Article I: Name and Location
Section 1. Name.
The name of this association shall be “The Alumni Association
of Missouri Baptist University [previously Missouri Baptist College].”
Section 2: Location.
The location of the principle office of the Association shall be in
St. Louis County, Missouri, but such other offices may be established
at such places and for such purposes as may be provided by order of
the Board of Governors.
Article II: Mission Statement
Section 1. General.
The mission of this Association shall be:
1. To promote the general welfare and effectiveness of Missouri Baptist
University;
2. To aid, encourage, and further the aims, programs, and plans of
our alma mater;
3. To assist the trustees, administration, faculty, students, and
alumni of the University in each respective fields of activity;
4. To foster and encourage mutual concern and fellowship among the
alumni of the University.
Article III: Polity
Section 1: Specific
The Alumni Association of Missouri Baptist University recognizes the
Board of Trustees of Missouri Baptist University as the supreme governing
body of the University. This Association represents the alumni of
Missouri Baptist College/University who have a deep and special interest
in promoting the welfare of the University. This Association shall
communicate to the trustees any suggestions, which its membership
believes will promote the effectiveness of the University and help
it to accomplish its mission. In a similar manner, it shall convey
to the administration, faculty and student body any suggestions considered
appropriate relative to the fields of activity for those groups.
Section 2. Fiscal.
This Association recognizes that the fiscal affairs of the University
rests upon the Board of Trustees and are of primary importance to
the existence of the institution. Fund-raising and financial development
for the support of the University are functions of the institution
and not this Association. However, the Association shall encourage
its members to contribute financially and to assist the University
in fundraising and financial development while always recognizing
that members of the Association may contribute in a variety of ways
for the welfare of the University.
The By-laws of The Alumni Association
of Missouri Baptist University.
Article I: Membership
Section A. Regular Membership
Regular membership in the Association, and the right to vote as such
member shall be extended to:
1. All persons who have graduated from Missouri Baptist College/University
with a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or masters degree (an
undergraduate alumni maybe concurrently enrolled on the graduate level,
or
2. Attended as a full-time student for at least one full academic
year (two semesters), and is no longer enrolled as a student of the
University.
Section B: Honorary Membership.
Honorary membership in the Association shall be provided for those
persons who have evidenced particular interest in the welfare of Missouri
Baptist University, and desire to associate themselves with the activities
of the Association. They shall be admitted to full membership, upon
approval of the Board of Governors, including the right to vote.
Article II: Officers
Section A. Officers.
The officers of this Association shall be:
1. President
2. President-Elect (ex-officio vice-president)
3. Resident Vice President
4. Secretary
5. Administrative Liaison from Missouri Baptist University.
Section B. Duties and Powers of Offices
President:
The President of the Association shall be its chief executive officer
and shall preside at general and special meets of the Association
and at all meetings of the Board of Governors of the Association.
In the absence of the president, the presiding officer at such meetings
shall be in the following order: The president-elect, the resident
vice -president, the secretary or whomever the president shall designate
as the presiding officer for such particular meeting.
The president of the Association shall, at the meeting of the Board
of governors preceding the Spring Commencement at Missouri Baptist
University, present in writing to the Board a report of activities
of his/her tenure, and upon approval of the Board of Governors, to
the Alumni Association.
The President, in person or through a clearly authorized representative,
shall present to the Board of Trustees through the President of Missouri
Baptist University, as the subject may require, any proposals on behalf
of the Association which touch upon the welfare of the University
or the joint welfare of the University and this Association.
President-Elect:
The president-elect shall succeed to all duties and powers of the
president in the event that the Board of Governors shall declare the
office of president vacant. It is understood, however, that the intention
of the Association is that the office of president-elect is created
herein chiefly to provide continuity of information and comprehension
of policy between one administration of the association and its successor
administration.
Resident Vice-President:
The resident vice president shall upon the request of the president,
act on behalf of the president in his/her absence, and shall coordinate
the work of the advisory commissions. The resident vice-president
shall reside in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.
Secretary:
The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and serve as
an officer of the Association, in charge of planning and notification
of meetings for the Association and /or the Board of Governors. The
secretary will work in conjunction with the administrative liaison
of the University in all areas of planning meetings, refreshments,
contacts, etc. The secretary shall have no authority to contract for
expenses in the name of the University.
Administrative Liaison:
The administrative liaison of this Association shall be the person
of the University administration in charge of alumni services, and
shall be an officer of this association with administrative powers.
The administrative liaison shall attend, as a member, all meetings
of this Association and of its Board of Governors, and shall have
all the privileges of a member of the Association and of the Board
of Governors. The administrative liaison shall be in charge of maintaining,
the records of the University alumni and shall establish communication
with the alumni and help coordinate alumni activities both on and
off campus. The administrative liaison shall send written announcements
of general interest to the alumni and such records of the official
acts of the association or its Board of Governors as may be directed
by the Association, the Board of Governors, the President of the Association,
or the President of the University.
Article III: Membership Meetings
Section 1. Meetings
An annual meeting of the membership shall be held in the greater St.
Louis metropolitan area, at a time and place to be determined by the
Executive Committee. Reasonable notice thereof shall be given by mail.
Article IV: Board of Governors
Section A. Membership
The Board of Governors shall consist of the following and the officers
of the Association:
Elected Representatives from graduating classes (by years) and honorary
membership in the following divisions:
A. Three alumni who attended Missouri Baptist College prior to the
first graduation class of 1973, known as the Legacy Alumni Club.
B. Three alumni who attended/graduated Missouri Baptist College from
1973-1980.
C. Three alumni who attended/graduated Missouri Baptist College from
1981-1990.
D. Three alumni who attended/graduated Missouri Baptist College from
1991-2000.
E. Three alumni who attended/graduated Missouri Baptist College/University
from 2001-2010. These will be elected one for years between 2001-2003;
one 2004-2007; and one 2008-2010. At the conclusion of the ten-year
period, the representatives will no longer be selected by individual
years.
F. Three alumni who attended/graduated Missouri Baptist College/University
during any time period who are members at large.
G. Three alumni who are from the honorary alumni of Missouri Baptist
University.
H. The presidents of the current junior and senior classes and the
president of the immediate past graduating class of Missouri Baptist
University.
I. The past presidents of this Association, who shall serve as ex-officio
members, without vote.
Section B. Quorum
A quorum shall consist of one-third of the voting membership present
for any meeting.
Section C. Powers
Between the general meetings of the Association, the Board of Governors
shall be empowered to do all things and determine all matters of the
Association, which are consistent with the Constitution, the role
of the Association and University.
Section D. Executive Committee
The Board of Governors may act by and through an executive committee,
which shall consist of the officers of the Association.
Section E. Meetings
The Board of Governors shall meet at least once each year on a called
date prior to the Spring Commencement. Additional meetings may be
called or scheduled by the president and/or the Board of Governors.
Meetings will be normally held in the greater St. Louis area and reasonable
notice will be given by mail.
Section F. Agenda
Preceding any meeting of the full membership of the Board of Governors,
the Executive committee shall prepare an agenda and recommendations
for submission to the Board. However, the Board shall not be limited
to the agenda or recommendations. Additional areas of discussion may
be added or considered as in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
Article V: Election
Section 1. Election
Except for the president and the president-elect the Board of Governors
shall be elected on a rotation basis for a term of three years, each
to serve until their respective successors are elected. Such elections
shall be held prior to the general meeting of the Association in the
spring of the year.
Section 2. Presidential Succession
The president of the Association shall serve a term of two years and
shall be the same person as the president-elect or the preceding years.
Section 3. Nominations
Such officers and members of the Board of Governors shall be chosen
from nominations made by a nominating committee appointed by the president.
Committee nominations are to reach the secretary not later than 60
days prior to the election.
Section 4. Procedure
Election of officers and members of the Board of Governors shall be
by mail ballot. Ballots shall be mailed to all members not later than
45 days prior to the annual membership meeting.
Article VI: Vacancies
Section 1. Vacancies
The Board of Governors shall fill vacancies among the officers, with
the exception of the President-elect, and the Board of Governors for
the unexpired term. If there should be a vacancy in the office of
president-elect, a new president-elect shall be elected prior to the
next meeting of the association, according to the provision of Article
V, Sections 3 and 4.
Article VII: Area Associations and Advisory Commissions.
Sections 1. Area Associations
Upon petition to the Board of Governors, any assembly of Missouri
Baptist University alumni may be recognized as an area association.
Any formally recognized area association shall be requested to report
annually to the Board of Governors at its spring meeting.
Section 2. Advisory commissions
There may be established advisory commission composed of members of
the Board of Governors and other alumni appointed by the president
with the advice and approval of the executive committee of the Board
of Governors. Such commissions may also select additional personnel
as consulting members. These advisory commissions shall find facts,
recommend policy, and as directed by the president, initiate the implementation
of policy in such fields as the following: Curricular and scholastic
standards; Athletics; Students activities; Alumni activities; Student
enrollment; Religious activities; Student placement; University buildings,
equipment, and campus development; University advancement; and Alumni
recognition.
Section 3. Meetings
An advisory commission shall meet on call or its chairperson and as
directed by the President or Resident Vice-president.
Section 4. Additional Commissions
All such commissions shall report to the Board of Governors and no
action taken shall be binding on the Association until approved by
the Board of Governors.
Article VIII: Amendments
Section 1. Amendments
Amendments to this constitution and by-laws are to be submitted to
the Board of Governors for approval and input before being presented
to the full membership of the Association. Written amendments and
ballots will be posted on the Missouri Baptist University website
(www.mobap.edu), Alumni page,
with notification in MBU Magazine. Paper copies will be mailed to
any alumnus who requests a copy.
Two-thirds favorable vote of those ballots returned will prove valid and will amend the Articles of the Constitution.
A simple majority of returned ballots will prove valid to amend the
Constitution and By-laws.
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Previous update information:
Current Revision, 1/2003: purpose to update wording from College to University
Previous Revision, 1/2002: purpose to incorporate additional graduating classes/graduate degrees
Previous Revision, 6/1996: purpose to incorporate additional graduating classes
