Governance & Guiding Documents
The Society and its members abide by the following documents.
The Constitution is the Society’s highest governing document, followed by the Bylaws and Rules of Policy and Procedure. Each level of governing document contains more detail about Society operations than the one preceding it, from high-level organizational structure in the Constitution to regular administrative matters in the Rules.
The Constitution contains elements related to the size of the Board of Direction, the membership grades and voting rights, designates Officers and their terms, etc. These are important components of the Society on which the membership should have a say, and therefore any revisions to the Constitution must be approved by the membership.
The Bylaws mirror the structure of the ASCE Constitution, providing more detail. Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Direction, with advance notice to the membership.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Code of Ethics is the model for professional conduct for ASCE members.
The Rules of Policy and Procedure provide the most detail about the Society’s structure and operations. The Rules may be amended by the Board of Direction upon 30 days notice.
The Board of Direction met March 16-17, 2026.
The Board of Direction was asked to approve by two-thirds vote an amendment to the Society’s Constitution (Article 6: Officers, Directors and Governors) to reduce the number of members on the Board of Direction from eighteen (18) to twelve (12), and to consider the proposed amendment to the Constitution acceptable to send to the membership for a vote.
The Board also considered changes for approval to the following documents:- Rules of Policy and Procedure (9.3.4.7.2): The intent is to approve two new Society Awards: The Bilal M. Ayyub Research Award for Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems and the Rao Surampalli Medal for Climate Change Engineering/Science Impacts and Solutions.
- Rules of Policy and Procedure (10.2 Society Awards): The intent is to reinstate language pertaining to the presentation of awards and a year of free membership for award winners who are not Society members; and (9.0 Society Awards Committee) limit self-nominations for awards unless specified with the award language.
The Board of Direction will next meet for action July 21-22, 2026. The agenda has not been finalized at this time.
If you have questions regarding the Board of Direction meeting, please contact Wendy Dinwiddie.