Alumni Association Bylaws

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
(Revised August 1, 2002)

PREAMBLE
We, the graduates and former students of Delta State University, in order to perpetuate the memories of college life, in order to form a more practicable organization through which we may promote greater interest in the development and welfare of our Alma Mater, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Delta State University Alumni Association.

ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

Section 1.
This organization is formed to provide a medium by which interest in Delta State University may be promoted, its development enhanced and its influence and services to the people of Mississippi and the Nation continued and extended.

Section 2.
It shall be the further purpose of the organization t cultivate and perpetuate individual acquaintances and friendships, to assist in the establishment of in-state and out-of-state chapters as a part of the organization and to bind the Alumni into a united fellowship working together for the common purpose and the advancement of the University.

ARTICLE III
QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS

Section 1.
Classes of Membership. Membership in this Association shall consist of the following groups: Active, Associate, Honorary, and Life Memberships.

Section 2.
Active Members. Active Members shall consist of all graduates and all former full-time students of Delta State who attended for at least one (1) quarter or one (1) semester and who have paid the current dues prescribed by the Association.

Section 3.
Associate Members. Associate Memberships shall be open to all interested persons who have paid the dues prescribed by the Association. Associate Members shall be entitled to all privileges of the organization except those of voting and holding office.      

Section 4.
Life Members. Life Members are those members who have purchased their Life Memberships according to the dues prescribed by the Association.

Sections 5.
Honorary Members. Honorary Memberships may be bestowed upon:

A.  Retired faculty and staff members who retired under honorable conditions.
B.  Friends who made outstanding contributions to the University of the Association.

Nominations may be made by any member with final approval being given by the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association

Section 6.
New Graduates. All graduates are eligible for a complimentary one-year active membership in the Alumni Association upon receipt of their degrees.

ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.
Governing Body.  The governing body of this Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors.

Section 2.
Officers. The Officers of this Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and Past President. Each officer shall be an active or life member of the Association in good standing.

Section 3.
Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors of this Association shall be composed of the Officers, immediate Past President of the Association, Foundation Board President, and eight (8) other alumni as follows:

(a)   one (1) resident of a county lying in the northern region of the state,
(b)   one (1) resident of a county lying in the central region of the state,
(c)   one (1) resident of a county lying in the southern region of the state,
(d)   five (5) alumni who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Association President. The President of the SGA or his designee and the President of the SAA or his designee, and all presidents or other designated representatives of the constituent groups recognized by the association. The President of the University, Executive Director, Assistant Director, Coordinator of Alumni Activities, and Director of Development Activities shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.
Vacancies. In the event a vacancy should occur in the office of President of the Alumni Association the Vice President shall act as President during the interim term. In the event a vacancy shall occur in any other elected office or elected Board position, the vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 1.
The Officers and Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual Fall Meeting of the Board of Directors. A nominating committee appointed by the President and chaired by the Vice-President shall meet prior to the meeting to nominate new Officers and Board members for the Association

Section 2.
Vice President. Subject to Board approval, the Vice President shall succeed to the office of President at the appropriate annual Fall Meeting.

ARTICLE VI
TERM OF OFFICE

Section 1.
Officers. All officers shall be elected for terms of two (2) years, beginning with the date of their election, but they shall hold office until their successors have been elected.

Section 2.
Board of Directors.  Directors shall serve two (2) year terms beginning immediately upon their elections or appointment

ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.
President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to such office. The President shall, by and with the consent of the Board, appoint such standing committees and ad hoc committees as deemed advisable.

Section 2.
Vice President.  The Vice-President shall have the duty of becoming familiar with all the affairs of the Association and prepare for assuming the presidency, and he shall work with under and in cooperation with the President. In addition, by the end of his first year as Vice-President, he or she will chair the nominating committee as set forth in Article V, Section 1 and see to it that a slate of officers are nominated in advance for the succeeding term.

Section3.
Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for recording the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Directors and shall, along with the Executive Director, the Assistance Director, and the Coordinator of Alumni Activities, monitor the fiscal affairs of the Association and shall present the financial report at each meeting of the board.

Section4.
Executive Director. The Executive Director, along with the Assistant Director, Coordinator of Alumni Activities and the Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Association. The Director should receive dues and pay bills of the Association. The Executive Director and the Association staff shall be responsible for publishing the official periodical of the Alumni Association entitled "Delta State," promoting and assisting in chapter organization and meetings, and coordinating the annual homecoming meetings.

Section5.
Association Staff. The Assistant Director, Coordinator of Alumni Activities, and Director of Development Activities shall assist the Executive Director in performing duties as deemed necessary.

Section6.
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall set policy, outline the plan of work, and conduct the business of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS

Section 1.
Time. There shall be three (3) meetings of the Board of Directors each fiscal year. One meeting shall be scheduled during the week of Homecoming, one orientation meeting early in the calendar year, and one meeting in late May or June to review and approve the next year's budget, in addition to other agenda business.

Section 2.
Power to Transact Business. All official business of the Association shall be conducted by the Board of Directors at its meetings or at a duly called special meeting at which a quorum is present, provided, however, that urgent or time-sensitive business may be transacted by a majority vote of the Board's Executive Committee registered by electronic, telephonic or any other means by which the agreement or disagreement of committee members may be ascertained, subject to ratification by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 3.
Notice of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called in writing by the President of the Association or Executive Director of the Association.

Section 4.
Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors present shall constitute a quorum for the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX
COMMITTEES

There shall be an Executive Committee comprised of the Officers of the Association as set forth in Article VII, which shall be chaired by the President, and such other committees as the President deems advisable, the chairmanship and membership of which shall be composed of such alumni or other individuals as the President may designate.

ARTICLE X
AMENDENMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of a quorum present at any Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting, provided that in addition to the required notice of the meeting, the Board has been notified beforehand by letter, as to the nature of the amendment to be considered.

ARTICLE XI
FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year for the Association shall be from the first day of July to the last day of June of the succeeding year.

ARTICLE XII
RULES OF ORDER

The business of the Board of Directors shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, except as herein otherwise provided.