Alumni Bylaws

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I. NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1. NAME
The name of the organization is the Washington Adventist University Alumni Association, which hereinafter will be referred to as the Association.

SECTION 2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Association are to promote the best interests of Washington Adventist University and its alumni. Specifically the objectives are:

A. To promote and provide services for Washington Adventist University and its alumni, especially encouraging their continuing growth, personally and professionally, and a spirit of fraternity among alumni.
B. To assist in recruitment of students.
C. To work and plan in securing gifts to the University and to expand the annual giving program among alumni.
D. To recognize the distinguished services of its alumni.
E. To compile and maintain a history of Washington Adventist University.

SECTION 3. POLICIES
The policies and activities of this Association and its chapters will be in harmony with the beliefs and policies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and with the objectives and work of Washington Adventist University.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. MEMBERS
Graduates of the University, Columbia Union College, Washington Sanitarium and Hospital (now Washington Adventist Hospital), former students who were regularly enrolled for one or more semesters, present and former faculty/staff and members of the College Board of Trustees constitute the membership of the Association.
It is understood that the term "University” refers not only to Washington Adventist University, but also to its predecessors, Columbia Union College, Washington Training Institute, Washington Foreign Mission Seminary, Columbia Junior College, and Washington Missionary College.

SECTION 2. HONORARY MEMBERS
On nomination of the Executive Board of the Association, a person who has made a significant contribution to the influence or progress of Washington Adventist University may be elected to honorary membership.

ARTICLE III. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
The rights of members include: voting at all meetings of the Association, voting for the nominated officers, and receiving all publications and notices to all general meetings held under the auspices of the Association.

ARTICLE IV. MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION
SECTION 1. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The management of the Association is vested in the Executive Committee, which is composed of the officers. The Executive Committee is empowered to recommend policy to the Association at its annual meeting.
During the interval between annual meetings, the Executive Committee is empowered to make and administer such policies and procedures as are necessary to maintain the Association. Such policies and procedures will be subject tot review at the annual meeting of the Association.
The Executive Committee will appoint a historian who will serve for the two-year term.
The Executive Committee is authorized to establish local chapters and establish policies for their relationship to the Association.

SECTION 2. OFFICERS
These will be the officers of the Association, with the following duties and privileges:

A. President. The president will act as chairman at all meetings of the Association, and the Executive Committee. The president will be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Association and will be a member of the College Board of Trustees.
B. President-elect. The president-elect will perform the duties of the president in his absence and will fill the office of president at the next election.
C. Past-presidents. Past-presidents will be encouraged to continue serving on committees for which they have expertise and have fostered while in the office of president.
D. Secretary. The secretary will make a permanent record of the proceedings of all meetings including the annual business meeting of the Association.
E. Director of Alumni. The Director of Alumni will be the liaison between the Association and the University. His duties are as follows:

1. To be custodian of the records of all proceedings of the Executive Committee, Council, and of the Association.
2. To notify all members elected or appointed to an office or committee.
3. To serve as editor of the ReUnion, the Association’s quarterly publication.
4. To maintain copies of the constitution and by-laws under which the Alumni Association is governed.
5. To keep account of all gifts, and send receipts to givers.
6. To work with the University Administration in disbursing monies for the needs of the College.
7. To submit a financial report at the annual Homecoming.
8. To carry out actions voted by the Executive Committee.

The Director’s term of office will run concurrently with his position at the College.

F. Historian. The historian will collect and preserve historical material for the University, and will be a member of the Executive Committee.
G. The Vice-President for Finance of Washington Adventist University will be a member of the Executive Committee representing the University Administration. His term of office will run concurrently with his position at the University.

SECTION 3. WAU ALUMNI COUNCIL
Alumni Council members will be nominated by alumni and elected during the time of elections. This council will include one representative of each five-year period, beginning with 1920 through the last graduating class.
The Alumni Council will advise the Executive Committee on alumni concerns, and will make suggestions as to goals, principles, and guidelines. The Council will elect its own chairperson during its first meeting. The members of the Council will consist of:
A. Elected officers of the Association;
B. Director of Alumni
C. One representative for ever five graduation years (i.e., 1920-24, 1925-1929, 1930-34, 1935-39, etc.).

The Alumni Council will serve as the Nominations Committee for the Association. Elections for the offices of president-elect and secretary will be held in November of the election year, with offices being assumed in the spring at the time of the Alumni Homecoming.

During Alumni Weekend of election years, the Nominating Committee will select from among its members a Search Committee. The Search Committee will submit the names of two persons for each of the offices of president-elect and secretary for approval by the Nominating Committee.

A ballot listing candidates will be sent out in the November issue of the ReUnion. The election returns will be reported at the Homecoming Banquet.

SECTION 4. TERMS OF OFFICE
The term of office of the members of the Executive Committee and the Alumni Council will begin at the annual meeting following the member’s election or appointment, and will run for a two-year period. Vacancies occurring during the two-year period may be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. STANDING COMMITTEES
The following committees will be maintained and the members selected by the Executive Committee either from the membership of the Alumni Council of from the general membership of the Association or from both:

A. Investment Committee will consist of persons who have a background of investments and will be elected by the Executive Committee and approved by the University Board of Trustees. The Vice-President for Finance of the University will be a member of the Committee. This Committee will have authority as authorized by the Board of Trustees to invest Alumni Endowment funds.
B. Awards Committee will consist of the Director of Alumni and two other members of the Executive Committee who work with the Financial Aid office in choosing students who need financial assistance from the Scholarship and Worthy Student Funds. The scholarships given at Awards Chapel in the spring will be taken from the internet and dividends earned.

SECTION 2. OTHER COMMITTEES
The Executive Committee may create other committees as they deem necessary.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING
The annual Meeting of the Association will be held at Washington Adventist University during Alumni Weekend at a time and place announced by the Executive Committee.
A meeting will be called in November of each year to discuss and vote on any old or new business. This meeting shall be called by the Alumni Executive Committee and notices will be sent out to alumni within driving distance of the University.

SECTION 2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee will meet once each month or at the request of the president or any three (3) members of the Committee.

SECTION 3. ALUMNI COUNCIL
The Alumni Council will meet once a year during the Alumni Weekend and one other time if deemed necessary by its chairperson.
SECTION 4. QUORUM
Quorums are as follows:

A. Annual Meetings: Ten (10) members, including the president or president-elect.
B. Executive Committee: Three (3) members, including the president or president-elect.
C. Alumni Council: Three (3) members, including the chairperson.

ARTICLE VII. PROCEDURE
SECTION 1. OFFICIAL YEAR
The official year of the Association will coincide with the fiscal year of Washington Adventist University which is July 1 through June 30.

SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS
The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of members present at a properly called meeting of the Association provided the substance of the proposed amendment has been submitted with notice of the meeting.

SECTION 3. RULES
Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, will govern all meetings.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This constitution will supercede all other constitutions and will be effective immediately upon approval by members.