Bylaws

Section l

The Marywood University Alumni Association.

Section 2

The seal of the Marywood Alumni Association is an adaptation from the Coat of Arms of Marywood University, the significance of which may be described as follows: The black lozenge represents the city of Scranton located in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania. The lozenge also serves as the traditional heraldic symbol in commemorating Marywood’s origin as a Women’s College. The lozenge is fittingly charged with the open book of learning inscribed with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, which are taken from the Coat of Arms of the Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban, Bishop of Scranton, when the College was founded and which show that God, the beginning and end of all things, is the foundation of a true education. A golden field represents the great wealth that the mining of this natural resource has given this area. The Immaculate Heart of Mary, garlanded with roses, pierced by a sword, ensigned by her Crown as Queen of Heaven, and tinctured in the gold of eternity, is displayed on a forest green background to symbolize the title of the University. On either side of the Heart, taken from the Seal of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who founded, administer, and teach at the University, are two fleurs-de-lis, the French form of the lily and a well-known symbol of the Blessed Virgin. Under the shield is the motto of the University: Sanctitas, Scientia, Sanitas (Holiness, Knowledge, Health). Concentric circles circumscribe the Seal of the University, and within these circles is inscribed ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, with the year of its founding 1919.

The mission of the Marywood University Alumni Association shall be to unite all graduates into one organization for the purpose of fostering and facilitating fellowship and communication among present and former students, faculty, and staff members of Marywood University. Other aims include:

• Informing the Association’s membership of achievements and activities of Marywood alumni, students, faculty, and staff;
• Providing assistance and support to Marywood University to identify and recruit outstanding students;
• Enhancing the financial resources of Marywood University;
• Representing the interests of Alumni in matters affecting Marywood University.

The fiscal year of the Alumni Association shall be the same as that of Marywood University, from July 1 through June 30. Marywood University assumes full responsibility for financial operation of the Alumni Association.

Section l: Membership

All recipients of degrees from Marywood College and Marywood University shall be considered members of the Alumni Association.

Section 2: Associate Membership

Persons who are non-matriculating and have completed at least twenty-four credits at Marywood shall be considered Associate Members of the organization. Associate Membership will take effect after their class has graduated. Associate members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of active members, except the right to hold office above the chapter level.

Section 3: Honorary membership

Honorary membership shall be accorded those receiving an honorary degree from Marywood. Retiring faculty and any person deemed worthy of recognition for rendering valuable service to Marywood College or Marywood University may be nominated by the membership committee of the Association for honorary membership.

Honorary status is contingent upon approval of the nomination by the University President and affirmation by the Board of Directors and a majority vote of the Association present at the Annual General Membership Meeting. Honorary members shall be afforded all the rights and privileges of membership, except the privilege of holding office at any level.

Section 1

The Board of Directors shall consist of the Association President, President –elect or the retiring President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, the Secretary, and twenty- one (21) elected directors (one of whom shall be a member of the IHM Congregation and an alumna). Chapter presidents/regional representatives or their designates, the President of the Student Council, the President of the Senior Class, and the officers of the Student Alumni Association are invited to participate in activities of the Board of Directors but do so in an honorary, non-voting capacity.

Section 2

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the board; evaluate the efficiency, administration, and effectiveness of the Association and its standing committees; and propose goals and objectives to ensure that the Association is meeting the continuing and evolving needs of the Association, Association Chapters, and its individual members. It shall consist of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Secretary and in applicable years, the President-elect.

Section 3

1. The term of office of the President shall be one term of three years. The First Vice President, the Second Vice President, and Secretary shall hold office for one term of three years and may serve a consecutive term as a board member. The term of President-elect shall be for one year prior to succession to the presidency.
2. A minimum of twenty-one (21) directors shall be elected by the members of the Association for a term of three years. No director shall serve more than two consecutive terms as a director. However this does not preclude a director after two consecutive terms from eligibility to serve as an officer of the Association.
3. Eligibility
   The officers and twenty one directors shall be elected from the membership with the President-elect having been a member of the Association for at least three years and served either as a member of the Board of Directors or on a major committee of the Association. Final determination of eligibility to serve pending installation and a member’s ongoing ability to serve as an officer or director is at the sole discretion of the University President in consultation with the Director, Constituency Relations and the Association President. Should an individual be considered ineligible to assume service or continue to serve as an officer or director, the individual shall be notified in writing and such ineligibility shall be effective immediately.
4. Vacancies
   If a vacancy occurs through resignation or otherwise, the Executive Board by a majority vote, shall appoint a member to complete the unexpired term of office. This shall not apply in the case of the President. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the President, the President-Elect or First Vice President shall serve the unexpired term of the President, and the Second Vice President shall serve the unexpired term of the First Vive President. The Second Vice-President’s position shall remain vacant unless the unexpired term exceeds eighteen (18) months.
5. Director Emeritus
   Upon majority vote of the Board and upon final approval of the University President in consultation with the Director of Constituency Relations an alumni board member who has served the Association with exceptional commitment and longevity can be afforded Board of Director Emeritus. This position is honorary and affords no voting or office eligibility privileges.

Section 1: The President

1. Presides at all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
2. Signs all documents of an official character pertaining to the Association.
3. Appoints the chairperson of all committees unless otherwise ordered.
4. Calls special meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
5. Reports on all activities at the Annual General Membership Meeting and files a copy of this report with the Director.
6. Performs any other duties incident to the Office of President, in accordance with the objectives of the Association.

Section 2: The President-elect

1. Attends all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
2. Serves as a member of all standing committees.
3. Performs any other duties incident to the Office of President-elect, in accordance with the objectives of the Association.
4. In the absence of the President, carries out as needed the duties of the President. In the event that the President is unable to carry out the duties of the Office, the President-elect will complete the term of the President and continue to serve for his or her subsequent appointment as well.

Section 3: First Vice President

1. Attends all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
2. Discharges the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President.
3. Assists the President with administrative oversight of committees of the Board and any other Association obligations agreed with the President.
4. Performs any other duties incident to the office of First Vice President, in accordance with the objectives of the Association.

Section 4: Second Vice President

1. Attends all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. Discharges the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President and the First Vice President.
2. Assists the President with administrative oversight of committees of the Board and any other Association obligations agreed to by the President.
3. Performs any other duties incident to the office of Second Vice President, in accordance with the objectives of the Association.

Section 5: Secretary

1. Attends all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee.
2. Takes the minutes at such meetings and files such minutes within 30 days of any recordable event.
3. Performs any other duties incident to the office of Secretary, in accordance with the actions of the Association.

Section 6: Board of Directors

1. The general management of the Association is vested in the Board of Directors. The board elects members of the nominating committee, approves nominations for honorary memberships brought forward by the membership committees, passes on all applications for chapters, selects the recipients of the Association awards, and generally oversees committees designated by the board.
2. Each Director shall serve on one standing committee of the Association with such designation to occur at the first Annual Meeting of the Board.
3. Performs any other duties incident to the service as a member of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the objectives of the Association.
4. Meetings
   1. The Board of Directors meets at least four (4) times a year and at any time if called by the President and at the call of the Director, Constituency Relations as a result of a petition signed by seven (7) members of the Board, and filed with the Director. Notice of all meetings of the Board shall be given not less than fourteen days in advance of the meeting.
   2. Matters requiring approval by the Board are approved by a majority vote of all members present.
   Quorum: Presence of a simple majority of voting members constitutes a quorum to pass on matters requiring approval by the Board of Directors.
   3. Attendance: Absences in excess of two times per year, without good cause, may result in the removal of a Board Director upon majority vote of the Executive Committee. Good cause is at the discretion of the Director, Constituency Relations in consultation with the Association President. Any vacancy created by non-attendance, resignation, or death of a Director shall be filled in accordance with the process outlined in Article I, Section 3d.

Section 1

All standing committees shall be headed by a chair from the Board of Directors and shall include representation from both the Board of Directors and the Association. Committee membership from the Board of Directors shall be established at the first meeting of the Board following the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Association. The Board of Directors shall have three (3) standing committees: Executive Committee, Membership Committee, and Nominating Committee. The Board of Directors may create or dissolve a Standing Committee through a majority vote of the Board of Directors and approval by the Association membership at the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Association.

Section 2

Nominating Committee

1. The committee on nomination serves for one year. No Chairperson of the committee shall be eligible to serve as chair for more than two (2) successive years.
2. Any member of the Association, member of the Board of Directors, or a representative of the University may recommend prospective nominating committee members to the President, self nominate at the Annual Meeting, electronically or by mail.
3. Upon confirmation of their eligibility by the Director, the President shall select a chairperson and members of the Association and board to serve on the committee. The committee shall select a slate of Directors, (and officers in applicable years) in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article VIII, Section 3.
4. Minutes of all meetings shall be submitted by the Chairperson of the Committee to the Director, Constituency Relations for review by the Board of Directors.
5. The committee shall review its procedures on a yearly basis and make recommendations for future consideration to the Executive Committee prior to the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Association.

Section 3

Membership Committee

1. This committee, shall be chaired by a member of the Board, and shall regularly monitor and evaluate the active engagement of University alumni with the University and the Association, including its Chapters and regional organizing committees.
2. The committee shall actively manage a portfolio of tools, activities, and events to drive the active engagement of alumni and shall organize itself and its operations accordingly to best fulfill that accountability.
3. The committee shall be actively engaged with the Executive Committee to assist in its development of membership engagement strategies and to carry out its activities as membership (alumni) engagement is central to the existence and well being of the Association.
4. The committee shall actively engage the Board of Directors for the purpose of maximizing engagement and participation of all members of the Alumni Association. The committee will also have the responsibility for nominating persons for honorary membership, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Article IV, Section 4.
5. Minutes of all meetings shall be submitted by the Chairperson of the Committee to the Director, Constituency Relations for review by the Board of Directors.
6. The committee shall review its procedures on a yearly basis and make recommendations for future consideration to the Executive Committee prior to the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Association.

Section 4

The President shall appoint such other committees, ad-hoc or special, as the Association or the Executive Board deem necessary to carry on the work of the Association. The President shall be a member ex-officio of this committee.

Section 1

Nominating Committee. See Article III, Section 2 Bylaws.

Section 2

Nominations
Nominations for all officers and directors shall be made by the nominating committee. The slate shall reflect adequate geographic, class year, and degree level representation.

Section 3

Election Procedures

The meeting of the nominating committee shall take place at least four (4) months prior to the annual business meeting. Candidates shall be selected from the roster of active members with the knowledge that the candidate will serve.
1. A written report of the results of the work of the nominating committee shall be forwarded to the Director, Constituency Relations who will then submit the slate to the President of the University. The University President shall have the authority to determine the eligibility of a candidate as noted in accordance with Article I, Section 3c.
2. At the Annual General Meeting of the Association, the nominating committee chair, or representative shall present the slate of candidates for election in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article IX.
3. The elected officers and directors shall be presented and installed at a major alumni Association event.

Section 1

Director, Constituency Relations and the Marywood Fund
This position shall be held by a person(s) appointed by the President of the University upon the recommendation of the Vice President for University Advancement and in consultation with the Board of Directors.
The duties of this position shall include managing the staff and operations of the Office of Constituency Relations relative to the goals established by Marywood University.

1. Direct the unrestricted portion of the Marywood Fund to meet unrestricted fiscal goals of Marywood University.
2. Develop and work with steering committees of the Marywood Fund to include Alumni, Parents, and Friends of the University.
3. Direct the Marywood Alumni Association Board to facilitate all activities. * Where appropriate, these activities will be planned in conjunction with the Director of Alumni Development.
4. Direct the Student Alumni Association to facilitate all activities.

Section 2

Vice President for University Advancement
The Vice President for University Advancement and/or the designated delegate shall function as the liaison person between the Alumni Association and University administration and may attend all meetings of the Board of Directors, ex-officio, (but shall not vote).

Section l

Meetings
The Annual General Membership Meeting shall be held once a year.

Section 2

Special Meetings
The President and the University Administration who shall determine the manner of notice to be given to the membership may call special meetings of the Association.

Section 3

Quorum
Presence of a simple majority of voting members constitutes a quorum to pass on matters requiring approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 4

The order of business at these special meetings shall comply with the regulations set forth in these by-laws, Article IX.

Section 1

Purpose
Chapters shall be formed in order to carry out the purpose of the Alumni Association as set for the in Article II of the Constitution.

Section 2

Formation

1. Interested members of the Alumni Association may form a chapter in any territory that is not included in a jurisdiction of a chapter already organized. The submission of a chapter of the Alumni Association shall imply on the part of said chapter an agreement to conform to all of the provisions of the Constitution of the Alumni Association and its Bylaws.
2. Application for chapters may be made by written request to the Director, Constituency Relations and submitted for approval to the Board of Directors.
3. Chapters may be formed in the jurisdiction of a chapter already organized if the purpose of the Chapter is to organize alumni by classification of a shared affinity group.

Section 3

Officers

1. Election of Officers
   
2. The officers of each chapter shall be elected from the membership of that chapter and their term of office shall be of three years and shall run concurrently with the fiscal year of the Association. Eligibility to serve as a chapter Officer
3. Final determination of eligibility to serve pending installation and a member’s ongoing ability to serve as an officer is at the sole discretion of the University President in consultation with the Director, Constituency Relations and the Association President. Should an individual be considered ineligible to assume service or continue to serve as an officer, the individual shall be notified in writing and such ineligibility shall be effective immediately.

Section 4

Reports

1. Each chapter shall provide six to eight weeks’ notice of chapter events to the Office of Constituency Relations.
2. Each chapter shall file an annual report of its work no later than June 30.

Section 5

Government

1. Each chapter shall govern its organization consistent with the Bylaws of the Marywood University Alumni Association.
2. Each chapter shall advise the Director, Constituency Relations of any anticipated public projects.
3. Each chapter shall hold a meeting at least twice a year for the purpose stated in Article II of the Constitution.

Section 1

Each member shall be encouraged to provide their time and resources for the support and betterment of the University and its students.

Section 1

Robert’s Rules of Order, revised edition, shall govern the procedure of all meetings of the Association, the Board of Directors, the chapters, and all committees.

Section 1

1. An amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws must be proposed in writing to the Board of Directors. Upon approval of the Board of Directors, the Director, Constituency Relations shall notify each member of the Association of such intended amendment, which will be submitted to a final vote of the members at the Annual General Membership Meeting.
2. No amendment shall be adopted except by affirmative vote of a majority of the members voting.
3. An emergency amendment may be passed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, with such vote to be cast either in person or via telephone contact contemporaneously with an emergency meeting. The Director, Constituency Relations must approve any emergency amendment. An emergency amendment shall be immediately effective upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee pending the next regular meeting, at which time any emergency amendment must be made final, in accordance with subsections a and b above. The failure of an emergency amendment to be approved by the Board of Directors as final, at the time of the next regularly scheduled meeting, shall result in the expiration of the emergency amendment.