Constitution

THE INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I.  NAME

Section 1    The name of this INSTITUTE shall be the INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING.

 

ARTICLE II.  OBJECTS

Section 1    The INSTITUTE shall encourage, in the broadest and most liberal manner, interest and inquiry in biological engineering, fostering international cooperation among engineers, scientists, technologists, and allied professionals in order to apply engineering principles to systems of biological origin to improve the quality of the human condition.

Section 2    The INSTITUTE shall affect professional standards for engineering practice, technical scholarship and educational curriculum in the field of biological engineering. In these efforts the INSTITUTE shall promote excellence in professional and technical development of the members through interchange and dissemination of scientific, technical, educational and career information.

Section 3    The INSTITUTE shall seek to advance public understanding and catalyze responsible use of technology resulting from biological engineering.

ARTICLE III.  COMPOSITION

Section 1    The INSTITUTE shall be composed of members from the field of biological engineering and allied professions.

Section 2    The INSTITUTE shall have a popular deliberative assembly known as the Council.

Section 3    The INSTITUTE shall have an Executive Committee.

Section 4    The INSTITUTE shall have such officers and employees as are necessary to effectuate its objects.

ARTICLE IV.  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1    The members of the INSTITUTE shall be those individuals who are interested in the objects of the INSTITUTE and who meet the requirements as provided in the Bylaws.

Section 2    Applicants for membership shall be approved only as provided for in the Bylaws.

Section 3    The rights and privilege of every member shall be personal and not transferable except where provided by the Bylaws.

Section 4    A member may be dismissed from membership for conduct which tends to injure the INSTITUTE.  No member shall be dismissed without an opportunity for appeal as provided in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V.  FINANCES

Section 1    Each member of the INSTITUTE shall pay dues as provided in the Bylaws.

Section 2    The financial year of the INSTITUTE shall be from January 1 to December 31, inclusive.

Section 3    The Executive Committee, in consultation with the Council, shall approve the annual budget of the INSTITUTE to allocate funds as prescribed in the Bylaws.

Section 4    Each member shall receive a copy of the Annual Report of the INSTITUTE.

ARTICLE VI.  OFFICERS

Section 1    The officers of the INSTITUTE shall be a President, a President-Elect, a Past President, a Secretary and a Treasurer as designated in the Bylaws.

Section 2    The duties of the officers of the INSTITUTE shall be such as usually pertain to the offices they hold and also any other duties as may be delegated by the Council or specified in the Bylaws.

Section 3    The officers of the INSTITUTE shall serve as an Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII.  GOVERNANCE

Section 1

1. a) The INSTITUTE shall be governed by this Constitution.b) The INSTITUTE shall make such Bylaws not in conflict with this Constitution as may be necessary for governance of the INSTITUTE.

Section 2

1. a) The Council shall be comprised of the officers of the INSTITUTE and additional Councilors as provided in the Bylaws.b) The Council shall deliberate all issues pertaining to the object, composition, membership, finances, functions and services of the INSTITUTE and shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee for their implementation.

Section 3    The overall implementation of policies of the INSTITUTE shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII.  ELECTIONS

Section 1    The INSTITUTE shall hold elections for all offices by secret ballot as established in the Bylaws.

Section 2    Members of the INSTITUTE only shall be eligible to vote in elections as prescribed in the Bylaws.

Section 3    The INSTITUTE shall nominate Officers and Councilors in a timely manner to fill all vacancies as prescribed in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX.  MEETINGS

Section 1    The INSTITUTE shall hold meetings as necessary to effectuate its objects.

ARTICLE X.  PUBLICATIONS

Section 1    The INSTITUTE shall issue publications which promote its objects.

ARTICLE XI.  BRANCHES AND CHAPTERS

Section 1    Members of the INSTITUTE may form Branches and Chapters that are consistent with the objects of the INSTITUTE.

Section 2    Branches and Chapters within the INSTITUTE will be chartered, governed, and dissolved as prescribed in the Bylaws.

Section 3    Each Branch or Chapter shall adopt its own bylaws which shall be consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the INSTITUTE.

Section 4    No action or obligation of a Branch or Chapter shall be considered an action or obligation of the INSTITUTE.

 

ARTICLE XII.  AMENDMENTS

Section 1    This Constitution may be amended by the Council and vote of the membership as provided in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE XIII.  EFFECTIVE DATE

This Constitution of the INSTITUTE became effective on the twenty-third day of June, 1995.