- ARTICLE I - NAME, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES
- ARTICLE II - ORGANIZATION
- ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
- ARTICLE IV - SPONSORS
- ARTICLE V - RELATIONSHIP TO THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
- ARTICLE VI - GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE I - NAME, MISSION, AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1 - Name
The name of the organization is the Society for Biological Engineering of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Its official acronym is SBE.
SECTION 2 - Mission and Objectives
The mission of SBE is:
To promote the integration of biology with engineering and realize its benefits through bioprocessing, biomedical and biomolecular applications.
The objectives of SBE are:
To infuse awareness of biological engineering among all functions and activities of AIChE – continuing education, meeting programming, publications, and other knowledge development and dissemination activities.
To raise interests, understanding, and recognition of engineers’ and scientists’ role in biological engineering.
To provide opportunities for the successful interaction of engineers and scientists.
To develop products and services which are cost effective, relevant, and bring value to the broad biological engineering community.
ARTICLE II - ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1 - General
Oversight of all SBE activities shall be provided by the Chair, Managing Board, Advisory Board, and Project Committees. SBE will be accountable to the AIChE Board of Directors on fiscal matters and for adherence to these bylaws. To that end, ultimate financial direction and control will reside with the AIChE Board of Directors.
The Chair, Managing Board, Advisory Board, and the Project Committees shall be volunteers, except for ex-officio positions as detailed in these by-laws.
A quorum for all SBE Board and Committee meetings shall be a simple majority of board or committee members. All matters properly brought in question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast, except where the Bylaws provide for a greater ratio of favorable votes.
Meetings of all of the entities of SBE shall be arranged by SBE Staff Director. The Chair of a Board or Committee shall preside at the meetings of the respective entity. A quorum for transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of a majority of the listed members of that specific entity. Notification and organization of meetings and preparation and distribution of meeting minutes shall be the responsibility of the SBE Staff Director.
SECTION 2 - Chair
Purpose: To provide overall leadership of the activities of SBE and Managing Board. The Chair shall report directly to the Managing Board.
Representation: The Chair shall have broad recognition among AIChE members in biological engineering, be elected by SBE membership for a 3-year term, and approved by the AICHE Board of Directors. In the absence of an election, the AIChE Board of Directors may appoint a Chair.
SECTION 3 - Managing Board
Purpose: To provide managing guidance and assure financial control and responsibility for SBE, subject to the ultimate direction and control of the AIChE Board of Directors, as provided in SECTION 1, above. The Managing Board shall prepare and deliver to the AIChE Board of Directors annual reports of SBEs activities and prospective programs. The Managing Board directs SBE staff on issues and activities important to SBE and its constituents and develops and recommends annual budgets for approval by the AIChE Board of Directors.
Representation: The Managing Board shall consist of twelve voting members. It shall be chaired by the Chair and include two persons appointed by the AIChE Board of Directors. The Board shall also include the AIChE Executive Director who shall exercise fiduciary responsibility of SBE. The remaining positions shall be elected by SBE membership, and approved by the AICHE Board of Directors. Those elected to these positions shall serve in 3 year staggered appointments such that 1/3 of the appointees shall turn over annually. In the absence of an election, the AIChE Board of Directors may appoint members of the Managing Board. The Managing Board will develop written election procedures to define the election process.
Meetings: The Managing Board shall meet as required, with at least one meeting to be held in conjunction with the AIChE Annual Meeting. Teleconferences, in which all participants can hear each other, may also be used as a means of communications when deemed appropriate.
SECTION 4 - Advisory Board
Purpose: To advise the Managing Board and Chair on programs relevant to the discipline and to strengthen communications among SBE, academia, government, and industry. The Advisory Board shall identify, prioritize, approve, facilitate, and execute activities for SBE, subject to budgets approved by the Managing Board and the AIChE Board of Directors.
Representation: The Advisory Board shall be comprised of no fewer than 15 appointees, excluding the Chair who will serve as an ex officio non-voting member. The Advisory Board shall elect its own Advisory Board Chair from its members and submit for approval by the Managing Board. The Advisory Board members shall be appointed by and report to the Managing Board. Appointees shall include at least one representative from AIChE Technical Divisions; one of which shall be selected by Division 15. Others may be selected to obtain a proper balance of academia/government and industry representation that will serve in the best interests of SBE. The industrial representatives may include, but not be limited to, Corporate Sponsor representatives from appropriate organizations that fulfill requirements of sponsorships. Excluding Corporate Sponsors, whose appointments correspond with the annual submission of their sponsorships, Advisory Board appointments shall be on 2-3 year staggered appointments such that 1/3 of the appointees shall turn over annually. All appointees shall serve at the discretion of the Managing Board.
Meetings: The Advisory Board shall meet at a minimum of twice a year, with at least one meeting to be held in conjunction with the AIChE Annual Meeting. Teleconferences, in which all participants can hear each other, may also be used as a means of communications when deemed appropriate. At the discretion of the Chair, the Managing Board and the Advisory Board may meet together
SECTION 5 - Project Committees
Purpose: The Managing Board or the Advisory Board shall create Project Committees to execute special projects. The Managing Board shall sunset Project Committees upon project completion, determination of inactivity, or when deemed to be in the best interest of SBE.
Representation: Project Committees shall consist of one technical representative from each Corporate Sponsors with interest in the project. These representatives shall be nominated by the sponsoring organization. The Chair may appoint other members from Institutional Sponsors, academia, government, and industry. The Project Committees shall include an Advisory Board member who will serve as the liaison to the Advisory Board. Project committees shall be accountable to the Advisory Board.
Meetings: The Project Committees shall meet as they determine necessary.
SECTION 6 – Staff
Purpose: Under the general supervision of the AIChE Executive Director, SBE staff (also member of AIChE Staff) shall be responsible for daily administration of SBE. SBE staff responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to, monthly accounting and preparing financial reports to the Executive Director of AIChE, developing year-end sponsor financial reports to be submitted to sponsors; developing annual plans and budgets with performance metrics to be submitted to the Managing Board; preparing, authorizing and executing of contracts; arranging meetings; and producing and distributing publications, and meeting minutes.
Only with the approval of the Executive Director of AIChE, SBE staff shall have the authority to negotiate and sign contracts, set prices, and carry out other financial functions for SBE, in accordance with the financial guidelines and purchasing policies of AIChE.
Representation: AIChE shall be responsible for the employment of SBE Staff. Staff shall consist of at least one employee designated as the SBE Staff Director. The Chair and the Managing Board shall advise the AIChE Executive Director on employment and replacement of the SBE Staff Director. The Chair and the Managing Board shall also advise the AIChE Executive Director on staff level requirements.
Meetings: The SBE Staff Director shall attend all Managing Board and Advisory Board Meetings and have responsibility for providing notice of all meetings and for meeting minutes and their distribution.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 - General
SBE shall have two orders of membership: Member and Affiliate. The Managing Board of SBE shall establish member fees, levels, and privileges.
SECTION 2 - Members
Any individual AIChE member or non-AIChE member having an interest in biological engineering may become a Member of SBE through submission of required fees to AIChE.
SECTION 3 - Affiliates
Individual members of an Institutional Sponsor organization may become an Affiliate of SBE through execution of an Institutional Sponsor Agreement by a responsible official. Fees and privileges of affiliates shall be defined in the Institutional Sponsor Agreement.
ARTICLE IV - SPONSORS
SECTION 1 - General
SBE shall have two classes of sponsors: Corporate and Institutional. The Managing Board of SBE shall establish sponsor fees, levels, and parameters. Sponsors may designate their sponsorship fees as restricted funds as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
SECTION 2 - Qualification of Corporate Sponsors
Any for-profit corporation, company, or partnership, located anywhere, having an interest in biological engineering may become a Corporate Sponsor of SBE through submission of required fees to AIChE and through designation of a Project Committee member and/or a Advisory Board Member to SBE. Corporate Sponsor benefits begin immediately upon receipt of the payment by AIChE and extend through the end of the calendar year during which such payment is received. Corporate Sponsorship may be terminated through a written request to the Managing and Advisory Boards to withdraw or through failure to submit required fees.
SECTION 3 - Benefits of Corporate Sponsorship
In general, Corporate Sponsors are entitled, but not limited, to:
Opportunities to set program and activity priorities through membership on the Advisory Board and Project Committees.
Participation on SBE philanthropic/awards project committee.
Memberships in SBE.
Prominent recognition in SBE promotional media and at events.
Annual Report detailing how aggregate sponsorship funds were utilized.
SECTION 4 - Qualification of Institutional Sponsors
Any not-for-profit institution, professional society, foundation, or entity, located anywhere, having an interest in biological engineering may become an Institutional Sponsor of SBE through the execution of an Institutional Sponsor Agreement by a responsible official. Institutional Sponsorship may be terminated through a written request to the Managing and Advisory Boards to withdraw or through failure to comply with Institutional Sponsor Agreement.
SECTION 5 - Benefits of Institutional Sponsorship
In general, Institutional Sponsors are entitled, but not limited, to:
Opportunities to propose programs and activities to Advisory Board.
Affiliate memberships in SBE.
Recognition in AIChE promotional materials and at events.
ARTICLE V - RELATIONSHIP TO THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
SECTION 1 - Administration of SBE
SBE is a Technical Entity of AIChE as defined in SECTION XIII of the AIChE Bylaws, and its day-to-day operations shall be administered by AIChE staff.
SECTION 2 - Limitation of Actions
SBE does not have the authority to act for, or in the name of, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers or any Sponsor, Member, or participant, except with the explicit authorization of the Board of Directors of AIChE, or said Sponsor, Member or participant. SBE does not have the authority to incur any financial obligations in the name of AIChE. All activities of SBE shall be within the limitations imposed by SECTION 204 of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and any other laws and regulations applicable to not-for-profit corporations.
SECTION 3 - AIChE Obligations and Rights
AIChE shall lend its name to SBE and shall provide publicity through its publications, Annual and National Meetings, and other appropriate media. AIChE shall be assigned copyrights, and publication rights, to results of projects sponsored through SBE, subject to specified time restrictions on release, except where excluded by law or such rights are explicitly waived by the Executive Director of AIChE. Any inventions and/or patents arising out of and issued with respect to programs sponsored by SBE shall be assigned to AIChE, except where excluded by law.
SECTION 4 - SBE Obligations and Rights
SBE shall lend its name to AIChE and shall provide publicity through its publications, events, and other appropriate media. SBE shall provide monthly accounting and preparing financial reports to the Executive Director of AIChE.
SECTION 5 - SBE Duration and Residue Funds
SBE has been approved by AIChE Board of Directors without limit on duration. Termination shall be preceded by notification by AIChE Board of Directors to SBE, including the Chair, Managing Board, Advisory Board, Sponsors, and Members of such action at least one year prior to the effective date of termination. Upon termination of SBE, unrestricted residue funds shall be transferred to AIChE and restricted residue funds shall be transferred back to Sponsors.
ARTICLE VI - GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 - Interpretation
The Managing Board is empowered to rule on any question concerning the interpretation of these Bylaws, subject to final jurisdiction of the AIChE Board of Directors.
SECTION 2 - Revisions
Revisions to the SBE Bylaws from AIChE Board of Directors, the Advisory Board, the Managing Board, Project Committees, or SBE staff shall be made in writing, along with the appropriate rationale, and sent to the Chair. The Chair shall submit proposed revisions to the Managing and Advisory Board with appropriate recommendations. Adoption of any proposed revision shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Managing Board members. Approval of any revisions by AIChE Board of Directors is required.
SECTION 3 - Matters Not Covered
In all respects and issues not specifically covered in these Bylaws, the general rates and procedures of AIChE shall apply.
SECTION 4 - Organization Renewal
The organization described herein shall be limited to the initial phase-in period, three (3) years, of the society. After the phase-in period, the purpose, scope and organization of SBE will be reviewed by AIChEs Board of Directors, SBEs Boards, and Members and bylaws revised appropriately. If the by-laws are not revised on the expected schedule, these bylaws will remain in effect until modified.