Bylaws

Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Association Bylaws November 1983

Revisions:
  • February 1991
  • August 1993
  • October 1995
  • September 1997
  • September 2000
  • September 2002
  • March 2016
  • March 2019
  • July 2023
  • September 2024

Article I.          Name and Affiliation

Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Michigan State University College of Education Alumni Board, which shall be referred hereinafter as the ā€œEducation Alumniā€ or as the ā€œBoardā€.

Section 2. The Board shall be an affiliate of the MSU Alumni Board and will be governed by the bylaws of the MSU Alumni Board and by these bylaws.

Article II.         Purposes

Section 1. The purpose of the Board shall be to assist the MSU College of Education with the achievement of its strategic goals through actions of collaboration, service, and promotion. While specific functions of the alumni board are incorporated in these bylaws, the Board shall not be limited to those enumerated actions. The Board is encouraged to develop new, creative, engaging programs inclusive of all departments within the College of Education to achieve its purpose.

Section 2. Annually, the Board will develop strategic priorities in collaboration with the MSU College of Education. These priorities will be established and publicized following the first fall meeting of the year.

Section 3. Collaborate with the MSU College of Education to:

  1. Upon request of the Dean, serve in an advisory capacity on the future and welfare of the college
  2. Promote campus and regional programs of the College of Education
  3. Represent the ongoing professional development interests of alumni

Section 4. Serve alumni and the College of Education by:

  1. Regularly hosting programs to meet alumni needs
  2. Co-sponsoring courses, workshops, and social activities with the MSU College of Education
  3. Serving on special committees or in special roles as determined by the MSU Office of Alumni and/or the College of Education

Section 5. Promote activities associated with MSU alumni and the College of Education by:

  1. Providing updates to the collegeā€™s Office of Communications on content concerning alumni, schools in Michigan, donors, and other appropriate audiences
  2. Distributing gifts to graduates at commencement ceremonies
  3. Providing scholarships and awards with appropriate recognition to College of Education, College of Education Alumni, and Alumni Board of Directors
  4. Actively participating in MSU Office of Alumni, college, and university functions as representatives from the Board

Section 6. At the end of each academic year, in conjunction with the College of Education, the Board shall review its progress toward the achievement of its strategic priorities.

Article III.     Board of Directors

Section 1. The Board shall be composed of no more than twenty-one elected individuals: a maximum of nineteen alumni, with at least one alumni being a recent graduate of the College (within five years of graduation), and one representative each from the current graduate and undergraduate student population. Additional voting members of the Board of Directors include persons qualified according to later sections of this Article.

Section 2. Ex-Officio, non-voting members of the Board shall include but are not limited to the Dean of the College of Education and a designee of the Dean.

Section 3. Each elected board member shall serve a three-year term, with the exception of student representatives who shall serve a one-year term.

Section 4. The board members shall be elected at the last scheduled meeting of the current fiscal year with office commencing July 1. Mid-year vacancies shall be filled by the Board at the earliest opportunity.

Section 5. Elected board members may not serve more than two full consecutive terms. At the conclusion of the first term of service of an elected board member in good standing, the Board president shall invite the member to serve one additional term.

Section 6. At the last scheduled board meeting of the fiscal year, the following officers shall be elected for one-year terms, commencing July 1:  president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer according to the procedures in Article VI. The president shall serve as board chair.

Section 7. Members of the Board who have completed their terms of office since 1990 are invited to attend all board meetings without voting privileges as Emeritus Board members.

Section 8. An Emeritus Board member wishing to return to Board service may apply for appointment to the Board only after a full term passes since the completion of their last term of service. This provision does not apply to student directors seeking to serve as an alumni representative directly after their graduation from the College.

Article IV.        Board Meetings

Section 1. The Board shall meet at least four times annually. Additional board meetings may be called by the board officers as needed.

Section 2. A quorum of the Board for conducting board business shall consist of at least two-thirds (2/3) of its members.

Section 3. Board members are expected to attend a minimum of three meetings annually. Officers of the Board will review attendance on an annual basis and recommend any actions to ensure active participation and continued engagement.

Article V.         Board Election

Section 1. A request for nominations shall be made to College of Education alumni and friends on an ongoing basis.

Section 2. The Board shall elect board members at the last scheduled meeting of the fiscal year.

Article VI.        Board Officer Election

Section 1. A request for nominations via electronic means shall be made of the Board at least two weeks prior to its final meeting of the fiscal year.

Section 2. A Nominations and Elections Committee shall prepare a slate of board officer candidates to present to the Board.

Section 3. The Board shall elect new board officers at the last scheduled meeting of the fiscal year.

Article VII.       Committees

Section 1. The President shall appoint chairs of standing and ad hoc committees as needed and deemed appropriate by the Board. All functioning committees shall be listed in the agenda for each Board meeting. 

Section 2. All committees shall provide reports at each meeting.  Reports shall be included in the minutes of each Board meeting.

Article VIII.      Awards

Section 1. In support of the College of Education Alumni Awards, the Board shall recommend nominations for all award categories.

Section 2. The Board shall consider a presidentā€™s award for service to the Board.

Section 3. The board shall consider granting award(s)/ scholarship(s) to include, but not be limited to, the following:

  1. graduate student(s)
  2. undergraduate student(s)
  3. teacher/educator
  4. kinesiology student
  5. distinguished alumnus/alumna(i) of the year awards

Section 4. Sitting members of the College of Education Alumni Board of Directors shall not be considered as candidates for any awards listed in Sections 1 or 2.

Article IX.        Finances

Section 1. The treasurer shall be responsible for liaising with College of Education staff to make recommendations concerning the financial health of the organization, including preparation of an annual list of budget priorities.

Article X.         Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the voting members of the Board at any scheduled or specifically called board meeting, providing each board member shall have a written copy of the proposed amendment(s) at least seven calendar days prior to the board meeting. A written vote may be submitted in advance by absent board members. These Bylaws shall be reviewed for potential updates at least every five years.en vote may be submitted by absent board members. These Bylaws shall be reviewed for potential updates at least every five years.