SEAM’s bylaws are organized into eleven different articles, as listed below.
Bylaw table of contents:
Article I – Name, Location, Purpose and General Information
Article II – Membership
Article III – Removal and Suspension
Article IV – Dues and Financial Accounting
Article V – Board of Directors
Article VI – Powers and Duties of Officers and Board of Directors
Article VII – Nominations and Election of Directors
Article VIII – Voting
Article IX – Meetings
Article X – Standing Committees
Article XI – Amendments
Article I – Name, Location, Purpose and General Information
SECTION 1: The name of this Association shall be the Structural Engineers Association of Maine. The abbreviated name of the Association will be SEAM.
SECTION 2: The office of the Association shall be located at the office of the Secretary of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: This Association is a non-profit organization established to pursue the common interests of members who practice structural engineering. Specific interests include:
(a) To advance the technical practice of structural engineers through meetings, seminars, and educational programs.
(b) To improve the professional, business and administrative practice of structural engineers.
(c) To advance proper legislation affecting structural engineering practice.
(d) To establish a network among the members of the Association to communicate information of common interests to structural engineers.
(e) To cultivate social contacts within its membership, and by closer association and a better mutual understanding, discourage unethical and detrimental practice, and inspirit a resolve to act collectively to benefit our profession.
(f) To serve the public, to encourage the pursuit of excellence in our practice, and to maintain the honor and dignity of our profession.
(g) To serve as a voice to the public on matters relating to structural engineering.
Article II – Membership
SECTION 1: Members: Professional Engineers registered in the State of Maine who practice in the field of structural engineering.
(a) Member applications shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Association. The Board reserves the right to decline the applicant for membership by a majority vote.
(b) The Board of Directors may request background information in addition to that provided on the application from applicants for Membership applications.
(c) Members may vote and hold office.
SECTION 2: Associate Members: Students, unregistered engineers and others with an interest in structural engineering who study, practice, or represent interests related to the practice of structural engineering in the State of Maine.
(a) Associate Member applications shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Association. The Board reserves the right to decline the applicant for associate membership by a majority vote.
(b) The Board of Directors may request background information from applicants for Associated Membership.
(c) Associate Members may not vote nor hold office.
Article III – Removal and Suspension
SECTION 1: Removal of Members: Members no longer meeting the requirements of Article 2, Section 1, may be removed by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board of Directors. The removed member may apply for Associate member status.
SECTION 2: Members and Associate Members are subject to suspension or removal for activity blatantly and knowingly contrary to the purpose of this Association by the petition of at least five Members. The Board of Directors shall consider such petitions, and if the circumstances appear to warrant, notify the individual concerned, and offer the individual the opportunity to defend himself or herself against the claim at a subsequent Board Meeting. After such a hearing, or the rejection of the offer of the hearing, the Board shall vote on the matter. A majority vote of the Board is necessary for the suspension or removal of any Member or Associate Member.
SECTION 3: Members and Associate Members removed from membership shall not again be entitled to membership unless the Board of Directors, by a majority vote, decides that circumstances favor such consideration.
SECTION 4: A Member or Associate Member may resign his or her membership in this Association by written communication to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5: A Member may be considered not in good standing, and subject to suspension from the Association, if all financial obligations to the Association are not current and his or her membership has not been revoked.
Article IV – Dues and Financial Accounting
SECTION 1: The annual dues for this Association shall be set by the Board of Directors for all categories of membership, and shall be paid in advance by all members in accordance with a schedule approved by the Board.
SECTION 2: Any member whose Association dues are more than four months in arrears may be suspended and thereby shall forfeit all privileges of membership. However, the Board of Directors at its discretion, may extend the time of payment and privileges.
SECTION 3: Any additional moneys required to carry on the activities of this Association shall be raised through assessments. Any assessments levied by the Board of Directors shall be referred to the Membership by a letter ballot. If two-thirds of those voting vote favorably, provided at least 50% of the Members vote, the assessment shall be declared carried.
SECTION 4: The fiscal year shall begin on January 1, and end on December 31.
SECTION 5: The Treasurer of the Association shall submit a budget to the Board of Directors on or before October 15 each year and the budget, as approved by the Board, shall be published and transmitted to the membership by January 1.
Article V – Board of Directors
SECTION 1: The powers of this Association shall be exercised, its property controlled, and its affairs conducted by the Board of Directors, except as limited by these bylaws.
SECTION 2: The Board of Directors of this Association shall consist of five persons, all of who shall be registered Members, as described in Article II, Section 1.
SECTION 3: The term of office for Directors shall be three years; provided that for the first election two directors shall be elected for terms of two years, two directors shall be elected for terms of three years and one director shall be elected for a term of four years. No Director shall be elected to serve for more than two consecutive terms.
SECTION 4: The election of Directors shall be as set forth in Article VII. In the absence of elections, each Director shall continue until a successor is duly elected.
SECTION 5: Terms of office shall commence on July 1, except in the case of appointments to unexpired terms as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 6: A vacancy in any Officer or Director position caused by death, disability or resignation shall be filled by the Board of Directors, and the person so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Article VI – Powers & Duties of Officers & Board of Directors
SECTION 1: The officers of this Association shall be selected by the Board of Directors from the members within their group. The officers shall be a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Officers shall be selected by August 1.
SECTION 2: The Powers and Duties of the President:
(a) The President shall be the chief governing officer and shall be the Chairperson at all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: The Powers and Duties of the Secretary:
(a) The Secretary shall fulfill the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the President.
(b) In the event that the office of President is vacated, as hereinbefore provided, the Secretary shall fulfill the duties of the President, unless the Board of Directors, by a majority vote of a quorum of Directors selects another Director in his place, and appoint another Director to fulfill the duties of Secretary, both for the remainder of the term.
(c) The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors. A copy of such minutes shall be preserved in the Association’s office.
(d) The Secretary shall preserve the by-laws, membership lists and have charge of communications to members.
SECTION 4: The Powers and Duties of the Treasurer:
(a) The Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds and financial records of the Association. The Treasurer, or any other Director in his or her absence, may make disbursements, and shall be accountable to the Board of Directors.
(b) The Treasurer shall prepare budgets and financial reports as specified in Article IV.
SECTION 5: The Board of Directors shall appoint all committees and each committee shall have a designated liaison with the Board of Directors. The Board shall also prepare and maintain membership forms for Member and Associate Member applications.
Article VII – Nomination and Election of Directors
SECTION 1: The Board of Directors shall select a nominee for each expiring position of director, and publish the nominations to the membership by April 15. Additional nominations may be submitted in writing, signed by representatives of no fewer than three Members , on or before April 30.
SECTION 2: The Board’s nominees and any additional nominations shall be submitted to the members for secret letter ballot, on or before May 10, with a return deadline of May 25. Votes shall be counted and the results made known to the membership by June 15.
SECTION 3: The Director vacancies shall be filled by those attaining the highest number of votes. Ties for the last vacant position shall be immediately decided by a secret ballot of the Board of Directors to select one of the candidates for whom the vote is a tie.
SECTION 4: In the event that a selected candidate is unable to take office, the Board of Directors shall nominate, within thirty days, one or more members in good standing to fill the vacancy. An election to fill such vacancy shall then be held conforming with the general procedure outlined above.
Article VIII – Voting
SECTION 1: All Members as defined in Article II, Section 1, shall have one vote and , shall be entitled to vote on By-law amendments, policy matters, election of Directors, and financial matters. Eligible voters must have all dues and assessments, if any, paid.
SECTION 2: A majority vote of a quorum, as defined by Article IX, Section 3, shall be sufficient to take any action except as otherwise provided.
Article IX – Meetings
SECTION 1: Regular meetings shall be held at times and places hereafter determined by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors. Special meetings may be held either at the call of the President, or of three other members of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2: An Annual Meeting shall be held in April of each year. Notice shall be given at least thirty days in advance.
SECTION 3: Quorums:
(a) Representation by at least 20% of Members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of this Association.
(b) Three-fifths of the Members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of the board.
(c) Votes taken through the mail shall require a quorum of 20% of members in good standing.
Article X – Standing Committees
SECTION 1: The Standing Committees of this Association shall be:
(a) Professional Development.
(b) Business Practices.
(c) Legislative.
SECTION 2: Responsibilities and Activities of Standing Committees:
(a) The Professional Development Committee shall be responsible for educational activities directed toward advancing the technical knowledge of structural engineering. The committee shall monitor research and development in this field.
(b) The Business Practices Committee shall be responsible for educational activities directed toward advancing the business practices of structural engineering firms.
(c) The Legislative Committee shall monitor legislation affecting the practice of structural engineering. The Committee shall be responsible for informing and organizing the membership toward the advancement of proper legislation and opposition to improper legislation.
SECTION 3: The Board of Directors may appoint special committees as needed.
Article XI – Amendments
SECTION 1: These bylaws may be replaced or amended by a two-thirds majority of votes cast.
SECTION 2: Bylaw changes may be initiated by a petition signed by at least ten Members in good standing , or by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3: Proposed bylaw changes, in writing, shall be sent to all Members in good standing at least thirty days before voting takes place.
SECTION 4: Voting bylaw changes shall be by written ballot. A quorum is required to conduct a ballot for amending or repealing these bylaws.