The name of this association shall be the Engineering and Technology Alumni Society of Northern Illinois University (NIU), hereafter referred to as The Society.
The purpose of The Society shall be to support the interests of the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, to advance the interests of Engineering and Technology alumni, and to support and advance the field of engineering and technology. The Society will work cooperatively with existing alumni groups within the college and university and to address other issues which may, from time to time, be deemed important to the general interests of The Society.
The Bylaws of The Society will be consistent with the Bylaws of the University Alumni Association and their guidelines for constituent groups.
Section 1. Members shall include graduates or former students of Northern Illinois University, the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the Department of Industry and Technology and the Industrial Arts Teachers program.
Section 2. Active members shall be members who have contributed to Northern Illinois University for the current year.
Section 3. Associate members shall be those who are currently attending Northern Illinois University and seeking a degree from the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
Section 4. Only active members (as described in Article IV, Section 2) shall be eligible to vote and hold office.
Section 1. No full-time employee of the University shall be eligible to serve as an officer of The Society.
Section 2. The Executive Officers of the Engineering and Technology Alumni Society shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. They shall be elected from the Board of Directors of The Society for a one year term.
Section 3. Officers shall not serve more than three consecutive terms in one office.
Section 1. The president shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Annual Meeting. The president shall perform such duties as ordinarily pertain to that office, including appointing chair persons.
Section 2. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform such duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of president.
Section 3. The Treasurer shall report on the financial matters of The Society. The treasurer shall require that all monies of the Society be deposited in the name of the Society in the NIU Foundation.
Section 4. The Secretary shall be responsible for official society communications, meeting documentation, and other society associated record keeping.
Section 5. Any board member unable to attend meetings and/or complete assigned duties, or who violates the intent of the bylaws may be dismissed by the ETAS President with two-thirds consensus of the board.
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of twelve (12) voting members, including the Executive Officers. Term of office for directors shall be three years, with terms staggered so that four directors will be elected each year. The Dean of the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology or a designated representative, will serve as an ex-officio member.
Section 2. Powers of the Board
A. To conduct and manage affairs and business of the Society.
B. To make rules and regulations consistent with the law, the Northern Illinois University Alumni Association, and the Society Bylaws.
Section 3. The President shall appoint a member of the Board of Directors to serve as liaison with the NIU Alumni Association and present the Society's Annual Report to that group.
Section 1. An Annual Meeting of The Society shall be held to present and discuss annual reports and to hold the election of directors.
Section 2. Other meetings of The Society may be called at any time by the President.
Section 3. The Active members present and no less than a majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at each Annual Meeting.
Section 4. Following the Annual Meeting a Board of Directors meeting will be held for purposes of electing officers and for any other business that may arise.
Section 5. Additional meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on the call of the President or a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of qualified, consenting nominees to be sent as a ballot by mail (electronic or otherwise) to all active members (as described in Article IV, Section 4). A space for write-in votes shall also be included on the ballot. These ballots will then be tallied by the Nominating Committee and the results will be announced at the Annual Meeting.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall elect Executive Officers following the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Elected officers shall begin their terms of office immediately following the conclusion of the meeting during which they are elected.
Section 4. In the event of vacancies in any of the offices or board positions during the year, the President shall appoint a person to complete the unexpired term. The appointment must have majority consent and approval by the ETAS Board of Directors.
Section 1. Nominating Committee
A. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Board of Directors. The Chair of the Committee shall be elected by the the Board at the time of election of officers. The remaining members of the committee will be selected from the board membership.
B. The Committee shall begin its duties as soon as it is elected and shall serve until the conclusion of the next Annual Meeting. No member shall serve on the Nominating committee for more than two consecutive terms or if the member's term is expiring during that year.
C. The Nominating Committee shall:
1) Solicit the membership for nominees, review the qualifications and select nominees to be placed on the ballot, and prepare a ballot for all Directors to be elected (including vacancies);
2) Prepare a slate of candidates for officers of the Board of Directors;
Section 2. The President may appoint such other standing or special committees from within or outside of the Board of Directors as necessary and such committees shall have such terms and powers as the Board of Directors may determine. The Chair of all committees shall be a current director appointed by the President.
Section 3. The President of the Society shall be an ex- officio member of all committees.
Amendments to these Bylaws must be presented to the Executive Officers prior to a Board of Director's Meeting. These Bylaws shall be initially adopted by the Founding Board of Directors and may thereafter be amended by a majority vote of active members through a mail ballot.
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised Edition, shall serve as a guide to the parliamentary procedures at all meetings of the Society.
adopted 11/08/1994
amended 03/1996
amended 10/2006