November 2006

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

RETIRED ASSOCIATES OF PORTLAND'STATE UNIVERSITY

CONSTITUTION ... PREAMBLE

The purpose of the Association is to bring together older adults in a university setting where they may share opportunities for intellectual, social, and personal growth.

ARTICLE I. NAME AND LOCATION

The name of this organization shall be Retired Associates of Portland State University (hereinafter referred to as Association), located at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. The Retired Associates of PSU is a program of the Institute on Aging.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility

Membership in the Association shall be open to any adult fifty years of age or over who is interested in its programs.

Section 2. Honorary Members

Members who have made outstanding contributions to the Association (as designated by the Board) may be considered honorary members.

ARTICLE III. COORDINATOR AND BOARD MEMBERS

Section 1. Coordinator

The Program Director of the Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC) is an ex officio member of the Retired Associates and shall serve in an advisory capacity.

Section 2. Board Members

The Board shall consist of the officers of the Association:

President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President; and the Chairpersons: Membership, Newsletter, Historian, Program, Publicity, Hospitality, and Social.

Section 3. Election, Appointments, and Term of Office

A. Election of Officers. Officers shall be elected at a membership meeting in May (or as otherwise decided by the Board) so they may take office at the first meeting in September. Election shall be decided by a majority vote of members present at a membership meeting. In case there is no nominee for a particular position, the Board will appoint a person to fill that position until such a person becomes available.

B. Appointment of Chairpersons. The President with approval of the other Officers shall appoint the Chairpersons.

C. Procedure for Nomination of Officers.

1. Selection of Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint an ad hoc Nominating Committee of at least three members at the Board meeting in March.

2. Nomination and Election of Officers. The Nominating Committee shall nominate one or more nominees for each office. The Committee shall present the nominations to the Board at their April meeting. The nominations shall be printed in the May Newsletter. This slate of candidates shall be presented at a May membership meeting together with nominations from the floor, for election of officers for the ensuing year.

D. Term of Office. Board members shall be elected for a term of one year.

ARTICLE IV. QUORUM

Section 1. Requirement for a Quorum

A minimum of fifteen members present at a membership meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2. Decisions of Quorum.

Decisions made by the Association shall require a majority vote with a quorum present at a membership meeting. In case of a tie vote, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

ARTICLE V. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules of parliamentary procedure, as set forth in "Robert's Rules of Order Revised," shall govern the proceedings of the Association, subject to any special rules, which may have been, or will be, adopted by a majority vote of the members at a meeting.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Association shall be held on the second Thursday of September, the first two Thursdays of October and November, and the first two Thursdays of each month from January through May. The first Thursday of December and the first Thursday of June will be a no-host luncheon meeting at the discretion of the board. Special meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Board.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called when deemed advisable by a majority of the Board.

Section 3. Location of Meetings

Regular meetings will be held at the University or at a centrally located area accessible to members. Exceptions: specially arranged field trips.

ARTICLE VII. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall run from September 1 through the following August 31.

ARTICLE VIII. DUES

The Board, subject to approval at a membership meeting, shall determine dues. Dues are to be paid after September 1. Members who do not renew by December 1 shall be removed from the membership list.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS

If amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws are required due to changing circumstances, the president with the approval of the Board shall appoint an ad hoc Constitution and Bylaws Committee to draft the amendments. The committee shall report back to the Board. If the Board approves the amendments then the proposed amendments to the Constitution or Bylaws shall be printed in the Newsletter. If a quorum is present, the members present at the next membership meeting shall take a vote. If passed by a majority, the amendments become official.

ARTICLE X. PROCEDURE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

It shall be the prerogative of the President to open a membership meeting by calling for brief reports from the officers present.

Article XI. Dissolution of Organization

If and when the Retired Associates of Portland State University becomes defunct, the uncommitted funds and property of the organization will be given to the Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC) of Portland State University, These funds and equipment may be stored and used to support the creation of another organization that promotes Seniors at Portland State University, as seen fit by SALC.

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BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. DUTIES OF COORDINATOR, OFFICERS, AND CHAIRPERSONS

Section 1. COORDINATOR

The Program Director of the Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC) shall act in an advisory capacity to the Association.

Section 2. PRESIDENT

1. The President shall be the presiding officer at Association meetings unless this duty is delegated to the President-elect or, in absence, to another officer.

2. The President may call for brief reports from the SALC Program Director and officers present at membership meetings.

3. The President shall appoint ad hoc committees as needed.

Section 3. PRESIDENT-ELECT

1.The President-elect shall automatically become President when the President has served a full term.

2. The President-elect, in absence of the President, shall act as President.

3. The President-elect shall keep the Constitution and Bylaws current and available for reference by any member.

4. The President-elect shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 4. SECRETARY

1. The Secretary shall take brief minutes at board and membership business meetings.

2. The Secretary shall send necessary communications, such as letters of appreciation to program presenters.

3. The Secretary shall maintain a Book of Resolutions containing the rules, regulations, and policies adopted by the Association and Board.

4. The Secretary shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 5. TREASURER

1. The Treasurer shall receive and deposit the dues.

2. The Treasurer, the President, or the President-elect shall pay the operating expenses as incurred.

3. The Treasurer shall periodically review the status of members' dues, strive to maintain paid-up registrations, and cooperate with the Membership Chairperson in maintaining a current membership roster.

4. The Treasurer, President, and the President-elect shall sign bank signature cards allowing them to sign Association checks.

5. At the discretion of the board the Treasurer shall direct yearly audits of the Association's accounts and records by a person with a qualified financial background approved by the Board.

6. The Treasurer shall make monthly reports to the Board of the Association's finances. At the discretion of the board the Treasurer and an ad hoc committee shall prepare a yearly report projecting income and expenditures for the year to present to the Board for approval by December.

7.The Treasurer shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 6. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

1. The Immediate Past President shall be a consultant to other officers.

2. The Immediate Past President shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 7. MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON

1. The Membership Chairperson shall recruit new members, maintain current membership records, and appoint a committee to assist in these duties.

2. The Membership Chairperson and Committee shall make every effort to engender an atmosphere of welcome at all meetings.

3. The Membership Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 8. NEWSLETTER CHAIRPERSON

1. The Newsletter Chairperson shall edit, print, and mail a periodic newsletter and appoint a committee to assist in these duties.

2. The Newsletter Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 9. PERSONAL-TOUCH CHAIRPERSON

1. The Personal-Touch Chairperson shall keep the membership informed of the welfare of members and send cards and make telephone calls as appropriate.

2. The Personal-Touch Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 10. PROGRAM CHAIRPERSON

1. The Program Chairperson shall plan and carry out the programs and shall appoint a committee to assist in these duties.

2. The Program Chairperson shall be responsible for the details of the meetings, including reservation of meeting rooms, guest parking, visual aids, guest lunches, introduction of speakers, and announcements of future meetings.

3.The Program Chairperson shall inform the Newsletter Chairperson regarding future programs.

4. The Program Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 11. PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON

1.The Publicity Chairperson shall be responsible for publicizing the Association.

2.The Publicity Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 12. HOSPITALITY CHAIRPERSON

1.The Hospitality Chairperson shall be responsible for maintaining the refreshment table and appoint a committee to assist in these duties.

2.The Hospitality Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 13. SOCIAL CHAIRPERSON

1.The Social Chairperson shall plan social activities, such as special luncheons, parties, and trips, and appoint a committee to assist in these duties.

2.The Social Chairperson shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 14. HISTORIAN

1.The Historian shall keep the historical records of the Association up to date.

2.The Historian shall assist in other duties as the President may delegate.

Section 15. SUCCESSION TO ACT AS OFFICERS.

1.In the event of the death, permanent disability, or resignation of the President, the incumbents holding the Board positions designated below, in the order indicated, shall act for and exercise the powers of the President as Acting President:

1. President-elect

2. Immediate Past-President

3. Secretary

4.Treasurer

 2. In the event of the temporary absence or temporary disability of the President, the incumbents holding the Board positions designed in paragraph (A) of this section, in the order indicated, shall act for and exercise the powers of the President as Acting President.

3. In the event of the death, permanent disability, or resignation or in the event of the temporary absence or temporary disability of any other officer, the President with the approval of the board shall select a person to fill the office.

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Adopted by a vote of the general membership on 11/2/06

Original Constitution & Bylaws dated March 1992.