Bylaws

By-laws for the George Mason University Retired Faculty Association

 ARTICLE I: Name

The name of the Association shall be:  George Mason University Retired Faculty Association

 ARTICLE II: Membership

SECTION 1.  Eligibility

 There will be three classes of membership:

Membership in the George Mason University Retired Faculty Association includes all instructional, research, and administrative faculty who have retired from George Mason University, and who have registered as members on the organization web site. Members may attend all meetings of the Association, vote on all questions presented to the membership, receive Association newsletters and publications, and hold office.

 Transitioning Membership is open to faculty who are enrolled in the Mason transition leave/phased retirement process or within several years of retirement. Transitional faculty members may attend all meetings of the Association, vote on all questions presented to the membership, receive Association newsletters and publications, and hold office.

 Associate Membership shall also be extended to the following individuals:

(a)    Spouses and partners of members of the Association;

(b)   Widows, widowers, and partners of deceased members of the Association.

Associate members shall be entitled to participate in all activities of the Association except voting and holding office.

 ARTICLE III: Purposes

SECTION 1. Mission

 The George Mason University Retired Faculty Association’s mission is to make faculty retirement the best of all possible worlds and to that end:

 (1)   To promote continued collegiality and communication among retired faculty and provide a vehicle for them to remain in contact with each other and support the goals and endeavors of the University.

 (2)   To develop and/or support appropriate programs to assist members in enhancing the quality of their lives.

 (3)   To facilitate continued participation in the University community.

 (4)   To benefit the University through the services, efforts, and contributions of retirees.

 (5)   To promote the best possible retirement through advocacy, publications, educational lectures, and social events.

 (6)   To ensure and be informed about optimum benefits.

 This Association does not expect monetary gain or profit to its members and is organized for nonprofit purposes.

 SECTION 2.  Purposes

 The purposes of the Association are to

 (1)   create a strong organization of George Mason University retirees,

 (2)   encourage a relationship of mutual support between the University and its retirees,

 (3)    promote the interests of retired faculty to assist them in enhancing the quality of their lives,

 (4)    promote George Mason University and its programs,

 (5)   sponsor a variety of events that minister to the needs of the University and to the needs of the retired University faculty,

 (6)   sponsor, promote, and conduct such social and educational activities as may be indicated by the membership as desirable for retired faculty,

 (7)   publish an occasional newsletter for distribution to retired faculty and to other appropriate University personnel in order to describe plans, activities, results of activities, and other matters pertinent to the Association, and

 (8)   cooperate with the University in such matters as

1. Avoidance of isolation of retirees;
2. Volunteering of expertise held by retirees;
3. Sponsorship of discussion groups on campus;
4. Establishment of regular functions to maintain and continue social contacts within the Association and within the regular University faculty;
5. Assurance of continued University services to retired faculty; and
6. Sponsorship of community activities, when and if appropriate.

 In furtherance of these purposes but not in limitation thereof, the Association shall have the privilege and right:

(1)   to collect and disseminate data, statistics, and other information,

(2)   to develop its own position and recommendations with regard to selected University matters,

(3)   to recommend sound practices and procedures pertaining to University matters.

 SECTION 3.  Educational and Social Purposes

This Association is organized exclusively for educational and social purposes within the meaning of section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 SECTION 4.  Compliance with Federal Income Tax

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these By-laws, the Association shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an association exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 SECTION 5.  Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of this organization after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation of the University, or corporation which has established its tax exempt status under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 ARTICLE IV: Officers

SECTION 1.  Administration

The elected officers of the George Mason University Retired Faculty Association shall be as follows:  President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President.

 SECTION 2.  Terms of Office (effective 2016 July 1^st)

The terms of office shall be as follows:  President, Vice President, and Immediate Past President shall be elected and each serves a term of two years. The President accedes to the office of Immediate Past President. The President and Treasurer shall be elected in even years, and the Vice President and Secretary shall be elected in odd years.

 SECTION 3.  Duties of Officers

 (1)   A President who shall conduct meetings of the Association, the Executive Committee, and the Board; preside at other pertinent Association functions; appoint in conjunction with the Executive Committee, standing and ad hoc committees; and represent the Association in matters dealing with other University personnel and organizations, and the general public.

 (2)   A Vice President who shall serve in the absence of, or at the direction of, the President; have such other responsibilities as designated by the President.

 (3)   A Secretary who shall produce and maintain the minutes and records of decisions made by the Association and shall carry on correspondence as necessary in regard to matters as delegated by the President.

 (4)   A Treasurer who shall collect such donations or dues as may be determined by the Association and be responsible for such disbursements from the treasury as may be authorized by the Executive Committee or by vote of the membership of the Association. The Treasurer will keep accurate record of receipts and expenditures and present a written report at each annual meeting, and updates at Executive Committee meetings.  The records of the Treasurer may be audited annually, if needed, by an Auditing Committee, specially selected by the Executive Committee for this purpose. The Treasurer, with assistance from the President, shall draw up a proposed budget for the forthcoming year and submit it in writing to the Board and membership for approval by the membership.

 (5)   The Immediate Past President shall conduct nominations as Chair of the Ad Hoc Nominations Committee and be in charge of nominations for awards that are deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

 (6)   An Executive Committee of the foregoing officers whose duties shall be to manage (on an interim basis) matters of the Association between regular meetings of the Board.  The University Liaison shall assist the Executive Committee in the facilitation of the Association’s activities.

 (7)   The Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the Association, recommend policies for the Association, make appointments to the standing committees, and establish ad hoc committees and their membership.  Decisions by the Executive Committee shall be made by a majority vote of the members present.  Executive Committee meetings shall be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Committee members.

 ARTICLE V  Board

 SECTION I.  Composition

(1)   A Board shall consist of the Executive Committee, the Founding Members, and the chairs of the standing and ad hoc committees.  The duties of the Board shall be to determine the broad policy, purposes, programs, and directions of the George Mason University Retired Faculty Association and to assess the successes and/or limitations of the various Association activities. The University Liaison shall assist in the facilitation of the Association’s activities.

 SECTION 2. Quorum

A simple majority of the Board shall be required to conduct business.

 SECTION 3.  Recall or Removal of Officers or Board Members

Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised will be followed.

SECTION 1.  Committees

The George Mason University Retired Faculty Association shall have such committees as necessary to carry out the functions of the Association.

SECTION 2.  Appointments

(1)   The chairpersons of standing committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and serve for a one year term with second terms permissible.

(2)   Except as otherwise provided in these By-laws, the committee members shall be appointed by the Chairperson subject to approval by the Executive Committee. Committee members must be Association members in good standing.

 SECTION 3.  Standing committees of the Association are:

The Membership Committee with responsibility for recruiting new members, promoting renewal of annual memberships, and maintaining an accurate listing of both active and inactive members.

The Program Committee with responsibility for planning and implementing projects/programs to be carried out by the Association.  Such projects/programs could include social, educational, service, and recreational activities of interest to the Association membership. These and other activities may be planned and coordinated with the Osher Life Long Learning Institute and with retired faculty associations of other universities.

The Publicity Committee with responsibility for the Association’s newsletter and for placing information regarding meetings and other Association activities in appropriate media outlets.

SECTION 4.   Election of Officers

 (1)   Officers shall be elected annually by a simple majority of members via written or email ballots at such other time as shall be determined by the Board.

(2)   A slate of candidates for office shall be supplied to the members of the Association by the Immediate Past President with notification provided in writing to all members no later than 30 days prior to the election.

(3)   The slate of candidates shall be prepared by an Ad Hoc Nominating Committee of at least three members who shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Association at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting.  Meetings of the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee will be chaired by the Immediate Past President.

(4)   If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the post.  Vacancies in the offices of Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be filled by the President from nominations by the Executive Committee.

 ARTICLE VII: Meetings of Membership

SECTION 1. Annual Meeting

The George Mason University Retired Faculty Association shall meet at least annually at a time determined by the Executive Committee.

 SECTION 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President or in his/her absence, by the President-Elect, upon written request from the Board.  A minimum advance notice of 30 days for any special meeting shall be given to members.  The notice shall state the general nature of the meeting and its time and place.

SECTION 3.  Ballot by Mail or Email

When matters of business require the action of a special meeting of the membership at a time not deemed advisable or feasible, such meetings may be held by mail or email if called by majority action of the Board.  A method of mail balloting shall be determined by the Board for such meetings.

SECTION 4. Quorum

One- third of the total membership shall be required for action of the Association.

 

ARTICLE VIII: Donations, Dues and Finances

SECTION 1.  Donations or dues

(1)   The annual donations or dues of the George Mason University Retired Faculty Association shall be established by the Board.

SECTION 2.  Assessments and Fund Raising

(1)   The Association may assess its members for special benefits, e.g., a mailed newsletter which involves direct cost to the Association; however such assessments shall not be used as a means of supplementing the treasury.