Western New Mexico University Alumni Association Charter

ARTICLE I - NAME AND LOCATION
The name of the organization is "Western New Mexico University Alumni Association," hereinafter called the Association. Its principal office shall be located at Western New Mexico University, Silver City, New Mexico.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The object and purposes of this Association are to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between Western New Mexico University and its alumni; to promote in every way the best image, interests and development of the University. In carrying out such objects and purposes, the Association shall seek to create, foster, develop, and encourage individual and community interest in and support of Western New Mexico University and higher education in general.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Qualifications for Membership 
All former students and graduates of Western shall be members. 
Section B. Class of Membership
1. Membership - All former students and graduates of Western New Mexico University.
2. Associate Membership - Spouses of members shall be associate members. Friends of Western who do not qualify for membership or honorary membership may be voted to associate membership.
3. Honorary Membership - Friends of Western and parents of present and former students may be invited to honorary membership. Persons awarded honorary degrees by Western shall be honorary members.
Section C. Privileges of Members
1. Voting and Office holding privileges - All members shall have voting privileges at all general meetings of the Association and in all balloting by mail and shall be eligible to hold office.
2. Publications and Notices - All members shall receive all alumni publications and notices of general meetings.
3. Annual Reports - All members shall receive an annual report of Association activities and a copy of the Annual Message of the President of the University.
ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The government of the Association, the establishment of policy, and control of its property shall be vested in a Board of Directors. The Executive Director of the Association will be appointed by the Regents of WNMU upon the recommendation of the President of the University. The Board of Directors shall submit its own recommendations to the Board of Regents.
Section A. Membership
The board shall consist of a President, Vice-President, immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer elected by the Association, the Association's representative on the WNMU Foundation who shall be elected by the Association's Board of Directors, one representative from each chartered alumni chapter, and not less than nine members of the Association elected at-large. Six of the members-at-large shall be elected from New Mexico with no more than two coming from one county, and three shall be elected from other states. Each elected director shall serve a term of three years with a minimum of three directors being elected each year. Elected board members may seek successive terms and serve if elected.
Section B. Ex-oficio Members
Ex-oficio members shall have no vote nor be able to hold office except as herein otherwise provided, and shall include: Executive Director of the Association, President of WNMU or designated representative, President of the Associated Student Body of WNMU or designated representative, Director of Alumni Affairs, and Editor of Alumni Bulletin.
Section C. Quorum and Vacancies
1. Five members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business except herein otherwise provided.
2. Any director who has missed three consecutive meetings without notice shall be deemed to have forfeited his/her membership on the board.
3. Vacancies on the board shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board and shall serve for the remaining term of the previous board member.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice President, who will serve as President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined as one office. All officers shall be members of the Association in good standing and elected to office by the membership during the fall meeting. Officers may serve no more than two consecutive one-year terms.
Section A. Duties of Officers
A. President
The President shall be the chief officer of the Association; shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and at general meetings of the Association; shall assist in the formulating and promoting of the general program of the Association; shall with the Executive Director, sign all contracts and obligations of the Association; shall preside at all meetings of the members of the Association. The President shall be a member of and chairperson of the executive committee and a member ex-oficio of all committees of the Association. The President shall submit an annual report of the activities of the Association to the members. As immediate past President she/he shall serve as a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
B. Vice President
The Vice President shall serve as President-elect of the Association and shall work with the President to become familiar with the duties of that office, and shall succeed the President at the end of the term or terms for which the President has been elected. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the President's temporary disability or absence from the board and membership meetings. The Vice President shall succeed to the presidency upon the death, resignation or removal of the President and shall serve in that capacity through the remainder of the term for which the President was elected.
C. Treasurer
The Treasurer, under the direction of the board of directors, shall generally supervise the finances and budgets of the Association. In cooperation with the Executive Director, the Treasurer shall provide written reports to the Association at all regular meetings.
D. Secretary
The Secretary is charged with the statutory responsibility to record the proceedings of the meetings of members and directors in a book to be kept for that purpose.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS
Section A. Elections
1. The annual election for members of the Board of Directors shall be held during the fall meeting of the Association.
2. The Executive Committee shall count all votes immediately preceding each meeting and shall announce the vote at that time. A majority of votes cast shall suffice to elect a candidate. The newly elected officials will assume office the following Jan. 1.
Section B. Nominations
1. The nominating committee shall submit its nominations at the fall meeting each year and shall nominate at least one candidate for each position open.
2. Nominations may be made by members of the Association. Such nominations must be endorsed by the signature of at least ten members of the Association and must be submitted to the Alumni Office at least six weeks prior to the fall meeting of the Executive Committee.
3. The nominating committee will assure itself that the nominees selected are willing to have their names placed on the ballot and will serve if elected. Ballots shall be mailed to all members at least four weeks prior to the fall meeting.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all standing Committees. The President shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all special committees. Members of all standing committees shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Members of all special committees shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Committee. Members maybe removed in the same way except as herein otherwise provided. Following are the Standing Committees of the Association: Finance Committee Homecoming Committee Membership Committee Nominating Committee Scholarship Committee
ARTICLE VIII - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and immediate past President, and shall have the authority to make decisions of an emergency nature. Such actions shall be reported to the Board of Directors for their approval at the next regular meeting of the Board.
ARTICLE IX - ALUMNI ORGANIZATIONS
In considering the recognition and chartering of alumni chapters, the Board of Directors shall determine the following: That such group operates with the best interest of Western New Mexico University in mind; that such group represents a significant segment of the regular membership of the Association in their area; and that group will work for the benefit of the Association and Western New Mexico University. The Alumni Association Board of Directors shall establish minimum requirements to be met for a group to be chartered and become an official chapter of the Association.
ARTICLE X - MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Section A. Rules and Procedures - Except as herein otherwise provided, Robert's Rules of Order, the latest revised edition, shall be the authority on all matters of parliamentary procedures.
Section B. Standing Rules - Standing rules consistent with the Bylaws may be prescribed by die Board of Directors to facilitate and expedite the carrying out of business by the Association.
Section C. Fiscal Year - The fiscal year of the Association shall extend from July I to and including June 30.
Section D. Meetings of Members
1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of the members shall be held during Homecoming week of each year. The Board of Directors shall meet previous to this meeting and shall be prepared to give an annual report of its activities and financial status to the Association membership.
2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called in the same manner as for the Board of Directors.
3. Powers. Regular members of the Association by a majority vote of those present shall have the authority to approve, disapprove, or modify all actions taken by the Board and all amendments to the Bylaws at any annual or special meeting.
4. Notice. All annual and special meetings of the Association shall require at least two weeks notice to all members and the statement of the nature of the business on the agenda.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Section A. Notice - These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that a notice stating the purpose of each proposed amendment is sent to every member of the Board of Directors not less than ten days prior to the date of the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to be voted on.
Section B. Voting - It shall require a roll call concurring vote of not less than two thirds of the members of the Board of Directors who are present at the meeting to amend the Bylaws.

rev. 1997