistent with the intent of the committee as authorized by the executive board.
Professional Development:
Is responsible for promoting the professional growth of the members of the Chapter by providing for speakers, forums, seminars, and other such resources in consonance with the stated objectives of the Chapter and Society and other such duties consistent with the intent of the committee as authorized by the officers.
Community Outreach:
Is responsible for establishing and maintaining open lines of communication between the Chapter and community, government, and industry leaders and organizations; for coordinating Chapter activities with these individuals and organizations; and other such duties consistent with the intent of the committee as authorized by the officers.
Activities:
Is responsible for promoting social activities for its members which promote Indian traditions and fellowship.

ARTICLE VII

ELECTIONS

Officers and board of directors shall be elected by the membership. The elections shall take place each year, preferably before the first day of June but in no case later than the first day of July, and those elected shall take office the first day of October. At the May meeting the membership shall duly nominate and properly second nominations for each office. It should be required that a minimum of two individuals be nominated for each office. The Secretary shall record the nominations and shall make available to the membership properly written ballots. These ballots shall be collected during a designated meeting and counted. The Secretary shall verify that all ballots are from qualified voters by comparing the signature on the back of the envelope, provided for the return of the ballot, with the current membership list. Three tellers appointed by the President shall open all ballot envelops and tabulate the results of the election. The results shall be announced by the President at the first regular meeting thereafter.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to these By-Laws shall be submitted in writing at any regular meeting of the Chapter and if approved by two-thirds of the membership the amendment or amendments shall become a part of the By-Laws. Amendments to these By-Laws shall become applicable as soon as approved by the membership, and shall be put into effect in the normal course of business and elections thereafter.


To us, the ashes of our ancestors are sacred. -- Seattle
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