Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – Junior Chapter Luzon

Constitution and By Laws

PREAMBLE iii. Copy of the organization's constitution.
We, chemical engineering undergraduate students who are members iv. Copy of school, department and organization
of the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – Junior Chapter logo, both softcopy and hardcopy.
Luzon, in order to form an organization that shall endeavor to v. List of the organization's members, officers and
promote academic and professional proficiency in our career, to advisers.
foster camaraderie among Chemical Engineering students, to be vi. list of proposed activities for the academic year.
dedicated to the ideals of a responsible and innovative field in f) Chapter Membership shall be granted to the applying
Engineering, to uphold equality and to respect individuality do student organization upon four-fifths vote of the Executive Body.
hereby declare this constitution. g) Student Organizations, who are already chapter
members of PIChE-JCL, that would like to renew their membership
shall submit the following requirements:
ARTICLE 1: ORGANIZATION i. Renewal letter submitted to the Executive Body.
ii. Copy of the organization's constitution.
Section 1: This organization shall be known officially as the iii. List of the organization's members, officers and
Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – Junior Chapter Luzon. advisers.
Hereinafter, the said organization shall otherwise be known as iv. Copy of school, department and organization
PIChE-JCL. logo, both softcopy and hardcopy.
v. List of proposed activities for the academic year.
Section 2: The domicile of the organization shall be the school or h) Requirements for chapter membership renewal shall be
university of the elected President of the PIChE-JCL Executive Body. submitted on or before the last day of June.

Section 3; The organization shall adopt the official emblem which is Section 2: Student Members
composed of an industrial plant at the center of a gear with a book at a) Any bonafide student enrolled in Bachelor of Science in
the lower part of the gear and a structure of an atom enclosed in a Chemical Engineering and is a member of his respective school
flask at the upper right part of the gear. chapter can be a member of PIChE-JCL.
b) A qualified student is recognized upon accomplishment
of his membership form and payment of membership fee.
ARTICLE 2: OBJECTIVES
Section 3: Duties and Responsibilities of a Chapter Member
Section 1: The organization shall endeavor to broaden the knowledge a) It must uphold the constitution of PIChE-JCL and abide
and promote academic excellence in chemical engineering students. by the decision of the Board of Officers.
b) It shall actively coordinate in all the events, projects and
Section 2: It shall work to strengthen the relationship among activities of the organization.
students and foster camaraderie among its members. c) It must notify the Executive Body regarding any change/s
in their constitution and/or organizational structure.
Section 3: It shall initiate projects that would act as venues for the d) It shall organize and direct student activities designed to
holistic development of the members of the organization. improve their general welfare and to further their rights.
e) It shall serve as the official liaison between the PIChE-JCL
Section 4: Encourage active participation of its members in all of the and the school or university.
events, activities and undertakings organized by PIChE-JCL.
Section 4: Duties and Responsibilities of a Student Member
Section 5: It shall actively take part in activities of different PIChE-JCL a) He/She must uphold the constitution of PIChE-JCL and
member universities and institutions related to Chemical abide the decision of the Board of Officers.
Engineering. b) He/She shall actively participate in all the events,
projects and activities of the organization.
c) He/She should pay his annual membership fee, where his
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP student membership is effective for one academic year.

Section 1: Chapter Member

a) Chapter Membership shall be open to all Chemical ARTICLE 4: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Engineering student organizations from Luzon.
b) Chapter Membership is entitled to only one duly- Section 1: The General Body. The general body shall be composed of
recognized Chemical Engineering student organization for each all registered members of the organization.
school which shall represent it to the PIChE-JCL.
c) The chapter members may retain the name of the student Section 2: The Board of Officers
chapter or may adopt the name of PIChE-JCL. a) The Board of Officers shall be composed of the Executive
d) The chapter members must adopt their own constitution Body and the Board of Representatives.
that shall govern their respective programs and affairs. b) The officers shall hold office for one year upon induction
e) A student organization that would like to apply for and until their successors had been inducted into office.
membership shall pass to the PIChE-JCL Executive Board the c) The induction of officers shall be held not later than one
following requirements: month after the elections, with the oath to be administered by the
i. Application letter submitted to PIChE-JCL. Senior Adviser, or any of the members of the Board of Advisers.
ii. Endorsement from the head of the Chemical d) Sovereignty shall reside in the Board of Officers, which
Engineering Department of their respective school. shall hold absolute power over all the activities of the organization.
 e) A simple majority shall be defined as 50% plus one.
f) It shall have the power to approve all the general plans Section 1: There shall be seven executive officers: the President, the
and decisions, where it will be binding upon the approval by a simple Executive Secretary, the Vice-President for Finance, the Vice-
majority of the Board of Officers. President for Membership, the Vice-President for Academic Affairs,
the Vice-President for Publicity and External Affairs and Vice-
Section 3: The Executive Body President for Communications.
a) The Executive Body shall be composed of a president,
executive secretary, five (5) vice-presidents who shall be head of a Section 2: The President shall:
committee and board members. a) Be the head of the Executive Body, Board of Officers and
b) The executive body shall be headed by the President of the General Body.
the organization. b) Preside during meetings of the Executive Body and Board
c) The five vice-presidents shall act as VP for Membership, of Officers.
VP for Finance, VP for Academic Affairs, VP for Publicity and External c) Exercise general supervision over all the activities of the
Affairs and VP for Communications. council.
d) The President, Executive Secretary and the five Vice- d) Ensure rapport between members of the organization
Presidents shall be elected by the Board of Officers. especially the Executive Body.
e) Every chapter member should have one (1) e) Be the official representative of the organization in
representative to the Executive Body, either as an elected officer or a meetings and in other activities in other schools, colleges and
board member. organization related to PIChE-JCL.
f) The organization of the President and the Executive f) Sign all resolutions and documents pertaining to the
Secretary have the option to have an additional board member, aside business of the organization.
from the elected officer, to assist the top officers in their duties g) Approve all of the disbursement of funds of the
especially on issues regarding their chapter organization. organization together with the VP for Finance.
g) They should make the general plans of the organization h) Have the power to create or dissolve standing or ad hoc
every year and present these to the Board of Officers for approval on committees upon the approval of the board of officers.
its first general meeting of each semester. i) Have the right to appoint people to do certain jobs with
h) They shall decide on disciplinary actions to be acted out the help of the whole Executive Body.
on erring members of the Board of Officers and the General j) Ensure rapport between chapter members of the
Assembly. organization together with the VP for Communications.
i) They shall strictly enforce this constitution. k) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
in the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions.
Section 4: Standing Committees
a) The standing committees are the following: Membership, Section 3: The Executive Secretary shall:
Finance, Academic Affairs, Publicity and Communications. a) Assist the President on matters regarding the affairs of
b) The members of each committee shall be composed of the organization.
the Board of Representatives and determined on the first general b) Assume the duties and powers of the President in case of
assembly of the Board of Officers.
the latter’s absence or incapacity, be it temporary or permanent.
c) Each committee should plan projects that would be in
c) Compile the minutes of all the meetings of the Executive
line with the committee's functions and PIChE-JCL's objectives.
Body, Board of Officers and the reports of the committee of the
organization.
Section 5: Board of Advisers
d) Take charge of all the papers and correspondence of the
a) The board of advisers shall be composed of two Senior
organization.
Advisers and at least one Junior Adviser.
e) keep the records of the attendance of the Executive Body
b) Qualifications of Advisers.
i. The senior Adviser must be a professional and Board of Representatives during meetings and major activities.
chemical engineer. f) perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
ii. The senior adviser may come from the PIChE or assigned by the Executive Body.
[Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers] or from the faculty of the
university or school of the President and Executive Secretary of Section 4: The Vice-President for Membership shall:
PIChE-JCL. a) Be the head of the Membership Committee
Iii. The junior adviser must be a former member of b) Assist the President in keeping and compiling files
the Executive Body of PIChE-JCL and is to be selected by the new related to membership of different chapters and students.
Executive Body. c) Exercise general supervision over all the activities and
c) Duties and Responsibilities. members of the membership committee.
i. They shall coordinate with the Executive Body d) Assist the president in assuring rapport between the
regarding activities and other matters concerning the PIChE-JCL. student members of PIChE-JCL.
ii. They will serve as consultants to the Executive e) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
Body and may give comments and/or advice regarding the plans of in the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions.
the Executive Body.
iii. To oversee that the activities of the Section 5: The Vice-President for Finance shall:
organization are consistent with the set objectives. a) Be the head of the Finance Committee
iv. As much as possible, he/she shall be present in b) Be the official finance officer of the organization
all major activities of the organization. c) Countersign, together with the President, all of the
v. He/She shall be the induction officer of the new financial disbursements including the bank account of the
Board of Officers. organization.
d) Keep all of the financial records of the organization and
supervise the collection and safekeeping of funds.
ARTICLE 5: EXECUTIVE BODY e) Prepare financial statements monthly.
 f) Exercise general supervision over all the activities and c) If the position of the Vice-President is declared vacant,
members of the finance committee. his/her committee members shall choose among themselves as the
g) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary officer.
in the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions.

Section 6: The Vice-President for Academic Affairs shall: ARTICLE 6: BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES
a) Be the head of the Academic Affairs Committee
b) Coordinate with different chapter members with the Section 1: Every Chapter Member is entitled to send representatives
schedule of their respective quiz shows. to the Board of Officers to represent their university.
c) Assist the President, by coordinating with the PIChE
Senior with their academic related programs such as the PIChE Section 2: The number of representatives from the member
Quizbowl and the PIChE National Convention. university would be at a ratio of 1 representative per 30 member
d) Exercise general supervision over all the activities and students, based from the previous year, from the chapter, and would
members of the academic affairs committee be rounded up. [e.g. 32/30 = 1.0667 : 2 representatives]
e) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
in the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions. Section 3: They shall act as coordinating officers between PIChE-JCL
to their respective organization and department constituents.
Section 7: The Vice-President for Publicity and External Affairs shall:
a) Be the head of the Publicity Committee. Section 4: The representatives would be chosen by the Vice-
b) Certify all press releases, posters and announcements of Presidents to become members of the five standing committees,
the organization for external dissemination. based on their preference and ratio set by the Vice-Presidents.
c) Initiate and take charge of all the publications of PIChE-
JCL [newsletter, website, yahoogroup and multiply] Section 5: As the official representative of their corresponding
d) Exercise general supervision over all the activities and university, attendance on General Assemblies and major activities of
PIChE-JCL is required.
members of the publicity committee.
e) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
Section 6: They shall perform such other duties as may be deemed
in the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions.
necessary or assigned by the President or the Executive Body.
Section 8: The Vice-President for Communications shall:
a) Be the head of the Communications Committee.
ARTICLE 7: STANDING COMMITTEES
b) Be responsible for forming the members for general
assemblies, major activities and other matters which the Executive
Section 1: PIChE-JCL shall have five standing committees, the
Body deems necessary to involve the interest of the organization.
Membership Committee, Finance Committee, Academic Affairs
c) Assist the president in ensuring rapport between chapter
Committee, Publicity Committee and Communications Committee.
members.
d) Intensify the relationship and communications with Section 2: The Membership Committee:
chapter members especially those who are not based in Metro a) It shall be headed by the VP for Membership
Manila. b) It shall strictly implement the rules and guidelines
e) Exercise general supervision over all of the activities and
regarding absences and tardiness of the Board of Officers from the
members of the communications committee. general meetings and major activities in coordination with the
f) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary in Executive Secretary.
the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions. c) Prepare periodic reports to be presented to the Board of
Officers and to the General Body.
Section 9: The Board Members: d) Initiate activities that would further the camaraderie
a) May be assigned special tasks deemed necessary by the
among student and chapter members.
Executive Body. e) Encode all of the membership files and data and take
b) Shall assist the vice-presidents of the five standing
charge of the production and dissemination of PIChE-JCL
committees. membership cards.
c) Ensure proper coordination of PIChE-JCL with the f) Deliberate chapter members and Board of
university that they represent. Representatives for suspension or impeachment.
d) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary g) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
in the fulfillment of his/her duties and functions. or assigned by the President.
Section 10: A position is considered vacant if the elected officer Section 3: The Finance Committee:
resigns, is impeached or is permanently unable to perform his/her a) It shall be headed by the VP for Finance.
function. The Executive Body shall call for an election within two
b) It shall formulate the guidelines for the collection of fees
weeks to choose a new officer who will serve for the rest of the term.
from the members and from the disbursement of funds to different
events and committees.
Section 11: Line of Succession
c) It shall recommend the budget and plans for the finances
a) If the position of the President is declared vacant, the
of the organization in the academic year to the Board of Officers.
Executive Secretary shall automatically be the President and will
d) It shall supervise all fund raising activities of the
leave the position as the Executive Secretary.
organization such as the production and distribution of PIChE shirts.
b) If the position of the Executive Secretary is declared
e) Take care of safekeeping the assets and financial records
vacant, the Vice-Presidents shall choose among themselves as the
of the organization.
executive secretary.
f) Prepare periodic financial reports to the organization and
the Board of Officers.
 g) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary Section 6: Confirmation of Meetings. The VP for Communications
or assigned by the President. shall follow-up on the officers regarding the meeting. Whenever the
officer may not be available for the meeting, he/she should pass an
Section 4: The Academic Affairs Committee: excuse slip noted to the VP for Membership.
a) It shall be headed by the VP for Academic Affairs.
b) Promote and install the value of education to the Section 7: Attendance of the Executive Body and the Board of
students. Representatives shall be strictly checked by the VP for Membership
c) It should facilitate seminars and other academic-related on general meetings. They would only be excused in the cases:
activities. a) Death of immediate family
d) Coordinate with the seniors in the organization of the b) Disease or ailment [must present a medical certificate]
annual Quiz Show and coordinate different chapter members that c) Interference with events or activities [official university
organize different quiz shows. event] at the same time of the general meeting.
e) It should formulate the policies and implement plans for d) Exams at the time of the meeting.
all educational projects, activities and events of the organization. e) Or other cases approved by the Executive Body.
f) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
or assigned by the President. Section 8: For non-Metro Manila schools, a third [1/3] of their
transportation expenses would be reimbursed by the organization to
Section 5: The Publicity Committee: subsidize the expenses of the officers. Further details regarding the
a) It shall be headed by the VP for Publicity and External matter should be finalized by the Board of Officers,
Affairs.
b) It shall take charge of information campaigns for the
events and activities of the organization. ARTICLE 9: ELECTION
c) It shall foster good relations with the different chapter
members. Section 1: A duly registered member may run for office if:
d) Be responsible for the official publication of the a) He/she must be a chemical engineering student
organization. b) An active member of PIChE-JCL and his/her respective
e) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary organization
or assigned by the President. c) He/she has at least one more year of residence in his/her
university to complete his/her term
Section 6: The Communications Committee: d) He/she has at least 2 years of membership in PIChE-JCL,
a) It shall be headed by the VP for Communications. if he/she intends to run in the presidency at the time he/she assumes
b) It should ensure the active participation of every chapter office.
member. e) He/she has at least 1 year of membership in PIChE-JCL if
c) Work hand in hand with the Publicity Committee in he/she intends to run for the position other than that of the
information dissemination. presidency at the time he/she assumes office.
d) Ensure that the organization shirt, membership ID and
official publication are being well distributed. Section 2: All incoming and authorized representatives from
e) Take initiatives in coordinating the different schools and different chapter members shall have the right to vote in the election
universities. of the organization.
f) Perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary
or assigned by the President. Section 3: The Executive Officers shall be elected in accordance with
the rules and provisions of the Election Code formulated by the
Section 7: Ad hoc committees shall be created by the Executive Body Electoral Board.
if it deems necessary to perform specific tasks not covered by any of
the standing committees. Such committees cannot exist for more Section 4: All officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the total
than one year. number of votes.

Section 5: There shall be an Electoral Board composed of three non-

ARTICLE 8: MEETINGS partisan members coming from the outgoing Board of
Representatives which are chosen by the outgoing President of the
Section 1: Regular meetings, which include the Board of Executive Body.
Representatives and the Executive Body, shall be held at least once a
month on dates which are to be decided by the Executive Body. Section 6: A member of the Electoral Board shall be disqualified from
running in any position in the Executive Body.
Section 2: Executive Body meetings shall be held anytime before
and/or after regular meetings. Section 7: The Electoral Board shall have the following duties and
powers:
Section 3: Committee meetings shall be held at least once a month. a) It shall set and announce the specific schedule of the
election proceeding
Section 4: Special or emergency meetings may be called by the b) It shall set and implement the PIChE-JCL election code
President as the need arises. c) It shall formulate all other rules and perform such other
duties as deemed necessary and expedient in the fulfillment of its
Section 5: Notice of Meetings. The Executive Secretary shall send a functions.
letter or notice of meeting to the officers and/or chapter member d) The electoral board shall not, in any way, aid in the
organization at least five days prior to the scheduled meeting. The campaign of any candidate.
letter shall include the time, data, place and agenda/s of the meeting.
Section 8: Special Elections may be held in accordance with the Executive Secretary, shall approve the expulsion of the chapter
Election Code and shall be supervised by the Electoral Board. member.
d) In the case of expulsion of a chapter member:
i) The decision of the Board of Officers will be final
ARTICLE 10: DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS and will last for the whole term of the officers.
ii) In the case where the expelled organization
Section 1: Disciplinary Actions shall take form of suspension, would re-apply in the next term for membership, they would pass
expulsion or impeachment. the requirements of application to PIChE-JCL instead of the
requirements for chapter membership renewal.
Section 2: Suspension.
a) A member of the Executive Body or the Board of Section 4: Impeachment.
Representatives shall be recommended by the VP for Membership to a) Any member of the Executive Body may be impeached on
the Executive Body for suspension the following grounds: negligence of duty, incompetence,
i) If he/she has two unexcused absences from malversation of funds, abuse of power and harassment.
general meetings and major activities of the organization b) An impeachment proceeding shall be instituted against
ii) By a written petition signed by two-thirds of any member of the Executive Body upon a written petition signed by
the members of his/her respective committee due to non- at least 25% of the Board of Officers.
participation in committee work. c) A special committee shall be elected by the Board of
iii) For violation of the constitution and by-laws of Officers to conduct hearings and investigations and submit the
the PIChE-JCL. findings and evaluations to the Board of Officers.
iv) He/She may lift his/her suspension by d) An simple majority of the Board of Officers shall approve
performing special tasks or requirements deemed necessary by the the impeachment.
Membership Committee. e) A member of the Executive Body under investigation
b) A chapter may be recommended by the VP for shall be suspended from his/her duties until the case has been
Membership to the Executive Body for suspension resolved. Pending the resolution of the investigation, an acting officer
i) When they fail to attend the regular meetings at shall be elected by the committee from the ranks. If the officer is
least two times. impeached, the acting officer would then replace him/her and
ii) Failure to fulfill their duties and responsibilities assume his/her position.
as a chapter member of PIChE-JCL.

Section 3: Expulsion. ARTICLE 11: AMENDMENTS

a) An officer shall be recommended by the Membership
Committee to the Executive Body for expulsion if: Section 1: All amendments shall take effect immediately after it has
i) He/she is absent for more than 2 regular passed.
meetings of PIChE-JCL without valid reasons.
ii) He/she fails to lift his/her suspension from the Section 2: Any group of five, who are members of the organization,
Executive Body within a month from the time he/she received the may submit a proposed amendment to the constitution. The
suspension order. proposed amendment shall be in writing, shall be made known to
iii) If he/she is found guilty of theft by the chapter members, and shall be discussed in a regular meeting or
Executive Body and willful destruction of property belonging to the special meeting called for that matter.
organization.
iv) A simple majority vote of the Executive Body Section 3: This constitution may be amended or revised three years
shall approve the petition, where the decision of the Executive Body after it has last been approved.
will be final.
b) In the case of expulsion of the officer, the Executive Body
may appoint a new member from the same school/university to EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE
replace his/her position. This constitution shall take effect immediately upon its approval and
c) A chapter member may be expelled from its membership ratification by a simple majority vote of the Board of Officers in a
to PIChE-JCL if: plebiscite held solely for this purpose.
i) They fail to send their officer and
representatives for more than 2 regular meetings without valid
reasons.
ii) Failure to participate in major activities of the
organization without any valid reasons.
iii) They fail to settle their accounts and payments,
e.g. membership fee, PIChE shirt, etc.., within a month of the deadline
set by the Executive Body.
iv) In the case of the probable expulsion of the
chapter member, the President and the VP for Membership shall
send a letter of notice to the member organization and respective
school or university administration.
v) The chapter member may send a response
letter to explain or defend their reasons in falling their duties and
responsibilities.
vi) An affirmative vote of 75% of the Board of
Officers, in a special meeting called for by the President or the