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Bylaws of the Mount Holyoke Club of Northern California

Bylaws of the Mount Holyoke Club of Northern California

ARTICLE I.  NAME

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE & VALUES

Section 1. Purpose

Section 2. Values

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Active Member

Section 2. Associate Member

Section 3. Honorary Member

Section 4. Dues

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

Section 2. Election

Section 3. Duties

Section 4. Vacancies and Succession of Officers

ARTICLE V. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1: Composition

ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Composition

Section 2. Duties

Section 3. Meetings

ARTICLE VII.  BUSINESS MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meeting

ARTICLE VIII. REPORTS

Section 1. Annual Report

Section 2. Financial Report

ARTICLE IX.  BUDGET

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE I.  NAME

The organization shall be known as the Mount Holyoke Club of Northern California (“Club”).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE & VALUES

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of the Club shall be to support the alums of Mount Holyoke College (“College”), the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College (“Association”) and the College by cultivating an active group of alums in the Northern California area who are connected to each other and connected to, informed about, and involved in the life and work of the College.

Section 2. Values

As the College pledges in its anti-racism action plan, the Club similarly commits to working toward challenging white supremacy and becoming an anti-racist community. The Club strives, as President Sonya Stephens stated, “to be better, to do more…and commit to equity and to enduring and systemic change.” The Club stands against racialized and gendered violence and oppression. We welcome the thoughts and feedback of our members.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Active Member

Any former student (“Alum”) who moves into the area determined by the Association to be part of the Club’s region automatically becomes an Active Member of the Club. Active Members are eligible to vote at Club meetings as well as stand for elections.

Section 2. Associate Member

Any former or present member of the faculty or parent of a present or past student may become an Associate Member on payment of annual dues.

Section 3. Honorary Member

The Board of Directors may nominate special persons for honorary membership in the Club, and such nominees shall become Honorary Members upon their election by a majority vote of the Active Members (electronically in an asynchronous fashion or in person) at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Dues

Dues are set annually by the Board of Directors and approved by a majority vote of Active Members (electronically in an asynchronous fashion or in person) at the Annual Meeting. Dues are paid on a voluntary basis and used to support Club activities. The Club will accept any amount from any alum who wishes to contribute.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

Officers may include: President(s), Vice-President(s), Treasurer(s), Communications Chair(s), Membership Chair(s), Recent Alum Chair(s), External Liaison(s), and General Board Member(s). At a minimum, the officers shall include a president and treasurer. Any office can be a shared position.

Section 2. Election

  1. All officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting from the list of candidates presented by the current Board, increased by nominations from the floor. If there is more than one candidate for any office, or more candidates than there are positions, the vote shall be by ballot. Plurality shall elect.
  2. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and General Board Members shall be elected for a term of two years. All other officers shall be elected for a term of one year. Terms of office shall commence on July 1.

Section 3. Duties

The duties of the officers shall be consistent with those usually appertaining to those positions. Please see the most current Board Positions & Descriptions document for detailed role purposes, responsibilities, and expectations.

Such duties can be amended by vote, in person or electronic, of the board.

Section 4. Vacancies and Succession of Officers

If a President steps down, a Vice President is asked to take on the role. If there is no one to assume the role of President, then a formal notice must be sent to all Active Members of the Club notifying them of impending dissolution. At such time, should a volunteer come forward, that person will serve in the role of President until the next election.

Each officer is expected to serve their entire term, as outlined in Article IV, Section 2.B. If unable to complete the expected term due to extenuating circumstances, officers may share concerns with the President(s) and work together on a plan for succession.

ARTICLE V. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1: Composition

Standing committees may include nominating, membership, events, and recent alums. Ad hoc committees will be formed to serve Club needs as they arise.

ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Composition

The Board of Directors (“Board”) shall consist of the officers of the Club, the chairs of committees (in the event they are formed), and general board members.

Section 2. Duties

The Board of Directors shall conduct the business of the Club and direct its activities.

Each Board member shall commit to participate in internal Board communication, event planning, and larger Club brainstorming via our Slack channel and email. Each Board member shall commit to planning, coordinating, co-coordinating, hosting, and/or being the day-of point of contact for 1-3 events per year, at minimum.

Section 3. Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet upon the call of the president or any three members of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors present shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

Each Board member commits to attending at least 9 of the 12 monthly Board meetings per year. When unable to attend a meeting, members will add updates, as needed, to the agenda before the meeting and will review the notes afterward to keep abreast with Board business and action items.

ARTICLE VII.  BUSINESS MEETINGS

Section 1. Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting shall be held once a year on a date, time, place, and/or method determined by the Board of Directors. Ten active members present at the Annual Meeting shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII. REPORTS

Section 1. Annual Report

The Club shall file an annual report of its work with the Executive Director of the Association.

Section 2. Financial Report

The Treasurer of the Club shall file an annual financial report with the Treasurer of the Association.

ARTICLE IX.  BUDGET

The Treasurer, and any other interested parties, shall draft a budget and propose it to the Board. The Board shall discuss and vote upon the Club’s annual budget at the first Board meeting following the election of the new Board. Funds may be used for event speakers, event supplies (food/beverages/materials), supplies for care packages, renting spaces, subsidizing event attendees (theatre, concerts, etc.), and Club technology (e.g. annual Canva membership, Eventbrite fees, etc.)

If an unexpected expense is presented after the budget has been voted upon, a proposal must be brought to the Treasurer, and the Board shall vote.    

 

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of this organization or the winding up of its affairs, the assets shall be distributed exclusively to (a) the Alumnae Association of Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, for its general purposes or (b) if the said Association for any reason does not qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then to the Trustees of Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, for its general purposes or (c) if said Trustees of Mount Holyoke College for any reason do not qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, then to any charitable, scientific, literary, or educational organization which would qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its regulations as they now exist or as they may hereafter be amended.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Active Members present at any regular meeting, provided notice of said amendment has been given at a previous meeting or included in the call of the meeting.

Date of adoption: _________________________

Date of amendment: _________________________