Tau Beta Pi

The Engineering Honor Society

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Tau Beta Pi February 2026 Officer and Advisor eNotes

These eNotes contain important and up-to-date information and links to help you and your chapter as the academic year is underway. A summary is at the top of the page with links to more detailed information and references. If you have questions about the information provided, contact Headquarters at 865-546-4578 or by email.

CHAPTER OPERATIONS

ASSOCIATION NEWS & DEADLINES

Chapter Reporting System

We will be launching an updated Chapter Reporting System on February 15. While most of the core functionality will remain the same, there are a few added quality of life features, along with a more modern aesthetic. Please reach out to TBP IT at tbp.it@tbp.org with any questions, concerns, or functionality issues during this transition period.

Membership Process and Virtual Resources (Tips for New Officers!)

NOTE: Tau Beta Pi has updated the Officer Resources button in the electronic reporting system to include a number of initiation related resources (links) including script replacement ordering, kit parts ordering form and instructions, initiation fee tracker and payment links, and the hybrid initiation electee form.

A checklist of your required reports and deadlines is available on the home page of the electronic reporting system. Review each of these items ahead of time to keep your chapter on track throughout the year. This included membership, Convention, and chapter operations reports.

Chapters must use the electronic reporting system for all undergraduate membership reports. Your chapter has only one user name and password; if you do not have or remember your login or password, please contact HQ at tbp.chapters@tbp.org to have your credentials reset. Details on how to submit the membership and chapter reports are available online. You are strongly encouraged to review the model Membership Process Schedule when planning your chapter's activities.

  • Send professional membership invitation or email; sample electee invitations are here and sample electee materials are here.
  • Work with the dean's office to send a letter to candidates and their parents; sample student letter here and sample parent's letter here.
  • Discuss TBP member benefits during meetings with eligible candidates; a list of benefits is here.

Your Report of Eligibility is due at HQ within the first five weeks after the start of your school term. Bylaw III requires that a fine be levied if the report is not received. Your chapter may submit its Report of Eligibility using an Excel spreadsheet. Instructions are available here.

Your report must list the entire top-fifth of the senior class and the entire top-eighth of the junior class, (including those who are already members) even if some names are below a GPA cutoff set by your chapter. If your chapter has one, indicate the GPA minimum on the Report of Eligibility. Round any fraction up to the next whole number. For example, 1/8 of 100 is 12.5, so you would list the top 13 students. Also, if a tie exists you must list all students with the same GPA in the last position. It's okay to exceed the total number of eligible students in this case.

After contacting your eligible candidates, the chapter members must vote on those candidates and submit to HQ as the Report of Election. This report must be submitted with each electee's online catalog card (which should be completed by the electee) and APPROVAL RECEIVED BEFORE you hold your initiation. Contact Kelly Caro at k.caro@tbp.org if you have not received approval at least two days in advance. DO NOT HOLD AN UNAPPROVED INITIATION as your chapter could be fined and placed on probation. Online catalog cards must be completed before membership items can be ordered. If you want keys and certificates for initiation, plan to submit at least three weeks before initiation.

Initiation Scheduling

When planning the date, time, and location for your initiation, make sure to communicate that information to your District Directors as soon as possible. One of their roles is to attend initiation ceremonies as representatives of the Association, but they need to know that information well in advance so they can make the appropriate travel plans and work and family arrangements. You should also communicate this information to your chapter members, advisors, faculty members, and deans early as well. An audience to witness the ceremony and congratulate new members adds meaning and value to the ceremony. Of course, only faculty and deans who are members should be invited.

Report of Final Action, Roll Book Signatures & Initiation Fees

Within two weeks after your approved initiation, submit the Report of Final Action indicating who was initiated. Please make sure initiates print their name next to their signature and then upload your roll book signatures as a PDF along with the Final Action. Initiation fees are due two weeks after your initiation ceremony is held. Each candidate marked as initiated on your Final Action must have a signature or signature form attached to the roll book. New members will not be added to the system until the Report of Final Action is processed. You can check your chapter's status through the Electronic Reporting System.

Host an Engineering Futures Session on Your Campus

Engineering Futures (EF) is TBP's award-winning professional development program. The EF web page allows members to learn more about the program, view the upcoming online sessions, submit their interest in becoming a facilitator, and allows chapters to request an in-person session.

Request a Campus EF Session: TBP chapters may submit requests to host an in-person EF session for your own members and/or as a service or outreach activity for your campus or community. Go here to learn more and to request a session.

Important: The sessions are open to the public, so they are not limited to TBP members only. You also must have 15 people pre-registered two weeks before the requested session is scheduled. Contact Kelly Caro at k.caro@tbp.org if you have questions about scheduling an EF session.

2026 District Conference Dates – they have started happening!

District Conferences will be held from February to April. These conferences include members from all of the chapters in your District and are an invaluable training tool for new officers and members who want to be more involved with the Association. The primary goal is to aid with incoming/outgoing chapter officer transitions to help maintain continuity for chapter leadership. They also provide a great opportunity to network and have fun! Conferences are coordinated by your District Directors who are a vital resource for your chapter. Your Directors' contact information is available online here. The 2026 District Conference schedule is here.

Chapter Report Grading

Information on Chapter Excellence Requirements and the scoring process are provided here.

Initiation Fee Increase

The 2024 Convention approved an increase to the initiation fee from $55 to $60 effective August 1, 2025. In addition, it is set to rise to $65 on August 1, 2026; $70 on August 1, 2027; and $75 on August 1, 2028.

New Requirement - non ".edu" email address

Effective in mid-February, 2026, Tau Beta Pi's online initiation process will now require the entry of two email addresses (one being a non ".edu" address) for each student member. In-line with recent changes, Tau Beta Pi hopes to keep in touch as students graduate and university email addresses are discontinued.

Tax Exempt Status/IRS 990-N

Most Tau Beta Pi chapters are tax-exempt 501(c)(7) organizations and are NOT eligible to receive deductible gifts from donors. The primary source of income for a 501(c)(7) organization must be from its members through fees or dues. Income from non-members should not exceed 35 percent of a chapter's gross receipts. If your chapter receives more than 35 percent of its income from sources other than members, its 501(c)(7) status could be in jeopardy. Check the website for information about filing this IMPORTANT form with the IRS. There are serious consequences for failure to do so. All chapters with less than $50,000 in gross income must file an "electronic postcard" with the IRS. This form must be filed by the 15th day of the 5th month after close of your fiscal year. A list of due dates by chapter is available on our website. You must forward a copy of your confirmation email from the IRS to HQ at tbp.chapters@tbp.org by August 1. You can check the status of your report using the electronic reporting system. This is a required report.

Association Policy Updates

The 2025 Convention requested that any policy updates be communicated to the chapters within 30 days of the revision. The Executive Council and the Executive Director have been reviewing policy updates that were made in 2025 that were not immediately available on Google Drive. The following documents were updated prior to the 2026 Convention:

  • District Program Policy (CP 03) - revised 2/13/25
  • District Conferences & Meetings Policy (PO 24) - adopted 2/13/25
  • Chapter Bylaws Review Policy (PG 12) - adopted 3/20/25
  • Executive Council Nominees Expense Reimbursement (PF 13) - adopted 3/20/25
  • Financial Review Committee Charter (CC 09) - revised 4/17/25
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee Charter (CC 13 01) - revised 6/14/25
  • Chapter Development Committee Charter (CC 14 01) - revised 9/11/25

The following policies were adopted by the Executive Council following the Convention:

  • Communications 2025 Task Force Charter (CT 02) - adopted 12/14/25
  • Convention Improvement Task Force Charter (CT 03) - adopted 12/14/25

Fellowships

Any current undergraduate member or electee is eligible to apply for a fellowship as long as they are an initiated member on the date the fellowship is awarded. Applications are available online. Fellowship applications are due by February 1, 2026; the stipend is $10,000 for a year of graduate study. Additional information is here.

Tau Bate Talks Series

The Association continues to offer Tau Bate Talks, a series of monthly virtual presentations given by Tau Bates who have used their engineering background to pursue fascinating experiences. The talks are scheduled on one Sunday of each month. The next Talk, "GNSS Spoofing: History, Motives, Techniques, and Countermeasures," will take place on February 22 at 6 p.m. CT, and will be presented by Todd Humphreys, UT G '00. Register here for this event and to view a list of all past presentations and videos, visit our website.

Celebrate Tau Beta Pi Day (Saturday, March 14, 2026)

We encourage you and your chapter to host or participate in Tau Beta Pi Day events and to proudly wear your TBP apparel. If Pi Day is during your school's spring break, consider hosting events throughout the month. Send an email to r.hubbuck@tbp.org by February 13, 2026, telling us about activities your chapter has planned so we can share this information with others in your geographic area. Learn more about Tau Beta Pi Day here.

Scholarships

Applications for Scholarships are due April 1, 2026 (portal opens on Feb 2nd); the stipend is $2,000 for a year of study and $1,000 for one semester. An electee whose initiation is accurately reported to headquarters before the deadline is eligible to apply. To receive the award, applicants must be initiated by June 1. Additional information is available on the Scholarships page.

Award Nominations

For information on the following awards, go here.

Due April 1 - The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes alumni who have continued to live up to the ideals of TBP as stated in our Eligibility Code and to foster a spirit of liberal culture throughout their lives after college years. Any chapter or member may nominate one (or more) alumni member(s).

Due April 1 - The Laureate Program recognizes members who excel in areas outside of engineering (arts, athletics, service, and diverse achievements).

Due April 1 - The TBP-McDonald Mentor Award celebrates excellence among TBP educators and engineers who have consistently supported the personal and professional development of their students and colleagues as excellent mentors or advisors.

Due April 1 - The Association's Outstanding Advisor Award recognizes outstanding performance among the Chapter Advisors of Tau Beta Pi.