Constitution

Article I: Name

This organization shall be called the Lafayette College Student Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. In these Bylaws it is referred to as the Chapter; the Association for Computing Machinery is referred to as the ACM.

Article II: Purpose

The Chapter is chartered by the ACM and will be operated for educational and scientific purposes. The chapter’s specific objectives are:

1. To promote an increased knowledge of the science, design, development, construction, languages, management and applications of modern computing.

2. To promote a greater interest in computing and its applications.

3. To provide a means of communication between persons having an interest in computing

4. To facilitate exposure to and knowledge of computing organizations

5. To promote, on the campus, a better understanding of the various aspects of modern computing machinery.

Article III: Membership

Membership in the Student Chapter shall be open to all students and faculty in the Lafayette College Community.

Voting membership in the Student Chapter shall be granted to all members in good standing of the student chapter.

All meetings shall be conducted according to parliamentary laws as defined in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Article IV: Officers

The officers of this Chapter shall be: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers constitute the Executive Council. Other offices may also be established as necessary.

All officers of the Chapter must become members of ACM immediately following election to office.

The officers shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the annual election meeting.

Vacancies in any office other than chairman caused by resignation, removal or disability shall be filled by majority vote of the Executive Council. If the office of chairman is so vacated, the vice chairman shall immediately assume that office, and the Executive Council shall then fill the vacant office of vice chairman.

Article V: Duties of Officers

The Chair is the principal officer and is responsible for leading the Chapter and managing its activities in accordance with the policies and procedures of the ACM and these bylaws. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and of its Executive Council. The Executive Council shall consist of the Chapter officers, the Student Chapter Sponsor.

The Vice Chair shall preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair, assist the Chair in the management of the Chapter, and perform other duties that may be assigned by the Chair.

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all Chapter and Executive Council meetings. Other duties of the Secretary include:

• Maintaining the records of the Chapter.

• Preparation of the Chapter’s activity report and officer contact information, and submission of these to ACM Headquarters.

• Submission of any proposed amendment to these bylaws to the Chairs of the Membership Activities Board. Proposed amendments must be approved before they can be submitted to the Chapter’s membership for a vote.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chair.

The Treasurer shall collect dues, pay all bills, and maintain the Chapter’s financial records. Duties of the Treasurer also shall include:

• Preparation of the Chapter’s Annual Financial Report for presentation to the Chapter at the Annual Election meeting.

• Completion and submission of the Annual Financial Report to ACM Headquarters.

• Performance of other duties as assigned by the Chair.

Article VI: Chapter Sponsor

The Student Chapter Sponsor shall be a voting member of ACM and either a member of the faculty or full-time staff of Lafayette College.

The Student Chapter Sponsor shall be generally responsible for the activities of the Chapter. Specifically, the Sponsor:

• helps provide continuity from year to year as student leadership and personnel change;

• promotes good student-faculty relationships;

• helps maintain university standards in all activities of the Chapter;

• exercises financial supervision, if necessary

• promoting prompt payment of bills and collection of dues,and

• overseeing the settlement of all accounts in the event of dissolution of the Chapter;

• represents the Chapter interests to the faculty and administration.

Article VII: Executive Council

There is no requirement that there be an Executive Council, but if there is one, the Chair would be the presiding officer. If there is no specific Executive Council, the set of officers are the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall consist of the Chapter officers, the Student Chapter Sponsor. The Term of the members of the Executive Council shall be coincident with the terms of the officers.

Article VIII: Meetings

The Chapter shall hold meetings only in places that are open and accessible to all members of the Association.

The Annual Election meeting should be held at the last meeting of the semester. At this meeting, the Secretary and Treasurer each shall present the required reports. Also, the election of officers shall be held.

Article IX: Disbursements

Disbursements from the Treasury for Chapter expenditures shall be made by the Treasurer with authorization of the Executive Council and shall be included in the minutes of its meetings.

Article X: Amendment and Voting Procedures

All proposed changes to these Chapter Bylaws shall be approved by the executive council and must be in accordance with the ACM Constitution and these by-laws. A simple majority of the voting members present shall be required to carry a motion. Officers will be elected by a plurality of votes cast.

Article XI: Dissolution of the Chapter

Dissolution of this Chapter by consent of the members shall consist of unanimous agreement of all its officers together with a majority vote at a meeting which has been publicized in advance to all members of the Chapter for the purpose of taking this vote.

Should this Chapter be dissolved, its assets and liabilities shall be transferred to ACM and shall be supervised by the Membership.