The handbook.

Chapter handbook

• 1. Starting a chapter

  Every chapter begins with a local need and a committed student team. Submit a chapter application, identify a faculty, community, or professional mentor where possible, and agree on a first 90-day plan. A new chapter should be ready to host an introductory meeting, recruit members openly, and run one meaningful activity before representing itself as fully active.

• 2. Your five-person team

  Each chapter has a president, vice president, director of research, director of events, and social media manager. The president sets goals and represents the chapter; the vice president coordinates operations; research leads technical projects; events leads workshops and competitions; and communications documents the work and welcomes new members. Teams should share work, document decisions, and have a clear transition plan when leaders graduate or step down.

• 3. Events and workshops

  Plan events around a clear learning or community outcome. Publish the date, audience, location or meeting link, safety requirements, and accessibility information in advance. Use age-appropriate supervision, obtain any required venue approval, and avoid collecting sensitive personal information unless it is necessary. After every event, record attendance, feedback, photos only with permission, and what should improve next time.

• 4. Research and competitions

  Projects should be student-led, technically honest, and safe. Teams must credit collaborators, cite sources, protect participant privacy, and follow school, university, and competition rules. Research involving people, animals, hazardous materials, high voltage, drones, or regulated equipment must not begin without qualified adult oversight and the required approvals. Competition rules, judging criteria, and conflicts of interest should be shared before registration closes.

• 5. Communications

  Communications should be accurate, welcoming, and student-centered. Use official chapter accounts for public announcements, identify TIYES clearly, and obtain consent before publishing identifiable photos or personal stories. Do not make promises on behalf of TIYES, partners, or sponsors without approval. Questions, concerns, and partnership requests should be acknowledged promptly and escalated to the International Board when appropriate.

• 6. Records, funding, and continuity

  Keep a shared record of meeting notes, attendance, budgets, sponsor commitments, and leadership transitions. Chapter funds may only be used for approved educational and operating purposes; keep receipts and never mix organisational money with personal funds. At the end of each term, the outgoing team should hand over passwords, files, contacts, and a short status report to the next team.

Bylaws

The International Youth Engineering Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• Article I — Name

  The name of this organisation is The International Youth Engineering Society, referred to in these bylaws as TIYES.

• Article II — Purpose

  TIYES advances youth exposure to engineering through research, innovation, education, competition, and collaboration. Its programs are organised exclusively for charitable and educational purposes consistent with its nonprofit status.

• Article III — Membership

  Participation is open to students and supporters who uphold the mission, code of conduct, and applicable safeguarding rules. Membership or participation does not create ownership rights in TIYES property, funds, or intellectual property.

• Article IV — Officers and elections

  The International Board provides strategic direction and oversees cross-city programs. Its officers include two presidents—one junior and one senior—and directors for technology, research, competitions, development, education, events, and communications. Selection processes should be transparent, use published criteria, and include transitions that protect continuity and student leadership.

• Article V — Chapters

  Chapters operate locally under the TIYES mission and handbook. A chapter may not represent a school, university, sponsor, or partner without permission. The International Board may approve, pause, or retire a chapter when needed to protect students, uphold standards, or maintain an active leadership team.

• Article VI — Amendments

  Proposed amendments must be shared with the International Board before a decision. An amendment is adopted by a two-thirds vote of the seated International Board members, provided that it remains consistent with TIYES’s nonprofit purpose and governing law.

• Article VII — Conflicts, conduct, and removal

  Leaders must disclose conflicts of interest and step back from decisions where impartiality is compromised. Harassment, discrimination, misuse of funds, unsafe conduct, serious dishonesty, or repeated failure to meet leadership responsibilities may lead to removal after a fair review by disinterested board members.

• Article VIII — Finances and dissolution

  TIYES funds must be used only for its educational and charitable purposes. No part of its net earnings may benefit a private individual except for reasonable, approved expenses or compensation permitted by law. Upon dissolution, remaining assets must be distributed for one or more qualifying charitable or educational purposes.