THE BYLAWS
OF THE NORTH CAROLINA SECTION
OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Article 1: General

1.1 Use of Name and Marks. The use and publication of the Society and Section name and marks shall be in accordance with the Society’s governing documents and official policies.

Article 2: Area and Membership

Not used.

Article 3: Separation from Membership

Not used.

Article 4: Dues

4.1 Annual Dues. The Annual Dues for members of the North Carolina Section shall be fifteen dollars payable in U.S. currency in advance of January 1st. These dues are assessed as part of a member’s registration with ASCE National.

Article 5: Management

5.1 Duties of the Board of Directors. Duties of the North Carolina Section Board of Directors shall include management of the North Carolina Section, responsibility for the budget and financial resources, strategic planning, providing leadership, overseeing the various activities within the North Carolina Section and its subsidiary organizations, communicating with the Region, and facilitating the election process for Officers and Directors of the North Carolina Section and its subsidiary organizations. The Board of Directors shall have control of property of the North Carolina Section.

5.2 Annual Report. The Board of Directors shall oversee the preparation of the Annual Report which shall be submitted to the Society in accordance with published requirements.

Article 6: Officers and Directors

6.1 Qualifications. Officers and Directors shall be Subscribing Members of the North Carolina Section in a voting grade of Society membership who have demonstrated interest and ability regarding Section affairs, have declared a willingness to serve, and have made a commitment to the time required.

6.2 Officers. The Officers of the Section shall be elected by the Subscribing Members of the Section, with the exception of the President and Past President. The President-Elect shall automatically succeed to the office of President at the close of the Annual Meeting in the year in which the President’s term expires. At the conclusion of the term as President of the Section, the President becomes the Past President for a term of one (1) year.

6.2.1 President. The President shall preside at Business Meetings of the Section, shall chair and attend all meetings of the Section Board of Directors, and shall appoint members to committees where authorized. Also, the President (or their designated proxy) shall serve as a Delegate to the Region 4 Assembly of Delegates. In addition, the President shall chair and coordinate collaborative activities between the Student Chapters and the Section.

6.2.2 President-Elect. The President-Elect shall attend meetings of the Section Board of Directors act in place of the President when the President is not available. The President-Elect shall also serve as the vice chair and attend all meetings of the Section Board of Directors.

6.2.3 Secretary. The Secretary shall attend meetings of the Section Board of Directors and serve as secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of Section meetings and be in charge of Section correspondence.

6.2.4 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall monitor the funds of the Section, assist in preparation of the Section’s annual budget, report periodically to the Section Board of Directors, provide an annual financial report to the Section Board of Directors, and attend all meetings of the Section Board of Directors.

6.2.5 Past President. The Past President shall attend meetings of the Section Board of Directors and serve as the Chair of the Nominating Committee and Scholarship Committee. Also, the Past-President (or their designated proxy) shall serve as a Delegate to the Region 4 Assembly of Delegates.

6.2.6 Vice President. The Vice President shall attend meetings of the Section Board of Directors and serve as the Chair of the Spring Technical Seminar and Fall Annual Meeting Committee.

6.3. Directors. The Directors of the Section shall be the Region 4 Governor and one representative selected from each established Branch.

6.3.1 Region 4 Governor. The Region 4 Governor shall attend meetings of the Region 4 and Section Boards of Directors and shall serve as the communication link between the Boards.

6.3.2. Branch Representative. The Branch Representatives shall attend meetings of the Section and their respective Branch Boards and shall serve as the communication link between these Boards.

6.4 Terms. The term of office for each officer except the Treasurer and the Region 4 Governor shall be one year. The term of office for the Treasurer shall be two (2) years, and the term of office for the Region 4 Governor shall be three (3) years. Terms shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting and continue until their successors are elected and assume their offices.

6.5 Vacancies. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the President-Elect. A vacancy in the office of President-Elect shall be filled by the Vice-President until an election to fill the position can be held. In the event the Past President position becomes vacant, the latest active resident Past President available and willing to serve shall assume the position. Other vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the Board of Directors.

6.6 Limitation on Terms. No member shall serve in one elected office other than that of Secretary and/or Treasurer for more than two (2) successive elected terms.

6.7 Reimbursement. Officers and Directors do not receive compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for authorized expenses.

Article 7: Elections

7.1 Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall publish notice of open positions to the Section membership at least twelve weeks prior to the election and set the date by which nominations must be received. The names of candidates for nomination shall be submitted to the Nominating Committee from within the Section membership in a form prescribed by the Nominating Committee. No person shall be a candidate for more than one (1) office per election cycle. The Nominating Committee shall choose one (1) or more candidates for election to each office prescribed by the Constitution, except the office of President, and obtain the consent of nominees to serve if elected. In addition, candidates may be nominated by written petition containing twenty (20) signatures of Subscribing Members. In a contested election, the Nominating Committee shall propose and the Board of Directors approve rules as applicable to ensure a fair contest.

7.2 Ballots. In a contested election, the Secretary shall send a ballot containing the list of all nominees, petition nominees, and a space for a write-in vote for another candidate for each office, to each Subscribing Member of the Section at least twenty (20) days prior to the Annual Meeting. For an uncontested election, the Board of Directors will determine the procedures the Section will follow during balloting.

7.2.1 Tallying the Ballots. Ballots returned to the Secretary up to the time of counting shall be opened and counted at, or immediately prior to, the Annual Meeting by three tellers appointed by the President from among the Subscribing Members (voting grade) of the Section. For each office the candidate receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be declared elected.

Article 8: Meetings

8.1 Membership Meetings

8.1.1 Frequency of Other Meetings. In addition to the Annual Meeting, at least one technical meeting shall be held each year.

8.1.2 Quorum at Section Meeting. Fifty (50) Subscribing Members shall constitute a quorum for transacting business at a meeting of the North Carolina Section.

8.2 Quorum at Board of Directors Meeting. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

8.3 Parliamentary Authority. All business meetings of the North Carolina Section and subsidiary organizations and meetings of the Board of Directors shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, except where these rules are not applicable or are inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the North Carolina Section or the Society’s governing documents.

Article 9: Subsidiary Organizations and Committees

9.1 Subsidiary Organizations.

9.1.1 Types of Subsidiary Organizations. Subsidiary organizations may be, but are not limited to, Branches, Younger Member Forums/Groups, and Technical Groups/Institute Chapters. Names of subsidiary organizations shall be as set forth in the Section governing documents.

9.1.2 Formation. Formation of subsidiary organizations shall be subject to the approval of the North Carolina Section Board of Directors and such other requirements as may be established by the Society. Formation of Branches shall also be subject to the approval of the Region Board of Governors. Bylaws of subsidiary organizations shall be approved by the Section Board before becoming effective.

9.1.3 Branches. Branches of the Section may be created. Procedures for creating a Branch shall be as follows:

9.1.3.1 Proposal. A new Branch may be proposed by submission of a written proposal to the Section Board of Directors with the name, objective, officers, and brief comments on how the new Branch will be of advantage to members in the area.

9.1.3.2 Petition. The written proposal, along with a petition containing a minimum of fifteen (15) signatures of Subscribing Members residing in the area shall be submitted to the Section Board of Directors for approval.

9.1.3.3 Membership. A proposed Branch area shall contain a minimum of thirty (30) members of the Branch, if the Branch were to be formed.

9.1.3.4 Boundaries. A proposed Branch must have distinct boundaries (by Zip Codes or otherwise) stated in the petition.

9.1.3.5 Region Approval. Upon North Carolina Section Board of Directors’ approval, the proposal and petition shall be submitted to the Region Board of Governors for review and final approval.

9.1.4 Technical Groups/Institute Chapters. Technical Groups or Institute Chapters shall be created in accordance with the following requirements:

9.1.4.1 Proposal. A new Technical Group or Institute Chapter shall be proposed by submission of a written proposal to the North Carolina Section Board of Directors with the name, objectives, officers, and brief comments on how the new Technical Group or Institute Chapter will be of advantage to members in the area.

9.1.4.2 Membership. Not less than twenty (20) Subscribing Members of the North Carolina Section may form a Technical Group or Institute Chapter.

9.1.4.3 Approval. Approval must be obtained from the North Carolina Section Board of Directors to activate the Technical Group or Institute Chapter. Approval shall be obtained from the appropriate Institute to activate the Institute Chapter.

9.1.5 Other Subsidiary Organizations. Other Subsidiary Organizations may be formed by the Section Board of Directors.

9.1.6. Annual Budget. Each Subsidiary Organization shall submit an annual budget and financial statement to the North Carolina Section Board of Directors for approval.

9.1.7 Annual Report. Each Subsidiary Organization President or Chair shall submit an annual written report to the North Carolina Section Board of Directors on the activities and programs of the organization. This Annual Report, including a financial statement, shall be suitable for incorporation into the North Carolina Section’s Annual Report.

9.1.8 Level of Activity. Each Subsidiary Organization shall hold a minimum of six (6) events per year. Any Subsidiary Organization that does not maintain the minimum activity level for two (2) successive years, or does not have twenty (20) Subscribing Members on its rolls for two (2) successive years, may be disbanded. Assets of a disbanded Subsidiary Organization shall be assumed by the North Carolina Section.

9.2 Standing Committees. The North Carolina Section shall have a Nominating Committee, Scholarship Committee, Audit Committee, Legislative Committee, Communications Committee and an Annual Meeting Committee. The North Carolina Section shall have a Scholarship Board of Trustees. Also, the North Carolina Section shall have the following Technical Group Committees: Construction Materials, Engineering Management, Geotechnical, Structures, Transportation and Water Resources.

9.2.1 Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than three (3) members, including the most recent Past-President of the North Carolina Section, plus other duly selected members, appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. All members shall be Subscribing Members of the Section and voting members of the Society. Members of the Board of Directors who are not candidates for nomination may serve.

9.2.2 Scholarship Committee. The Scholarship Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) members, including the most recent Past-President of the North Carolina Section, plus other duly selected members, appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. All members shall be Subscribing Members of the Section and voting members of the Society.

9.2.3 Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall consist of not less than two (2) members appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. All members shall be Subscribing Members of the Section and voting members of the Society.

9.2.4 Annual Meeting Committee. The Annual Meeting Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) members, including the Vice-President of the North Carolina Section, plus other duly selected members, appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. All members shall be Subscribing Members of the Section and voting members of the Society.

9.2.5 Scholarship Board of Trustees. The Scholarship Board of Trustees shall consist of not less than five (5) members, including the Past-President, Region 4 Governor and Treasurer of the North Carolina Section, plus other duly selected members, appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. All members shall be Subscribing Members of the Section and voting members of the Society.

9.2.6 Legislative Committee. The Legislative Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Chair shall be a Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.7 Communication Committee. The Communication Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.8 Structural Technical Group Chair. The Structural Technical Group Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Structural Technical Group Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.9 Geotechnical Technical Group Chair. The Geotechnical Technical Group Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Geotechnical Technical Group Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.10 Water Resources/Environmental Technical Group Chair. The Water Resources Technical Group Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Water Resources Technical Group Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.11 Engineering Management Technical Group Chair. The Engineering Management Technical Group Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Engineering Management Technical Group Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.12 Construction Materials Technical Group Chair. The Construction Materials Technical Group Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Construction Materials Technical Group Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.13 Transportation Technical Group Chair. The Transportation Technical Group Chair shall be appointed by the North Carolina Section Board of Directors. The Transportation Technical Group Chair shall be Subscribing Member of the Section and a voting member of the Society.

9.2.3 Terms of Standing Committee Members. Unless otherwise specified, the members of committees shall be appointed by the Section President at the beginning of the North Carolina Section President’s term, and shall serve a one (1) year term.

9.3. Task Committees. The President may appoint task committees as deemed necessary. The terms of Task Committee members shall end at the end of the term of the President.

Article 10: Administrative Provisions

Not used.

Article 11: Amendments

11.1 Process. These Bylaws may be amended only by the following procedure:

11.1.1 Proposal. An amendment to these Bylaws may be proposed by any member of the Board of Directors, or by a written petition submitted to the Section Secretary, containing the text of the amendment, signed by not less than ten (10) Subscribing Members of the Section.

11.1.2 Approval. The proposed Bylaws amendment(s) shall be approved by not less than a majority of the Board of Directors and submitted to the Society’s Committee on Geographic Units for review and approval.

11.1.2 Notice and Adoption. Upon approval by the Committee on Geographic Units, the proposed Bylaws amendment(s) may be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the North Carolina Section Board of Directors present at a duly constituted Board meeting, where a quorum is in attendance, provided that a written notice containing the text of the proposed amendment(s) is published to the Section membership at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting.