Advisor Information
Attention S.E.A Advisors!!! Do you and your SEA Members have any great ideas for SEA Challenges_ We would love to hear from you! Got a thought-provoking challenge, brain-teaser, invention competition, or just a crazy idea! We are particularly interested in projects, challenges, games, etc using "Rube Goldberg" themes or ideas.
The Bylaws
Believing that outstanding student effort and achievement should be rewarded and encouraged, and seeking to cultivate the understanding and use of technology as well as the ideals of scholastic excellence, service and leadership, the governing officers of the Silver Eagles of America have established this non-profit, educational honor society for the promotion of these ideals.
Purposes
The purposes of this organization shall be:
(1) to reward student excellence in technology and academic studies,
(2) to encourage higher achievement in math, science, language, and communication,
(3) to recognize and honor contributions made by business and industry to the advancement of technology education and the success of local school programs,
(4) to promote the development of workplace values - honesty, responsibility, initiative, teamwork, leadership, and citizenship,
(5) to create an interest in emerging careers and promote occupations where opportunities exist, and
(6) to champion a strong, positive image for technology education in America.
SECTION 1. The Silver Eagles of America organization shall be governed by its National Board of Directors and shall be advised by the State Coordinating Councils.
SECTION 2. The SEA National Board of Directors shall be made up of persons from education, commerce, business and industry, and who are fully committed to the purposes of SEA. The Executive Director shall serve as an ex-officio member of the National Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. The SEA National Board of Directors shall be elected to a four-year term, and one fourth of the Board membership shall rotate off the Board each year. Any former Board member may be eligible to return to the Board after one year’s absence from the Board if re-elected.
SECTION 4. The SEA National Board of Directors shall meet at least once a year at such time and place as shall have been fixed at the preceding meeting of the Board or as called by the Executive Officers of the Board.
SECTION 5. It shall be the duty of the SEA National Board of Directors to adopt all general membership and fiscal policies, to approve the annual proposed budget, to review the organization’s annual financial status, to assist in the development and expansion of the organization, and to review the progress of the organization.
SECTION 6. The SEA National Board of Directors shall set up such organizational committees as shall be necessary for the proper supervision and direction of the affairs of the organization.
SECTION 1. The Executive Committee may act on behalf of the SEA National Board of Directors between meetings on all matters except those specifically reserved to the Board by these bylaws. The Executive Committee shall oversee the financial affairs of the organization and shall report its actions to the SEA National Board of Directors on a regular and on-going basis.
SECTION 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Board President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Treasurer and the Executive Director.
SECTION 3. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum at any duly called meeting of the Committee. The Board President shall call such meetings as the business of the organization may require.
SECTION 4. Any vacancy occurring on the Executive Committee shall be filled by appointment to the committee by the Board President. This appointment shall be temporary and shall be filled by an active member of the SEA National Board who has served for two or more years. Any temporary appointment to the Executive Committee must be ratified or another Board Member appointed to this position by the SEA National Board of Directors at its next regular meeting.
SECTION 1. The SEA National Board of Directors shall employ an Executive Director whose terms and conditions of employment shall be specified by the Board. The Executive Director shall manage and direct the affairs of the organization subject to the policies of the Board and the Executive Committee.
SECTION 1. The State Coordinating Councils shall be made up of individuals who are committed to the furtherance of the purposes of the Silver Eagles of America and support its policies and bylaws. These persons may be educators, business, industry or service professionals who have demonstrated a sincere concern for the advancement of technology education programs and support student achievement in their local schools.
One-half of the members of the State Coordinating Council shall be persons actively serving as SEA Advisors to a local SEA Chapter. The tenure for the members of the State Coordinating Council shall be determined by the Council and members shall elect their own officers and describe their terms and responsibilities.
SECTION 2. The purpose of the State Coordinating Council shall be to work in harmony with the SEA National Board of Directors and its officers to provide the best resources and services to the SEA Members within the state. The Council shall work with the National Office to plan and carry out programs, conferences, meetings and activities which will be in the best interest of the state’s SEA Membership and its member schools. The State Coordinating Council shall meet at least once a year.
SECTION 1. Any accredited school which offers programs of study that advance the use of technology and its role in our emerging workforce is eligible for a charter issued by Silver Eagles of America so long as the school’s administration agrees to comply with and support the requirements set forth in the SEA Bylaws and its stated purposes.
SECTION 2. An official SEA Charter shall be issued to each school qualifying for affiliation with the organization. The SEA Charter shall carry the official seal of the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society, be signed by the SEA National Board President and the National Executive Director and shall authorize the school to elect SEA Team Members, SEA Ring of Honor Members, and Honorary SEA Business and Industry Members into the local SEA Chapter.
SECTION 3. The school’s SEA Chapter shall be under the direct jurisdiction and supervision of the local school administration, its designees, and its elected officers except as to matters pertaining to SEA Board policy or provisions contained within the bylaws of the organization. The local SEA Chapter Advisor and the membership shall take under advisement matters relating to local chapter organization, operation, service projects and activities.
SECTION 4. The SEA Chapter shall, at all times, agree to promote the ideals, purposes and objectives of the organization and strive to maintain an active and growing membership.
SECTION 1. SEA STUDENT MEMBERSHIP; Silver Eagles of America Team Members may be enrolled in any technology related program(s) at the middle school, junior high, or high school level.
Each Silver Eagles of America Team Member shall be eligible to participate in all, officially sponsored SEA events and challenges and be issued an official membership card window decal, and School and Career Planning Guide by Career Communications, Inc. (Click here to download SEA Team Member application form.)
SECTION 2. SEA STUDENT RING of HONOR: Candidates for Silver Eagles of America Ring of Honor should be students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement, skills in technology, leadership, honesty, initiative, responsibility, teamwork, and citizenship. All candidates must be approved by the local school administration and are required to meet local and national membership standards. (Click here to download the Candidate Nomination form, and SEA Ring of Honor Membership roster.)
The minimum grade point average for SEA Ring of Honor membership is a 3.0 overall average on a 4.0 scale. Local schools may establish and maintain additional membership standards so long as these are in compliance with SEA Bylaws and are not discriminatory.
Each member in the Silver Eagles of America Ring of Honor shall receive the official SEA Honors Certificate which shall bear the name and insignia of the organization and which shall be signed by the president of the National Board of Directors, the National Executive Director, the local SEA Chapter Advisor, and the administrative head of the school. The member shall also receive the official SEA "Silver Wings" pin, and his/her name permanently housed in the SEA Hall of Fame housed on the SEA Web site.
After the SEA Ring of Honor candidates have been nominated and duly elected into membership, and following the presentation of certificates and pins, they shall subscribe to, or consent to abide by the following SEA Ring of Honor Pledge of Membership:
“ As a member of Silver Eagles of America Ring of Honor, I pledge to maintain high standards of personal conduct at all times. I will devote myself to building a record of scholastic achievement, and I will strive for excellence in all htmlects of my education.
I will invest my talents, my skills and my knowledge in the development of my career and strive to uphold my obligations as a citizen of my community and my country.”
The local chapter is encouraged to implement an induction program for the new SEA Ring of Honor Membership. The nature of the induction ceremony shall be determined by the local faculty and administration and conducted in order to bring maximum recognition to the school’s outstanding students and to the honorary, SEA Business & Industry team Members. The SEA membership induction should contain: (1) the statement of the purposes of Silver Eagles of America, (2) the presentation of the membership certificates, pins, etc., and (3) the administration of the SEA Ring of Honor Pledge of Membership. (Assistance and suggestions for membership induction programs are available from the national office.)
SECTION 3. SEA BUSINESS & INDUSTRY TEAM MEMBERSHIP: Honorary SEA Membership is strongly encouraged and may be awarded by the local SEA Chapter to persons or businesses making significant contributions to the school and/or the local SEA Chapter. The purpose of Honorary SEA Membership is to recognize, honor, and thank these important benefactors for their service and support to the school and its students. Honorary SEA Membership is a valuable education-business partnership tool. (Click here for Business/Industry Team Application Form.)
SECTION 4. At no time shall membership in Silver Eagles of America make it incumbent upon a member to alter his/her religious, social, ethnic, or political ideals, beliefs or affiliations. Membership selection shall be made, at all times, without regard to age, race, handicapping condition, creed, national origin, or sex of the individual SEA candidate. Additionally, any special local membership requirements shall, if established, be in agreement with the standards and objectives of this organization and its bylaws.
SECTION 5. Silver Eagles of America is a merit organization; therefore, any member(s) who fails to maintain the required record of achievement or whose conduct is unbecoming to the organization and its stated purposes, may be placed on probationary status for a specified period of time by the advisor and the administrative head of the school. Should a member be placed on probation, it should be clearly explained to the member why this action was necessary and under what conditions he/she may be returned to the membership. Such action shall be in accordance with these bylaws and not discriminatory.
Furthermore, any member who fails to maintain the required record of achievement or whose conduct is unbecoming to the organization and its stated purposes may be removed from membership for cause by the administrative head of the school. The member should be advised by the administration why removal from membership was necessary. The SEA Advisor shall immediately notify the National Office in writing concerning this action. Such action to remove membership privileges shall not be discriminatory.
A member may be reinstated into membership with no additional fee, provided he/she achieved a satisfactory record of performance as determined by the administrative head of the school. Any such action must be reported to the National Office in writing.
SECTION 1. The officers of the local SEA Chapter shall be: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. These officers shall be elected by the membership of the local chapter. The local chapter secretary shall report the names and titles of the officers to the National Office following their election. Should officer vacancies occur, the chapter shall elect replacement officers according to its own bylaws and notify the National Office.
SECTION 1. The president of the local chapter shall cooperate with the SEA Chapter Advisor, the administrative head of the institution, and the chapter’s executive committee to manage the affairs of the local chapter, determine policy and conduct the general activities of the chapter. The president will preside at all meetings, appoint committees and shall represent the chapter at official organization gatherings.
SECTION 2. The vice-president serves in the president’s absence, acts as general assistant to the chapter president, and chair of the executive committee.
SECTION 3. The chapter secretary keeps all chapter records, minutes and conducts correspondence for the local chapter. (The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined at the pleasure of the local chapter.)
SECTION 4. The treasurer has general charge of the chapter’s finances under the supervision of the chapter advisor and school administration. All financial transactions must comply with local school policy. (The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined at the pleasure of the local chapter.)
SECTION 1. The following standing committees should be in place as appointed by the chapter president, and approved by the local advisor.
A. The executive committee shall consist of the chapter’s elected officers and the chapter advisor. The purpose of this committee is to help the president in the general management of the local SEA Chapter.
B. The program committee shall plan and supervise chapter programs and activities under the guidance of the chapter advisor.
SECTION 1. The work and activities of the local chapter are carried out under the supervision and guidance of the SEA Chapter Advisor. The chapter advisor must be approved by the local school administration. The advisor should be a person who is committed to the furtherance of the purposes of Silver Eagles of America and who supports its bylaws and policies.
SECTION 2. The advisor is responsible for the regular supervision of the chapter and act as liaison between the members, parents and family, faculty, administration, and the business/industry community.
SECTION 3. The advisor maintains the local membership records, the chapter history and other information concerning local chapter activities.
SECTION 4. The advisor supervises the chapter’s financial transactions and assists the chapter officers and members in carrying out their duties and assignments.
SECTION 5. The advisor is responsible for on-going communications between the local chapter and the SEA National Office. All correspondence between the National Office and the local chapter will be directed through the SEA Chapter Advisor.
SECTION 1. Each local chapter shall have regular meetings during the school year on days designated by the advisor and the executive committee in accordance with school policy.
SECTION 2. Special called meetings and activities must be approved by the advisor and school administration and properly supervised.
SECTION 3. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, has been accepted and is recommended by the National Board of Directors as the standard for matters of procedure for local, state and national activities of Silver Eagles of America.
SECTION 1. Bylaws for the local chapter may be adopted to help regulate and govern the local chapter provided these bylaws are within the scope, purposes, and bylaws of Silver Eagles of America.
SECTION 1. Any chapter failing to carry out the provisions of the bylaws of Silver Eagles of America or whose members shall conduct themselves in such a way as to bring harm to or impede the progress and purposes of the organization shall be required to forfeit its charter. The local school administration will be informed in writing by the National Executive Director should this action be necessary.
SECTION 2. The school administration may voluntarily forfeit its charter. Written confirmation of this action by the administrative head of the school is required.
SECTION 1. Conventions, meetings, conferences and workshops for Silver Eagle of America members, advisors, and/or member schools will be held at such time and place as determined necessary and appropriate by the SEA Executive Committee. Any such meeting or official gathering shall be conducted under the supervision of the Executive Director with the assistance and support of the State SEA Coordinating Council.
SECTION 1. The membership fee for SEA Team Members, SEA Ring of Honor Members, and SEA Business & Industry Members will be set by the SEA National Board of Directors. Membership fees are payable prior to installation into the local chapter.
SECTION 2. A transfer of membership from one chapter to another chapter may be made without additional fees to the national Office. The chapter advisor should submit a copy of the transferring member’s SEA membership certificate to the National Office for verification.
SECTION 1. The official emblem of the organization to be used on all charters, certificates, membership cards, documents, and stationery shall be a silver eagle with outstretched wings upon which the name Silver Eagles is inscribed in purple.
SECTION 2. The colors of Silver Eagles of America are silver, white and royal purple.
SECTION 3. The official
motto of Silver Eagles of America shall be:
“Soaring to the Future
Through Technology.”
SECTION 1. The Bylaws of Silver Eagles of America may be amended or altered by the National Board of Directors at any of its regular or called meetings by a two-third majority vote.
SECTION 1. Silver Eagles of America shall, upon dissolution of said corporation, distribute its assets for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall distribute its assets to the federal government for a public purpose.
Revised January, 2001
