AAS Alumni (+Friends) Network

SJSU AAS Alumni (+Friends) Reunion - September 21, 2024

Executive Board

Asian American Studies Alumni (+Friends) Network Bylaws

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the SJSU Asian American Studies Alumni (+Friends) Network (henceforth, "SJSU AAS Alumni Network").

Article II. Affiliation

SJSU AAS Alumni Network shall operate as a Network of the San Jose State Alumni Association.

Article III. Mission and Goals

The AAS Alumni Network seeks to promote and support the educational, professional, and community-based development of Asian American Studies students at San Jose State University.

Section 3.1: To build and maintain connections between the AAS Program and the local San Jose community—honoring the “Serve the People” roots and mentality in the founding of AAS

Section 3.2: To strengthen student-alumni relationships by providing opportunities for social and professional development and mentorship for AAS alumni and current students

Section 3.3: To advocate for funding and resources for the AAS Program

Section 3.4: To encourage the hiring, promotion, and retention of AAS faculty

Section 3.5: To keep members informed about events, activities, and affairs related to AAS and Asian Pacific American students at San Jose State University

Section 3.6: To convene gatherings, programming, and conferences that address issues of interest and concern for SJSU AAS and Asian Pacific Americans in the San Jose region

Section 3.7: To fundraise for student scholarships, programming, and alumni awards

Article IV. Membership

Section 4.1 Qualifications. Membership is open to all SJSU students, alumni, and current or retired faculty and staff who support the objectives of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network; however, primary outreach will directly prioritize and center AAS graduates from the minor program and from AAS classes;

Section 4.2 Admission and Good Standing. Individuals qualified for membership with the SJSU AAS Alumni Network as defined in Section 4.1, shall be admitted as members upon request to the Board or submission of a completed membership application to the Board supporting the objectives of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network. Individuals duly admitted as members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network shall be members in good standing.

Section 4.3 Privileges of Membership. All members are entitled to serve on the Board, to vote, and to enjoy the rights and privileges that the Board may establish.

Section 4.4 General Meetings. General meetings shall be held at such times as the Board may determine from time to time, but there shall be no less than one general meeting per year. The SJSU AAS Alumni Network members shall be invited to any and all general meetings determined by the Board. The SJSU AAS Alumni Network members shall have the right to introduce matters for consideration at general meetings.

Article V. Dues

Networks are not allowed to implement their own membership dues. However, 50% of Alumni Association membership dues paid by those who identify themselves with an affiliation to the network will be designated for the network’s use. Alumni who join the Alumni Association may designate their network when completing their purchase on the giving page.

Article VI. Board of Directors

Section 6.1 Composition. The Board shall consist of four (4) Executive Officers, one (1) Director, and any other Directors the Board may appoint as they deem fit pursuant to Article VIII. The Executive Officers shall be the President, Vice President, Communications Coordinator, and Treasurer. The Director shall be the Director of Programming. The Board shall promote the goals and interests of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network.

Section 6.2 Responsibilities. The Board members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) The President shall call meetings, serve as liaison to other university entities or persons (or designate someone in their stead to do so) and carry out other responsibilities typical of the executive officer of such an organization. The President can lead recruiting strategies with the Executive Board to grow and maintain the membership through graduating seniors, as well as other new or more senior alumni. The President shall make an annual report with the assistance of the other Executive Officers and Directors outlining significant highlights, accomplishments, and achievements to the membership and the SJSU AAS Alumni Network by June 30 of each year.

(b) The Vice President shall assist the President, represent the President in their absence, develop mutual beneficial working relationships with the SJSU AAS Alumni Network and the greater SJSU community, and shall carry out other responsibilities typical of the Vice President of such an organization. At the President's request, the Vice President shall write an annual report.

(c) The Communications Coordinator shall assist the President, develop and facilitate an efficient and consistent method of communication with members, students, and other alumni, oversee the keeping of written records, including minutes of meetings, and shall carry out other responsibilities typical of the Communications Coordinator of such an organization. The Communications Coordinator shall oversee the keeping of written records, including a membership list. At the President's request, the Communications Coordinator shall write an annual report.

(d) The Treasurer shall assist the President, and oversee collection and stewardship of monies belonging or available to the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, and shall carry out other responsibilities typical of the Treasurer of such an organization. The Treasurer shall consult with the Executive Board and members to develop fundraising events and strategies. At the President's request, the Treasurer shall write an annual report including an accounting of all monies available to the SJSU AAS Alumni Network.

(e) The Director of Programming shall assist the President, and develop and/or improve programs and activities for the SJSU AAS Alumni Network members and recruits. The Director of Programming shall serve as the chairperson of the Programming Committee. At the President's request, the Director of Programming shall write an annual report.

Section 6.3 Qualifications. The inaugural SJSU AAS Alumni Network Executive Board will be selected by the Asian American Studies Founders Alumni Reunion Steering Committee. Subsequently, all Board members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network shall be regular members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network at the time of their election and through their terms.

Section 6.4 Terms. The term of each Board member of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network shall be two (2) years. The founding President and Treasurer will serve the standard 2-year terms (in the odd year). While the other founding Board members will serve 1-year terms (in the even year). Board members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network may not serve more than three (3) terms in any Board position, unless they are running unopposed.

Section 6.5 Election. Members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network in good standing, as defined in Section 4.2, may vote in elections for Board members. Elections may be carried out by electronic or written ballot.

Section 6.6 Duties of the Board. The Board shall make general policy decisions for the good of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, review and resolve any conflict of interest issues as arises, be responsible for general oversight of the organization, and engage in any lawful activities necessary or incidental to effectuating the objectives of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network.

Section 6.7 Quorum. At all meetings of the Board, majority presence of the Board members, either physically present or present via tele/video conference or similar means, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the Board members present at a meeting where there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board.

Section 6.8 Voting Rights. All members of the Board may vote on all issues, except where a conflict of interest exists, in which case the member must recuse themselves from voting on the issue. Each Board member shall have one equal vote.

Section 6.9 Resignation. A Board member may resign at any time, such resignation to be made in writing and to take effect from the time of its receipt by the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, unless some other time may be fixed in the resignation, and then from that date. Acceptance of the resignation by the Board shall not be required to make it effective.

Section 6.10 Removal. Any member of the Board may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the Board members. Any Board member subjected to such removal shall be informed by another Board member at least thirty days in advance of the vote.

Section 6.11 Vacancies. In the event any Board position is vacated by removal, resignation, death, or for any other cause, the Board shall appoint by majority vote a member in good standing of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, as defined in Section 4.2, to serve out the remainder of the term left by the vacating Board member.

Article VII. Committees

Section 7.1 Creation and Dissolution. Other than the Programming Committee, the Board shall create, appoint, or dissolve committees as they deem fit. Such committees may include, but are not limited to, an advisory committee, bylaws committee, scholarship committee, mentorship committee, and the like. Each committee shall consist of at least one Director, as chairperson, and at least a majority of the committee members must be general members in good standing of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network.

Section 7.2 Function. Any such committee as the Board shall create and appoint, shall provide recommendations for action to be voted upon by the Board and exercise such powers as provided by the Board.

Section 7.3 Committee Membership. Committee membership may be opened to members and non-members of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network as the Board sees fit.

Section 7.4 Committee Directors. Where the Board creates a committee not already created in these bylaws (the "Bylaws"), the Director of that newly formed committee and any subsequent Director of that committee shall sit on the Board as a Board member, and be entitled to all the same rights and privileges, and subject to the same responsibilities and obligations of Board members under the Bylaws. The Director shall also act as chairperson of that committee.

Section 7.5 Terms. The term of any newly created Director shall be two (2) years, or of a duration determined by the Board. Additional new directors will serve even and odd years.

Section 7.6 Removal, Resignation, Vacancies. Any Director may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the Board members, provided that the Board provides the committee chairperson with thirty (30) days notice in advance of the vote. Any committee member, except the Director, may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the members of the subject committee. Any committee member subject to such removal shall be informed by the Director of the subject committee. In the event any committee Director position is vacated by removal, resignation, death, or for any other cause, the Board shall appoint by majority vote a member in good standing of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network to serve out the remainder of the term left by the vacating Committee Director.

Article VIII. Dissolution

Section 8.1 Distribution of Assets. In the event of dissolution of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, any and all remaining assets shall be given to the Program of Asian American Studies or the SJSU AAS Alumni Network’s successor group, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all debts, obligations, liabilities, costs, and expenses of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network.

Article XI. Amendments

The Bylaws of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network may be amended by a majority vote of the Board.

Article IX. Liability and Indemnification

Section 9.1 Liability. The assets of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network shall alone be liable in law or in equity for any and all debts and liabilities of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, and each Executive Officer, Director, employee, or agent of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network (each, a "Covered Person," and collectively, "Covered Persons") shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network. The personal liability of a Covered Person is hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted under the law. Neither the amendment or repeal of this Article, nor the adoption of any provision of these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article shall adversely affect any right or protection of any Covered Person existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, or adoption.

Section 9.2 Indemnification. Every Covered Person shall be indemnified by the SJSU AAS Alumni Network and SJSU against all expenses and liabilities (including legal counsel fees) reasonably incurred or imposed upon such Covered Person in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, proceeding, or claim to which he/she becomes involved, as applicable, by reason of his/her being or having been an Executive Office, Director, employee, or agent of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network, as applicable, or any settlement thereof, unless there is final, non-appealable judgment that such Covered Person is liable for gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud in the performance of their duties in connection with the SJSU AAS Alumni Network. Such right to indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Executive Officer, Director, employee, or agent of the SJSU AAS Alumni Network and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to, and not exclusive of, all other rights which such Covered Person is entitled to by operation of law, in equity, or by contract.

Article X. Notice of Non-Discrimination

The SJSU AAS Alumni Network does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, veteran's status, income, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, or family status, except that it may designate scholarship funds specifically for students of Asian Pacific American identity.

Contact: La Donna Yumori-Kaku, laringo1@icloud.com