TSPE Constitution (adopted July 2000)

 

 

TSPE Bylaws (adopted March 2006)

 

 

TSPE Proposed Bylaws

 

 

Board Rationale for Adopting Changes to the TSPE Constitution

May 2007

 

The Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) at its March 5, 2007 Board of Directors meeting adopted a revised set of foundation documents for the Society.  Following is the rationale for adopting these documents and placing them before the TSPE membership for acceptance.

 

Essentially, the TSPE Board is recommending movement from a Constitution and Bylaws foundation document format to a contemporary Bylaws and Operating Procedures format, as recommended by Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised. The proposed Bylaws take the place of the current TSPE Constitution, and serves as a statement of primary characteristics of the Society.  The Operating Procedures incorporate our current Bylaws and Standing Rules into a single document.

 

In the summer of 2005 the National Society of Professional Engineers adopted recommendations of its Future Directions Task Force and changed the governance structure of the organization.  NSPE moved away from a Constitution and Bylaws format to the Bylaws only format.  This move prompted State societies to review and possibly amend their governing documents in conformance with the amended NSPE foundation documents.  In October 2005 the NSPE issued state model bylaws and operating procedures as guidance for state-level organizational review of their governing documents.

 

In response to the NSPE initiative, TSPE formed a Constitution and Bylaws Task Force to review and, if necessary, recommend modification of our foundation documents.  Under the leadership of Mr. Bryon Fortner, P.E., the Task Force reviewed our current Constitution and Bylaws and reported back to the TSPE Board of Directors in March 2007 with its recommendations.  These recommendations were adopted by the Board of Directors at the March 5, 2007 meeting.

 

The TSPE Board of Directors, by adopting the Constitution and Bylaws Task Force report, recommends that the members of TSPE affirmatively vote to amend our current Constitution and adopt a Bylaws format as a statement of primary characteristics for our Society.  Following is a synopsis of major changes:

 

  1. Establishes the TSPE officer position of National Delegate to the NSPE House of Delegates.
  2. Specifies the term of the National Delegate.
  3. Adds an article addressing the process for governmental appointments.
  4. Clarifies the Chapter formation process.
  5. Clarifies financial responsibilities of the Practice Divisions and Committees.

 

The TSPE Board of Directors recommends adoption of these changes for the following reasons:

 

  1. Brings the format of our governing documents into conformance with current acceptable practice, as recommended in Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
  2. Makes changes in TSPE governance structure in conformance with current NSPE governance structure requirements.
  3. Better defines the process of governmental appointments.
  4. Clarifies the Chapter formation process, and financial responsibilities of the Practice Divisions and Committees.

 

 

 

Minority Opinion

 

The Board of Directors proposes to replace the current Constitution with Bylaws and Operating Procedures.  These changes significantly affect the input the membership has over modifications made to these governing documents of the Society, and your influence over the Board of Directors that represents you because no minimum number of votes is required to amend the Bylaws.  You are encouraged to review and understand the extent of these changes before casting your vote.