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 is next scheduled to meet July 10-11, 2025.
All proposed amendments to these documents have been reviewed by the Governing Documents Committee. The Board of Direction will receive for first reading at the July meeting the following:
- Bylaws (Article 6: Officers) to change the qualification requirements for candidates for President-elect.
- Bylaws (9.5.3) amendment to add Chi Epsilon as the collegiate civil engineering honor society.
- Rules of Policy and Procedure (7.5.8) amendment relating to travel reimbursement of candidates or nominees for elected Society office.
- Rules of Policy and Procedure (2.1.3.2 and 2.1.3.3) amendment as submitted by the Membership Application Review Committee pertaining to Fellows waiver criteria.
The Board of Direction will receive for second reading and approval at the July meeting the following:
- Bylaws (Article 2: Membership and Article 6: Officers, Directors and Governors) to consolidate the Affiliate, Associate and Members Grades into one Member Grade, per the Membership affirmative vote.
- Bylaws (Article 5.3.2 and 9.2.2) to change the name of the Committee on Technical Advancement to the Center for Technical Advancement.
In addition, the Board will receive for second reading:
- A request for approval an official Spanish-language translation of the ASCE Code of Ethics from the Commitee on Anti-Corruption and Ethical Practice. Comments to the translation may be submitted via this Wufoo form.
If you have questions regarding the Board of Direction meeting, please contact Wendy Dinwiddie