Approved June 23, 2014
Revised June 2018
Revised 2021
Revised 2022
1.0 NAME
The name of the Association is the Central Connecticut State University Alumni Association. The organization shall be commonly known as the CCSU Alumni Association.
2.0 PURPOSE
The purposes of the Association are to establish mutually beneficial relations between the University and the Alumni and to promote the mission of the University.
3.0 MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Eligibility for membership
Any person who was graduated from Central Connecticut State University or its predecessors, the Teachers College of Connecticut, the State Normal School at New Britain and Central Connecticut State College shall be eligible for membership in the CCSU Alumni Association.
3.2 Active Members
Active membership is held by those who are eligible for membership and who have contributed to the Annual Fund in the current fiscal year (15.1).
3.3 Honorary Members
Honorary Membership in the Association may be conferred upon individuals at such time and under such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.
4.0 OFFICERS AND DUTIES
4.1 Officers
The officers of the Association shall be the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President.
4.2 Eligibility
Any current member of the Board of Directors of the Association is eligible to be an Officer of the Association, provided however, that no person shall serve as a Director and Officer at the same time.
4.3 Election
Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors at the last Board meeting in the fiscal year from a slate endorsed by the Nominating and Bylaws Committee or from any challenges to the endorsed slate as provided for herein.
The Nominating and Bylaws Committee shall endorse a slate of officers by February 1 in the last year of the officer’s term Notice of the proposed slate will be mailed to all members of the Board of Directors by February 1. Challenges to the slate may be made by any current or former member of the Board of Directors who served as Directors during the term of the officers who are being replaced. Challenges must be submitted in writing to the Nominating and Bylaws Committee by March 15, indicating the challenger’s name and position sought.
In the event no challenges are made by the notice deadline, then the endorsed slate will be presented to the Board of Directors at the last Board of Directors meeting in the fiscal year to be followed by a casting of one ballot by the Secretary. In the event a challenge is made by the Notice Deadline, then for each contested position, the Board of Directors shall hold an election, by secret ballot, at the last Board of Directors meeting in the fiscal year. Each Director present shall have one vote for each officer position so contested. Voting will continue until a simple majority of the Board of Directors is reached on each contested position. In the event no candidates receive a simple majority of the votes cast on any ballot then the candidate with the fewest votes, provided there are no ties for the fewest votes, shall be deemed to have lost, and the election will continue with the remaining candidates.
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to conduct the election of Officers. In the event a quorum is not present, then the election shall occur at the next meeting of the Board of Directors in which a quorum is present. Without exception, the election of officers shall occur after the election of the Board of Directors.
4.4 Term
The terms of office shall be for a two-year period. Officers shall serve no more than one (1) consecutive term in any office. Officers and Directors shall assume office on July 1 in the year in which they are elected.
4.5 President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Alumni Association. The President shall perform such duties as usually pertain to the office and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the President by the Board of Directors. Standing and special committees of the Board of Directors and the Association shall be appointed by the President unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors or the Association.
4.5.1 Resignation of President
In the event the President resigns the First Vice President shall assume the office of President for the remainder of the term. The Second Vice President would then assume the office of First Vice President and a Second Vice President shall be elected. Officers who assume another office may not seek a consecutive full term in that office.
4.6 First Vice President
At the request of or in the absence or disability of the President, the First Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. While so acting, the First Vice President shall have all the power and authority of the office of President. In addition, the First Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President of the Association, the Board of Directors of the Association.
4.6.1 Second Vice President
At the request of or in the absence or disability of the President or the First Vice President, the Second Vice President shall perform the duties of the President of the Association or the First Vice President. While so acting, the Second Vice President shall have all the power and authority of the office of President. In addition, the Second Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President of the Association, the Board of Directors of the Association. The Second Vice President shall serve on the -Ways and Means Committee.
4.7 Secretary
The Secretary shall act as secretary at meetings of the Board of Directors and the Association. The Secretary shall see to the maintenance of complete and accurate records of all proceedings of the Board of Directors and the Alumni Association.
4.8 Treasurer
(a) The Treasurer shall, under the direction of the Board of Directors, collect and disburse all funds of the Association.
(b) The Treasurer shall see to the maintenance of complete and accurate records of all financial transactions of the Association.
(c) The Treasurer shall be bonded to the extent of the nearest thousand dollars above the total assets of the Association as reported on the preceding thirtieth of June. Expenses incident to bonding shall be met by the Association.
d) The Treasurer shall serve on the Finance Committee.
4.9 Immediate Past President
The immediate Past President upon completion of his/her elected term shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President, Board of Directors or the Association. The Immediate Past President serves as a member of the Management Committee.
5.0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5.1 Duties of
The management of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which shall serve in an executive capacity and shall have chief responsibility for the administrative matters of the Association. The Board of Directors is responsible for all Association policy decisions, program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
5.2 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of fifteen (15) Directors and six (6) officers elected from the Active Membership (4.2.). The President of the University and the Immediate Past President of the Alumni Association, upon completion of -their elected term, shall serve as ex-officio and voting members of the Board. No more than two full-time Connecticut State University System (CSU) employees may sit as voting members on the Board of Directors at any time.
5.3 Eligibility
Any Active Member of the Association is eligible to be a Director of the Association.
5.4 Election of
Directors shall be elected by the Active Membership by ballot from a slate endorsed by the Nominating and Bylaws Committee or from any challenges to the endorsed slate as provided for herein.
The Nominating and Bylaws committee of the Alumni Association shall endorse a slate for Board of Directors by February 1. Notice of the proposed slate will be mailed to all Active (3.2) members by February 15. Challenges must be submitted in writing to the Nominating and Bylaws Committee by March 15.
In the event no challenges are made by the Notice Deadline, then the endorsed slate for Board of Directors will be presented to the membership at the Annual Meeting to be followed by a casting of one ballot by the Secretary. In the event a challenge is made by the Notice Deadline, then the Nominating and Bylaws Committee shall conduct an election by mail ballot in which each Active Member of the Alumni Association (3.2) will have one vote to cast for each Director. Completed ballots shall be returned at the date specified in the ballot, which shall be at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. The result shall be announced at the Annual Meeting. The candidates receiving the most votes shall be deemed the winners. In the event there is a tie for the fifth Director’s position, the Active members present at the Annual Meeting shall vote to break the tie and the candidate receiving a simple majority of the votes of the Active Members so present shall be declared the winner.
5.5 Terms of Office
The terms of office for Directors shall be for three years. Directors shall serve no more than two (2) successive terms. After two (2) years off the Board of Directors, an individual may seek to run for election to the Board of Directors.
5.6 Attendance
The Board of Directors shall have the authority, with a majority vote of the Board of Directors, to request resignation from the Board any member who has an unexcused absence for three (3) consecutive, regular scheduled meetings (10.3) of the Board of Directors. Notification of intent to remove must be given by letter to the director in question seven (7) days prior to the Board meeting at which the removal vote will take place.
5.7 Vacancies
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the President of the Alumni Association shall have the authority to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or Standing Committee.
5.8 Annual Report
The Board shall report annually to the membership on: (a) the general condition of the Association; (b) the status of the membership of the Association; (c) the amount of receipts and disbursements, by general classification; (d) the estimated expenses for the ensuing year; and (e) such other matters as should be properly brought before the Association.
5.9 Resignation
A Director may resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to the Board or the President of the Association. A resignation shall take effect at the time specified in the notice or, if no time be specified, upon receipt thereof. Acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
6.0 STANDING COMMITTEES
Standing committees are to report all committee action in writing to the Management Committee. Any and all business of a Committee must be brought to the attention of the Management Committee. There is no limit to reappointment to committee membership as long as such appointment is not in conflict with these bylaws. Committee chairs may serve two consecutive one-year terms. Membership of the Standing committees shall be approved by the Board upon the recommendation of the President. Committees are expected to recruit non-Director members according to the needs of the committee and volunteer interest. Insofar as possible, the membership of all committees shall represent different graduating classes and geographical regions. Committee chairs not specifically named in these bylaws will be appointed by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the President.
Standing Committees will meet as often as necessary to ensure diligent execution of their duties and responsibilities and to provide evaluation of the ongoing programs and activities within its jurisdiction and to review and make recommendations to the Board on proposals for new programs and services which are presented to the Association prior to implementation. Committees may conduct business in the most efficient means possible. At least once a year during the Annual Meeting, standing committees shall report on activities of the prior year and plans for the coming year.
6.1 Management Committee
The Management Committee shall review all Standing Committee reports and make recommendations to the Board on reports received, make recommendations to the Board on policy issues, plan and implement internal and external communications, represent the position of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association on legislation affecting Central Connecticut State University, and prepare materials relating to Board of Directors meeting agenda. The Management Committee is empowered to transact business of the Alumni Association between meetings of the Board of Directors.
The Management Committee shall consist of the five officers of the Association: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Immediate Past President shall serve as ex-officio voting member of the Management Committee. The Director and Assistant Director(s) of Development and Alumni Affairs of Central Connecticut State University shall act as non-voting members of the Management Committee. Four members shall constitute a quorum. No voting by proxy shall be permitted.
6.2 Nominating Bylaws, and Volunteer Development Committee
The Nominating and Bylaws Committee shall recruit and nominate alumni for positions as officers and directors of the Association, shall identify and cultivate volunteers and volunteer leadership participation in alumni and development activities, conduct ongoing review of the Association's Bylaws, and formulate recommendations to the Board and the general membership to process amendments and/or changes in the Bylaws.
The Nominating and Bylaws Committee shall be composed of minimum of (3) members who shall all be members of the Board of Directors. The chair of the Nominating and Bylaws Committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President.
6.3 Ways & Means Committee
The Ways & Means Committee shall identify, develop, review, and evaluate programs and services that generate revenue for the Association.
The Ways & Means Committee shall consist of at least four (4) Directors, and the Treasurer.
6.4 Finance Committee
The Finance Committee shall prepare an annual budget for the Association. It shall advise the Board on matters pertaining to budget and finance. The Finance Committee shall ensure the proper record keeping and investing of the Association Accounts. Annually, the Finance Committee shall report to the Board the amount of receipts and disbursement and the investments of the Association.
The Finance Committee shall be composed of at least five (5) members from the Board including the Treasurer.
6.5 Student Relations Committee
The Student Relations Committee shall develop, plan and implement a program for undergraduate and graduate students to become involved in the Association. It shall foster good relations between the students and the members of the Association. It shall work to develop loyalty to the Association among the students. The Student Relations Committee shall act as advisor to the all Student Alumni Clubs.
The Student Relations Committee shall consist of at least three (3) members of the Board. The Chair shall be a Director appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President.
6.6 Homecoming Committee
The Homecoming Committee shall develop, plan, implement, and evaluate programs and activities run by the Association in support of the annual Homecoming event. The Homecoming Committee shall consist of a minimum of Two (2) Directors appointed by the Board. The Chair shall be a Director appointed by the Board upon the recommendation of the President.
6.7 Sports Committee
The Sports Committee is to plan, develop, and implement programs sponsored by the Association to foster relations between CCSU Athletics and the members of the Alumni Association. The Sports Committee will recommend to the Board candidates for induction into the CCSU Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame. The Sports Committee will conduct its business according to its bylaws, as approved by the Board of Directors.
The Sports Committee shall consist of at least two (2) members of the Board of Directors, and the CCSU Athletic Director or designee. The chairperson shall be elected from the membership of the committee.
7.0 SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Special committees may be created and formed as necessary by the President of the Alumni Association with the approval of the Board of Directors.
8.0 ALUMNI CHAPTERS
The CCSU Alumni Association may include as constituent parts all CCSU Alumni Chapters duly organized and chartered under the provisions of these Bylaws. Each chapter of the CCSU Alumni Association shall be chartered by the Board of Directors and shall be known by a name which designates the geographical area in which it is located as the Chapter of the CCSU Alumni Association. A minimum of fifteen (15) members shall be required for the establishment of a chapter. No alumni chapter may be constituted without being chartered by the CCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Chapters must accept and abide by the Bylaws of the CCSU Alumni Association then in force or that may exist thereafter. Chapter organizational structure shall be sufficiently flexible so as to allow for convenient access to activities and meeting places by alumni members in the specified geographical area.
9.0 AFFILIATE CLUBS
The CCSU Alumni Association may include as constituent parts all CCSU Alumni Affiliate Clubs duly organized and chartered under provisions of these Bylaws. Each affiliate club of the CCSU Alumni Association shall be chartered by the Board and shall be known by a name which designates the affiliation of the club as the "Club of the CCSU Alumni Association." The affiliate club must have a documented mission statement that states the club's reason for existence, its purpose and over all intention. It should also have documented by-lays governing the club's operations and activities and abide by the by-laws of the CCSU Alumni Association. Membership will be open and available to any CCSU Alumni. This open access will be transparent to the entirety of the Alumni Association and the University. No alumni club may be constituted without being chartered by the CCSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Clubs must accept and abide by the Bylaws of the CCSU Alumni Association then in force or that may exist thereafter.
10.0 MEETINGS
10.1 Annual
The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held on a day to be selected by the Board of Directors. A notice of the said meeting shall be communicated to all Active Members at least 60 days prior to the scheduled date.
10.2 Special Meetings
A special meeting of the Association may be held by action of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall select the time and place of said meeting and shall give notice of such meeting to all Active Members not fewer than 30 days prior to the scheduled meeting. Only business stated in the call for the special meeting shall be placed on the agenda.
10.3 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall meet at least quarterly, and at the call of the President of the Alumni Association or by three members of the Board. Meetings of the Board and any of its committees may be held at any place within or without the state, and may be held through any communications equipment, provided all persons participating can communicate with each other. Participation in a meeting through the use of such communications equipment shall constitute presence at the meeting.
10.4 Quorum
A majority of the voting Board of Directors and Officers shall constitute a quorum.
11.0 UNIVERSITY STAFF
The Alumni Association recognizes the roles, in coordinating alumni affairs, of the Director and Assistant Director(s) of Development and Alumni Affairs members of Central Connecticut State University's Administrative Faculty.
12.0 AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended in any of the following ways: (a) a two-thirds vote of the Active members of the Alumni Association (3.2) replying to a mailed ballot, provided that the substance of the proposed amendment has been mailed to the Active Membership 45 days prior to adoption; or (b) a two-thirds vote of the Active Members present at any regularly and properly called meeting of the Association provided that the Active Membership has been given 14 days’ notice of the meeting and that the amendment(s) be available for review by active members in the Alumni Office 14 days prior to the adoption.
13.0 DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of the Association, the Board of Directors shall provide for the discharge of all liabilities of the Association and shall cause all remaining assets of the Association to be transferred to the CCSU Foundation, Inc. for deposit into the CCSU Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, exclusively.
14.0 RULES OF ORDER
The Robert's Rules of Order, as revised, shall govern the proceedings of the Association when not in conflict with any portion of these bylaws.
15.0 FINANCE
15.1 Fiscal year
The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.
15.2 Audit
The accounts shall be audited annually or as determined by the Board of Directors by a three-member Audit Committee consisting of one (1) member of the Management Committee and two members of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the President. In lieu of appointing an Audit Committee, the Board, at its discretion, may hire an independent public accountant to conduct the audit. The audit report shall be reviewed and accepted by the Board of Directors.