Chapter Bylaws

Note: This version of the “Constitution of the Inland Empire Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc” has been adapted for the web to provide an easier reading experience and to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. A PDF document of the original can be found here.

APPROVED BY THE SOCIETY: [October 27, 2003]

ARTICLE I - GOVERNMENT

1.1 Governing Instruments. The Inland Empire Chapter (herein “Chapter”) of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (herein “Society”) shall be governed by its Constitution and these Bylaws, to the extent not inconsistent with the Certificate of Consolidation, Bylaws, and Rules of the Board of Directors of the Society.

1.2 Interpretation. The Board of Governors shall resolve all questions of interpretation of the Constitution and these Bylaws.

1.3 Rules of Order. Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution or these Bylaws, the conduct of meetings of the members shall be governed by the rules of procedure set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

2.1 Qualification. The membership of the Chapter shall consist of all members of the Society in good standing and residing in the geographic area of the Chapter, as prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Society, who have properly joined the chapter.

2.2 Non-Residents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a member of the Society residing in the geographic area of a Chapter may elect to be a member of another Chapter. A member may elect to belong to more than one Chapter.

2.3 Grade. Each member shall hold the same grade of membership in the Chapter as in the Society.

2.4 Rights and Privileges. All chapter members shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges, except that anyone who has not paid Chapter fees, dues, assessments or other charges within sixty (60) days of their due date shall not be entitled to voting privileges or the right to election or appointment as an officer, governor, or committee chair of the Chapter. Chapter officers and committee chairs must be members of ASHRAE in good standing with the grade of Associate Member or higher. All rights and privileges of a member are vested solely in the member and may not be delegated or transferred, except as provided in Article III, paragraph 3.7 hereof.

2.5 Suspension. In the event that a member does not pay all the Chapter fees, dues, assessments or other charges within six (6) months of their due date, all rights and privileges of membership in the Chapter shall be suspended. Such membership rights and privileges shall be restored to the member upon full payment thereof. Delinquency in payment of Chapter dues or other Chapter charges will not affect a member’s standing in the Society.

2.6 Termination. Membership in the Chapter shall terminate upon the death of any member, the removal of a member’s principal place of residence to the geographic area of another Chapter except as provided in Article II, paragraph 2.2 hereof, or the receipt of written notice by the member of termination of membership, In the event of such termination, neither the former member, nor his/her personal representatives, heirs or devises shall have any right, title or interest in the Chapter or its assets.

2.7 Expulsion. A member may be expelled from the Society and the Chapter only upon action taken by the Board of Directors of the Society. Such action may be initiated by the Board of Governors of the Chapter by the filing of written charges and supporting evidence with the Secretary of the Society.

ARTICLE III - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

3.1 Regular Meetings. Meetings of the Chapter shall be held on at least a monthly basis from September through May at such time and place as is prescribed by the Board of Governors.

3.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the chapter for the installation of officers and the Board of Governors and the announcement of committee appointments shall be held in the month of May at such time and place as is prescribed by the Board of Governors.

3.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Chapter may be called by the President at the President’s discretion, or at the request of the Board of Governors or 15 percent of the members with voting rights.

3.4 Notice of Meetings. Timely written notice of all meetings shall be sent by the Secretary to all members setting forth the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose thereof.

3.5 Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Chapter shall consist of 15 percent of the members having voting rights, except that no business may be transacted unless a majority of the Board of Governors is also in attendance.

3.6 Majority Vote. A majority of the number of votes cast in person or by proxy shall be necessary for the adoption of any matter, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution or these Bylaws.

3.7 Proxies. A member may vote on any matter by a written proxy executed and dated by the member. No proxy shall be valid after ninety (90) days from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

ARTICLE IV - DUES AND FINANCE

4.1 Society Dues. The annual dues for membership in the Society, as prescribed from time to time by the Society, shall be paid to the Society.

4.2 Chapter Dues. The Board of Governors, in its discretion and subject to the approval by a vote of members, may levy such dues, fees, charges or other assessments as are reasonable and necessary to meet the current operating expenses of the Chapter. The due date of such payments shall be as prescribed by the Board of Governors.

4.3 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Chapter shall end on June 30 of each year.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF GOVERNORS

5.1 Duties. The property and affairs of the Chapter shall be managed by the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors may execute all business of the Chapter that does not require action by the full membership of the Chapter. The presiding officer shall report briefly on these actions at the next Chapter meeting.

5.2 Composition. The Board of Governors of the Chapter shall consist of the officers, the most recent available past president, and a minimum of two members elected pursuant to Article VII hereof.

5.3 Meetings. The time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Governors shall be at the discretion of the Board. A special meeting of the Board of Governors may be called by the President, at the President’s discretion, or at the written request of two (2) members of the Board.

5.4 Quorum and Majority Vote. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the Board present in person, and the majority vote of the members present in person or by proxy shall be necessary for the adoption of any matter, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution or these Bylaws. The form of proxies shall be governed by Article III, paragraph 3.7 hereof.

5.5 Notice of Meetings. Timely written notice of all meetings shall be sent by the Secretary to all members setting forth the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose thereof.

5.6 Appointments to Auditing Committee. The Board of Governors-elect shall appoint members to the Auditing Committee, pursuant to paragraph 8.3.9 hereof, at a meeting of the Board of Governors-elect held prior to the annual meeting of the Chapter. Appointments shall be announced at such annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

6.1 Titles. The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

6.2 Multiple Offices. With the exception of the office of President, any number of offices may be held by the same member.

6.3 The President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Chapter and shall provide general direction of the affairs of the Chapter and provide general supervision over its several officers, subject to the control of the Board of Governors. The President shall, from time to time, report to the members and to the Board all matters within the President’s knowledge which the interest of the Chapter may require to be brought to the Chapter’s notice; shall preside at all meetings of the members and at all meetings of the Board; shall sign and execute in the name of the Chapter all contracts, or other instruments authorized by the Board, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated or permitted by the Board or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Chapter.

6.4 The President-Elect. The President-Elect shall automatically succeed to the office of the President at the conclusion of the President’s term of office. In the absence of the President, the President-Elect shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President. In addition, the President-Elect shall make the committee chair appointments sufficiently far in advance of the Chapters Regional Conference as to permit attendance by the appointees at CRC workshops in the period prior to appointees’ active participation as chairs of the Chapter Committees. Chair designees of such committees as Student Activities; Membership Promotion; Resource Promotion; Technical, Energy and Government Activities; Chapter Programs; Refrigeration; Honors and Awards; and Historical should he especially encouraged to attend CRC meetings. Prior to the annual meeting, the President-Elect shall complete the appointments by naming at least two (2) committee members to each of the standing committees of the Chapter.

6.5 The Vice President. In the absence of the President and the President-Elect, the Vice President shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President.

6.6 The Secretary. The Secretary shall send notices of meetings to the members and to the Board of Governors as prescribed in these Bylaws, and to Committee Chairs as requested by the President. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Chapter and of the Board of Governors and shall promptly file a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Chapter with the Regional Chair and RVC for Chapter Programs, and shall send advance notices and minutes of meetings of the Board of Governors to the Regional Chair. In addition, the Secretary shall send the Chapter newsletter to the Editor of the official publication of the Society. The Secretary shall maintain a membership roster, a roll of membership attendance, and such books, papers, and records as the Chapter or Board of Governors may direct, which shall he open to the inspection of any member of the Board of Governors. The Secretary shall promptly notify members of their nomination, election, or appointment to office.

6.7 The Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive all funds, including dues, fees, charges and other assessments, and shall deposit such funds in the name of the Chapter in banks or other depositories. The Treasurer shall disburse funds only as authorized by the Chapter’s Board of Governors and shall keep appropriate records of receipts and expenses and shall exhibit such records at all reasonable times to any member of the Board of Governors, The Treasurer shall make a full financial report at the annual meeting of the Chapter, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the Regional Chair. In addition, in the absence of contrary written instructions from the Society, the Treasurer shall complete, execute and file any statements or returns incidental to federal or local taxation.

6.8 Additional Duties. All officers shall perform all duties incident to their respective offices and such other duties as are prescribed by these Bylaws or as are assigned by the Board of Governors.

ARTICLE VII - NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, VACANCIES, AND REMOVAL

7.1 Eligibility for Re-election. Officers and Board members are elected for one-year terms, but may be re-elected to consecutive terms. The president may be re-elected to the same office for one additional consecutive term. If the president is re-elected for an additional consecutive term, the president-elect will also need to be re-elected in accordance with the election procedure set forth in Article VII.

7.2 Duties of Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall select from the members eligible to hold office one candidate for each office except President, and for each member to be elected to the Board of Governors and shall obtain from each candidate a written statement that the candidate is a member in good standing in the Society and consents to stand for election. Not less than thirty (30) days before the March meeting the Nominating Committee shall present to the Secretary the names of the candidates selected, together with their statements.

7.3 Duties of Secretary. Upon receipt of these names from the Nominating Committee, the Secretary shall prepare a list of the candidates and shall forward such list to all members with voting rights at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting.

7.4 Nomination by Members. Additional nominations of members in good standing who consent orally or in writing to be candidates may be made from the floor at such meeting. If at this meeting more than one such nomination from the floor is made for any one office or membership on the Board of Governors, a vote shall be taken to select the name of the opposition candidate to be placed on the ballot.

7.5 Voting and Election. Not less than ten (10) days prior to the next meeting, the Secretary shall said a mail ballot, in the case of elections by mail, or a proxy statement, in the case of elections at meetings, to all members with voting rights. In the case of elections at meetings, the President shall appoint three (3) tellers to assist in conducting the election. The Board of Governors or the tellers, if any, shall promptly tally all votes. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes cast for each respective office shall be declared elected. If there is a tie vote, there shall be a run-off election.

7.6 Installation. Officers and members of the Board of Governors shall be installed at the annual meeting of the chapter and shall assume their duties at the start of the next Society year.

7.7 Vacancies. Whenever there shall be a vacancy in any office except President-Elect or a member of the Board of Governors by resignation or otherwise, the Board of Governors shall have the power to fill such office until the next annual election and installation, and such officer shall have the duties, rights, and privileges of the predecessor.

If the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the President-Elect shall immediately become President and shall serve for the remainder of the term of the immediate predecessor. If the time served by the President-Elect as President is less than six months, he/she shall continue to serve as President for the next Society year, therefore the office of President-Elect shall remain vacant until the next annual chapter election. If the President-Elect dies, resigns, is removed from office, or becomes President for more than six months in accordance with the foregoing provisions, a special election shall be held to fill the vacancy.

7.8 Removal. Any officer or member of the Board of Governors may be removed by at least a 2/3 vote of voting members present at a regular meeting, whenever in the judgment of the members, the best interests of the Chapter will be served thereby. The notice of this Chapter meeting shall contain the statement that an urgent item of importance to the Chapter will be presented for member vote and subsequent action.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

8.1 General. All Chapter Committees shall be designated as Standing Committees or Special Committees. Standing Committees are mandatory and are of a continuing nature, while Special Committees are created for a specific purpose and may be dissolved when their functions have been completed.

8.2 Appointments. Except as noted herein, all Standing Committee members and respective Chairs thereof shall be appointed by the President-Elect pursuant to Article 6.4.

8.3 Standing Committees. Standing Committees are mandatory and are broken into two categories, those tied into the CRC and those essential to the Chapter operation, (a) Committees tied into the CRC are the CRC Action; Student Activities; Membership Promotion; Resource Promotion; Technical, Energy and Government Activities; Chapter Programs; Honors and Awards; Historical, and Refrigeration, (b) Committees essential to the Chapter operation are Auditing, Nominating, Reception, Publicity, Attendance, Publication or Newsletter, and Special Events. The duties and functions of each Standing Committee (several of which may be combined under a single chair) are as follows:

8.3.1 CRC Action Committee. The CRC Action Committee shall determine major items of concern to the Chapter; obtain biographies on possible candidates for Society and regional offices, committees, and various regional and Society honors and awards; provide direction to the delegate and alternate delegate on actions to be presented on the Chapter’s behalf at the CRC; and encourage the Chairs of the Student Activities; Membership Promotion; Resource Promotion; Technical, Energy and Government Activities; Chapter Programs; Refrigeration; Honors and Awards; and Historical Committees to attend the CRC. The Chair of this Committee should be a past president of the Chapter.

8.3.2 Student Activities Committee. The Student Activities Committee shall assist and cooperate with other technical and scientific organizations to influence pre-college (K-12) education in math and science; shall assist in the formation and/or continuing operation of student branches of the chapter; and shall assist with chapter participation in continuing education courses and related activities. The Chair of this Committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC Meeting.

8.3.3 Membership Promotion Committee. The Membership Promotion Committee shall encourage applications by persons qualified for membership in the Society, shall encourage increased member participation in Chapter affairs; and shall encourage members to advance in their membership grade in the Society. The Chair of this Committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC Meeting.

8.3.4 Resource Promotion Committee. The Resource Promotion Committee shall promote the resource activities of the Society and shall conduct an annual campaign to obtain investments in ASHRAE Resources, encourage original and independent research by the members in the sciences of heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning, and, in conjunction with the Program Committee, identify lectures, demonstrations and discussions on technical topics of interest for presentation at Chapter meetings. The Chair of this Committee, or a designated substitute, is required to attend the CRC Meeting and Special Regional Committee Meeting when called by the Regional Vice Chair for Resource Promotion.

8.3.5 Technical. Energy and Government Activities Committee. The Technical, Energy and Government Activities Committee shall develop liaison on technical issues with local levels of government, promote and administer the chapter technology and government affairs awards programs, and submit PAOE points related to technical and government activities. The committee shall provide timely reports to the regional vice chair. The chair of this committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC meeting.

8.3.6 Chapter Programs Committee. The Chapter Programs Committee (CPC) shall make arrangements for speakers for programs and technical sessions at chapter meetings, including speaker’s requirements for equipment, accommodations and travel arrangements. The CPC shall act as host throughout the meetings. The committee shall coordinate the efforts of the chapter by making arrangements with area educational institutions for continuing education courses and develop an active “Speakers Bureau” to present talks and seminars to chapters and regions. The chair of this committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC meeting.

8.3.7 Honors and Awards Committee. The Honors and Awards Committee shall consist of a chair and at least two (2) additional members, preferably past chapter presidents. The Honors and Awards Committee shall promote the recognition of outstanding chapter members within the chapter, region, Society, associated societies and the community. The committee shall submit names of chapter members to ASHRAE and other organizations for honors and awards given by ASHRAE and other organizations. The chair of this committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC meetings.

8.3.8 Historical Committee. The Chapter Historian and/or Historical Committee shall be responsible for collecting data of industry history and its progress. The committee shall collect and safeguard facts, photographs, records and other memorabilia pertinent to the history of the Chapter. The chair of this committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC meeting and report its progress to the Regional Historian.

8.3.9 Refrigeration Committee. The Refrigeration Committee shall promote the interests and activities of those members whose primary concern is refrigeration; coordinate their efforts and seek advice from the TEGA Regional Vice Chair and Regional Refrigeration Chair (if applicable); coordinate continuing education by assisting the Student Activities Committee in making arrangements with area educational institutions; arrange for technical talks through the Chapter Programs Committee; and cooperate with the Membership Promotion Committee in identifying potential new members who are refrigeration-oriented. The chair of this committee, or a designated substitute, is expected to attend the CRC meeting.

8.3.10 Auditing Committee. The Auditing Committee shall consist of three (3) members, none of whom shall be members of the Board of Governors, and shall elect its own chair.

8.3.11 Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members in good standing. One member of the Board of Governors may serve on the Nominating Committee, but not as its chair. The Committee shall be elected by the Chapter at the January meeting. Nominations shall be made by members from the floor at such meeting. Nominees receiving the five highest number of votes shall be elected, in the case of a tie, there shall be a runoff election which shall be held at the same meeting. The Nominating Committee shall elect its own chair.

8.3.12 Reception Committee. The Reception Committee shall encourage fellowship among members and shall extend cordial greetings to guests and new members of the Society.

8.3.13 Publicity Committee. The Publicity Committee shall publicize the name, purposes and activities of the Chapter in an effort to obtain qualified members; and shall report Chapter activities of public interest to the news media.

8.3.14 Attendance Committee. The Attendance Committee shall be responsible for contacting each member of the Chapter prior to each scheduled meeting or event to ensure that they have received notice of that meeting or event, and to ascertain the expected attendance.

8.3.15 Publications or Newsletter Committee. The Publications Committee shall obtain news of interest to the Chapter members and supervise the publishing of the Chapter newsletter.

8.3.16 Special Events Committee. The Special Events Committee shall handle the arrangements for any special events to be sponsored by the Chapter, or for other events to which the Chapter membership has been invited.

8.3.17 Chapter Section Committee. When a chapter area is defined that is not being provided chapter services, the chapter may form a Chapter Section Committee to start and maintain chapter sections within the chapter area. The chapter president shall name a section representative for each section who will maintain liaison with the chapter.

8.4 Other Committees. Additional committees shall be termed as Special Committees and may be appointed at any time by the President, with the advice and approval of the Board of Governors, and shall be announced at the next meeting of the Chapter.

8.5 Vacancies. Whenever any member refuses an appointment to a committee or whenever there is a vacancy on any committee by resignation or otherwise, the President shall, with the advice and approval of the Board of Governors, appoint another member to such committee.

8.6 Removal. Any committee member appointed or elected may be removed by the person or persons authorized to appoint or elect such member whenever, in their judgment, the best interests of the Chapter will be served thereby, except that the President shall remove a member only with the advice and approval of the Board of Governors.

8.7 Attendance at Board Meetings. Committee Chairs shall attend the meetings of the Board of Governors when so requested by the presiding officer, but shall not be entitled to voting rights at such meetings.

ARTICLE IX - CHAPTERS REGIONAL COMMITTEE

9.1 Election of Delegates. The Board of Governors-elect shall elect from among its members one delegate and one alternate to the Chapters Regional Committee. At least one of said delegates shall be an officer-elect of the Chapter. The delegates shall be announced at the annual meeting of the Chapter. The names of such delegates shall be certified in writing by the Secretary to the Secretary of the Society and the Regional Chair by the first day of the following June.

9.2 Term. The delegate and alternate delegate shall serve for a term of one (1) year, commencing on the first day of July following their election. No member may be elected to serve as the delegate for more than two (2) consecutive teams; no member may be elected to serve as the alternate delegate for more than two (2) consecutive terms; and no member maybe elected to serve in either capacity for more than four (4) consecutive terms.

9.3 Duties. The duties of the delegate and alternate delegate shall be as prescribed from time to time by the Society. They shall transmit recommendations concerning policies, procedures, and operations of the Society, its Chapter and its Student Branches to the Regional Chair in advance of the Chapters Regional Committee Meeting; shall attend such meeting; shall suggest candidates for the Board of Directors of the Society, Society committees, and miscellaneous Society honors and awards; shall participate in the election of one (1) member and one (1) alternate member to serve on the Society Nominating Committee; and shall report to the Board of Governors of the Chapter regarding the business transacted at the Chapters Regional Committee meeting, together with any recommendations for Chapter action.

9.4 Vacancies and Removal. Whenever either delegate is unable to fulfill this office, the Board of Governors shall appoint another delegate. Either delegate may be removed by the Board of Governors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Chapter will be served thereby.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

10.1 Powers and Limitations. All Articles of these Bylaws shall be subject to alteration or repeal, consistent with the Certificate of Consolidation, Bylaws, and Rules of the Board of Directors of the Society and applicable tax regulations for non-profit organizations or corresponding provisions of applicable tax laws.

10.2 By Society. Amendments to these Bylaws set forth in written directives of the Secretary of the Society shall be adopted by a majority of the Board of Governors. Written copies of said amendments shall be sent by the chapter secretary to all members, or an officer of the Chapter shall read said amendments at the next succeeding chapter meeting.

10.3 By Chapter. Amendments to these Bylaws may also be initiated by a written resolution of a majority of the Board of Governors or by not less than five (5) members in good standing with voting privileges and may be presented at any meeting of the Chapter. If approved by a majority of the members present, the chapter secretary shall send copies of the proposed amendments to all members not less than seven (7) days before the next succeeding meeting. If approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote at such meeting, the chapter secretary shall forward such proposed amendments to the Secretary of the Society for approval by the Charter and Bylaws Committee of the Society and review by the Regional Chair. Any amendments shall become effective only upon receipt of written notice of approval by the Charter and Bylaws Committee, or its authorized representatives, of the Society.

ARTICLE XI - ADOPTION

These Bylaws shall be completed and adopted by a majority of the Board of Governors. Written copies of said Bylaws shall be sent by the Secretary to all members and shall be sent, as amended, to such persons as shall, from time to time, become members of the Chapter.
Adopted by the Inland Empire Chapter:

[October 27, 2003] Date
[President’s Signature] Chapter President

RD/03-04-21
Inland Empire Bylaws.doc