Constitution o f

A S P R S Student Chapter and Forum

Dr. Frederick Doyle at
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

ASPRS STUDENT CHAPTER AND FORUM DR. FREDERICK DOYLE AT GMU

Drafted on: (September 28th, 2010)
Amended: (April 25th, 2017)

Article One NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be ASPRS Student Chapter and Forum Dr. Frederick Doyle at
GMU, hereinafter in this constitution called the Chapter.
The Chapter is an administrative sub-unit of the Potomac Region, hereinafter referred to as the
Region, of ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) The Imaging &
Geospatial Information Society, hereinafter referred to as the Society.
All Chapter constitutions shall be consistent with and not supersede the Potomac Region
Constitution and Bylaws, Adopted in 1991 and amended in 2003; and the Society Bylaws, adopted
October 6, 1987, revised May 5, 2006.

OFFICE
The principal office of the Chapter shall be in the city of Fairfax, Virginia, on the campus of the
George Mason University.

Article Two PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

The objective and purpose of the Chapter is to function in support of the Region and Society as
outlined in Article II of the Society Bylaws:
A. To advance scientific knowledge in the various disciplines of Photogrammetry and remote
sensing including but not limited to: aerial surveying and mapping, photo interpretation,
spatial information management, and the related sciences in furtherance of the public welfare
and in the interests of those who practice in the profession and those who use its services and
products.
B. To encourage public programs relating to photogrammetric and remote sensing endeavors such
as mapping, charting, cadastral surveying, and resource and environmental surveys and studies,
working with governmental and private organizations in furthering such programs.
C. To foster understanding and cooperation and to expedite the exchange of knowledge and ideas
among the members of the Society and with those of other national and international
organizations with similar or related interests.
D. To serve the membership and the public as a central source of information, reference, and
consultation on the disciplines represented in the Society.
E. To contribute to the education of the general public about the nature of, and benefits to be
realized from, the products and services provided by the profession.
F. To further the national and international recognition and understanding of the profession and
its various disciplines.
G. To establish and maintain a code of ethics for the profession.
H. To establish and apply standards for competence and performance for the various disciplines
represented in the Society as appropriate to the welfare of the general public. I. To hold
meetings for the exchange of scientific and technical information and for the exhibit of products
and services.
I. To encourage, publish and distribute books, periodicals, treatises and other scholarly and
practical works applicable to the disciplines in the Society.

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 J. To encourage and support education programs essential to the development and
maintenance of the profession.
K. To recognize and honor the leaders of the profession.
L. To do and perform any lawful act and service to further the growth and recognition of the
profession.

Article Three MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this organization will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity,
national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity,
gender expression, sex, or age.
All active members must be currently enrolled GMU students with a minimum academic
achievement record defined as a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5.
The membership can be:
o Active Voter - Currently enrolled GMU students who attend meetings and functions
regularly and register as a voting member of the student organization
o Active Non-Voter - Currently enrolled GMU students who attend meetings and functions
regularly and who choose not to register as a voting member of the student organization
o Associate - Members of faculty/staff, community members or students from other schools
o Honorary - Alumni or community members
o Only active voters may vote on matters including amendments, elections, and other motions
brought forth in meetings.
Members will be removed from the roster by notifying chapter leadership of their will to exit the
organization
Members who have not attended meetings during the previous academic year will be removed from
the roster

Article Four OFFICERS

President (or in his/her absence, the Vice President or his/her appointed representative)
Must:
o have general supervision of the affairs of the Chapter;
o preside at the meetings of the Chapter, as well as be an ex officio member of all committees
and subcommittees thereof (in his/her absence the duties of the office shall fall to the Vice
President);
o in the anticipation of the extended absence of the Treasurer, Secretary, Technology and
Development Lead, or in the event of his/her disability or resignation, appoint a member of
the Chapter to serve as the Interim Officer, and to discharge for the remaining term of office
the duties of such office;
o in the case of disability, long-term absence, or resignation of the Vice President, appoint a
member to serve as the Interim Vice President, and to discharge for the remaining term of
office the duties of such office;
o appoint standing and special committees, organize, publicize and supervise officer elections;
o as necessary, use the resources of GMU including facilities and funding in accordance with
University policy;
o assure that the Chapter adheres to the articles of its constitution.
o Should the president fail to fulfil his or her duties according to this constitution, a majority
vote during a board meeting may remove him or her from office

Vice President Must:

o develop programs and activities which further and promote interest in Remote Sensing, GIS,
or other spatial technologies;
o have knowledge of all current functions and plans of the Chapter to enable him/her to
function in place of the President if the situation requires;
o coordinate and administer activities;
o be the Chairperson of all standing Committees;
o with coordination of the President prepare, with the aid of the Secretary, Treasurer, Event
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 Coordinator and Webmaster, the annual report and present it to the Chapter at the annual
meeting;
o enforce the Chapter's constitution and GMUs policies;
o assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.
o Should the Vice president fail to fulfil his or her duties according to this constitution, a
majority vote during a board meeting may remove him or her from office

Secretary Must:
o keep a roll of all the members names and contact information, including e-mail, phone
numbers, etc.;
o notify all members of meetings;
o record the minutes and maintain a file of all proceedings of the Chapter's meetings;
o compile agendas before each meeting;
o distribute agenda and minutes to all members, faculty and staff before and after each
meeting;
o administer the Chapter's member list and correspondence;
o notify the members of any matters as directed by the officers;
o work with and provide information needed by the Vice President and the President in the
drafting of the annual report to the Chapter;
o enforce the Chapter's constitution and GMUs policies.
o Should the Secretary fail to fulfil his or her duties according to this constitution, a majority
vote during a board meeting may remove him or her from office

Treasurer Must:
o be controller of the accounts of the Chapter under the supervision of the President;
o develop a budget, soliciting and collecting dues (if it is relevant) from all members at the
beginning of the Fall and Spring semester; depositing all funds in the Chapter's account;
o pay out such sums as are required to carry out the Chapter's policies and activities;
o maintain accurate records of the Chapter's funds;
o report financial status to the members at scheduled meetings;
o serve as liaison between the Chapter and the Student Funding Board and the National
Society regarding finances;
o handle all other financial matters;
o work with and provide financial report and information needed by the Vice President and
the President in the drafting of the annual report to the Chapter;
o enforce the Chapter's constitution and GMUs policies.
o Should the Treasurer fail to fulfil his or her duties according to this constitution, a majority
vote during a board meeting may remove him or her from office

Immediate Past President

o shall serve as special advisor to the President and lend expertise to Officers.

If the officer has graduated and is no longer enrolled, the officer may have associate status
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 Officer candidates must have minimum GPA of 2.5.

ADVISOR
At least one, but no more than two Faculty Advisors shall be on record for the Chapter at all times.
The primary Faculty Advisor must be a full time member of the faculty or staff at George Mason
University.
The Faculty Advisors are members in good standing of the Society.
Should a vacancy arise for any reason, potential Faculty Advisors shall be nominated by members at
a regular or annual Chapter meeting by a Chapter member. Upon a majority vote of present
members and consent of the nominee, the President shall report the voting results to the Chapter and
submit the name of the Advisor-elect to another Faculty Advisor for approval. If no other Faculty
Advisor is on record, the name of the Advisor-elect will be submitted to the Regional Governing
Board for approval.
The advisors may offer guidance and support for the organization, but do not have a vote.
The Advisors shall:
A. Advise Chapter Officers regarding Chapter business.
B. Serve as liaison between the Chapter and the Faculty, Departments, and Administrative
units of the George Mason University.
C. Serve as liaison between the Chapter and the Governing Bodies of the Region and Society.
D. Provide or arrange arbitration for disputes among members regarding chapter business.

Article Five ELECTIONS

Elections for all officers will take place during the March board meeting.
Nominations shall be accepted from the members and a ballot cast at the scheduled meeting. A
majority vote from the members present is required to attain office.
Elected officers shall take office in March and will hold office for one year, until elections the
following March.
Each perspective officer will submit a paragraph detailing their qualifications and will give a 5
minute speech during the March meeting.
Appointments will take effect immediately after the March meeting.

Article Six IMPEACHMENT OR RESIGNATION

Should an elected officer fail to perform the responsibilities or abuse the privileges of their elected
position, the officer shall be subject to impeachment and removal from their office.
Officers missing 3 consecutive meetings or 1/3 of total planned meetings are subject to dismissal.
o Chapter leadership will inform officers when they have entered probationary status, after
missing 2 consecutive meetings or of the total planned meetings
Officers wishing to resign must provide written notification to the executive leadership
o Officers must suggest a replacement until an emergency voting session can be organized to
appoint a new officer

Article Seven MEETINGS

Annual Meeting
o The annual meeting of the Chapter shall be held annually in September. The time, date, and
place of the meeting shall be designated by the President at least two weeks prior to the
meeting.
o The annual meeting shall be for the transition of the Officers elected in September and for
the transition of other business.
Regular Meeting
o The group will meet monthly and as needed.
o The meetings are presided by the President or officers in the Presidents absence.
o The executive board has monthly meetings and separate meetings as needed.
o Quorum is a simple majority of thee active membership plus one officer; or two- thirds of
the active membership plus one officer.
o Special meetings may be called with a majority vote of the executive board during a
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 regular board meeting or over an official email exchange.
o The parliamentary rules of order to be used are Roberts Rules of Order.

Attendees
o All members of the Society, Region and Chapter are welcome to attend any meeting.
In addition non-members are welcome to attend but will not have voting privileges
concerning any of the Chapter activities or functions.

Article Eight FINANCE

There are no regular or initiating dues for membership other than those required for ASPRS
Membership. Dues can be determined for special activities.

Article Nine AMENDMENTS

The Office of Student Involvement must review all amendments in the same manner as a completely
new constitution.
Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be made in writing to the President and Secretary
and shall be signed by at least two members of Chapter. Copies of the proposed amendments shall
be submitted to the members of the Chapter at least 30 days before the meeting at which the
amendment will be considered.
Amendments to this Constitution shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Chapter members
present and voting.
Exceptions to the amendment process can be made by the President in the event of an emergency

Article Nine RATIFICATION

This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a vote of the membership, and a
Student Involvement staff member.

Constitution Ratified on: (September 28th, 2010), Amended: (April 25th, 2017)

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