The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community.

The concept of Networking was the key basis for the organization. SHPE quickly established two student chapters to begin the network that would grow to encompass the nation as well as reach countries outside the United States. Today, SHPE enjoys a strong but independent network of professional and student chapters throughout the nation.

The Texas A&M University Chapter of SHPE was founded in 1994 to create an organization where hispanic engineers could come together. Since then, SHPE-TAMU has become a premiere club on campus. SHPE-TAMU has received recognition from the Hispanic Presidents' Council, an umbrella organization, as Hispanic Organization of the Year 2002-2003. In addition, this organization has been awarded as the best of 700+ clubs on the Texas A&M Campus with the title of Recognized Student Organization of the Year 2002-2003. SHPE-TAMU has also been noticed on the regional level as it received the Regional Chapter of the Year 2003-2004 for Region V. We hope to continue this commitment to excellence in the years to come.

ARTICLE I - NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Texas A&M Student Chapter.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE / OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this student chapter is to:

1. Increase the number of Hispanic engineering and science students at Texas A&M University.
2. Promote the advancement of Hispanic engineers and scientists in industry, government and education.
3. Develop and participate in programs with industry and the university which benefit all students.
4. Improve the retention of Hispanic students enrolled in engineering and science as well as other disciplines.
5. Provide a forum for the exchange of information pertinent to Hispanic engineering and science students enrolled in Texas A&M University.
6. Assist the College of Engineering and the Colleges of other math based sciences at Texas A&M University.

ARTICLE III - ASSOCIATION

Section 1. Affilation

The Texas A&M student chapter will be an affiliated chapter of Society of Hispanic Professional 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. 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, belief or sexual orientation. This organization will neither participate in nor support any activity that does discriminate in any way.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Regular Membership

A Regular Member shall be:

Any student who is enrolled full-time or part-time in engineering or math based science at Texas A&M University. Full-time enrollment is defined as at least twelve hours during the spring or fall semester and nine hours during the summer semester. Regular members shall be eligible to vote and hold an elected office.

Section 2. Associate Membership

An Associate Member shall be:

Any student who does not meet the requirements for regular membership, but who supports the purposes and objectives of this chapter. This membership shall include all students who are affiliated with other academic disciplines besides engineering, science and math. These members shall be eligible for all committee chairs but will not be eligible to hold an elected office or vote.

Section 3. Honorary Membership

An Honorary Member shall be:

Any person who supports the purposes and objectives of this chapter and of SHPE national and contributes to the causes outlined in this document. This membership shall include representatives of industry, supporting faculty and private individuals. Honorary members are not eligible to vote or hold an elected office.

ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section 1.

Officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Internal Affairs, Director of External Affairs and any specially elected officers. The term of office is one year.

Section 2. President

The President shall represent the chapter and be responsible for all business concerning the chapter. The President shall facilitate discussions in the management and business of the chapter or other functions or activities under the direction of this chapter. The President shall be the official spokesperson for the chapter, manage the other operating officers and be responsible for communication between the chapter and the advisors. The President shall conduct all Executive Officer's meetings as well as general meetings.

Section 3. Vice President

The Vice-President shall assist the President in all business concerning the chapter and shall act as President in the President's absence. The Vice- President shall oversee the external affairs of the chapter (industry relations, company tours, symposiums, etc.). The Vice-President shall be responsible for communications with national and regional chapters. The Vice-President shall consolidate and coordinate chairs as well as appoint chairpersons.

Section 4. Secretary

The Secretary shall take the minutes of the meetings and present them at the beginning of each general meeting. The Secretary shall coordinate the SHPE bulletin board. The Secretary shall be responsible for journalistic duties including the writing and/or coordinating of articles and written material t be published within or outside of the organization. The Secretary shall keep up-to-date records of the membership and all chair and subchair members.

Section 5. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall keep accounts and records of money received or disbursed as well as all receipts involved. The Treasurer shall make monthly financial reports listing all liabilities and assets of the organization to the Executive Officers and the general membership. It will be the Treasurer's responsibility to present the annual budget and complete financial report to the Executive Board as well as a financial projection for the next fiscal year during the second to last general meeting of the spring semester.

Section 6. Director of Internal Affairs

The Director of Internal Affairs shall control and coordinate all recruitment of new members. The Director of Internal Affairs shall oversee all ACE programs directed toward the active membership of the chapter (i.e. tutoring, mentors). The Director of Internal Affairs shall direct the social activities and publicity functions of the chapter as well as all informational distributions. This includes freshman orientation, freshman recruitment, social activities of the general membership, and publicity through publications. The Director of Internal Affairs shall be responsible for the Zachry banner, posting informational flyers and coordinating with Student Services and student organizations within the university. The Director of Internal Affairs shall coordinate members in committees formed by the Executive Officers, with chairs appointed by the Vice-President, that fall under his/her jurisdiction.

Section 7. Director of External Affairs

The Director of External Affairs shall control all correpondence between the chapter and all professional and student SHPE chapters. The Director of External Affairs will be responsible for publicizing ACE activities and organizing all outreach programs. The Director of External Affairs shall be responsible for publicizing and coordinating all symposiums, conferences and activities presented by SHPE or otherwise. This includes company tours and field trips. The Director of External Affairs shall coordinate members in committees formed by the Executive Officers, with chairs appointed by the Vice-President, that fall under his/her jurisdiction.

Section 8. Specially Elected Officers (Title to be given upon confirmation)

Specially elected officers shall be the head of any office which is created by the Executive Officers. Special offices may be created by a simple majority (50%+1) vote of the Executive Officers. Specially elected officers shall perform such duties as may be delegated by the President or the Executive Officers.

ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS / VOTING

Section 1. Nominations

• Nominations are to be held no later than the fifth week before the end of the spring semester.
• Nominee must be an active regular member of the local chapter, must be in good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or higher) and be in compliance with all University Regulations for eligibility. Persons wishing to be nominated shall submit an application for nomination no less than one week before nominations are to take place. Applicants may apply for more than one office.
• Candidates may be nominated for more than one office provided that the member will take the highest ranking position first.

Section 2. Voting

• Voting shall take place on the day of nominations.
• Elections shall be confirmed by simple majority vote (50% + 1) with quorum as defined in Article VII, Section 1.
• All persons who have become active regular members of the chapter shall be eligible to vote.
• The chapter shall hold elections annually before the fifth week prior to the last regular day of the spring semester.
• Votes shall be cast by secret ballot and compiled by two designated members who are not running for office. Absentee votes may be scored only by submitting the vote personally to one of these designated members. These two members are also responsible for tallying election votes. These members shall be chosen in the general meeting prior to the nominations/elections meeting.
• Newly elected Executive Officers shall hold office for the period of one year. The newly elected Executive Officers shall take office on the penultimate general meeting.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

Section 1.

Quorom shall be met if 20% of membership is present.

Section 2.

General meeting shall be held at least once a month.

Section 3.

Election meetings shall be held on the date of a general meeting.

Section 4.

Special meetings may be called by simple majority vote (50% + 1) of the Executive Officers with at least one week notification to membership.

Section 5.

Executive Officer meetings shall be held at intervals defined by a simple majority vote (50% + 1) of the Executive Officers.

ARTICLE VIII - RESIGNATIONS AND IMPEACHMENT

Section 1. Resignations

• A letter of resignation shall be submitted to the President or Vice-President by any person wishing to resign from office at least one week before the next general meeting.
• During a meeting, when a resignation is presented, nominations will be taken to fill the vacated office. A person shall be elected by the membership during the next general meeting. The President or Vice-President shall appoint a temporary officer after the resignation and before a replacement officer is confirmed.

Section 2. Impeachment

• When any member feels that an officer is not fulfilling his/her duties, he/she may call upon the officers and advisors during the next Executive Officer meeting to discuss the matter.
• During the impeachment proceedings, the case for impeachment will be presented. The officer under question will be given the opportunity to present his/her defense before the other officers and the advisors. The remaining elected officers will determine with a simple majority vote whether to present an impeachment vote to the members. If the vote for impeachment goes to the members, a 2/3 (based on the 20% requirement stated in Article VII) decision will be necessary for impeachment to occur. All faculty advisors must be consulted of impeachment proceedings and retain the opportunity to appeal the Executive Officer's vote. In the case of an advisor's appeal, the Executive Officers will consider the case again at the next Executive Officer's meeting.
• If an officer is impeached, a new officer will be nominated and elected at the next general meeting with a temporary officer appointed by the President or Vice-President acting in the interim.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendments to Bylaws

• Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing to the Executive Officers at least one week before being presented to a general meeting.
• A favorable vote shall be considered 2/3 of the membership present (base on 20% requirement stated in Article VII).
• The amendments shall be submitted to the SHPE National Student Affairs Committee (NSAC) for approval.