SWiP


The Society of Women in Physics at the University of Chicago

Society of Women in Physics Bylaws

Adopted March 5, 2010

Updated May 13, 2012

Updated January 6, 2015


Article I: Name

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be "Society of Women in Physics".

Article II: Purpose

Section 1: The purpose of the Society of Women in Physics is to provide an encouraging, fun, and supportive environment for women interested in physics at the University of Chicago while spreading awareness of the exciting opportunities physics has to offer and inform others of the issues facing women in physics.

Article III: Field of Membership

Section 1: Voting membership is limited to currently registered University of Chicago students who are members of the listhost when nominations open.

Section 2: Any person interested in supporting the purpose of the Society of Women in Physics may be a member.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: The Society of Women in Physics will have six officer positions; President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Webmaster, and Outreach Director(s).

Section 2: Officers must be currently registered students at the University of Chicago. The President is not permitted to study abroad or take a leave of absence during their term of service.

Section 3: Officers will be nominated and elected during Spring Quarter but will not begin serving as such until Spring Quarter is over. Additional responsibilities to officers-elect may be distributed at the discretion of the currently-serving President.

Section 4: The duties of the officers are as follows:
    The President shall handle all official business and communication with parties outside of the membership of the Society of Women in Physics with the exception of those designated in the description of another officer position. The President is also responsible for all official paperwork and shall serve as the primary contact of the group. The President will direct all meetings.
   The Vice President shall work closely with the President to achieve the goals of the Society of Women in Physics and serve as liaison to all RSO collaborations. The Vice President will also assume the President’s responsibilities if they are unable to do so (the President is absent, sick, etc.).
   The Treasurer shall be in charge of all finances and will serve as the head of fundraising projects.
   The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes at each meeting and maintaining a record of all events. The Secretary will manage the list-host, serve as group historian, and manage elections.
   The Webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining the website (swip.uchicago.edu) and keeping it up to date.
   The Outreach Director(s) shall direct recruitment of new members on campus, contact visiting female speakers for meetings, and focus on event advertising (including posting event fliers).

Section 5: In the event that an officer must leave the Society of Women in Physics, the President will assume their duties with the ability to delegate responsibilities to the other officers as needed. The former officer may re-assume their position upon return to the Society of Women in Physics with permission from the other officers. The President has final say in this matter.

Section 6: A majority vote of remaining officers after consultation with the faculty adviser(s) may relieve an officer of their duties.

Article V: Elections

Section 1: All members of the Society of Women in Physics who are currently registered as students at the University of Chicago and registered on the listhost at the time nominations open may vote. Elections will take place at a meeting during Spring Quarter held specifically to address the bylaws and hold elections for new officers. Decisions are based on a simple majority rule. Voting may take place via ballot at a meeting or via email ballot to the Secretary.


Article VI: Handling of Funds

Section 1: All funds are to be deposited in the Society of Women in Physics’ CLI account.

Section 2: The Treasurer shall be the primary officer responsible for handling finances. The President and Vice President will also be authorized to access the CLI account.

Article VII: Amendments

Section 1: Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote taken at a meeting during Spring Quarter held specifically to address the bylaws and hold elections for new officers. Voting may take place via ballot at a meeting or via email ballot to the Secretary.

Section 2: Nominations for officer positions and suggested amendments to the bylaws must be submitted to a current officer within two weeks of voting. The nominations will be open and members can nominate themselves.