UAHRA Constitution

updated 5/18/16

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this association shall be the University of Alabama in Huntsville Retirees Association (UAHRA).

ARTICLE II. Purposes

UAHRA is organized for the following purposes:

  1. To promote continuing support by members, alumni, and friends of the University to help enhance the scholarly and other professional objectives of the institution so that it is able to serve more effectively the students and citizens of the State and nation in the years ahead;
  2. To communicate on behalf of retired University of Alabama in Huntsville personnel with representatives of the University, government, and other groups relative to the welfare of retired persons;
  3. To cooperate with University of Alabama in Huntsville Retirees in sponsoring and promoting educational programs relating to needs and opportunities for retired persons; and
  4. To educate the public about the issues and concerns of retired persons.

ARTICLE III. Membership and Dues

Section 1. Membership:

Persons eligible for membership include:

  1. Retired members of the University faculty and staff, and their spouses. Widows and widowers of members are also eligible, and
  2. On the application and approval of the Board of Directors, persons who once served on the faculty or staff of UAH and are now retired from some other institution or company, and spouses, widows and widowers of such persons.

Section 2. Dues:

Annual or lifetime dues shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE IV. Board of Directors, Officers and Committees

Section 1. Board of Directors:

The Board shall be composed of the number of members specified in the By-Laws and shall be responsible for the governing of the Association.

  1. Eligibility of Membership. All members, whose dues are paid, are eligible for membership on the Board. To the extent possible, the Board shall be representative of the several constituencies of the University and the Nominating Committee shall seek this balance.
  2. Term of Office. Elected members of the Board shall serve for a term of three (3) years. One third of these members shall be elected annually. With one exception, any vacancy on the Board during the year shall be filled by the Board, and the appointee may be eligible for a full term, if the vacating Board member has not served at least two (2) years. Only when the vacancy during the year occurs when the Nominating Committee is at work nominating individuals for the coming year shall the Board not fill the vacancy.
  3. Elections. The new members of the Board shall be approved by plurality response of the full membership upon their receipt of a proposed slate of candidates for the UAHRA Board selected by the Nominating Committee. The ballots shall be distributed at least one month before the annual meeting in May. New members of the Board shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the annual meeting in May.
  4. Electors. Each member whose dues are paid is entitled to vote.
  5. Balloting. The Nominating Committee must receive ballots at least one (1) week before the annual meeting to be eligible to be counted. The Nominating Committee shall count the ballots under the supervision of the chairperson who shall certify the results and report them to the Board President.

Section 2. Officers:

The officers of the UAHRA shall be: a President, a Vice-President, who shall also serve as President-Elect, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. They shall perform the duties customary for their respective offices. The officers shall be chosen by the Board from among its elected members and shall serve for a one (1) year term. If approved by the Board, an officer may serve in his/her position more than one year during his/her three year term. The sole exception is the Vice President/President Elect who shall serve the following year even if this causes an extension of the three-year Board term. The officers shall be chosen at a meeting of the new Board preceding the annual meeting in May, and shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the annual meeting. Vacancies shall be filled by action of the Board and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired terms. The Past President shall serve a year on the Board in a non-voting capacity.

Section 3. Committees:

The Board shall have the authority to establish such standing and ad hoc committees, as it deems desirable, as indicated in the By-Laws

ARTICLE IV. Amendments

Section 1. Notice:

Written notice of proposed amendments to the Constitution must be sent to the membership one (1) month before the general meeting at which time they are to be acted upon. Should the Board decide to submit proposed amendments by mail ballot, a period of one (1) month must be allowed for the receipt of valid ballots. Any member of UAHRA may propose amendments.

Section 2. Vote Requirement:

The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members present, provided the required notice has been given, at least one officer is present, and fifteen (15) members are present. The Constitution may also be amended by a majority vote of the ballots returned in a written poll of the membership, provided fifteen (15) of the ballots are returned.

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UAHRA By-Laws

updated 2/10/16

ARTICLE I. Membership Meetings

Section 1.

Annual Meetings:

There shall be an annual meeting of the members of the University of Alabama in Huntsville Retirees Association (UAHRA). This meeting shall be held each May at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. At such meeting the members of the UAHRA shall transact such businesses may properly be presented for action by the members. Other items of interest may be introduced for future consideration.

Section 2.

Other Meetings.

There may be other meetings of the members as the Board directs.

Section 3.

Notice of Meetings.

The Secretary shall provide notice of the time, place, and purpose of all meetings of the membership.

Section 4.

Quorum.

A quorum for actions of UAHRA shall be attained whenever at least one officer is present and fifteen (15) members are present.

ARTICLE II. Composition of the Board of Directors

The Board responsible for governing the Association shall be composed of six (6) to nine (9) elected members. The President shall serve as chairperson of the Board. The remaining officers shall be: The Vice President (also, President Elect), Secretary, and Treasurer. The outgoing elected Board members shall serve as a Nominating Committee to propose new Board members and the President shall appoint a chairperson of that committee.

ARTICLE III. Meetings of the Board

Section 1.

Planning Meeting:

The Board shall hold a planning meeting within one (1) month after the annual meeting to approve the Chairpersons of the standing and other committees and to plan the work of the UAHRA for the ensuing year. The President shall designate the time and place of the meeting.

Section 2.

Regular Board Meetings:

The Board shall meet monthly, unless otherwise agreed. The Board shall establish the time and place of such meetings.

Section 3.

Special Board Meetings:

Special meetings of the Board may be held upon call of the President, or upon request of any three (3) members of the Board.

Section 4.

Notice of Board Meetings:

The Secretary shall give notice of each meeting of the Board to each of its members.

Section 5.

Quorum:

A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE IV. Membership Dues

Section 1.

Organizational year:

The organizational year shall begin October 1.

Section 2.

Amount:

The amount of annual or lifetime dues shall be based on the following categories of membership:

  • (a) Retiree (from UAH) $10.00
  • (b) Retiree and retired spouse (both from UAH) $15.00
  • (c) Retiree (from UAH) and retired spouse (other than from UAH) $17.50
  • (d) Retiree (from UAH) and non-retired spouse $20.00
  • (e) Surviving spouse of retiree (from UAH) $10.00
  • (f) Other individual applications as approved by the Board of Directors (see UAHRA Constitution, Article III, Section 1, Subsection 2) $20.00
  • (g) Lifetime $100.00 (for one) $150.00 (for retiree and spouse)
  • (h) A new retiree will receive a complimentary membership for the remainder of the organizational year in which he/she retires.

Section 3.

Dues period and Time of Payment:

Dues shall be paid for the organizational year, which is also the fiscal year for UAHRA. They are due on October 1 and shall be paid no later than January 1 to maintain active membership

ARTICLE V. Committees

Section 1.

Standing Committees:

Standing Committees, as determined by the Board, shall carry out the purposes of UAHRA. The chairperson and members of each committee shall be designated by action of the Board. Standing Committees may appoint subcommittees, which shall report to them. Members of Standing Committees shall serve a one (1) year term and are eligible for successive reappointment.

Section 2.

Ad Hoc Committees:

The Board may appoint ad hoc committees for the study of special needs and problems. The Board shall designate a chairperson for each of these committees. These committees shall report to the Board and shall serve at its pleasure.

ARTICLE VI. Amendments

The Board, by a two-thirds vote, may amend By-Laws at any regular or special meeting, providing that the proposed amendment has been circulated to the Board at least one (1) week before the meeting at which time the amendment is to be considered. Any member of the UAHRA may propose amendments.

ARTICLE VII. Memorial Gifts

Members of UAHRA who pass away shall have a memorial gift of $50.00 from the UAHRA fund donated in their memory to the UAHRA Scholar- ship Fund. The Secretary will send a condolence card to the family of the deceased member.

ARTICLE VIII. Membership Directory

In April of each year the Board will publish and distribute to all active members a directory of active members.

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