The
Constitution and By Laws of the Central
Michigan University Chapter of the
National Broadcasting Society-AERho
(As Amended April 13, 1999 and Edited March 2003)
ARTICLE
ONE
NAME AND AFFILIATION
The
name of this organization shall be the Central Michigan
University Chapter of The National Broadcasting Society-AERho
(NBS-AERho). The official abbreviation of this organization
shall be NBS-AERho. The Chapter is affiliated with
Region Number Two.
ARTICLE
TWO
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The
purpose and objectives of the Central Michigan University
Chapter of National Broadcasting Society-AERho shall
be the same as those of the Society as set forth
in the National Constitution.
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ARTICLE
THREE
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION
1. There shall be four types of membership
in the chapter. Membership is open to any qualified
person regardless of race, color, national origin,
sex, religion, age, or handicap.
1. Student Membership
shall be limited to currently enrolled undergraduate
and graduate students. Privileges of membership
shall include the ability to purchase and display official
insignia, vote for and hold National, Regional, and Local
office, and shall include a subscription to NBS-AERho publications,
National membership certificate and membership
card, in addition to other privileges as may be established
by the Region or the National Council.
2. Professional Collegiate
Membership shall be granted to those
individuals who demonstrated through their industry achievements
or expressed interest, a clear willingness to participate
in and actively promote the Society’s aims and projects.
Privileges of membership shall be identical to those for
National Student membership.
3. Alpha Epsilon Rho Membership,
the honor society within The National
Broadcasting Society-AERho, is open to members of NBS-AERho
who are pursuing degrees in telecommunication, radio,
television, film, cable or other programs in electronic media
and are nominated into membership based on scholastic
excellence, merit and/or recognized creative achievement.
Precise requirements and the nomination process
is established by the National Council.
4. Honorary Membership shall
be granted on a local basis, by a majority
vote of the chapter for service to the Chapter by an individual
or organization. This membership carries no dues or other
obligations on the part of the recipient.
SECTION
2. Members of the Central Michigan University
Chapter of National Broadcasting Society-AERho
(NBS-AERho) have the following privileges and obligations.
1. All members
are expected to remain in good standing by satisfying
the obligations required of them by Local, Regional, and
National regulations.
2. To remain in good standing,
members must submit dues on time.
Failure to pay dues on time will result in expulsion from the
Chapter.
3. To remain in good standing,
members must be actively involved
with Chapter activities and must attend at least one-half
(1/2) of the scheduled meetings each term. A point system,
which gives credit for all NBS-AERho activities, will be maintained
by the Chapter for all members.
4. Membership in NBS-AERho
shall not be denied because of religion,
race, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, veteran
status, handicap, and/or sexual orientation.
SECTION
3. The Chapter may suspend the membership
of any member by majority vote of the Executive
Committee and with just cause. The party involved
must be informed of this action and the reason(s)
for it in writing.
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ARTICLE
FOUR
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
SECTION
1. The Executive Council shall be the
governing body of this chapter of NBS-AERho.
SECTION
2. The Executive Council shall be composed
of the Faculty Advisor(s) and the following officers:
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Alumni and Professional Coordinator, Fundraising,
M2D2 Representative, and Public Relations Director.
SECTION
3. The Executive Council shall have such
powers and duties as are stated within this Constitution
and are otherwise invested to it by this chapter.
SECTION
4. Terms and Qualifications: All officers
shall be elected annually for a one-year term,
and must be active members in good standing.
SECTION
5. Powers and Duties:
A. President shall
be the presiding officer at all sessions of the membership
meetings and at all sessions of the Executive Council.
He/She shall have the power to appoint committees that
may be deemed advisable for carrying on the work of the
chapter. It shall be his/her duty to see that the officers
and committees
of the chapter discharge their duties faithfully, impartially,
promptly and completely. He/She shall sign all official
papers and documents.
B. Vice-President shall
assist the President in the performance of
the latter’s powers and duties and, in the absence
or disability
of the President, shall assume the latter’s powers
and duties. He/She shall also assume the responsibility of
recruitment and indoctrination of new members, as well as
keep accurate pledge records for the chapter and national
office.
C. Secretary shall keep
the official minutes of all meetings of the membership
and Executive Council. With the assistance of the Vice-President
and the Alumni and Professional Coordinator, he/she
shall also keep complete records of the membership of the
chapter. He/She shall also be responsible for all official
correspondence.
D. Treasurer shall be responsible
for the collection and distribution
of all monies and must also keep accurate records of
the chapter's finances.
E. Alumni and Professional
Coordinator shall be responsible for keeping
an accurate record of chapter alumni and their current addresses,
maintaining contact with former members, and orienting
new professional members.
F. Public Relations Director
prepares all press releases, memos,
PSAs, posters and advertisements that announce activities
within the chapter and to those interested outside the chapter.
He/She shall have refined communication skills for both
oral and written material, shall have an artistic flair, and
should have the ability to work well with others.
G. Faculty Advisor(s) shall
be a member of the Executive Council
and shall provide a continual stabilizing influence in the
chapter. He/She/They shall be selected in a way the Executive
Council feels is necessary at the time of need. He/She/They
shall correspond with the appropriate National Officers about
chapter events, advise chapter officers and members, ensure
the chapter fulfills its obligations, and shall carry out all
other duties
normally associated with this office.
H. Other Officers may be
elected as needed or as conditions permit,
including (but not limited to) positions such as Regional Coordinator,
Tours & Speakers, Social Chairperson, and Newsletter
Editor.
I. All elected officers
shall be expected to establish and keep regular
office hours in order to insure the fulfillment of their office
duties and to be available to chapter and committee members.
SECTION
6. Vacancies and Removal
A. In the event
the Vice Presidency should be vacant, the membership
by majority vote will elect a successor, who shall serve
in the office until the next election.
B. In the event any
other vacancy in office occurs, excluding the Presidency,
it maybe filled by an active member of the chapter, selected
by the Executive Council and ratified by a simple majority
vote of the membership present at a regular meeting. This
appointee shall remain in office until the next election.
C. Members of the Executive
Council and the Faculty Advisor(s) may
be removed by petition of the entire membership in good standing,
followed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the membership.
D. In the event the Presidency
should become vacant, the Vice-President
shall assume the presidency for the remainder of the term
until the next election.
E. In the event the position
of the Faculty Advisor becomes vacant,
it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Council to
determine a process for the selection of a replacement.
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ARTICLE
FIVE
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
SECTION
1. Elections
A. Three weeks
prior to elections, notification of nomination and
election
dates will be posted. The posting will include vacant offices
for the upcoming year along with the office job description.
Nominations for Executive Office may be made two
weeks after the posting. Elections will take place three
weeks after the posting. Nominations may be taken
from the floor
during the meeting of the scheduled election and will be
called for by the presiding officer. The nominee
will verify that he/she
is academically qualified to hold the office for which
they are being nominated. Only members may vote in
the election
of officers.
B. To be elected, a
candidate must receive a majority of the vote cast
by members for each office in the election. In the event
no candidate
has a majority, a run-off election shall be held between
the candidates with the highest number of votes.
C. Members will elect
a voting delegate to the National Convention
along with an alternate delegate. Newly elected officers
shall assume their positions the semester following elections.
It is up to the current Executive Council as to whether the
elections should be held before or after the National Convention,
though before is preferred.
SECTION
2. Voting
A. All members
of the chapter in good standing, with the exception
of the President, shall have one vote on all matters brought
to the attention at regular or special meetings, whether
such matters are proposed by the Executive Council,
committees, or membership from the floor. Only members
in good
standing may vote. In case of a tie, the President shall
cast the deciding vote.
B. Parliamentary procedures
shall be in keeping with Robert's Rules
of Order. All matters, excluding elections, must have at least
a plurality to be passed or carried.
C. A quorum for all regular
and special meetings shall consist of forty
percent (40%) of the membership in good standing. A quorum
for the Executive Council meeting shall consist of four (4)
members, not including the Faculty Advisor(s).
D. Each member of Executive
Council, excluding the Faculty Advisor,
shall have one vote in all Council meetings. The Faculty
Adviser shall have one vote in cases where such is necessary
to break a tie vote in Executive Council meetings.
E. All members in good standing
shall have the right of written proxy
in matters of which he/she has knowledge. This excludes blanket
proxies.
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ARTICLE
SIX
AMENDMENTS AND BY-LAWS
Amendments
may be made to this Constitution by presenting them
in writing during a regular meeting for an individual
reading. Voting on such amendments must be held on
the first regular meeting following the initial reading
and must be approved by
three-fourths (3/4) of the entire membership in good standing.
By-Laws may be changed or added to this Constitution in a manner similar to
the addition of an amendment, except that only three-fourths (3/4) vote of
the membership present is needed for the acceptance.
Nothing shall be included
as part of this Constitution which is in violation of the National
Constitution, By-Laws, Statutory Code, and Handbook of Procedures
of NBS-Alpha Epsilon Rho.
BY-LAWS
CHAPTER
ONE
FINANCES
SECTION
1. Dues
A. Student and
Professional members of the CMU chapter of NBS-AERho
shall pay annual dues as established by the National
Executive Council plus Five Dollars ($5.00) additional dues
for the local chapter.
B. Dues for all members,
excluding new initiates, are payable on a
date specified by the Executive Council of the chapter, usually
in the month of October.
C. Dues for new initiates
are payable on a date specified by the Executive
Council of the chapter which usually will be before initiation
into the chapter.
SECTION
2. Dissolution
In the event this local
chapter of NBS-AERho should be dissolved, all funds in
the treasury will revert to the Broadcast and Cinematic
Arts Department of Central Michigan University.
CHAPTER
TWO
CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP
SECTION
1. Probation
A. Any member
who misses three consecutive meetings or four total
meetings per semester without prior consent from, or justification
to the Executive Council of the CMU chapter of NBS-AERho,
and/or any member over thirty (30) days delinquent
in paying dues shall he placed on probation for thirty
(30) days.
B. If during the probationary
period absences from meetings continue,
or dues remain unpaid, the person's membership shall
be suspended at a hearing of the Executive Council. The
person involved shall be requested personally to attend
the hearing,
and to comment on the absences or non-payment of dues.
C. Conditions of the probation
shall be:
1. Loss
of voting rights in chapter affairs
2. Termination
of the chapter member's right to hold collegiate office
during the probation period.
SECTION 2. Suspension
Members under suspension
shall relinquish all rights of membership until an application
for re-admittance has been submitted to and approved by the
Executive Council. If no application is made before the end
of the semester in which the suspension was initiated, the
National Office shall be notified of the suspension.
CHAPTER
THREE
STUDENT CANDIDACY AND INITIATION
A. Each
semester, persons who meet the requirements of membership,
as stated in the National Constitution and By Laws
will be extended an invitation to join NBS-AERho.
B. Prior to Initiation
into the organization, the candidate is expected
to be active in as many chapter activities as possible and
attend all chapter meetings unless excused for just reasons.
C. Initiation Ceremonies
shall occur on a date set by the Executive
Council of the chapter and shall follow the script recommended
by the National organization. Normally, initiation ceremonies
will be held near the end of the fall semester each year.
CHAPTER
FOUR
COMMITTEES
The
membership of the chapter shall be divided into six
standing committees. The committees may be headed
by members of the Executive Council. Normally, a
member will belong to no more than two (2) committees.
The President and Faculty Advisor(s) will not belong
to any committee but will act as coordinators of
the standing committees.
SECTION
1. Committees and Committee Heads
1. Vice President -- Recruitment
2. Secretary -- Communications
3. Treasurer -- Arrangements
4. Fundraising Coordinator -- Fundraising
5. Alumni and Professional Coordinator -- Alumni and Professional
6. Public Relations Director -- Public Relations
SECTION
2. Committee Duties
A. Fundraising
Committee - Shall solicit ideas and suggestions from
the chapter for ways to bring money into the chapter treasury.
Utilizing these ideas, this committee shall initiate, organize,
and coordinate those activities which appear to have the
greatest fundraising potential. This committee shall also
be in
charge of charitable fundraising projects.
B. Recruitment Committee
- Shall identify prospective chapter members,
make personal contact with them, and suggest methods
for getting information about NBS-AERho into their hands.
Shall invite and accompany prospective members to chapter
meetings and follow through with further information and/or
answers to their questions.
C. Communications Committee
- - Shall coordinate all chapter communication.
Its duties within the chapter shall be to compile all
minutes, keep chapter files in order, and keep the Constitution
up to date. The committee shall also maintain, in any
way it sees fit, communication with the National Office (i.e.
Signals-on-Line, etc.) and its officers and with Regional
officers. The committee shall also assume responsibilities
of the
nominating committee whose duties are listed in Article Six,
Section 1 Sub-Section A.
D. Arrangements Committee
- - Shall be responsible for handling
arrangements for guest speakers and other chapter visitors,
planning chapter banquets and other business or social
functions. Members of this committee shall also help the
Treasurer in his/her responsibilities.
E. Alumni and Professional
Committee -- Shall be responsible for
the following:
1. Prepare
and maintain up-to-date record of AERho and other CMU
broadcast alumni. This record should include current mailing
addresses, jobs whenever possible, as well as phone numbers
This record will also include each alumni's specific interest
in the organization.
2. Coordinate
the recruitment of professionals as members of the
CMU chapter of NBS-AERho.
3. Assist
alumni from CMU in maintaining a relationship with NBS-AERho,
either through the CMU chapter or another chapter.
4. Assist
in the coordination of any AERho activities (e.g. Homecoming)
involving alumni and professional organizations
whenever requested.
5. Working
actively to promote NBS-AERho throughout the state,
and to assist recent CMU graduates in getting jobs.
F. Public Relations Committee
-- Shall be responsible for the publication
and composition of all promotional materials for chapter
activities and productions.
D. Committee Appointment
- - At the start of every school year, the
President shall ask the members to indicate their committee
preference. Based on those preferences and committee
needs, the Executive Council will make the committee
assignments.
CHAPTER
FIVE
MEETINGS
Normally,
meetings of the chapter shall be held every other
week for each month in the semester calendar, with
alternate weeks for Executive Council meetings. Special
meetings may be called when the Executive Council
believes there is a need to hold one.
CHAPTER SIX
NATIONAL CONVENTION
The
chapter shall undertake as much financial responsibility
as is deemed possible by the Executive Council, to
send a delegate and alternate delegate to the National
Convention. The amount shall not exceed the total
cost of coach class airfare, registration and room
for the delegate and half the cost for coach class
airfare, registration and room for the alternate
delegate.
Jerry Henderson, Advisor
Matt Bellehumeur, Chapter President
Date:3/13/03
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