HACC Alumni Association Constitution & Bylaws

Preface

This document is the approved Constitution and Bylaws of the Alumni Association of Harrisburg Area Community College, hereinafter called the HACC Alumni Association. The Association was founded in 1969 and reorganized in 1983 as a quasi-agency of the College.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be the Harrisburg Area Community College Alumni Association, hereinafter referred to in this Constitution as the Association.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this association shall be to promote and maintain alumni interest in the support of the college through:

- sponsoring programs and services which foster and promote allegiance to the college.
- offering scholarships to facilitate the educational pursuits of students.
- providing support for special projects of the college.
- participating in fund-raising campaigns that benefit the college.
- encouraging leadership in the community by recognizing alumni contributions to the college and the community.
- providing outreach and communications with alumni.

We, the alumni of Harrisburg Area Community College, for the purposes of promoting and maintaining an active interest in the support of the College, with a desire to stimulate the educational and cultural development of the College and the community which it serves, to promote and sponsor activities and programs toward great unity for those of similar educational background and accomplishment, do hereby establish this as the Constitution of the organization for those who have attended or graduated from Harrisburg Area Community College.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section I

The membership of this Association shall consist of the following:

A. All persons who have graduated from a degree, diploma, or certificate program of Harrisburg Area Community College and former students, who have not graduated but who have earned 30 or more credits at HACC.

B. The title of honorary member, upon recommendation and approval of the Council, may be conferred upon persons who have rendered distinguished service to the College.

Section II

Members have the right to vote at all general meetings of the Association, to receive all publications and notices of general meetings to be held under the auspices of the Association, and to participate in activities held in the name of and for the Association.

ARTICLE IV - ALUMNI COUNCIL

Section I - Description

The Alumni Council of the Association, hereinafter called the Council, shall be the governing body of the Association and shall consist of no fewer than eleven and no more than nineteen members. The Council shall consist of the officers, members-at-large, and the college Alumni Affairs Officer (non-voting member).

Section II - Terms of Office

Elected Council members may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.

NOTE: All prior terms of Council Members, on the date of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be void as of January 1, 1998.

ARTICLE V - OFFICER

Section I

A. The officers of this Association shall be President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary.

B. Duties, responsibilities and authority will be as set forth in the Bylaws.

Section II

A. Officers may be elected for up to two consecutive two-year terms in the same office.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

Section I

There shall be no less than one General Assembly meeting called each year at a date and time to be determined by the Council. Any other General Assembly meetings may be held as necessary and called by the President and/or two-thirds majority of the Council.

Section II

All members shall be notified of the date and time of each General Assembly meeting no less than ten days prior to the actual date of the meeting.

Section III

The President shall call a Council meeting no less than one per calendar quarter, but may call additional meetings as the need arises. The Vice-President shall, in the case of the absence of the President, call a meeting as necessary. The College Alumni Officer shall call meeting in the event no meeting is called in any one quarter.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS AND RATIFICATION

Section I

This Constitution may be amended at any General Assembly meeting by a two-thirds vote of those present. Printed copies of the pending amendments will be sent to each Council member and available to the general membership for public viewing at least ten days prior to the General Assembly meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - BYLAWS

Section I

The Council may propose Bylaws and/or amendments for the government of the Association, consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

Section II

The Bylaws may be amended at any Council or General Assembly meeting by a majority of those qualified to vote. Members of the Association shall be notified of such recommended amendments at least ten days prior to the scheduled meeting.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - ALUMNI COUNCIL

The Council shall oversee all activities of the Association. It shall formulate and determine the execution of all Association policies and programs. It may enter into contracts on behalf of the Association. It may delegate any portion of its responsibilities as it deems proper.

ARTICLE II - OFFICERS, POWERS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Section I
The President shall:

A. Preside at all meetings of the Association, Council meetings, and Executive Committee meetings. The President shall also be the principal representative of the Association.

B. Appoint any special officers, the standing committees, program committees, and other committees necessary for efficient functioning of the Association.

C. Act as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

D. Appoint replacement officers to fill unexpired terms in case of resignation, death or disability, subject
ct to the two-thirds approval of those present of the Alumni Council.

E. The President shall meet with the President of the College at least one (1) time a year on matters involving the stated purpose of the Association and functions of the Council.

Section II
The Vice-President shall:

A. Assist the President in the carrying out of his/her duties and responsibilities in any way as so desired by the President and to be the President's direct representative.

B. In the event of absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all duties prescribed in Section 1 of this article.

C. In case of death, resignation, or disability of the President, serves as President for the unexpired part of the term.

Section III
The Treasurer shall:

A. Monitor the Association funds.

B. Keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements.

C. Submit a written report at each Council meeting.

D. Provide an annual financial statement at the annual General Assembly meeting.

E. The Treasurer shall keep possession of a checking account, which checks must be cosigned by the President and the Treasurer.

F. The Treasurer shall assume the duties of the President, in the event that both the President and Vice-President are absent.

NOTE: The college will house, audit, and provide fiscal oversight for Alumni Association accounts.

Section IV
The Secretary shall:

A. Record the proceedings of all Executive Council meetings and maintain minutes for archives.

B. Record the proceedings of the annual General Assembly meeting and maintain minutes for archives.

C. Keep an up-to-date copy of the Constitution and Bylaws and have this copy present at all meetings.

D. Supply the presiding officer with an agenda if he/she so desires.

Section V

Officers shall perform the duties in these Bylaws and shall deliver to their successors all materials pertaining to their respective offices within thirty days after an election meeting or upon their resignation from office.

ARTICLE III - ELECTIONS/NOMINATIONS

Section I

A. The Nominations Committee of the Council shall bi-annually select a slate of suggested nominees for the officers of the Association. Prior to the General Assembly meeting the Nominations Committee shall solicit names of candidates for officers of the Association from members of the Council and the general membership. Officers must be members of the Alumni Council at the time of the election.

B. Prior to the General Assembly meeting, a brief biographical sketch of each nominee for the officers of the Association shall be presented to the Council by the Nominations Committee.

C. The members of the Alumni Association, by a majority vote of members present at the Annual General Assembly Meeting, shall elect the officers of the Association. Terms of office shall commence at the January meeting.

D. The results of the election shall be announced to the Association at the Annual General Assembly meeting and through the appropriate college publications.

Section II

A. Any member of the Association may propose the name of any alumnae/alumnus to be a candidate for election to the Council as a Member-At-Large. The proposal must include a resume that provides the alumnae/alumnus' name, occupation, home and/or business address and telephone, year of graduation from HACC, degree attained, and brief summary of his/her qualifications for Council membership. A written statement signed by the alumnae/alumnus whose name is proposed, to the effect that the alumnae/alumnus consents to being considered a candidate.

B. The Nominating Committee shall present to the Council twice a year, once in January and once in June, the proposed candidates for Members-At-Large for their elected approval by the Council. Names of newly elected Council members shall be announced by the President at the Annual General Assembly meeting.

Section III

If any officer vacancy occurs by resignation or otherwise, the President may fill the vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE IV - PROCEDURES

Section I

Procedures of the Harrisburg Area Community College Alumni Association shall be in accordance with those outlined in Roberts' Revised Rules of Order except in cases where those procedures of Roberts' Revised Rules of Order conflict with procedures incorporated into the Constitution and Bylaws of this Association, in which case the incorporated procedures will take precedence.

Section II

A. There will be no quorum limitations for transactions of General Assembly meetings of the Association.

B. For Council meetings a quorum shall consist of a presiding officer and a majority of the members of the Council

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES

Section I

Standing committees shall be Executive, Nominating, Fundraising, Publicity, and Special Events.

Section II

Special committees may be appointed by the President when deemed necessary.

Section III

All Standing Committee chairs should complete an annual written report of committee proceedings and should forwarded their report to all Council members prior to the annual General Assembly meeting.

Section IV

Any one committee chairperson may request the President to call a special meeting of the Council. He or she must state the purpose of the requested meeting. The President may comply at his/her discretion.

ARTICLE VI - COLLEGE CARD PROGRAM

Section I

A College Campus Program fee shall be charged to permit members of the Association to use the college's physical education facility, the libraries, and to receive discounts at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center Cultural Programs.

Section II

All alumni who were regular or life members on the date of adoption of these Bylaws, under the Constitution of 1975 shall retain the current privileges of membership that were in effect on the date of the adoption of these Bylaws, and those regular members eligible to obtain life membership by payment of consecutive annual memberships shall retain that right as previously held prior to the adoption of these Bylaws.

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Ratified on October 23, 1983, at the Alumni Association General Meeting.
Approved on November 1, 1983, by the Board of Trustees, Resolution 21.59.
Amended the definition of the active membership on September 7, 1989.

Amended and Approved on _____________________, at the Alumni Association's General Assembly meeting.

9/23/97