By-Laws – Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc.

AMENDED BY-LAWS

PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF SANITARY ENGINEERS, INC.

ARTICLE I – NAME, LOCATION AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION I – Name – The name of the Society; shall be the PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF SANITARY ENGINEERS, INCORPORATED (PSSE).

SECTION 2 – Office – The Society shall maintain an office, in Metro Manila, Philippines.

SECTION 3 – Objectives – The objectives of the Society shall be:

a. To advance the knowledge and practice of sanitary and environmental engineering;
b. To improve sanitary and environmental engineering education;
c. To stimulate and undertake research in sanitary and environmental engineering;
d. To promote professional improvement, growth and development of its members;
e. To maintain high ethical standards in the practice of sanitary and environmental engineering;
f. To promote good public and private clientele relationship;
g. To develop and foster fellowship among sanitary and environmental engineers;
h. To encourage professional relations with other allied technical and scientific organizations;
i. To pursue various sanitary and environmental engineering plans, programs and projects that will improve the quality of life of the Filipino people and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country; (as amended on 25 May 2017)
j. To conduct trainings pertaining to the fields of specialization of the practice of Sanitary Engineering such as but not limited to water operators training, food safety, pollution control, water safety, industrial hygiene, water safety plans/program, sanitation plan, environmental, etc. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
k. To conduct extension services such as but not limited to capacity building and community services (as amended on 25 May 2017)
l. To publish any article, research, guidelines, reference material, journal and other types of literature that will contribute to the objectives of the Society; (as amended on 25 May 2017)
m. To certify EnSE products and services that will enhance the practice of EnSE works; and (as amended on 25 May 2017)
n. To collaborate with recognized local, national and international organizations in the furtherance of the above objectives. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

ARTICLE II – CLASSIFICATIONS and QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I – Classification of membership shall be as follows:

a. Individual members. This shall include Students (Level 1), Junior (Level 2), Regular (Level 3), Life (Level 4) and Fellows (Level 5).
b. Honorary and Associate members. This shall include any person who has qualified to be accepted under this classification.
c. Institutional regular members. This shall include regulators of EnSE goods and services, consulting firms, suppliers, manufacturers, and providers of EnSE services.
d. Affiliate and sustaining members. This shall include any group of persons who has qualified to be accepted under this classification.
All members shall conform to all the requirements for membership in these By-Laws and additional guidelines issued by the PSSE Board of Directors.

SECTION 2– Qualifications of Individual Members

a. A Student Member(Level 1), at the time of his/her admission to this level, shall be enrolled in a recognized school in the Philippines for the course Bachelor of Science in Sanitary Engineering (BSSE) or Bachelor of Science In Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (BSEnSE) or is a member of any recognized Student Chapter of the Society. A Student Member shall cease to be such upon graduation and presentation of a copy of his/her duly authenticated diploma, after which he/shall be automatically reclassified as Junior Member.
b. A Junior Member (Level 2), at the time of his/her admission to this level shall be a person who has acquired the degree of BSSE or BSEnSE or its equivalent, from any recognized engineering institution in the Philippines or abroad but who has not yet been qualified to practice sanitary engineering in the Philippines. He/she shall have the privilege, duty and benefits of a member except to vote and be voted upon to hold an elective position. Upon passing the licensure examinations and issuance of his/her PRC registration, a Junior member becomes a regular member.
c. A Regular Member (Level 3), at the time of his admission to this level, shall be any person who has been issued a Registration Certificate to practice Sanitary Engineering by the Professional Regulations Commission of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Board of Directors shall prescribe and promulgate, pursuant to existing government regulations, the categorization of Regular members according to their field of specialization which will include (i) Environmental Engineering, (ii) Environmental Management, (iii) Public Health Engineering, (iv) Plumbing and Fire Protection, (v) Solid Waste Management, (vi) Wastewater Engineering and (vii) Water Supply Engineering.
d. A Life Member (Level 4), at the time of his/her admission to this level, shall be a regular member verified from PSSE records to be in good standing for at least 10 years.
e. A Fellow (Level 5) is a prestigious title and the highest level of membership in the Society. To be eligible for this level, the person shall be a Life Member who is at least forty (40) years of age and have had responsible charge for not less than ten (10) years of important work in environmental and sanitary engineering where his/her involvement was to direct, manage, conceive, plan or design environmental and sanitary engineering works; or in lieu of such experience, shall have had responsible charge for not less than ten (10) years of important industrial, management, business, construction, educational, editorial, research, or engineering society activity, requiring the knowledge and background gained from sanitary and environmental engineering training and experience.

SECTION 3 – Qualifications of Other Individual Members

a. Honorary member – any person who has achieved outstanding work in the field of Sanitary Engineering and/or Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (SE/EnSE). This membership shall be offered by the Society as approved by the Board to any person furthering the cause of SE/EnSE works.
b. Associate member – any practitioner in the allied field of SE/EnSE (e.g. civil engineers, chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, medical practitioners, sanitary inspectors, master plumbers, pollution control officers, well drillers, foreign SE/ EnSEs, water and sanitation service providers, etc.). (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 4 – Qualifications of Institutional Members.

a. Regular Institutional Members -any entity with interest in the field of SE/EnSE (e.g. consulting firms of SE/EnSE works; suppliers and manufacturers of SE/EnSE products; regulators of SE/EnSE goods and services like DOH, DPWH, DENR, LWUA, MWSS, MMDA, LLDA, and NWRB; and SE/EnSE service providers like Water Districts, septage handlers, waste treaters, etc.).
b. Affiliate member – other professional or non-professional group with SE/EnSE -related works (such as but not limited to the association of sanitary inspectors, master plumbers, pollution control officers, PWWA, PAWD, WEAP, WELDAPHIL, etc.).
c. Sustaining member – any cause–oriented group willing to help for the cause of EnSE works (such as but not limited to television networks).

ARTICLE III – ADMISSION

SECTION 1 – An applicant for admission as Junior Member, Regular Member, Life Member or for transfer from one level to another (except for Fellow), shall submit an application in such form and detail as may be prescribed by the PSSE Board of Directors.

SECTION 2 – An applicant as a Student Member shall submit a copy of his/her school registration form duly certified by the Department Head where he is taking up his/her SE and/or EnSE course accompanied by a duly accomplished/signed form as may be prescribed by the PSSE Board of Directors. Recognized student chapters of the Society shall submit a list of its members to the Society in order to be admitted as Student Members.

SECTION 3 – Approval for admission for specific members as classified in Article II are as follows:

a. Student, Junior, and Regular Members are reviewed by the Membership Committee and approved by the President.
b. Life, Honorary, Associate, Institutional, Affiliate and Sustaining Members are reviewed by the Membership Committee and approved by the Board.
c. Fellow members are nominated by a Life Member, sponsored by a Fellow, reviewed and approved by the College of Fellows and confirmed by the Board.

SECTION 4 – Honorary Members shall be proposed by at least three-fourth of the members of the Board who shall state in writing the reasons for the proposal and shall ascertain that the Honorary Member will accept if admitted. The proposal shall be submitted to the Board accompanied by a duly accomplished/signed form as may be prescribed by the Board. Honorary Member shall be admitted upon approval by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5 – Application for Institutional Members shall be submitted by an institution, individual firm or corporation who has shown interest in the Sanitary Engineering profession. Admission shall be by approval of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6 – There shall be no direct admission to the level of FELLOW. Admission shall be only by elevation from the level of LIFE MEMBER. Any Life Member can be nominated by another Life member, and duly endorsed by at least one Fellow, to the level of Fellow. Nominations shall be affirmed by at least three-fourth of the qualified members of the Board of Directors for endorsement to the College of Fellows. Members of the Board nominated to the level of Fellow shall waive his/her vote for the affirmation and endorsement of nominees. The College of Fellows shall screen the nomination and confirm if the nominees shall be granted the title of “Fellow”. A FELLOW shall have the privilege of using the title “FELLOW, PHILIPPINE SOCIETY OF SANITARY ENGINEERS” or “F.PSSE” in connection with his professional practice.

SECTION 7 – Rights and Privileges of Members.

a. Regular, Life and Fellow Members. All regular, life and Fellow members have the right and privilege to: (as amended on 25 May 2017)
i. Vote but only members in good standing per Article V can qualify for election for the Board of Directors. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
ii. Receive invitations and other literature materials and attend activities organized by PSSE. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
iii. Give suggestions on how the PSSE can improve its operation. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

b. Honorary, Institutional, Affiliate, Student, Junior, and Associate members. These members have the right to: (as amended on 25 May 2017)
i. Receive invitations and other literature materials and attend activities organized by PSSE. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
ii. Give suggestions on how the PSSE can improve its operation. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

ARTICLE IV – TRANSFER, REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP, RESIGNATION, EXPULSION, AND TERMINATION

SECTION 1 – Student, Junior and Regular Member are eligible for transfer to a higher classification upon fulfillment of the required qualifications.

SECTION 2 – The Board of Directors may place a member under any of the classification on inactive status thus relieving him/her of all rights and the normal obligations appertaining to members. A member on inactive status may be reinstated to active status only upon his/her re-application and approval by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3 – A member may resign by written communication to the Secretary, who shall present his/her letter to the Board of Directors. If all his/her financial obligations to the Society have been met and if no charges are pending against him/her, his/her resignation shall be accepted as “resigned in good standing”. If these conditions are not met, the Board may accept the resignation without prejudice.

SECTION 4 – The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the appropriate committee shall take any disciplinary action against any member which may include expulsion, suspension, or admonition upon information coming to its notice that such a member has performed acts inimical to the interest of the Society or the good name of the profession. A member whose license has been revoked by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) shall automatically be expelled. A majority vote of the entire Board of Directors shall be required for disciplinary action.

Any erring officer or member of the Board shall be subjected to any disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the Ethics Committee of the PSSE whose recommendation shall be confirmed by two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors.

SECTION 5 – Membership in the Society shall be terminated upon his/her death.

SECTION 6 – Only members who have lost membership due to causes under section 2 and 3 of this Article may be reinstated. Reinstatement of a member who has resigned will require the payment of a reinstatement fee. A member whose resignation was accepted as resigned without prejudice shall make good his/her previous deficiencies before reinstatement.

SECTION 7 – A Member who has not paid dues for at least three (3) consecutive years shall be classified as inactive member. However he/she may be eligible for reinstatement provided he/she pays his/her current dues and arrearages for three (3) years. The Board shall prescribe the manner of reinstating inactive members.

ARTICLE V – FEES, DUES AND DONATIONS

– the Board of Directors shall, from time to time, prescribe the amount intended for fees and dues.

SECTION 1– The admission fees of new members and reinstatement fees shall be as approved by the Board of Directors, but in no case shall admission fees or reinstatement fees be changed more than once in two (2) years. Upon payment of the admission fees, a new member is entitled to receive a certificate of membership, a copy of the Code of Ethics for Sanitary Engineers and a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society.

SECTION 2 – Admission fees shall be due immediately upon approval of application and shall be paid before induction.

SECTION 3 – The annual dues for all members, shall be due within January and shall be as approved by the Board of Directors but in no case shall such annual dues be changed more than once in two (2) years.

SECTION 4 – There shall be no admission fees and dues for Honorary Members.

SECTION 5 – The Board of Directors may prescribe from time to time publication fees and other fees needed by the Society.

SECTION 6– Any member whose dues are more than one year in arrears shall lose the right to vote and to receive the publications of the Society.

SECTION 7– When any individual member as classified in Article II is in good standing as defined in Section 11 of this Article and has reached the age of sixty five or has paid dues to the Society for twenty five years, he/she shall be exempted from further payment of annual dues.

SECTION 8 – Donations and sponsorships. The Board of Directors may accept donations, subject to all the requirements of pertinent or appropriate laws on donation.

Sponsorship for activities from members and non-members of the Society shall be allowed subject to the approval of the Board.

SECTION 9 – Funds. The funds of the Society shall consist of all dues, fees, contributions, donations and other amounts which may have been or shall be received or collected under the provisions of the foregoing sections. Such funds shall be subjected to audit at the end of each year by an auditor elected by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 10 – Corporate Year. The Calendar Year starting January 1^stto December 31^st of each year shall be the Fiscal Year of the Society.

SECTION 11 – Certification of Good Standing (CGS). Any member of the Society shall be considered to be in good standing if he/she complies with the following requirements:

a. regular payments of annual dues or has paid arrears;
For purposes of qualifying to run for elective position, must have conscientiously paid his/her dues for the last two years prior to election date.; (as amended on 25 May 2017)
b. should have obtained the required Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units for the past three years prior to the issuance of the CoGS!; (as amended on 25 May 2017)
c. has attended at least one convention of the Society per year or its equivalent for the last three years prior to the issuance of the CoGS. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

ARTICLE VI – NOMINATIONS, TENURE AND MODE OF ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 1 – The Board of Directors shall consist of fifteen (15) Members. The 15^th Member shall be the immediate past president who is a voting member. The Board of Directors shall hold office for two years or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

To promote continuity of services in the PSSE-National and avoid an all new set of Directors per election, election of seven (7) Directors shall be held annually.

To accomplish this, fourteen (14) Directors will be elected in 2013. Candidates ranking first to seventh shall serve for two (2) years (2014-2015). The remaining seven (7) shall serve for a year (2014). Starting with the election of 2014, the elected Directors shall serve for two years.

After each annual election, the elected Directors shall elect among themselves the officers of PSSE, except the President who shall serve for two (2) years. (The President shall be elected after the proclamation of winning candidates every odd-numbered year – 2013, 2015, 2017, etc.). During the election year for President commencing in 2017, all elected members of the Board are eligible to vie for the Presidency. In the event that the elected President has a remaining of only one year as Board Member, his/her term shall automatically be extended for another year. Adjustment in the number of winners that will take oath for the ensuing year/s will consider this eventuality.

No Director is eligible for election if he/she has continuously served as such for six (6) consecutive years. However, a Director who has been elected President can no longer seek for re-election even as for Director only.

No Director elected as Officer shall have more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same position.

SECTION 2 – The Secretary shall send to each member at least fifteen (15) days before the annual election meeting, a copy of the provisions of these By-Laws relating to the election of the Board of Directors together with any special information that may be required.

SECTION 3 – The duly reconstituted ELECOM for the year shall issue an invitation to the general membership for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (CoC) not later than ninety (90) days before the election date. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

Duly accomplished CoC shall be submitted in writing by any member of good standing to the Election Committee using the form prescribed by the Board of Directors at least thirty (30) days before the election so as to determine that they possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications prescribed under this by-laws. Filing of CoC shall be by any means such as but not limited to emails, courier service, fax, etc. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

In case the number of qualified candidates is less than the number required to be voted upon, the ELECOM shall prescribe the procedures to complete the required number of qualified candidates. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

An incumbent officer or member of the Board during an election year who has incurred more than fifty percent (50%) absence (without valid reason/s) during his/her term shall be disqualified from filing a CoC for his re-election. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

Incumbent Chapter Officers are not qualified to file CoC for the National Board. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 4 – Any Regular Member, Life Member or Fellow of good standing per Article V Section 11 and with at least two (2) years registration as Sanitary Engineer immediately prior to the day of the election may file a CoC subject to qualification mentioned in the immediately preceding Section 3. The PRC ID of any candidate must be valid on election day. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

The Immediate Past President being ex-officio member of the Board of Directors shall not be elected

SECTION 5 – Not less than ten (10) days before the holding of elections, anyone who filed a CoC shall be notified by the Election Committee (ELECOM) on the action taken on his CoC. In case of disqualification, the reason of such disqualification shall be so stated in the notice. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

The CoC form shall at least contain a provision that specifies that, if elected, he/she shall be deemed resigned if he/she has incurred four (4) consecutive absences in regular meetings of the Board without valid reason/s. (as amended on 25 May 2017).

SECTION 6– Only Regular, Life member and Fellow who are registered delegates during the convention where the election is a part shall have the right to vote upon presentation of a valid SE PRC ID. Those who are disqualified under Article V, Section 6 shall not engage in electioneering. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 7 – The Election Committee (ELECOM) shall consist of a Chairperson and two (2) Members to be appointed by the Board of Directors from among the College of Fellows. The ELECOM shall be responsible for the screening of candidates, notification of qualified candidates, and conduct of the elections. Its decision shall be final and any member thereof shall be disqualified from being a candidate and shall not engage in electioneering. After the canvassing of the votes cast, the ELECOM shall sign the tally sheet indicating the ranking of the candidates. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 8 – Immediately after the election of the required number of Directors, the ELECOM will proclaim their election.

SECTION 9 – The Directors elected shall assume their duties on the first day of January.

SECTION 10 – Without further notice, the elected Directors as proclaimed by the ELECOM shall elect from among themselves the President, as the case may be, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor and Media Relations Officer as prescribed in Section 1 of this Article, at the same venue where the election meeting was held, all of whose terms of office as such shall likewise start on the first day of January of the ensuing year. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

ARTICLE VII – MANAGEMENT

SECTION 1 – The governing body of the Society shall be vested on a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall manage all the affairs of the Society in conformity with the provisions of these By-Laws.

An Executive Committee (EXECOM) shall be constituted to be composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the Immediate Past President. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 2 – Powers. The Board of Directors shall have control and supervision over the business or affairs of the Society and shall have such powers and authorities as herein provided by these By-Laws or as expressly conferred upon it by statutes of the Philippines. Without prejudice to the general powers herein above conferred, the Board of Directors shall have the following expressed powers:

a. To make and change rules and regulations provided these are not inconsistent with these Constitution and By-Laws or the policies of the Society.
b. Appoint or designate personnel as it may deem fit or necessary for carrying out the business and affairs of the Society as well as define their duties, responsibilities and compensation.
c. Plan, organize, direct, coordinate and control the annual activities of the Society.
d. Approve (or) ratify expenditures or proposed expenses by the officers or any member of the Board.
e. Decide on disciplinary actions to be bestowed on members as provided for in Article IV Section 4.
f. Accept sponsorship funds and donations from members and non-members as provided for in Article 5, Section 8.
g. On the other hand, the EXECOM may take any action within the competence of the Board of Directors, except:

1. Filling of Vacancies or election of officers of the Board
2. Amendment or repeal of by-laws or adoption of new by-laws
3. Amendment or repeal of any Board of Director’s resolution

SECTION 3 – Compensation. Officers and Directors shall not receive any compensation for their services as Officers and Directors of the Society. The Board shall define the compensation of personnel hired by the Society in carrying out its business and affairs.

SECTION 4 – Sickness, Absence or Disability. In case of sickness, absence or disability of any of the Officers, the Board may delegate and entrust the powers, duties and functions of the sick or absent or disabled officer to any member of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5 – Resignation. Any of the officer(s) of the Society may resign at any time. Upon his/her resignation, it shall be his/her duty to give an accounting of his duties, responsibilities and functions to the Board of Directors which is authorized to accept by resolution the resignation of any elected officer during his term and the result of vacancy may be filled by the Board as provided in Section 9 of this Article.

Any Officer or member of the Board who has incurred absences of four (4) consecutive Regular Board Meetings in a year without valid reason/s shall be deemed resigned. This provision shall be contained in the Certificate of Candidacy that he/she has to sign during election. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 6 – Vacancy. In the event of a vacancy in any office other than that of the President (who will be automatically replaced by the Vice President), the Board of Directors shall appoint a Director to fill the unexpired term.

The filling of vacancy shall come from the list of candidates in the immediately preceding election who did not garner enough votes to be proclaimed as winner. The selection shall be in accordance with the rank of votes.

In case the list of candidates in the immediately preceding election have been exhausted, filling up of vacancy shall be by appointment as agreed upon by at least three-fourth (3/4) of the remaining members of the Board of Directors provided however that the nominee shall possess all of the qualifications and none of the disqualifications as contained in this by-laws. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 7 – Duties of the President: He/she shall:

a. Be the Chief Executive of the Society.
b. Preside over all meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors.
c. Implement the decisions and resolution of the Board of Directors and of the will of the members of the Society and shall have general supervision over all the affairs of the Society.
d. Sign all negotiable instruments, checks, notes, contracts and other papers of the Society.
e. Perform all the duties and functions inherent in the office of the President and such others as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the Board of Directors.
f. Constitute special committees which he may find necessary to carry out any function or objective of the Society.
g. Submit a report of the operations and activities of the Society to members at each annual election meeting.

SECTION 8 – Duties of the Vice-President:

a. In case of death, absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall assume and discharge all the duties and functions of the President.
b. He/she shall perform such other duties as the President and/or the Board may assign.

SECTION 9 – Duties of the Secretary: He/she shall

a. Properly keep and file record of the minutes of the meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors and of the members of the Society and all other papers pertinent to the members and the Society.
b. Keep a complete roster and directory of members, a file of activities, awards and guests of the Society.
c. Send to all members in good standing, reports, publications, newsletters, etc. as directed by the Board.
d. Be the custodian of the Society’s seal.
e. Attest all membership certificates and all formal contracts executed by the Society or by the Board.
f. Render a report of his/her office at the annual election meeting.
g. Attend to all the correspondence of the Society.
h. Prepare the agenda for all the meetings of the Society or the Board of Directors.
i. Send out proper notices, either oral or written of the meeting of the Society or the Board of Directors to members thereof.

SECTION 10 – Duties of the Treasurer. He/she shall:

a. Be responsible for the collection of all fees, dues and such other funds as are due to the Society.
b. Have the custody of all funds and properties of the Society.
c. Keep true, proper and accurate accounts of funds, properly assets and liabilities of the Society, and have such accounts open to examination at all reasonable hours by any member.
d. Deposit the funds of the Society in such bank or banks as may be designated by the Board of Directors in the name of the Society.
e. Render reports (of) the financial status of the Society at every election meeting and perform such other duties as the Board may order.

SECTION 11 – Duties of the Auditor. He/she shall:

a. Audit at the end of each year, or from time to time as may be warranted, the funds of the Society.
b. Submit reports of the Audit to the Board of Directors.
c. Countersign the financial report of the Treasurer on the financial status of the Society at every election meeting and perform such other duties as the Board may order.

SECTION 12 – Duties of the Media Relations Officer. He/she shall:

a. Render publicity of all undertakings of the Society after proper consultation and approval of the Board of Directors.
b. Represent the Society at press conferences if such need arises.
c. Act as the spokesperson of the Society.

SECTION 13 – Committees. To carry out the objectives of the Society, the following committees shall be created to be headed by any member of the Board:

a. Membership and Awards Committee shall review the following and make recommendations for: all applications for membership as well as the conferment of the SPECIALIST title to qualified and eligible members; endorsement of nominees for the level of Fellow; endorsement for the Outstanding Sanitary Engineer of the Year; and the nomination of candidates for the PRB- SE.
b. Legal Affairs Committee shall be in-charge of dealing with the issues related to the By-Laws of the Society and the Sanitary Engineering Act and any other law, either existing, proposed or for amendment that may affect the practice of Sanitary Engineering.
c. Ethics Committee shall be in charge of implementing the pertinent provisions of this By-laws pertaining to the disciplining its members as contained herein, including any officer or member. The Ethics Committee shall have the same composition as that of the EXECOM.
d. Professional Practice and Specialization Committee shall be in-charge of developing and updating the professional practice manual, developing programs of SE/EnSE specialization and in monitoring SE/EnSE professional practice issues for action of the Board.
e. Sports and Fellowship Committee shall be in-charge of conducting sports activities and other fellowship activities of the Society.
f. International Affairs Committee shall be responsible for coordinating SE/EnSE activities with international organizations and in forging agreements with international associations for furthering the objectives of the Society.
g. Training and Conventions Committee shall be in-charge of organizing annual and mid-year conventions and the conduct of training for the enhancement of SE/EnSE skills or any other training as may be requested by any individual, institution or group who may have interest in SE/EnSE works.
h. And any other committees that the Board may deem necessary to pursue the objectives of the society.

SECTION 14 – Coordination with Sector Agencies. The Society shall designate Members of the Board who shall coordinate with sector agencies on SE/EnSE works, such as, but not limited to:

a. Department of Health
b. Department of Public Works and Highways
c. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its attached agencies (e.g. LWUA, PRRC)
d. Department of Interior and Local Government
e. Department of Trade and Industry
f. Department of Education and other academic institutions

g. National Economic Development Authority

h. National Water Resources Board

i. National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Commission and Climate Change Commission

j. Philippine Red Cross

k. Professional Regulation Commission

l. Laguna Lake Development Authority

m. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and its concessionaires

n. International agencies and other NGOs

o. Other agencies that maybe identified for coordination purposes

SECTION 15 – College of Fellows (as amended on 25 May 2017)

a. Admission. Section 6, Article III of this By-laws prescribes the requirements for the admission to the level of Fellow. All life members accepted to the level of FELLOW shall belong to the College of Fellows. Acceptance to the level of FELLOW shall be subject to the concurrence of at least three-fourth (3/4) of those present during the deliberation. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
b. Functions. Collectively, advise and support PSSE BOD on critical issues relevant to PSSE by-laws, SE law, PSSE Code of Ethics and conflicts on professional practice with other allied professions. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
i. Pursuant to Article VI, Section 7, any Fellow may be appointed by the PSSE National Board of Directors to become member of the PSSE Election Committee. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
ii. Review the evaluations of nominees done by the Membership and Awards Committee for the Outstanding Sanitary Engineer Award and the Don Emilio L. Ejercito Sr (DELES)for subsequent confirmation of the PSSE National Board. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
iii. If requested by the Board, represent PSSE in ACPER, APEC, and ASEAN register for the interview of applicants. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
iv. Collectively deliberate and approve the elevation to the Level of Fellow the nominated candidate in accordance with the provisions set-forth in this by-laws. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
c. Officers the following are the officers of the College of Fellows with their corresponding principal roles. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
i. Chancellor – Chair CoF meetings (as amended on 25 May 2017)
ii. Vice – Act as Chair in the absence of the Chancellor (as amended on 25 May 2017)
iii. Bursar – Act as Treasurer (as amended on 25 May 2017)
iv. Scribe – Act as Secretary (as amended on 25 May 2017)
v. Herald – Act as Public Relations Officer (as amended on 25 May 2017)
d. Election of Officers. The election of officers shall be by secret balloting or viva voce among the members of the College of Fellows called for the purpose. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
e. Term of Office. The term of office of the officers of the College of Fellows shall be for a period of two years. The incumbent officers upon the ratification of the 2017 amendments shall hold office until 31 December 2019, therefore, the regular election of the CoF shall be in 2019 and will be held every two years thereafter. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
f. Conduct of election. Elections shall be held not later than the Annual National Convention nor earlier than a month from such. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
g. Rules and regulations. The College of Fellows shall promulgate its own rules and regulation pursuant to Section 3 Article I. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
h. Role of PSSE National Board of Directors in the College of Fellows. The PSSE National Board of Directors shall provide secretariat and logistical support to the activities of the CoF. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
As required by the pertinent provision of this by-laws, ratify, confirm and/or approve any action of the College of Fellows. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

i. Funds. The funds for the operation of the activities of the College of Fellows shall ordinarily be sourced from the PSSE funds. However, the College of Fellows may raise its own funds as may be deemed appropriate and decided upon by the College collectively. (2017)

j. Meetings. Regular meetings of the College of Fellows shall be held at least twice a year, at least thirty days prior to the holding of the holding of the Midyear and the National Conventions, or as requested by the PSSE Board. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

SECTION 1 – Official Meetings of the Society:

a. Election Meeting – The Election Meeting of the members of the Society shall be held within the third Thursday of November of each year, at the Principal Office or in any convenient place designated by the Board. Should there be no quorum, a second call by mail or publication in a newspaper of general circulation at least ten (10) days on or before the Second Friday of December shall be issued by the Secretary informing all the members of the lack of quorum and notifying them that at the next meeting any number of members present would constitute a quorum.
b. Special Meetings – Special Meeting of the Society may be held from time to time upon the call of the President. Special Meetings can also be called by the Secretary upon the request in writing of at least ten (10) regular members in good standing and such request shall state the purpose of the meeting. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
c. Notice of Meetings: In any meeting, except Election Meetings, notice, either oral or written shall be required. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
d. Place of Meetings. All meetings, except Election Meetings shall be held at the principal office of the Society or at any convenient place designated by the Board of Directors. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
e. Quorum. In all duly announced meetings of the Society, a quorum of 30 members is required for the transaction of any business except in Election Meeting or in a meeting for amendments of the By -Laws or in other cases in which the presence of greater number of members shall be required to constitute a quorum. (as amended on 25 May 2017)
f. Minutes. Minutes of all meetings of the Society shall be kept and carefully preserved as a record of business transacted at such meetings. (as amended on 25 May 2017)

SECTION 2 – Official Meetings of the Board of Directors of the Society:

a. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting once a month at the office of the Society or at such particular place as the Board may designate. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or on the written request of at least three (3) Directors, with at least two (2) days’ notice to each Director, either personally or in writing or thru email/text message.
b. Quorum. A majority of the Directors shall be necessary at all Board Meetings to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
However, in the event that a quorum is not mustered in any scheduled regular meeting or special meeting of the Board, the EXECOM will convene and discuss/decide upon the business for the day.
c. Minutes. Minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors shall be kept and carefully preserved as a record of business transacted at such meetings.

ARTICLE IX – STUDENT CHAPTERS

SECTION 1 – Student Chapters of the Society may be organized at engineering schools offering either BSSE or BSEnSE.

SECTION 2 – The objectives of Student Chapter shall be consistent with and to further the objectives of the Society; to encourage either BSSE or BSEnSE students to work together in fellowship dedicated to science and technology; to enhance and improve sanitary and environmental engineering standards, curricula and facilities in schools, to provide encouragement, guidance and leadership to sanitary and environmental students.

SECTION 3 – Request for the approval of Students Chapters shall be submitted to the Board of Directors with evidence to indicate that the following requirements have been met:

(a) A minimum of five (5) Student Members enrolled in the school who will form the Chapter.

(b) The faculty of the school who is willing to serve as adviser is a regular member of the Society.

(c) Approval and endorsement of the application by the Head of the Sanitary Engineering or Environmental and Sanitary Engineering Department.

SECTION 4 – Each Student Chapter may establish its own By-Laws but these must in no way run in conflict with the By-Laws of the Society and must therefore be approved by the Board of Directors of the Society. However, no student chapter is allowed to be incorporated.

SECTION 5 – The name of a Student Chapter shall include the name of the engineering school in which the particular Chapter is situated and shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors of the Society.

SECTION 6 – A Student Chapter shall never be authorized to speak for the Society. Violation of this rule shall constitute sufficient cause for the termination recognition of the Chapter with the Society.

SECTION 7 – Each Student Chapter shall submit an annual report to the Secretary of the Society, which shall include the names of members, meeting held during the year, and other pertinent data.

SECTION 8 – All members of the Student Chapter shall be Student Members of the Society. The annual dues of each Student Chapter shall also be fixed by the Board of Directors. Payment of such dues shall entitle the Chapter to certain benefits as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 9 – Student Chapters Committee shall promote the creation of student chapters and coordinate and monitor the activities of existing student chapters of the Society.

ARTICLE X – REGULAR CHAPTERS

SECTION 1 – Sub-national areas (e,g, cluster of regions, cluster of islands, specific regions, provinces and international areas) may create their chapters to carry out the objectives of the Society subject to the approval of the Board of Directors (2017)

SECTION 2 – Requirements for the creation of regular chapters are as follows:

a. At least 5 regular members
b. With at least a set of officers
The rules governing the elections shall be conducted in the same manner as the election of the National Board of Directors, except that the regular election can be held not later than thirty (30) days before the Annual National Convention. However, the interim set of officers upon creation of the chapter can be elected anytime and shall hold office until the regular election shall be held within two years after these interim board have been in office (2017)
All Chapter Elections shall be under the supervision of the Regular Chapters Committee, hence the filing of CoC as prescribed above shall be submitted to the said Committee. (2017)
c. An Office address
d. Plan of activities for at least a year

SECTION 3 – Upon completion of the requirements, the regular chapter shall apply for its creation to the PSSE-National and shall be approved by the Board of Directors through a resolution if all the requirements are complied with.

SECTION 4 – A Chapter Fee may be fixed by the Board of Directors which shall be paid to the Society.

SECTION 5 – Regular chapters shall be governed by the By-laws of the PSSE-National.

SECTION 6 – The PSSE-National shall provide a seed fund to be decided by the Board of Directors to assist regular chapters on their initial operations.

SECTION 7 – No chapters shall be allowed to incorporate.

SECTION 8 – Regular Chapters Committee shall organize activities in the area, solicit funds for the activities, promote the formation of sub-national chapters and promote the BSSE/BSEnSE course in engineering schools in the sub-national areas.

ARTICLE XI – LOGO, BANNER and SEAL

SECTION 1 – Form of Logo, Banner and Seal. The corporate logo, banner and seal of the Society shall be adopted or revised after a thorough study of a Committee appointed for the purpose and finally approved by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2 – The logo, banner and seal of the Society may be changed, altered or revised as needed.

ARTICLE XII – PUBLICATIONS

SECTION 1 –The Society shall come up with an official newsletter as a medium of announcement, advertisement, and promotion of the Society’s activities.

SECTION 2 – The Society shall create an official website or a social network page as a form of electronic medium for promoting the activities of the Society and as a means for connecting with all the members.

ARTICLE XII – AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 – Proposal to amend these By-Laws shall be considered by the Board of Directors upon the written petition signed by at least twelve (12) Regular Members, and upon the recommendation of the Committee created by the Board of Directors for the purpose. An affirmative vote of majority of the Board of Directors shall make the proposed amendments ready for ratification by the members.

SECTION 2 – Proposed amendments to these By-Laws shall be distributed to all the members by mail or other means at least one (1) month before the General Assembly will be held during the National Convention.

SECTION 3 – Affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members in good standing present in the General Assembly, where a quorum exists, and majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall be necessary for the ratification and effectivity of the proposed amendments to these By-Laws.