Tau Beta Pi Chapter FAQ - Reports

Chapter FAQ - Reporting

General

We can't submit the report on time, can we get an extension?

Extensions may be given for all reports except the Ratification Ballot. Call or email Headquarters BEFORE the report is due.

Online Reporting

How do I access the online reporting system?

Login here using your chapter's username and password. (www.tbp.org/TBPelig).

I don't remember my password how do I get a new one?

If your password has been destroyed due to too many failed attempts, e-mail or call Headquarters.

How do I submit an online report?

Login here using your chapter's username and password. (www.tbp.org/TBPelig).

What reports are submitted online?

A list is available here. Basically, all membership reports except Report of Eligibility for graduate students, alumni, and eminent engineers; officer related reports: Financial Report; and Chapter Survey.

How do I add graduate students, alumni, eminent engineers online?

You don't. The Report of Eligibility for graduate students, alumni, and eminent engineers must be submitted on paper due to the additional documentation required.

What are E-cards?

They are address and other information used when entering a new member into the Headquarters database.

Membership and Related Reports

I've just submitted a membership report and need to make a change, how do I do that?

If you have already clicked the submit key for the report, call or e-mail Headquarters and talk to Rebecca.

I don't have all the catalog cards, should I send what I have?

It depends on how long till your initiation. Call or e-mail Headquarters and ask Rebecca.

Our college of engineering added a new program, how do I find if it meets the criteria?

The criteria are outlined in Constitution Article VIII Section 2 (a). To qualify as an engineering curriculum, a program must either be EAC/ABET accredited at your school, EAC/ABET accredited at another school, or contain the word engineering as a noun. All other curricula must be appealed to the Convention. Click here for more information.

Our college of engineering has a program that does not meet the criteria, how do we appeal to add it?

Click here for information on how to appeal a curriculum.

How do we consider graduate students, alumni, eminent engineers?

Click here for information on the process.

A student missed our initiation ceremony, can they be initiated at another chapter?

Yes they can provided there is a chapter nearby which has not held its initiation yet. Call or e-mail Rebecca to see if there is a chapter nearby. It will be necessary for your chapter to send a member all along with the initiate. The initiate will sign your rollbook following the ceremony.

A student postponed from last semester was not on our list of eligible students, can we add them to our list?

That depends. If the chapter's Advisory Board approves the reason for the postponement, then yes you may. If the reason for the postponement was not approved, the student may NOT be added.

Our dean of engineering is not a member,how can we initiate him/her?

A dean of engineering is often a good eminent engineer candidate. Call or e-mail Rebecca for more information.

How can I find out which curricula are eligible for membership?

All curricula meeting the criteria listed above are eligible. Call or e-mail Headquarters if you have questions.

All Other Reports

Which reports are submitted on paper?

A list is available here. Basically all reports requiring additional documentation or a signature: Report of Eligibility or graduate students, alumni, and eminent engineers; Officer Signatures; Convention Credentials; Constitution Ratification Ballot; and Chapter Project Reports.

The deadline is tomorrow, should I send the report by Express Mail?

Not unless Rebecca has instructed you to. Report deadlines are by postmark. First class mail is sufficient.

The registrar will not release the list we need to prepare our Eligibility report, what do we do?

Many schools have adopted a conservative interpretation of the privacy laws. You could ask one of your Advisors to request the list. If the registrar will not release the list to your Advisor there still are options available to you. Call or e-mail Rebecca who can assist you.

We've just elected new officers, how do I report that that?

Log into the online system, click on other reports and officer related reports.

We've just changed an officer, how do I report that?

The same way you report newly elected officers.

We've just added/changed an Advisor, how do I report that?

Advisor information is changed/reported the same way as chapter officers.

What is an IRS form 990-N?

This is a report required by the IRS for those non--profits not required to submit a regular form 990. Chapters are required to submit this report each year within 5 1/2 months after the close of the fiscal year. Information about submitting the form and a link to the IRS website are available here. Failure to submit a 990-N for three consecutive years will result in the loss of the chapter's 501(c)(7) non-profit status.

What is an an EIN?

The. Employers Identification Number (EIN) is used by the IRS to keep track of companies much the way a Social Security number is used. Each chapter has its own number. You may find yours in the online system by clicking on the Other Reports button on the left then Chapter Information. A list of all chapter EIN numbers is available here.

Are chapters tax-exempt? Are contributions to a chapter tax deductible?

Yes they are. Chapters are covered under Section 501 (c) (7) of the IRS tax code. They are exempt from paying income tax, but contributions made to a chapter are NOT deductible for the contributor. Chapters are required to file an annual 990-N. Information about the 990-N may be found here.

I've submitted our Chapter Survey online, how do I submit Project Reports?

Project Reports are one of the paper reports. Templates in either.pdf or MS Word format are available here. Suggestions for completing Project Reports are available here.