ENERGETIC MATERIALS GROUP (EMG)

Approved June 2, 2004

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

CTOC approval, tbd

Article I - Name and Objectives

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Energetic Materials Group (EMG) of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (the Institute).

Section 2. The Group is established in accordance with the Institute's Constitution, By-laws and Rules.

Section 3. Scope: The EMG is a Group for the combined community of engineers and scientists who are developing and applying sound scientific and engineering based theories and practices to the manufacturing of energetic materials.  Energetic materials include but are not limited too energetic reactions, explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics. Technical interests include R&D, reactions, manufacturing, processing, physical properties, disposal, environmental impacts, life cycle, advancing the state of the art, viable workforce of the future, and developing long range plans for the energetic materials community.

Section 4. The goals and objectives of the Group shall be to: Provide a Group for communication and networking among those with an interest in the energetic materials.

a. Identify and address the professional needs of practicing scientists, engineers, academics, business and design managers, R&D modelers, and others interested in energetic materials.

b. Establish a network of personnel and organizations that identify and resolve issues relating to energetic materials.

c. Coordinate, sponsor, co-sponsor, and advertise relevant programming, including crosscutting and special-initiative technical sessions and conferences.

d. Promote interchange of ideas, concepts, know-how, and experiences in energetic materials sciences and engineering.

e. Encourage educators at all levels, particularly in chemical engineering, to integrate concepts of energetic materials sciences and engineering.

f. Advocate curricula that prepare students for career energetic materials sciences and engineering.

g. Promote lifetime learning through workshops and short courses.

h. Provide centralized links to technical publications, computer programs, and databases related to the energetic materials sciences and engineering.

Section 5. The Group is under the Particle Technology Forum (PTF). Group programming activities shall be carried out in cooperation with the PTF and the National Programming Committee of the Institute. The Group does not have the authority to act for the Institute or to incur any financial obligations in the name of the Institute.

  Article II -- Membership

Section 1. Membership in the Group is by self-selection, subject to the payment of any annual dues to the PTF, required by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Nonmembers of the Institute are encouraged to join the Group. Application to the Vice-Chair for Membership will permit membership without payment of dues, if so required, for one year with the approval of the Chair of the Group.

  Article III - Organization

Section 1. An Executive Committee of five members shall direct the activities of the Group: the current four officers, the immediate past chair of the Group.

Section 2. The officers of the Group shall be a Chair, First Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, all of who shall hold membership in the Group. The Vice-Chair and Secretary, and Treasurer are elected by the membership. The term of office shall be two years. Succession from Vice-Chair to Chair shall be automatic after two years. The Chair is not eligible for re-election as an officer for a period of four years. The Secretary and Treasurer may be re-elected.

Section 3. Ad hoc members of the Executive Committee can be appointed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Section 4. The Executive Committee shall direct the activities of the Group.

Section 5. The Chair is the chief officer of the Group and is Chair of the Executive Committee. The Vice-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in the Chair's absence or inability to serve. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall serve as the chief officer of the Group until the next election.

Section 6. The Chair shall

a. Develop the Group in accordance with the Group Goal and Objectives.

b. Provide leadership and management for the Group.

c. Serve as the presiding officer for all Group and Executive Committee meetings.

d. Appoint task forces for special projects as needed.

e. Coordinate activities through the leadership of the Executive Committee.

f. Assign representative(s) to programming retreat or other programming activities requiring Group representation.

Section 7. The Vice-Chair shall

a. Formulate and implement long-term plans and strategic activities for the Group.

b. Implement projects in coordination with the Chair.

c. Serve as the Group liaison to the Institute.

d. Maintain records of the membership.

e. Plan and implement strategies to recruit suitable members.

f. Be responsible for the programming activities of the Group. Responsibilities include coordinating Group activities with the National Programming Committee and other programming groups.

Section 8. The Secretary shall

a. Keep records of the proceedings of the Group.

b. Handle the general correspondence of the Group, and shall, at the direction of the Chair, issue all notices of all meetings.

c. Coordinate, with Headquarters, the preparation, electronic mailing, and tallying of annual election ballots.

d. In concert with the Treasurer shall submit a report covering the finances and activities of the Group at the end of each year to the Executive Committee of the PTF.

e. Keep records of the proceedings of the Group.

f. Issue announcements of all meetings.

g. Publish electronic newsletters in the Spring and Fall of each year.

h. Oversee the maintenance of the Group website, and historical records.

Section 9. The Treasurer shall

a. Handle and record the collection and disbursement of funds as authorized by the Executive Committee of the Group.

b. Support the Secretary in preparing a report covering the finances and activities of the Group at the end of each year to the Executive Committee of the Group and the PTF.

c. Prepare a proposed budget for the upcoming year, for review and approval by the Executive Committee.

Section 10. The duties in Sections 6 to 9 can be changed or redistributed with approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 11. Such other committees as may be required shall be appointed by the Chairman with the approval of the Executive Committee. The Chair with the approval of the Executive Committee may terminate the services of any such committees or committee members at any time.

Section 12. Committees that are appointed to prepare for specific meetings or other events will continue to perform their functions, if satisfactorily handled, until the meetings or events designated have actually occurred. The term of service of such committees may therefore continue after the retirement of the Chair who made the original appointments.

Section 13. If a vacancy other than the Chair arises in the Executive Committee, the replacement shall be appointed based on majority vote of a quorum of the remaining Executive Committee members.

  Article IV - Meetings

Section 1. There shall be at least one general meeting of the Group during the Annual Meeting of the Institute. The Chair of the Group shall schedule the meeting.

Section 2. The Chair of the Group shall preside at all meetings of the Group Executive Committee. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary, or the Treasurer, in that order, shall preside.

Section 3. Notices will be sent to the membership for Group meetings called at any time other than the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. A quorum for meetings of the Group body shall consist of at least 5% of the Group's membership. Except otherwise stated in these By-laws, all decisions at a meeting of the Group will be decided by the majority vote of those present.

Section 5. The presiding officer shall determine the order of business for meetings of the Group.

Section 6. The Group Executive Committee shall meet at least twice each year in addition to the general meeting. The Chair may call meetings at such places and times as (s) he deems advisable. Meetings may be held by physical attendance, teleconference, video conference, or other electronic communications means, and votes -- including election of officers -- may be cast either in person, by mail, or by other electronic communications means. Meetings may also be called at the request of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. Notices will be sent to the Executive Committee of all meetings at least two weeks in advance unless all members of the Executive agree in writing (including electronic approval) to an earlier meeting.

Section 7. A majority of the members of the Group Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. Except where otherwise stated in these By-laws, all actions of the Executive Committee shall be by simple majority vote of the quorum. The presiding officer does not normally vote. Only in the event of a tie vote will the presiding officer cast the deciding vote.

Section 8. Any member of the Group Executive Committee who fails to attend two consecutive Executive Committee meetings shall be considered to have tendered his or her resignation from the Executive Committee. However, such a resignation shall be effective only upon acceptance by the Executive Committee, which shall have taken into account any extenuating circumstances.

  Article V - Elections

Section 1. The Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, shall be elected by letter or electronic ballot sent to Group members by October 1. Election shall be by a majority of those voting. Three weeks shall be allowed between the mailing of the ballots and the counting of the votes. The Executive Committee shall certify the count.

Section 2. Nominations for the elected offices shall come from the Executive Committee. Under the leadership of the Chair, the Executive Committee shall formulate a slate of one or more candidates for each of the remaining offices to be filled for proposal to the membership. Other nominations from the membership shall be solicited and will be accepted if received by the Chair by September 24 before the election.

Section 3. No member shall be eligible for election to more than one office at one time.

Section 4. The newly elected officers shall take office at the conclusion of the Group's general meeting in the year in which they are elected.

Section 5. Delinquent members shall not be eligible to vote or to hold office.

Article VI - Dues and Finances

Section 1. The Group Executive Committee in accordance with policies of the Institute shall determine annual dues above those for the PTF. Those members who continue to be delinquent on the following January 1 shall be dropped from the rolls of the Group.

Section 2. The Group Executive Committee shall make all other regulations regarding payment of dues and shall provide for an annual audit of the Group's financial accounts.

Section 3. The Group Executive Committee shall review, in their last meeting of the year, the budget submitted for the upcoming year by the Treasurer. The officers of the Group may make expenditures within the provisions of the approved budget. The Group Executive Committee shall spend additional amounts only after specific approval.

  Article VII - General Provisions

Section 1. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final on any questions concerning the interpretation of the By-laws, subject to the jurisdiction of the PTF/Chemical Technology Operating Council of the Institute.

Section 2. In all respects not specifically covered by these By-laws, the general rules of the Institute governing the conduct of the Groups shall apply with equal force as if included in these By-laws.

Section 3. In the case that the Group is dissolved, any remaining assets shall be returned to the Institute.

Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1. All proposed amendments of these By-laws shall be reduced to writing. Amendments shall be proposed to and voted on by the membership.

Section 2. A proposed amendment ballot shall be sent electronically or otherwise to all Group members. Voting results shall be certified by the Executive Committee, which shall accept as approval of the amendments a two-thirds affirmative vote of those returning these ballots. The amendment shall then be submitted to the PTF/Chemical Engineering Technology Operating Council (CTOC) of the Institute and shall become an effective part of the By-laws upon its approval.

updated

11/18/2007