University of Wisconsin Biomedical Engineering Society

Student Chapter Constitution

Constitution

Article I – Chapter Name

1.1.  This organization shall be known as the University of Wisconsin BMES Student Chapter, hereinafter called the “chapter” which shall have been granted a charter by the Biomedical Engineering Society.

Article II – Chapter Objectives

2.1.  The object of this chapter shall be to promote the profession of Biomedical Engineering through organized study, research, social, and industry immersed activities.  These activities will work to further the dissemination of information on the topic and profession of biomedical engineering, as well as its interaction with the other science disciplines.  The chapter shall promote membership in the BMES by aquatinting the student body with the ideas, purposes and objectives of BMES.

Article III – Membership

3.1.    Any person who is a registered student enrolled in an undergraduate college or gradate school curriculum in engineering, engineering technology, or pre-medicine, who is also a student member of BMES is eligible for membership in the student chapter.

3.2.    All members of the student chapter are subject to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Biomedical Engineering Society.

Article IV – Officers

4.1.    The officers of this chapter shall be elected in a manner that coincides with the Bylaws that are put forth by this chapter.

4.2.    The following are the officer positions which shall be elected on an annual basis, and the position shall be held for one year, not withstanding extenuating circumstances; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Polygon Representative, Outreach Chair, Industry Research Co-Chairs, Communication Chair, Surgery Chair, Social Chair, Webmaster.

4.2.1.           President: The President is the executive administrative, presiding, and reporting officer.  As chief executive, the President will supervise the chapter’s affairs and activities, and he or she will be responsible for public relations and promotion of the chapter’s activities.  The President will work with the College of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Department at UW-Madison, the faculty advisors, and the Society National office in all chapter and society matters. 

4.2.2.           Vice President: The Vice President serves as the chapter’s chief officer in the absence of the President.  His or her primary responsibility is communication amongst the Executive Committee, and serving as the liaison between the Executive Committee and the President.  The Vice President provides help and guidance for the officers, aids in function planning and execution and works with the President on miscellaneous administrative activities.

4.2.3.           Secretary: The Secretary is responsible for keeping minutes of all general and business meetings and for putting these minutes into a format that is accessible to all members of the organization.  Also among the Secretary’s responsibilities is the organization of the spring and fall banquet, and maintenance of the membership registry. 

4.2.4.           Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for the management of chapter finances and for the disbursement and documentation of funds.  Since final approval of a project may depend on the finances available, it is imperative that all records be kept current and as accurate as possible.  The Treasurer must also aid the President in the completion of the budget proposals to be given to Polygon.

4.2.5.           Polygon Representative: The Polygon Representative is the means of communication between Polygon, other College of Engineering student organizations, and the chapter.  This position is very crucial as Polygon is a major source of funding.  Also, biannually, the Polygon officer will be responsible for creating and organizing the Engineering EXPO exhibit.

4.2.6.           Outreach Chair: The Outreach Chair will organize all events that involve the participation of the chapter in community service and volunteer activities, whether it be within the College of Engineering, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the community of Madison, or elsewhere. 

4.2.7.           Industry Research Co-Chairs: The Industry/Research Chair is responsible for technical and professional programming.  He/she corresponds with many persons both inside and outside of UW-Madison and schedules industry visits, research visits, and speakers for the chapter’s general meetings.  The two chairs will stagger the period in which they hold office, as to ensure that an experienced officer is always in place.

4.2.8.           Communication Chair: The Communications Chair is responsible for keeping the outside world informed of BMES and its activities and events.  This will be primarily accomplished through the coordination of a newsletter and by serving as the group photographer and historian.

4.2.9.           Surgery Chair: The Surgery Chair will cater to the biological and medical side of the chapter by organizing such events as surgery observations, gross anatomy demonstrations, hospital tours/trips, and other activities and events pertain to this subject.

4.2.10.        Social Chair: The Social Chair is responsible for organizing all social events for BMES, as well as to provide publicity for all of the general meetings and any special event that the chapter has scheduled.

4.2.11.        Webmaster: The Webmaster maintains the chapter website and provides technological assistance to other officers and members as is necessary. 

Article V – Executive Committee

5.1.    The Executive Committee is the governing and policy-making body of the chapter.  It will be composed of all elected officers, as well as the chapter’s advisor.

5.2.    The Executive Committee must abide by the University of Wisconsin BMES Student Chapter Constitution and all of its Bylaws.

5.3.    As the governing body of the chapter, the Executive Committee will have final approval of proposed policy and activity initiatives.  For this purpose, each elected officer is allocated one vote for use in approval/disapproval of proposed initiatives.  The passing of a suggested policy, activity, or spending initiatives will occur upon a simple majority basis.  Chapter committees and singular members may suggest initiatives, but may not vote.

Article VI – Constitutional Amendments

6.1.    Amendments to the University of Wisconsin BMES Student Chapter Constitution can and will take place upon a three-fourths vote of the chapter’s members at any general or business meeting.  Written notice of the proposed change must be posted no later than one week before the vote is to take place.

Bylaws

Article I – Dues

1.1.    The chapter will collect a $30 annual fee, $25 of which will be submitted to the national BMES for an annual student membership.  The remaining $5 will be used to fund chapter functions.

1.2.    Students may contribute additional funds directly to the chapter treasury for use by the chapter in its operations and activities.

Article II – Elections

2.1.     Elections for the officer positions shall be held at a date to be determined annually in February. 

2.2.     The Executive Committee will construct an election ballot no less than two weeks prior to the election date.  This ballot will contain a minimum of one nominee for each officer position, and will be distributed prior to the election date.  At the date of distribution, additional nominations may take place. 

2.3.     Chapter members may only be nominated for one officer position per election.  If an instance occurs whereas a position remains unfilled after the initial tabulation, unselected nominees may then seek to fill the open position.

2.4.     The elected positions shall have a term lasting from March 1^st until February 28^th of the subsequent year. 

2.4.1.           The industry research officer position will have hold elections twice per year, allowing for a full one year term as well as providing for keeping an experienced officer in one of the chairs at all times.

2.5.     In case of officer position vacancies, special elections may take place; so long as there is written notice of the intent, purpose, and date of this special election is publicized 10 days prior to the selected date.

2.6.     No chapter member may be considered for an officer position if the named person is to graduate before completing at least one half year of studies while holding the position.

2.7.     No officer may hold a particular office for more than one year.

2.8.     All elections must be done by written, secret ballot.

2.9.     Impeachment of an officer may occur upon presentation of a just reason to the Faculty Advisor.  If this evidence elicits approval from the Faculty Advisor, a two-thirds vote by all chapter members is needed for the removal for the person in question from office.  The national BMES will review the decision of the chapter.

Article III – Meetings

3.1.    The chapter will attempt hold two general meetings, and two business meetings per month.  The Executive Committee will determine the dates at the beginning of the academic year.

3.2.    The predetermined dates of all the meetings will be publicized no less than 10 days prior to selected date. 

Article IV – Award Opportunities

4.1.  The chapter shall encourage its members to submit applications to the national BMES for the Young Investigator Award, Graduate Student Awards, and Undergraduate Design Awards.

Article V – Committees

5.1.    In addition to the Executive Committee, each officer should attempt to have a committee devoted to the workings of the position. 

5.2.    These committees will work to disseminate the work of the officer position with which they are associated, as well as aid in determining further policy changes for the position and the chapter.

Article VI – Rules of Order

6.1.     Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the proceedings of all meetings for the organization and its committees.

Article VII – Faculty Advisor

7.1.    The Faculty Advisor shall be selected annually by the university, and subsequently accepted by the chapter.

7.2.    The Faculty Advisor must be an Associate member, Member, or senior member of the BMES.  The Advisor shall serve as an intermediary and resource person for the chapter, university and the BMES.

  Comments?  Questions?  Contact the president via the officers page.