UMass Amherst Alumni Association

About Us

Board of Directors Commitments & Expectations

Approved September 19, 2006

As the University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association’s governing body, the Board of Directors is comprised of alumni whose demonstrated service and leadership display a strong understanding and commitment to the mission of the Alumni Association and the advancement of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

In accepting election or appointment to the Board, alumni agree to accept a leadership and participatory role as outlined in this document and agree to abide by the Alumni Association’s Code of Conduct, Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest.

Mission

The purpose of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Alumni Association shall be to promote through its alumni and membership the interests of the University of Massachusetts and its alumni.  The Alumni Association shall provide programs and services which enlighten, strengthen and develop students, faculty, staff, dues-paying members and alumni.  The Alumni Association shall act independently to further the interests of the alumni and the university.  In furtherance of these stated purposes, the Alumni Association’s mission shall be to:

• Provide the leadership, service and financial support necessary to enrich the academic, intellectual and social experience of the university’s students.
• Enhance, strengthen and develop the academic reputation of the university and reinforce and validate the worth and pride in the university’s academic experience.
• Continue to develop and reinforce the bonds between the university and its alumni.
• Seize upon every opportunity to elevate and heighten the university’s image and to instill pride within the greater university community of students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni as well as citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Promote diversity within the university family.
• Serve as the university’s advocate and champion before the Commonwealth’s and the nation’s political leadership.

Board Member Commitments

• Role of a Board Member
  • The Board of Directors is an active board.  Each member is assigned to one or two committees and is expected to participate and contribute. 
  • Board members serve as examples to the membership through support of Alumni Association programs with attendance at Alumni Association and university events, participation in university committees, and encouragement and support of alumni clubs and their leaders where appropriate.
  • Bylaws require that Board members be dues paying members of the Alumni Association.  Board members are expected to promote membership and participation in the Alumni Association.
  • Elected members serve a three-year term commencing on July 1 of a given year to coincide with the Alumni Association’s fiscal year.  Although not a guarantee, elected board members may have an opportunity to run for a second consecutive three-year term or to receive a two-year presidential appointment .
  • Appointed members serve a two-year presidential appointment commencing on July 1 of a given year to coincide with the Alumni Association’s fiscal year.  Although not a guarantee, appointed board members may have an opportunity to run for an elected seat or to receive a second presidential appointment.

• Meeting Requirements
  • Four full Board meetings are conducted during the year in September, November, February and May.  The February meeting also serves as the Board’s annual retreat.  Board meetings are held on campus as well as in other central locations within Massachusetts.
  • The Executive Committee meets 5-6 times per year in central locations within Massachusetts.
  • The Board’s Committees meet 4-6 times per year as needed via conference call, on campus or in central locations within Massachusetts.
  • Failure to attend the required number of meetings annually will call for action to be taken that includes, but is not limited to, automatic removal from the Board.

• Financial Considerations
  • As volunteers, board members will not receive compensation for travel to meetings or to events.  However, the Alumni Association does pay for lodging expenses incurred for Board meetings requiring an overnight stay on campus.  Some Board members choose to deduct the unreimbursed expenses as a “gift in kind” contribution of service to the organization, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit association.  We suggest you discuss this service as a contribution with your tax professional.

Board Member Expectations

• Learn how the Alumni Association functions and understand how the
  Alumni Association fits within the mission and goals of the university.
• Prepare for, regularly attend, and actively participate in Board meetings and Board Committees.
• Serve your term of office without expectation of a second term.
• Work cooperatively with other members of the Board and be courteous and respectful of other Board members’ opinions.
• Offer original thinking, ideas and points of view as well as your personal expertise and talents.
• Take responsibility for completing assignments on time and keeping others informed when necessary.
• Base your vote upon all information presented on each issue and exercise your best judgment in making decisions.
• Act on the basis of what is best for the Alumni Association and the university.
• Respect the limits and authority of officers, chairs and staff.  Understand that authority rests with the Board as a whole and not with individuals.
• Respect the confidentiality appropriate to issues of a sensitive nature and accept and abide by the Alumni Association’s Code of Conduct, Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest.
• Avoid acting as a spokesperson for the Board unless specifically authorized to do so by the president or executive committee.
• Accept and abide by the legal and fiscal responsibilities of the Alumni Association as specified in its bylaws.
• Refrain from actions and involvements that may prove detrimental or contrary to the policies of the Alumni Association or the university.
• Carry out obligations as a member of the Board, and, if unable to do so, give notice and resign.
• The Board is responsible for broad policy direction and should refrain from involvement with day-to-day management of the Alumni Association and/or the performance of contractors doing work for the Alumni Association.

Board Composition

The Board of Directors consists of 34 voting members including:

• 6 elected officers who serve two-year terms
• 18 elected directors who serve three-year terms
• 12 appointed directors who serve one-year terms and includes 9 appointments from the general membership, 2 appointments from chartered alumni clubs and 1 alumni appointment from the university faculty or staff (Beginning July 2007, appointed directors will serve 2-year terms co-terminus with the president.)
• 1 representative of the chartered alumni clubs elected by the officers of said groups who serves a three-year term
• 2 enrolled students who serve one-year terms and one of whom is the president of the Student Alumni Association
• the immediate past president who serves a term concurrent with the president’s term

Officers
  The officers of the Board include the following:

• President
• Three Vice Presidents
• Treasurer
• Secretary

Executive Committee
The Executive Committee consists of the six officers, the immediate past president, three at-large members from the Board and the alumni clubs representative.  The Executive Committee meets five or six times a year and is authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors when necessary.

The Executive Committee works in partnership with the Executive Director of the Alumni Association to coordinate the development and implementation of the Alumni Association’s strategic plan and related goals, and formulates recommendations for Board approval and action.  The Executive Committee assists the president in setting agendas for meetings of the Board, establishes membership rates and creates ad hoc committees as may be necessary to meet the needs of the Alumni Association.

Board Committees
Committee work is integral to implementing the Alumni Association’s strategic plan and related goals.  Each year the committees concentrate on issues of strategic importance to the growth and stability of the Alumni Association.  The standing committees are chaired by members of the Executive Committee and include Board members as well as alumni who have an interest or expertise in the area of focus.  All Board members serve on at least one committee.

• Alumni Clubs Committee
  The Alumni Clubs Committee oversees the strategic development of the Alumni Clubs program.
• Audit Committee
  The Audit Committee ensures that the audited statements and tax reports are prepared and submitted to the proper regulatory agencies and ensures transparency in board governance and reporting requirements.
• Communications, Marketing & Membership
  The Communications, Marketing and Membership Committee oversees the development of a comprehensive integrated membership, marketing and communication strategy to support the Alumni Association and strengthen the membership program.
• Finance & Investment Committee
  The Finance & Investment Committee formulates and recommends to the Board policies regarding the Alumni Association’s financial planning and investment strategies.  The Committee directs the monetary affairs and oversees investment of the funds of the Alumni Association. 
• Nominating Committee
  The Nominating Committee oversees a fair and impartial nominations and elections process and recruits qualified and committed alumni to serve on the board.
• Programs & Services Committee
  The Programs and Services Committee oversees the strategic development of programs and services that are offered by the central office and targeted for alumni.  
• Student Programs & Services Committee
  The Student Programs and Services Committee oversees the development of programs and services that are offered by the central office and targeted for students.
• Volunteer Advocacy & Public Affairs Committee
  The Volunteer Advocacy and Public Affairs Committee oversees the strategic development of advocacy programs, and the cultivation and recruitment of alumni volunteers.
• Alumni Career Services Ad Hoc Committee
  The Alumni Career Services Committee oversees the strategic development and implementation of the Alumni Association’s new Alumni Career Services program.
• Grants Review Ad Hoc Committee
  The Grants Review Committee oversees the Alumni Association’s Grants Program, and reviews and conducts due diligence on all funding requests made to Alumni Association.
• Governance Task Force
  The Governance Task Force, consisting of the three vice presidents and the executive director, is charged with developing and recommending to the Board an annual Leadership Action Plan.

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Signature                                                                      Date

By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information contained herein.