SHPE USPTO Bylaws

The Bylaws of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Professional Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

Article I. Name of the Organization

The name of this organization shall be the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Professional Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc. (SHPE). This organization may also be referred to as the SHPE USPTO Professional Chapter or as SHPE @ USPTO, herein referred to as the Chapter.

Article II. Purpose of the Organization

1.0.     The SHPE USPTO Professional Chapter is a nonprofit, public benefit organization organized for charitable purposes and is not organized for the private gain of any person.

2.0.     The specific purpose of the Chapter shall be to actively promote the mission of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Inc., herein referred to as SHPE National, in accordance with the goals and policies of the USPTO.

Article III. Objectives and Goals of the Organization

The SHPE USPTO Professional Chapter is committed to developing programs to foster the advancement of Hispanics within the USPTO, to increasing exposure of career opportunities at the USPTO within the Hispanic community-at-large, and to providing outreach opportunities to encourage the surrounding Hispanic community, particularly youth, to pursue an education in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) fields.

The overall objectives and goals of the Chapter shall be to:

1.0.     Develop programs to foster the advancement of Hispanic individuals within the USPTO.
This goal shall be implemented by:

       1.1.     Providing mentorship opportunities between general SHPE members and individuals in management positions within the USPTO.

       1.2.      Encouraging the membership to participate in career advancement programs and advanced degrees such as the Law School Program.

       1.3.     Provide a network for current USPTO employees.

2.0.     Increase exposure to career opportunities at the USPTO within the Hispanic community at-large.
This goal shall be implemented by:

       2.1.     Attending professional development and recruiting events focused on
Hispanics within the general STEM disciplines.

       2.2.     Providing workshops and seminars at local institutions.

       2.3.     Holding onsite tours for prospective Hispanic employees.

3.0.     Expose the general membership to the diversity within the Hispanic community and provide outreach opportunities to encourage the surrounding Hispanic community to pursue an education in a STEM field.
This goal shall be implemented by:

       3.1.     Inviting members and other USPTO employees to participate in tutoring, recruitment and scholarship programs for the local youth.

       3.2.     Conducting school visitations and assisting with the establishment of
student chapters at local schools, colleges and universities.

       3.3.     Promoting a dialogue amongst different cultures represented within the chapter and at the USPTO.

Article IV. Membership and Privileges

1.0.     General Membership

       1.1.     Membership categories and national privileges shall be as defined by SHPE National.

       1.2.     General chapter membership shall be open to all current and retired employees of the USPTO.

       1.3.     General members shall be entitled to cast one vote in the election of officers (per Article VI) and in all business that the Executive Board (E-Board) refers to the membership.

       1.4.     General members may hold office (per Article VI) and may also nominate themselves or qualified individuals for Chapter office.

2.0.     Termination of Membership

       2.1.     Any member may terminate his/her membership upon written notification of the effective date of resignation to the E-Board.

       2.2.     The Chapter may, by majority vote of the entire membership or a two-third vote of the members attending a general meeting, whichever is the lesser, terminate an individual’s membership from the Chapter for any egregious infraction of the bylaws, rules and/or regulations of the Chapter.

Article V. Executive Board

1.0.     Administration

       1.1.     The Executive Board (E-Board) consisting of the elected officers shall administer the affairs of the Chapter.

       1.2.     The E-Board operates and makes decisions based upon group majority rule and is presided over by the President.

       1.3.     The E-Board shall be responsible for all business concerning the Chapter and shall set and establish policy for the Chapter.

       1.4.     The Administration of E-Board policy and the management of day-to-day affairs of the Chapter are delegated to the Officers as specified herein.

2.0.     Elected Officer

       2.1.     The elected officers shall consist of a President, two supporting Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and a Secretary which will collectively be responsible for treasury and administrative activities, as well as those defined in the subsequent paragraphs.

       2.2.     The President shall:

          i     Represent the SHPE @ USPTO Chapter.

          ii     Be the point of contact for the organizational and financial matters of the Chapter, as well as all other business concerning the Chapter according to policies and guidelines set and approved by the E-Board or the Chapter.

          iii     Chair and preside over all E-Board, general and special meetings.

          iv     Be one of at least two people, other than the Treasurer, responsible
to sign any documents related to financial matters of the Chapter.

          v     The President and the E-Board shall have full power in appointment or dismissal of any committee chair, and may create or dissolve ad hoc committees, subject to the approval of a majority of the E-Board.

       2.3.     The Internal Vice President shall:

          i     Be responsible for professional development of the general
membership.

          ii     Maintain membership information and status.

          iii     Co-Chair all meetings and chair meetings in the absence of the President.

       2.4.     The External Vice President shall:

          i     Plan and administer all networking and cultural events.

          ii     Interface with outside entities on behalf of the Chapter.

       2.5.     The Treasurer shall:

          i     Oversees all financial matters of the organization.

          ii     Ensures that monies are collected and deposited promptly in the appropriate accounts.

          iii     Be involved in the preparation of the organizational budget.

          iv     Ensures financial reports are timely prepared and provided.

          v     Serve as chairperson of the budget and finance committee if one is
established.

       2.6.     The Secretary shall:

          i     Maintain all official records of the Chapter.

          ii     Maintain the official membership roster.

          iii    Meet all SHPE National requirements in submitting membership information and dues.

          iv     Serve all notices required by law or the Bylaws of the Chapter.

          v     Take and maintain the minutes of all meetings.

Article VI. Elections and Term of Office

1.0.     The Elections Committee

       1.1.     The election of the Chapter Officers shall be organized and directed by the Elections Committee.

       1.2.     Membership in the Elections Committee can be attained by third party general members who are not part of the current E-Board and are not running for a position on the incoming E-Board.

       1.3.     The actions of the Elections Committee must be impartial and fair to all of the candidates.

       1.4.     The Elections Committee will prepare ballots to be distributed to all eligible members to vote for the Chapter Officers according to the policies and procedures established by the Chapter.

       1.5.     The Elections Committee shall notify the membership in a timely manner of the open offices and solicit nominations for candidates.

2.0.     Election of Officers

       2.1.     The Officers shall be elected by a majority of all votes cast by all eligible Chapter members participating in the election.

       2.2.     A Chapter member eligible to vote is a member who is current on their chapter dues at the time of the election.

3.0.     Duration of Term

       3.1.     The term for all Elected Officers shall be one year commencing on July 1st and ending on June 30th of the following calendar year.

Article VII. Committees

The E-Board shall have the power to establish any committee to conduct the business of the Chapter. The President may appoint, with E-Board approval, any member in good standing to chair such a committee.

Article VIII. Jurisdiction

The Chapter shall exercise its jurisdiction over all employees and retired employees of the USPTO.

Article IX. Fiscal Year

The Fiscal Year of the Chapter shall begin on July 1st and end on June 30th of each year.

Article X. Dues

The amount of annual membership dues for each membership category shall
be determined by SHPE National and paid in accordance with current policies
and procedures set forth by SHPE National.

Article XI. Meetings

1.0.     Quorum
To establish quorum for a General or E-Board meeting, not less than one half of the General Membership or E-Board members, respectively, must be present. Voting shall be determined by majority vote of members present.

2.0.     Annual Election Meeting
An annual meeting of the members shall be held in the month of April.

3.0.     General Meetings
At least three general meetings shall be held each fiscal year, in addition to the Annual Election Meeting.

4.0.     E-Board Meetings
The E-Board shall meet at least every other month during the fiscal year.

5.0.     Special Meetings
The President or any member of the E-Board may call a special meeting of the Chapter general membership.

6.0.      Meeting Notices
A meeting notice shall be delivered to each member. The notice shall include the agenda, place, date and time of the meeting and shall be delivered in writing or electronic form not less than ten or more than thirty days prior to the meeting.

7.0.      Meeting Rules
Meetings shall be governed by the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order or standing rules set by the E-Board.

Article XII. Non-Discriminatory Policy

The discrimination against any individual for reasons of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, political views, age, or disability is specifically prohibited.

Article XIII. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended subject to the approval of two-thirds of the membership at a general or special meeting. After Chapter approval, proposed amendments shall be submitted to SHPE National for approval. All amendments shall become effective immediately after SHPE National approval.

Approved August 10, 2020