Sample Student Chapter Bylaws
- This organization shall be known as the [Chapter/ University Name] chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
- [Chapter/ University Name], hereinafter referred to as the chapter, shall be affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management, hereinafter referred to as SHRM.
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
- To provide [University Name] students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into the effective management of personnel in the field of Human Resource Management through affiliation with the [Sponsoring Chapter] of SHRM and the National SHRM organization.
- To promote the exchange of work-related experience of established business professionals with the theoretical academic perspectives of student and faculty members through open forums and information exchanges.
- To encourage the acquisition, growth and continuation of our respective careers in Human Resource Management through expanded knowledge, camaraderie, respect and mutual support among chapter members and through our affiliation with national, sponsoring and other student chapters.
- To achieve these purposes, there shall be no discrimination in individual membership or chapter affiliations because of race, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national origin.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Any student enrolled in classes at [University Name] may become a member of this chapter. Equal membership privileges will be given to all members of this organization. This chapter shall not discriminate against any member or potential member in any way.
Students wishing to join this organization must become a dues-paying student member of the national SHRM the semester they start attending meetings.
ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATION
There will be an Executive Council composed of a Faculty Advisor, President, Vice President, and Secretary (constituting the Executive Committee), in addition to a Director of Chapter Information Systems, Director of Communication, Director of Community Relations and Development, Director of Corporate Relations, Director of Finance, Director of Student Relations, and Director of the SHRM Merit Award. This Council will be the advising and coordinating body responsible to the general membership of the chapter. All officers of this chapter shall be responsible for maintaining the chapter as a formal entity.
Any proposed project or program shall be brought before the Executive Council, reviewed, and if approved, set up and directed by a committee formed for that specific purpose from the general membership on a voluntary basis. Committees shall coordinate their efforts with those of an appropriate Executive Council member, who will serve in an advisory capacity.
Officers shall serve as a liaison between this student and its sponsoring local chapter [Chapter Name] of the Society for Human Resource Management.
ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Management of chapter practices, procedures and activities shall be vested in the Executive Council, which will consist of officers elected from this student organization. This chapter will decide qualifications of these officers, as necessary. These decisions must meet with the approval of the chapter Faculty Advisor(s). (General duties and stewardship of each executive position can be listed below).
As all members of the Executive Council perform specific administrative functions, all officers are to openly assist each other as needed in the efficient and professional performance of their respective duties.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICER ELECTIONS Elections for all positions shall be held annually at a time designated by the Executive Committee, but should allow sufficient time for a smooth transition and sharing of information between outgoing and incoming officers. Elections should be held no later than four weeks before the end of Spring Semester. Student officers, who wish to continue in their current position and run for a second or possibly third term, may do so with the Advisor’s approval. Elections will be conducted through private ballot. The Faculty Advisor and at least one graduating senior chapter member will count the votes.If needed, the President shall fill a sudden vacancy on the Executive Council by appointing a temporary replacement. The matter shall then be brought to the attention of the general chapter membership. The membership will nominate and elect a fellow chapter member for the vacant position. In case of more than one candidate for a position, whomever captures the majority of votes is elected.
In the event membership becomes dramatically low and the electoral process becomes ineffective, the Faculty Advisor(s) may interview the remaining members of this general membership and appoint them to positions stated in these Bylaws in which the individuals will then represent this student chapter accordingly.
If the Faculty Advisor(s) position becomes vacant, the general membership of this chapter will nominate a professor of the [Chapter/ University Name] Human Resources Department. An offer to fill the vacant position will then be presented to the professor for acceptance. The acceptance must be completely voluntary. Any advisor must be a member of national SHRM. The advisory position must be filled by at least one Faculty Advisor.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be posted not les than seven (7) nor more than fourteen (14) days before the meeting.
Five (5) voting members present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Such quorum may, by majority vote of the members present, transact any business which may properly be brought before the meeting, except as otherwise indicated in these bylaws. A meeting may be adjourned or recessed by majority vote of the members present whether or not a quorum is present.
At all meetings of the members, the President, or if absent, the Vice President, shall preside as Chair. In the absence of said officers, the Chair shall be elected by a majority of the members present.
Every regular member of the chapter in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on any matter of the chapter’s business to be acted upon by vote of the membership.
ARTICLE VIII: FINANCES
In the event that a financial burden is placed on this chapter, establishment of a dues paying policy may be proposed and voted on by the Executive Council. Faculty Advisor(s) must complete review of this matter before the decision can become part of the chapter’s policy and Bylaws.
ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all parliamentary procedure unless otherwise specified.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
The Bylaws of this chapter may be amended, at any time, by the deciding vote of the general membership. That is, 2/3rds of the chapter must agree to any policy change. The officers of the Executive Committee shall be responsible for notifying all members of an upcoming amendment proposal and vote. The membership shall be notified at least two weeks prior to any amendment-voting meeting. The Faculty Advisor(s) will be required to attend and supervise any/all of these meetings.
Sample Student Chapter Bylaws
(Abbreviated Version)
Article I - Identification
Section 1: Name. The name of the organization shall be (Student Chapter Name).
Section 2: National Affiliation. (Student Chapter Name), hereinafter referred to as the chapter, shall be affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management, hereinafter referred to as SHRM.
Article II - Purposes
The purposes of the chapter shall be as follows:
- To acquaint students, considering a future in business, with the field of human resource management and/or labor relations.
- To keep students up-to-date on new developments in the field of human resource management.
- To provide learning opportunities through interaction with human resource practitioners.
- To promote the development of truly professional human resource managers for the future.
- To encourage adherence to the Code of Ethics of the Society for Human Resource Management.
To achieve these purposes, there shall be no discrimination in individual membership or chapter affiliations because of race, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
Article III - Membership
Application for membership shall be made through the chapter. Annual dues shall become payable upon joining the chapter. Student members of the chapter who pay annual dues to the national SHRM shall be designated as student members of SHRM.
Article IV - Meetings of Members
Notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be served not less than seven (7) nor more than fourteen (14) days before the meeting.
Five (5) voting members present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum. Such quorum may, by majority vote of the members present, transact any business which may properly be brought before the meeting, except as otherwise indicated in these Bylaws. A meeting may be adjourned or recessed by majority vote of the members present whether or not a quorum is present.
At all meetings of the members, the President, or if absent, the Vice President, shall preside as Chairperson. In the absence of said officers, the Chairperson shall be elected by a majority of the members present.
Every regular member of the chapter in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on any matter of the chapter's business to be acted upon by vote of the membership.
Article V - Elections and Balloting
Elections of officers shall be held within the first two (2) meetings held by the chapter at the beginning of the academic year.
Each officer shall be elected on the basis of a plurality of votes cast for that office. In the event of a tie vote, successive balloting shall be conducted until one candidate receives a plurality.
All elected officers shall be expected to hold their office and faithfully discharge its duties until the end of the academic year. However, in the event that an officer is unable to complete his/her term in office, a new election shall be held to fill that office as soon as is conveniently possible for the chapter.
Article VI - Parliamentary Procedure
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all parliamentary procedure unless otherwise specified.
Article VII - Amendment or Revision of Bylaws
The Bylaws may be amended or revised by a majority vote of the chapter membership.
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