The name of this student chapter shall be the American Institute of Architecture Students Northern Virginia Community College. In these Bylaws, the American Institute of Architecture Students shall be referred to as "The Insitute."

The objectives of this Chapter shall be:

One. To foster an appreciation and understanding of the ideas and objectives of The Institute and to promote and forward the same within the territory of this Chapter.

Two. To emphasize and promote professional, social, and fraternal aspects of student activities on campus.

Three. To foster fellowship, cooperation, and unity between members of this Chapter and other Student Chapters.

Four. To enlarge Chapter members’ understanding of the current and future scope of architectural practice.

Methods to accomplish the above objectives may include but are not limited to the outlined items in Article Nine: Activities of these Bylaws.

This Chapter is a non-profit incorporated membership association organized and existing under and by virtue of a charter granted by the American Institute of Architecture Students on July, 2005, in accordance with the respective bylaws of the American Institute of Architecture Students.

Eligibility:

Active Membership– students, who are currently enrolled in this College, and in good academic standing as candidates for degrees in Architecture or related fields and who have paid the requisite membership dues as required by the Chapter.

Supporting Membership–Any Faculty, Staff, Institute Member, or student enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College. Supporting members are permitted to attend all meetings but shall not retain voting privileges.

Section One, Executive Committee

The activities of this Chapter shall be administered by Officers; Directors; one Faculty Advisor; and one AIA Chapter liaison who together shall be for a term of one year. Officers and Directors who fail to maintain eligibility (Article Four: Section One) and perform the duties of their elected office (Article Five: Section Two) shall, by due process of the Executive Committee, be retired from office; vacancies are to be filled as hereinafter provided. The Executive Committee shall direct, control, and administer the affairs of the Chapter. It shall carry out the policies and instruction of the Chapter adopted by any duly called meeting and shall act for and in behalf of the Chapter in all matters within its jurisdiction. The Executive Committee shall meet bimonthly in addition to monthly general meetings or otherwise at the discretion of the President.

Section Two, Officers’ Terms and Duties

The officers of this Chapter shall be the President, Vice President, President-elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. Succession of office shall be in the aforementioned order in case of vacancy before an appointment or an election has filled the position. The term of office shall be one year and no person may serve simultaneously in more than one position. Transitional assistance for new officers will be provided by outgoing officers during the period between the announcement of election results and the end of the academic year.

Chapter President

The President shall be the executive head of the Chapter and act as spokesperson and representative of the Chapter at all meetings, organizations, and committees unless another member is delegated such authority by the President. A pronouncement shall not obligate the Chapter unless the obligation or commitment has been specifically authorized by Chapter action. It is important to the growth of the chapter and the future ability of AIAS to represent architecture and design students that the president attends both Grassroots and FORUM. The President shall attend all board meetings of the local AIA Chapter and all School Faculty meetings.A report on Faculty and AIA activities will be made at each regular meeting of the Chapter. The President shall hold regular meetings with the dean of the college and the faculty advisor. These meetings shall occur monthly, either before or after the general meeting, or otherwise at the discretion of the President. The President shall attend all regular meetings of the Chapter.

The Vice President shall possess all the powers and duties of the President in the event of absence, disability, refusal, or failure of the President to act as outline above. An election will be held to fill the position of Vice President in the event that he/she must assume the office of President. Included in the duties of Vice President shall be the power to oversee all Chapter committees. A report will be made at each regular meeting on the activities of the Chapter committees. The Vice President shall coordinate all activities relating to membership services and drives. These activities may include but not be limited to: establishing dates and times for staffed membership drive tables; compiling membership packets; maintaining membership lists; submitting names and required dues to the Institute; and distributing membership materials throughout the academic year. The Vice President shall attend all regular meetings of the Chapter.

The President-elect shall assume the office of President after serving a one-year term as President-elect. The President-elect shall act as but not assume the office of President in the event of absence, disability, refusal, or failure of the President and Vice President to act as outlined above. An election will be held to fill the positions of President and Vice President and the President-elect shall subsequently resume his/her duties. The President-elect shall act as liaison to the College of Architecture Alumni Association and attend all regular meetings of that organization. The President-elect shall act as liaison to any other organization to which members of the Chapter are affiliated. A report will be made at each regular meeting on the activities of the Alumni Association and other organizations. The President-elect shall attend all regular meetings of the Chapter.

The Treasurer shall have charge and exercise general supervision of financial affairs and keep the records and books or account thereof. The Treasurer shall prepare budgets, collect amounts due, and receipt for and have custody of Chapter funds and monies, and make disbursements thereof and shall have custody of its instruments and papers involving finance and financial commitments. He/she shall conduct the correspondence relating to this office and shall perform all duties usual and incidental to this office. The Treasurer shall provide statements of account for and attend all regular meetings of the Chapter.

The Treasurer shall not be personally liable for any loss of money or funds, nor any decrease in capital, surplus, income, or reserve of any fund or account resulting from any acts performed in good faith in conducting the usual business of the office. When a new treasurer takes, office, the retiring Treasurer shall turn over all the records and books of accounts and all monies and papers belonging to the Chapter that are in his/her custody or possession. The incoming Treasurer shall check the same and, if found correct shall give the retiring Treasurer a receipt thereof as a complete release from any liability thereafter with respect to the aforementioned.

The Secretary shall act as recording and corresponding secretary of the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall take minutes of each meeting and prepare the previous meeting’s minutes for distribution and review by the members attending each meeting. Upon a vote during a meeting, the Secretary shall record the votes cast in the minutes. The Secretary shall be responsible for the posting of materials and information of the Chapter and the Institute. The Secretary shall attend each regular meeting of the Chapter.

First Year Student Director shall be elected to represent the first year and act as liaison between the Executive Committee and the membership. These responsibilities may include but not be limited to voicing member concerns and distributing materials from the Vice President to the members. Each Director shall be a member of the class he/she represents. Directors shall attend all regular meetings of the Chapter.

The Faculty Advisor shall be the head of the Architecture program at Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria Campus.

The AIA Liaison shall be a member of the local AIA Chapter and shall be elected by a majority vote of members, nominations having been approved by the Board of Directors of the AIA Chapter. The AIA Liaison shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.

Other Positions such as Forum Director, Recruitment Director or other event/activity director shall be elected by the Executive Committee.

Section One, Regular Elections

Elections shall be held during the week prior to the spring social event for all officers who shall assume duties at the final general meeting of the Chapter (usually held in May). Officers shall serve a one-year term concluding at the end of the following academic year. One week prior to the April general meeting, nominations will be solicited from the membership. All nominees will be verified as actual candidates and upon verification will be placed upon a ballot for the office nominated. An election shall be public, where all active members may cast votes. Winners will be decided by majority vote.

Section Two, Vacancies

Vacancies in elected offices shall be filled by election at the next general meeting after nominations from the floor. The vacancy shall be advertised as an open position at least one week prior to the meeting. Winners will be decided by majority vote.

Section One, Regular Meetings

A minimum of one regular meeting shall be held during each month of the academic year. At least four days notice shall be given for any general meeting of the Chapter.

Section Two, Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee at any time, either at its own discretion or at the written request of twenty percent of the Chapter members. Business considered at a special meeting shall be limited to that prescribed in the notice for the meeting.

Section Three, Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the conduct of all meetings. A quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of any business. A quorum shall be defined as the majority of enrolled members of the Chapter present at any given meeting including at least two Officers. Decisions at meetings shall be made or approved by a majority vote unless otherwise required by this constitution.

Section One, Limitation of Chapter Actions

No action of this Chapter, the Executive Committee, any Chapter committee, or any Officer or Director shall directly or indirectly nullify or contravene any act or policy of the Institute or school.

Section Two, Personal Identification with the Institute

No member of a Student Chapter may use the seal or initial of the Institute on cards, stationary, signs, or in any other manner make representations tending to identify himself as a member of the Institute. A student member, wishing to identify his affiliation with the Institute may use the term Student Chapter Member of the A.I.A.S. but never as "Member of the A.I.A.S." without the qualifying word ‘student’ included. Recorded evidence of violation of this requirement is sufficient to justify disciplinary action by the Student Chapter and to jeopardize the individual’s future affiliation with the Institute.

Methods to accomplish the objectives of the Chapter may include but are not limited to:

? Bringing guest lecturers to the school.

? Promoting panel discussions concerning architectural issues by members of the AIA Chapter.

? Inspection trips to building projects under direction of the architect.

? Providing real world experience opportunities for members through programs such as the Professional Mentor Program.

? Sponsoring design competitions and charrettes.

? Promoting competitions and opportunities for involvement with the Institute.

? Publishing an AIAS Chapter Newsletter

? Organizing Trips

? Promoting AIAS national events

Amendments to this constitution may be made at any regularly scheduled meeting of the Chapter. Written proposals signed by ten Chapter members shall be publicly posted at least ten days before being voted on by the Chapter members. A majority vote of those members present and voting will be required for the passage of any amendments to this constitution.