April 18, 2007
Article I – Name of organization
The name of this student chapter shall be Rowan University Student Chapter of the New Jersey Water Environment Association, hereinafter designated as RU NJWEA.
Article II –Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this chapter shall be (1) to promote student interest in the environment, (2) to promote interest in the fields of water and wastewater treatment and global pollution mitigation and (3) to provide an avenue for the exchange of information and ideas between students and members of both the Member Association serving their geographical area, i.e. New Jersey Water Environment Association and the Water Environment Federation. In addition, we adopt by reference, the objectives as stated in the Water Environment Federation Constitution and By Laws.
Article III – Affiliation
This organization is a student chapter of the New Jersey Water Environment Association. The New Jersey Water Environment Association is a member of the Water Environment Federation.
Article IV- Membership of the organization
Section 1
Any student enrolled at Rowan University, with an interest in the environment, shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2
RU NJWEA shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or political and religious affiliation in any of its policies, procedures or practices.
Section 3
A Chapter Member shall have the right to participate in the affairs of the Chapter and shall have the right to vote and to hold office, except as denoted in Article 5, Section 2.
Section 4
Any full member who fails to show continued interest in the Society and its activities as determined by a majority of the officers shall be dropped.
Article V– Executive Board
Section 1
The organization shall be managed by officers and advisors elected by the voting members at regular intervals. The executive officers of the RU NJWEA shall be a President, Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary. Additional offices shall include: Webmaster, Publicity Coordinator, Student Government Association Representative, Technical Writing Coordinator.
Section 2
In order to be eligible for an officer position a candidate shall be a member of the WEF. All officers must be registered RU students who meet the University’s minimum qualifications for student officers.
Section 3
Officers represent both the Chapter and the University and, as such, are expected to act with utmost professionalism.
Section 4- Duties of Officers
i. The President shall:
a. have general supervision over the affairs of the RU NJWEA.
b. assume overall responsibility for the chapter, its activities, and achievement of goals set by the Board of Officers.
c. preside over all meetings of RU NJWEA.
d. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
e. oversee the Annual Report preparation.
f. Maintain good rapport and frequent contact with the Faulty Advisor and the Student Government Association.
g. perform such other duties as necessary.
ii. The Vice President shall:
a. assist in the general supervision of the affairs of the RU NJWEA.
b. assume overall responsibility for the chapter, its activities, and achievement of goals set by the Board of Officers if the President is unable to do so.
c. preside over meetings of RU NJWEA when the President is unable to do so.
d. shall be responsible for assuring the RU NJWEA remains in compliance with all the Student Government Association rules and regulations.
e. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
f. perform such other duties as necessary.
ii. The Treasurer shall:
a. be responsible for preparing the operating budget of the Chapter, take charge of all receipts of the Chapter, keep liaison with the Rowan University Student Government Association concerning funds, management and the prompt payment of bills, and keep accurate records of Chapter expenditures.
b. consult with the other officers and staff of the RU NJWEA as to the custody and investment of funds.
c. provide all documentation of club expenditures to the offices of the Student Government Association as to keep the RU NJWEA in good fiscal standing with the Rowan University Student Government Association and to ensure the prompt payment of the RU NJWEA’
d. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
iii. The Secretary shall:
a. organize and maintain an up-to-date filing system on the chapter activities.
b. record attendance and proceedings at each chapter meeting and make attendance information available to the Student Government Association as necessary to remain in good standing.
c. take and distributing meeting minutes.
d. be in charge of updating the chapter officer records with the Student Government Association.
e. be responsible for maintaining the Membership Data Base including Members’ name, phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information.
f. keep all information collected by the RU NJWEA about its members confidential unless specifically authorized for its distribution.
g. document the activities of the chapter, and then directing the preparation of the WEF® student chapter annual report prior to May 1st of each year.
h. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
iv. The Webmaster shall:
a. organize and maintain the website of the RU NJWEA.
b. make sure all upcoming events and activities as well as research, conference and scholarship opportunities are clearly and promptly posted on the RU NJWEA website.
c. maintain the RU NJWEA website in accordance with all Rowan University guidelines.
d. be in charge of updating the chapter officer information on the RU NJWEA website.
e. be responsible for coordinating with the NJWEA webmaster to maintain links with the official NJWEA website
f. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
v. The Publicity Coordinator shall:
a. organize and maintain an up-to-date filing system on the chapter activities.
b. record attendance and proceedings at each chapter meeting and make attendance information available to the Student Government Association as necessary to remain in good standing.
c. take and distributing meeting minutes.
d. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
vi. The Student Government Association Representative shall:
a. attend meetings of the Student Government Association and maintain an attendance level as set forth by the Student Government Association.
b. vote in the Student Senate in accordance with Student Government Association By Laws.
c. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
v. The Technical Writing Coordinator shall:
a. actively promote opportunities for the submission and presentation of student work performed at Rowan University at conferences and in competitions organized by the NJWEA.
b. provide formatting and peer reviewed guidance to those wishing to submit such scholarly works.
c. be available to officers and other chapter members in need of assistance.
Article VI– Elections
Section 1
An active member shall present the nominees during a general Chapter meeting. Officers shall be elected by secret written ballot – the ballots to be distributed to and collected from the Active Members. For each office, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected. Elections shall take place during the Spring semester before the beginning of final exams.
Section 2
In case of a tie during the election, the faculty advisor shall select between the nominees the officer.
Section 3
The terms of office of the President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be for approximately one year, which term shall start at the annual election meeting. In the event that elections are not held in a timely fashion or no nominee is found for a particular office, officers shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Article VII– Officer Vacancies
Section 1
Upon vacancy created by death, removal, resignation, or incapacity of any officer, a vote of the majority of the remaining officers shall be necessary to fill such vacancy. An officer elected to fill such vacancy shall be elected to hold office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor.
Section 2
A vacancy occurring in an elective office of the Chapter during the term of an Officer shall be filled for the unexpired term as follows:
a. President: By the Vice President.
b. Officers-elect: By nomination and election in the same manner as provided in Section 1 of Article VI.
Section 3
Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive board. Any officer who is absent from three (3) consecutive officer meetings shall be removed from the board, unless there exists a legitimate reason for the absences as determined by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the executive board. An officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the board, or to the president or secretary of the chapter. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt by the board or such officer, and the acceptance by the board of the resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective. If a resignation is made effective at a later date, the board may fill the vacancy before the effective date if the board provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date of resignation.
Section 4
Elected officers who fail to be enrolled as full-time students or who choose to work in a full-time co-op position during an academic semester will be automatically suspended from their duties and replaced by another person chosen by the executive board.
Article VIII – Advisor
Section 1
There shall be one faculty advisor who shall be an ex officio member with no voting privileges. The advisor must be a full-time faculty or staff member at Rowan University.
Section 2
The advisor must be approved on annual basis by a vote of at least two-thirds of the office board. The faulty advisor may serve unlimited terms
Section 3
In the event that an advisor is removed or steps down, a new advisor will be selected within 30 calendar days.
Section 4
The Faculty Advisor shall provide continuity and assist RU NJWEA in operating in a manner, which is consistent with the goals and purposes of Rowan University and NJWEA.
Article IX – Meetings
Section 1
Meeting of the Board of Officers shall be held on monthly basis or upon request of the President.
Section 2
Special meetings shall be called by the President or any officer with previous consent from the Board of Officers.
Section 3
A quorum for any regular or special meeting shall consist of a majority of the members (50%+1). The RU NJWEA Student Chapter shall hold meetings on a monthly basis for all members. These meetings shall be, but not limited to, guest speakers, special presentations, field trips, etc.
Article X - Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the constitution may be proposed at any regular meeting by any member of the chapter. Adoption of an amendment shall be by three-fourths vote of all members attending a later regular meeting, provided that such three-fourths majority shall include at least half of the members of the chapter.