SECTION BYLAWS APROVAL PROCESS

1. SECTION BYLAWS APROVAL PROCESS Five Easy Steps

2. Step One: Collect Data • Obtain Template* from • SWE webpage under Member Resources - Governance section • Regional Bylaws Committee Rep • Bylaws Committee Chair • Locate Current Bylaws • Section Files • National Files (Limited) • Request 2004 Standard Section Bylaws Template • Request 1984 Student Section Bylaws * Note: Template is in process of being revised

3. Step Two: Make Changes • Review notes in current template • Compare to existing bylaws,2004 Standard Section Bylaws template or 1984 Student Section Bylaws • Review proposed changes with the region bylaws committee rep or national committee chair • Section bylaws committee approves draft • Include Section Number/Name in File Name • Insert “Section (Number/Name) Draft Bylaws v1 MM/DD/YYY” in Footer

4. Step Three: National Bylaws Committee Review • National Bylaws Committee Chair receives draft with track changes from section • Received by the 7th – Committee reviews at current monthly meeting • Received after the 7th – Committee reviews at next monthly meeting • Chair sends track changes draft to committee for review • National Bylaws Committee reviews draft at meeting • If little or no changes to template, committee approves at meeting • If substantial changes, committee concurs on changes required for approval.

5. Step Three: National Bylaws Committee Review • Acceptable Changes • Combine secretary/treasurer positions • Combine VP/section rep positions • Add up to 3 additional elected officers (2nd secretary or VP, board members or directors) • Add college/university required language • Check to see if the provision is already covered by existing language • Add “Oversight of committees assigned to office” to Officer Duties Section

6. Step Three: National Bylaws Committee Review • Changes requiring explanation of need before approval • Having standing committees • Eliminating parts of “Elections Section” of template • Adding details to “Officer Duties” section of template • Changing the dates in the Elections Section • Eliminating Nominations Committee or final ballot prior to holding elections • Holding officer elections as part of a section meeting • Changing candidate selection process

7. Step Three: National Bylaws Committee Review • Changes rejected by bylaws committee • Failure to designate a successor to president • Failure to select a nominating committee to prepare ballots and run the election of officers • Changing format of bylaws • Changing officer titles • Changing text in template if intent does not change • Failure to designate one person to manage amendment process • Executive council quorum is less than 1 more than half the number on the council • Appointed members of the executive council have voting rights

8. Step Four: Response by Section • Draft Bylaws Approved by national Bylaws Committee • Make any format changes requested • Submit to section for approval • Insert Footer “Section (Number/Name) Bylaws approved by section MM/DD/YYYY” after section approves draft bylaws • Forward approved version with track changes to National Bylaws Committee Chair

9. Step Four: Response by Section • Draft Bylaws Not Approved by Committee • Review comments from national bylaws committee • Make required changes • Make recommended changes or provide justification why section needs variance • Submit revised draft version to committee for review with Footer “Section (Number/Name) Version X draft MM/DD/YYYY” with track changes implemented. • Step Three is repeated

10. Step Five: Final Approval • National Bylaws Committee chair submits bylaws with national committee approval to Society Secretary • Society Secretary approves bylaws and changes Footer to “Section (Number/Name) bylaws approved Society Sec MM/DD/YYYY”. • Bylaws committee chair sends PDF version of approved Bylaws to section contact to post on section’s webpage

11. Questions • Contact Region Bylaws Committee Representative • Contact Society Bylaws Committee Chair • Contact Region Governor