Alumni Association Bylaws

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO

 BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Rights and Privileges

1. No person other than an active or honorary member as defined in the Constitution shall be eligible to hold office or serve as a board member or committee chairperson. Tenure of office or position shall terminate immediately in the event that such a person ceases to be an active member in good standing.

ARTICLE II: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: Presidential Duties

1. To act as presiding and executive officer of the Association and the Board of Directors.
2. To act as liaison between the campus, the community and the Association and to represent the Association at major university and community activities when so invited.
3. To serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
4. To appoint all committees and committee chairpersons subject to ratification by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Vice Presidential Duties

1. To act for the president in his/her absence or disability.
2. In case of vacancy in the office of president, the vice president shall succeed to such office.
3. To assist the president as liaison between the community and the Alumni Association.

ARTICLE III: BOARD OF DIRECTORS - POWERS AND DUTIES 

Section 1:

To provide suggestions to the Alumni Relations on activates and programs to engage the alumni base.

Section 2:

To arrange for all meetings of the general membership of the Association.

Section 3:

To elect by a simple majority vote of members of the board persons to fill vacancies in Board positions and offices.

Section 4:

To plan a yearly calendar of activities for the Association. 

Section 5:

To accept the resignation of any officer, Board member or appointee and to suspend and/or remove an officer, Board member or appointee for cause as provided for in Article IV, Section 3 C and D of the Alumni Association Constitution. 

Section 6:

To elect honorary members of the Association. 

Section 7:

To recognize, from time to time, people who have best served the Association. 

Section 8:

To advance the interests of the Alumni Association as defined by Article II of the Alumni Association Constitution. 

Section 9:

To provide oversight and guidance to local Alumni Association Chapters and Networks.

Section 10:

To establish annual dues.

ARTICLE IV: FINANCES

Section 1:

The fiscal year of the Association shall be from July 1 to June 30.

Section 2:

The support for the organization shall consist of annual dues to be established by the Board of Directors and paid by those alumni who wish to become active members as described in Article III of the Constitution.

Section 3:

Any member may become a life member upon payment of dues as established by the Association Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the president, vice-president, , immediate past-president, and the alumni director or designee.  The Executive Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the Board in conducting routine business of the Association between regularly scheduled meetings.  Major policy decisions and fiscal matters must be approved by the full Board.

Section 2: Standing Committees

The Association shall have the following Standing Committees: Leadership Development, Scholarships and Awards, Programs, Finance and Membership Development.  The president shall appoint directors to chair these committees.  Committee chairs shall be appointed for one-year terms.  The powers and duties of the standing committees are outlined below.

Scholarships and Awards:

To bring visibility to the Alumni Association by establishing, promoting and administering the Alumni Association Awards Program, initiating new awards and selection criteria when appropriate; to establish, promote and administer the Alumni Association Scholars Fund, initiating new scholarships and selection criteria when appropriate; and to recommend a dollar amount for scholarship awards for the next fiscal year.

Programs and Events:

To establish social, cultural and educational programs for the general membership; to establish programs that will stimulate alumni engagement with the campus community; to prepare and submit a budget for Association-sponsored programs. Subcommittees will focus on Alumni Support (professional development programming) and Student Support (academic related programming). 

Section 3: Ad Hoc Committees and Appointments

The president shall establish ad hoc committees in consultation with the Board and appoint chairs to these committees.  The president also shall appoint representatives to ad hoc University committees which request alumni representation. These may include: 

Leadership Development:

To establish and conduct a search and recruitment process for vacant Board positions and offices and to prepare a slate of officers for election by the Board of Directors before June 30; to develop and conduct a new-member orientation program; to coordinate with the Executive Committee an annual strategic planning retreat; and to provide opportunities for in-service training and personal and professional development for members of the Board.

Membership Development:

To develop, administer and evaluate periodically a membership marketing and recruitment plan; to develop promotional campaigns and literature to encourage membership in the Association; to analyze the membership due’s structure and recommend changes when appropriate; to provide the Board with membership activity reports; and to prepare a budget for membership development programs.  

Resource Development: 

To assist the alumni director in preparing an annual budget; to research and develop fund-raising activities.

ARTICLE VI: FORMATION OF ALUMNI CHAPTERS AND NETWORKS

Section 1: Purpose

Chapter and Network formation shall be supported by the Association as a means of: 

1. Fostering an ongoing interest in California State University, San Bernardino for alumni
2. Providing financial support to California State University, San Bernardino, its students, faculty and programs.
3. Encouraging continued engagement;
4. Recognizing special achievements of alumni in their chosen professions or service to the University;
5. Developing a communication link between alumni and their former academic departments/programs; and
6. Identifying and supporting the special interest areas of alumni.
7. Chapters and Networks shall follow all policies and codes of conduct applied by the association.

Section 2: Procedures for Chapter or Network Formation

1. Chapters must work with the Alumni Relations Office to establish a Board that will:
   1. Generate chapter interest and membership based on an affinity group
   2. Set thevision and direction for the chapter.
   3. Slate volunteers to serve as officers and board chairs.
   4. Plan the initial programs.
   5. Complete the necessary paperwork to be chartered officially.
   6. Review and define bylaws for the chapter
2. A network representative must work with the Alumni Relations Office to:
   1. Generate a list of Alumni who would like to participate based on academic affiliation or special interest,
   2. Develop Network purpose, mission and/or goals.
   3. Plan initial program or activity.
   4. Update the Alumni Relations Office on Network activities
   5. Create a committee of alumni volunteers to meet biannually to plan any activities

Section 3: Finances

The establishment of a Chapter’s or Network’s financial base shall not compete with the Association’s finances.

1. The Association will aid Chapters and Networks financially if and when the need arises and only after Board approval.
2. All disbursement of funds, collection of dues and deposits of money will be handled by the University’s Alumni Relations Office.
3. Chapters and Networks will have the right to raise funds for the benefit of the Chapter or Network. Fund-raising activities shall not conflict with the activities of the Association and must be approved through the Alumni Relations Office.
4. Chapters and Networks shall not obligate the Association financially for any programs, promotions, or activities without the direct approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII: CODE OF CONDUCT

Section 1: Purpose 

The Code of Conduct ensures that the CSUSB alumni volunteer program and alumni events are meaningful, productive, and safe for all participants. The California State University, San Bernardino Alumni Association requires each volunteer to read and comply with this Code of Conduct to be eligible to participate in CSUSB alumni volunteer opportunities.

The California State University (CSU or University) is committed to maintaining an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. We embrace our community differences in Age, Disability (physical and mental), Gender (or sex), Gender Identity (including nonbinary and transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion (or religious creed), Sexual Orientation, Veteran or Military Status. All Students and Employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, and employment free from Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking and Retaliation. To be in accordance with the appropriate CSU Nondiscrimination Policy.

Code of Conduct

1. Alumni volunteers are encouraged to participate in respectful dialogues.
2. Any communications that defame or threatens others or are bigoted, hateful, or racially offensive will not be acceptable.
3. Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person within or related to the university community, including physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, or sexual misconduct will not be tolerated.
4. Alumni volunteers are considered third parties protected under the CSU's policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment as set forth in the CSU Nondiscrimination Policy.

Any behavior that violates the above code of conduct, university policy, or programmatic expectations may result in the immediate suspension, dismissal, or removal from the CSUSB Alumni Association, Chapters and volunteer programs. Reinstatement will require a formal review and board approval.