Bylaws
By-laws of
Virginia Commonwealth University
African-American Alumni Council
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Virginia Commonwealth University African-American Alumni Council.
ARTICLE II. MISSION
A. The mission of the organization shall be:
1. Instill pride among alumni in both the university and the Council;
2. Promote the growth, progress, and general welfare of the VCU African-American student body;
3. Inspire alumni to join and become actively involved in the Council;
4. Allow the Council to serve as campus advocates for their VCU African-American constituents;
5. Contribute to the recruitment and retention of African-American students; and
6. Become an important presence in the African-American community.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
A. Regular (active, full) membership of the Council shall consist of any graduate of VCU who
1. Graduated in the last 12 months and have received a complimentary membership
or
2. Supports the Council through payment of annual alumni dues to the University,
and
3. Subscribes to the policies and objectives of the Council
or
4. Wishes to participate in the activities of the Council
B. Associate membership shall consist of:
1. Any individual who subscribes to the policies and objectives of the Council and/or supports the Council through dues.
2. Associate membership shall be without voting privileges
3. Any individual without a degree from VCU including current students and community members who subscribes to
the policy and objectives of the Council and/or supports the Council through dues
C. Only members who are graduates of VCU are eligible to vote on any decisions to be made by the Council or standing
committees.
ARTICLE VI. FINANCES
A. The Financial affairs of the African American Alumni Council shall be administered in accordance with the VCU Alumni
Association's charter and articles of incorporation.
B. The fiscal year of the African American Alumni Council shall begin on July 1 of each year and end the 30th of June of every
year.
C. Upon dissolution of the African American Alumni Council, the executive committee, after paying and making provision for the
payment, satisfaction, or discharge of all the liabilities of
D. the organization shall dispose of all its assets by transferring or conveying them to the Virginia Commonwealth University
Alumni Association if such Association, at the time of the dissolution of this committee qualifies under Section 501 (c) (3) of
the Internal Revenue code and amendments thereto. If at such time the said Association does not qualify, then the above
contemplated assets shall be transferred and conveyed to Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation if it qualifies under
Section (c) (3). If the said foundation does not qualify, then the assets shall be transferred and conveyed to Virginia
Commonwealth University.
ARTICLE V. DUES
A. The annual dues of the Council shall be the amount established by the Council in conjunction with the VCU Alumni
Association.
B. The dues are equally distributed between the two organizations.
ARTICLE VI. ELECTION AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. Officers. The officers of this Council shall be a President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and VCU Alumni Association Representative.
B. Term of Office. An officer shall hold office for a two-year term which commences on July 1 following elections and installation.
C. Nominations. Three meetings prior to the election, a nominating committee consisting of three (3) members shall be elected. The nominating committee shall present its slate at the regular meeting immediately preceding the election meeting. At this meeting and at the election meeting, further nominations may be made from the floor provided the nominee is present or has given written consent to serve if elected.
D. Elections. Elections shall be by ballot except when there is but one nominee for an office, at which time the vote may be by voice. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect.
E. Vacancies.
1. A vacancy in office shall be filled by special election
2. In a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall become President
3. In the event that there are no nominees for the offices of president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and parliamentarian, the
Executive Committee will handle the duties of the vacant offices
4. In the event that there are no AAAC officers, the Office of Alumni Activities staff will handle the duties of the officers and
activities of the AAAC
F. Re-election.
No officer shall serve consecutive terms in the same office when suitable and eligible nominees have been identified. However, in the absence of suitable and eligible nominees, retiring officers shall be eligible for re-election. Any officer who serves half a term or less may be re-elected to the same office.
G. Duties of Elected Officers:
1. The President shall:
a. preside at all meetings of the Council and meetings of the Executive Committee
b. appoint all standing committee chairs with the approval of the executive committee (the nominating committee shall
be elected by a majority vote of the membership)
c. appoint special committees, as necessary, with approval of the Council
d. have general supervision of Council activities
e. be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee
f. perform such other duties as may be required
2. The President-Elect shall:
a. preside over meetings as assigned by the President
b. serve in the absence of the president
c. will assume the office of president at the conclusion of the current president's term
3. The Secretary shall:
a. keep an accurate record of all meetings of the Council and the Executive Committee
4. The Treasurer shall:
a. be the chair of the budget committee
b. supervise financial matters of the Council
c. maintain accurate records of all monies (receipts and disbursements)
d. review an itemized statement of receipts and disbursements for each meeting
e. perform such other duties as may be requested
5. The Parliamentarian shall:
a. furnish information on parliamentary procedures to the president and members on request
b. maintain order in board meetings,
c. keep bylaws (and standing rules) current and on hand for reference
6. VCU Alumni Association Board Representative shall:
a. Report on VCU Alumni Association board activities at the AAAC membership meetings.
b. Represent the interests and concerns of the AAAC at the VCU Alumni Association Board meetings.
ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS AND QUORUMS
A. Meetings. The Council shall hold at least quarterly meetings during the year and additional meetings as called by the
President.
B. Consensus: Matters requiring decisions shall be determined by consensus. The Executive Committee will resolve all matters
when a consensus is not obtained.
ARTICLE VIII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. Composition. The elected officers and the committee chairs (and the immediate past president) shall consist of the
executive committee.
B. Meetings. The executive committee shall meet as needed.
C. Authority. The executive committee shall have general administrative authority and such powers as granted by vote to the
Council. The committee shall transact such business as may be necessary between regular Council meetings, and shall
present all recommendations to the Council for action.
ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES
A. The standing committees of the Council shall be:
1. Programs and Events Committee
2. Professional Development Committee
3. Budget Committee
4. Scholarship Committee
5. Bylaws (and Standing Rules) Committee
6. Public Relations Committee
B. Other Committees. The Executive Committee shall determine other committees as required and develop duties according
to the needs of the Council.
C. The committee chairs shall report to the executive committee before the Board meetings.
ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Parliamentary authority for the conduct of business of this Council shall be Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the Council by a two-third (2/3) vote of members present providing the active membership has been provided a written copy at least 30 days prior to the meeting.
Last Revision: June, 2006