CONSTITUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR BRIDGE

CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN:  PITTSBURGH CHAPTER

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

Name, Location, and Purpose

 

1.      The name of this organization is the:

 

THE ASSOCIATION FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN:  PITTSBURGH CHAPTER

 

2.      The location of the headquarters of this CHAPTER shall be determined by the Board of Directors as may be required by law.

 

3.      The purposes of this CHAPTER are to:

 

a.      Support the goals and objectives of the local and regional organizations.

 

b.      Educate bridge designers, contractors, inspectors, Federal, State, and Local officials, and the general public in the vital role of safe bridges in our society.

 

c.      Improve and encourage the science of bridge design, construction, and reconstruction by providing a forum for members to exchange and develop new ideas and techniques.

 

d.      Provide technical information and assistance to various public and private authorities for bridge programs.

 

e.      Educate and encourage public and private authorities in new and improved techniques for testing and reconstruction of bridge structures to promote the public welfare.

 

4.      No portion of the funds or assets of the CHAPTER, after the deduction of expenses, shall ever inure to the benefit of any person or a purpose other than charitable.

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

Membership

 

1.            The membership shall consist of all persons or parties of good character who have an interest in the design and construction of bridges. No person or party shall become a member, however, until they have been approved by the Board of Directors.

 

2.            Membership shall consist of a voting class, as defined in the Bylaws, and each member shall subscribe to this Constitution and Bylaws.

 

3.            Membership will not be contingent upon race, creed, color, sex or national origin, regardless of phraseology used in this Constitution or the Bylaws.

 

4.            Membership may be terminated for cause as defined in the Bylaws.

 

5.            To maintain a vote and participate in the government of this Chapter, a member must remain in good standing by payment of dues.

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

Dues and Finances

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Management

 

1.            The CHAPTER shall be governed by a Board of Directors, subject to this Constitution and the Bylaws.

 

2.            Bylaws consistent with this Constitution shall be adopted for the guidance of the Directors, Officers, and Members of the CHAPTER.

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Board of Directors, Officers and Meetings

 

1.            The President shall appoint the President-Elect with the approval of the Board of Directors.  At the completion of the President's term, the President-Elect shall become the President, whose term shall not exceed two consecutive years.

 

2.            The Board of Directors shall, at each annual meeting of the Board, elect from the individual voting class a Secretary and a Treasurer. The term for the Secretary and Treasurer shall be a minimum of two years, or until a successor is elected or appointed.

 

3.            The Board of Directors shall meet and conduct business as often as it deems necessary; however, no business shall be conducted unless a quorum (simple majority) is present.  Every effort shall be made to conduct all business at the scheduled Board of Directors meetings to ensure discussion of pertinent chapter business; however, voting may be conducted via email if a vote is required to conduct timely business.

 

4.            The Board of Directors shall establish an Executive Committee and may, at its discretion, establish any other committee to discharge such duties as the Board of Directors delegates, and deems necessary.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Amendments

 

1.            This Constitution may be amended at any annual meeting, or at any special meeting called for that purpose, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all ballots cast by the members of the PITTSBURGH CHAPTER voting in person, by written proxies, by electronic ballot or by letter ballot; provided that notice of proposed amendment shall have been submitted previously to all members of the PITTSBURGH CHAPTER not less than sixty days prior to date of the meeting.  The distribution of such proposed amendments to the last known address of all voting members or publication in the official organization of the PITTSBURGH CHAPTER shall be considered sufficient notice.

 

2.            The proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by not less than a majority of the Board of Directors or by not less than fifteen voting members of the PITTSBURGH CHAPTER.  In the case of a proposed amendment by fifteen voting members, the Secretary shall submit such proposed amendment to the Board of Directors and, if approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the PITTSBURGH CHAPTER as provided in Section 1.

 

         If this proposed amendment is not approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, the Secretary shall inform the original proposers of the opinion of the Board of Directors in reference to the original form, whereupon the proposers may withdraw the same, may accept changes suggested by the Board, or may adhere to the original form.  The proposed amendment, as changed or adhered to, shall be submitted to the PITTSBURGH CHAPTER as provided in Section 1:  Provided, that the declaration of adherence to the original proposal shall be signed by not less than fifteen voting members of whom not less than ten shall have signed the original proposal. 

 

3.            The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may be amended in the same manner and under the same procedures as provided in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article for Amendment to the Constitution. Provided, that the Secretary shall take such further action to effectuate an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws as may be required by Statute.

 

4.            Excepting for those items specifically reserved to the membership by statute, the Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote or written consent of a simple majority of the Board of Directors.

 

5.            Officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer, and President-Elect) should have voting rights.  If a person is an Officer AND a Board Member, individual gets one (1) vote.