The Women in Higher Education in Tennessee (hereafter known as “WHET”) mission is to identify, develop, and provide leadership opportunities for all women in higher education in Tennessee.  We support the advancement of women in achieving their personal and professional potential.  WHET participates in a number of annual activities, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

• Annual Conference;
• Professional Development;
• Support women as they aspire for leadership roles in Higher Education.

WHET was formed to allow women to network, share information, and provide an opportunity for involvement in activities that would enhance professional growth.

Section 1.  Membership shall consist of administrators, faculty, staff, and graduate students in higher education in Tennessee, together with those supportive of women in higher education in Tennessee.  Membership in WHET is on a voluntary basis.

Section 2.  The annual membership period shall be from October to September.

Section 3.  The Executive Board shall set annual dues, student discounts, and conference fees.

Section 4.  Annual budget must be approved by a majority of the Executive Board.  Any additions must be approved by a majority of the Executive Board.

Section 5.  Should WHET dissolve, all assets will be divided equally between the following charities:  Tennessee Chapter of AAUW and Athena Scholarship of the Nashville Chapter.

Section 6.  Each board officer shall contribute at least $20 annually to the courtesy fund.

Section 1.  Officers—Officers shall include a President, 1^st Vice President, 2^nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, Graduate Student Representative, and three Regional Representatives.

Section 2.  Composition of the Executive Board—The Executive Board shall be composed of the Officers, the Past President, and ex-officio members as appropriate.

Section 3.  Representation on the Executive Board—The Executive Board shall be diverse with the intent to include women administrators, faculty, staff, and graduate students from public and private accredited institutions, including state universities, community colleges, and technical institutes:  The University of Tennessee institutions; the University of Tennessee system office; the Tennessee Higher Education Commission; and the private colleges that belong to the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association.  To the extent possible, each of the geographic divisions of the state shall be represented.

Section 4.  Duties of the Officers—the President is expected to convene the Executive Board regularly, chair the annual meeting, set the annual calendar, facilitate the activities of the organization, coordinate strategic planning, and notify the National Director of ACE/OWHE of Tennessee’s ACE State Chair recommendation.  The President will develop and maintain relationships with college and university presidents.  The President will have at least 3 prior years’ experience on the Executive Board.

Section 5.  Appointments to the Executive Board—Appointments to the Executive Board shall include, but are not limited to:  ACE State Chair, Historian, Communications Coordinator, and Assistant Communications Coordinator, and Photographers.  The term of each of these appointments is at the discretion of the current President.

Section 6.  Nominating Committee—The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three Executive Board members.  It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for offices to be filled at the annual conference.  Nominations will ensure continuity on the Board, so that there is a balance between new and continuing officers.  It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to report the proposed slate of officers to the Executive Board in sufficient time to communicate with the membership as described in Section 8.

Section 7.  Terms of Office—All elected officers shall serve for a term of two years, with the term of office beginning at the close of the annual meeting.  No Executive Board member shall hold more than one office at a time.  Membership on the Executive Board should be limited to three consecutive terms in a particular position.  If an office is vacated before a term expires, the President, with the approval of the Executive Board, may make an appointment to fill the office until the next general election for the duration of the unexpired term.

Section 8.  Election of Officers—Officers shall be elected by a simple majority of the membership attending the annual meeting.  If there are two or more nominees for any office, the election will be conducted by paper ballot facilitated by the Nominating Committee.

Section 9.  Institutional Representatives—Institutional Representatives (IRs) are appointed by the president/Chancellor/Chief Executive Officer of their institution.  The IR serves as a liaison between the women at their institution and the WHET Executive Board.

Section 10.  Removal—An Executive Board member may be removed for unprofessional and/or unethical conduct by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board, but there must be a quorum present.  The President will notify the Board member in writing (by Certified Mail) no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Board meeting at which the Board member will be voted on to be removed.

Section 1.  Regular—The Executive Board shall meet monthly or as needed.  The meeting calendar for the year shall be set at the first meeting following the annual conference.  All Executive Board members are highly encouraged to communicate with other members and to attend monthly meetings.  Any Executive Board member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings, without prior notification to the President, may be asked to resign their position.

Section 2.  Annual—The annual meeting of the membership will coincide with the annual conference.

Section 3.  Special—The President may convene a special called meeting of the Executive Board by issuing a notice and agenda at least five working days in advance.

Section 4.  Majority Vote—All motions have to be passed by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board Members present at the time the vote is taken.  A quorum is defined as two-thirds of the Executive Board.  In the case of a tie, the chair of the meeting will serve as the tiebreaker.

The Executive Board will form and maintain standing committees and other committees as needed to facilitate local and national initiatives.  Committees will be composed of at least one Board Member, and may include Institutional Representatives and general members.  Standing Committees shall include the Annual Conference Committee, Awards Committee, Membership Committee, and Nominating Committee.

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order Newly Revised shall govern in all cases.

These By-Laws may be amended at the annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of the membership present, provided that the amendment has been submitted to the membership at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting.  Review of the By-Laws by the Executive Board will occur annually in preparation for the annual meeting.